Everyone stepped back, putting some distance between themselves and the giant tree.
At this moment, the giant tree, having lost many sources of life, became increasingly weak, and cracks appeared on its trunk.
"Now's the time to attack it!" Yan Ziyan gave the order, and everyone once again unleashed their spells, launching a final attack on the giant tree.
The dazzling lights intertwined, crashing down on the giant tree like shooting stars.
Under this powerful attack, the giant tree finally succumbed and collapsed with a crash.
With the dust settled, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally solved!" Jiang Qinian said wearily.
Jiang Wanwan looked at everyone and said, "This time, it's all thanks to everyone's concerted efforts."
Just as they were about to leave, a strange light suddenly shone from the roots of the collapsed giant tree.
The light was dazzling and instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Jiang Wanwan stepped forward first, cautiously approaching the source of the light. There, she saw an ancient-looking longsword half-buried at the roots of a giant tree, its blade swirling with mysterious runes.
"Could this be the legendary divine artifact?" Yan Ziyan exclaimed in surprise.
Jiang Qinian also came over, her eyes full of excitement: "If it really is a divine artifact, then we have really gained a lot this time."
Jiang Wanwan reached out and grasped the sword hilt, gently pulling it out. A powerful force instantly surged into her body.
"Such powerful strength!" she couldn't help but exclaim.
However, at that moment, a low roar suddenly came from all around, and a group of dark figures slowly emerged from the depths of the forest.
"So it's a Netherworld treasure, capable of seducing souls and controlling the power of the Netherworld!" Jiang Wanwan stared intently at the group of dark figures.
Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.
Yan Ziyan frowned: "Such a valuable treasure, I wonder if it will cause any trouble?"
As they were talking, the dark figures gradually approached, and a sinister and cold aura swept over them.
The shadowy figures drawn by the ancient sword were actually the souls of those who had once been lost in this Eternal Night Forest. Some of them appeared to be missing limbs, and most of them looked bewildered, gazing in the direction of the ancient sword.
Looking at these pitiful souls, Jiang Wanwan felt a pang of pity: "They must have been harmed by the giant tree, and then the giant tree used the netherworld power of the ancient sword to trap their souls here, unable to escape."
Yan Ziyan pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can try to use purification methods to resolve their resentment and let them find peace."
After saying that, Yan Ziyan formed a hand seal and chanted incantations. A soft light emanated from his hands and enveloped the souls.
However, the spirits remained unmoved, lingering in the same spot with empty, lifeless eyes staring in the direction of the ancient sword.
Seeing this, Jiang Wanwan took out a unique jade talisman: "I'll send someone over to check on the situation!"
Half an hour later, Mu Wanzhou arrived, dressed in the classic black outfit of a soul-reaping messenger and carrying a mourning stick, looking travel-worn.
He was tall and imposing, yet exuded a cold and aloof air. His black robes fluttered in the wind, further enhancing his mystery and majesty. He radiated an aura of awe, like a messenger descended from the depths of the underworld, carrying an irresistible power.
"Xiao Zhou, long time no see! You look so different! How's your work in the underworld going? Are you busy?"
In fact, as soon as Mu Wanzhou received Jiang Wanwan's contact signal, she immediately abandoned her heavy workload in the Underworld and set off for the Eternal Night Forest.
"Just doing it! No rush! No rush!" Mu Wanzhou said against her will, but her eyes were sparkling as she looked at Jiang Wanwan, her gaze full of joy and excitement.
Jiang Wanwan couldn't help but laugh when she saw his expression: "Don't be so stubborn. I have no idea how tedious and complicated the work in the underworld is."
Mu Wanzhou scratched his head and chuckled, "As long as it's your business, I'll come no matter how busy I am." His face was filled with sincerity and determination.
At this moment, Yan Ziyan stepped forward and blocked Mu Wanzhou's view, saying, "Mu boy, let's take care of business first! Quickly see what we should do about this situation?"
Mu Wanzhou reluctantly turned her gaze from Jiang Wanwan to the souls and ancient swords, her expression instantly becoming serious, as if she had become a different person, exuding a professional and composed aura.
Mu Wanzhou took the ancient sword from Jiang Wanwan's hand and slowly said, "This is the Netherworld Divine Sword passed down from ancient times, possessing the powerful ability to snatch souls and steal spirits. Legend has it that its original owner used this sword to command the dead and thus unified the world. However, because so many of the dead he caused failed to enter the underworld for reincarnation, the messenger of the underworld intervened and brought the sword back to the Netherworld. I never expected to see it here!"
Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.
Jiang Qinian's eyes widened: "What should we do? How did this sword end up here?"
Mu Wanzhou frowned and pondered for a moment: "I'm afraid something must have happened in the Netherworld that caused this divine sword to end up here."
Jiang Wanwan said worriedly, "Then what should we do with these souls?"
Looking at the bewildered souls, Mu Wanzhou said in a deep voice, "I need to use the power of this Netherworld Divine Sword to try to send them to the afterlife."
Having said that, he gripped the divine sword with both hands, chanting incantations as the sword emitted a faint, eerie light that enveloped the souls.
At that moment, a pitch-black gate slowly opened, the gate to hell.
Those souls were instantly drawn by an invisible force, and the gloom and pain that had been lingering around them gradually dissipated.
Their figures were no longer heavy and sluggish, but became light and agile, like birds that had broken free of their restraints, and they all floated towards the gates of hell.
In a short while, all the lost souls found their final resting place. Like weary birds returning to their nests, they vanished behind that mysterious door with a sense of relief and peace, leaving behind only tranquility and serenity.
"Alright, but I'm taking the Netherworld Divine Sword back to the Underworld to be dealt with by King Yama!"
Jiang Wanwan decisively said, "Take it. If this thing continues to wander in the mortal world, who knows what kind of shocking trouble it will cause!"
Mu Wanzhou looked at Jiang Wanwan with reluctance, gripping his ancient sword tightly, and turned back to say goodbye to her every step of the way.
"I'll see Mu off!" Yan Ziyan said, and strode forward, putting a hand on Mu Wanzhou's shoulder and leading him forward.
Jiang Wanwan watched intently as the two figures gradually disappeared into the distance, and shook her head slightly.
Then she turned around, her expression serious and focused, and methodically asked everyone to check each other for injuries.
Jiang Qinian then remembered her older brother, Jiang Shaojie, and hurriedly ran to his side to inquire about his well-being.
It was then discovered that those whose life force had been drained by the tree had their lifespans affected to some extent.
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