Chapter 229: Sword Bamboo True Body

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Three Spirit rings encircled Zeng Yi's body, their yellow and purple colors astonishing Xu You and Niu Man.

Zeng Yi had previously told them that he was a level 50 Spirit Master. He had also demonstrated his strength, convincing the two of them. However, during their journey, they were puzzled because Zeng Yi had never released his Spirit rings, making them doubt whether his power was truly that of a Spirit Elder or more akin to that of a Spirit King.

Indeed, if someone were to claim that Zeng Yi was a Spirit King, they would believe it. But to say that he was still a Spirit Elder was hard to accept.

However, now they witnessed Zeng Yi's Spirit rings with their own eyes, causing waves of shock and disbelief. Furthermore, two of his three Spirit rings were at the thousand-year level, making him seem like a monstrous existence.

Zeng Yi's silver eyes glittered with a cold light. At this moment, he had fully activated his powers, using both his second and third spirit abilities. Surge of Spirit power coursed through his body, emitting a powerful aura that stirred up a whirlwind, scattering fallen leaves.

Dealing with a twenty-thousand-year-level Spirit beast, Zeng Yi had to exert his full strength, utilizing all his techniques to quickly end the battle. They were currently inside the forest, and this level of battle was likely to attract the attention of other Spirit beasts. If another ten-thousand-year-level Spirit beast were to appear, Zeng Yi could only flee.

He had to resolve it as quickly as possible!

Sword Control: Extreme!

Two long swords at his waist quickly unsheathed, and five swords materialized around his body. The blades shimmered with sharp, cold light as they shot towards the Sword Bamboo.

Swish~~

A branch of emerald bamboo crackled through the air, swiftly lashing towards Zeng Yi's waist. If struck, Zeng Yi believed that the force of the Sword Bamboo's attack would sever him.

However, it was too slow!

Gathering the force of the wind beneath his feet, Zeng Yi leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the powerful whip.

Boom~

The bamboo whip broke dozens of tall bamboo stems, finally slamming onto the ground, creating a ten-meter-long ravine with its sharp and chilling momentum.

Winds of Decisive Slash!

At the same time, a blue Spirit Sword, accompanied by a torrential flow of wind, tore through the air and rapidly attacked the Sword Bamboo's body.

Sensing the imminent danger, numerous root stems burst forth, frantically twisting and coiling together to form a giant shield that blocked Zeng Yi's powerful sword energy.

Meanwhile, Xu You and Niu Man charged towards the Sword Bamboo's location, following the battle plan discussed with Zeng Yi beforehand. Since Zeng Yi had encountered the Sword Bamboo before, he knew where its weak point was.

Plant-type Spirit beasts generally inhabit a fixed area as they are not good at moving around. Only after reaching the ten-thousand-year level can they move their roots to change their living location.

For this reason, plant-type Spirit beasts usually set up numerous traps within their territories to defend against other Spirit beasts.

The core of the plant-type Spirit beast, its true body, is usually hidden in a very concealed location.

In this type of situation, with a twenty-thousand-year-old plant-type Spirit beast, its roots extended throughout the soil, covering an area of several hundred meters, even possibly its entire territory.

No matter how big the area was, the Sword Bamboo's true body must be hidden somewhere. Thus, Zeng Yi's plan was to attract the Sword Bamboo's attention while Xu You and Niu Man searched for its true body.

"I never expected that the towering twenty-meter-high bamboo body wasn't the Sword Bamboo's true body. Young Master's knowledge of Spirit beasts is truly profound." Xu You murmured while searching within the bamboo forest.

"With so many bamboos in this forest, how can we tell which one is the Sword Bamboo's true body?" Niu Man felt lost as all the bamboo looked the same to him, making it impossible to discern the Sword Bamboo's true body.

"Young Master said that the true body of the twenty-thousand-year-old Sword Bamboo is only a little over two meters tall, shaped like a sword."

"We only have five minutes. If we can't find it, we'll have to retreat." Xu You said gravely, realizing the difficulty of finding the hidden true body within such a short time.

Boom boom boom~

Hearing the distant rumbling, gusts of powerful winds filled the air, radiating a cutting coldness. Xu You couldn't help but feel worried as she looked towards the source of the energy. She was concerned that Zeng Yi might not be able to handle the twenty-thousand-year-old Spirit beast. Nevertheless, she had made her choice and could only trust him.

The fusion with the fourth ten-thousand-year Spirit ring was a decision that would startle anyone. However, considering that two of his previous Spirit rings were at the thousand-year level, it wasn't that surprising for the fourth Spirit ring to be at the ten-thousand-year level. Moreover, he was the person she chose to follow, and she couldn't help but feel proud. Fortunately, she hadn't chosen to leave; otherwise, she would have missed an opportunity she would regret for a lifetime.

But for now, they had to overcome this crisis. After all, danger and opportunity coexisted.

Xu You and Niu Man didn't participate in the battle, which greatly boosted Zeng Yi's strength as he fought alone. With his distractions, she believed that the combined strength of their two Spirit Kings wouldn't be in much danger.

Now they just had to wait for their news.

