He swung his axe with even greater effort, hacking at the Fortune Tree with every strike.
Sparks flew, and the sound was like thunder, just as before.
However, under his full exertion, the Fortune Tree developed a gap. With each subsequent chop, the gap grew deeper.
Seeing that the Fortune Tree was only half standing and appeared to be on the verge of collapse, the Antarctic Immortal Weng and the others arrived from afar.
Each of them wore a ferocious expression, their brows furrowed, looking as if they could devour someone.
Mo Qi felt a twinge of apprehension. He could handle one person from their group, but if they all attacked together, he stood no chance.
Yet, the tree had not yet fallen, and he was unwilling to leave empty-handed.
If he continued to chop the tree, he couldn't deal with them; if he dealt with them, he couldn't continue chopping.
He needed to call for help!
He released the Fire Demon. Upon seeing the surging momentum, the Fire Demon was terrified to its core and immediately hid behind Mo Qi, exclaiming, "What are you doing? Releasing me at this time, are you trying to get me killed?"
Mo Qi rolled his eyes. Indeed, he couldn't count on the Fire Demon.
He had no choice but to put it away again and then released the little one. He fed it half of the spiritual branch and also had it consume a large handful of emergency pills.
The little one's body underwent earth-shattering changes at a visible speed. In an instant, it was as if a mountain had grown another mountain, spanning the horizon.
Its previous endearing and naive cuteness vanished instantly, replaced by a fierce and terrifying aura, its fangs bared and claws extended, exuding a chilling killing intent.
"Roar!" A roar tore through the sky.
The surrounding trees trembled, and leaves rained down.
The scent of blood spread infinitely through the air.
"Beast, die!"
Guang Chengzi, charging at the forefront, swung his horsetail whisk, striking towards the little one.
Rows of red illusory figures arranged themselves densely, forming a needle-shaped matrix that rained down upon the little one.
The little one swung its forelegs and, with an open mouth, spewed out a black mist. It surged forward like a flood, a raging tide that pushed the surrounding air forward, whipping up a hurricane in mid-air.
The next moment, a series of rumbling explosions echoed as the black mist and the needle-shaped matrix tore at each other, interpenetrated, and gradually dissipated.
Following this, the little one's body plunged into the chaotic light and energy.
"Roar!" The pain in its body made the little one even more enraged. It raised its forelegs and lunged at Guang Chengzi.
Guang Chengzi was greatly alarmed. He had expected this monstrous beast to be utterly defeated by his horsetail whisk's light energy, falling to the ground, after which he would charge straight for Mo Qi and engage him.
His fellow disciples would then swarm him and tear him to shreds.
However, ideals are often too full, and reality is always too lean!
His horsetail whisk's light energy had been countered by the beast's black mist. Even more terrifyingly, the beast, disregarding its own safety, had broken through the divine light and charged forward.
With its forward momentum already established, Guang Chengzi, in a moment of inspiration, swung his whisk to strike. A series of sizzling sounds ensued, white whiskers flying everywhere. Guang Chengzi's whisk was instantly torn to shreds.
Guang Chengzi was sent flying backward, while the little one's massive body continued to advance.
At this moment, the Antarctic Immortal Weng, True Person Yu Ding, True Person Huang Long, Yun Zhongzi, Ju Liusun, and Grand Master Ling Bao all rushed forward, unleashing their magical treasures and divine abilities, all directed at the little one.
The Antarctic Immortal Weng used the Five Fires and Seven Feathers Fan, while the others wielded swords or horsetail whisks, all striking at the little one.
The little one spewed out thick black mist, which spread forward, while it swung its forelegs to claw.
Guang Chengzi, flying backward, lost his balance. True Person Huang Long had to cease his attack on the little one and spread his arms to catch Guang Chengzi.
The remaining Antarctic Immortal Weng, True Person Yu Ding, Yun Zhongzi, Ju Liusun, and Grand Master Ling Bao continued forward, wielding their magical treasures, tearing open the black mist layer by layer, and pushing forward relentlessly.
They tore through the howling black mist layer by layer, continuously expending their magical power, their speed gradually slowing. The black mist, containing strong corrosive properties, was also constantly eroding their bodies.
After finally tearing through the layers of black mist, the little one had already swung its forelegs, sweeping left and right like a moving mountain.
The Antarctic Immortal Weng, True Person Yu Ding, and Yun Zhongzi were sent flying, while Ju Liusun and Grand Master Ling Bao dodged, then moved forward again, attempting to flank and inflict damage on the little one.
However, they had underestimated the little one's agility.
The little one's paw strike missed, and it immediately drew an arc in the air, striking back and sending both Ju Liusun and Grand Master Ling Bao flying.
The bodies of several of them were sent flying a considerable distance, but they were not gravely injured. After a turn in the air, they all lunged at the little one again.
The little one's forward momentum never stopped. It continued to move forward at the same speed and in the same direction, like an iceberg pushed by the current, leaving nothing alive in its wake.
After all, the Antarctic Immortal Weng and the others were all cultivators of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, possessing considerable combat experience. The fact that the combined efforts of several of them could not subdue a single monstrous beast was a situation they had never encountered before, and they would not allow it to persist.
They exchanged glances, and a tacit understanding was reached.
