The rain around them was gradually getting heavier when suddenly a jade-ribbed umbrella was placed over Ruan Xiyan's head, blocking out the wind and rain.
Junyu stood beside her, holding an umbrella, and said, "Ayan, let's settle things here first, then we'll go find shelter from the rain."
Ruan Xiyan nodded, her gaze fixed on the churning black bubbles of the Soul-Devouring Swamp.
"You've seen enough from hiding there, it's time to show yourself." Ruan Xiyan's icy power covered the entire swamp.
The surface of the swamp gradually froze over with frost, and the biting cold spread into the depths of the swamp.
Something was surging beneath the swamp, and soon a black vine broke through the ice and emerged from the swamp.
The black vines were covered with a layer of snow-white frost, emanating a chill.
It shuddered, shaking off the frost clinging to the vines.
The tips of the vines pointed in Ruan Xiyan's direction, angrily raising their barbs.
Countless vines broke off from its body and attacked Ruan Xiyan and the others.
Yu Qiqi and the others rolled over to dodge, the vines falling to the ground with a crackling sound, leaving marks.
The dense vines blocked out the sky and attacked from all directions.
Lin Muze severed the vines that were wrapped around him with a single spear thrust. The vines only broke for a moment before they grew back.
"These things are endless, they're so troublesome!"
"Since you're vines, I'll let you taste what it's like to be burned by fire."
As soon as Lin Muze finished speaking, he gathered his power into his spear, and a long fire dragon swept out, burning towards the vines.
I thought that under the flames, those vines would turn into a pile of charred wood.
After all, spiritual plants are afraid of fire; this has always been an unchanging truth.
However, after the fire dragon disappeared, the vines were not burned to ashes as expected, but still exuded a strong vitality.
"Sister Yan, what is this thing? It's not even afraid of flames!" Lin Muze exclaimed, his eyes wide.
"This is the Soul-Binding Vine, not an ordinary spiritual plant, but a demonic plant. Flames have almost no effect on it."
Spiritual plants are formed by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and it takes a long time for them to develop some intelligence and consciousness.
For a spiritual plant to develop sentience is hundreds or thousands of times more difficult than for a magical beast to break through its limits.
The demonic plant is different. It not only absorbs spiritual energy, but also absorbs human blood energy to accelerate its cultivation and enable itself to develop intelligence as soon as possible.
The Soul-Binding Vine is a special species among demonic plants; it can devour souls.
Presumably, the human skeletons and monster remains we saw before were all killed by this Soul-Binding Vine.
It uses the spiritual flowers and herbs of the swamp to lure humans and magical beasts to pick them, and then uses their flesh and souls as nourishment to sustain itself.
Previously, when they fought with the disciples of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, the Soul-Binding Vine hid in the swamp, planning to reap the benefits after they were both exhausted.
They are exceptionally cunning!
All the vines are connected to that main vine.
The main vine manipulated the branches to attack, while it itself stayed far away, prepared to run away if it couldn't win.
Ruan Xiyan waved her hand and took out the Xuan Yin Ancient Qin from her spatial storage.
Since she made a contract with this ancient zither, she has not yet experienced its power. Today, she will give it a try.
The Ancient Nether Harp's sound waves target spiritual consciousness and intelligence. Since the Soul-Binding Vine has developed intelligence, it cannot escape the Ancient Nether Harp's sound wave attack.
"Wanwan, you all step back first," Ruan Xiyan said.
Seeing the jade zither in Ruan Xiyan's hand, they understood and stopped fighting with the vines.
While retreating, he used his spiritual power to protect his spiritual sea.
They had already witnessed the power of this instrument's sound waves last time.
They certainly didn't want to experience that splitting headache a second time.
The Xuan Yin Ancient Qin floated in front of her, and Ruan Xiyan's slender fingers touched the strings, her fingertips gently plucking them.
Layers of invisible sound waves spread outwards.
The Soul-Binding Vine suddenly stiffened, and its waving branches drooped down as if wilted.
The sound waves kept hitting the Soul-Binding Vine, causing it to writhe in pain.
This human actually possesses a treasure that can directly attack intelligence.
Although it is impervious to water and fire, it fears this kind of thing.
If this continues, the intelligence it has painstakingly cultivated will be destroyed.
The Soul-Binding Vine retracted its vines that were flying everywhere, trying to escape.
Unbeknownst to them, frost had frozen its roots along the ground, firmly connecting them to the earth and preventing it from escaping.
Ruan Xiyan's red lips curved slightly; what she set her sights on could not escape her.
The sound waves continued to come, one after another. The Soul-Binding Vine struggled in vain, then slowly lowered itself, pressed close to the ground, and made a harmless appearance as if it had given up its attack.
At the same time, a thin vine extended from the main vine and carefully wrapped around Ruan Xiyan's fingers, tentatively rubbing the small flowers blooming on the vine against her, making a flattering gesture.
Humans are clearly its nemesis. If it continues to be stubborn, it will only end up with a miserable fate of having its mind shattered.
It's better to be pragmatic and avoid some suffering.
Seeing that the Soul-Binding Vine was quite clever and sensible, Ruan Xiyan dripped a drop of blood into the blooming flower.
After that, she developed a connection with the Soul-Binding Vine.
When she first saw the Soul-Binding Vine, she did indeed have the idea of taking it.
After all, it's very rare to encounter something like a demonic plant.
Although the demonic plant is not very strong in combat, it is difficult to deal with.
Having it will be a significant asset in future battles.
The Soul-Binding Vine absorbed the drop of blood, and its enormous vines gradually shrank, eventually transforming into a vine bracelet that wrapped around Ruan Xiyan's wrist.
To outsiders, it was just an inconspicuous decoration, and they would never have guessed that it was actually a dangerous Soul-Binding Vine.
Ruan Xiyan's gaze fell on the medicinal herbs growing in the Soul Devouring Swamp.
"Of these herbs, the three of you should pick the ones that are useful to you and keep them."
Lin Muze and his group only took the herbs needed for the relevant tasks; they didn't touch any of the others.
Ruan Xiyan frowned slightly, "Why did you all take so little?"
There are hundreds of medicinal herbs here, but the three of them took less than a dozen.
"Sister Yan, these herbs were originally found by Yao Yao. We're already getting a small bargain by taking a few to complete the mission."
“That’s right. Even the Soul-Binding Vine was subdued by Sister Yan. We didn’t do anything, so how can we take so much?”
“Xi Yan, you are an alchemist. These herbs can only play their proper role in your hands. It’s a waste to leave them in our hands.” Luo Wanyin looked at Ruan Xi Yan.
"Besides, we've taken quite a few pills from you along the way, so please accept these herbs, Xiyan."
After thinking for a moment, Ruan Xiyan did not refuse any longer and planted all the herbs in the medicinal field of the Wind Spirit Space.
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