Top-tier Unruly Master-Chapter 1618 - 1655: Tree Hollow

At the moment Ding Fan released the Frost Toad, it darted into the body of the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast with lightning speed. For Ding Fan, the formidable defense of the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast was easily penetrated by the Frost Toad, swiftly ending the beast’s life.

All of this happened so quickly, in just a few breaths of Ding Fan’s time.

Even Ding Fan himself was deeply surprised by the Frost Toad. The Frost Toad had grown into a very terrifying existence during this period. It’s crucial to know that was a Seventh Grade Yuan Beast, yet it defeated it in just a few breaths. This is somewhat unbelievable!

In fact, the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast seemed flustered the moment it saw the Frost Toad, struck with a deep fear, it froze there, utterly defenseless against the Frost Toad’s attack. In that instant, Ding Fan captured the look of fear on the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast’s face when facing the Frost Toad.

It made Ding Fan realize that the Frost Toad was indeed no ordinary existence; it was truly ferocious.

One must understand, that Seventh Grade Yuan Beast was equivalent to a Cultivator in the Emergence Stage, and was even stronger than a typical Cultivator in that stage. Yet, it was instantly killed by the Frost Toad. Ding Fan estimated that even if facing an Early Tribulation stage Cultivator, the Frost Toad probably wouldn’t be afraid.

Ding Fan even felt that the Frost Toad wouldn’t be in any danger even when facing a Mid Tribulation Stage Cultivator. Although it might not be able to handle such a Cultivator, it would certainly have no problem escaping. Ding Fan was thoroughly impressed with the Frost Toad; its speed of growth was astonishing due to its Divine Beast bloodline!

Ding Fan had known that the Frost Toad had a fast growth speed, but seeing it for the first time was still incredibly surprising. In just half a year, the Frost Toad had grown from a juvenile state to a level capable of instant-killing a Seventh Grade Yuan Beast, an absolutely astounding speed of growth!

Ding Fan predicted that the small creature might, in less than a year, evolve to take on a Late Tribulation Stage Cultivator.

Just the thought of it made Ding Fan feel incredibly scared; it’s almost unbelievable!

Yet, this was merely Ding Fan’s hypothesis. Whether the Frost Toad would grow that fast, Ding Fan wasn’t sure, but he felt his guess was very likely correct. Even if there was some discrepancy, the Frost Toad’s power in a year would still be extremely terrifying.

After slaying the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast, the Frost Toad seemed unwilling to devour the beast’s Crystal Core or any of its flesh. Ding Fan speculated it might be because the Yuan Beast had something unusual in it, which didn’t interest the Frost Toad.

Immediately, Ding Fan silently and swiftly retrieved the Frost Toad into his Storage Bag.

During the time the Frost Toad quickly killed the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast, Guo Linn only took a short moment to recover. But when he opened his eyes, just as he intended to assist Ding Fan in killing the Yuan Beast, he was as shocked as Ah Du, both staring in disbelief at the now-completed scene of Ding Fan.

"How is this possible? The Seventh Grade Yuan Beast... is already dead!"

Guo Linn was filled with disbelief, finding it immensely hard to accept how, in such a brief period, barely a minute of quick treatment for himself, that by reopening his eyes, his elder brother had already slain the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast? This is simply too exaggerated!

He still couldn’t comprehend how the three Fifth Grade Yuan Beasts beside him died earlier; it was utterly strange. Guo Linn had a vague feeling in his mind that his elder brother used some method to slay his side’s Fifth Grade Yuan Beasts. Although he was shocked by this thought, knowing his elder brother’s profound abilities, he found it quite plausible.

However, Guo Linn never imagined his elder brother’s Seventh Grade Yuan Beast would also die so quickly! Though Guo Linn was amazed at his elder brother’s swift killing of his side’s three Fifth Grade Yuan Beasts, he slightly accepted it. But the Yuan Beast his elder brother faced was clearly a Seventh Grade Yuan Beast, which was equivalent to a Cultivator in the Emergence Stage, even stronger than them, yet it was instantly killed by his elder brother too.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t believe it. Only a Tribulation stage Cultivator could manage to instantly kill a Seventh Grade Yuan Beast, right?

But, despite Guo Linn’s disbelief, the fact remained that the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast was already dead beyond any doubt! Filled with astonishment, Guo Linn rushed to Ding Fan, finding no lethal wounds on the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast’s body aside from some non-lethal sword scars. This only deepened Guo Linn’s shock.

"Big Brother, how exactly did you do it? How did that Seventh Grade Yuan Beast suddenly die?"

Guo Linn stared with wide eyes, puzzledly questioning Ding Fan.

Hearing this, Ding Fan felt a sense of helplessness. He couldn’t disclose the matter about the Frost Toad, but from Guo Linn’s puzzled expression of shock, he knew that Guo Linn hadn’t found out about it, which somewhat relieved him. Just when Ding Fan was about to respond, Ah Du came over and said to Guo Linn with a still icy tone:

"Every Cultivator has a few secrets, especially someone like Big Brother, who naturally doesn’t lack them."