Brandishing his Lanchie while controlling the seven flying swords, Zeng Yi launched a frenzied assault on the Sword Bamboo like a storm. The Sword Bamboo swung a dozen bamboo whips in response, and countless bamboo leaves filled the sky, resembling sharp blades that obscured Zeng Yi.

Wind Barrier!

Forward Steps Slash!

The Sword Bamboo launched its attacks, unaffected by Zeng Yi's strikes. Likewise, Zeng Yi's attacks had little impact on the Sword Bamboo.

As time went on, Zeng Yi began to feel overwhelmed. The strength he currently possessed was obtained by burning his Spirit power to match the twenty-thousand-year-old Sword Bamboo's power. If they couldn't find the true body of the Sword Bamboo, it would be invincible. Just the consumption of Spirit power alone could exhaust Zeng Yi to death.

"Hurry up, you two!"

Evading the Sword Bamboo's attacks dangerously, Zeng Yi couldn't help but pray. Three minutes had already passed, and if they didn't find it soon, he would have to retreat.

On the other side, Xu You and Niu Man had been searching around, occasionally being ambushed by rising roots from the ground. However, as Spirit Kings, they weren't severely affected. Most of the Sword Bamboo's attention was focused on Zeng Yi.

"We can't find it. We've searched all the places its roots could be hiding, but still haven't found its true body." Niu Man said with a hint of frustration. "Shouldn't we retreat? Brother Zeng probably won't be able to hold on much longer."

Xu You was momentarily stunned, halting her steps.

"Wait, don't speak yet."

Upon hearing her words, Niu Man closed his mouth and refrained from drawing another breath.

Closing her eyes, Xu You carefully sensed the surroundings.

She seemed to have heard a very faint heartbeat just now.

If she wasn't mistaken, the Sword Bamboo's true body should be nearby.

Five Spirit rings gradually emerged on Xu You's graceful and charming body. As her first Spirit ring lit up, her Spirit power spread out, pervading the surroundings.

Melodic Perception!

This spirit ability was a reconnaissance technique that allowed Xu You to clearly sense any movement within a hundred meters.

Various sounds of rustling and movement amassed into invisible threads, converging into Xu You's ears. She began to analyze and filter the information she desired.

Thump thump thump~

A weak heartbeat was perceived by Xu You. In her ears, this heartbeat grew louder and louder. Finally, she opened her eyes wide.

"I found it, fifteen meters to the left!"

Hearing Xu You's voice, Niu Man became overjoyed, quickly heading towards the indicated location.

"It's that bamboo. I heard the heartbeat coming from inside it. I can't be wrong." Xu You pointed to the bamboo over ten meters tall.

"But didn't Brother Zeng say its true body is only a little over two meters tall?" Niu Man asked, feeling puzzled. However, without further contemplation, he activated his Spirit power, summoning a massive fist. With a stomping step, even the ground beneath him sank slightly due to his immense strength.

"Spirit Fusion!"

A black shadow of a raging bull appeared behind Niu Man as he underwent a drastic transformation.

Rushing out, his powerful fists shimmered with light as they struck the bamboo stem that was over a foot wide.

Bang—

A ring of invisible shockwaves spread out, making Niu Man realize something was amiss and quickly retreated.

"Take cover behind me!" Niu Man yelled, and then his Spirit rings shone brightly. All his defensive Spirit skills were immediately activated.

In the next moment, the bamboo body exploded, and a circular sword energy rapidly expanded, exuding a chilling aura that caused one's Spirit to tremble.

Boom!

This sword energy struck Niu Man's Spirit power shield, which endured for two seconds before breaking apart. The circular sword energy also left a gap. Xu You and Niu Man were both sent flying by the powerful force, and numerous bamboo stems were sliced in half.

Boom boom boom~

Many bamboos fell to the ground, transforming the once dense bamboo forest into a clearing scattered with debris.

Cough cough cough~

Coughing, Xu You and Niu Man struggled to get up from the ground. Xu You wasn't too badly affected, though her clothes and hair were a bit messy. As for Niu Man, he had a wound on his chest, bleeding profusely, blood staining his lips. He was incredibly pale, already in critical condition.

"How are you?" Xu You anxiously inquired as she saw Niu Man's condition.

Shaking his head, Niu Man replied, "I'm fine. That sword energy only scratched my skin; it can't kill me."

"Look over there, is that the Sword Bamboo's true body?"

Upon hearing Niu Man's words, Xu You widened her eyes and her expression turned jubilant.

Over there, a small bamboo, about two meters tall, stood on the ground. It had a few tiny branches hanging from its body, with very few leaves. Its whole body was a pale silver color and emitted a faint halo when illuminated by the sunlight.

This Sword Bamboo seemed like an unrivaled divine sword plunged into the ground. One could clearly feel its sharpness and indomitable presence, which rushed towards them.

Furthermore, on it, there was an actual heart growing, attached to the body of the Sword Bamboo like a sword hilt.

The heart continuously contracted and expanded, as if breathing. It pulsated slightly, attracting the gaze of both individuals, even captivating their Spirits.

Thump thump thump~