40. The Entrance to the Stepped Pyramid

The nameless young man took immediate action, using the Eternal Ember Slash. A sword made of blazing embers materialized in his grip. He stomped the ground and leaped high into the air, hurling the sword toward the soul-sucking banyan tree.

The fiery blade spun through the air, and the familiar cry of a bird echoed across the forest as the sword gradually transformed into a bird cloaked in flames.

Once again, the Phoenix animal spirit named Kirmizi displayed its majesty, circling the soul-sucking banyan tree. A terrifying roar reverberated through the surroundings as the fiery bird spirit flew around the tree, leaving large gashes with its scorching, sharp wings.

From those cuts, embers began to grow into flames, spreading and consuming the tree's massive trunk, turning it into a giant, charred block of blackened heat.

The tree started to shake violently, and not even Prince Arkana's Root Bind technique could restrain the wild roots and hanging vines as they whipped furiously in all directions.

"Arkana! Now!" shouted the nameless young man as he saw the perfect moment to channel pure energy after weakening the tree.

The young prince immediately activated Radiant Soulforge Awakening, summoning his peacock animal spirit. A spectrum of colorful light surrounded his red star, Luminous Remnants within the peacock constellation.

A sea of light stretched across the sky, followed by a rain of Cosmic Resonance Radiation that shot down to the Lushterra and flowed into Prince Arkana's body. Green mist enveloped him, and the peacock totem tattoo on his back unfurled its tail.

Arkana stomped the ground hard and leaped into the air, spinning once before thrusting his hands toward the soul-sucking Banyan tree. Green light burst from his open palms, and from it, the glowing form of the peacock spirit began to take shape.

Squawk!!

The creature flew straight into the banyan tree, crashing into its trunk and merging with it. Green light surged across the tree's surface like electricity, flowing deep within.

And then suddenly—

Boom!

A loud explosion accompanied by a blinding flash of white light erupted. The intense white glow slowly dimmed, as did the black fog that had been swirling around the banyan tree.

Once the black magic had completely dissipated, small glowing orbs—embodiments of the long-imprisoned souls—began to break free, flying through the air in search of the bodies they once inhabited.

Warm sunlight pierced through, reviving the once lifeless atmosphere of the forest. Wild grass quickly grew, covering every inch of the previously barren ground. Fresh leaves began to sprout on the branches of the surrounding mountain pines.

All the green vegetation slowly came back to life, including the giant banyan tree, which was not exempt from the effects of Green Resurgence, a technique that could restore dying or even dead plants.

The massive banyan tree began its regeneration. Green leaves slowly emerged, the blackened char covering parts of its trunk replaced by new, sturdier wood, and its anchoring roots plunged deeper into the Lushterra. Even the clusters of hanging roots began to reappear.

With the tree's rebirth, the being trapped inside was freed from the dark magic that had long transformed it into a predator.

A glowing white light radiated from the split trunk, creating an opening for the Danyang, the tree spirit, to step out and meet the world once again. The figure of a woman with a body intertwined with hanging roots slowly approached the trio of young men who had saved her.

"Huh, she finally made it out," Casildo muttered, letting out a tired sigh.

The tree spirit immediately kneeled respectfully before the three. "My lords, thank you for saving me. In return, I am willing to do anything to repay you," she said in a gentle, melodic voice.

"Rise, we expect no repayment from you," Prince Arkana replied. "Right now, we just want to ask about a place you might know."

The banyan Danyang stood and asked, "What place are you searching for, my lord? I will help you find it."

"The stepped pyramid," Arkana answered. "We're looking for the entrance."

The tree spirit nodded confidently. "I know where it is. The entrance to the stepped pyramid is near a royal bathing place, a petirtaan, that you will find if you continue walking south."

Arkana nodded in understanding. "Thank you for your help. You may return now."

The three young men turned and began to walk away, resuming their interrupted journey. As they distanced themselves, they faintly heard the tree spirit call out with a warning.