Thus, Ju Liusun and Guang Chengzi moved to flank the little one from behind, True Person Yu Ding positioned himself to the left, True Person Huang Long to the right, while Grand Master Ling Bao and the Antarctic Immortal Weng continued their frontal assault.
Various divine abilities and techniques were unleashed from all directions, attacking the little one.
The little one's enormous body moved arrogantly and clumsily, seemingly unable to evade the attacks from all sides.
However, the next moment, the little one's body suddenly sank, lowering itself several feet in the air.
As a result, the attacks from several of them turned into mutual attacks.
Several of them were greatly alarmed. The arrow was already on the string, and they had to shoot.
If they stopped now, they would surely be injured. If they exerted too much force, they might injure the person opposite them.
Relying entirely on the tacit understanding formed during their usual battles, they still swung their magical treasures forward, but the force and direction were perfectly controlled. After several booming explosions, the light energy shattered and sprayed out in all directions. Simultaneously, their bodies were sent flying in all directions.
They never imagined that they would be toyed with by a monstrous beast.
Initially, they had all been too dismissive, believing that such a beast's combat style would be purely headlong charges with no strategy whatsoever. However, they hadn't expected it to have countermeasures against tactics; it was truly unexpected.
Since they hadn't anticipated its countermeasures, they hadn't held back. Fortunately, their reactions were swift, and their responses were correct, ultimately averting disaster.
However, after this ordeal, their internal qi and blood churned, and they all sustained some minor injuries.
At this moment, with a crack, the Fortune Tree was chopped down by Mo Qi. It fell to the ground, but one strand was still connected, not yet severed.
The six were furious, their faces contorted with rage. They had intended to stop him from chopping the tree, but they were blocked by a beast. It was infuriating, wasn't it?
The Antarctic Immortal Weng and the other five pounced on the little one again.
The medicinal effects of the emergency pills Mo Qi had fed the little one had long since taken effect, while the medicinal effects of the spiritual branch were slower, only now beginning to erupt.
Its body was also undergoing further evolution.
Over the years, Mo Qi had fed it pills every single day, including spiritual power pills, beast soul pills, and spirit beast pills – any pill that could enhance cultivation. He hadn't neglected any effective spiritual herbs, such as the Nine Heavens Jade Dew.
Therefore, the little one's cultivation had grown rapidly, even surpassing Mo Qi's growth rate.
At this moment, if the six immortals acted in concert and without haste, proceeding steadily, they could subdue the little one. However, they could not afford to be impatient.
Seeing that the Scripture Repository and the Treasure Hall had been looted, the spiritual branch dug up, and the Fortune Tree was being brazenly chopped down as if no one were present, how could they not be enraged?
The felling of the Fortune Tree – no one knew what it meant for the Yuqing Sect.
Perhaps it meant utter destruction.
Who knew?
Not knowing was more terrifying; the more they thought about it, the more frightening it became.
Therefore, their attacks became somewhat undisciplined.
At this moment, a layer of black mist quietly enveloped the little one's body, like a thick layer of armor, giving it a substantial appearance.
The formidable power emanating from its massive body and the bloodthirsty aura exuded by its gaping maw sent shivers down one's spine.
Yet, they still lunged forward without a moment's hesitation.
The little one continued to spew thick black mist, holding the six immortals' figures in mid-air. Then, it lunged forward again, striking left and right at the six.
The six moved their bodies, their feet flying, and simultaneously unleashed their magical treasures.
The Antarctic Immortal Weng wielded the Five Fires and Seven Feathers Fan, instantly unleashing myriad fires that enveloped the thick smoke. It was like a burning meteor from beyond the heavens striking the little one.
The little one's body trembled, and it swung its giant claws towards the Antarctic Immortal Weng.
Meanwhile, the others took the opportunity to wield their magical treasures and swords, attacking the little one from all directions.
At this point, the little one had no choice but to twist its body and use its hind claws as well, swinging and swatting, becoming somewhat overwhelmed.
Once the six immortals gained the upper hand, they pursued relentlessly, their attacks like a continuous tide directed at the little one. The little one's body sustained multiple injuries and was forced to retreat repeatedly.
If not for its tough hide and thick flesh, it would have been finished long ago.
At this moment, Mo Qi swung his axe again, and with a clean "crack," severed the Fortune Tree.
He threw the Fortune Tree into a storage bag, then rummaged out some scrolls and tossed them onto the ground.
There was no other way; his preparations were insufficient!
He didn't know the specific uses of the Fortune Tree, but his intuition told him it was a good item, at least more useful than those scrolls.
He picked up a leaf from the tree and then whistled at the little one. The little one retreated rapidly, its body shrinking just as quickly, and hopped onto Mo Qi's shoulder.
The six immortals pursued without hesitation.
Guang Chengzi cursed loudly, "Little thief, don't run!"
Why wouldn't I run? So you can kill me?
Mo Qi threw the leaf in his hand towards the six immortals.
He didn't know what the leaf did, but he imagined it could be used as a hidden weapon!
In fact, the six immortals didn't know what the leaf did either. They only knew that the Fortune Tree was what protected the Yuqing Sect's destiny.
It was sacred and inviolable, so no one ever approached it, let alone plucked a leaf.
Strangely, since its growth, the Fortune Tree had never shed a single leaf.
Perhaps it had, but no one had paid attention.