MTLNOVEL Chapter 243
"Is everything prepared?" a calm voice resounded.
In an instant, all the demonic cultivators stood straight, their eyes filled with reverence.
A figure descended, standing with hands clasped behind their back.
Their brows carried an imposing dignity, and the aura emanating from them was overwhelming — enough to crush anyone present with ease!
This was the leader of the Ten Great Demon Sects and the future heir of the Eternal Nether Sect, Sikong Wuque!
"The six Forbidden Martial Arrays have all been secretly deployed!"
"Additionally, the Barbarian Blood has been refined and is sufficient to accelerate the ripening of the Divine Spirit Tree," the coffin bearer said, a grotesque smile on their face. "It's a shame, though, that this tree will no longer exist after today."
"Though it's akin to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, for the future of the demonic path, it's a necessary sacrifice," Sikong Wuque said slowly.
"Once it ripens, are you sure nine more Wish Spirit Fruits can be produced?"
"Yes, according to that ancient text, exhausting the tree's essence can yield a total of ten Wish Spirit Fruits. However, only one will be of third-grade quality, while the rest will be second-grade."
"Excellent!" Sikong Wuque smiled.
A second-grade divine artifact was already remarkable, let alone a third-grade Wish Spirit Fruit!
It could forge numerous unparalleled experts, not mere pretenders.
As for himself, he planned to use the best fruit, combining it with secret techniques to harness its extraordinary effects.
The Nether Emperor Sect possessed top-tier divine artifacts, but decades ago, they discovered an ancient site containing references to the Divine Spirit Tree.
Thus, Sikong Wuque had waited until now. Compared to the Divine Spirit Tree, even the sect's artifacts paled in comparison.
"A gift from the heavens!" Expectation shone in Sikong Wuque's eyes.
"The Four Regions' talents entering the Wild Sea this time are quite formidable, with many possessing full mastery of martial intent."
"According to our spies outside, there's even word that someone named Meng Changqing supposedly has dual perfected intents," said Xue Youzi.
"Dual perfection?" Sikong Wuque raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain?"
If it was someone who had cultivated for decades in the Life and Death Realm, he could understand. For instance, he himself was very close, with one intent at full mastery and another at eighty percent.
But according to the reports, Meng Changqing seemed to be in his early twenties.
"It's unconfirmed, merely a rumor," Xue Youzi shook his head. "But even if true, so what? With your martial foundation and the Demon Sovereign bloodline, no one here is your match."
Hearing this, Sikong Wuque began to walk forward, a faint smile on his lips.
He had defeated the eighth and even the fifth seat of the Zhengyi Holy Land.
What could these Four Regions' talents amount to?
In his eyes, the Forbidden Martial Array wasn't even necessary. No one could survive his onslaught.
Even that Southern Region leader his master repeatedly warned him about posed no threat.
Still, Sikong Wuque was always cautious. With the array in place, there was no need to risk anything — better safe than sorry.
If not for that, he would have gladly tested the strength of these so-called Four Regions' geniuses himself!
Suddenly, a pillar of light erupted in the distance, piercing the heavens!
A sacred aura swept across the land, reaching every corner.
"It's ripened!" Sikong Wuque's eyes burned with eagerness.
The light shot skyward, and a peculiar crescent-shaped fruit gradually formed.
Its rich fragrance filled the air, blanketing the world in its essence.
It was the Wish Spirit Fruit!
All who smelled it felt their bodies tremble, with their hidden powers surging in longing.
"The Wish Spirit Fruit has ripened!" someone shouted.
Their innermost desires were unleashed like a flood, uncontrollable.
All previous thoughts vanished, leaving only the Wish Spirit Fruit in their eyes!
"No wonder it's a top-tier divine artifact!" Meng Changqing was the first to regain clarity, thanks to the Martial Domain residing in his mind.
Moments ago, a strange sensation had surged within him, nearly driving him mad with obsession.
"Stay calm!" Meng Changqing's shout reverberated like spring thunder, jolting the nearby Southern Region talents awake.
Fear flickered in their eyes as they realized how close they had been to losing themselves, including Yu Hongxue.
"You all fall back and observe from a distance," Meng Changqing instructed Mo Xiaoyu, the Shi brothers, and the others.
"Understood!" Mo Xiaoyu nodded repeatedly, her face pale.
Had it not been for Uncle Meng's reminder, she might have rushed into the fray — a battlefield far beyond her capability!
The group quickly retreated.
Everyone understood that the fruit's contest was unrelated to them. At most, they were mere spectators…
Though a few harbored thoughts of swooping in to reap the rewards once the top contenders were exhausted, the odds of success were slim.
At the top of the Divine Spirit Tree, the battle had already erupted!
Han Yuanzhen was the first to arrive, surrounded by numerous talents who had lost themselves to the artifact's allure.
No longer fearing his strength, they attacked one after another.
"Begone!" Han Yuanzhen's icy gaze swept over them as he drew his blade, slashing horizontally.
The radiant and fierce blade light cleared the area.
Many snapped out of their stupor, terror washing over them. But it was too late to evade. They could only brace themselves.
The result was as expected.
They were sent flying, heavily injured and unconscious.
"The Wish Spirit Fruit is mine!" Han Yuanzhen reached for the fruit, but a gust of wind roared behind him.
Accompanying it were two resounding Buddhist chants!
"Amitabha!"
Han Yuanzhen's expression remained unchanged, as though expecting this.
He turned and slashed, meeting the newcomers — The Twin Buddhas of the Western Desert!
Hailing from the Vajra Tianmen Temple, one of the Western Desert's strongest factions alongside the Melodious Sound Hall, the two were renowned talents.
Though not the region's previous leaders, they had been exceptional in their cohort. Had their cultivation not been slightly lacking at the time, it would have been unclear who would claim the title.
Over the years, they had reached full mastery, their strength far surpassing their past selves.
Moreover, as twins, they wielded an unexplainable synergy that made their combined strength formidable.
The red-haired one was Hui Kong, and the black-haired one was Hui Ming.
"Let's test the Vajra Mantra of Tianmen Temple!" Han Yuanzhen's fighting spirit blazed.
As he had declared earlier, today he would claim the Wish Spirit Fruit and defeat all his rivals!
"Buddha's compassion," said Hui Kong, his red-haired visage serene.
"Buddha says, let him despair," replied Hui Ming, his black-haired countenance twisted with ferocity.
"Vajra Ten Thousand Arts · Universal Deliverance!"
From both rose an overwhelming aura, their full mastery of palm intent surging forth!
With a single gesture, a terrifying palm strike swept outward, merging into one.
By the time it reached Han Yuanzhen, it had grown massive, as though an ancient Buddha had descended to subdue all evil, delivering a colossal palm from the heavens.