Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

”Dead? Just like that?”

Cyclops, at the side, let out an incredulous cry. Clearly, the mental trauma the vine monster had inflicted on him was profound.

”It’s not dead yet. I couldn’t locate its main body just now,” Wen Yu explained to his three soul pets while manipulating the Pitch-dark World, attempting to find it. Based on his assessment of its tendrils’ size, the vine monster’s main body was likely massive and hidden very deeply.

However, before Wen Yu could pinpoint its location, the vine monster initiated its next move. It wasn’t an attack, but...

”Human.” A nascent yet powerful Spiritual Fluctuation emanated from somewhere underground, instantly reaching Wen Yu’s mind. ”What are you trying to do? I think we need to talk.”

Is this a compromise? Or a plea for mercy? Wen Yu wasn’t sure what the vine monster was thinking, but it seemed these were its only remaining options.

The darkness traced the source of the Spiritual Fluctuation downward, extending more than a hundred meters underground before Wen Yu finally discovered the vine monster’s main body. It was a gigantic plant cluster! Countless vines extended from this central mass, spreading beneath the entirety of Town hl. Any creature daring to enter this area would almost certainly fall prey to the vine monster’s hunt. A massive sphere, nearly fifty meters in diameter, was formed by a multitude of vines, each almost a meter thick. Through the perception of the Pitch-dark World, Wen Yu could clearly sense the terrifying Energy Fluctuations contained within this enormous plant cluster.

Of course, ’terrifying’ was relative. The vine monster’s energy level was somewhat stronger than a typical peak Level 5 professionist, but not overwhelmingly so. Wen Yu estimated that, in terms of pure combat strength, the vine monster was likely a bit weaker than his current weakest soul pet, Cyclops. If they were to fight, Cyclops might struggle to find the vine monster’s main body, but the vine monster’s offensive and defensive capabilities were far inferior to Cyclops’.

Observing the pulsating, weakened state of the underground plant cluster and sensing the unease radiating from within, Wen Yu slowly composed himself. He then transmitted a mental message to the vine monster using the gentlest Spiritual Fluctuation he could manage.

”Let’s talk, but you need to come out first. Communicating like this is too strenuous.”

”I won’t come out. I’m afraid you’ll kill me.”

This was precisely why Wen Yu preferred dealing with mutant creatures: they were straightforward and never hid their true emotions.

”If you come out, I won’t kill you. On the contrary, I intend to offer you a great opportunity!”

”I won’t...”

Before the vine monster could finish, the darkness instantly plunged deeper underground, completely enveloping it. A chilling intent emanated from Wen Yu’s Spiritual Fluctuation. ”Come out! This is my final warning. Understand this: I am not negotiating with you.”

Negotiating? Bargaining? Discussing? These were never options Wen Yu considered from the start. Just as the vine monster had mercilessly slaughtered every survivor in Town hl, this world operated on the raw principle of the strong devouring the weak. Faced with the dying cries of its victims, the vine monster hadn’t hesitated. Now that the tables had turned, did Wen Yu need to reason with it? When dealing with the weak, Wen Yu couldn’t be bothered to reason with them!

The darkness, like steel needles, gently pricked the colossal plant cluster. The terrifying corrosive power almost instantly consumed several tendrils. This raw display of overwhelming force made the vine monster understand what ”reason” truly meant.

Consequently, the earth trembled. Within Wen Yu’s perception, the vine monster, buried a hundred meters deep, slowly unfurled its tendrils. Countless tendrils, acting like feelers, reformed the plant cluster into a drill-like shape and rapidly ascended towards the surface. In less than a minute, the vine monster emerged.

”Good boy!” Wen Yu exclaimed, finally examining the vine monster with his naked eyes. It was still the same massive plant cluster, but this time, Wen Yu noticed something different. At its base, numerous finer tendrils were deeply embedded in the soil, pulsating as if drawing sustenance from the earth. This was likely the vine monster’s primary attack method and also how plant-type mutant creatures survived. For most of them, nutrients from the soil and sunlight were indispensable for growth.

Sensing the vine monster’s anxiety and terror, Wen Yu offered it a ”seemingly gentle” smile, then slowly walked over until he stood right beside it.

”Are you going to kill me?” an anxious Spiritual Fluctuation emanated from the center of the plant cluster.

Wen Yu shook his head. ”Why would I kill you? As I said, I want to offer you a great opportunity!”

With that, Wen Yu swiftly extended his right hand!

Given Wen Yu’s physical prowess, the vine monster couldn’t react in time as Wen Yu’s right hand made contact. Black Light surged instantly. The terrifying darkness energy, imbued with boundless corrosive power, allowed Wen Yu’s arm to penetrate the vine monster’s body without any resistance.

”What are you doing? What are you doing?! You said you wouldn’t kill me!” a panicked Spiritual Fluctuation, filled with screams and wails, shot into Wen Yu’s mind. Simultaneously, more vines erupted from the ground, surging towards him.

Wen Yu casually snapped the fingers of his left hand. The darkness energy roared, completely obliterating the vines emerging from underground. In the next instant, Wen Yu’s entire body transformed into a streak of Black Light and plunged directly into the plant cluster!

Violent tremors shook the entirety of Town hl. Fortunately, due to the vine monster’s prior presence, the town was completely deserted. The three remaining soul pets were, of course, unfazed by such a ”minor disturbance.”

Just thirty seconds later, the tremors began to subside, eventually ceasing altogether. The countless vines lay limp on the ground or remained inert underground, completely still, as if dead.

”Is it really dead this time?” Cyclops muttered.

”Not yet,” Wen Yu’s voice came from within the now-motionless plant cluster.

Black Light seeped out from the plant cluster once more, and Wen Yu’s form reconsolidated. This time, however, he held a vibrant green sphere, nearly twenty centimeters in diameter, which pulsed with a soft, dazzling light.

Sensing the alluring aroma wafting from it, the three soul pets widened their eyes.

”What’s this? It smells so good...”

”It’s a treasure!”