72: Chapter 72 Elemental Treasure Tree! Five-Colored Fierce Tiger! You, surnamed Shen, are you planning to be the one unaware of the cicada behind?

The thick fog was as thick as milk.

Lin Feng followed Xiao Jin, trudging forward with uneven steps.

Underfoot were gravel and withered branches, emitting a crisp "crunch, crunch" sound when stepped on.

All around was a vast expanse of white; nothing could be seen clearly.

Only Xiao Jin's six golden legs flickered in and out of the mist like six moving little stars.

"Squeak, squeak!"

Xiao Jin suddenly stopped and turned back to squeak twice at Lin Feng.

There was excitement in its voice.

It pointed ahead with its golden front legs.

Lin Feng squinted, trying hard to see what was in the fog.

But besides white, there was only more white.

"I can't see anything..."

He muttered, taking a few more steps forward.

Suddenly, the thick fog in front of him seemed to be dispersed by something invisible.

Everything suddenly opened up.

Lin Feng was stunned.

Before him was a... tree.

A tree so massive it was beyond description.

The trunk was as thick as a building, requiring dozens of people to encircle it.

The bark was silver-white with a faint metallic luster, its surface covered in countless fine patterns that pulsed slightly like blood vessels.

The canopy blotted out the sun, covering at least several hundred meters.

The most miraculous thing was the fruit growing on the tree.

These fruits were the size of a fist and shaped like apples, but their colors were all different.

Golden, fiery red, azure, emerald green, earthy yellow, deep purple, silver-white...

Each color was crystal clear like a gemstone, emitting a soft glow.

The entire canopy looked as if it were hung with colorful lanterns.

Lin Feng took a deep breath.

An incredibly dense surge of elemental energy rushed toward him.

Just by breathing, he felt the mana in his body soaring!

"This... what kind of tree is this?!"

He widened his eyes in disbelief.

Xiao Jin was already impatient.

Its six legs scrambled quickly, like a small black ball rolling to the base of the tree.

Then, hugging the trunk, it looked up at the fruits and let out "squeak, squeak, squeak" sounds.

It was almost drooling.

Lin Feng walked over and reached out to touch the trunk.

The warm touch felt like touching the skin of a living creature.

He could feel endless vitality flowing within the trunk.

[ancient elemental tree (Legendary)]

[Status: Alive]

[Description: A divine tree that existed in ancient times, absorbing the elemental energy of heaven and earth to produce Elemental Fruits. Each fruit contains the essence of an element; consuming it permanently increases the corresponding elemental affinity and provides a chance to comprehend elemental skills.]

[Note: ancient elemental trees usually have guardians; approaching rashly will result in an attack.]

Lin Feng's eyes went wide after reading the description.

Permanently increase elemental affinity?!

And a chance to learn elemental skills?!

This is a damn treasure!

"I'm rich, I'm rich, I'm rich..."

Lin Feng swallowed hard.

He looked up at the tree full of fruit—at least a hundred of them.

Red ones, golden ones, blue ones, green ones...

All kinds of elements, everything one could want.

"Let's try picking one first."

Lin Feng reached out, preparing to pick a golden one.

That golden fruit should be of the light attribute.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the fruit—

"Roar—!!!"

A deafening roar exploded from deep within the canopy!

The sound was like thunder exploding in his ears!

Every hair on Lin Feng's body stood on end, and he retreated sharply!

A massive figure lunged out from the canopy!

It was a tiger.

No, not an ordinary tiger.

It was five meters long and two meters high at the shoulder, larger than an SUV!

Its entire body was covered in multicolored fur—gold, red, blue, green, and earthy yellow—the five colors interwoven to form complex stripes.

The "King" character on its forehead was pure dark gold, like burning flames.

Its eyes were golden vertical slits, emitting a Soul-stirring light.

Most terrifying was its tail—three meters long, with a massive bone ball at the end like a meteor hammer, covered in spikes.

It landed on the ground, its four limbs planting firmly, making the earth tremble.

Those golden vertical pupils stared intently at Lin Feng.

A low growl rumbled in its throat.

