"It's not a battle... Is it a trap?"
Akainu's arm was covered in a Flame Demon tattoo, and he hesitated, considering whether to make a move.
Can Pollution Monsters communicate?
Of course they can. The Netherworld Wanderers and Vampire Baron who were killed earlier had both conversed with players.
However, most players would refuse to communicate, opting for a forceful approach to smash the Pollution Monsters into game items.
But given the current situation, Grandma Tree Demon's boss strength is too high. If they don't engage with the dark monsters and gather intelligence, it will be very difficult for them to complete the mission.
So...
"Let's go in and see, perhaps we can gain something?"
Orochimaru stared carefully at the old woman who was greeting them. He felt a very strange aura emanating from her, but the threat level was not high.
Furthermore, his life-saving abilities are very strong, and he can quickly escape if he encounters danger.
Therefore, he was not afraid of what seemed like a trap.
"Hmph..."
Akainu, Smoker, and Borsalino exchanged glances, then all agreed to Orochimaru's suggestion.
Iron Fist Garp?
He just needs to follow the team and act as a brute. There's no need for him to waste his brain on matters involving action plans.
The group stepped over the threshold one after another.
The old woman maintained her welcoming posture until they all entered Ning Mansion. Then, like a manipulated puppet, she straightened up, her lips splitting into a grin, and tightly closed the main door.
"Master Ning is in the innermost room. Follow me..."
The old woman's body was light and airy, and she quickly walked ahead to lead the way, her swaying posture very strange.
Orochimaru turned his head.
He saw the Dead Spirit Curse Snake that had been let in earlier, hanging from a thick peach tree branch in the center of the courtyard.
Its internal flesh and dead spirit energy had been sucked dry, leaving it a mere snakeskin.
"Apologies, Master Ning doesn't like outsiders prying into his residence."
The old woman didn't turn back, but she noticed Orochimaru's gaze and explained.
Orochimaru grinned, licking his chin with his tongue, and said, "It's fine."
Ning Mansion was very large.
The old woman led them through two spacious courtyards, each as large as a football field, then through two layers of corridors, finally stopping slowly outside a large door locked with chains.
Upon reaching the deepest courtyard,
The surrounding temperature suddenly dropped. The bone-chilling demonic energy was so dense that it was inhaled into their lungs with every breath.
"Hoo..."
Smoker took a deep breath, finishing a thick cigar, and exhaled purplish-red mist.
The poisonous mist, like a thin film, covered the Navy Alliance team, repelling the dense demonic energy.
[Nerve Poison Mist Lv. max].
A super toxin capable of corroding the nervous system of living beings. Just a wisp can kill a strong prehistoric Tyrannosaurus Rex.
At the same time, it can also stimulate neural functions through the toxin, according to Smoker's will, strengthening himself and his teammates.
"A very good poison..."
Both agility and mental attributes were temporarily enhanced.
Orochimaru's old habit of collecting began to resurface. He greedily glanced at Smoker, then quickly withdrew his gaze.
If he were to ambush and kill Smoker, then turn him into a dead spirit poison, he should be able to serve as the commander of the Dead Spirit Legion.
However, he also knew that now was not the time for internal strife, so he suppressed the tremor in his heart.
Clatter...
The chains were unlocked by the old woman, and the mottled courtyard gate slowly opened.
Compared to the grand courtyards they had passed through earlier, this courtyard was very narrow, with bare old trees and decaying courtyard walls.
Devilish Garment Scholar was sitting in the center of the courtyard.
He was not wearing a mask. Judging his age from his appearance, he should be close to seventy.
His dry, gray hair was like an old tree in autumn, and one could easily see the old man's furrowed scalp through the sparse, dry strands.
His entire face was like a withered peach tree, devoid of any vitality, with layers of wrinkled skin piled up, almost burying his eyes.
They knew he was Devilish Garment Scholar because of the robe he wore, which was identical to Devilish Garment Scholar's.
Even though he looked like he was at the end of his rope,
Everyone in the Navy Alliance team was breaking out in cold sweat.
The monstrous demonic energy that enveloped the entire mansion, reaching to the sky, emanated from this aging old man, no weaker than the Abyssal Evil God from before.
However...
Although the Abyssal Evil God was powerful, it was a deformed life form created artificially, without intelligence.
Even so, players from both realms had expended great effort to hunt it down.
But the Master Ning before them was an intelligent dark boss, making the hunting difficulty increase exponentially.
Even the strongest, Orochimaru, had a face full of dread, lacking the confidence to withstand the opponent's aura.
"Don't be nervous, guests from another world. As long as you don't reveal killing intent first, I won't attack you."
Master Ning, who seemed to be in a deep slumber, raised his head, his cloudy gaze falling upon them.
"If you wish to kill Grandma Tree Demon, I can cooperate with you."
Master Ning's scrutinizing gaze swept across the faces of the five people.
Indeed...
Orochimaru's eyes flickered. He dared to accept the old woman's invitation to enter Devilish Garment Scholar's territory precisely because he had guessed that these dark bosses were not as close as family.
Now it seemed they were indeed in conflict.
"We are here to kill..."
Iron Fist Garp's words were cut off by Smoker covering his mouth.
The situation had clearly taken a subtle turn, and they couldn't let Vice Admiral Garp directly provoke a fight.
Smoker explained, "We want to kill Grandma Tree Demon. If you can help us, cooperation is not a problem."
Grandma Tree Demon is the final boss.
They came to this special space to kill Devilish Garment Scholar and weaken Grandma Tree Demon's power.
But if Devilish Garment Scholar is willing to help, that's another matter. With the assistance of an Dark Gold-tier boss, the hunt would definitely be very smooth.
As for later...
If Devilish Garment Scholar hasn't left yet, it wouldn't be too late to kill him then and get game items.
"It's obvious that you can also see my current state; I cannot leave this residence at all."
Master Ning rolled up his wide sleeves, revealing his tree-like arms.
His arm flesh was covered in countless small holes, and tree vines passed through these holes, connecting to the ground beneath his feet, extending all the way to the nearly withered old peach tree.
The Navy Alliance team exchanged glances,
All assessing Devilish Garman Scholar's true state and the probability of killing him if they attacked now.
Ultimately, they abandoned the idea of making a move.
Master Ning could reveal his weakness without hesitation, likely having already anticipated the possibility of them attacking.
"Back then, I mistakenly entered the Ghost Temple and narrowly escaped with my life, but Grandma Tree Demon planted a demonic seed in my heart, which is why I've become like this."
"I need you to help me collect two hundred Ghost Tree Hearts. This will allow me to temporarily seal the power of the demonic seed, and then I will be able to leave this peach tree and help you deal with Grandma Tree Demon together!"
[Triggered a chinese ghost story (Scholar Arc) Side Quest]
Quest Content: Help Devilish Garment Scholar collect two hundred Ghost Tree Hearts.
Quest Reward: ???
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