In the air, the gigantic green-wood glowing wheel dissipated, transforming into jade-green specks of light that blotted the skies as they drifted downwards, enveloping the figure below.
Outside of Spiritual Treasure Mountain, it was a stretch of silence. Disbelief was frozen on the faces of the various groups present. The situation before them had clearly changed beyond their expectations. This should have been a dead end for Mu Chen. How could there be such a sudden turn of events? That extremely violent puppet had been split into two!
Furthermore, what was going on with that green-wood glowing wheel? Didn't Mu Chen's attack miss? Why did it suddenly appear again?
Bewilderment filled the faces of some people. Evidently, they had yet to recover from the sudden turn of events.
Wen Qingxuan's long and narrow phoenix eyes focused on the figure as she softly said, "You purposely shot that green-wood glowing wheel into the ground. How formidable. After unleashing your killing move, you're actually able to bury another killing move!"
When the green-wood glowing wheel missed its target and shot into the ground, Mu Chen did not immediately activate it. Instead, he allowed it to conceal itself underground. That's because he knew the astonishing speed of the puppet. If he were to immediately expose it, he might not be able to hit the puppet. Therefore, he was waiting for an opportunity. At the same time, he dispersed his defences, using himself as bait to lure the puppet to attack him. That's because, at the instant when the puppet attacked, he would be able to obtain the opportunity to kill it.
It seemed like a simple method, but the decisiveness, courage, or perhaps self-confidence contained within it was somewhat shocking.
After all, his previous attack was akin to a bolt of lightning. At that time, even Mu Chen himself would not have expected that the puppet would be able to dodge the attack that he had been preparing for a long time. Even so, he did not lose his composure in the slightest. After unleashing his killing move, he would bury another killing move.
"He didn't do it on purpose. It's just that he's used to having an extra layer of protection."
Luo Li softly said. However, Wen Qingxuan was still able to see the soft rise and fall of the young girl's chest. Within her voice, there was an undetectable trace of relief. Evidently, when Mu Chen was engaged in an intense battle with the puppet, her heart was not as calm as she appeared on the surface.
"As expected of the Blood Calamity of the Spiritual Road."
With a sweet smile, Wen Qingxuan said, "I think that if he wasn't expelled from the Spiritual Road, I'm afraid that the current him would be even more formidable. If that's the case, perhaps the final Spiritual Crown wouldn't necessarily belong to me."
The strength displayed by Mu Chen did not cause the prideful Wen Qingxuan to feel much astonishment. However, the courage and confidence that he had displayed during the fight had caused her eyes to slightly light up.
At the back, Wang Zhong's eyes were a little gloomy as he watched this scene. Although this unexpected turn of events was very interesting, this was clearly not what he wanted to see. He was more than happy to see Mu Chen being defeated by the battle puppet and imprisoned here.
Moreover, the methods that Mu Chen had displayed had caused caution and fear to rise in his heart. That was because he knew that if he was the one dealing with the battle puppet, it would be extremely difficult for him to achieve such a feat.
"This fellow."
Wang Zhong stared at Mu Chen with a gloomy expression. The new students nowadays were truly so hateful. Ji Xuan was like that, and this Mu Chen was also like that.
Compared to Wang Zhong's gloomy expression, Wu Yingying's expression was a little complicated. She stared at Mu Chen and gritted her teeth. Her fair oval face was filled with hatred, but faintly, there was an undetectable trace of admiration. Perhaps, even she would not admit it. Although this fellow had done such hateful things to her, it was undeniable that he was indeed outstanding.
Back then, in the Spiritual Road, Wu Yingying was angered to the point of going insane by Mu Chen's actions. After that, she had been searching for Mu Chen's silhouette in an attempt to take revenge. However, the Spiritual Road was too big and she had not been able to fulfill her wish. Therefore, when she heard Mu Chen's name again, he had already been expelled from the Spiritual Road.
At that time, she knew that Mu Chen had the title of the Spiritual Road's Blood Calamity. When she found out about the Blood Calamity, she was undoubtedly a little shaken. That was because when she first met Mu Chen, the latter did not seem like someone who would do such a terrifying thing. Otherwise, he would not have let her go after teasing her for a while.
Evidently, she did not expect that she would actually meet this hateful fellow here again. However, it was evident that this fellow had changed a lot over the years. He no longer had the immaturity that he had when they first met. Instead, when he was serious, there was an additional blade-like coldness. This caused his originally handsome face to undoubtedly become even more alluring.
"Pui!"
Thinking about it, Wu Yingying's face suddenly turned red. Shortly after, she hastily spat. She wished that she could dismember this fellow into a thousand pieces. How could she have such thoughts!
Behind her, Deng Tong and the rest looked at the changing expression of the young girl before them. They looked at each other, but did not dare to make a sound and disturb her.
Standing on the stone platform, Mu Chen looked at the puppet that had been sliced into two and gently breathed a sigh of relief. Wiping away the bloodstain on the centre of his brows, this puppet was indeed very powerful. However, it was still a puppet. Although it could rely on its instincts to fight, it was still unable to be compared to a genuine human.