[Multicolored Tiger: Elemental Guardian (Lord Grade)]

[Rank: 35]

[health points: 3,500,000]

[attack power: 6,800-7,500 (with five types of elemental damage)]

[Defense: 6,000]

[Skills: Gold Rend, Wood Entangle, Water Impact, Fire Burst, Earth Pressure, Five Elements Cycle, Elemental Roar]

[Description: Guardian of the ancient elemental tree, an elemental creature born from the tree, possessing mastery over the five elements. Extremely dangerous, recommended to stay away.]

Three and a half million health points!

Seven thousand five hundred attack power!

Six thousand defense!

And five types of elemental skills!

Lin Feng gasped.

These attributes weren't much worse than that Mother Body in the Old City District!

Moreover, this thing was a pure Lord Grade, and in an environment so dense with elements, its combat power was unimaginable!

"Xiao Jin, run!"

Lin Feng shouted.

But Xiao Jin didn't run at all.

Instead, it climbed onto Lin Feng's shoulder and squeaked at the tiger.

The squeaking sounded like it was hurling insults.

The Multicolored Tiger was stunned for a moment.

It probably hadn't expected such a tiny insect to dare challenge it.

Then, it became enraged.

"Roar—!!!"

Another roar!

This time, along with the roar, a visible shockwave surged toward Lin Feng!

Skill: Elemental Roar!

Everywhere the shockwave passed, the air distorted!

Lin Feng's expression changed, and he immediately activated Holy Light Protection!

A golden light shield enveloped his body!

Boom!!!

The shockwave slammed into the shield!

[Holy Light Protection absorbed damage: 899 × 20 = 17,980]

[Remaining Shield Value: 10,200/17,980]

The shield value dropped by over seven thousand!

"Holy crap!"

Lin Feng's scalp tingled.

Just a single roar took out over seven thousand points of his shield?

If he were hit head-on...

There was no time to think.

Because the Multicolored Tiger had already pounced!

Its speed was ridiculously fast; its five-meter body turned into a five-colored streak of light!

"Judgment of Light!"

Lin Feng raised his hands, and a golden Greatsword condensed above his head!

He slashed it down fiercely at the pouncing tiger!

The tiger didn't dodge; it raised a massive front paw and swiped at the Greatsword!

Clang!!!

A deafening sound of metal clashing!

The Greatsword was shattered to pieces!

On the tiger's front paw, only a shallow white mark remained!

[Damage dealt: 899 × 15 = 13,485; Actual damage: 7,485 (after deducting 6,000 Defense)]

Out of three and a half million health points, it lost seven thousand five hundred.

It was almost invisible to the naked eye.

"So tough?!"

Lin Feng's heart sank.

The tiger was already upon him!

It opened its bloody maw and lunged to bite Lin Feng!

Inside its mouth, five-colored light could be seen condensing!

Skill: Five Elements Cycle!

Five-colored light erupted from its mouth, turning into a five-colored beam!

Everywhere the beam passed, space itself distorted!

"Void Walk!"

Lin Feng urgently activated his life-saving skill!

His body instantly vanished into the Void Realm!

The five-colored beam passed through where he had just been standing and hit a large tree behind him!

That hundred-meter-tall tree was pierced straight through by the beam!

A three-meter-diameter hole appeared in the trunk!

Then, the entire tree crashed down!

Lin Feng emerged from the Void Realm, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

If he were hit, even with 250,000 health points, he wouldn't last long!

"No, I can't take it head-on!"

Lin Feng's mind raced.

This tiger had high attack, high defense, high speed, and five elemental skills.

Fighting it head-on was suicide.

"I have to find its weakness..."

Lin Feng dodged while observing carefully.

The tiger pounced again!

This time it didn't use a skill, relying purely on crushing speed and power!

Lin Feng dodged left and right, looking quite pathetic.

On his shoulder, Xiao Jin held on tight, still squeaking.

The squeaks sounded like it was cheering Lin Feng on.

"Stop squeaking! Think of something!"

Lin Feng shouted while dodging.

Xiao Jin blinked its tiny compound eyes.

Then, it suddenly jumped off Lin Feng's shoulder.

Landing on the ground, it squeaked wildly at the tiger.

Then, it did something that left Lin Feng dumbfounded—

It stuck out its rear at the tiger and let out a fart.

Pfft—

A faint golden mist sprayed from its rear and drifted toward the tiger.

The tiger was stunned.

It had probably lived for hundreds of years and had never seen an insect dare to fart at it.

Then, something even stranger happened.

