Chapter Twenty-Seven: The True and False Fruit Trees, A Fierce Battle Against the Rock-Armored Bear Pack

The group traveled through the mountain forest, soon crossing it to halt in a vast, open hilly region.

Upon entering, they immediately sensed a dense fluctuation of spiritual energy. It was pure and abundant to the extreme, free of any impurities; a single breath was enough for them to feel their own spiritual power surge slightly.

Huo Qing felt his spirits lift. He looked forward, where, less than a hundred meters away, stood clusters of saplings adorned with verdant, succulent green fruits.

For some reason, however, the area was unnervingly empty. Under normal circumstances, such a wondrous natural treasure as the Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit Tree should have been coveted by many spirit beasts. Huo Qing frowned, his vigilance heightening.

"The Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit Tree!" Jiang Moying exclaimed, her eyes suddenly burning with excitement.

Without hesitation, her slender figure darted forward. She reached out her jade-like hand, snatching at the nearest fruit. As spiritual energy swept forth, the fruit detached and fell into her palm.

"I got one!"

But Huo Qing’s expression shifted. Sensing something amiss, he barked, "Throw it away! Now!"

"What?" Jiang Moying looked at him, bewildered.

In the next instant, the fruit, which had been radiating rich spiritual energy, turned pitch black and began to rot at an alarming rate, releasing a pungent, foul odor. Jiang Moying realized what was happening and hurriedly flung it away.

*Squelch!*

The black mist, however, clung to her like a maggot to bone, wrapping tightly around her palm and burrowing into her body.

This bizarre scene caused Ling Bofeng and Gu Shiya to react immediately. They hurried over, their faces pale with shock.

"Ah!"

As the black mist expanded, Jiang Moying’s face twisted in agony. Veins bulged on her forehead, and sweat poured down her face; it was clear she was suffering intense pain.

"What is happening?!" Jiang Moying’s face was bloodless. It was said that the Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit helped cultivate one’s spiritual foundation—why was it having the opposite effect?

"She must be poisoned," Ling Bofeng remarked in a low voice, a murderous glint in his eyes as he grasped the situation.

"Indeed," Huo Qing added, stepping forward and seizing Jiang Moying’s arm. "This fruit in her hand was not a pure Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit; it was tainted with a poison designed to corrode spiritual power."

He stepped forward, grasping her arm. "My spiritual energy possesses a purifying quality. It might be able to purge this toxin."

This was no idle claim. His spiritual energy was infused with the sword aura of the Ancestral Sword, which inherently acted as a restraint against such wicked, unnatural things. He channeled his energy like a surging tide, pouring it into Jiang Moying’s body.

*Hum!*

The massive wave of spiritual energy transformed into sharp sword aura, piercing through the invasive poison and annihilating it completely. This process lasted for over a quarter of an hour. As time passed, Jiang Moying’s expression gradually softened, and she felt the pain in her body beginning to recede.

She looked at Huo Qing with complex emotions. He was focused entirely on the task, and though his face remained impassive, a faint pallor had settled over his cheeks—this purification was clearly not as effortless as it appeared. Recalling how she had questioned his abilities earlier, she felt a flush of shame and an indescribable sensation in her heart.

As for Gu Shiya and Ling Bofeng, they watched in awe. They had not expected Huo Qing to possess such a technique. They exchanged glances and smiled; having Huo Qing as a teammate was truly their good fortune. If it had been just the three of them, they would have had no means to purge such a potent toxin.

"Very well," Huo Qing said, withdrawing his hand and taking a deep breath. "Next time we see these trees, do not rush to pick the fruit. We will wait until we are certain of their safety before proceeding."

The trio nodded. Ling Bofeng’s expression turned stern. "It seems we have been set up."

Gu Shiya looked indignant. Who would dare to plot against them?

Huo Qing lowered his gaze, his voice calm. "When soldiers come, use generals to block them; when water comes, use earth to cover it. Since we are here, the mission must be completed. As for whoever dares to stand in our way, we shall kill them."

With that, he dashed forward into the dense forest. Gu Shiya and the others followed closely behind.

*ROAR!*

A deafening roar suddenly erupted, causing the group to freeze in their tracks. Huo Qing looked back to see several massive black bears emerging from the nearby brush.

These bears were enormous, over three zhang tall, their bodies covered in mountain-like, bulging muscles that exuded a terrifying sense of power. Their limbs were encased in natural, armor-like growths.

The bear raised its fist, its face ferocious, the air crackling with the force of its movement. Huo Qing’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated this. He raised his arm and struck back with full force.

*BOOM!*

The two collided, creating an instant arc of pressure that rippled outward, the explosive aftermath shattering the surrounding rocks. The black bear was sent flying, while Huo Qing touched his toes to the ground, sliding back several paces before coming to a stop.

He rubbed his fist, sighing, "A Rock-Armored Bear that has reached the middle stage of the Heavenly Spirit Realm. What immense power."

He drew his Spirit-Piercing Sword, charged forward, and after a few rounds of maneuvering, found an opening and pierced the beast’s throat.

"It’s a Rock-Armored Bear!"

Behind him, Gu Shiya and the others were also under attack. Being less prepared than Huo Qing, they fell into a state of disarray. Ling Bofeng fared better; though caught off guard at first, he gradually found his rhythm and, after dispatching his opponent, moved to assist the two women.

Despite their combined efforts, the two women struggled to hold their own against the bear, their defense crumbling under the pressure.

*BOOM!*

Another clash of power sent the women reeling, their attacks shattered. The residual force forced them back, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.

"Damn beast! I'll fight it to the death!" Jiang Moying’s hair was disheveled, her face pale, yet she raised her sword to charge once more.

"Leave this to me. Go assist Senior Brother Ling," Huo Qing said, flashing forward to stand before them and signaling for them to retreat.

"Alright, be careful!" Seeing Huo Qing arrive, they let out a sigh of relief. After all, they had witnessed his capabilities firsthand.