Chapter 219: Golden Fruit, Struck it Rich!

"Moo—"

Big White obeyed the command and moved its thick elephant hooves forward.

Then, it stopped in front of that large tree.

Under Liu Muxue's curious gaze, Cao Xing stood up directly.

He stepped on Big White's back and took a [Catapult Hook (Blue)] from his backpack.

As Cao Xing pressed the switch on the cylinder.

"Whoosh!"

A sound of breaking air rang out.

Instantly, the sharp hook shot out towards the sky.

Then it firmly grabbed one of the branches of this giant tree.

Sensing Cao Xing's intention, Liu Muxue said softly: "Ah Xing, be careful…"

Nearby, Renice, Sarah, and others said one after another: "Lord, let me do it!"

Elisa also volunteered, "Lord, let me do it, Elisa is the best at climbing trees!"

Including Assam, Braum, and others, everyone eagerly signed up.

It could be seen that they were all very worried about Cao Xing's safety.

This scene made the four newly joined Nightmare Court archers show a hint of surprise in their eyes.

They could tell that these people's worries were genuine, not flattery or acting.

This also showed that the Lord in front of them was deeply loved and respected by them.

To be able to make so many powerful beings so loyal to one person.

This made them wonder, what kind of charisma does this Lord have?

But Cao Xing smiled and said: "I'm just climbing a tree, why are you so nervous?"

"Don't worry, I climbed trees all the time when I was little, I'm very skilled."

"Besides, I have a Holy Shield on me, it won't matter even if I fall."

Hearing this, Assam and the others paused and did not insist further.

Then, they watched Cao Xing grab the vine and start climbing up.

Because the forest was very humid, combined with the extreme low temperature, the trunk of this giant tree was also covered with a layer of frost.

It was very slippery.

Although Cao Xing was not worried about his own safety, he was still very careful as he climbed slowly.

When he reached an area about eighty meters high.

Cao Xing stepped on a thick branch.

Because the [Catapult Hook] was not long enough, he had to retract the vine and fire it a second time to reach the top of this giant tree.

There was about a 30-second cooldown time.

When the vine was fully retracted, Cao Xing fired it again at one of the branches above his head!

"Whoosh!"

The hook once again firmly grabbed a thick branch at the top.

"Not bad, looks like my aim is still okay." Cao Xing chuckled.

Then, he grabbed the vine and stepped on the trunk of the giant tree, climbing up with a 'clatter, clatter, clatter'.

Soon, he arrived at the top of the giant tree.

Because this tree was exceptionally tall, dozens of meters higher than the other trees in the forest.

So Cao Xing's current position was the highest point in this area.

Looking out, he could even see the scene of the entire forest.

White snow covered the vast forest, a world of silver.

As far as the eye could see, it was vast, and the world seemed to be shrouded in this snow-white color.

The huge forest for dozens of kilometers was all in this tone.

Occasionally, some white birds could be seen flying in the low altitude.

And in the distance, the mountains were stacked, also covered by white snow, like a beautiful ink painting.

This scene was just like a CG scene in a game.

Cao Xing couldn't help but exclaim: "This kind of scenery is absolutely amazing!"

"It's a pity that it's too cold…"

He opened the system's built-in camera function and started taking pictures all around.

"Click! Click!"

Just then, Cao Xing suddenly noticed that at a distance of about tens of kilometers away.

That is, in the central area of the forest, some buildings appeared vaguely.

It seemed to be some ancient city walls, and through the dense bushes, one could see the outlines of the tops of several towers.

"City walls and towers? What is that?"

"How could there be such things in the forest?"

His eyes were filled with confusion.

But because it was too far away, Cao Xing couldn't see exactly what it was.

He shook his head and threw these thoughts to the back of his mind.

"Forget it, let's ignore it for now. Anyway, we need to continue exploring the Witch Forest, and we'll know when we get closer later."

"Now let's see what these red fruits are."

So, he grabbed the branch and carefully came to one of the red fruits.

This fruit was the size of an adult's fist, and its whole body was crystal-like in color, looking more like some kind of exquisite artwork.

However, on the fruit, there was a faint, extremely powerful aura emanating.

At the same time, the attributes of this thing appeared in front of Cao Xing.