The faint golden mist drifted in front of the tiger.

The tiger took a breath.

Its movements suddenly slowed down.

Those golden vertical pupils became somewhat dazed.

[Void Holy Beetle Skill: Soul-Confusing Incense]

[Effect: Releases a special gas that causes the target to fall into a brief trance for 3 seconds.]

[Description: A life-saving skill of the Void Holy Beetle, capable of saving lives at critical moments.]

"Good job!"

Lin Feng's eyes lit up!

A three-second trance!

That's enough!

He cupped his hands in front of his chest, and eight-colored light began to converge!

"Judgment of Light + Firestorm + Thors Hammer + Absolute Zero—Four-Skill Fusion!"

This time, he infused eighty thousand mana!

Buzz—

Four-colored light interwove frantically in his palms!

After three seconds, a twenty-meter-long four-colored Greatsword condensed into form!

The Greatsword's blade burned with fire and was wreathed in lightning, while the tip flowed with Holy Light and frost!

"Slash for me—!!!"

Lin Feng swung his hands down!

The four-colored Greatsword whistled as it slashed toward the dazed tiger!

The tiger sensed danger and wanted to dodge, but its trance hadn't ended yet!

It could only raise its front paw to block it!

Boom!!!

The four-colored Greatsword slammed into its front paw!

Fire, lightning, Holy Light, and frost exploded simultaneously!

-235,000!

A damage number of two hundred and thirty thousand jumped up!

The tiger let out a shrill scream of pain!

A deep wound was slashed into its front paw!

Multicolored blood gushed out like a fountain!

"Good!"

Lin Feng's eyes lit up!

Strike while it's down!

He raised his hands again, preparing another four-colored Greatsword!

Boom!!!

Another strike!

-228,000!

The tiger's screams grew even more shrill!

It staggered back, its front paw nearly severed!

But just then, the three-second trance ended.

Clarity returned to the tiger's eyes.

The way it looked at Lin Feng was no longer with contempt, but... madness!

"Roar—!!!"

The tiger roared toward the sky!

Five-colored light erupted from its body simultaneously!

Skill: Five Elements Cycle - Ultimate Form!

The five-colored lights interwove and fused upon its body!

Its body began to swell!

From five meters long, it grew to six, seven, eight meters...

The fur on its body became even more vivid and dazzling!

Its injured front paw healed at a speed visible to the naked eye!

[Multicolored Tiger has entered Berserk State]

[All Attributes +30%, duration 5 minutes]

[health points: 3.04 million / 3.5 million]

Lin Feng's expression changed.

Berserk State?

All attributes increased by thirty percent?

Its attack power is almost breaking ten thousand!

Its defense has also reached seven thousand eight hundred!

How can I fight this?!

The fierce tiger roared and pounced again!

Its speed was nearly fifty percent faster than before!

Lin Feng only had time to turn sideways before he was sent flying by the impact!

Pfft—

He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood!

[Received Impact Damage: 9500 - Defense 444 - Damage Reduction? = 8900]

[health points: 241,100 / 250,000]

"Cough..."

Lin Feng coughed up some bloody foam.

This power is too terrifying!

He had just scrambled up when the tiger pounced again!

Opening its bloody maw, it bit directly toward his head!

"Void Walk!"

Lin Feng activated his life-saving skill again!

His body vanished into the void!

The tiger's bite missed, but its tail swept over!

That massive bone ball carried the sound of whistling wind!

Lin Feng had just emerged from the void when the bone ball was already in front of him!

Bang!!!

He was struck hard by the bone ball, and his whole body flew out like a cannonball!

He only stopped after smashing through three trees!

[Received Impact Damage: 11200 - Defense 444 = 10756]

[health points: 230,344 / 250,000]

"Damn it..."

Lin Feng struggled to get up, every bone in his body feeling like it was falling apart.

This tiger is too fierce!

In its Berserk State, he simply couldn't beat it!

Just then, a "squeak" came from his shoulder.

Little Gold had crawled back.

It hugged Lin Feng's ear and pointed in the direction of the tiger.

Lin Feng looked in the direction it was pointing.

The tiger had already chased them down, less than fifty meters away.

But what Little Gold was pointing at wasn't the tiger.

Instead, it was behind the tiger, at the... roots of that ancient elemental tree?

