Chapter 105: Run, Young Friend!


    Guger led Maren and Han Ming deeper into the castle.


    As they walked through countless corridors, the security grew tighter. Eventually, there were guards armed with spears every ten steps, most of them at the War Madness level.


    "Brother, you''ve gone to great lengths to protect the leaf from the Tree of Life," Maren remarked, observing the guards.


    Han Ming, meanwhile, carefully memorized the route, noting every turn. He couldn''t afford to make a mistake—this would be his escape path later.


    Guger chuckled and exchanged pleasantries with Maren.


    When they reached the end of a massive corridor, Han Ming saw an enormous stone gate ahead. This had to be where the leaf was stored. The entire castle was made of giant plants, but this stone gate stood out as the only non-plant structure. Its prominence suggested it was no ordinary place.


    Two guards stood by the gate, both top-tier War Madness experts.


    Guger pointed to the guards and said, "Normally, my two most trusted subordinates, both at the War Soul level, guard this place. But recently, I sensed a strange energy in the Wild Ancient Forest and sent them to investigate. Have you noticed anything, brother?"


    Han Ming felt a surge of relief. He was lucky those two War Soul guards weren''t here, or he''d have no chance of escaping.


    Maren, however, looked grave. "I sensed it too. If I''m not mistaken, it was an aura of death. But it bypassed the Monte Empire and headed elsewhere, so I didn''t investigate further."


    Guger nodded. "Exactly, it was death energy. I take this very seriously since I live deep in the Wild Ancient Forest. Any disturbance here affects me directly. But my guards haven''t returned yet, and I don''t know what''s happening. I hope it''s nothing major, but I can''t shake this uneasy feeling."


    Han Ming''s heart sank. Death energy? Could it be that the demon realm''s barrier was weakening? Had something from the demon realm escaped? He hadn''t sensed the energy himself, being too weak, but the conversation filled him with dread.


    Just what he feared. If only he had more time, he''d investigate the barrier.


    "Enough of that. Here we are. This is the leaf from the Tree of Life you wanted to see. Let''s go."


    Guger stepped forward and pushed open the massive stone gates.


    Han Ming''s eyes widened as he entered a grand hall. The floor was made of stone, and in the center stood another enormous gate.


    Guger grunted as he pulled the heavy gates open, revealing a stone staircase leading underground.


    Why does everyone in this world love basements so much? Han Ming thought, exasperated.


    "The leaf from the Tree of Life is a wood-attribute treasure. It withered after falling from the tree, so I stored it deep underground to preserve it, allowing it to absorb the rich earth and wood elements," Guger explained as they descended.


    Han Ming nodded in understanding.


    After a minute of walking, they reached another large hall. Unlike the one above, this hall''s walls were made of black soil, with plant roots protruding from them. Two War Madness guards stood watch.


    "Open it," Guger ordered.


    The guards bowed and opened a massive wooden cabinet in the center of the hall.


    Han Ming''s eyes lit up. Inside was an enormous yellow leaf.


    The leaf was far larger than Han Ming had imagined—about twenty meters tall and ten meters wide. Even withered, it dwarfed ordinary trees. The sheer size of the leaf gave Han Ming a glimpse of how massive the Tree of Life must have been.


    He was utterly awestruck.


    Is this... the legendary leaf from the Tree of Life?


    An overwhelming surge of life energy emanated from the withered leaf. Just standing near it, Han Ming felt invigorated, his entire body at ease.


    The red insect in his pocket, sensing the life energy, stirred and tried to crawl out.


    Han Ming had to issue several commands before the insect reluctantly settled down. He could feel its displeasure.


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    This was the first time the insect had disobeyed him. The leaf''s allure was beyond imagination.


    "My heavens..." Maren stood before the leaf, marveling at the miracle of creation. "Standing before it, feeling its boundless life energy, its ancient aura, its grandeur that nurtured all life... it makes me feel insignificant, like an ant. This is truly a masterpiece that moves heaven and earth!"


    Guger looked smug as he watched Han Ming and Maren''s stunned expressions.


    Of course, you think I''d part with this leaf so easily?


    The leaf stretched from the soil above to the ground below, standing tall and majestic.


    "If a single leaf is this big, how enormous must the Tree of Life be?" Han Ming feigned awe, reaching out to touch the leaf.


    Guger quickly stopped him. "Don''t touch it! This isn''t something you can handle. It fell from the Tree of Life to nourish it. Anything not part of the tree that touches it will have its life force drained instantly. You''d turn into a dried husk. Even I dare not touch it lightly. Moving it requires a special method."


    Maren''s eyes narrowed. Damn it! If that''s the case, even if I distract Guger, we can''t take the leaf.


    "And what might that special method be?" Maren asked.


    "That''s a secret. I can''t reveal it," Guger laughed.


    Maren glanced at Han Ming, who gave him a subtle signal. Maren was shocked. Was Han Ming planning to act now? How could he possibly take the leaf? Did he know the special method? Impossible!


