Chapter 96

After a brief rest, Tang Jie took Yi Yi and left the mountain spring.

They continued on their way. Just as they were walking, they suddenly heard the sounds of a fierce battle ahead.

Following the sound, Tang Jie saw five students surrounding a giant golden-haired ape in combat. The ape was nearly three meters long, with thick, long arms swinging continuously. It roared in anger from time to time and swung its club, creating a fierce wind.

Despite its large size, the creature was abnormally agile, jumping around the crowd and dodging magical attacks. Even when hit, it seemed unaffected, while its own attacks were incredibly powerful, often cracking rocks with a single strike.

When Tang Jie arrived, the battle was already in full swing.

It was clear that the strength of this giant ape was significantly greater than that of the wolf Tang Jie had previously dealt with. However, it was facing five students working together, and these five were clearly skilled and well-coordinated, so they still had the upper hand.

Tang Jie did not join the fight but stood at a distance, calling out, "Tang Jie, student of the 1822 class, do you need help?"

According to the rules of the Xiyue Academy, whether in the Tiger Roar Valley or other trial locations, one should not easily intervene in a battle between fellow students unless the situation is critical. One must first report their class and name to avoid misunderstandings.

Not reporting one's identity, even if offering help, could be a cover for ulterior motives, perhaps using the guise of assistance to cause harm.

This rule, developed over centuries of cultivation, applies throughout the Qixia Realm. Even if the identity reported is false, it must be reported first, similar to pointing a gun at oneself when threatening someone. Regardless of its effectiveness, it makes people feel more comfortable.

If the other party needs help, they usually immediately offer a reward to avoid disputes over contributions later.

As for killing and stealing monsters... at least in the Tiger Roar Valley under the academy's jurisdiction, anyone who does this is asking for trouble.

"No need for now!" one of the leading students called out.

Clearly, they did not want another person to share in the spoils. Although the giant ape was powerful, it was just a low-grade monster. With five against one, they could handle it steadily.

Tang Jie looked at the giant ape and said, "You should be careful. This giant ape might be one of the golden gibbons released recently. Two were released, one male and one female. If it can't win, it might call for help. If you can't end the fight quickly, you'll have a big problem."

The leading student was taken aback, "Are you sure?"

"I'm not sure, but I know there are six types of monkeys in the Tiger Roar Valley, most of which live in groups. If it's not a golden gibbon, the consequences could be even worse... If I were you, I wouldn't fight monkeys at all."

"Join us, and we'll give you a 15% share!" the student called out, "We've been fighting this monkey for a while, and this offer isn't unreasonable!"

Just as Tang Jie was about to speak, the golden-haired giant ape suddenly let out a loud roar that shook the surroundings.

Hearing the roar, everyone's faces changed.

Tang Jie stepped back, "It's calling for reinforcements. You'd better leave quickly!"

"No, we're almost winning!" someone still hesitated.

"Run if you don't want to be expelled from the valley. Sometimes you have to know when to give up!"

With that, Tang Jie turned and ran. At the same time, a roar came from the distant forest, like a storm rising, stirring the trees and sending birds flying.

A huge golden figure was already rushing towards them, even larger than the one they were fighting.

"Bad, let's go!" the leading student also fled.

The five students ran, but the fighting giant ape was not willing to let them go, chasing them fiercely. One student, who was slower, was hit by the ape's palm, spitting blood and flying away. Seeing he couldn't escape, he reluctantly activated his jade token to teleport out of the valley.

Seeing this, Tang Jie ran even faster without looking back.

Fortunately, he hadn't joined the fight, so the two giant apes ignored him and chased the other four students.

After a mad dash, they finally escaped the battle area. Tang Jie stopped, leaning against a tree to catch his breath.

Yi Yi, also frightened by the two giant apes, patted her chest, "Brother, this place is so scary!"

They had only been there for half a day, but they had already fled twice. They were supposed to hunt monsters, but it seemed more like they were being hunted.

"Stupid girl," Tang Jie teased, scratching her nose and smiling, "If monsters were so easy to deal with, they wouldn't be worth much. The Tiger Roar Valley is still relatively safe. At least we have information on them and can use teleportation tokens to save our lives. When we go to truly dangerous places in the future, we won't have these advantages. Let's continue exploring and see what else is around."

