Chapter 661: 344: The Heavenly Serpent Fruit Ripens
The invasion of power from the True Fire Domain caused Beihan Mansion, Mount Han Dao Mansion, and the surrounding mansions to gradually descend into chaos.
The situation became even more turbulent when the news of the imminent maturation of the Tian Snake Fruit somehow suddenly spread.
Although the Tian Snake Fruit was merely a Ninth-Grade spiritual object, it was a rare treasure of Heaven and Earth, capable of expanding the Cave Heaven World, thereby offering a chance to ascend to higher levels of the Heavenly Human Realm.
This level of rare treasure was undoubtedly the object of many a Celestial Human’s dreams, worth fighting for, even at great cost.
As word spread of the Tian Snake Fruit’s impending ripeness, numerous Celestial Humans from the vicinity of Mount Han Dao Mansion made their way there, adding to the already utmost chaotic situation.
Now, Mount Han Dao Mansion looked like a storm was about to break, with strict scrutiny of all outsiders.
Just one day prior, forces from Mount Han Dao Mansion, Eight Directions Sect, and Yuanying Hall, among others, had set up blockades in the area of the Tian Snake Fruit tree, kicking off the grand battle for it.
This was a peak-level Celestial Human white bird, its wings spanning over 150m, casting a large shadow on the ground below, stirring up a blizzard wherever it went.
A group of Eight Directions Sect disciples tasked with guarding this place were hidden in the icy terrain, not daring to emerge and intercept it.
They were merely at the Second or Third level of the Heavenly Human Realm and could not stop such a peak realm Demon Beast—if they tried, they would only be sending themselves to a pointless death.
Their sect’s mission was only to intercept targets of similar strength, reducing the number of competitors for the Tian Snake Fruit.
As for the more powerful Demon Beasts and Celestial Humans, they were to let them pass unchallenged to avoid unnecessary casualties.
Lu Yun, Yuan Yao, and Chang Xiaorui had stealthily made it past the various blockades and inspections to arrive in the area where the Tian Snake Fruit was located.
The allure of the Tian Snake Fruit to the many Demon Beasts and Celestial Humans far exceeded their expectations.
So far, the number of human and Demon Beast competitors at the Eighth level of the Heavenly Human Realm had reached no less than ten, a number that was continuously increasing.
If the news had not spread so late and had been known by fewer people, there would likely have been many powerful beings and Demon Beasts vying for it.
Under the deepening twilight, the three of them concealed themselves on a towering tree, from which they could see the Tian Snake Fruit tree in the distance.
A powerful Demon Beast could no longer contain itself and began to stealthily approach.
In the darkness, one could vaguely see that it was a Stone Man, towering over 150m tall, its gray-black body suppressing its aura, making its actual power hard to discern.
An Eight Directions Sect disciple at the Seventh level of the Heavenly Human Realm attempted to block it, but was grievously wounded by the Stone Giant in an instant. Had it not fled quickly, it would have been killed on the spot.
However, the commotion from their clash disturbed the giant beast resting under the Tian Snake Fruit tree.
Roar!
A battle was about to erupt as the serpent and the Stone Man engaged in a fierce fight.
The battle was cataclysmic, affecting hundreds of miles around, causing a massive avalanche.
In the end, the gray Stone Man was outmatched by the serpent and was forced to retreat, but it lingered nearby, unwilling to leave.
The Stone Man’s displayed strength had clearly reached the peak of the Eighth level of the Heavenly Human Realm, yet it was still no match for the serpent, indicating the formidable power of the Tian Snake Fruit’s guardian beast.
Half an hour later, the white bird spread its wings and flew towards the Tian Snake Fruit, instantly engaging in fierce combat with the giant serpent, joined by the Stone Giant.
The three mighty Demon Beasts fought furiously, causing mountains to crumble and rocks to fly chaotically, triggering one avalanche after another.
Ultimately, the white bird and the Stone Giant were once again defeated and driven off by the serpent.
The serpent’s display of strength thoroughly deterred other eager Demon Beasts and Celestial Humans, suppressing their greed.
“This serpent’s combat power must have reached the standard of the Ninth level of the Heavenly Human Realm. It won’t be easy for us to seize the Tian Snake Fruit,” Yuan Yao said with a frown after observing the serpent for a moment.
“This is only temporary. Once the Tian Snake Fruit is fully matured, all the hidden Demon Beasts and Celestial Humans in the vicinity will rush forth.
By that time, even if the serpent is incredibly strong, it will meet a bloody end,” Lu Yun said, his gaze scanning the surrounding area. The region once had many snow-capped mountains and dense towering trees, but now all within dozens of miles were marks of devastation, with only small snow mounds remaining.
One could say that the formerly undulating snow mountains and the thick tall trees had been flattened by the confrontation between the three Demon Beasts.
Snowflakes as big as goose feathers fell from the sky, gradually submerging the once chaotic battlefield. The area around the Tian Snake Fruit tree for miles was a vast expanse of white, with no place to hide.
His gaze finally settled on the Tian Snake Fruit tree.
The Tian Snake Fruit tree stood 150 meters tall, its branches bearing fruits that shone like crystalline amber, with only a small portion still green, emitting a faint glow.
After observing for a while, Lu Yun withdrew his gaze and glanced at Yuan Yao and Chang Xiaorui beside him, saying, “The Tian Snake Fruit will mature in about two hours. At that time, the battle for the fruit will be incredibly fierce. Are you confident you can seize it?”