There, a cluster of five-colored light was slowly circulating.

It looked like something.

Lin Feng narrowed his eyes.

Suddenly, he understood.

"Is that its weakness?!"

Lin Feng asked.

Little Gold nodded.

"Squeak!"

Lin Feng's heart stirred.

If he could attack that spot...

But the tiger wouldn't give him the chance.

It had already pounced!

"I'm going for it!"

Lin Feng gritted his teeth and advanced instead of retreating!

He spread his Wind Wings and charged toward the tiger!

The tiger clearly hadn't expected Lin Feng to dare to charge proactively and was stunned for a moment.

In that split second of hesitation, Lin Feng had already rushed in front of it!

"Judgment of Light!"

The golden Greatsword slashed toward the tiger's head!

The tiger subconsciously raised its front paw to block!

Now's the time!

Lin Feng's figure flashed as he brushed past its side!

He dove down toward that cluster of five-colored light!

Sensing something was wrong, the tiger let out a roar!

It turned to give chase!

But it was too late!

Lin Feng rushed to the roots of the ancient tree and saw the cluster of five-colored light.

Was that a... heart?

No, it was a fist-sized crystal with five-colored light circulating on its surface.

[Elemental Guardian Core (Purple Material)]

[Quality: Purple]

[Uses: Pet Evolution, Equipment Forging]

[Effect: Contains the essence of the Guardian; it is the source of the Multicolored Tiger's power]

[Description: The Guardian Core is extremely fragile. Once destroyed, the Guardian will lose its power]

"This is it!"

Lin Feng reached out and grabbed the crystal!

At the very moment his fingers were about to touch it—

The tiger's roar came from behind!

It was chasing with all its might, less than ten meters away!

But Lin Feng was faster!

He grabbed the crystal and squeezed hard!

Crack!

A crack appeared on the surface of the crystal!

"Roar—!!!"

The tiger let out a shrill, miserable scream!

Its massive body suddenly froze!

The five-colored light on its body rapidly dimmed!

Then, it crashed to the ground!

[Killed Multicolored Tiger · Elemental Guardian, Experience +700,000]

[Level Up! Rank 27!]

A flash of golden light!

[All Attributes +3, Free Attribute Points +20]

[Current Rank: 27]

[spirit: 932]

[Spell Attack: 4660]

[mana: 250,000]

I won!

Lin Feng panted heavily, looking at the tiger's corpse lying on the ground.

That massive body was slowly turning into motes of light and dissipating.

Leaving behind a pile of multicolored Materials.

[Multicolored Tiger Fur (Purple Material) ×5]

[Multicolored Tiger Bone Spikes (Purple Material) ×8]

[Multicolored Tiger Eyeballs (Blue Material) ×2]

[Elemental Guardian Essence Blood (A-Rank) ×20 Units]

Lin Feng was just about to go pick them up.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.

"Not bad, you actually killed a Guardian alone."

Lin Feng's body stiffened.

He slowly turned around.

Ten meters away, a white figure walked out of the thick fog.

Shen Yutang.

He was still wearing those white robes with gold trim, his long hair draped over his shoulders, and a faint smile on his face.

But that smile, in Lin Feng's eyes, was full of... danger.

"Shen Yutang?" Lin Feng frowned, "What are you doing here?"

"Why can't I be here?" Shen Yutang chuckled, his gaze passing over Lin Feng and landing on that ancient elemental tree.

The tree full of fruit radiated a seven-colored glow.

His eyes lit up.

"Fine treasures... truly fine treasures..."

He murmured, then looked at Lin Feng.

That look was like he was looking at an ant.

"Lin Feng, right? Thank you for clearing the path for me."

"These fruits, I'll take them."

Lin Feng's gaze turned cold.

"What do you mean?"

"It means..." Shen Yutang raised his hand, an ice-blue longsword condensing in his palm, "You can get lost now."

"Or, die."

Lin Feng stared at him.

But in his heart, stormy waves were surging.

This guy broke free from the illusion so quickly?!

And looking at him, he was completely unharmed!

Could it be that he also has some treasure to protect his Soul?

Or... is his mental resistance naturally strong?

"Shen Yutang, aren't you afraid the military will hold you accountable after we leave?"

Lin Feng tested him.

Shen Yutang laughed.

