Ten spear-like branches exploded out from the monstrous tree.

  They cut through the air with sharp cracking sounds, moving so fast they left streaks of black mist behind them. They pierced straight through Lin Xian's chest—

  —or so it seemed.

  In the next instant, his body flickered and broke apart like smoke. An afterimage.

  The real Lin Xian was already three steps to the side. His feet slid across the dirt as he turned, eyes fully open.

  His irises had turned pure gold. Ancient symbols moved faintly inside his pupils. A golden sun took shape—tiny, blazing, its rays curling outward in delicate spirals, casting the faintest warm glow across his irises.

  God's Eyes: Insight.

  In that instant, the world didn't slow for anyone else. Only for him.

  To his sharpened vision, every motion stretched. The violent branches now looked like clear lines moving through the air. The shaking bark, the shifting roots under the soil, even the way the yin qi gathered around the creature became obvious.

  Every movement had a pattern. Every attack had a direction.

  Lin Xian watched everything.

  ---

  Mo Zhen felt cold sweat running down his neck.

  "Xian'er! That thing wants you dead!"

  Lin Xian didn't look back. His voice stayed calm, but there was clear authority in it.

  "Senior Mo. Stay where you are. Guard Yue'er. Do not take a single step."

  Mo Zhen clenched his fists. The dark qi around them was already pressing into his meridians. His breathing was becoming heavy.

  But he still nodded.

  "Understood! I will hold our position!"

  He slammed both palms onto the ground. Spiritual energy surged outward. Formation lines spread across the soil like glowing cracks.

  "Heaven-Guarding Shell Array!"

  A translucent dome snapped into place around him and Mo Yue'er. Layers of rotating runic symbols formed a barrier.

  But the protection lasted barely a second before—

  BAM!

  One of the massive branches slammed into the barrier. The entire dome shook violently. Cracks spread across the surface like spider webs.

  Mo Zhen's teeth clenched. "This… thing is a demon!"

  ---

  The tree didn't stay still.

  Its trunk twisted with a horrible grinding sound. The massive body dragged itself forward across the ground like a wounded beast. Its roots squirmed underneath it, pushing its weight forward in jerking movements.

  It wasn't moving like a tree. It was crawling.

  The roots acted like legs. The branches acted like spears. And its entire body moved with sudden bursts of speed.

  Two branches shot toward the array. Three more rushed toward Lin Xian.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Through the God's Eyes, the attacks slowed into clear trajectories.

  Lin Xian moved.

  One step left. A branch stabbed into the ground where his head had been.

  Another swing. He bent backward. The tip sliced through the air barely an inch from his face.

  The next attack came from the side. He twisted his body and let the branch pass behind him before stepping away smoothly.

  The ground exploded with each impact. Chunks of dirt and stone flew everywhere.

  ---

  Xiao Jin had already jumped down from Lin Xian's shoulder. The golden kitten landed lightly on the ground.

  But the moment the tree's branches turned toward him—his entire body reacted.

  His ears flattened. His fur stood straight. His back arched dramatically.

  He pointed toward the side with frantic urgency. Move!

  Lin Xian glanced at him. "I know!"

  Another branch slammed down. The earth cracked open behind him.

  "Just keep moving!"

  ---

  Behind them—Mo Zhen's barrier shook again.

  BOOM!

  Another branch smashed against the dome. The array flickered.

  "Lin Xian!" Mo Zhen shouted, voice tight with strain. "This barrier won't last long! It's absorbing spiritual energy—like it's trying to drain me through the formation!"

  The tree changed direction again. Fast. Too fast for something its size.

  Its massive trunk bent low. Its roots spread across the ground like spider legs.

  Then—It lunged.

  The entire body shot forward. Branches followed. Five of them attacked together.

  Lin Xian moved again. He stepped forward instead of back.

  One branch shot past his shoulder. Another stabbed toward his waist.

  He jumped. The spear-like wood pierced straight through the spot where he had been standing.

  ---

  Xiao Jin suddenly leapt back onto Lin Xian's shoulder. His claws gripped tightly. Then he pointed upward.

  Lin Xian looked up.

  A massive branch—twice as thick as the others—was falling directly toward him. Like a giant blade.

  He kicked off the ground and rolled sideways.

  The branch crashed down.

  BOOOOM!

  The earth collapsed inward, leaving a deep crater. Dust shot into the air.

  ---

  Behind them—Mo Zhen's barrier cracked again.

  This time the sound was loud.

  CRRRACK!

  Inside the barrier, Mo Yue'er leaned weakly against him. Her breathing was shallow. Her face had turned pale. Even the protection of the formation could not completely block the dense yin qi in the air.

  Lin Xian clicked his tongue.

  "No choice. We need distance first."

  But the tree had no intention of letting them escape.