As Tang Jie was about to move forward, he found his hand stuck to the tree and couldn't pull it back.

Looking up in surprise, Tang Jie saw a strange human face on the tree. The tree's eyes suddenly moved and looked at him.

"It's a tree spirit!" Tang Jie exclaimed.

He pulled his arm hard, tearing it from the tree trunk, leaving his palm bloody and raw.

At the same time, the face on the tree suddenly showed anger, its mouth opened wide, and it let out a silent roar. The branches on the tree turned into countless whips and lashed at Tang Jie.

The Unshaped Golden Body and the Condensed Water Shield activated.

Crack, crack, crack!

A bright light flashed on Tang Jie's body as the whips struck. The Condensed Water Shield shattered instantly, and the powerful force sent Tang Jie flying, leaving his back bloody and raw.

As Tang Jie landed, a thick root burst from the ground, wrapping around him and pulling him towards the tree. The tree spirit's mouth opened wide, revealing a mouth full of fangs.

Seeing no way to avoid it, Tang Jie suddenly had a sword in his hand.

The Green Light Sword!

The sword light flashed!

Swish! In one strike, the root was cut in two.

This fierce blow even made the old tree's face show a hint of pain.

At the same time, Tang Jie took out two tokens.

The Puppet Token!

The Beast Taming Token!

A puppet and a tamed beast rushed out, blocking the incoming tree whips.

Taking advantage of this, Tang Jie finally retreated from the tree's attack range and took a Spirit Recovery Pill.

The forced use of the Green Light Sword had drained his spirit energy.

After taking the pill, Tang Jie pointed at the tree angrily, "Thirty coins, I remember you!"

A bottle of Spirit Recovery Pills costs about 300 spirit coins, with ten pills per bottle, so one pill costs 30 spirit coins.

This old tree's ambush had cost Tang Jie 30 spirit coins, and he was naturally furious.

The old tree's reaction was simple. It pulled its roots from the ground, transforming them into seven or eight thick tree legs and pursued Tang Jie. Its steps were not fast, but they were large.

"Run!" Tang Jie turned and ran.

Despite being a low-grade spirit, the tree spirit was one of the most powerful and tenacious among all low-grade spirits and monsters. It had incredible vitality and strength, and its vines and roots alone could deter most students. Even a group of students would find it difficult to deal with it, and even the bear spirit that had made Tang Jie hesitate was no match for it.

Its only weakness was its slow speed. If you couldn't defeat it, you could at least run away. This is why tree spirits often disguised themselves as ordinary trees to ambush their targets.

"Annoying!" Yi Yi shouted angrily, "Why do spirits bully us?"

"Not all spirits are as cute as you," Tang Jie said helplessly.

In fact, like monsters, most spirits are vicious creatures. If they weren't, how could they be bloodthirsty? During the long process of blood consumption, their blood energy grows, and their killing nature becomes stronger, sometimes even more vicious than monsters.

Like Yi Yi, she has maintained her spirit because she has been with Tang Jie for a long time and has been nourished by spirit blood. If she lived in the wild, eating raw meat and drinking blood, even a天真可爱的小萝莉最终也可能变成凶狠毒辣的蛇蝎女，甚至连智慧都会下降。

智慧本就是智力和社会经验的结合，只有在长期的社会生活中才能真正成长，妖兽们哪怕是入了开智期，也只代表有了这方面潜力，可智慧本身不会凭白生成。精怪也是一样，就算先天通灵，若无后天培养，也会渐归混沌。

正因此，就算是开了智的妖兽，通了灵的精怪，茹毛饮血，蠢笨如猪者亦不鲜见。

这刻跑了一段，眼看追不上，那老树也不再追了，返回原地继续等待下一个猎物。

唐劫一看对方不追，竟然也停了步子，返过身来朝着老树走去。

那老树虽是精物，智力显然一般，既放弃了追捕，就干脆不理会唐劫了。

于是唐劫就站在老树的攻击范围外，对那老树观察个不停。

伊伊看得紧张，问：“你不会想对付它吧？”

