Chapter 013
Chapter 13: Heaven and Earth Four Symbols
As the command was given, the long-range attack team immediately took action. Twenty-eight cultivators from the group unleashed a barrage of attacks—arrows, flying knives, darts, and steel projectiles.
Wang Jie was also assigned to the long-range group. With his two-seal strength, charging in would be suicidal; even dodging would be impossible.
His weapon of choice? Stones.
No matter the result, it was all about exerting force.
A tidal wave of attacks shot through the night sky, striking the Moon Plant. The plant was immediately stirred, and from the ground below, hot air erupted. Its left-side leaves swept through the air.
The cultivators in the long-range group watched as the enormous leaves descended. If they were caught, it would mean certain death.
The first group took action. Big Beard flashed a grin, and with his six-seal strength, he exploded into motion, leading over twenty cultivators to charge at the massive leaf. “Kill!”
Boom!
A tremendous explosion followed as Big Beard was sent flying, crashing to the ground and spitting out blood. The cultivators around him fell, their bodies unable to withstand the leaf’s immense power. Though it was just a single leaf, it was extraordinarily tough.
The first group suffered heavy losses.
The second group moved. Feng Yu threw a dart, while the cultivators behind him braved their fear and rushed forward.
The long-range team continued their relentless attacks.
Yan Si’s eyes were fixed on the Moon Plant, his gaze burning with intensity. “This is it. The ten-year metamorphosis period is coming. There will be creatures that absorb the highest lock force, and such beings will certainly have the most valuable materials. If I can acquire them, I can break through to the eighth seal.”
Hong Jian, wielding a blade, took a step forward and swung his sword down with full force.
The sharp blade sliced through the air, landing on the Moon Plant’s towering roots, leaving a deep gash. The Moon Plant swayed, forsaking everything else, and its left-side leaf swept toward Hong Jian.
Yan Si raised his hand, flames shooting forth along with arrows, lighting up the moonlit night.
The attack, powered by his seven-seal strength, was far more powerful than Hong Jian’s, and it caused shockwaves even among Lian Fei and the others.
Lian Fei, a six-seal cultivator, stood not far from Yan Si. He had heard of this trial taker’s prowess, and now, he witnessed it firsthand.
The leaf was pierced by the flames, and Yan Si surged forward. Beside him, Hong Jian continued to slash at the Moon Plant, his blade cutting deep.
Lian Fei had a woman by his side, and together, they attacked.
Wu Fei, leading a small group from the Leading Pillar, also rushed forward.
For a time, the Moon Plant found itself at a disadvantage.
Though the Moon Plant was at the seventh seal and had yet to break through, the number of powerful cultivators surrounding it proved its formidable strength. But the gap wasn’t large enough for it to overwhelm so many skilled individuals.
This siege was several times more intense than previous ones.
Hong Jian had never commanded such a large force. Golden Hill Base boasted hundreds of thousands of cultivators, but how many had reached five seals? Let alone so many six-seal cultivators.
The base, the Leading Pillar group, the trial takers, and the southern base—such a vast gathering of power was rarely seen in the post-apocalyptic world.
The Moon Plant continued to tremble, its body marred by wounds, burning in many places.
Below the ground, white gas bubbled up as the Moon Plant’s colossal head opened, and two broken leaves lifted it, forming a gigantic mouth that suddenly lunged downward.
Hong Jian was prepared. “Now’s the time.”
Yan Si’s pupils glowed red, and flames seemed to engulf his entire body. “Fiery Flame Body!”
Flames erupted from the ground around him, even under Hong Jian’s feet, as they were both dragged forward toward the Moon Plant.
Hong Jian slashed with his blade, swinging in midair with an eight-wind breaking slash.
Yan Si transformed into a fiery figure, charging after the blade’s edge.
One slash, one flame—the Moon Plant’s plant top was split in two, and a burst of fire spread out like fireworks in the night.
Wang Jie watched, amazed at the immense power. Wind fueled the flames, and fire thrived on wind.
This killing move dealt a devastating blow to the Moon Plant.
The sky rained down shattered leaves and flames.
Hong Jian landed in midair, gripping his blade, spinning around, and with a surge of strength, he charged toward the Moon Plant again. “Keep attacking! Kill it!”
Everyone’s confidence soared, and their attacks grew fiercer.
Wang Jie threw stones with even more force.
At that moment, cracks spread across the ground. The Moon Plant, having already been engulfed by flames, suddenly ripped the earth open. Its tough roots dragged various mutated plants, which were thrown out in every direction.
Wang Jie’s gaze sharpened. So this was its plan.
The Moon Plant’s roots extended deep underground, linking with an unknown number of mutated plants over a vast area. Now, in the face of danger, it had summoned them, creating a beast tide.
The appearance of these mutated plants immediately caused casualties.
Many were caught off guard and killed.
Hong Jian’s face darkened as mutated plants flew toward him. Struggling in midair, he found himself hindered.
Yan Si grabbed him and threw him forward. “Kill the Moon Plant!” Then, he struck his palms together, and fire exploded from within him again. Fiery Flame Body—seemingly as if he had not even used up his power.
The long-range team also suffered heavy losses.
The mutated plants around them were of varying strengths, with some reaching six seals. In that moment, there was no chance to attack the Moon Plant.
Wang Jie was targeted by a mutated plant resembling a pea. It shot out peas at high speed, each one powerful enough to pierce stone.