  ---

  The creature pushed forward again. Its roots burrowed into the ground. The entire forest floor began to tremble.

  It felt like something huge was crawling beneath the soil. The air became colder. The yin qi thickened again.

  Something deeper inside the tree stirred.

  Lin Xian narrowed his golden eyes. "This thing… it's not just a tree."

  Xiao Jin growled softly. Lightning sparks crawled across his fur.

  ---

  Lin Xian stepped back slowly, keeping his eyes locked on the monster.

  "Mo Zhen!"

  The old man answered immediately. "I'm here!"

  "Hold the barrier as long as you can. We're pulling this thing away from you."

  Mo Zhen's voice shook slightly. "I'll try! Hurry!"

  ---

  The tree screeched.

  The sound was horrible. Not human. Not animal.

  Its trunk suddenly split open. The wood cracked apart like a mouth opening wide. Inside was darkness. Jagged wooden spikes looked like teeth.

  At the same time, dozens of new roots tore themselves free from the soil. They twisted and wriggled like starving snakes.

  The entire clearing shook. The corpses around the base of the tree rolled across the ground.

  The monster was waking up completely.

  Lin Xian lowered his hand slightly. "Move with me."

  Xiao Jin's tail lashed once.

  Agreement.

  ---

  The tree attacked again.

  This time it didn't just swing branches. Its entire body surged forward. The ground shook as the massive trunk lunged.

  Ten new branches shot out. They were thicker. Sharper. Each one carried trails of black mist.

  Through the God's Eyes—their paths became clear.

  Lin Xian exhaled slowly.

  Then he ran. Straight toward the attacks.

  His golden eyes reflected the incoming branches.

  He stepped left. A spear missed him.

  He twisted. Another branch cut through the air behind his back.

  He slid forward under the next attack.

  Every movement was simple. Efficient. Precise.

  ---

  At the same moment—Xiao Jin moved.

  He didn't wait for permission. The moment several branches struck Mo Zhen's barrier again—his fur exploded with light.

  Electric arcs crawled across his body. They grew brighter. Stronger. More violent.

  Then—

  BOOM!

  Divine Beast Art — Thunder's Descent!

  A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky. Blinding white light filled the clearing.

  The thunder struck the monstrous tree directly. The explosion shook the ground.

  Several branches burned instantly. Black bark cracked and curled. Pieces of charred wood fell like ash.

  The creature screamed. The sound vibrated through the forest.

  Not pain. Pure rage.

  Ten more branches erupted from the trunk. They lashed outward violently.

  ---

  "GO!" Lin Xian shouted.

  But Xiao Jin was already moving.

  The golden kitten shot forward like a bolt of lightning. He zig-zagged between trees, jumping over roots and rocks with incredible speed.

  Every few steps he glanced back. Come chase me.

  The plan worked.

  The tree turned. Its attention left Mo Zhen's barrier. Now it focused on the small creature that had injured it.

  The entire trunk lifted again. Roots dragged across the ground. Deep trenches formed in the soil as the monster lunged after Xiao Jin.

  Branches slashed through trees like blades. Wood shattered everywhere.

  ---

  Lin Xian sprinted after Xiao Jin.

  Debris rained down around him. A branch smashed into the ground where he had just been standing. Another one grazed his shoulder.

  The sharp wood cut through his robe and left a thin line of blood.

  He exhaled slowly.

  So that's its speed.

  ---

  The forest exploded into chaos.

  Trees snapped. Bushes were crushed. Soil flew into the air. Dark mist spread everywhere as the creature chased them deeper into the forest.

  Xiao Jin continued to lead it.

  Left. Right. Over rocks. Between narrow gaps.

  Lightning flickered beneath his paws each time he jumped.

  "Keep going!" Lin Xian shouted.

  Xiao Jin responded by running even faster.

  ---

  Branches slammed down behind them again.

  BOOM!

  Each impact shook the earth. Splinters flew through the air like arrows.

  Lin Xian's heartbeat was fast. But his mind stayed perfectly calm.

  Every breath. Every step. Every dodge.

  Controlled.

  The monster was fast. But Xiao Jin was faster.

  At least for now.

  ---

  After several minutes of running, the pressure in the air weakened slightly.

  They had pulled far enough away from Mo Zhen. The yin qi was still thick. But no longer crushing.

  Lin Xian slid to a stop beside Xiao Jin.

  The kitten stopped too. He panted lightly. Electric sparks jumped off his fur.

  Behind them—the massive tree twisted its body again. Its branches spread wide. Like a giant spider preparing to strike.

  Lin Xian wiped dirt from his cheek. His golden eyes burned with killing intent.

  He looked down at Xiao Jin.

  "Alright, Xiao Jin."

  His voice was calm. Cold.

  "…let's kill this bastard."

  ---

  To be continued.