Just as Du Tianle was filled with joy.
A sudden change occurred!
A mysterious aura suddenly erupted from the Xuanhuang-colored withered vine.
It traveled along the meridians of the acupoints, straight into the Dantian Qi Sea.
Instantly sealing the entire Sea of Qi.
The True Essence was enveloped by this mysterious aura.
It continuously surged into the withered vine.
This thing was sucking his True Essence!
Du Tianle was greatly alarmed and hurriedly tried to mobilize his True Essence.
But he found he couldn't mobilize even a tiny bit.
Du Tianle’s heart sank.
He tugged at the collar around his neck a few times.
Just as he suspected, the withered vine seemed to have taken root.
It was tightly clamped around his neck, completely unmoving.
The Old Man Earth God beside him straightened his back and laughed heartily:
“High Immortal, how do you find my little treasure?”
“Hahaha, you wouldn't eat the non-poisonous wine and meat.”
“But you willingly put the spirit-devouring withered vine around your neck!”
“You humans, you can never escape the word 'greed'!”
While secretly trying to mobilize his True Essence, Du Tianle asked coldly:
“Earth God, what is the meaning of this?”
“I helped you slay the Water Demon, and this is how you treat your savior?”
Hearing this, the Old Man Earth God’s expression changed, shifting from kind and benevolent to fierce and ferocious.
“Savior?”
“Do you know that this Water Demon was something I schemed for many years to finally lure here!”
“It was all for the purpose of exterminating the foolish men and women within a hundred miles!”
Du Tianle frowned, deliberately asking to buy more Time:
“Why do you say that?”
“You walk the Incense Fire Godhood Path.”
“Without the worship of the common people, wouldn't you also dissipate?”
The Old Man Earth God replied viciously:
“That’s because I hate!”
“Success comes from incense, and failure comes from incense.”
“On the Incense Fire Godhood Path, the more living beings that offer worship, the stronger the God Lord’s power becomes.”
“The wider the distribution of the worshipping beings, the larger the God Lord’s range of activity.”
“Otherwise, I would be forever trapped in one place, going in circles.”
“Since I gained Spiritual wisdom, I have protected the people of this area for a thousand years.”
“A thousand years, a full thousand years!”
“Some people have achieved success, and some have achieved success in cultivation.”
“But not a single one of these people spread the method of believing in me!”
“Forcing me to be confined to this small corner.”
“What Earth God? I’ve practically become a earthbound spirit!”
“The Azure World is so vast.”
“I want to leave the Tiannan Continent and travel to the other seventeen Great Continents.”
“I want to go to the shores of the East Sea.”
“I want to go to the banks of the West Mountain…”
Du Tianle snorted and interrupted:
“Why don’t you just fly up to the heavens and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Great Sun?”
“What does any of that have to do with you colluding with a Water Demon to slaughter the populace?”
The Old Man Earth God smiled smugly upon hearing this, stroking his beard:
“It wasn't collusion, it was luring!”
“I just spread rumors that a Dragon Blood Carp appeared in a tributary of the Qing River.”
“That foolish crocodile then happily swam over.”
“Of course, that’s not the main point.”
“To leave this small corner of the world, one must abandon the Incense Fire Godhood Path.”
“And use a soul-lodging method to possess a physical body.”
“The world is treacherous; how far can an ordinary mortal go?”
“So I was thinking of finding the body of one of you Cultivators.”
“This way, it would not only be safe, but I could also advance further in the future.”
“That’s why, as soon as the Water Demon chaos started, I immediately ran to the nearby Qiyun Sect to seek help.”
“I originally planned to wait until they were both severely injured, and then I would seize the body of a Qiyun Sect disciple.”
Saying this, the Old Man Earth God spat, ‘Pah.’
“Who knew that the higher-ups of the Qiyun Sect were all cowardly turtles.”
“They sat by and did nothing within their own sphere of influence.”
