Chapter 52

When Li Luo and the other two walked out of the grand hall with intertwined trees, the scenery before their eyes suddenly changed. It was a dark forest, with towering trees and dark black branches spreading out, blocking the sky, giving a gloomy feeling.

Li Luo and the others glanced at the dark forest, then their gaze fell on a crystal wall in front of them, which was clearly recently erected.

On the crystal wall, words flowed, emitting a faint light.

Li Luo and the others read the words carefully, and their expressions became more solemn.

"This level is about seizing the 'Ghost Face Fruit.'"

In this dark forest, there exists a special plant called the Ghost Face Devil Vine Tree. It is vicious, enjoying strangling any creature that approaches, then burying its corpse at the roots, nourishing and strengthening itself with its flesh and blood.

When the Ghost Face Devil Vine matures, it will bear a 'Ghost Face Fruit.' This second level of the evaluation requires obtaining a 'Ghost Face Fruit' to gain basic points.

"This Ghost Face Devil Vine is not easy to deal with. The vine is covered with poisonous thorns, and its attacks are fierce. To be honest, even someone at the Eight Seal Phase level would find it difficult to snatch the 'Ghost Face Fruit' from it alone," Zhao Kuo frowned and said.

Yu Lang, who had initially planned to slip away, now pulled back his foot and said, "I suggest we three work together to seize the 'Ghost Face Fruit.' What do you think?"

"It seems you were planning to go solo," Li Luo smiled.

Yu Lang looked somewhat embarrassed and said, "How could that be? We are comrades who have shared hardships and life-and-death moments."

Li Luo shook his head, not bothering with this guy's unreliable words. However, he didn't oppose Yu Lang's suggestion. Although he might not be unable to obtain the 'Ghost Face Fruit' alone, it would be much easier with assistance.

If it can be easier, why go through the trouble alone?

"Let's go."

Li Luo said, then took the lead, walking directly into the dark forest. Behind him, Yu Lang and Zhao Kuo quickly followed.

The three moved together, heading deeper into the forest. After about ten minutes, they heard a commotion from the right side.

The three exchanged glances, then quietly moved forward, parting the dense foliage. They saw a large black tree standing in a muddy swamp ahead. The tree was entangled with black vines, which had black thorns. As they swung, they produced a piercing sound like a large black python.

On the thick trunk of the tree, a somewhat sinister face could be vaguely seen, making one shudder.

It was a Ghost Face Devil Vine Tree.

However, around this Ghost Face Devil Vine Tree, there were already six or seven figures. They were clearly working together to attack the tree. Various Phase powers glowed, continuously launching attacks on the Devil Vine Tree.

The Devil Vine Tree was also fiercely retaliating, with its thorny vines lashing out with great force, directly whipping the six or seven people into a state of wailing and howling.

"Too terrible."

Yu Lang couldn't bear to watch. These six or seven people had average strength, around the Sixth Seal Phase. Even with their numbers, they were still being suppressed by the Devil Vine Tree.

Each time they were hit by the vines, the cracking sound made one's scalp tingle, as if recalling the whips of their parents.

So in a short time, this temporary team was whipped to a bloody mess and fled in a sorry state. Fortunately, the Devil Vine Tree's attack range was limited; otherwise, they might not have been able to retreat so easily.

The three witnessed a tragedy and couldn't help but shake their heads.

"This Ghost Face Devil Vine Tree is quite troublesome," Zhao Kuo said with some concern. Although their strength was stronger than the previous team, it would not be easy to pass through the Devil Vine Tree's violent vine attacks and seize the Ghost Face Fruit from its branches.

"Yu Lang, you go first and try," Li Luo thought for a moment and said.

Yu Lang, hearing this, immediately grumbled, "Why me?"

"You are the Wind Phase, the fastest. If you don't take the lead, who will?" Li Luo smiled.

Yu Lang couldn't argue and could only curse as he moved forward. Green Phase power spread from his body, and his figure darted out like the wind, stirring up a gust.

