An ancient forest, veiled in misty light, inside a cave, Song Yan sensed the pitch-black roots climbing into his palm, their chilly touch radiating unrestrained goodwill.

'Is this innate intelligence?'

Song Yan squinted slightly, then extended his fingers to touch the roots, gently stroking them, saying, "I'm fine."

The roots danced happily, but then, like lightning, they retreated into the soil, followed by a tiny tip peeking out, as if observing the outside.

Its roots are exceptionally long, and having absorbed life energy, they grow longer and more divided.

Due to the refinement, Song Yan could even feel the sapling's roots reaching over forty yards below, yet extending, with every root absorbing energy from the soil.

The Yin Mansion Sacrificial Array can sacrifice various lives, yet it remains unharmed among them.

'Indeed, a threat...'

Song Yan couldn't help but marvel internally.

However, this Po Xu Shahua unmistakably is a treasure, inseparably tied with the Netherworld Corpse Demon Corpse Refining Secret Technique, possibly even the core of this secret technique.

Song Yan suddenly recalled the Xixiang Kingdom, remembering the Fiery Commandery Princess.

The Fiery Commandery Princess knew the "Holy Fire" was disastrous, thus choosing not to use it, only to be utilized by her adversaries, nearly leading to the annihilation of her entire clan.

Some powers or treasures, no matter how evil, as long as they have fallen into his hands by fortune, he wouldn't abandon them unused.

Feeling the Nether Tree quietly watching him, Song Yan lay down on the soil, smiling at the little tip peeking out.

The small root swiftly retreated, then slowly emerged again.

Song Yan extended his finger, quickly tapping the tip of the small root, which, like a fool, remained unmoving.

Song Yan found it amusing and continued to push.

Suddenly, the root slipped and coiled around Song Yan's finger.

Song Yan shook his finger up and down, causing the root to sway along.

But after wobbling for a while, the root retracted again, as if saying it wouldn't play with him anymore.

Song Yan chuckled heartily.

The root consistently hid in the soil, yet when Song Yan laughed and ignored it, it quietly emerged again, entwining around his closest pinky finger, wrapping round and round, neither tight nor loose.

Song Yan let it coil, but pondered how to slay the Divine Infant Tree Person outside and sacrifice it. He was targeted by Demon Mother Su Yao and two Celestial Demons, and needed to bolster his power and trump cards as much as possible.

A Divine Infant Tree Person, no matter how frightening, was still an adversary he could face.

But within this ancient forest lay far more tree people, and should they attack simultaneously, the dense poisonous fog or other elements could easily overwhelm him, throw him off guard, and cause him to fail and perish here.

He glanced outside the cave.

Dense poisonous fog twisted the air; creeping roots and vines grew savagely; peculiar insects chirped, high then low.

The air vaguely connected lines of small insects, traversing gaps in the forest like patrol squads in mortal streets and alleys.

Apart from the poisonous fog, controlling various poisonous insects was also likely one of these tree people's techniques.

"Are you afraid of fire?" Song Yan suddenly asked.

The Nether Tree heard his sounds, its roots suddenly raised high with curiosity, evidently confused about what he said.

Song Yan sliced the air with his fingers, gathering thin Fire Profound energy around, finally igniting a flame on his fingertips.

During his century with the Formless Ancient Race, he hadn't idled. Apart from Skin Making, he had mastered various techniques, notably familiar with many low-tier techniques, including Fire Profound techniques.

He brought the flame near the Nether Tree's roots.

The roots suddenly tightened around his pinky, lifting the tip backward, like a child running backward.

Song Yan said, "You're afraid of fire."

He frowned, appearing thoughtful: subduing wood with fire is a natural notion, yet if the Nether Tree fears fire, he'd have to devise another strategy.

But at that moment, the Nether Tree's roots suddenly darted like a hunting snake, the tip "whizzing" into Song Yan's flame, basking warmly, completely unharmed.

Song Yan's eyes gleamed with joy, but his wrist then moved, a strand of lightning sprouting from his blood and flesh, entwining the fire, he brought it near the Nether Tree's roots, asking, "Afraid of this?"

The Nether Tree's roots dove into the lightning fire, upon which the roots shook entirely, then swiftly retreated into the soil, seemingly angry, not emerging for quite a while.

Song Yan observed the outcome, murmuring, "Well, doable, but need to wait for a better opportunity."

After pondering, he leaned against the cave wall, recalling Demon Mother Su Yao's recent strike.

The attack method of that strike completely exceeded his understanding, yet upon reflection, it could be slightly comprehended.

Purple Mansion Realm involves defending and attacking with thoughts until weaving one's Lifebound Secret Technique.

Divine Infant Realm, seemingly a blend of humans and nature, manifests by transforming Lifebound Secret Techniques into Lifebound Secret Treasures, greatly augmenting power.

And Nine-Child Demon Mother's blow could even "utilize a thought to attack the source of that thought."

This isn't complex, akin to two kids fighting—one child throws a punch, the other grabs the fist with one hand, while "boom" the other hand smashes the opponent's face.

That recent strike of Nine-Child Demon Mother gave Song Yan such an impression.

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