“Many of their disciples were even from nearby villages.”
“Hmph, truly despicable people!”
After cursing a few times, he changed the subject and continued:
“But it’s a good thing you came.”
“Hehe, heaven truly helps me!”
Du Tianle said coldly:
“Then why didn't you make a move after I killed the Water Demon?”
“You know I was severely injured at that time.”
The Old Man Earth God laughed heartily:
“Even if I’m not that smart, having lived for a thousand years, I’ve become cunning as a spirit!”
“Your Sword Light didn't look like the attack of someone who was injured!”
“Moreover, my Godhood Path is not suited for combat.”
“Without absolute certainty, how could I dare to act rashly?”
Du Tianle struggled secretly for a long time, but it was still useless.
More than half of his immense True Essence had already been absorbed.
Hearing this, he gritted his teeth and said:
“So you prepared this withered vine to harm me?”
The Old Man Earth God chuckled:
“Ah, yes, yes.”
“Although the Minor Path Daoist Friend is clever, he is young and lacks experience.”
“This is not just any withered vine; it is the famous Spirit Devouring Vine!”
“I didn't lie to you either; the Spirit Devouring Vine is a parasitic spiritual vine.”
“If worn on the wrist, and fed daily with True Essence and Essence Blood.”
“It can not only help the Host conceal their strength but also, when the Host’s True Essence is depleted.”
“Revert Nourishment of the True Essence Spiritual Power it previously absorbed.”
“However, if it is placed around the neck.”
“It transforms into an object of suppression.”
“Surpassing the vast majority of Restriction-type Daoist Arts!”
“But you can’t be blamed for this, Daoist Friend.”
“After all, this thing is a rare Treasure in the world!”
“If you aren't a descendant of a famous lineage or a disciple of a major sect, how would you know this knowledge?”
“This one was a companion item I obtained through a fortunate encounter.”
“But I happened to gain Spiritual wisdom before it did.”
“Otherwise… hehe!”
Damn it, I suffered because of my lack of knowledge!
Du Tianle continued to grit his teeth and urge his True Essence.
The Old Man Earth God looked at Du Tianle, who still hadn't given up, and praised:
“It’s useless. Although this Spirit Devouring Vine hasn't fully matured.”
“Even a Cultivator in the Golden Core Realm.”
“Once caught, they wouldn't dream of escaping.”
“However, for the Spirit Devouring Vine to absorb True Essence for so long and still not drain you dry!”
“Whether it’s temperament or aptitude.”
“You are top-tier!”
“It’s a pity you ran into me!”
“After the Spirit Devouring Vine finishes devouring your True Essence, I will destroy your Divine Soul.”
“After replacing you.”
“I will gain freedom and never have to be trapped in this wretched place again!”
“A thousand years, oh, a thousand years.”
“I have finally waited!”
Even though he had lived two lives and possessed a steady temperament.
Facing such a desperate situation, Du Tianle couldn't help but panic.
In his urgency, he grabbed the Spirit Devouring Vine and pulled with all his might.
The Old Man Earth God shook his head and chuckled dismissively:
“The Spirit Devouring Vine is impervious to water and fire, and cannot be harmed by swords.”
“Even a powerful Body Cultivator would struggle to break free using only physical strength.”
“You, a mere Sword Cultivator.”
“Had better not waste your effort!”
Du Tianle was stunned by the words.
Then he gave up pulling and slowly closed his eyes.
Seeing his reaction, the Old Man Earth God became excited:
“That’s more like it.”
“Instead of struggling in vain, it’s better to submit to fate.”
“Besides, once I possess your body.”
“We will merge into one; you will be me, and I will be you.”
“What final wishes do you have? I will fulfill them for…”
Before he could finish speaking.
He saw Du Tianle, who had just closed his eyes.
Suddenly open his eyes again.
A profound, inscrutable smile appeared on his face.
His next action filled the Old Man Earth God with utter terror!
...