Chapter 557: Chapter 556: I’m Just a Kid
The moment Wanqi Yu hastily arrived, he saw Yun Ran ’desperately’ fleeing, followed closely by several evidently formidable elders.
Unaware of the prior circumstances, he assumed Yun Ran was running for her life, and his expression changed instantly.
"Hurry up and catch up to offer assistance!"
The Black Robed People, who had switched into larger black robes, arrived around the same time. Seeing this scene, they were inwardly overjoyed.
However, when they saw another group of people, they steadied their minds and proactively turned to Wanqi Yu: "Fellow Daoist, what happened?"
It must be said, these people truly exuded righteousness in their enlarged forms.
Wanqi Yu didn’t notice anything amiss with them and assumed they were Xuan Sect people out for training.
Still, even without suspecting their identities, Wanqi Yu wouldn’t foolishly expose himself.
In a while, his new identity would debut; befriending these Xuan Sect people in advance wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Wanqi Yu was slightly worried about Yun Ran, but he patiently replied.
"I just arrived, saw what seemed to be a fight over there, but didn’t expect to be late."
The people in black robes, seeing Wanqi Yu’s genteel demeanor, assumed he was a well-bred young man from a noble family.
The leader quickly turned his thoughts to use Wanqi Yu’s identity to cover their own.
"Then let’s go together and take a look. Maybe we can help with something; it’s always good to support each other when away from home."
Thus, each harboring their own motives, both parties set out hastily in the direction Yun Ran and her group had disappeared.
Yun Ran quickly arrived at her destination, and looking down at the scene below, she couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.
She had guessed the Deviant Plant wasn’t ordinary, but she hadn’t imagined its devouring capabilities would be so terrifying.
From the time it went berserk to Yun Ran’s arrival, only a few minutes had passed, yet around the Deviant Plant, it had already turned into scorched earth.
The Little Paperman, feeling knowledgeable from following the master, also gasped alongside Yun Ran upon witnessing the gruesome scene below.
"Master, this thing looks so much like that flower bud that bit me before, only a super plus version."
Yun Ran furrowed her brows slightly, flying in mid-air, she could see the full view of the Deviant Plant, clearly a flower in full bloom.
It bore a stark resemblance to the flower bud she had taken care of before, but Yun Ran was certain they weren’t the same species, although they shared some genetic traits.
"No wonder that flower could devour souls and even had teeth!"
The giant flower blooming under Yun Ran’s feet was far more exaggerated than the bud they had encountered by the small canyon before.
Not only did its stem have teeth all over, but so did the petals and stamens, with numerous life-devouring tendrils and teeth.
The creatures surviving around it were all venomous, so being devoured by the flower wasn’t entirely unjust.
But if it continued to expand, innocents would suffer.
"Master, the root system of this flower has spread too widely; your Array hasn’t encompassed all of it, and the external roots have begun to run amok!"
Yun Ran certainly wanted to sever the root system of this Deviant Plant entirely, but she could only control the current range; a larger span would collapse.
"This is Death Mountain, which hides other formidable beings. As long as the main trunk of the plant is neutralized, the other roots won’t cause significant harm short-term."
The trailing He Tu and the other old monsters finally arrived, witnessing the clearly berserk massive Flower Demon.
They felt like they were tricked and wanted to retreat, but it was obviously too late.
As soon as Yun Ran sensed their approach, she swung her sword at the Flower Demon’s petals.
This strike, without using the Sword Intent of Half-Immortal Power, inherently had lesser potency and didn’t even injure the Flower Demon.
The Flower Demon, initially in a berserk state, ceased immediately upon being hit by Yun Ran’s sword.
The entire bloom twisted around, facing Yun Ran’s direction.
It was then that Yun Ran noticed, right at the center of the flower’s stamen, was a human face.
The Little Paperman, terrified, quickly covered its eyes: "Oh my god, scared me to death!"
"Master, I’m scared~"
"Master, let’s run quickly, this guy’s locked onto us!"
Back when she was young and read the insights in the Book Collection Tower, she had little feeling—now witness it firsthand, the parasitic nature was chilling.
Hair stood on end for Yun Ran, and her stomach churned.
The person growing at the center of the stamen appeared alive but was essentially no longer human.
Yun Ran immediately flew toward He Tu and his group, causing the Flower Demon to mistake them as a team.
While a mere Flower Demon, its intelligence might not grasp the implications.
But having parasitized a person, the Flower Demon could neutralize some human spiritual wisdom.
Seeing Yun Ran fly toward the old companions, and given her apparent youth.
Anyone would assume Yun Ran was just a lackey at the forefront, while the older companions were the main members.
He Tu and the others initially didn’t detect Yun Ran’s ’sinister’ intents. By the time they realized, the Flower Demon had already attacked, leaving them no room to explain.
"Yun Ran, you framed us!"
Yun Ran couldn’t possibly admit to shifting the blame and immediately adopted a wronged expression.
"Seniors, how can you say that? I’m just a child; I can’t bear such blame~~~"
Yun Ran’s voice was loud and penetrating; not only did He Tu and the others hear it, but the Flower Demon did as well, alongside Wanqi Yu’s group, who were hurrying from behind.
The Flower Demon’s rampage resulted partially from its severed roots, but also Yun Ran’s earlier fighting noises, which startled it and heightened its sense of danger.
Now, all its hatred was focused on He Tu and his group, temporarily relegating Yun Ran to a lackey position.
Only after dealing with those who disturbed it could it casually eliminate the lackeys.
Already suffering from the backlash of the Blood Curse, He Tu was severely weakened, but he had to face the berserk Flower Demon, leaving him extremely miserable.
Moreover, upon hearing Yun Ran’s blatant blame-shifting and sarcastic speech, He Tu couldn’t hold back, being tricked by someone he underestimated—he spat another mouthful of blood on the spot.