Chapter 1081: Duel of Spells

Ye Chen followed Fan Tong all the way back to You Du's first heaven, eventually arriving at the gates of You Du city.

Someone was already waiting at the city gates, completely shrouded in a black robe. Upon closer inspection, it was their neighbor, the enchanting fox-like woman. When she saw Ye Chen and Fan Tong approaching, she couldn't help but wink at Ye Chen. However, spotting the young eagle on his shoulder, she restrained herself significantly.

Ye Chen simply ignored her, or perhaps he had just gotten used to it. A little teasing was fine, but if the fox-like woman dared to push it, he wouldn't hesitate to strike her down.

Let's go!

Fan Tong also put on a black robe and summoned a massive flying sword.

Seeing this, Ye Chen and the fox-like woman stepped onto it. The flying sword soared into the sky, and the three of them vanished from the city gate in an instant.

They were unaware that shortly after they left, over a dozen figures in black clothing emerged from You Du city and followed them. Their group was not small, and it included four quasi-emperors.

As night fell, the enormous flying sword descended upon a vast, winding mountain range.

This is the place!

Fan Tong was the first to step off the flying sword, cautiously scanning the surroundings.

Next came the fox-like woman, her enchanting eyes surveying all directions.

Ye Chen was the last to disembark, subtly activating his Xian Lun Yan and gazing at the mountains before him. The spiritual energy here was extraordinarily dense, forming misty clouds of surging power.

This aura is indeed from a Di Di Ling Mai!

Ye Chen murmured to himself. He was all too familiar with Di Di Ling Mai and knew he couldn't be mistaken.

Follow me!

Fan Tong began walking deeper into the mountains, with Ye Chen and the fox-like woman following behind.

After some time, the three stopped at the edge of a dark forest.

This was a pitch-black forest where the branches, trunks, and even the ground were all black, resembling scorched earth. Inside, it was eerily silent and somewhat foreboding.

Secret array!

Ye Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, instantly seeing through the mystery. Each of the black ancient trees served as an array point, all interconnected to form a massive array.

Are you sure this is the place?

The fox-like woman seemed to sense the strangeness here and glanced at Fan Tong.

I've been here more than ten times; I wouldn't mistake it.

Fan Tong replied, standing in place and looking around as if searching for something.

This is the illusion array set up by that old tree demon—or rather, an ancient array. It's incredibly powerful.

Are you looking for the entrance?

Ye Chen turned to Fan Tong.

When I came before, I left some marks.

Fan Tong stepped forward, examining the black ancient trees.

Give me some time; I need to identify my marks.

As you wish.

Ye Chen stood still. He wasn't well-versed in arrays, and although his Xian Lun Yan could pierce illusions, the old tree demon's secret array was profoundly mysterious, even eluding him.

It must be some kind of ancient array, with the array points cycling endlessly.

Ye Chen thought to himself, secretly marveling at the old tree demon's abilities.

We're neighbors now, and I still don't know your name.

With nothing to do, the fox-like woman sidled up to him, her voice still soft and alluring, her enchanting eyes gleaming with charm.

Ye Chen.

Ye Chen replied casually.

Autumn winds and falling leaves, vast universe stars—what a fine name.

The fox-like woman smiled seductively.

You can call me Hu Xian Er. Once we get the Di Di Ling Mai, you should come visit me!

Seems like I won't have the time.

Ye Chen said lightly.

How so? Are you afraid your sister will eat you?

That remains to be seen.

Ye Chen replied casually, which only made Hu Xian Er smile more charmingly.

Found it!

While they were talking, Fan Tong stopped in front of an ancient tree with hanging vines, muttering curses.

Damn old tree demon, you almost fooled me again.

Follow me, and don't get separated.

Fan Tong instructed before stepping into the dark forest along that ancient tree.

Don't worry; I'll stick close.

However, once they entered the dark forest, both Hu Xian Er and Ye Chen furrowed their brows.

The dark forest was indeed strange; the ancient trees moved like people, following some bizarre pattern. Those with weaker cultivation could easily get lost.

Fan Tong, leading the way, kept stopping and starting, clearly an expert in arrays. Whenever the secret array's trees shifted, he quickly found the correct path.

Let's go over the plan.

As they ventured deeper, Fan Tong said,

I'll handle restraining the old tree demon with Little Fox and the Flame Golden Eagle. If possible, we should kill it. That ancient thing is a thousand-year tree demon, full of essence all over. As for you, Ye Chen, strike fast and secure the Di Di Ling Mai.

Understood.

Ye Chen and the others nodded, not daring to be careless.

After about an hour, the three finally halted.

Ahead was a massive barrier. At its center stood an enormous old tree, its trunk gnarled and towering over five hundred zhang high. Both the trunk and branches shimmered with a crystalline glow.

