Chapter 22
Effortless Instant Kill!
It was as if the Demon Ape, ranked tenth on the Beast Index and a terrifying fourth-rank existence, was merely a weak and powerless ant.
The anticipated epic battle did not occur; the Demon Ape failed to even touch the ancient tree before being instantly killed.
Silence!
A deathly silence!
However, this silence was immediately followed by an explosion of divine thoughts across the light screen.
"Horrifying! Truly horrifying!"
"Instant kill! The Demon Ape was instantly killed!"
"Rumor has it that the Alliance compiled a Beast Index, listing only fourth-rank and above ferocious beasts. The Demon Ape was ranked tenth, considered one of the best in the fourth rank. Who could have predicted it would be instantly killed by the ancient tree today!"
"Divine power of the ancient tree!"
"Divine power of the ancient tree!"
"Unbelievably powerful..."
Everyone was caught up in a frenzy, their hearts surging with waves of shock and excitement.
Despite having already witnessed the ancient tree's power, they had not expected it to be so powerful as to instantly kill the top-ranked Demon Ape.
...
In the courtyard.
Xu Bo's previously calm expression was now filled with fervent admiration as he gazed at the ancient tree. Beside him, Xu Qing's lips were tightly pressed together, her heart equally shaken.
...
At the Alliance headquarters.
At this moment, the Alliance leaders, including Ji Xuan, were all stunned and speechless at the scene before them.
After a long silence, Gu Fang sighed deeply, "We have underestimated the ancient tree of the Ten Thousand Mountains. Its power far exceeds all our previous estimates.
Even a beast as strong as the Demon Ape is no match for it!"
Reflecting on the first time he saw the ancient tree, Gu Fang had sensed its extraordinary power, but compared to today, it was like comparing heaven and earth.
The fall of the Demon Ape.
It invigorated the spirits of all the Alliance leaders.
"If the tenth-ranked Demon Ape cannot withstand the ancient tree, the likelihood of it stopping the beast tide has greatly increased. The Alliance has hope!"
Someone spoke with excitement, their words filled with anticipation.
Others, though silent, had a burning flame in their eyes as they watched the light screen.
...
[Ding! You have killed a fourth-rank early-stage beast, earning 50,000 cultivation points.]
Relevant information appeared, and Lu Qingyang felt a vast power flood into his body, further advancing his cultivation after breaking through to the mid-third rank.
...
[Name: Lu Qingyang]
[True Form: Ancient Tree]
[Lifespan: 15/]
[Realm: Mid-third rank (/)]
[Heavenly Court: Not yet opened (/)]
[Divine Abilities: Ancient Tree Roots (third rank), Ancient Tree Spiritual Root (third rank), Divine Fruit (third rank), Divine Whisper (third rank), Divine Insight (third rank), Ancient Tree Domain (third rank)]
...
"My cultivation points have exceeded 100,000. At this rate, I will soon break through to the late third rank!"
Even Lu Qingyang's usually calm heart couldn't help but ripple with excitement.
Once he advanced to the late third rank, his power would be even more terrifying.
Although he was currently only in the mid-third rank, Lu Qingyang's power was enough to match early fourth-rank beasts. With the use of the Ancient Tree Domain, he could even contend with mid-fourth-rank beasts.
If he could break through to the late third rank, Lu Qingyang would have the confidence to face mid-fourth-rank beasts directly. With the support of the Ancient Tree Domain, challenging late fourth-rank beasts would also be possible.
Over this period, through observing from his followers' perspectives, he had gained a deep understanding of the beast tide's power.
Since the advent of the divine blood baptism, beasts that could break through to the fourth rank were exceedingly rare.
Even fewer could reach the mid-fourth rank.
To date, Lu Qingyang had not encountered any late fourth-rank beasts.
In other words, if he could break through to the late third rank, he would have the confidence to sweep through the beast tide.
Additionally, after killing the Demon Ape, Lu Qingyang noticed a sudden increase in followers and divine incense, breaking through the 900,000 mark and nearing one million.
One million incense offerings meant he could open the Heavenly Court.
Moreover, while Lu Qingyang was observing, the number of incense offerings continued to rise rapidly, soon surpassing the one million threshold.
However—
Lu Qingyang, seeing the number of incense offerings break through one million, did not immediately proceed to open the Heavenly Court.
He was not yet clear on what changes opening the Heavenly Court would bring. Now, with the beast invasion at hand, any external interference during the process could have disastrous consequences.
Thus, Lu Qingyang decided to temporarily put off opening the Heavenly Court until after he had completely quelled the beast tide.
"As the sages say, crisis often brings opportunity. If my cultivation is insufficient to counter the beasts, this beast tide would spell doom."
"If I can turn the tide, this beast tide is an unparalleled opportunity akin to the divine blood baptism!"
Facing the endless, fearless horde of beasts, Lu Qingyang saw a glimmer of hope for breaking through to the fourth rank.
How could he hesitate?
After killing the Demon Ape, Lu Qingyang continued to unleash his power on the other beasts. Hundreds of roots spread out over a hundred miles, instantly killing any beast that entered the domain.
Massive amounts of cultivation points flowed into Lu Qingyang, rapidly boosting his cultivation.
In half a day, Lu Qingyang lost count of how many beasts he had slain, seeing only the ground littered with beast corpses, nearly covering the land.
To clear the bodies, Lu Qingyang used his roots to sweep them away, making room for the unprecedented beast tide.
Meanwhile,
Lu Qingyang re-examined his status panel.
...
[Name: Lu Qingyang]
[True Form: Ancient Tree]
[Lifespan: 15/]
[Realm: Mid-third rank (/ready for breakthrough)]
[Heavenly Court: Not yet opened (/)]
[Divine Abilities: Ancient Tree Roots (third rank), Ancient Tree Spiritual Root (third rank), Divine Fruit (third rank), Divine Whisper (third rank), Divine Insight (third rank), Ancient Tree Domain (third rank)]
...
In just half a day, he had gathered the required points to break through to the late third rank. The number of followers and incense offerings had also surged by another million.
Given the circumstances, Lu Qingyang did not hesitate to break through.
"Boom!"
The 2,000-meter tall ancient tree grew even taller at a stunning rate, reaching 2,500 meters in an instant.
Simultaneously,
The Ancient Tree Domain's range expanded from 60,000 meters to 100,000 meters.
All beasts within the domain's range saw their power drop by one level, and they were quickly eradicated.
...
The divine art screen clearly captured the scene of the ancient tree growing taller. Everyone realized the ancient tree had achieved another breakthrough.
Witnessing thousands of beasts being cleared in an instant brought an intense visual impact to the viewers.
Instantly, the entire Eighth Alliance area erupted in cheers.