Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 599: The Nine-Section Soul Devouring Insect

"The Zi Mansion Holy Son has gone mad! He actually dared to murder people in public! No, I have to escape and report this to a Saint!"

"The Holy Maiden is dead! What are we going to do? We can’t report back to the elders."

"We need to retreat! Let’s get out of here! We must survive and expose the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s atrocities to the public!"

The tragic deaths of the Dragon Elephant Saint Heir and the Pure Jade Holy Maiden filled the members of the Dragon Elephant Holy Sect and the Pure Jade Sanctuary with terror. At this moment, they dared not continue to fight; instead, they wanted to flee and save their own lives.

But the enraged thousand-meter peach tree didn’t care. In its eyes, they were all intruders, all its enemies. It wished to spare none.

WHOOSH!

A surge of azure Holy Light roared out, instantly enveloping a three-thousand-meter radius. It formed a vast domain that sealed time and space, leaving no one able to escape.

The thousand-meter peach tree was a Third-Layer Saint Realm powerhouse. Its domain contained not only immense Spatial Force but also wisps of Temporal Force. These Supreme Realm Martial Artists had no Holy Artifacts and couldn’t break through the domain of azure Holy Light. They were left completely helpless, with no aid from heaven or earth.

"Kill!"

The thousand-meter peach tree went into a frenzy. Its branches danced wildly, unleashing a storm of leaves and a flurry of peach blossoms. Its roots erupted from the ground, each strike creating a spectacular spray of blood. Scream after scream converged into a deathly dirge as crimson blood stained the ground, turning it into a scarlet field.

One life after another met a gruesome end, their bodies turning cold as the remaining Martial Artists fell one by one under the thousand-meter peach tree’s onslaught.

All the while, the Zi Mansion Holy Son remained hidden in the void. He made no further moves, clearly unwilling to provoke the enraged peach tree.

Su Han blended into the crowd, defending against the peach tree’s attacks. With nine Holy Artifacts, escaping would be easy for him, but he wanted to see what other tricks the Zi Mansion Holy Son had up his sleeve.

"Fire Crow Sect Master, come over to me!"

Just then, Su Han received a Divine Sense message from the Zi Mansion Holy Son, making it clear that it was time for him to play his part.

With the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s help, Su Han arrived at the base of the thousand-meter peach tree. There, the Zi Mansion Holy Son, clad in the Void Holy Robe, stepped out from the void. His aura was completely concealed, going undetected by the thousand-meter peach tree.

"Fire Crow Sect Master, I have treated you well. Now it’s time for you to repay me," the Zi Mansion Holy Son said, getting straight to the point.

"Your Grace’s favor toward me is as immense as a mountain. This subordinate is willing to do anything for Your Grace!"

Su Han didn’t rush to turn on him. He continued his facade, wanting to see the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s final gambit.

The Zi Mansion Holy Son nodded and then reached into his Storage Ring, retrieving a jade box the size of a matchbox. Though the box was small, it was exquisitely crafted, engraved with the sun, moon, stars, flowers, birds, fish, and insects—almost like a miniature coffin.

The Zi Mansion Holy Son then used a Secret Technique and cautiously opened the Jade Box. A tiny insect lay inside. The insect was entirely green and had nine segments, looking as if it were exquisitely carved from jade. However, it was neither a weapon nor a gemstone but a living creature!

"This is the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm, a specialist at countering all plant-type spirits and monsters," the Zi Mansion Holy Son explained. He then squeezed out a drop of his blood onto the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm. The blood was absorbed instantly. The worm quivered slightly and came to life.

"Go!"

The Zi Mansion Holy Son placed the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm at the base of the tree’s root. Instantly, the worm buzzed with excitement as if a shark had scented blood.

RUSTLE! RUSTLE!

In front of the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm, the tree’s roots—though comparable to Holy Artifacts—were as fragile as tofu. The worm easily chewed through and rapidly devoured them. In the blink of an eye, the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm burrowed into the thousand-meter peach tree and vanished from sight.

"Fire Crow Sect Master, now it’s your turn. Use your flames to burn it and buy time for the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm."

Seeing the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm successfully burrow into the thousand-meter peach tree, the Zi Mansion Holy Son nodded in satisfaction. He then patted Su Han on the shoulder and finally revealed his plan. His ambition wasn’t just for the Life Spring Water or for people like the Vermilion Bird Holy Maiden. He even planned to annihilate this thousand-meter peach tree.

This is madness! But I love it.

Su Han was inwardly delighted. He hadn’t expected the Zi Mansion Holy Son to have prepared a treasure like the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm. The thousand-meter peach tree was already wounded and depleted of Demon Qi. With the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm now eating its roots and causing its eventual collapse, the plan was simply brilliant.

As for his own role, Su Han understood perfectly. The Holy Son clearly intended for him to be the scapegoat. His Fourfold True Fire was even stronger than the Vermilion Bird Holy Maiden’s Vermilion Bird Fierce Flame. Once ignited, it would undoubtedly attract the thousand-meter peach tree’s attention. This would not only harm the tree but also distract it, buying more time for the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm to devour the roots.

Originally, this task was for the Zi Mansion Holy Son himself. However, after discovering the special flame Su Han commanded, he decided to let Su Han be the scapegoat. Meanwhile, protected by his Void Holy Robe, he could just wait patiently and collect the spoils at the end. This was the Zi Mansion Holy Son’s plan, and victory was now in sight.

"Rest assured, Your Grace. I will hold it off!"

Su Han was like an experienced hunter with extreme patience. He continued to feign obedience, allowing the Zi Mansion Holy Son to complete his entire plan. Once it was all over, he would be the one to pluck the fruits of victory.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!

BOOM!

Su Han simulated a Fire Fiend Domain using his Fourfold True Fire and Temporal Force. Simultaneously, he unleashed a Crow Storm, sending swarms of fire crows to slam against the hundred-meter-thick trunk. The Fourfold True Fire possessed terrifyingly high temperatures and had the property of burning anything it touched. The moment it landed on the trunk, it flared up fiercely, instantly scorching the bark to a crisp.

Being devoured from within by the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm and burned from without by the Fourfold True Fire, the thousand-meter peach tree emitted a spiritual wave of agony. In an instant, countless branches and blackened roots lashed out toward Su Han, intent on killing him.

By this time, the Zi Mansion Holy Son had already vanished into the void, leaving Su Han alone to channel the Fourfold True Fire and incinerate the trunk.

With a tragic cry, Su Han yelled, "I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Grace!"

He then unleashed an explosion of flames. It transformed into a raging sea of fire that completely enveloped the hundred-meter-thick trunk, burning so fiercely it seemed impossible to extinguish.

Of course, Su Han had no intention of waiting there to die. After making a show of a desperate last stand, he used the Character Technique of Motion to escape the inferno. He then employed Thousand Changes and Transformations to disguise himself as an ordinary Martial Artist before melting back into the crowd to wait patiently.

The thousand-meter peach tree attacked madly, but it had lost its target. With the Fourfold True Fire burning relentlessly and the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm rapidly consuming it from within, the tree’s limited intelligence could offer no solution. It could only grow weaker and weaker.

CRASH!

Finally, once the Nine-Section Devouring Spirit Worm had devoured all its roots, the flaming thousand-meter peach tree could no longer support its own weight. It collapsed with a thunderous crash. Everything was going according to plan.