"Be careful, my Lords. The stepped pyramid is guarded by the giant Dwarapala, who is also under the influence of black magic. His savagery and strength far exceed mine!"

***

At the same time, beneath a familiar, suffocating mound of earth, five small orbs of light floated, searching for their rightful owners. Their search ended when all five found the empty bodies they belonged to. Slowly, the orbs entered the stiff bodies that had been bound, and the once lifeless eyes of the five individuals gradually showed signs of life.

Three young men who had been keeping watch in boredom quickly reacted when they felt the ground tremble and heard a series of explosions outside. Their attention sharpened as they noticed movement from the five people bound before them.

"Eh?! It looks like their souls have returned!" Kairav exclaimed, slapping Baron and Gavin awake from their drowsiness.

"Seems like Prince Arkana and the others managed to free the Danyang," Gavin added, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Breathing heavily, Rio, a tall man from the Mystic Plunder Circle, began to struggle against the vines binding him and his comrades. In a panic, he shouted, unable to spot Trisha, his boss, unaware that she was tied up right behind him. "Miss! Miss! Where are you?!"

"Shut up, idiot! I'm right behind you!" Trisha snapped.

"Psycho, do you still recognize me?" Kairav teased, squatting in front of Trisha with a mischievous grin as he watched her fierce expression, a mix of panic and anger.

"Hit her on the head, Bro. If she can still bark, she hasn't lost her mind," Baron quipped, laughing, as Gavin playfully smacked Trisha's head.

"You bastards!" Trisha growled. "What have you done to us?!"

"Bro, she's still as feisty as before, so she must be fine, right?" Baron sneered.

The three young men exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

Trisha's eyes flashed with fury as her anger boiled over. "I swear I'm going to chop your heads off after this!!" she raged.

"Ungrateful mutts like you don't know how to thank your rescuers, huh?" Baron mocked.

"You should be thankful we're patching up your wounds right now," Gavin grumbled, scowling. "If we weren't so generous, your back would already be crawling with maggots."

Hearing that, Trisha was momentarily stunned, slowly realizing the burning pain radiating from one side of her back. Her lingering confusion had almost made her forget everything that had happened, including the strange event that unfolded as she and the remaining members of her crew emerged from the cave and set foot in the forest yesterday at dusk.

Then, as the fog silently descended, she found herself separated from everyone. In the midst of panic and bewilderment, she had heard a rustling sound, swiftly moving across the ground and through the grass. Though she was highly skilled in martial arts, in that blinding situation, she felt powerless.

And in that unfortunate moment, something sharp had suddenly pierced her back, tearing through her skin. Coldness crept into her body, her vision gradually darkened, and she felt as though something had been forcibly pulled from within her.

After that, she knew nothing. Until the chilling sensation returned, bringing her back to consciousness just moments ago.

Her deep contemplation was interrupted by a snap of fingers right in front of her face.

"The effect seems to be slower than expected, Bro," Baron joked, watching Trisha stare off in thought.

"Shut your filthy mouth!"

"Oh, I guess I was wrong," the bespectacled young man quipped, raising both his hands. He slowly stood up, walked away, and leaned against the wall to relax.

"Gentlemen, please show us a little mercy..." said the bald man, Zacky, with a wide grin, though his face carried a pleading look.

Irritated, Gavin immediately struck him on the head. "Don't expect any mercy from me, baldhead!" he snapped at Zacky.

Meanwhile, the big man, Juna, remained silent, watching his companions' unease, with anger simmering beneath the surface.

That's when Andi, the bearded one known for being the wisest among the members of the Mystic Plunder Circle, finally spoke up. "Gentlemen, we truly appreciate your help. But could you please untie us first?" he asked calmly.

Kairav responded indifferently, "It's not that we don't want to untie you. We just don't know how."

"What do you mean?" Andi asked, confused.