C26 Giant Tree Monster

The trio sat in silence for a lengthy stretch before Lin Da suddenly broke the quiet. "Han Feng's doing quite well for himself. I've heard he's managed to open up a Main Bloodline in just a month."

Han Yongxing's brow creased as he responded, "True, Han Feng's progress is commendable. But I believe it's the fruit of his three years of dedicated cultivation. The Heavenly Dao rewards those who persevere. It's not uncommon for people to have breakthroughs after years of fruitless effort. Han Feng's illness is likely a similar case."

"Once he's entered the Mortal-rank, his cultivation speed might surpass Han Lin's, but it won't be as astonishing. He'll probably return to the performance level of someone with Lower-grade Fourth-level Aptitude."

"The Mystic Sect's inspection is only half a year away. If Han Feng can open three Main Bloodlines by then, that would be impressive. Even with his family's Pills, at most he could open five or six."

Lin Da and Fann Lee paused, taken aback, then nodded in agreement. Lin Da's expression softened with empathy. "Poor Han Feng. If only he'd recovered from his illness sooner, things might have turned out differently."

"Once Han Lin is admitted into the Mystic Sect, the disparity between them will only widen. Ultimately, Han Lin's aptitude is just one level above Han Feng's. We're still in the dark about Han Feng's temperament and willpower, but I suspect their inherent differences aren't vast. External influences are likely to play a significant role from here on."

The group pressed on, delving deeper, until they reached an eerie area filled with bizarrely shaped trees.

Han Lieh marveled, "The Jade Peak Mountain Range holds such wonders."

He was about to step closer for a better look when Instructor Lin's stern voice rang out, "Come back!" Startled, Han Lieh's body jerked, and he quickly retreated.

Instructor Lin rebuked him, "You rascal, haven't I warned you repeatedly to be cautious in the Jade Peak Mountain Range? Curb that curiosity of yours, or it'll be your downfall!"

Chastened, Han Lieh hung his head.

Han Feng inquired, "Instructor, is something amiss here?"

"Indeed," Instructor Lin affirmed with a nod, and elaborated, "The trees in this area are quite peculiar. The explanation is straightforward: these odd trees are actually a variety of Devil Beast!"

"Devil Beasts!" Han Feng, Han Lin, and the rest exchanged bewildered glances.

A sense of dread washed over everyone. It was clear that within the mountain range, one could encounter all manner of bizarre Devil Beasts.

Instructor Lin flashed a wry smile. "Surprised? Some Devil Beasts are even stranger. Take, for example, the Man-Eating Flower. It may appear lovely, but should you draw near, it will consume you with astonishing speed, leaving nothing but bones in its wake."

Bones!

Han Lieh shuddered at the thought.

With a mischievous laugh, Instructor Lin addressed Han Lieh, "This Giant Tree Monster might not resemble the Man-Eating Flower, but it's certainly no less formidable."

"Step within the Giant Tree Monster's attack radius, and you'll find yourself ensnared by countless branches, ultimately drained to a husk."

Han Lieh's complexion turned ashen once more.

Stepping forward, Han Feng declared, "Instructor, I believe it's time for me to subdue the Giant Tree Monster."

Instructor Lin's face tensed as he pulled Han Feng back, cautioning him, "Not so fast. The Giant Tree Monster is far beyond the Devil Beasts we've encountered before."

"There are three tiers of Giant Tree Monsters. The common variety is a Level 2 Devil Beast with an attack range of five meters."

"The Giant Tree Guard ranks as a Level 3 Devil Beast, wielding an attack range of ten meters."

"At the apex, the Giant Tree General commands an attack range of twenty meters and is classified as a Level-four Devil Beast."

"I've heard tales of even more formidable Giant Tree Kings, but they are the stuff of legends, seldom seen."

"Should a Giant Tree King ascend, it becomes a Level-6 Devil Beast, free from the constraints of its species, capable of further evolution."

"I once read in a Devil Beast compendium that centuries ago, a mountain range witnessed the birth of a Level 12 Giant Tree King. Every Devil Beast and human within its domain was drained by the Giant Tree Monster. Its breakthrough to an Earth rank Devil Beast was its undoing, as it was ultimately slain by an Earth rank master who came upon learning of its existence."

"Looks like we won't encounter any Giant Tree Monsters here, but I'd bet there's a Giant Tree Guard lurking around."

"Take down a regular Giant Tree Monster, and the Giant Tree Guard is bound to show up."

Han Feng chuckled, "With Instructor Lin here to back you up, how could you not join the fray when the Giant Tree Guard emerges?"

"It's the perfect chance for us to witness your valor in action."

At Han Feng's words, Han Lin and the others' eyes sparkled with anticipation.

They had yet to witness a clash between Human Rank experts.

Instructor Lin playfully chided him, "You little rascal!"

Meanwhile, Han Yongxing and his companions were itching for some action.

This time, Lin Yue was the main event organizer, and the trio was merely on guard duty. In essence, they'd be twiddling their thumbs for the next ten days unless something big went down.

But now...

Seeing the trio's eagerness, Instructor Lin sighed and relented to Han Feng, "Fine, if you're itching to step in, go ahead."

"Just remember, even a standard Giant Tree Monster ranks as a Medium-grade Level 2 Devil Beast, roughly on par with a Martial Cultivator who has unlocked two Main Bloodlines."

"Be cautious."

Han Feng assured him with confidence, "You can count on me, Instructor."

He edged closer to the nearest Giant Tree Monster, its brown, twisted form resembling a spectral tree in the night.

With utmost caution, Han Feng approached the monster's striking distance when suddenly, the air split with the sound of tearing. Over a dozen brown branches whipped towards him with shocking velocity.

"Claw Condensation Technique!"

Han Feng's Claw Condensation Technique was at the pinnacle of Great Completion Stage, and the burst of his Internal Strength lent it formidable might.

His claw shadows danced, seizing the branches in a flurry of strikes.

To the amazement of Han Lin and the others, the branches snapped like twigs. With one final thrust, Han Feng's claw pierced the Giant Tree Monster's trunk, toppling it with a thunderous crash.

"Impossible! A one-hit kill!" Instructor Lin was utterly astounded.

Equally stunned were Han Yongxing and his companions.

Among the ten of them, Han Lin was the only one capable of achieving this feat.

The Giant Tree Monster, while not on par with the Greedy Wolf Snake, was still a cut above creatures like the Golden Armored Pangolin.

Even Han Rong and Han Zheng, who had taken on the Golden Armored Pangolin, came away with minor injuries.

Could it be that Han Feng's combat prowess has now exceeded that of both Han Rong and Han Zheng?

A fiercer battle spirit ignited in Han Lin's eyes. Had the timing been different, he might have already been locked in combat with Han Feng.

Han Yongxing and his companions exchanged puzzled looks. With a hint of disbelief, Han Yongxing murmured, "This kid... I had written him off before, but now it seems..."

Fann Lee and Lin Da nodded vaguely in agreement.

Instantly defeating the Giant Tree Monster suggested that Han Feng's combat strength might well be on par with someone who has opened up three Main Bloodlines.

The rate at which Han Feng's combat strength has soared is nothing short of terrifying – it's only been a month.

Instructor Lin was inwardly astonished, thinking, "Has this guy actually managed to break through to the second Main Bloodline already?"