The spiritual energy here was the most abundant, condensing into liquid form, with the old tree enveloped in hazy mist.

It's undergoing Nirvana!

Ye Chen focused on the old tree demon, discerning some clues.

Just as Fan Tong had said, it was in a weakened state, in the midst of Nirvana. Fresh green buds grew on every branch, brimming with vibrant life force—all thanks to the Di Di Ling Mai.

Shifting his gaze from the old tree demon, Ye Chen looked underground.

With his Xian Lun Yan narrowed, he peered through the earth to a depth of over eight hundred zhang. There, a root-like spiritual vein lay, immensely vast with intricate branches, radiating colorful light and containing vast, oceanic essence.

Buzz!

As Ye Chen observed, the old tree in the barrier suddenly trembled, causing the ground to shake. The old tree demon had been awakened by their arrival, and on its massive trunk, facial features began to form.

It's you again.

The moment it opened its eyes, the old tree demon spotted Fan Tong.

Don't make a fuss; we're so familiar, you must have missed me.

Fan Tong drew a pitch-black killing sword, blew on it, and even wiped it with his sleeve.

You're asking for death.

The old tree demon snorted coldly, its massive body shaking violently as over a hundred vines shot out, each wrapped in a chilling aura, lunging toward Fan Tong.

Let's go all out!

Fan Tong shouted, charging first. He bit his finger, smearing his blood on the black killing sword to awaken its power, and slashed out a world-shaking sword beam.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang out, crisp and resounding. The old tree demon's vines were as hard as iron, and Fan Tong's strike only managed to break through them.

Seeing this, Hu Xian Er joined in, wielding a pair of violet-green swords with fierce precision.

From Ye Chen's shoulder, the young eagle took flight, its sparrow form instantly expanding into a massive Flame Golden Eagle engulfed in flames. Its wings spread wide, covering the sky, and its feathers shot out like divine swords, raining down on the old tree demon.

Ye Chen stepped back strategically, silently watching the battle, waiting for the right moment to seize the Di Di Ling Mai.

Three quasi-emperors daring to challenge me?

The old tree demon roared in anger, opening its maw to reveal a vortex with terrifying suction, swallowing Fan Tong, Hu Xian Er, and the Flame Golden Eagle's attacks whole.

Take this big one!

Fan Tong sneered, flinging a spirit talisman into the old tree demon's mouth.

Explode!

With Fan Tong's command, the talisman in the old tree demon's mouth detonated instantly, unleashing countless sword beams. The beams were inscribed with Fan Tong's Dao marks, which also self-destructed in a frenzy.

The old tree demon shuddered, suffering heavy damage. It hadn't expected this move from Fan Tong, leaving its body riddled with holes and spraying fresh blood.

You deserve to die!

The old tree demon bellowed, its entire form glowing with brilliant immortal light as its waning aura rapidly surged.

In response, Fan Tong, Hu Xian Er, and the Flame Golden Eagle retreated to avoid the onslaught, then charged again. From Fan Tong's brow, a treasure seal flew out; Hu Xian Er spat out a jade ruyi; and the Flame Golden Eagle gathered golden flames in its eyes, firing divine flames to target the old tree demon's primordial spirit.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

The battle escalated, the scene extraordinarily grand, with surrounding mountains collapsing one by one.

The old tree demon was undeniably powerful, rooted in place but unleashing countless vines like serpents, each encircled by dark auras and sharp as swords.

Beyond that, its regenerative ability was formidable; severed branches quickly regrew, fueled by abundant life force.

From the outskirts, Ye Chen observed clearly that the old tree demon's regeneration relied heavily on the Di Di Ling Mai, constantly drawing its essence.

In contrast, the Flame Golden Eagle, Fan Tong, and Hu Xian Er were in a sorry state.

Though the old tree demon was weakened, it was still an emperor-level being, endlessly replenished by the Di Di Ling Mai, making the fight grueling. The weakest, Hu Xian Er, was already injured.

Ye Chen acted, diving straight into the ground to sever the old tree demon's connection to the Di Di Ling Mai and claim it.

A Heaven Realm cultivator seeking death?

The old tree demon thundered, sending its tangled roots surging from the earth toward Ye Chen.

Ye Chen said nothing, drawing the Chi Xiao Sword wreathed in immortal fire.

True fire?

The old tree demon's spirit quaked, sensing a grave threat. In the five elements, wood fears fire, and though it was an emperor, its essence was still that of a tree.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

Ye Chen struck fiercely and decisively, swinging the Chi Xiao Sword repeatedly. The encroaching roots were chopped to pieces, their power amplified by the immortal fire, leaving the old tree demon's roots in utter disarray.