Chapter 1026: Gold Magnetic Spirit Wood

“Let’s keep up. Don’t get too close to those old monsters. It’s fortunate that we can suppress our spiritual sense; otherwise, we’d have no chance of tracking cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage,” Madame Mu called out. Immediately, white light shimmered around the two women as they quietly moved away from the stone pillar, using another secret technique to follow.

Shortly after the two women left, behind another stone pillar, specifically the one where they had been, a faint green light flickered. A tall figure, entirely green, emerged. A pair of crystalline, green eyes coldly stared in the direction the two women had vanished for a moment, then the figure eerily flickered and disappeared.

When Old Devil Qian and the others arrived at the mountain gate, Han Li was slowly walking along the path between the mountain gate and the colossal palace. He paused with every step, as if each step weighed over ten thousand jin. He was still only two to three hundred zhang away from the enormous palace.

However, at this moment, Han Li was not only enveloped in a shimmering golden-blue light with arcs of golden electricity, but his entire body was also wrapped in a vibrant layer of purple flames. He had even used a Spirit Descent Talisman long ago to transform himself into a strange, half-dragon, half-human figure. This sight greatly startled Old Devil Qian and the others.

“What kind of divine ability is this? How did he turn into such a state?” a black-robed elder couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

“No matter what’s happening, it seems this lad is trapped by a restriction. This is the perfect time to eliminate him,” Ge Tianhao said, a cruel glint in his eyes. Then, with a swift flick of his hand, a fiery red long-handled spear shot out as a streak of red light.

Han Li had previously used his Three Flames Fan to destroy a bone sword that Ge Tianhao had refined, causing him a significant loss. Now that an opportunity presented itself, he naturally wouldn't let it slip away easily.

However, as soon as the red light flew out for a dozen zhang, it plummeted with a 'bang,' creating a deep crater in the ground, and was then firmly pressed into the earth.

“What is this?” Ge Tianhao was greatly astonished. He quickly channeled all his magic power, attempting to retrieve the treasure, but the long-handled spear seemed to have taken root in the ground and wouldn't budge.

“Grand Five Elements Magnetic Force?” Lin Yinping exclaimed softly upon seeing this.

“No, it's the Golden Magnetic Heavy Light,” the Silver-Winged Yaksha said indifferently, glancing at the two rows of colossal, withered trees on both sides. “These are natural restrictions generated by the Golden Magnetic Spirit Trees on either side. Anyone who steps within the range of these spirit trees will be affected by their invisible magnetic light and gravitational force, making it almost impossible to move.”

“Impossible to move? Then how did that Han lad walk through it?” The young man surnamed Xu sneered and cast a glance at Han Li's distant back as he spoke.

“Heh heh, Fellow Daoist, did you truly not notice, or are you deliberately ignoring the significant change in his appearance? Before and after his transformation, his cultivation has surged by at least half, reaching the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Moreover, both the Evil-Smiting Divine Thunder and those purple ice flames are extraordinary divine abilities. If you were to go there, you might not even be able to endure as long as he has after his transformation!” The Silver-Winged Yaksha glanced at the young man, a hint of mockery playing on his lips.

“Is that so? From your tone, it seems you're quite familiar with this Han lad. Do you know him?” The young man surnamed Xu remained expressionless, but his tone shifted.

“Whether I know him or not seems to have no bearing on you,” the Silver-Winged Yaksha, having discerned the probing intent in the other's words, sneered.

Upon hearing the Silver-Winged Yaksha's reply, the young man surnamed Xu's expression remained unchanged, but a natural fury surged within him.

“Golden Magnetic Spirit Trees, could they be the ancient spirit trees known as Treasure-Dropping Trees? These trees are said to have long been extinct outside, and it's rumored that any treasure incorporating metallic elements will be countered by them. No wonder Fellow Daoist Ge's treasure immediately fell to the ground. Furthermore, the magnetic force emitted by these trees is innate; even with spiritual sense, cultivators cannot detect it,” Ge Tianhao said, his brow furrowed.

“Not only that. The magnetic field emitted by these trees is extremely potent, capable of stacking and repeatedly applying gravitational force. To know exactly how much gravity will be applied, one only needs to look at how many spirit trees are in these two rows. They are arranged so densely that once we enter, we'll likely be affected by four or five of these trees simultaneously. Others may not know, but I daresay I absolutely cannot withstand such immense force.” The square-faced cultivator's expression was somewhat solemn.

“Is that so? I don't believe it, and I intend to try it myself.” Lin Yinping watched Han Li's slowly advancing back, her beautiful face chilling. With a pat of the spirit beast pouch at her waist, a four-legged monstrous snake immediately shot out.

The monstrous snake was covered in thick, rough scales. It had a pair of fleshy wings on its back, giving it a tough, thick-skinned appearance.

“Go!” Lin Yinping uttered a low command, and pointed a finger towards Han Li's distant back.

A yellow protective shield suddenly appeared around the monstrous snake. After circling once in the air, it shot into the mountain gate.

As a result, under the gaze of many, after flying a mere dozen zhang, the monstrous snake also plummeted with a 'swoosh,' identical to the long-handled spear before it.

However, the snake's body was indeed exceptionally tough. It also seemed to possess a considerable amount of brute strength. As soon as it landed, it used its four legs with force and actually rolled to its feet. Its wings on its back also flapped laboriously a few times, as if trying to take flight.