He kept his focus on the pea plant while still watching the Moon Plant. No matter what, the Moon Plant had to be killed; otherwise, it would pose too great a threat to Golden Hill Base.
Just then, someone appeared behind him. Wang Jie turned around and saw a cold smile on a familiar face—it was the young man from the Southern Base.
“Die, bastard,” the young man sneered, placing a hand on Wang Jie’s back and pushing him forward. Ahead, a massive wave of Moon Plant leaves dropped, seemingly light, but capable of crushing him. They were also engulfed in flames.
Wang Jie’s eyes narrowed. The moment he was pushed forward, he grabbed the young man’s wrist and, to his astonishment, flung him back.
The young man, at the four-seal level, never imagined that Wang Jie could throw him.
The force was overwhelming, and he had no chance to resist. He was pierced by peas one after another, turning his body into a sieve.
He died without ever expecting such an end.
Wang Jie showed no mercy. In this world, the most expensive thing was sympathy—right or wrong, survival came first.
This man had deliberately targeted him.
And there were others.
Wang Jie’s eyes scanned the area, searching for the man from the Zhao Clan who had brought him to his doom.
He remembered that man—he was in the first group.
Found him.
On the ground, Hong Jian continued his assault on the Moon Plant, while Yan Si used fire to navigate the air. Several six-seal cultivators surrounded the Moon Plant. It was only a matter of time before it was killed, and even the mutated plants couldn’t save it.
Wang Jie spotted the Zhao Clan man, hiding at the back of the first group, completely unscathed.
Picking up a stone, Wang Jie flicked it toward him.
The stone cut through the air and pierced the man’s skull, killing him instantly.
No one with a grudge against him would be spared.
Dark clouds obscured the moonlight, and the earth was plunged into darkness. Only the burning flames from the Moon Plant illuminated the surroundings.
Seizing the opportunity, the Moon Plant began to sink, attempting to retreat underground.
Hong Jian shouted, “Give it everything you’ve got! Don’t let it escape!”
Most of the cultivators were tangled with the mutated plants, unable to act. Only a few six-seal cultivators were able to strike, but their attacks seemed ineffective against the Moon Plant.
Yan Si descended, positioning himself with Hong Jian on either side. They exchanged a glance before moving.
Hong Jian raised his blade high, a flash of white light soaring into the air, and slashed downward with an eight-wind breaking slash.
Yan Si pushed forward, sending a fire-shadow figure hurtling toward the Moon Plant.
From another direction, a woman’s eyes sparkled as she unsheathed her sword, the stars forming a sword rain that swept toward the target.
Wang Jie took a deep breath. He faced the Moon Plant, raising his finger and unleashing a spiral qi force that struck from a distance, unnoticed by anyone around him.
Four forces landed simultaneously on the Moon Plant, shattering it. Its roots twisted before exploding, sending a white vaporous blast outward.
Everyone quickly retreated.
Those who couldn’t escape were caught in the blast, their skin dissolving as they screamed in agony.
Yan Si waved his hand, dispersing the blast. He looked toward the woman’s position. Who was that?
On the opposite side, Hong Jian continued slashing with his blade, cutting through the airwaves. It was essential to confirm if the Moon Plant was dead.
The blast continued to clear away, and suddenly, a figure shot out from the wave, rushing toward the distance with incredible speed. Their clothes were completely burned off.
Yan Si and the others saw it but didn’t think much of it, assuming it was a cultivator who hadn’t evaded the blast.
But Wang Jie was shocked. Was that Old Five?
It had to be Old Five. When did he arrive? Was he hurt? Wang Jie quickly followed.
Old Five was fast, but not faster than Wang Jie.
“Stop, Old Five!”
The figure ahead stopped immediately, turned back, and grinned. “Boss, didn’t expect to see me here.”
Wang Jie approached, examining him. Fortunately, he wasn’t injured—only his clothes had been burned. “When did you arrive?”
Old Five grinned proudly. “I’ve been here for a while, hiding beneath the Moon Plant.” He reached into his pocket and handed Wang Jie a green bead. “This thing should be worth a lot.”
Wang Jie took it and praised, “Is this the power of Heaven and Earth Four Symbols? Looks like you not only recovered but advanced further.”
Old Five chuckled. “Of course. Can’t be slowing you down, Boss.”
Wang Jie tossed the bead back to Old Five. “You take it for now. I’m not in a hurry.”
Old Five nodded. “Alright, take care. That woman’s strong.”
Wang Jie’s gaze turned serious. “Understood.” With that, he turned and walked back.
The blast wave subsided, and Yan Si immediately dove into the pit to search for cataclysm materials. But the woman, moving faster than him, snatched a piece of green root right before his eyes.
Yan Si was furious. He glared at her, though her face was obscured by a purple veil. “You’re a trial taker, too.”
The woman smiled at him, holding up the root. “Thanks,” she said before turning and walking away.
Yan Si roared in anger. “Stop her!”
Feng Yu was the first to react, throwing a dart. But the woman easily dodged, her form shifting and disappearing.
Yan Si was about to give chase when he realized he couldn’t keep up.
Armor Eight Steps.
This woman actually knew Armor Eight Steps.
He couldn’t catch her.
The others remained still. The woman had dared to take Yan Si’s prize, and being a trial taker, she was likely at the seven-seal level. Only Hong Jian and Yan Si were qualified to stop her.