The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1340 818: Liu Zheng: Honorable Mr. Delago, Please Spare Me_2

Moreover, nobility isn't innate—if a mere tree can transform into a Phoenix, then we true birds ought to be able to as well.

Though unable to seize the Phoenix's nest outright, these birds can shatter its eggs amid the French Plane Tree's evolution, devouring the essence within to seize their own shot at evolution.

"Yet you let them go? With your fiery temper, I figured you'd turn them into dried bird jerky."

Liu Zheng let out a chuckle.

"Think I didn't want to? Without needing them as messengers, I'd have buried them ages ago. Plus, they're mere underlings; offing them achieves nothing."

The French Plane Tree declared.

Lacking mobility is its greatest flaw, confining its dominion to this single street while depending on outsiders for sight, hearing, and limbs elsewhere.

The French Plane Tree shares a natural affinity with birds over other beings.

Were it not for its Phoenix evolution ambitions, it would enjoy solid ties with these birds.

Alas, bonds forged by mutual gain shatter under bigger temptations.

"Let them spy all they like—more lice don't bite harder, more debts don't weigh heavier. Who knows, muddying the waters could work in your favor."

Liu Zheng offered comfort.

"Good my foot—why don't you draw such luck?"

The French Plane Tree rolled its eyes.

"Aren't I stuck handling you right now?"

Liu Zheng shot back.

"Hmph! Pray I don't nab the rumor-monger, or I'll string them across every limb."

The French Plane Tree growled fiercely, shifting topics.

"They'd need to be a colossus for that."

He responded offhandedly.

In truth, he'd already suspected the rumor source.

"Six Feather Tea House."

The name echoed silently in Liu Zheng's mind.

Previously, they'd poisoned the French Plane Tree into a drunken frenzy, scheming via the Sanitation Department to relocate it to a volcano—yet his meddling foiled their scheme.

Six Feather Tea House probably deemed direct action risky, so they leaked the intel, hoping rivals would handle the dirty work while they reaped rewards.

This fits their sneaky past tactics perfectly.

Head-on foes don't scare him; he's tough even when battered, with extra lives to spare—any biter breaks teeth on him.

Yet shadowy schemes like this prove troublesome. Currently, Six Feather Tea House aims solely at the French Plane Tree, but should they spot Liu Zheng as the real barrier and target his allies, trouble brews.

He boasts powerhouses like Panda and Doctor Nile, influencers such as the novelist and Bai Tianshi, but also vulnerables: Vampire Sister, janitors, Jiwei Group.

Sea Girl counts too—her father's a local rep, but ashore she's defenseless like anyone.

The restaurant might show deference for fish deals, but Six Feather Tea House scoffs at fisherfolk and likely ignores Sea Girl's ties.

"Time to pluck this hidden dagger."

Liu Zheng mused inwardly.

After Luo Ping wraps up for Red Forest Culture, he'll task him with probing Six Feather Tea House.

Should their leaders clash, he'll fan the flames.

If unified, he'll eradicate them utterly.

That fresh bomb suits testing on Six Feather Tea House ideally.

"Foolish human, lost in thought?"

The French Plane Tree inquired, noting his prolonged silence.

"Pondering how to loot your entire hoard."

Liu Zheng answered breezily.

"No way!"

The French Plane Tree's foliage bristled like a spooked feline.

"Forget it, no more swaps with you... damn it!"

It swore.

Right then, it sorely regretted binding the Ring Contract with Liu Zheng.

"Just joking—I'm scheming against the culprit. But hey, got any fun toys to share?"

Liu Zheng remarked.

"In your dreams, you won't trick me. Wait, actually, yeah, I've got something for you."

Something clicked for the French Plane Tree.

"What's that?"

"Here."

A root sprouted from the dark earth, offering a soda-can-sized glass jar.

A fruit stone sealed the top, an arrow nestled within.

"Who knew you fancied arrow collecting? Total surprise."

Liu Zheng voiced astonishment.

This pretentious, refined act daily, scorning his coarseness, yet hoarding oddities secretly—you can't judge a tree by its trunk.

Still, for a tree, gathering nutrients feels innate, forgivable.

"Rubbish, I didn't hoard it—the birds delivered it."

The French Plane Tree clarified.

"But you took it, right? Taking makes it yours."

Liu Zheng rebutted swiftly.

"You! Vile, sly, silver-tongued pest!"

The French Plane Tree raged.

"Cheers for the praise. Toss in extras? Barely covers a card."

He grinned impishly.

"Want a boot off Rose Street? Admit it—no need provoking me."

A root lashed out as the French Plane Tree spoke icily.

"Try it; toss me a hundred times, I'll crawl back every one."

Liu Zheng proclaimed fondly.

The Ring Contract ensured no serious harm.

"Your ride lacks our Ring Contract. Wonder if Bloody Restaurant rides match their crew's grit."

The French Plane Tree pierced his bluff.

"I yield, Your Majesty Delago, mercy please."

Liu Zheng surrendered promptly.

A wrecked spirit car might leave the driver denying even a unicycle rental.

"Hmph!"

The French Plane Tree tilted upward smugly.

Humans prove simple to manage.

Here, tigers coil low, dragons coil tight—Delago reigns supreme on Rose Street.

As it fantasized, Liu Zheng snatched the jar from the root.

No item info appeared.

"So, what's the deal with this?"

He queried.

"Haven't you seen? An arrow."

The French Plane Tree answered.

"I mean, whose arrow, and what for?"

"From the Historical Battle King Black Wolf Bird—super poisonous, ignites easily, explodes fiercely; one levels a structure."

The French Plane Tree detailed.

"Impressive stuff. Why hand it over—plot to toxin you?"

"Hmph, this poison's too weak for me. Repeated absorption builds tolerance, though I've plenty already. Without you, I'd trade it to fellow trees."

The French Plane Tree elaborated.

Truthfully, it could infuse venom into strikes too. But with its power and looming Phoenix shift, useless—perfect for others though.

"Didn't you claim no fellow trees awakened smarts?"

Liu Zheng questioned.

"City limits only; Ten Thousand Great Mountains host plenty smart trees. They move sluggish, dispatch envoys rarely—last one months back."

The French Plane Tree responded.

Trees rank as innate Immortal Species, Transcendent lifespans stretching eternally. Months fly by for them.

Still, urban life warped the French Plane Tree's time sense to the city's frenzy.

"Got it. Infinite Heavenly Venerable."

Liu Zheng tucked the jar into his Qiankun Ring.

He'd pass it to Guo Koutangzi later, checking if it fits the Metropolitan Most Smelly Soup.

That reminds him—Garbage Street calls, since Metropolitan Most Smelly Soup just requires sludge from the Garbage Processing Plant.