Chapter 1158 - Operation Nip in the Bud
Inside the cave was a small pool.
Above it, a milky-white stalactite hung from the ceiling, a drop of translucent fluid forming at its tip, like a jewel.
Drip!
Inside the pool was a small puddle of translucent fluid, looking pure and flawless.
At this moment, the Bodhi Ancient Tree was already rooted inside the small pool. Its branches swayed gently, rustling as it released joyful pulses of intent.
"Damn, it really is the Heavenly Heart Fluid!"
Seeing the small puddle of translucent fluid, Chen Fan's eyes widened. This explained the Bodhi Ancient Tree's intense will fluctuations after he arrived at the Heavenly Wind Valley, constantly urging him to enter this cave.
Heavenly Heart Fluid was immensely useful for martial artists and divine objects like the Bodhi Ancient Tree. It originated from the space of nothingness and was thus tainted with the aura of law.
For martial artists, it emptied the mind, echoing the Bodhi Ancient Tree's effect, enabling law comprehension with half the effort.
Similarly, if a divine object like the Bodhi Ancient Tree absorbed the fluid, it would make their spiritual wisdom more mature, accelerating their growth.
"I wonder what the Ten Vicious Bandits would think if they found out their lie was actually true?" Chen Fan shook his head, smiling.
If someone like the Bandit King, who had already grasped ninety threads of law, consumed it, he could bridge the gap between Legend and non-Legend in no time.
Unfortunately, these people didn't know that there was Heavenly Heart Fluid in here.
A reason the Ten Vicious Bandits hadn't entered the cave was the heavenly winds outside, acting as a natural deterrent.
As for Chen Fan, he wasn't particularly tempted by the Heavenly Heart Fluid.
Although it could also help him comprehend the laws, he already had the Bodhi Ancient Tree, which offered a far more lasting advantage.
Allowing the tree to absorb the fluid and speed up its growth would benefit him more in the long run.
After all, it was too difficult for a divine object like the Bodhi Ancient Tree to grow.
Over the decades, the Bodhi Ancient Tree followed Chen Fan and consumed a lot of his resources. Yet, its growth hadn't been particularly notable.
Naturally, Chen Fan hoped that the tree would keep growing alongside him, offering lasting support rather than temporary boosts.
......
In a valley in the core area:
Two to three hundred people had gathered, each emanating a powerful aura.
A man dressed in long blood-colored robes looked at Xia Hou and Wang Zhong with a smile and said, "Hoho, congratulations to you two for successfully overcoming your tribulation and advancing into the Legendary realm. With your strength, Operation 'Nip in the Bud' will be a breeze."
This person was Xue Yin, one of the three people leading the Blood Heavenly Demon Sect this time.
Currently, Xia Hou and Wang Zhong were emitting Legendary auras. Genuine Legends.
They had been just half a step away from becoming Lesser Legendary experts. After Chen Fan defeated and humiliated them, they lost almost all their hopes of opening the door of immortality.
Thus, after entering the core area, the two of them advanced into the Legendary realm, and their strength skyrocketed. Their goal was simple: revenge.
"You jest, Brother Xue Yin. Your Blood Heavenly Demon Sect will be leading Operation Nip in the Bud. We're only supporting your operation. Moreover, given Brother Xue Yin, Brother Mo Yue, and Brother Lu Zhuo's strengths, you alone could sweep through the people of the various major forces," Wang Zhong said with a faint smile. His eyes carried a hint of apprehension as he looked at them.
Xue Yin, Mo Yue, and Lu Zhuo were the three leaders representing the Blood Heavenly Demon Sect.
Although the three of them only had quasi-Legendary realm cultivation, they had mastered a hundred and ten to a hundred and twenty threads of law. Their combat strength wasn't any inferior to real Legends.
Even with their new Legendary status, Wang Zhong and Xia Hou couldn't confidently say they were stronger than the trio.
This operation was meticulously planned. The Blood Heavenly Demon Sect had joined forces with them to eliminate the elite geniuses from all major factions.
The five of them were equivalent to five Lesser Legendary realm experts.
Aside from this, there were also others. Quite a few had mastered eighty to ninety threads of law, and there were even more quasi-Legendary realms.
"Haha, you're too modest, Brother Wang. Although the operation Nip is to wipe out the elite prides of heaven of the various major forces, our main objective is Chen Fan. He must die!" Xue Yin said with a smile, but his tone was very icy.
Hearing Chen Fan's name, the eyes of Wang Zhong, Xia Hou, and the others from foreign continents became incomparably chilling.
They hadn't forgotten how Chen Fan had humiliated them when they were at the True Martial Academy. Suffice it to say, if they could kill just one person in the core area, it would be him.
Wang Zhong and Xia Hou nodded and said, "That's right. Chen Fan must die!"
Mo Yue was a man with a burly figure, and had a low, muffled voice. Holding a demonic ax in hand, he gave off an oppressive feeling.
"We all know Chen Fan's strength. One-on-one, none of us can say for sure we'd win. But with the help of two Legends, and with us three, even if he had wings, he wouldn't escape!"
Lu Zhuo was a dark-skinned man with an ordinary appearance. He was slightly thin, and he emanated a very gloomy and cold aura, like a poisonous snake, making people shudder. He said, "The core area is too vast. Finding Chen Fan would take a lot of effort, but we can start with his senior brothers and sisters. Find them and use them to lure him out, then surround and finish him off."
Xia Hou nodded and said, "This time, only three people from the Peerless Peak didn't come in. Everyone else has entered the core area. They aren't enough to be a threat to us, but they're very good bait."
Xue Yin said decisively, "Since that is the case, we'll do it that way. Operation Nip in the Bud starts now. While killing the elite prides of heaven of the various major forces, look for traces of Chen Fan and his senior brothers and sister. Immediately get into contact if someone discovers something."
Immediately, the people from the Blood Heavenly Demon Sect and the foreign forces went into action.
......
In the cave at the Heavenly Wind Valley:
The Bodhi Ancient Tree was still absorbing the Heavenly Heart Fluid.
As time passed, visible changes took shape: it grew taller, its hue deepened, and its spiritual link with Chen Fan became stronger.
Suddenly, an immature voice rang in Chen Fan's mind.
"Chen Fan..."
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes, looking around him. His divine will spread out, but he didn't discover anything unusual.
"Who? Who is it?"
The voice rang out again.
"Chen Fan, it's me."
His gaze fell on the Bodhi Ancient Tree. Narrowing his eyes, he said, "Bodhi Ancient Tree, are you the one talking to me?"
Rustle.
The Bodhi Ancient Tree's branches and leaves swayed as if it were nodding. The voice rang out in Chen Fan's mind, "Yes. After absorbing the Heavenly Heart Fluid, my spiritual wisdom has improved greatly. I can now communicate with you with my thoughts."