[Blood Crystal Fruit (Gold): Magic Plant]

[Quality: Rare]

[Effect: After consuming 1 whole Blood Crystal Fruit for the first time, you can increase Strength by 100 points, only effective once.]

(Note: An extremely rare fruit. The Blood Crystal Fruit tree requires a two-hundred-year growth period, and then bears fruit every 17 years. Consuming it can significantly increase Strength; but because the power it contains is too strong, beings with low constitution will have powerful side effects after consuming it. At least a Tier 3 creature is required to consume it.)

…

When he saw the attributes above, Cao Xing's pupils shrank instantly!

He exclaimed on the spot: "Holy crap! Golden fruit!"

"It increases 100 points of Strength after eating it, this effect is too fierce!"

At this moment, even his breathing became a little rapid.

You must know, this was the first time he had come into contact with a golden magic fruit!

For those melee professions, this was an artifact-level existence.

Eating just one could increase attack power by at least a hundred points!

He scanned quickly and found that there were 23 Blood Crystal Fruits hanging on this tree!

How amazing a fortune this was, it was almost self-evident!

"Struck it rich, struck it rich! We really struck it rich, haha!"

Cao Xing was pleasantly surprised.

He didn't hesitate at all and picked all 23 [Blood Crystal Fruits] from the tree.

[Obtained: Blood Crystal Fruit (Gold) * 23]

…

The moment the fruit fell into his pocket, Cao Xing felt relieved.

With excitement, he quickly slid down from the tree.

Then, under everyone's surprised gaze.

Cao Xing took out one of the fruits.

Assam felt the aura emanating from it and exclaimed: "Such a powerful aura."

"I feel a very strong attraction from this fruit."

Nearby, Rabb echoed: "Me too, I feel that after eating this fruit, I can have even greater power!"

Cao Xing smiled, "You are right, this is a fruit that can increase strength."

"After eating it, it can significantly enhance your strength!"

Hearing this, the melee professions in the field suddenly showed desire in their eyes.

As for remote professions like Isabelle and Hilda, they were a bit uninterested.

And Cao Xing did not be stingy, directly taking a large amount of [Blood Crystal Fruits] from his backpack.

He distributed them to Liu Muxue, Sarah, Assam, Renice, Elisa, and two Dragon Blood Warriors and other melee professions.

Including Big White and Volibear, one was distributed to each.

A total of 10 [Blood Crystal Fruits] were distributed.

Everyone held the fist-sized fruit in their hands.

Cao Xing said directly: "Alright, eat it."

Hearing this, everyone in the field did not hesitate at all and all began to wolf down.

As a sound of chewing fruit sounded, these melee professions finished eating a whole fruit.

The next moment, system prompts appeared one after another.

[Your territory member: Renice Eagle Eye consumed Blood Crystal Fruit, Strength attribute +100, remaining uses: 0]

[Your territory member: Sarah Blade Dance consumed Blood Crystal Fruit, Strength attribute +100, remaining uses: 0]

[Your…]

…

At this moment.

Those who ate the fruit all felt a hot current emerging in their stomachs!

And this hot current quickly surged through their whole bodies!

Little Elisa opened her eyes wide and exclaimed: "Wow! Elisa feels so hot, I think I'm going to grow taller!"

Nearby, Tong Chuchu said innocently: "Sister Elisa, you are past the age of growth, you won't grow any taller~"

Hearing this, Elisa's face suddenly slumped.

"Wuu wuu… How could it be like this, Elisa wants to grow a little taller…"

She squatted on the ground looking very frustrated.

And Tong Chuchu patted her back, comforting her in a low voice.

And others had surprised expressions on their faces because they all felt the surge of power!

Cao Xing was also very satisfied.

Because 1 point of Strength attribute, according to the growth of each profession, can increase 1.5 ~ 3 points of physical attack power.

That is to say, these 100 points of Strength can bring them at least 150 to 300 points of attack power increase.

This was almost equivalent to the improvement of half a weapon!

Therefore, for these strength professions, how powerful this improvement was, it was almost self-evident.

And those magic professions also had envy on their faces.

However, they also saw that Cao Xing himself did not eat this kind of fruit.

After all, the Strength attribute was of no use to them.

