A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

The growth rate of this peculiar plant is incredible.

In just one short year, it had attained a height of a hundred meters.

Moreover, judging by the looks of it, it seemed to still be growing.

It just kept going, as if there was no end in sight.

"Do you know what this is about, Ye Fan?"

Junie, too, was undoubtedly baffled.

Generally, plants grew at a slow pace.

However, this one defied common sense.

Indeed, even when considering all the species of fauna of the entire planet, it was rare enough to find ones that grew to a height of a hundred meters.

Ye Fan shook his head. "I came here specifically for this. I won't rest until I figure out what type of tree this is."

As he spoke, Ye Fan took a swift leap.

Upon drawing closer, he began to examine the tree carefully.

After a year of growth, its leaves were vastly different than they had been before.

The enormous leaves resembled large palm fans. Their surface was covered with various patterns and intricate designs. Ye Fan plucked a leaf from the tree.

"What are you going to do with the leaf, Ye Fan? Are you, by any chance, planning to cultivate with it?" Junie asked.

"I must return to India at once, Junie," Ye Fan declared bluntly instead of answering her.

Junie was startled.

He's leaving so soon?

She had thought that she could spend several more days with Ye Fan in China.

"Aren't you going back to Jiangdong for a visit? Also, we agreed to meet Mr. Hu in Jiangbei."

Fondly, Junie recalled the days she spent with Ye Fan there.

In particular, she recalled the family she had once stayed with. It's been many years since I last paid them a visit.

"Next time, Junie. This tree is truly bizarre. I must quickly identify it. That way, we can know whether to keep it or not."

Upon his current visit back to Kransbay, Ye Fan felt even more uneasy after seeing the tree.

Thus, after explaining matters to Junie, he dashed back to the Sacred Mountain in India at full speed to speak to Duanmu Wan'er. "You're back so soon, Ye Fan!"

As Ye Fan had only been gone for a few days this time, Duanmu Wan'er was taken aback upon seeing him back at the secret realm so soon.

Ye Fan looked around. "Where's Huangniu?" he asked. "I don't see it."

Despite searching everywhere, he could not sense even a trace of Huangniu's presence.

Duanmu Wan'er laughed. "Not long after you left, it stormed off, grumbling and cursing. Watch yourself if you run into it in the future. It seems to hold a grudge against you for leaving it behind." Ye Fan sighed helplessly. "This godd*mn ox. I don't know what it thinks is so great about the outside world to be so adamant on seeing it."

He shook his head, laughing.

Then, without any further ado, he handed the leaf to Duanmu Wan'er.

"Could you take another look, Wan'er? You might be able to tell me where this divine tree came from."

"Has it grown this big already?" Duanmu Wan'er was shocked when she saw it.

It had just a tiny leaf a year before.

In just one short year, it had grown several times larger.

"I'm going to need some time, Ye Fan."

Duanmu Wan'er took the leaf and gave it a preliminary examination with her brows slightly furrowed.

She seemed to have some ideas, but she was not sure of them.

Thus, she only told Ye Fan to give her some time.

"All right. I'll wait," Ye Fan replied.

Then, Duanmu Wan'er walked back to the stone chamber alone, meticulously examining the patterns and the shapes on the leaf.

He thought it would take no time at all.

However, what Ye Fan did not expect was that this wait would turn into three days.

Three days later, Duanmu Wan'er, with a solemn look in her eyes, emerged.

"Are you sure that this leaf was plucked from that tree, Ye Fan?" Duanmu Wan'er asked solemnly.

Ye Fan nodded. "Yes, Wan'er. What kind of tree did this leaf come from?"

Duanmu Wan'er turned pale. "I'm afraid something bad is going to happen, Ye Fan. The world might come to an end. I can't believe a tree like this is growing on Earth. There's no hope left, none whatsoever. Don't go back, Ye Fan. Stay here in here with me forever. The world is on the brink of destruction, and everything will soon be obliterated. In just a few more years, Earth will cease to exist within this universe!" Duanmu Wan'er blabbered.

There was nothing but fear and horror etched on her pretty face.

In truth, she suspected it the moment she laid eyes on the leaf, though she was not yet sure.

Over the following three days, she studied the patterns on the leaves carefully, and ultimately, they proved to be a perfect match with a terrifying creature from the recesses of her memory.

"Please don't frighten me, Wan'er. What on earth is going on? What kind of a tree is this? It's just a plant. How could it possibly be more powerful than Symborsus? Even it couldn't destroy the world. How could this dead tree?"

Duanmu Wan'er shook her head.

"You don't understand, Ye Fan. This tree is not of this world. From the memories of my heritage, it was born in the heart of an implosion of the universe, and it grows at the edge of the world, bordering on the realm of the immortals. Wherever it grows, it absorbs all the nutrients and energy within reach until it exhausts the resources of the planet and brings an end to it. That is why this tree is known as the Universe Tree! A tree like this has long since transcended the realm of plants. They possess their own consciousness and sentience, and their wisdom is on par with any human master. So, given that it has appeared on Earth, it undoubtedly means that all life and energy on your planet will become its nourishment. Only after draining the last vestige of energy from Earth will it depart, continuing its search for the next source of sustenance," Duanmu Wan'er explained solemnly.

Ye Fan's heart dropped as he heard her tale. Chills ran down his spine.

By the time she was done, he could no longer remain calm.

He turned around and walked away.

"Where are you going, Ye Fan?"

"I'm going to cut them down before they are fully grown," Ye Fan said coldly.

Duanmu Wan'er shook her head. "It's no use, Ye Fan. The might of the Universe Tree is beyond your imagination. If it so wishes, you humans wouldn't be able to pluck a single leaf or branch from it. I think this particular leaf fell off on its own."

She was still trying to persuade him.

However, Ye Fan refused to listen..

How could I give up without at least trying?

Moreover, he clung on to the hope that Duanmu Wan'er was mistaken.

This is just an ordinary tree, not some Universe Tree, and it certainly won't destroy the world.

Comforted by that thought, Ye Fan once again departed the secret realm of India. After passing through the Well of the Thunderdrake, he rushed at full speed toward the Sacred Mountain at Kransbay. "You're back again, Dragon Master."

Gaius had brought several young women from the nearby city to the camp at Mount Kransbay. However, before he could lead them into the house, Ye Fan showed up unexpectedly again. Once again, Gaius was caught red-handed. His face twitched as he prepared to launch into an explanation.

However, Ye Fan paid him no attention.

Instead, he dashed straight to the foot of the giant tree.

In just a few days, this tree had grown another several meters.

Without saying a word, Ye Fan threw a fierce punch against the thick truck.

"What are you doing, Dragon Master?"

"Stop!"

Ye Fan's mad gesture shocked all those who were present.

Even Gaius hurried to stop him.

The divine tree had magical properties; its leaves were capable of healing wounds and aiding in cultivation. Thus, seeing Ye Fan's intent to destroy it spurred them to rush forward to stop him. "Get out of the way!" Ye Fan shouted, his thunderous voice sending the masters in the vicinity flying backward.

Then, his fist, an overwhelming force of nature, slammed brutally against the trunk.

"Oh, no!"

"There wouldn't be any more divine trees left in this world!"

"What a waste of a precious gift!"

The crowd could not bear to watch it.

Ye Fan was a formidable figure.

A single punch of his would likely smash a mountain a hundred feet tall into rubble.

A tree wouldn't stand a chance.