Xiao Lin didn't know of many plant-type beings more powerful than the Blue Silver Emperor. Aside from a few immortal herbs, only some powerful plant-type soul beasts came to mind.
For example, the Demon-Eyed Demon Tree, the Ten Thousand Demon King from the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts. Or maybe the Golden Ancient Tree?
Was that the name? Golden Ancient Tree—the very core of the Douluo Plane?
Besides those, there were also some rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures in plant form.
Not quite on par with immortal herbs, but just below them in quality.
As far as Xiao Lin knew, while the Demon-Eyed Demon Tree clan possessed the strength of high-level soul beasts, they weren't necessarily stronger than the Blue Silver Emperor.
The Demon-Eyed Demon Tree from the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts—the Ten Thousand Demon King—only became strong after absorbing a treasure just below the level of a heavenly material.
That said, since Tang San had yet to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor, it was still possible for some high-level plant-type soul beasts to exert a sense of pressure on him.
Just… none should be able to make Tang San break out in a cold sweat and pant like an ox.
"Interesting… now things are getting interesting."
Xiao Lin smiled as he gazed at a shady patch of land, narrowing his eyes.
"Xiao San, if there's a plant-type soul beast in there that happens to specialize in vitality, it might make a good spirit ring for you."
He reiterated his point: if a plant-type soul beast could make Tang San break into a cold sweat, then its cultivation must be significant.
"What do you say, should we check it out?"
Xiao Lin summoned the Coiling Dragon Staff, weighed it in his hands, and thought: A single "Heaven and Earth Toss" shouldn't be enough to destroy any treasure inside, right?
"Sure. Let's move back a bit first," Tang San replied.
Though excited at the thought of a powerful vitality-type soul beast, Tang San still chose caution.
Unlike Xiao Lin's subtle sense of danger, he had truly felt an intense oppressive aura.
"Alright."
Xiao Lin agreed, and the two retreated to about twenty meters away.
Given that plant-type soul beasts couldn't move, twenty meters was more or less outside their attack range.
At that moment, Tang San activated his Purple Demon Eye and summoned his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
"First Soul Skill: Blue Silver Regeneration Bracelet."
For Tang San, one could never be too careful.
After all, the human body was fragile—vulnerable all over. Unlike Xiao Lin, he didn't have indestructible soul power shielding him.
As a streak of blue light formed a Blue Silver Regeneration Bracelet on Xiao Lin's hand, the two locked eyes solemnly.
Xiao Lin angled the Coiling Dragon Staff in his palm, took a few steps back, then broke into a run.
As his body leaned back, the staff's tip arched above his head, and he calculated the optimal angle.
Xiao Lin instantly activated his first soul ring—a yellow light flared.
"Heaven and Earth Toss!"
With the soul ring boosting his strength, the Coiling Dragon Staff reached its peak attack power.
In the next second, Xiao Lin twisted his body slightly to the left, forming a bow with his posture, and hurled the staff.
It traced a silver arc through the air, following a beautiful parabola as it landed in the shady patch.
Boom!
Crack!
As the staff slammed into the shadowed ground, boulders shattered instantly with a thunderous crash, followed by the sound of breaking stones succumbing to the pressure.
Shards of rock flew everywhere; some even disintegrated into dust, obscuring Xiao Lin and Tang San's view.
Just in case, Xiao Lin retrieved the Coiling Dragon Staff.
As it turned into a streak of light and returned to his body, the airborne debris and rock dust began to settle—revealing the true face of the shady spot.
Thanks to his Purple Demon Eye, Tang San had exceptional vision. Even before the dust fully cleared, he had already glimpsed what lay within.
"Brother Lin! There's a cave inside—like a hidden sanctuary!"
Tang San exclaimed excitedly. This was just like the caves in martial tales from his past life that hid secret manuals and rare encounters.
As for the danger, that oppressive aura? He still hadn't found its source.
"A cave? A plant-type soul beast made a cave?"
Xiao Lin was baffled. But if Tang San said it looked like a separate world inside, the space must be sizable.
Soon, Xiao Lin saw what the cave looked like too.
Outside the cave, a thin mist had appeared at some point, making both of them hesitant to act rashly.
Inside, Xiao Lin couldn't see very far, but the green vines at the entrance and a few startled insects were clearly visible.
"There's no Blue Silver Grass in there…"
Xiao Lin frowned slightly, murmuring to himself.
His words gave Tang San an idea—he immediately summoned Blue Silver Grass, trying to sense the cave's contents.
A second later, Tang San's brow furrowed deeply, staring at the cave in disbelief.
"Brother Lin… not a single Blue Silver Grass inside."
The cave wasn't located in a harsh environment like the far north or inside magma. Its complete lack of Blue Silver Grass was truly puzzling.
Even near volcanoes, hardy Blue Silver Grass could usually survive.
"Xiao San, do you still feel that sense of danger?"
Xiao Lin asked with some concern.
"No… not anymore. It's so weird."
Tang San looked bewildered. Had the soul beast that gave him the oppressive feeling… already died?
Hearing this, Xiao Lin shook his head and cautiously took a few steps back.
Something was off. Way off.
He had read many books and could recognize most known soul beasts, but he couldn't identify what plant this was just by a few green vines.
Luckily, there weren't many plant-type soul beasts stronger than the Blue Silver Emperor.
Xiao Lin had a guess now.
"Xiao San, if that really is a plant-type soul beast in there… then it might be a Demon-Eyed Demon Tree."
"Demon-Eyed Demon Tree?!"
Tang San exclaimed. He'd never heard of such a soul beast, but the name alone sounded ominous.
"Yes. The Demon-Eyed Demon Tree isn't necessarily stronger than the Blue Silver Emperor, but its minimum strength is comparable to the Blue Silver King. So your sense of pressure might be because your current martial soul hasn't reached that level yet."
At this point, Xiao Lin no longer kept the secret about the Blue Silver Emperor from Tang San.
Thankfully, Tang San just assumed he didn't have enough soul rings yet and that his martial soul hadn't fully shown its potential, so he didn't suspect anything.
"Besides, the Demon-Eyed Demon Tree specializes in mental power. Absorbing its spirit ring would likely enhance your spiritual strength."
Xiao Lin shook his head. While this was a soul ring Tang San could absorb, the latter had already chosen to focus on vitality-type soul beasts—at least until he evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor.
He might even aim for all nine of his soul rings to have vitality attributes.
"Given how it gave you pressure earlier, then suddenly stopped… it's hard not to suspect that this thing is intelligent and trying to lure us in."
Xiao Lin lowered his head, deep in thought. Now he understood the source of his own subtle sense of danger.
His attack and defense were unmatched—but mentally, he was weak.
He couldn't use his indestructible soul power to protect his mind or consciousness.
And since plant-type soul beasts weren't known for their offense, even a Demon-Eyed Demon Tree would have a hard time harming him physically. Hence, he only felt a faint threat.
"So what now? Are we still going in?" Tang San asked, puzzled.
"Of course."
Xiao Lin nodded firmly. Since the Demon-Eyed Demon Tree had shown itself, it was worth a try.
"Xiao San, use your Blue Silver Grass to tie me up. I'll go in and check it out."
"If you don't hear me say anything the moment I go in—pull me back immediately."
Xiao Lin smiled excitedly, rubbing his fists together.
There was one thing he hadn't said out loud: the Demon-Eyed Demon Tree almost never appeared in places like this.
There just might be a real opportunity hidden inside.
(End of Chapter)