Survival in the Mist: From a Dilapidated Wooden Hut to a Heavenly Palace in the Clouds

Chapter 285 Saint Yuan Fruit, Yang Haoran

His eyes widened slightly. It was a small tree, about half a person's height, with a faint golden glow. Its branches were slender yet upright and resilient, like a finely carved metalwork. But its most attractive feature was the two fruits hanging on its branches.

The fruit was no bigger than an egg, perfectly round and plump, with a faint golden sheen on its surface, giving it an unusual allure.

【Holy Essence Fruit】

Description: Consuming this product can enhance one's control over spiritual power.

Mo Ming held his breath and involuntarily moved closer, his heart beating faster with each step.

He walked up to the sapling, making sure there was no one else or any sign of danger around. Excitement finally overcame his wariness, and he cautiously reached out a hand, preparing to pluck one of the golden fruits.

However, just as his fingertips were about to touch the fruit, his instincts suddenly sounded an alarm—a chill, seemingly from nowhere, instantly crept up his back.

Without thinking twice, he quickly backed away, in that instant.

"Shh-"

A low, sharp whistling sound suddenly came from underground. He saw the ground beneath his feet abruptly crack open, and several sharp spikes, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen, shot out from the soil. Had he not reacted quickly, this attack would likely have severely injured or even killed him!

Mo Ming stumbled back a few steps, then looked around and saw the spikes slowly retract, restoring the ground to its original smooth state, as if nothing had happened. This deadly scene sent a chill down his spine, and he became extremely wary.

However, before he could catch his breath, a deep and amused voice suddenly sounded in his ear: "Eating alone... isn't that a bad idea?"

Mo Ming suddenly turned his head and looked in the direction of the sound. He saw a figure slowly walking out from among the shadows of the trees a little further away.

The man was tall and slender, dressed in a dark green robe. His long hair was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, and his eyes held a hint of cunning. His tone was unhurried, seemingly teasing yet also offering a reminder. At this moment, he was watching Mo Ming with great interest.

"These things aren't for you to enjoy all by yourself," the man continued, a half-smile playing on his lips, but a sharp glint in his eyes.

"Who is your Excellency?"

Although Mo Ming was annoyed by the ambush and unsure of the other party's abilities, he did not make a move immediately.

"Before asking someone's name, shouldn't you give them your number first?" the man asked with a smile, staring at Mo Ming.

"Mo Ming!"

"Cuiyun Mountain, Yang Haoran!"

Mo Ming's gaze sharpened.

He knew about Cuiyun Mountain; it was an organization formed by a group of survivors who occupied a mountain rich in spiritual energy, and their strength was considerable.

That mountain was Cuiyun Mountain, and the leader seemed to be a Taoist priest.

"So you're a friend from Cuiyun Mountain. Why did you suddenly ambush me?"

"Hehe... Brother Mo, you're joking. I only warned you because I felt there was danger around that tree. I had absolutely no intention of attacking you!"

Looking at Yang Haoran's smile, Mo Ming felt a chill run down his spine. This man was definitely a wolf in sheep's clothing, a smiling tiger.

"Haha, then thank you very much, Brother Yang!" After saying that, Mo Ming turned around.

Continue picking fruit.

"Brother Mo, aren't you going to share a piece of fruit with me?"

Sure enough, that was his goal.

“Alright! Brother Yang, you should naturally share one of the fruits you pick.”

"Hehehe, how about... I pick them for you?"

Mo Ming sneered inwardly upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, but maintained a calm expression on his face.

Sure enough, as soon as the other party finished speaking, Mo Ming felt the ground beneath his feet tremble slightly. His pupils contracted, and he immediately leaped backward.

"Shh-"

Several sharp spikes suddenly sprang out from the ground again, heading straight for the spot where Mo Ming had just stood, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound.

Yang Haoran stood not far away, his hands forming a hand seal, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "Brother Mo, why be so stingy? Although the Sacred Essence Fruit is precious, it's not a good habit to enjoy it all by yourself!"

Mo Ming landed steadily, snorted coldly, and stared sharply at Yang Haoran: "Brother Yang, is this how you, Cuiyun Mountain, treat your guests? You kept warning of the danger, but you were the one secretly manipulating the ground spikes to launch a sneak attack. Since that's the case, then we have nothing more to say!"

Yang Haoran's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes: "Brother Mo is quite eloquent, but in this blessed land, opportunities are reserved for the capable. If you are truly capable, then come and take them!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Haoran suddenly raised his hand, his palm surging with spiritual energy, and the surrounding earth trembled violently once again.

Mo Ming saw several cracks appear in the ground, and several earth spikes, like venomous snakes, shot out from the ground and stabbed straight at him.

These earth spikes were not only extremely fast, but their spiritual energy was also very solidly condensed, and their sharp tips even reflected a cold light, clearly containing considerable destructive power.

"Little tricks!"

Mo Ming gave a cold shout, and with a flick of his right hand, the ancient bronze demon-suppressing sword instantly appeared in his hand.

Yang Haoran's eyes flashed with surprise when he saw the sword in Mo Ming's hand. "I didn't expect Brother Mo to have such a precious sword. It seems I'm in luck today!"

Mo Ming did not respond, but suddenly swung his longsword. A blazing sword aura shot out from the blade, tearing through the air and carrying intense heat, slashing fiercely towards Yang Haoran.

Wherever the sword energy passed, the air seemed to be ignited, and even the grass and trees on the ground were instantly turned to ashes.

Yang Haoran's expression changed slightly. He hurriedly made a hand seal, and a thick earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking his way. However, the fiery sword energy was extremely powerful, directly splitting the earthen wall in two. The aftershocks of the flames even grazed Yang Haoran's shoulder, scorching his sleeves.

"A mere Crimson Purple level cultivator can control fire elemental power to attack?" Yang Haoran took a few steps back, a serious expression finally appearing on his face. "Brother Mo, your strength has truly impressed me!"

Mo Ming gripped the bronze demon-suppressing sword, his gaze cold and sharp. The sword tip drooped slightly, and fiery spiritual energy danced on the blade, as if it could unleash a fatal blow at any moment.

He didn't rush to attack, but stared coldly at Yang Haoran, his voice low and deep: "Yang Haoran, if you retreat now, I can pretend nothing happened, otherwise—"

"How else?"

Yang Haoran sneered, all the cunning on his face vanishing, replaced by icy coldness. "Brother Mo, do you think you can gain the upper hand over me with this little bit of strength? You're still too green!"

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Haoran stomped his foot, and the ground suddenly cracked open, releasing a powerful surge of earth-attribute spiritual energy from beneath his feet. Mo Ming felt his feet sink, and looking down, he discovered that his feet were firmly gripped by a thick layer of earth and stone, rendering him unable to move.

"This is... an earthen dungeon?"

Mo Ming frowned and immediately swung his sword at his feet. However, at the same moment he swung his sword, Yang Haoran had already made his move again.

He made a hand seal, and the surrounding earth and rocks quickly condensed into a giant earthen hand, which slammed down on Mo Ming.