Chapter 1735: Great Tree Submits

The Profound Sword was incredibly sharp, quickly severing the incoming branch. However, the immense force made his arm numb, and he couldn't help but step back.

Zhang Xuan's current strength allowed him to contend with peak Immortal Realm experts, but he relied on numerous magical artifacts. In terms of pure strength, he was still far inferior to such powerful beings.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Severing one branch didn't seem to hurt the massive tree. Soon, more branches surged forward like octopus tentacles. Each one carried the power of a peak Immortal Realm expert. The surrounding space groaned under the pressure, as if unable to bear the force.

“Senior…”

Unexpectedly, as the senior investigated, he started fighting a tree. Everyone grew anxious and was about to rush over to help.

“Don't come over!” Zhang Xuan's voice rang out.

If he couldn't withstand it, these people rushing in would only get themselves killed.

Whoosh!

Before he finished speaking, countless roots emerged from beneath the sand, sweeping towards the group.

“Roots… I understand! If I'm not mistaken, your roots extend throughout the entire desert. You're using them to awaken consciousness!” Seeing this, Zhang Xuan had a sudden realization.

The tree before them didn't appear very tall, but for it to possess the power of a peak Immortal Realm expert, its roots must surely spread extremely far. It was highly probable that the awakenings occurring tens or hundreds of kilometers away were caused by this entity. Otherwise, if he couldn't achieve it, how could this entity?

“You have many roots, but I also have many methods…” Understanding the situation, Zhang Xuan didn't bother to waste more time. He flipped his wrist.

Whoosh!

Five King Beasts appeared before them, each emanating a powerful aura. Upon receiving his command, they simultaneously charged towards the large tree.

“This…”

“How does Senior have so many Sacred Beasts?”

“It seems every single one is a peak Immortal Realm expert…”

“We wouldn't be a match for even one of them…” The people who were fighting swallowed hard, their lips trembling as they watched the young man casually release so many beast pets.

Most cultivators were fortunate to have even one beast pet. To have so many at once, and each so powerful… They had thought they already overestimated the young senior, but unexpectedly, they had still underestimated him! The visual impact was simply too immense.

“Master, don't worry, I'll handle this…”

With the five King Beasts present, the tree indeed lost its previous dominance, its power completely suppressed. After fighting for a moment, the Heavenly Azure Fire Phoenix let out a cry that shook the heavens.

Whoosh!

Flames burst from its mouth, turning half the sky fiery red. As soon as the tree encountered the flames, it immediately trembled, losing its previous might.

Although this entity could release fuzz that burned people into sand, it was still a tree, after all, and thus equally afraid of open flames.

Flames roared! Ignoring its fear, the Heavenly Azure Fire Phoenix continued to spew flames. Soon, the tree began to dry out, its verdant branches and leaves turning withered and yellow, losing all its former strength.

“I know you have consciousness. Surrender to me, and I can spare your life. Otherwise, you won't escape today!” With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Xuan said calmly.

Having tamed the five beast pets, whether he personally acted or not was irrelevant against anything below an Ancient Sage. The fact that this tree could plot to kill cultivators and awaken consciousness in sand particles indicated that it definitely possessed its own intelligence. Given this, it was natural to incorporate it into his own forces.

“Make me surrender? Dream on!” As soon as his words fell, a thought transmission arrived.

“Then burn it to death…” Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Flames flared! The Heavenly Azure Fire Phoenix turned fiery red and flew towards the tree.

Flames filled the sky, making the surroundings intensely hot. The tree gradually withered and completely burned. In a short while, it turned into ashes.

“Huh?” Seeing that it had completely burned yet still wouldn't surrender, Zhang Xuan frowned, looked at the ground, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. “Houtu Kirin, pull up all the tree roots underground for me! Fire Phoenix, assist! I refuse to believe it can't be burned to death!”

The Houtu Kirin's body flickered, and it burrowed into the desert. Immediately, everyone saw massive tree roots being unearthed. The Heavenly Azure Fire Phoenix continued to charge forward.

Flames spread, creating a vast sea of fire. Although the flames emitted by the Heavenly Azure Fire Phoenix were not as potent as celestial fire, they were no less intense than earthly fire. If it burned its bloodline, the flames would be even hotter, capable of melting even Saint Artifacts of Great Sages!

“I will not yield to humans. Stop dreaming…” Even with its roots burning, the tree still didn't surrender; a faint, stubborn thought transmission came through.

“It still won't yield, even to this?” Zhang Xuan was stunned.

It was just a tree; did it need to be so unyielding? If the trunk was gone but the roots remained, it could revive. But with the roots gone too, it would surely die…

“No, that's not right. Burning its roots definitely won't kill it. Otherwise, it couldn't be so tenacious!” His eyes gleamed.

It was just a tree; even with sentience, it wouldn't adhere to rules like a Master Teacher, preferring death over surrender. The reason it acted this way must be because it had some hidden trump card, knowing that mere burning couldn't destroy it.

“The pond!” He looked down at the pond nearby.

The Fire Phoenix's flames were so hot, yet the water in the pond hadn't diminished at all.

“Netherworld Dark Turtle, you possess water-attribute power. Absorb all the water from this pond for me! I want to see how long this fellow can last!” Too lazy to waste words, Zhang Xuan spoke again.

“Yes!” The Dark Turtle slowly walked over and opened its massive mouth.

Whoosh!

The pond water immediately surged like a water dragon, pouring into its mouth. Soon, it was completely swallowed, revealing a small, slender root inside. It was entirely white, giving off a warm, jade-like sensation.

He grabbed it from the air. The jade-like root, as soon as it landed in his palm, caused the tree being burned by the Heavenly Azure Fire Phoenix to shake as if losing its foundation, and in a blink of an eye, it simultaneously turned into yellow sand.

“As expected, this is the main body…” Seeing this scene, Zhang Xuan immediately understood.

The previous tree and its roots were all fake. Only this was the true body, no wonder it refused to surrender… As long as this couldn't be found, it wouldn't die.

“Fire Phoenix, burn this root for me… Golden Origin Cauldron, if it can't be burned, help me refine it into slag!” With a flick of his palm, he threw the root out. The Golden Origin Cauldron, Heavenly Azure Fire Phoenix, and many other sacred beasts and weapons all flew over.

“Don't kill me…” Seeing so many powerful beings approaching menacingly, the root trembled incessantly and moved slightly. “I surrender, I am willing to surrender…”

“That's more like it!” Seeing that its true body had been captured and it no longer possessed its previous stubbornness, Zhang Xuan finally nodded.

A contract was quickly signed. The culprit that had terrified all the powerful cultivators in the desert instantly became his beast pet.