"Tsk, no wonder you're called the fastest man in our Southwind Academy," Zhao Kuo said with a strange expression.

Li Luo watched Yu Lang's figure. This guy's speed was indeed fast, and it was clear that he had invested more effort into speed training, which was a smart choice.

Swoosh!

As Yu Lang quickly approached the Ghost Face Devil Vine Tree, the tree sensed it, and its vine-like snakes hissed down.

Yu Lang quickly dodged, but as he got closer, the Devil Vine Tree seemed to sense a threat, and more and more vines hissed over, continuously blocking his escape routes. Gradually, Yu Lang's figure became less graceful and more desperate.

In the end, he chose to retreat, his figure flashing out of the Devil Vine Tree's attack range and landing beside Li Luo and Zhao Kuo.

"It's no good. I can't get close, let alone snatch the Ghost Face Fruit," Yu Lang wiped the sweat from his face and said helplessly.

"It's not too difficult, actually."

Li Luo smiled. Yu Lang's speed had already forced the Ghost Face Devil Vine Tree to reveal its attack frequency. "Next, we will act together. Zhao Kuo will be the front shield, I will assist him in dealing with the Devil Vine Tree's frontal attacks, and you will seize the opportunity to snatch the Ghost Face Fruit from the side."

"But this way, most of the hard work will fall on Zhao Kuo."

Zhao Kuo laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'm tough."

Li Luo nodded, not saying too much sentimental talk. Since they were working together, everyone should show their worth. He didn't want to let Zhao Kuo sit back and enjoy the results just because they were friends, and Zhao Kuo probably wouldn't accept that either.

"Alright," Yu Lang had no objections.

With the simple battle plan set, the three didn't hesitate. Li Luo drew his twin knives from his waist, and Zhao Kuo took his large axe from his back.

"Move!"

With Li Luo's low command, Zhao Kuo roared, his massive and robust body charging out like a wild bear, rushing towards the Devil Vine Tree in the most violent manner.

A faint silver Phase power spread from his body, and when the Silver Bear Phase was activated, Zhao Kuo's already robust body expanded even more.

Swoosh!

The Devil Vine Tree responded quickly, its vine-like snakes hissing over with a sharp whistling sound.

Zhao Kuo swung his large axe, like a storm blade, viciously cutting through the vines that attacked from the front, green sap splattering everywhere.

The mud under his feet suddenly burst, and vines shot out from underground, aiming for Zhao Kuo's lower body.

But a blue-glowing blade of light flashed by, cutting the vines.

Li Luo, with blue Phase power rising from his body, stood behind Zhao Kuo, his twin knives occasionally flashing blue, cutting the vines that attacked Zhao Kuo.

The two gradually approached the Devil Vine Tree.

But as they got closer, the Devil Vine Tree began to go berserk, with countless vines smashing down like mad. Even though Li Luo tried his best to help, some vines still lashed Zhao Kuo's body, leaving bloody marks, but he didn't make a sound, gritting his teeth and steadily advancing.

"Yu Lang, move!"

At this moment, Li Luo knew the timing was right and shouted.

"Alright!"

Yu Lang, who had been waiting on the side, immediately shot out, his speed reaching its peak. Taking advantage of the Devil Vine Tree being distracted by Li Luo and Zhao Kuo, he rushed towards the Ghost Face Fruit hanging on the branch.

His speed was extremely fast, and in a blink, he was close to the Ghost Face Fruit. But just as he was about to grab it, the mud below suddenly burst, and a strange figure shot out, trying to snatch the Ghost Face Fruit first.

"Damn!"

This sudden change made Yu Lang's face turn pale, and he cursed. No one had expected that someone was hiding in the dark, waiting to be the last one to snatch the fruit.

However, as Yu Lang watched the person move faster than him, Li Luo, not far away, shouted, "Yu Lang, close your eyes!"

Then, with a cold expression, he raised his hand, and a blue light ball that had already formed at his fingertips shot out.

The blue light ball exploded not far from Yu Lang and the attacking figure, and in the next instant, a blinding light burst forth.