Upon hearing Ah Du, Guo Linn realized his oversight and apologized to Ding Fan with some embarrassment:

"Yes, sorry big brother, it was my rashness."

Indeed, after speaking to Ding Fan, it was suddenly discovered that this was the first time Ah Du had called Ding Fan brother until now. Guo Linn couldn’t help but feel surprised, but after thinking about it, he quickly understood. The way brother took down the Seventh Grade Yuan Beast this time was enough to make anyone, even those self-assured like Ah Du, look at him differently with respect and admiration. After all, brother’s skills were no ordinary feats of power.

To be able to kill a Seventh Grade Yuan Beast in an instant, it can be said that brother’s strength was already comparable to a cultivator in the Tribulation stage. Considering brother’s youth, how could one not feel astonished and admire him? It’s imaginable what terrifying figure brother might grow into in a few years.

Hearing the two’s words, Ding Fan glanced at Ah Du, noticing that he no longer held any arrogance towards him. Ding Fan felt a bit relieved, then calmly said to the two:

"It’s no longer safe here. If there are any Yuan Beasts in this oasis, they will surely be drawn by the commotion here. Let’s move forward a bit and find a place to rest."

Guo Linn and Ah Du nodded when hearing Ding Fan’s words. Brother was right—this time they had already encountered the existence of a Seventh Grade Yuan Beast. Had it not been for Ding Fan’s intervention, they might have already become food in the bellies of those beasts.

Immediately, Ding Fan dismantled the formation on the ground, putting away the energy stones used to set up the formation. Currently, Ding Fan didn’t have many energy stones to arrange formations. Although ordinary spirit stones could also be used, the formations created weren’t as effective as those using energy stones.

Watching Ding Fan expertly retract the defensive array, Ah Du was deeply shocked. At this moment, he was one hundred percent certain—apparently, the formation was indeed set up by him. The opponent truly had impressive skills in formations, leaving Ah Du feeling somewhat powerless.

Originally, he considered himself very outstanding. In the Cultivation World, only figures like the Lake Master surpassed his abilities, and he didn’t take other young cultivators seriously. Not only was his cultivation remarkable, but his talent in pill refinement and formation setup was better than ordinary cultivators.

But now encountering Ding Fan, who was the Lake Master’s brother, Ah Du had to admit that the opponent not only surpassed him in a single aspect but in many areas he had a significant gap compared to him. The opponent truly was superior, and he couldn’t deny it.

Nevertheless, Ah Du didn’t yield in spirit. Although he no longer held arrogance towards Ding Fan, he believed he would surpass him one day, perhaps even soon—maybe tomorrow! Because he knew he was currently in the Xuantian Secret Realm, a place full of opportunities, and he was the first to discover the existence of the Sword Washing Pool. He believed as long as he gained a bit of luck there, he might surpass Ding Fan.

After clearing the formation, Ding Fan and the others continued forward. Walking for a while, they rested inside a gigantic tree hollow. Ding Fan surveyed the surroundings, finding no signs of particularly strong Yuan Beasts, and the giant tree hollow was secluded enough for them to rest here safely.

This gigantic tree hollow appeared withered, especially the roots which had turned somewhat black, seeming rotten. However, what puzzled Ding Fan and the others was that although the roots of the giant tree were decayed, the crown remained lush, looking quite lively.

"The trees here really do seem odd. Many trees have roots clearly rotten, yet still grow so abundantly?"

Noticing the strange condition of the surrounding trees, Guo Linn couldn’t help but remark.

"The Xuantian Secret Realm is an unusual place in itself, so peculiar trees aren’t surprising."

Ah Du said with a stern expression, then closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged in the giant tree hollow to cultivate.

The inside of the tree hollow was spacious enough for the three of them, and even if two more came in, it wouldn’t be crowded.

Guo Linn glanced disdainfully at Ah Du’s icy demeanor, obviously displeased with his arrogant attitude, but said nothing. He knew that they had finally formed a team in this Xuantian Secret Realm, hence their relationships shouldn’t become strained. Although he found the opponent annoying, he decided to vent his dissatisfaction when they returned to the Cultivation World. He was currently the weakest among the three.

"Brother, what do you think?"

Ignoring Ah Du, Guo Linn turned to Ding Fan with curiosity.

"It’s indeed odd, but for now, this place seems relatively safe. Let’s stay here tonight, adapting as things change. We’ll address it in the morning."

Responded Ding Fan directly. Though the area was somewhat strange, there were no Yuan Beasts nearby, and it was nearing late night, so they planned to make do here for the night and investigate further in the morning.

Soon, Ding Fan and the others entered a state of cultivation. All three were cultivators in the Emergence Stage, hence cultivation was the best form of rest.

Outside the tree hollow, there was nothing but unusual silence, an endless darkness...