Chapter 252: Hanging By A Thread

Everything became a dazy blur for Darcel, Aniela, and Masami. They didn't know how fast or far they were flying. The only thing they could focus on was tremendous pain making an absolute mess of their bodies.

Even as the Spirit Monster Python barely used any power when striking the trio, it still was an attack containing the energy of a peak level Heavenly King! 

And it was something neither Darcel, Aniela, nor Masami could causally defend against.

Their bloodline powers were rapidly working to clear away the Spirit Monster Python's powers, but it was proving to be challenging. With their bloodlines severely weakened, it would be a laborious process to destroy the Python's energy.

As they soared through the air, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami were on the very edge of falling unconscious. They may have experienced numerous hellish pain in their lives, but their bodies wouldn't be able to catch up.

No matter how hard the trio wanted to persist staying up, their bodies simply lacked the tenacity to keep up with their burning Wills. 

The mere fact that their bodies could even tank a peak level Heavenly King attack and not burst into a crimson blood mist already spoke volumes on how long their bodies can last.

Before the events with the yellow-eyed woman, a process was occurring in their bodies that the trio wasn't even aware of. Their potent bloodlines at that time was slowly strengthening their bodies.

Because the trio rarely ever used physical attacks, they wouldn't be able to tell, but the changes was happening.

However, no matter how impressive their bodily defense is now, their limits were clearly defined.

In just another second, the trio would unwillingly pass out. And the three of them had a significant fear that when they passed out, they wouldn't be able to wake up again. 

Out in the middle of this hostile area, anything could happen to their unconscious bodies.

But right then, as Darcel, Aniela, and Masami's eyes were gradually closing, a change had occurred deep within their soul's cores. 

The prominent green hue within their soul's cores had abruptly shined an intense, bright glow, radiating as brilliant as a blazing sun.

On the absolute verge of potential near death, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami's Chaotic Shards had finally reacted! 

Only a sliver of Chaotic energy rushed out of their soulscape space. But this mere tiny sliver of Chaotic energy instantly traveled all throughout the trio's bodies and utterly destroyed the Spirit Monster Python's energy! 

No matter if the energy belongs to a tenth level Heavenly Transformation powerhouse. Under the invincible might of Chaotic energy, that kind of power isn't worthy of being mentioned at all. 

When the Spirit Monster Python's energy vanished away, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami's eyes flung wide open.

Immense pain was still wracking their bodies, but they could now hold on to their consciousness. Moreover, they could let their bloodlines rest as they all felt they were nearly out of their energy.

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami did feel some movement from their soul during that process. Yet, they couldn't identify what that power was. 

Immediately when the Spirit Monster Python's energy vanished, so did their sliver strand of Chaotic energy.

Before they could try and make out just what had truly happened, an enormous shadow crossed the trio's vision. Darcel, Aniela, and Masami squinted their eyes forward, attempting to perceive their surroundings even at the insane speed they were moving.

And right then, the trio could make out the object rapidly approaching them. Instead of being curious about what it was, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami's pupils dilated as a sudden dread filled their veins.

At the speeds they were soaring, the trio realized they couldn't stop! All they could do is brace themselves for crashing into this enormous tree. 

'This is going to hurt….' Darcel, Aniela, and Masami simultaneously thought to themselves.

With no other option, the trio simply clenched down on their teeth and prayed for the best. 

'Bang!' 

A large impact blared into the wind as Darcel, Aniela and Masami smacked hard into the colossal tree.

The trio leaked a collective groan of anguish while they were planted on the truck of the tree. Before the pain could fully register to them, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami slumped backward and crashed right onto the snowy ground.

"Geh!" 

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami were all simultaneously puking up blood. Nearly everything in their bodies, to their ruptured organs and cracked bones, all was in a critical state.

Before they did anything, the trio ignited their Spatial rings, bringing out a bright green color pill. They had then violently gnashed their teeth as they slowly brought their arms to their mouth.

Though they had powerful bodies, trying to lift a nearly shattered arm was simply grueling. 

However, the trio managed to force past the mind-shattering pain and stuffed the bright green pill into their mouths.

They had then swiftly swallowed their healing pill, causing a burst of healing energy to immediately spread in their bodies. 

At this point, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami knew they are pretty much enemies to the Snow Angel group. But the trio couldn't help but feel a bit of gratitude towards that group in this situation.