    Han Ming brushed aside Guger''s hand. "I won''t touch it. I just want a closer look." He stepped closer to the leaf.


    This kid is reckless! Is he trying to get himself killed? Maren wanted to kick Han Ming away.


    But Han Ming had his own plan.


    Only he knew he had absorbed the Seed of Life. In a way, he was like a giant seed himself. Perhaps his unique constitution would allow him to touch the leaf.


    Han Ming stood before the leaf, examining it while keeping an eye on the others.


    Maren was sweating bullets but didn''t dare speak.


    "Brother, what''s wrong with you?" Guger noticed Maren''s nervousness and asked curiously.


    Now''s the time! Damn it, I''m going for it!


    While Guger was distracted, Han Ming reached out and grabbed the massive leaf.


    "Stop!"


    The two guards and Guger shouted in unison.


    But Han Ming already had the withered leaf in his hand. His heart raced, fearing he might drop dead any second. Though he wasn''t sure if this world even had a King of Hell.


    "What''s going on!?" Guger was stunned. Han Ming had touched the leaf but wasn''t drained of his life force. This defied all logic.


    "Now!" Han Ming shouted.


    Maren, still in shock, snapped out of it and lunged at Guger, striking him in the abdomen and sending him stumbling back.


    Guger roared in fury, realizing he''d been tricked, and engaged Maren in combat.


    The two guards rushed to stop Han Ming.


    Han Ming swung the leaf at one guard, who brushed against its edge and instantly turned into a blackened husk, resembling the twisted trees of the Wild Ancient Forest.


    The other guard, terrified, backed away.


    Seizing the moment, Han Ming rolled up the massive leaf, slung it over his shoulder, and bolted.


    "You little thief! Where do you think you''re going!?" Guger broke free from Maren and sent a powerful green energy blast toward Han Ming.


    Han Ming couldn''t dodge in time. The blast struck his back, sending him sprawling. He coughed up blood, his vision blurring, but he forced himself to keep running. After a few steps, he vomited more blood and collapsed, his internal organs shattered. Blood streamed from his orifices as he teetered on the brink of death.


    "Young friend Han!!" Maren cried, his eyes red with desperation. He tried to check on Han Ming but was forced to keep fighting Guger.


    "Brother! After all my respect for you, you betray me like this? Today, none of you will leave alive!" Guger''s veins bulged, his face red with rage.


    Han Ming, lying on the ground, felt his consciousness fading, his life slipping away.


    Is this where I die?


    As he drifted into darkness, he suddenly felt a surge of life energy from the leaf on his back. His shattered body began to heal rapidly.


    Han Ming''s eyes snapped open, and he leapt to his feet, sprinting toward the exit.


    "How is this possible!? He should be dead!" Guger was stunned. A mere second-tier mage had survived a strike from a Battle King? Unthinkable!


    "Young friend Han! Run! Run!!" Maren shouted desperately.


    The two guards at the entrance saw Han Ming running with the massive leaf and attacked without hesitation.


    Han Ming, burdened by the leaf, couldn''t fight back and could only dodge.


    "You little thief! Where do you think you''re going!?" Guger broke free from Maren and launched another energy blast at Han Ming.


    This blast was even more powerful than the last, obliterating the two guards in its path.


    Han Ming was struck again, a gaping hole torn through his back.


    Damn it! This feels all too familiar. Back on the underground island, I kept clawing my way back from death''s door, thanks to that magical pool. This time, it''s the leaf.


    As the leaf''s life energy healed him again, Han Ming realized it must be because he had absorbed the Seed of Life. That''s why the leaf was saving him.


    To Guger''s astonishment, Han Ming staggered to his feet and kept running.


    "Impossible! This can''t be happening!" Guger was beside himself.


    "Get out of my way, old man!" Guger summoned a massive ape spirit beast, which crashed through the ceiling.


    Maren countered with his own spirit beast—a fifth-tier Land Dragon.


    "A dragon!?" Guger was shocked but quickly realized it was a hybrid, far from a true dragon.


    The two colossal spirit beasts clashed, demolishing the sturdy castle around them.


    Guger desperately tried to break free from Maren''s hold but couldn''t. The two fought fiercely as they chased after Han Ming.


    They soon caught sight of Han Ming again.


    "Let''s see you survive this!" Guger roared, launching another, even more powerful energy blast.


    This time, the blast was massive, two meters tall, and struck Han Ming with full force.


    Han Ming''s body didn''t even fly back this time. His bones shattered, his organs turned to pulp.


    He vomited blood mixed with fragments of his organs, his body on the verge of disintegration.


    The leaf''s life energy surged again, battling the destructive force within Han Ming. One force sought to kill him, the other to save him.


    Han Ming writhed in agony, screaming in pain.


    "Why won''t he die!?" Guger finally realized the leaf was healing Han Ming. There was no other explanation.


    Han Ming, blood streaming from his eyes, nose, and mouth, staggered to his feet and kept running.


    "Young friend Han! Run!! Run!!! I owe you my life!!"


    Tears streamed down Maren''s face as he fought to hold Guger back.