这老树论实力，可是比那金毛巨猿和棕熊都强大得多。

“恩，剩下的时间不多了，再没点好收获，今天就亏了。”唐劫淡淡道。

“可是打不过的。”

“伊伊，人和妖精鬼怪最大的不同，不在于我们的拳头比它们硬，而在于我们的脑子比它们好。这树精是很厉害，但它最大的弱点就是太慢了。”

“哦，我明白了，你是想边跑边打，用元气针把它活活打死！”伊伊跳起来叫道。

“没用的。”唐劫却摇头回答：“元气针的创伤范围太小，不适合对付这些体形庞大生命力强韧的家伙。别说元气针不合适，就是裂玉指都不行。要用这类法术杀死树精，耗光我全身灵气都未必够。而且这家伙根植地底，能够源源不断吸收从土中吸收水分恢复自己，就连一般的火系法术对它效果都不大。”

“那怎么办？”伊伊傻了。

唐劫笑道：“自然是用威力更大的术法强杀了。”

“可你根本就没有威力更强大的术法了。”伊伊噘起嘴。

唐劫傲然回答：“术法我是没有，可我有阵法啊！”

阵道在自然，以自然为凭依，以阵纹为路径，重在威力！

同样的术法，由阵法体现出的威力必然大过修者手中释放。

由于布置需时，正常情况下，阵法很难在即时战斗中发挥作用，但是面对这成了精的老树，唐劫可没这许多顾忌，这刻直接取出材料当场布阵。

他布的是地火煞阵，这是一种直接记录在虚慕阳阵道真解中的阵法，大成的阵法能够生成地煞火，从地底升出大片火焰毁灭一整片地区，威力极大。

唐劫布的这个自然没那么恐怖，他看中的只是这阵法火焰从地底生成，正适合对付这树精。

树精不象妖兽，因生存习惯关系，若生命不在它攻击范围中，一般就不会主动攻击，尤其是象它这样的低等树精，更是连分辨对手行为的能力都缺乏。

因此这刻唐劫就在它不远处布阵，它却是半点反应都没有，唐劫竟是轻轻松松就把阵法布成。

接下来的事就简单多了。

待阵法布好后，唐劫一记元气针打出，正中那老树枝干，那老树巨脸上再现愤怒神色，忽地又从地上窜起，对着唐劫冲来。

站在原地一动不动，唐劫冷眼看着那老树，看着它冲入阵中区域，才冷冷说了句：“欢迎步入死亡陷阱！”

打了个响指，平地上已陡然升腾起一大股凶猛烈焰，从四面八方将那树精围住。

“刷！”

这一次它终于发出了有声的嘶喊，却是如林潮呼啸般哗哗作响。

藤鞭在火焰中疯狂拍打着，根须更是向着地底深处扎去，试图扑灭身上的火焰。

只是这地火煞阵，火焰由灵气转化而成，除非这周边灵气消耗一空，又或阵法终止，否则就生生不绝，哪是它扑的灭的。

那树精知道不妙，转身就往阵外跑，试图逃离死亡陷阱。

眼看它要跑，唐劫已吼道：“挡住它，别让它跑了！”

那傀儡和炼兽已同时扑上，死死抵住树精。

举凡阵法一般都有封禁之门，以防止目标逃逸，只是唐劫这阵布的简陋，根本没有封禁一说，阵法八门，他真正布下并使其发挥作用的其实只有三门，死，开，休。

开门为中枢之门，死门为杀戮之门，休门为运转之门，这三门他省不了。

至于主变化控制的杜门，主守护防御的生门，主封禁捕捉的伤门，主离神乱象的惊门，主隐匿伪装的景门，一律只是满足基本需要，功能就完全不指望了。

没办法，阵法的另一个缺陷就是消耗成本，完整的地火煞阵唐劫根本负担不起，甚至连现有的三门他都只能最低配置。

因此这树精要逃，唐劫唯一能做的就是用自己去阻止它。

燃火的藤鞭狂舞，唐劫却是顶着火焰冲上，拽住一根树足便死死不放。

这树精力气极大，以他的力气都拽不住，总算那傀儡的力气不比他小，两边一起发力，这才堪堪挡住树精逃逸。

带火的鞭子抽打在他身上，撕裂衣衫，燃烧布帛，火星落在他身上更是劈啪跳跃着，唐劫却是全无所觉般死死拉住树精。

这地煞火也当真凶猛得紧，一旦缠上这树精，便如跗骨火焰般将整棵大树都烧灼起来，飞快地燃烧着那树精的生命，那树精不是地发出无声呐喊，一张巨脸变化出痛苦神情，显然这火焰对它的伤害极大。

