BANG! BANG! BANG!

While the group was fighting the monstrous tree, its energy field finally shattered under the relentless flames. The fire rapidly surged along the trunk and roots toward its main body.

Then, Chen Pingchuan witnessed a bizarre sight: strange patterns were emerging on the tree's roots. The patterns felt complex and arcane, like ancient symbols, twisting and writhing as if they were alive. They were arranged in a peculiar rhythm and had a deep, somber, violet-black color, as if corroded by some malevolent force. In the firelight, they flickered with an eerie luster.

At the same time, the patterns seemed to possess some sort of magic. Each curve radiated an invisible energy, like a sealed, mystical channel on the verge of unleashing terrifying power. The strangely bewitching sight was like a demon's smile, sending a chill down the spine. It felt as if a single touch would drag you into an endless, dark abyss—a place of eternal damnation.

"Lilia, look at the patterns on the tree's roots! That might be its weak point. Focus your attacks there!" Chen Pingchuan shouted, making a quick decision.

"Understood, Boss."

Upon hearing the command, Lilia immediately focused her psychic powers and attacked the patterns on the tree's roots.

As the flames continued to burn, the tree's attacks grew weaker. Suddenly, the many monstrous eyes on its trunk merged, forming an irregular spatial rift. A powerful energy fluctuation emanated from it, making everyone's heart jolt in terror.

Instead of fear, Chen Pingchuan was thrilled. He shouted, "Ranged attackers, hit the rift! Everyone else, provide cover!"

The team continued their assault. Lilia used her psychic powers to concentrate the flames on the rift, which erupted in a blinding light. Wei Hao used a gravity field to anchor the monstrous tree's roots, preventing it from escaping. Porcupine swung his axe with all his might, hacking at the roots. Poisonous Widow also fired her laser gun at the tree, trying to widen the rift.

As the rift expanded, a painful shriek came from the tree's roots. Its body trembled in what seemed to be immense agony.

What kind of world is this? Chen Pingchuan thought. This thing is like some kind of energy core or portal... it's completely unscientific!

Despite his internal complaints, his eyes never wavered. Though he hadn't made a move himself, he was still commanding the entire situation.

Just then, the monstrous tree let out a furious roar. The rift in its roots began to widen, its body shook violently, and the surrounding air grew extremely turbulent. Chen Pingchuan realized the tree was making its final, desperate struggle.

"Everyone, be careful! It's almost over. Don't get injured now. Watch out for a counterattack!"

Sure enough, just as Chen Pingchuan finished speaking, the tree surged with renewed vitality. Hundreds of slender roots erupted from the ground, lashing out at everyone.

Lilia was still focusing her psychic powers, blasting the rift on the tree's trunk with fire, so the responsibility of protecting her fell to Wei Hao. He strengthened his gravity field to block the tree's assault while simultaneously using anti-gravity to levitate himself and Lilia, keeping them safe from the attacks on the ground.

While everyone was locked in a stalemate with the tree, Chen Pingchuan noticed ripple-like patterns appearing within its energy rift. The ripples radiated a powerful light that made even his heart race. Startled, he realized this could be the tree's most powerful attack. Though he didn't know what it would do, he knew retreating was the smart move.

Before Chen Pingchuan could give the order, the tree let out a final, furious roar. Its body began to shake violently, and the air churned. The energy ripples began to emit a heart-stopping vibration.

"It's going to explode! Run!" Chen Pingchuan yelled, grabbing Porcupine and Great Fierce Bear and pulling them back. Lu Jiaojiao, being an agility-type, was already retreating, moving even faster than he was.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!

The monstrous tree let out a final, great wail as uncontrollable energy erupted outwards, shaking the ground violently. A blinding flash was followed by a powerful energy surge from the tree's remains. Lilia and Wei Hao were blasted out of the sky. Chen Pingchuan and the others on the ground fared no better; the enormous shockwave sent them flying.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Chen Pingchuan lost count of how many village houses he crashed through. His ears were ringing, and stars flashed before his eyes. His body felt like it had been torn apart before he finally came to a stop in a pile of rubble.

He struggled to his feet, covered in dust and blood. The air was thick with an acrid, burning smell.

The area was devastated. The once-vibrant village had been flattened, and wisps of smoke curled up from the ruins. The ground was a cratered mess, riddled with huge fissures as if torn apart by an invisible giant's hand. Broken wood and shattered stones—the remnants of houses and other buildings—were scattered everywhere.

Not far away, Wei Hao and Lilia were painstakingly flying up from a tilled field. A lock of Lilia's hair was scorched, her face was smudged with dust, and her eyes revealed exhaustion and fear. Wei Hao clutched his chest, using the last of his Spiritual Power to fly with Lilia toward Chen Pingchuan. He had several scrapes, and his clothes were stained red with blood.

Porcupine and Great Fierce Bear also got to their feet amid the nearby village ruins. Great Fierce Bear, his clothes in tatters, spat dust from his mouth and grumbled, "That monstrous tree sure was tough. I almost died back there."

Porcupine, panting heavily, kept muttering, "We can finally eat. I'm starving."

Chen Pingchuan looked around. Everyone was battered, but thankfully, they were all alive. He was secretly relieved but also awestruck by the creature's terrifying power. It was comparable to a medium-sized missile. If they had been any closer, the energy blast would have obliterated them.

Suddenly, a faint cry came from the rubble.

Chen Pingchuan followed the sound and found Lu Jiaojiao sitting on a stone, crying. Her once fair, delicate face was now black with soot. Her clothes were torn and revealing, but not in an alluring, mysterious way; she looked more like a destitute refugee.

Chen Pingchuan walked over and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't cry. The important thing is that you're alive."

Lu Jiaojiao looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "Boss, that was terrifying! I almost died! When this mission is over, can you find me a partner? I'm still a..."

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