As for the four Nightmare Court archers, although there was desire in their eyes, they didn't say anything.

Cao Xing looked at the remaining 13 fruits in his backpack and did not distribute them to them.

He said: "Those who received these fruits are those who have contributed to our territory."

"Perform well, and I will not only reward you with Blood Crystal Fruit, but also souls that can evolve you into Elites or Leaders."

"On this point, I think everyone can testify for me."

Assam immediately responded first: "That's right, we all improved bit by bit with the Lord's help."

Braum held his shield and said excitedly: "A few days ago, I was just an ordinary Tier 1 Shield Guard, but in just a few days, I have the strength I have now."

"All of this is thanks to the Lord's help."

Others nodded one after another.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light gradually appeared in the deep pupils of the four archers.

They nodded slightly and said, "We understand, respected Lord."

Then, Cao Xing led everyone to continue deeper into this forest.

Having felt the terrifying boost from the [Blood Crystal Fruit], everyone on the field became even more motivated!

As they went deeper, the visibility here became lower and lower, and the environment became increasingly cold and gloomy.

But this could not dampen their enthusiasm for exploration.

Even the four Nightmare Vine archers became full of fighting spirit because of Cao Xing's previous words.

Cao Xing thought to himself, "This kind of Blood Crystal Fruit has a rather harsh growth environment. The Blood Crystal Tree takes two hundred years to mature, and it takes another 17 years to grow a round of Blood Crystal Fruit."

"This time, I was lucky enough to run into it."

"As expected, exploring these high-level areas always brings unexpected surprises."

"I just don't know if there are any fruits that increase Spirit or Agility?"

Thinking of this, Cao Xing became even more expectant for the journey of exploration ahead.

Thump! Thump-thump!

The group continued to move forward. With Dabai and Volibear, two behemoths, clearing the path in front, they were basically unobstructed.

Half an hour later.

Cao Xing glanced at the map.

They were already nearly forty kilometers deep into the Witch Forest.

They were about to reach the deepest part of the Witch Forest.

The monsters here were all level 35 or above.

However, for Cao Xing, as long as no Tier 5 monsters appeared, they basically couldn't pose any threat to him.

And just at this moment, Cao Xing stopped in his tracks again.

Because he saw a towering giant tree appearing in front, over a hundred meters tall with a trunk diameter reaching three meters!

Beside it, there were many other giant trees of similar height, ranging from fifty to sixty meters, with equally thick trunks.

He clearly felt a faint aura of danger coming from the giant tree in front of him.

"Is it a Face Tree?"

A look of contemplation appeared in Cao Xing's eyes.

Although they had dealt with Face Trees many times before.

But because this kind of monster, in its normal state, is no different from an ordinary giant tree.

So Cao Xing found it hard to distinguish them.

He glanced at Renice beside him.

She understood Cao Xing's meaning immediately.

She directly drew the [Horned Eagle War Bow] and fired an arrow.

"Swish!"

"Thud!"

[-3027!]

The arrow hit, resulting in a critical damage.

Just as Cao Xing had expected.

The moment the giant tree in front was attacked, its branches suddenly retracted.

"Rustle!"

At the same time, the frozen soil beneath this giant tree heaved, as if many powerful earth dragons were moving around underneath.

The giant tree turned around, revealing a pale human face on its trunk.

"Intruders… die…"

At the same time, following the giant tree's movement, the surrounding giant trees all turned around one after another.

At least forty or fifty Face Trees waved their branches simultaneously.

Cao Xing casually glanced at their attributes.

[Ice Crystal Face Tree Elder]

[Race: Face Tree]

[Level: 37 (Tier 4 Boss-level Creature)]

[HP: 67239/67239]

[Attack Power: 2589~2632]

[Skills: Tough Branches, Extreme Cold Touch, Extreme Cold Dance, Vampiric Vines, Life Drain]

[Talent ①: Longevity]

[Talent ②: Full of Vitality]

[Bond: Face Tree (20 Activated)]

…

[Ice Crystal Face Tree Leader]

[Race: Face Tree]

[Level: 38 (Tier 4 Leader-level Creature)]

[HP: 123494/125507]

[Attack Power: 3413~3457]