"Accountable? On what basis?"

"If you die in the Secret Realm, who will know I killed you?"

"There's no surveillance here, no witnesses."

"Only you and me."

He paused, his smile becoming even more playful.

"Besides, do you think Chen Ruoxi would offend the East Sea Shen Family for a piece of trash with an F-Rank Talent?"

Lin Feng fell silent.

He knew Shen Yutang was telling the truth.

In the eyes of those big shots, an F-Rank Talent holder like him with no background was worthless compared to the direct heir of the Shen family.

"So, you intend to kill me to silence me?"

Lin Feng asked.

"Smart." Shen Yutang nodded, "But I can also give you a chance."

"Leave on your own and give the fruits to me. I can pretend I never saw you."

Lin Feng looked at him.

Then he looked at the ancient tree laden with fruit.

Then he looked at Little Gold, who was still "squeaking" on his shoulder.

Then, he smiled.

He smiled very brightly.

"Shen Yutang, do you know what I hate most?"

Shen Yutang raised an eyebrow: "What?"

"I hate it most when someone threatens me."

Lin Feng raised his hand, and eight-colored light began to converge in his palm.

"Want to snatch my things?"

"Then come and try."

"Let's see if you, the A-Rank Talent Prodigy, are more formidable."

"Or if I, the F-Rank Talent trash... am more ruthless."

Shen Yutang's gaze turned cold.

"Courting death!"

The ice-blue longsword in his hand suddenly thrust toward Lin Feng!

The battle was on the verge of breaking out!

...

The ice-blue longsword in Shen Yutang's hand turned into a cold light, thrusting straight for Lin Feng's throat!

Its speed was startlingly fast!

Wherever the sword edge passed, fine ice crystals condensed in the air!

"Ice Jade Holy Physique · Frost Slash!"

Shen Yutang shouted coldly, and the cold energy on the sword surged!

This strike was enough to pierce through steel!

However—

Lin Feng didn't even dodge.

He just raised his left hand, palm forward.

Buzz—

A layer of earthy yellow light shield instantly condensed in front of him!

Earth Protection

[Effect: Condenses Earth Elements to form rock armor, defense +500, absorbs 15,000 damage]

Clang!!!

The ice sword struck the light shield, erupting with a piercing sound of clashing metal!

The tip of the sword pierced three inches into the shield and could go no further!

"What?!"

Shen Yutang's pupils contracted.

This strike of his used seventy percent of his power, enough to insta-kill any Explorer of the same Rank!

It was actually blocked by a shield?

"Is this all you've got?"

Lin Feng sneered.

He raised his right hand, and gold and red light converged in his palm!

Judgment of Light!

A golden Greatsword condensed above his head, burning with holy flames, and slashed down fiercely at Shen Yutang!

Shen Yutang's expression changed, and he immediately withdrew his sword and retreated!

At the same time, an ice-blue light shield appeared on his body!

[Ice Jade Body Protection (Blue)]

[Effect: Generates an ice-attribute shield, absorbs 8,000 damage]

Boom!!!

The Greatsword struck the ice shield!

The ice shield vibrated violently, and dense cracks appeared on its surface!

[Damage Dealt: 932 × 15 = 13980, Actual Damage: 5980 (after ice shield absorption)]

Although the ice shield didn't shatter, it was covered in cracks!

Shen Yutang was shaken back three steps, his face looking extremely ugly.

"How is this possible?!"

He looked at Lin Feng in disbelief.

How could a piece of trash with an F-Rank Talent have such high attack power?!

"What, are you surprised?"

Lin Feng walked toward him step by step, light once again condensing in his palm.

"Did you think having an A-Rank Talent made you invincible?"

"Did you think having a Prodigy-level Physique meant you could bully anyone?"

"Did you think... I was really trash?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Feng raised both hands simultaneously!

Golden Holy Light in his left hand, crimson flames in his right!

"Judgment of Light + Firestorm — Fusion!"

Buzz—

The gold and red lights intertwined frantically in his palms!

Three seconds later, a ten-meter-long gold-red Greatsword condensed into form!

The Greatsword's blade burned with holy flames, and lava-like fire flowed from its tip!

"Slash!"

Lin Feng swung both hands down!

The gold-red Greatsword whistled as it slashed toward Shen Yutang — Light-Flame Judgment!"