"The difference between you and me is that you use the power of the Tree of Life to grant these people powerful combat abilities and all-around improvements," I said. "But the people around me have all relied on their own efforts, step by step, to control the Mu Shen power..."
"You don't need to lie to me..." Vici smiled. "The cultivation method for Mu Shen power has long been lost. Even if it were passed down by our ancestors, there's still no way to cultivate it..."
"Then have you heard of something called the Mu Shen Jue!" I asked Vici, speaking calmly.
"Mu Shen Jue... Mu Shen Jue..." Vici mumbled the name, his expression then changing drastically, his voice becoming sharp. "Impossible, you can't possibly know about that! You can't possibly possess it..."
"Then continue watching the fight..." I said.
"Kill that woman!" Vici commanded.
The special forces soldier, who had been targeting me, shifted his focus to Shen Zhi.
At this moment, Shen Zhi's pressure increased dramatically.
However, she showed no signs of fear. Her wind elemental power granted her a more agile body and faster attack speed.
If there was a weakness, it was that wind elemental power, compared to fire and lightning, lacked in raw destructive force.
But this did not hinder Shen Zhi's combat.
The two clashed. The special forces soldier's power was incredibly potent; each punch carried terrifying force.
However, I could feel that it wasn't Mu Shen power, but the power of the Tree of Life.
With every punch that landed, the surroundings suffered severe damage.
The ground, rocks, trees...
Nearly every punch could have shattered its target, but similarly, none of the attacks landed on Shen Zhi.
Continuously dodging, Shen Zhi finally seized an opportunity.
She shifted the grip of her dagger. At the instant the opponent's attack was about to land, Shen Zhi retreated.
The special forces soldier pursued relentlessly. At this moment, Shen Zhi abruptly stopped.
As the attack was about to hit her, her body flickered and she appeared behind the special forces soldier.
The wind elemental power crackled on her dagger as she fiercely slashed towards the back of the special forces soldier's neck.
Simultaneously, the special forces soldier turned, his fist imbued with terrifying power, and slammed down towards Shen Zhi.
At this moment, Shen Zhi faced a difficult choice.
If she dodged this attack, it would mean losing her offensive opportunity.
But if she didn't dodge the punch, she would likely be severely injured.
In a flash, Shen Zhi did not dodge. Her dagger slashed down without hesitation.
The wind elemental power surged forth, striking the special forces soldier's face.
But at the same time, the special forces soldier's fist landed on Shen Zhi's body.
The two forces erupted instantly. Almost at the moment of impact, they separated.
Under the force of the wind elemental attack, the special forces soldier's sunglasses and mask fell off, revealing a pale face.
His eyes were vacant, his expression blank.
He looked like a puppet.
And under the impact of that terrifying force, a gruesome gash appeared on the special forces soldier's face.
What was terrifying was that no blood flowed from the wound, only white flesh, devoid of any blood.
This guy was a zombie!
And from the terrifying power of that punch, Shen Zhi's face also turned flushed.
She coughed up a large mouthful of blood, but quickly, the Mu Shen power surged, constantly repairing her injuries.
Although no victor had been decided at this point, Vici's expression had turned completely grim.
"I never expected you to actually... actually possess the Mu Shen Jue..." Vici looked at me. "Your luck is truly enviable..."
"I think so too..." I replied. "Now do you believe I'm not lying?"
"So what?" Vici looked at me. "It doesn't matter. This power will eventually be mine..."
"Are you that confident?" I asked.
"Obviously, you can't protect your opponent right now..." Vici said with a smile.
The special forces soldier attacked again.
Shen Zhi stepped forward. This time, the battle became even more brutal.
Her dagger repeatedly struck the special forces soldier. Under the effect of the wind elemental power, numerous wounds appeared on his body.
However, none of the wounds bled. They revealed only white flesh, devoid of any color.
And these wounds healed slowly after appearing.
Shen Zhi's condition, however, was not good. After each successive attack, she coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, her breathing becoming weak.
But even so, Shen Zhi did not stop.
Countless attacks rained down, leaving ghastly wounds on the special forces soldier.
The people behind me looked on with worry.
They knew that Shen Zhi now possessed formidable combat power, but to fight against such a special forces soldier and still struggle, how strong were these manufactured monsters?
During the fight, the special forces soldier's uniform was torn to shreds.
Yet, his speed and strength showed no signs of diminishing.
Indeed, Vici was right. This guy was a pure combat machine.
He only knew how to fight; he felt nothing else.
In comparison, our side could feel pain, could feel the depletion of Mu Shen power. In this situation, it was a significant disadvantage for us.
Another attack landed, and Shen Zhi stumbled back several steps.
Seeing this, a sinister smile spread across Vici's face. "It seems even the Mu Shen Jue you cultivate is nothing special... This thing isn't as powerful as you imagined... Or rather, it's my subordinate who is too powerful, making you appear weak..."
"Are you alright?" I asked Shen Zhi, looking at her.
"Brother Lu, don't worry..." Shen Zhi smiled. "Everything is proceeding as expected..."
Hearing this, a look of confusion crossed my face. Although I didn't know what she was planning, I knew Shen Zhi wasn't someone who wouldn't think.
The next moment, Shen Zhi charged forward again. Wind elemental power gathered around her body. This move's power was extraordinary!