Witnessing this, a hint of joy appeared on Lin Yinping's face.

But before her smile faded, a muffled 'thud' sound echoed. Its body burst open, and its flesh and blood were instantly crushed into a paste by the gravitational force.

“How is this possible? Is this magnetic light truly that powerful? What is that Han lad's body made of? Even my spirit snake couldn't withstand it, yet he's unharmed!” Lin Yinping's face turned pale, and she blurted out in disbelief.

“No need to overthink it,” Old Devil Qian said indifferently, having surprisingly guessed part of the truth. “I detected a faint demonic aura on him. He must have used some secret technique to temporarily possess the power of a demonic beast, which is why his body became so formidable. However, his own divine abilities are indeed remarkable; he can simultaneously unleash three types of power to resist such immense force without even using a magic treasure. Even I cannot achieve this.”

“There's such a secret technique? This person truly knows many unorthodox paths!” Upon hearing the old devil's words, Lin Yinping and the others finally realized some things.

“Enough, no more idle talk. If you humans keep talking for a bit longer, he'll already be inside Kunwu Palace,” the ugly woman among the three demons said in a coarse, booming voice that sounded like a broken gong, rolling her eyes as she saw Han Li's figure drawing ever closer to the colossal hall.

“Don't worry, the restrictions of Kunwu Palace couldn't possibly be limited to just this one before us,” the young man surnamed Xu said calmly. “Who knows what even more formidable restrictions await him inside the palace. Furthermore, now that we know the origin of the Golden Magnetic Spirit Trees, breaking this restriction shouldn't be difficult. As long as we use magic treasures that do not contain metallic elements to chop down these giant trees one by one, this restriction will naturally be easily broken.”

“That simple?” The ugly woman blinked her eyes, appearing somewhat unconvinced.

“The Golden Magnetic Heavy Light's strength lies only in its unpredictability, making it impossible for someone to save themselves once caught within it. Other than that, it's nothing remarkable.” As the young man surnamed Xu spoke, he unceremoniously raised his hand, and a pale yellow small sword flew from his grasp. Immediately, a yellow arc shot directly towards the nearest giant tree, attempting to cleave it horizontally.

With a loud 'boom,' the giant tree suddenly shimmered with a faint golden light. Where the flying sword struck its trunk, only a deep sword mark appeared; it was not chopped down by a single strike.

“Oh!” The young man surnamed Xu let out a soft exclamation of surprise.

“It seems Fellow Daoist Xu has forgotten something,” Old Devil Qian's voice came through. “These Golden Magnetic Woods are inherently tougher than metal and stone. Furthermore, having been nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in Kunwu Mountain for countless years, they are no longer ordinary spirit trees. Destroying them might truly not be an easy task. Let's not delay any further; let's all attack together!” Immediately, the colossal white shadow opened its mouth, launching a white crystal ball that spun directly towards another giant tree.

After Ge Tianhao and the others exchanged glances, they no longer hesitated. They each took out various treasures made of jade or wood from their persons, and unleashed them overwhelmingly towards the giant trees on both sides.

For a moment, various spiritual lights enveloped all the giant trees on both sides.

Neither Old Devil Qian nor the young man surnamed Xu and the others noticed that as they watched the human cultivators attack the Golden Magnetic Woods, the three Silver-Winged Yaksha demons each spat out a treasure to join the assault. However, beneath their seemingly ordinary expressions, they were secretly overjoyed. The treasures spat out by these three demons appeared quite powerful, but in reality, they had very little effect on the giant trees. This situation, however, was cleverly concealed by the overwhelming force of the attack, and for a moment, the human cultivators failed to discover anything amiss.

“How foolish! I didn't expect these humans behind us to actually try to chop down those Golden Magnetic Spirit Trees,” Silvermoon's sigh echoed in Han Li's mind as he struggled forward.

“It's no wonder Old Devil Qian and the others were negligent,” Han Li, however, said calmly. “After all, they don't possess the Clear Bright Spirit Eyes divine ability, which allows me to directly see inside these giant trees. Naturally, they don't know that each tree is inscribed with the ancient Great Light Wheel Demon-Subduing Incantation. And if you hadn't reminded me, I might not have discovered the peculiarity either. Who would have thought that ancient cultivators could engrave talismans within the trees?”

“But in this way, the three Silver-Winged Yaksha demons will be able to pass through this place unimpeded. Should we warn those people?” Silvermoon hesitated for a moment, asking tentatively.

“Warn them? Why would I warn them?” Han Li smiled slightly. “Everyone behind us, except for the Ye family cultivators, are allies of the Heavenly Azure Holy Temple and the Yin Luo Sect. It's perfect for the three demons to come over; they can just restrain them. The reason I didn't use a magic treasure to destroy those giant trees just now is because my strength alone is insufficient. I don't know how much effort it would take to destroy them; otherwise, I would have acted myself.”

“That's true,” Silvermoon also chuckled softly as she spoke. “However, Master, it would be best for you to enter the hall and retrieve the treasures sooner. Once you have the treasures, with your divine abilities, you can still retreat safely amidst the chaos. Then, you just need to hide in a secluded spot in the mountains for a few days, and once the rift returns to normal, you can leave this mountain.”