523 Guardian of Wood

Himmel Soan didn’t lose his head. He had learned a great deal from the battle.

It was more complicated than it seemed. One couldn’t assume they would win just because they were the more capable side.

One’s reaction and strategy could change the final outcome. A lion should give all it had, even when fighting a rabbit. Otherwise, they could fail miserably in an easy task.

“Since you’ve passed my river, you’re qualified to receive some information on the first test.

“The first test consists of five guardians, each guarding one of the five elements. You’ve probably realized by now that I’m the guardian of water. Once you defeat me, anything involving the water element won’t try to harm you again.

“To pass this test, you’ll need to defeat the other four guardians. I need to warn you that out of the five, I have the mildest temper. Some of the guardians can be rather blood-thirsty and won’t communicate with you like me.”

The man told Himmel Soan whatever he could. The first test was to examine Himmel Soan’s potential. To get through the multi-space and gain the ultimate power, one had to have enough talent.

If they couldn’t defeat all creatures that were of their own level, they could never challenge the most capable being.

All five guardians would lower their cultivation level to fight Himmel Soan as his equal. He could only get to the next test after defeating them.

“I get it!” Himmel Soan nodded and thanked the man.

He then marched on. Firey followed him with a serious look on her face. The battle earlier made her realize how dangerous this place was.

“Are you scared?” Himmel Soan smiled gently upon seeing her expression.

“Master, be careful. I was so worried.” Firey took his hand. Back then, she really thought he would lose the battle.

“Don’t worry. I won’t lose. I’ll pass the tests and keep you safe.” Himmel Soan squeezed Firey’s hand.

“It’s here!”

As soon as he set foot on the meadow, Himmel Soan felt something heavy on his chest. It was a similar feeling to when the water guardian showed up.

He let go of Firey’s hand and let her step aside. He then scanned his surroundings, waiting for the next guardian to arrive.

“I didn’t expect you to get this far.” A man with dark green hair approached them. He stopped when he was ten meters away from Himmel Soan.

He raised his brow at Himmel Soan before glancing at Firey. The sight made him pale. Firey was the essence of nature with the fire attribute while the man was the wood guardian.

Fire restricted wood. Naturally, he was intimidated by Firey.

“Bring it on!” Himmel Soan grabbed the dagger and was ready to attack.

After the battle against the water guardian, he knew how powerful his enemies were. He won that fight because of his luck. The wood guardian would only be a tougher enemy.

“There’s no need to rush. I’m not like my fellow water guardian. Fighting isn’t my thing. To pass the test, you only need to break my defense.”

The wood guardian smiled. With a flick of his fingers, a cage made of vines appeared in front of Himmel Soan.

“Your task is quite easy. Enter the cage, break it within fifteen minutes, and you win.”

“I see!” Himmel Soan walked toward the cage without hesitation.

The wood guardian was taken aback. He asked Himmel Soan, “Aren’t you going to ask what’ll happen if you can’t break the cage?”

“I’m sure I can do it. Why should I ask unnecessary questions?” Himmel Soan said confidently.

The wood guardian was surprised. It wasn’t the answer he had expected. He was impressed with Himmel Soan’s confidence.

“Good. I hope your strength matches your confidence. I need to warn you: these vines are the Sky Devourers from ancient times. As the name suggests, they can even devour the sky.

“Once you enter the cage, you must break it in fifteen minutes. If not, the Sky Devourers will turn you into a puddle of blood. The rule requires me to use the same level of strength as you; the Sky Devourers are the same. The defense of the cage matches your current level.”

Himmel Soan entered the cage before the wood guardian finished. He then started hacking the cage with the dagger.

Sparks flew everywhere. To his surprise, the cage wasn’t affected at all. He couldn’t leave a mark on the vines, let alone break them.

Himmel Soan looked at the cage in astonishment. According to the wood guardian, the cage matched his current level. However, the divine dagger couldn’t even leave a mark on it.

“Do I have this level of defense?” Himmel Soan almost suspected the wood guardian was cheating.

He couldn’t break the cage with a defense ability of his own level. Could any cultivator of his level be as tough as the cage?

“Apart from growing things, the wood attribute is also connected to tenacity. Metals are hard, but they’re brittle and prone to break. Soil is solid, but it’s not as tough as wood.

“The formidable defense ability isn’t the most striking aspect of the wood attribute. Its greatest quality lies in its tenacity that neither the metal nor the soil attribute has,” said the wood guardian.

He was surprised by Himmel Soan’s decisiveness and thought the latter could easily break the cage. He now realized he had overestimated him.

If Himmel Soan couldn’t escape, he would be digested by the cage in fifteen minutes.

“I’m only getting started, yet you already assumed you’re the winner. You’re celebrating too early,” said Himmel Soan.

He looked as charming and confident as before, even when locked in the cage. He wouldn’t give in because he wasn’t a quitter. He would fight till the end.