[Skills: Tough Branches, Extreme Cold Touch, Extreme Cold Dance, Vampiric Vines, Life Drain (Attributes same as above)]

Life Forbidden Zone (When the Face Tree Leader's HP drops below 20%, it will fall into a state of total berserk. It will wave all its tentacles, dealing indiscriminate attacks to surrounding enemies. In the berserk state, the Face Tree Leader's attack speed +100%, and it gains 100% Vampiric effect when hitting enemies, lasting 50 seconds, cooldown 1 hour)]

[Talent ①: Longevity]

[Talent ②: Full of Vitality]

[Talent ③: Face Tree Leader (When other Face Trees are nearby, HP +20%, and Life Recovery Speed is increased by 100%)]

[Bond: Face Tree (20 Activated)]

(Introduction: An ancient Face Tree that has existed for hundreds of years. While possessing formidable vitality, it also has impressive combat power.)

…

"Good heavens, they are all Tier 4 Face Trees!"

"One Leader, two Bosses, plus five Elites, and over forty ordinary Face Trees!"

Obviously, this was the most powerful wave of enemies Cao Xing had encountered since entering the Witch Forest.

But he didn't feel fear; instead, he felt pleasantly surprised!

"Very good, I've finally encountered a Leader-level Face Tree!"

"As long as I kill it, the Tree Heart inside can accelerate the growth of the Pale Tree again!"

"And those Boss-level Face Trees, their Tree Hearts can also be given to Dabai and Volibear!"

With an expectant look in his eyes, Cao Xing jumped down from the back of the Mammoth.

Then, he quickly commanded, "Braum, Assam, Jonard, Josent, Rabb, move up and tank."

"Andrew, switch to Ancient Tree form, you go help too."

"All ranged units, start outputting full damage!"

After receiving Cao Xing's order, everyone instantly entered a battle state.

Braum took the lead and went straight for that Tier 4 Leader-level Face Tree!

However, this Face Tree's attacks were incredibly violent!

Its branches, like dozens of spirit snakes, attacked crazily.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

"Snap! Snap!"

The three layers of Holy Shields on Braun were instantly broken!

The remaining branches lashed onto Braun's body.

[-1472]

[-1382]

[-1253]

[-1325]

Braun's HP was dropping chunk by chunk, then being lifted back up chunk by chunk by [Ice Healing Art] and [Life Bloom].

And just at this moment, Cao Xing quickly ordered, "Volibear, use Thunderous Drop, go help Braun deal with this Face Tree."

Receiving Cao Xing's order, Volibear jumped high into the air and let out a beast-like roar!

"Roar!"

In mid-air, terrifying thunder and lightning power began to erupt from within its body!

Then, a huge figure, carrying the force of ten thousand thunderbolts, jumped fiercely to the side of the Face Tree.

"Boom!"

Like a humanoid lightning bolt descending, terrifying electric light erupted!

It instantly enveloped the surrounding 30-meter area.

At least a dozen Face Trees were covered by this wave of attacks, triggering a swath of damage.

[-7013]

[-7254]

[-7312]

[-7714]

[-7152]

…

A long string of terrifying damage numbers appeared!

With a 274% damage coefficient, combined with Volibear's terrifying attack, it dealt as much as seven thousand damage.

Moreover, all the Face Trees were affected by the electric current's invasion effect.

They stood stiffly in place.

Seeing this, Cao Xing was delighted, "Dabai, you go to Volibear's side too, and deal with this Face Tree Leader together."

He raised his staff and quickly gave orders to the others as well.

"Isabelle, Hilda, you each deal with one Boss-level Face Tree, make it quick!"

"Jonard, Josent, Rabb, the other five Elite Face Trees are up to you."

"Everyone else, kill those ordinary Face Trees with full force!"

After receiving Cao Xing's order, everyone began to take action.

And Isabelle and Hilda, the two women, looked at each other, seemingly seeing the competitiveness in each other's eyes.

"Hmph!"

"Tch!"

After saying that, the two women separated and quickly found their opponents.

Looking at the Tier 4 Boss-level Face Tree in front of them, the two powerful women had no fear at all, but instead had surging fighting spirit in their eyes!

It was as if they were going to decide who was better right here today.

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