Chapter 677: Chapter 203: Fire Crown Divine Pine
The uniform footsteps of the Mechanical Army suddenly halted.
At the center of the formation, Ning Zhuo stared into the distance: “Is that the Fire Crown Divine Pine?”
Undoubtedly, the Fire Crown Divine Pine, located at the core of the Ten-mile Burning Forest, was the heart of this place.
Its thick trunk stood straight like a pillar of heaven, unmoved and imposing. The red copper-colored bark was covered in lava-like patterns, as if thousands of fire dragons were slithering beneath its surface.
Seven hundred and twenty main branches radiated towards the sky, each branch splitting into nine layers of bronze-colored secondary branches, with layers upon layers of flaming leaves forming a thirty-acre wide Red Gold Crown.
And each leaf, shaped like a phoenix tail, silently burned with an undying orange-red flame.
Majestic!
Sacred!
These were the most intense sensations Ning Zhuo felt while observing from afar.
Ning Zhuo did not advance further but stationed his troops where they were, waiting for the Three Generals Camp to join him.
Since he captured Yan Jin, the Fire Curtain no longer appeared, and most of the raging fires within the Burning Forest had dissipated, with only the Burning Wood quietly aflame.
Ning Zhuo, sharp-minded, quickly deduced: his confrontation with Yan Jin had relieved much pressure from the Three Generals Camp, allowing them to advance and destroy the forest protective formation, resulting in the current situation.
A stocky youth touched his Mechanical Ring.
Though the ring remained silent, Ning Zhuo still decided to wait for the Three Generals to attack together.
This was because the Mechanical Ring could alert him in life-threatening situations, but significant losses could occur without such dire threats.
Ning Zhuo, cautious by nature, would not make any rash mistakes.
“Strategist!”
“Strategist!!”
Soon, the Three Generals Camp swiftly marched to Ning Zhuo’s side.
“Is this… Yan Jin?” The Three Generals quickly noticed Yan Jin lying at Ning Zhuo’s feet.
“Indeed.” Ning Zhuo nodded with a smile.
Zhang Hei scratched his head: “The three of us combined could only kill the Fiery Fairy. How did you manage to capture Yan Jin alive? Impressive!”
Both sides quickly exchanged information, finding their experiences since parting were much as they had speculated.
Liu Er’s gaze fell upon Yan Jin. He said to Ning Zhuo: “Strategist, could you remove some of his seal so I can persuade him?”
Ning Zhuo replied: “Certainly.”
A Talisman was torn off Yan Jin, and his Divine Sense spread out once more.
Liu Er began to persuade Yan Jin to surrender, but Yan Jin blocked him with one sentence: “You are merely a Capturing General, one of General of Mixed Rank; how can you make decisions?”
Liu Er froze.
He then said, “Though I might not make decisions, I do have some authority to lighten your punishment.”
“You now have an opportunity to redeem yourself.”
This time, Yan Jin’s expression froze.
Immediately, Liu Er continued: “I understand, convincing Luo Chen to surrender is unrealistic.”
“But, if you persuade him to retreat voluntarily?”
“Our orders are to seize the Ten-mile Burning Forest, not engage in a fight to the death.”
Yan Jin showed a pondering look.
Liu Er pressed on: “It’s absolutely impossible to let you go. Capturing a Golden Core Cultivator is a significant achievement.”
“Moreover, Yan Daoist is a renowned master of the Ten-mile Burning Forest; this victory, because it’s you, would at least double in merit.”
“If you persuade Luo Chen to leave, it would benefit everyone.”
“Firstly, it prevents bloodshed on both sides. Secondly, you can reduce your punishment.”
“The previous battle proved the Ginseng Whisker Dragon King is no match for Commander Du. The Thousand Peak Forest will surely belong to Liangzhu Country. Wouldn’t an opportunity for you, Yan Daoist, to change sides be a fortuitous moment in life?”
Yan Jin glanced at Liu Er and thought to himself: “There was no mention in the intelligence that this half-demon Golden Core Cultivator was so eloquent!”
Nevertheless, Yan Jin was moved.
He transmitted thoughts via Divine Sense: “I can only try.”
Liu Er immediately smiled, eagerly encouraging: “Even trying, Yan Daoist, will earn good favor and reduce your punishment.”
“Third brother, why are you standing there? Quickly help Yan Daoist up.”
Like waking from a slumber, Zhang Hei responded with two ‘ohs’ before grabbing Yan Jin’s neck and lifting him upright.
Feeling humiliated like a cat or dog, Yan Jin could not help but glare fiercely at Zhang Hei.
Zhang Hei immediately glared back.
Yan Jin coughed twice and communicated via Divine Sense: “Let me get closer; it will be easier to transmit thoughts.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head: “Getting closer is permissible, but Divine Sense Transmission is not. Who knows what you might whisper to Luo Chen?”
“Allow me to craft a small device.”
Liu Er agreed, then led the Three Generals Camp, escorting Yan Jin cautiously closer to the Fire Crown Divine Pine.
The closer they got, the stronger the oppressive feeling from the Fire Crown Divine Pine.
Ning Zhuo also saw the scene beneath the trunk.
The roots of the Fire Crown Divine Pine coiled like dragons, forming a raised platform.
On this platform, closest to the trunk, sat a Cultivator.
It was Luo Chen!
Luo Chen suddenly opened his eyes, lightning flashing within.
As Ning Zhuo walked, he crafted a small mechanism and successfully threw a palm-sized device to Yan Jin.
Yan Jin poured his Divine Sense into it, and the mechanism emitted a voice persuading Luo Chen to leave.
Luo Chen sneered: “The Dragon King Temple has entrusted me with this heavy responsibility. How could I abandon my post without a fight?”
“Moreover, I am Nascent Soul Level, while the strongest among you are merely Golden Core. Seriously, you dare suggest I retreat voluntarily? Ridiculous!”
“Let me measure your strength and see if you are all talk!”
As he said this, Luo Chen stood up and gazed at the sky: “Friends above, will you continue to watch? Whatever schemes you may have, come and settle them now.”