它若能逃出去，以树根从地底汲水还能恢复自己，但在这阵中，连地底都是火焰，只是片刻功夫，就将它烧得快成木炭了。

或许是知道自己即将不妙，它猛地大叫一声，树身火焰骤然一暗，那些树鞭猛地一收，竟然拉扯着唐劫往自己身边靠近。

“不好！”唐劫面色大变，知道这家伙是眼看逃不脱，竟然要拉着他们同归于尽了，立刻撤手要退。

只是这树精临死的反扑当真了得，树足盘卷成一根巨大触手，已是猛地卷向唐劫，硬生生将他向火堆里拉去。

眼看这一下唐劫再躲不过，那树精老脸上露出满足的狠意。

唐劫却摇了摇头：“你错了！”

他手对着地面轻轻一按。

火焰消失！

碰！

唐劫已落于地上，正落在那树精身前，与那树干上的老脸面面相对。

他笑笑：“我布的阵，我负责开关。”

“唰！”

那树精再次发出愤怒的尖叫，大口一张，一道绿色光芒已然射向唐劫，赫然是一颗树种。

这树种是树精一身精华所聚，也是它最后的杀手锏，一旦攻击目标，就能在目标体内生长，吸收其生命恢复自身。

此时此刻，它已别无选择。

然而就在树种飞出的同时，唐劫已对着那树种一指点去：“我要的就是这个！”

唐劫指尖已飞出一点金光，正刺在那树种上。

正是那由兵字诀凝成的金色小针。

凝聚了树精精华的树种原本坚不可摧，就算是灵台高阶的学子面对这种攻击也要受到重创，但被这金光打中，竟是一击洞穿，那金针已化成一道金色华光飞过长空。

“啊！”树精发出了第三声尖啸，如人般的凄厉嘶吼。

这老树所有枝条同时垂下，竟是已肉眼可见的速度迅速枯萎衰败，最终变成一整棵枯死老树，只在树干上留下一个不甘心的人脸表情。

“呼！终于杀死了。”唐劫也是擦了额头一把汗。

这树精不愧是下级精怪中最为难缠的一类，唐劫几乎是所有手段都用尽了才勉强杀死，光杀它的布阵成本就耗了有上百钱。

所以说一场战斗下来，消耗成本巨大，而这一趟进入，他前后累积付出的成本已高达三百三十钱，这还没算这次的傀儡是免租金的。

若是此战被那树妖逃了，那自己就亏到姥姥家了，总算这一战没让自己失望，这棵树精能给出的好处却是比那狼要值钱多了。

就在这时，身后突然响起一声尖叫，是伊伊。

唐劫以为伊伊发生了什么事，大惊回头，却看到她正捂着眼睛，指着唐劫下身：“好丑！好丑！”

唐劫低头一看，原来被那火焰一烧，自己现在已近乎全裸，大羞，忙扯过狼皮围上。

看伊伊跳脚的样子，唐劫还想解释几句，突然想起一事，脸色大变：“妈的，我把它丢哪儿了？”

冲出去满世界找那根金针……

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This tree spirit, being one of the most tenacious among low-grade spirits, was indeed formidable. Tang Jie had to use almost all his means to barely kill it, and the cost of setting up the array alone had already cost him over a hundred coins.

A single battle can be extremely costly. This trip, he had already accumulated a cost of 330 coins, not counting the free puppet this time.

If the tree spirit had escaped, he would have lost a fortune. Fortunately, this battle did not disappoint him, and the benefits from this tree spirit were much more valuable than the wolf.

Just then, a scream came from behind, it was Yi Yi.

Tang Jie thought something had happened to Yi Yi and turned around in shock, only to see her covering her eyes and pointing at