However, Mu Chen had to admit that this damnable puppet was very hard to deal with.
"However, it's finally dealt with."
Mu Chen curled his lips as he kicked the puppet away. Raising his head, he looked at the other end of the stone platform with a scorching gaze. Within the jade lotus platform, the Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi was currently swaying its sparkling and translucent leaves. Nine lumps of blazing light were like scorching suns as they slowly swayed, emitting extremely astonishing Spiritual Energy ripples.
The Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi.
This treasure that he had yearned for even in his dreams was finally his.
Taking a step forward, he quickly walked towards the Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi.
However, just when Mu Chen was before the Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi, a light suddenly condensed beside the jade lotus platform. This unforeseen event instantly caused Mu Chen to be startled. Could it be that I'm still unable to obtain the Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi after defeating the puppet?
Under Mu Chen's vigilant gaze, the light slowly condensed, before transforming into the white-haired old man from before.
Looking at the white-haired old man with caution, Mu Chen cupped his fists and said, "Senior, I've already defeated the puppet. This Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi should be mine, right?"
Although he knew that the white-haired old man before him was only a remnant spiritual image without any intellect, he still maintained some politeness.
The white-haired old man did not reply, and only looked at Mu Chen.
Mu Chen frowned his brows. Shortly after, his pupils abruptly narrowed as he looked at the white-haired elder. That's because he realised that there seemed to be something in the white-haired elder's originally empty eyes. He was no longer emotionless like before, as if he was a dead object.
"I never imagined that I would actually be able to see someone use the Divine Art of my Divine Wood Palace." The white-haired old man's lips squirmed for a moment, before an extremely hoarse and ancient voice slowly rang out.
Mu Chen's expression abruptly changed as he looked at the white-haired old man before him in shock. Compared to before, the latter's voice clearly contained a sliver of genuine emotion. The current him was practically no different from a living person!
This white-haired old man actually possessed intellect?!
"No need to be nervous. It's only because you've used the Divine Art of my Divine Wood Palace that a sliver of my consciousness hidden within the spiritual image has been awakened. Furthermore, this sliver of consciousness will soon dissipate." The white-haired old man spoke in an indifferent tone.
When Mu Chen heard that, he inwardly sighed in relief. "May I know Senior's name?"
"Even the Divine Wood Palace has already disappeared. What's there to remember about my name?"
The white-haired old man sighed. His tone was filled with the vicissitudes of life as he said, "You're a pretty good sapling, but it's a pity that you're not a disciple of my Divine Wood Palace."
He felt that it was a pity. That sliver of his consciousness had been awakened by Mu Chen's Divine Wheel of the Heavenly Wood, and he had also seen the battle between Mu Chen and the puppet.
Mu Chen was stunned. He seemed to have heard the hidden meaning in the white-haired old man's words. Immediately, his eyes rapidly blinked as he smiled. "If Senior is willing, you can accept this junior as an in-name disciple of the Divine Wood Palace."
The white-haired old man seemed to smile. Looking at Mu Chen, he said, "You're truly a smart little fellow."
Mu Chen chuckled. This white-haired old man was clearly a rather stubborn old man. Now that the Divine Wood Palace had already disappeared, there was basically no meaning for him to be an in-name disciple. However, it was clear that Mu Chen's words were to his liking. Otherwise, no matter how much he admired Mu Chen, he would not have given him any indication.
The white-haired old man stroked his beard. Shortly after, he flicked his finger. A green light shot out from his fingertip, shooting into the centre of Mu Chen's brows. Shortly after, it transformed into an ancient tree tattoo, before rapidly disappearing.
"Your Divine Wheel of the Heavenly Wood should have been obtained from the Divine Wood Tablet. Similar Divine Arts should also be found in the other Divine Wood Tablets."
Mu Chen faintly nodded his head. This was something that he had guessed before.
"If there's an opportunity, you might be able to obtain the lesser Divine Arts from the other five Divine Wood Tablets. The things that I've previously given you will help you complete the fusion. At that time, you'll obtain a pleasant surprise." The white-haired old man said with a faint smile.
"Many thanks, elder."
Joy filled Mu Chen's heart as he hastily cupped his hands together.
The white-haired old man waved his hand, before gently patting the jade lotus platform. Rays of light blossomed from within, before the gigantic lotus platform started to rapidly shrink. Even the Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi within it started to shrink. In a short span of a few breaths, the lotus platform was only the size of a palm. Within it, there was an exquisite Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi.
With a wave of the white-haired old man's sleeve, the jade lotus platform flew towards Mu Chen, before being received by the latter with some excitement. The Nine Suns Divine Lingzhi was finally in his hands.
"Go. If you want to obtain the true inheritance of the Divine Wood Palace, you'll have to rely on your own strength."
The white-haired old man deeply inhaled a mouthful of the air between the heavens and earth. Faintly closing his eyes, he muttered, "How nostalgic."
Mu Chen was able to see the radiance within the white-haired old man's eyes rapidly dimming, before returning to its former emptiness. Clearly, the remnant consciousness had completely disappeared.
Keeping the jade lotus platform, Mu Chen gave a bow towards the white-haired old man, before turning around and shooting off the stone platform.