Ethereal World: Vicious Cannon Fodder's Immortality Road

"Did you just speak?" she asked cautiously, but before she could think further, she flashed away, dodging the continuous attacks aimed at her.

"Yunyun, seal off this area! Don’t let my battle ruin our home. Even if I’m in danger, you are not allowed to interfere!" she shouted at Xiao Yun, who was watching from a distance.

Xiao Yun did not hesitate. He decisively isolated this section of the Land of Paradise from the Ethereal Small World, ensuring that their home would remain unharmed.

The others gathered nervously to watch her battle from a safe distance, awe-struck. Even the army of Thunder White Wolves and Red Snakes arrived, excited to witness her fight.

Shenlian Yingyue was now facing a grave challenge.

She wasn’t fighting a human or a beast, but an ancient entity, the Ancient Tree Spirit.

Ancient entities were unimaginably powerful, far beyond human warriors. Even ancient people were formidable, but ancient entities, connected to the very fabric of nature itself, were an entirely different level of existence.

She dodged the razor-sharp wind, but suddenly, a heavy downpour drenched her. Thunder rumbled fiercely, shaking the heavens.

The rain came like an army, relentless and merciless. Cold as steel, the drops hammered her skin. She raised her arms to shield her face, but the raging wind drove the water sideways, slipping past her defenses.

"Rumble, rumble, BOOM!"

She could barely see anything as mist and heavy rain shrouded the battlefield. She was drenched from head to toe, unable to use her spiritual power to shield herself. The strange rain pierced through her barriers as if they were nothing.

Water was the essence of life, used in every form. It could nourish, destroy, or transform. It could turn solid, forming weapons, shields, and creatures.

But now, she was battling against the rain itself!

How could she fight it?

She couldn’t dodge countless raindrops. If this were a meteor shower, she could evade some attacks. But this was rain, falling endlessly from all directions.

Each drop felt like cool silk slipping through her fingers, there yet not there, like liquid glass, smooth yet untamable. The wind roared, a thousand unseen hands brushing against her skin.

Lightning flashed. Her heart pounded. The storm laughed in thunder. She pushed forward, teeth clenched, soaked to the bone.

The rain would not win. Not today.

"Rumble, rumble, BANG!"

She spat out a mouthful of blood, struck by two bolts of lightning. No matter where she escaped, she was attacked again.

Her body twitched with electricity, the power of rain and lightning combining to crush her.

Then, an idea flashed in her mind.

Summoning her black sword, she swung fiercely, defying the downpour and lightning, but the rain did not yield.

She whispered a spell, and the black sword transformed into a black umbrella.

"Ding dong, ding dong."

At each tip of the umbrella, tiny black bells glowed mysteriously, emitting a soft, shimmering chime.

As she moved, the bells sang like soft stars falling.

"Consider yourself lucky to possess one of the Nine-Pointed Artifacts of the Celestial Spirit." The deep, ethereal voice of the Ancient Tree Spirit echoed, carrying an overwhelming pressure that bore down on her soul. It had witnessed that the rain could not pierce through her mysterious black umbrella.

She was shocked.

So her shabby black sword, which others had laughed at, was actually one of the Nine-Pointed Artifacts of the Celestial Spirit?

She gripped the handle tightly, grateful to finally know its true identity.

As if pleased by her recognition, the black umbrella trembled gently, forming a powerful transparent shield around her, blocking the rain and lightning.

The rain poured down like a flood. Without protection, she would have drowned in it. But now, inside her shield, she stood safe.

"Rumble, rumble."

The rain ceased.

Winter arrived. She should have felt bone-chilling cold, but the black umbrella’s warmth kept the snow from touching her skin.

Then came spring.

Countless flowers bloomed from the wet soil, filling the air with a floral scent. But from beneath the earth, venomous vines slithered up like serpents, attempting to entangle her body.

She reacted instantly, soaring into the sky.

But from above, more vines appeared, grabbing her arms and feet, rendering her immobile. No matter how fast she was, she couldn’t match the speed of an ancient entity.

Sharp vines slashed her skin, and lifelike tree branches struck her, leaving wounds on her body.

Before she could crash to the ground, she summoned all her strength, calling upon her purple fire and infusing it into her black umbrella, which had already transformed back into a long sword.

Blazing with purple flames, the black sword sliced through all obstacles.

"Human, let’s see what other tricks you have." The ethereal voice resounded again.

She knew it was useless to talk now. The Ancient Tree Spirit was furious. Instead of wasting words, she focused on her surroundings.

Suddenly, the wind season came. A furious storm brewed from nowhere.

The wind howled, fierce and wild. It tore at her clothes, trying to knock her down.

Each step felt heavy, each movement a struggle. The air roared in her ears, cold and sharp as a blade. Her cheeks and body were cut open, blood seeping from fresh wounds.

She leaned forward, resisting the wind. But it only grew stronger. It stole her breath, drained her warmth, and lashed at her skin. Yet, she did not stop. Gritting her teeth, she pressed on, unyielding.

Her black sword shifted, turning into a black fan, intricately carved with wildflowers.

With a single swing, she repelled the wind. No matter how the storm raged, it could not touch her now.

"Human, I admit you have some power. But only because you possess such a treasure. Without it, you would have perished by now." The ethereal voice grew colder, laced with mockery and irritation.

"Great One, you’re not wrong. But I am still in my early twenties. I’m young compared to you. Given enough time, I believe I will one day reach your power." Her words were neither arrogant nor humble, merely a statement of fact.

"Arrogant! You, a weak creature, dare to compare yourself to me? Do you know how many lifetimes it would take you to reach my level?" The Ancient Tree Spirit’s voice grew more annoyed.

"Great One, you are far too tall. If you keep growing, you might hit the sky and fall one day. I prefer staying small." she smiled.

The Ancient Tree Spirit choked.

"Besides, you are quite old. As an ancient entity, why waste your time on a mere junior like me?" she tilted her head, asking with a smile.

"Are you implying that I am old?!" The Ancient Tree Spirit almost spat blood in fury.