Without these healing pills, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami dreaded to think about how they would need to recover on their own. 

None of them had regenerative abilities despite their bloodlines used to be quite powerful. Even though Masami had a bloodline from a legendary God Beast, it barely provided her anything in the regeneration department. 

In just a mere two seconds, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami already felt far better than before.

The mysterious magical power of healing energy showed the trio just why it's so largely coveted across the entire Nine Provinces. 

As their ruptured organs and bones continued to heal, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami started coughing up the excess bile in their mouths.

Foul-smelling fluids flew from their mouths, turning the air around them into a putrid stench. Right then, the trio began to slowly sit up. While they gradually rose to a sitting position, Masami was the first one to speak up, saying,

"Ack! Damn!! That really fucking hurt! I can't tell if we got really lucky or unlucky." A more vulgar language slipped out of Masami's mouth. 

Though she was the most abrasive with her words between their group, the stress of all these events was slowly getting to her.

Ever since the yellow-eyed woman, Masami felt like it was just constant hiding and pain. Even more frustrating was that she also lacked the power to significantly change their situation.

In direct contrast to Masami's growing frustration, Aniela had a calmer reaction. She formed a strained, small smile as she attempted to say in a soothing tone, 

"It's not all bad, Sami. At least that beast didn't give chase to us. If it did, we simply would be dead. So there's luck in that."

Even if it was just a little bit, Aniela felt her optimism gradually return to her. The more deadly obstacles they faced and survived, the more she felt like they could possibly pull through this despairing situation.

Darcel was also going to offer his own words, but right then, his Spirit Sense picked up on something incredible. 

On instinct, he had spread his Spirit Sense out while his body continued to heal just in case of an emergency situation.

Because they were so warped with pain before, there was no way Darcel could notice the incredible energy spewing in this area. 

But now, he snapped his eyes up and forward. A bright twinkle shimmered within his pupils as he gazed upon the reward they were tracking ever since they set foot in this area.

"Aniela, Masami, look above you." Darcel called out to girls while never taking his eyes off from in front of him. 

Aniela and Masami instinctively followed Darcel's call, gazing their eyes up and forward. And immediately, the same bright twinkle burst with Aniela and Masami's eyes. 

"Ah! Finally! The treasure we took so long to look for!" Aniela exclaimed in eager excitement. 

Right in front of the trio was an enormous tree that went thirty feet high into the skies. The odd thing about this tree was that it had only one branch and hanging off the edge of this branch was a single spikey-looking grapefruit.

That spiky grapefruit is the source of that incredible treasure Qi energy! 

Masami's eyes squinted in eager anticipation as her Spirit Sense inspected every inch of the fruit. Now that she is so close to the treasure, she could get a more accurate read of its Qi energy.

And after only a few short moments, her eyes flashed in realization. Her foxtails began to excitedly swish around as Masami knew they scored big this time. 

"Darcel, Aniela! This fruit isn't just some ordinary treasure. It's one of those Qi Root fruits! My Grandma told me all about this treasure, and I know for sure that its potent Qi energy can level up all of our cultivation!"

Darcel and Aniela took their eyes off the Qi Root fruit and peered over to Masami. 

Darcel had an inquisitive expression, not surprised that Masami's Grandmother would know this but had pondered over their own cultivation.

He began to acquire more information from Masami, asking her, "A really good item then. But, would our results get affected by our comprehension abilities?" 

With how weak they got, Darcel couldn't help but wonder if their comprehension abilities were affected as well.

Because the yellow-eyed woman can fundamentally change their bloodline and soul, who's to say couldn't mess with their minds. In fact, she already did so by throwing each of their mental states into a pessimistic route and causing trauma on them.

Since they awoke, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami didn't try cultivating. They simply didn't have any secure place to try and see the changes. 

But Darcel did make it a note in his mind to do so when they first get the chance. Before that, though, he wanted to see if there was any specific requirement for this Qi Root Fruit. 

And to his slight joy, Masami shook her head. She told him, "Nope. This treasure is made for any cultivator to experience rapid short permanent boosts in power."

"Ooh? Now that made this treasure even more worth it to go through all of those deadly tricks." Aniela spoke in slight relief. She also had the same worrying thoughts about their cultivation, just like Darcel.

With no more question in his mind, Darcel turned his attention back on the Qi Root Fruit and raised his hand.