Chapter 35: Wood Essence! The Clan Leader's Invincible Path |
Just as Wang Zong'an stood bewildered and lost, that voice rang in his ear again.
"Young man, what are you dazing off for? Haven't you seen a talking tree before? Although I'm not fond of speaking, it doesn't mean I can't. I've enveloped us in a private space with my divine consciousness, so feel free to ask anything. No one else can hear us."
These words struck like thunder.
Wang Zong'an came to his senses and cautiously asked, "Are you the Immortal Tree Senior?"
"That's right, I am the Immortal Tree, the sacred tree of Changchun Valley," the slightly aged voice replied with a hint of pride, "I have witnessed and protected countless generations of Changchun Valley disciples over thousands of years."
"Wang Zong'an pays his respects to Immortal Tree Senior." Wang Zong'an quickly bowed and said respectfully, "Earlier, Senior mentioned bestowing the spirit seed to me, but I'm merely of upper-grade third-class bloodline talent. What merits do I have to receive your favor?"
"Good lad~ Modest and unflustered, young men like you are rare these days~" The Immortal Tree praised, "In this era, the bloodline talents of prodigies are already excellent. It's rare to see someone like you who isn't arrogant or complacent, and I find it comforting."
The so-called upper-grade bloodline talent means one can awaken a second bloodline in the Qi Refining Realm, a third in the Lingtai Realm, reach the fourth spirit body in the Heavenly Human Realm, and awaken the fifth Dao body in the Zifu Realm.
This level of bloodline talent is commonly referred to as a prodigy in this era!
Prodigies have great potential, and there's a high probability they will achieve the Zifu Realm. Therefore, prodigies are also considered Zifu seeds.
As for "third-class," it's a more detailed classification. Even within the upper-grade bloodlines, there are four levels: first, second, third, and fourth, with third being the second to last.
Therefore, not only has Wang Zong'an's bloodline awakened to the second layer, but it has also reached the middle stage of the second layer, which is stronger than the average second layer bloodline, increasing his chances of successfully advancing to the Zifu Realm.
"Thank you for the praise, Senior."
Wang Zong'an felt a bit comforted by the Immortal Tree Senior's praise and regained some confidence.
It's hard not to feel ordinary and mediocre when living with a great prodigy every day.
Especially since he witnessed the terrifying power of the great prodigy's mother, who hardly cultivated and was inconsistent in her efforts, yet her cultivation level soared rapidly.
And then there's his sister, Wang Liyao, who also left him at a loss for words...
He had never been able to withstand her second move from childhood...
Forget it~ No use thinking about these things~ It's disheartening. At least Immortal Tree Senior is sensible and discerning.
Wang Zong'an felt quite relieved in his heart.
"However, just with your prodigy bloodline, I wouldn't actively entrust my daughter's spirit seed to you for nurturing." Before Wang Zong'an could rejoice, the Immortal Tree's blow followed, "After all, I've lived long enough and seen many prodigies, so they're not that rare to me."
Wang Zong'an's face stiffened.
Immortal Tree Senior, are you just toying with me? Am I that easy to bully?
"However, there's a strand of special Dao essence within your Yimu bloodline that reminds me of the ancient life origin force." The Immortal Tree explained, "This life origin Dao essence can help my daughter grow better, and I hope she can surpass me in the future and reach the ninth tier of transformation."
"Special Dao essence, the power of life origin?" Wang Zong'an realized, "That must be from my father's bloodline. He is also a direct disciple of Changchun Valley, haven't you met him, Senior?" He also secretly thought that his father's bloodline was indeed the life origin.
"So that's your father, no wonder," the Immortal Tree said, with a hint of complaint, "Although I've never met him, I've felt his pure life origin bloodline from afar. I wanted to communicate with him and entrust my daughter's spirit seed to him for nurturing. But that Changchun fellow always secretly interfered with our meeting. He even said that although he's a disciple, he's ultimately a member of a clan. If the spirit seed is given to him, it becomes his clan's property. It really infuriated me..."
"Luckily, I'm old now. If I were younger, I might have disregarded the spirit pact and directly sought out your father. If I could become his life-bound spirit plant, it probably wouldn't take long for me to reach the ninth tier of transformation."
"Uh..."
Wang Zong'an's mouth twitched slightly, as there was such a story behind it all?
No wonder his father always complained that the Changchun Master kept the Immortal Tree too well hidden, not even allowing him a chance to meet. He was afraid his father would directly whisk away the spirit seed, or even the Immortal Tree Senior itself~
"By the way, young man, could you introduce your father to me?" The Immortal Tree asked hopefully, "After all, compared to your Yimu bloodline with a strand of life Dao essence, your father's pure life origin bloodline is a better match for my daughter."
"Boom!"
Wang Zong'an felt like he was struck by lightning. Was the Immortal Tree humiliating him so blatantly? Wasn't this change of heart a bit too quick?
He admitted that among his family, he was the very ordinary and inconspicuous one, but did it have to be so blatantly humiliating?
"Enough already!"
However, before Wang Zong'an could react, the Immortal Tree immediately changed its mind.
"Your father's bloodline is too excellent, I'm afraid he'll be like that heartless Green Tassel Girl. If he finds a more compatible spirit plant, he might cast my daughter aside, turning her into a mere accessory. Your bloodline, although far less excellent than your father's, is less likely to be fickle because of its mediocrity."
The Immortal Tree might be a rare spirit plant, but there are many such spirit plants in the world, some even stronger than the Immortal Tree. Having lived for thousands of years, it understood this clearly~
It's actually you who are the epitome of fickleness...
Wang Zong'an couldn't help but silently criticize in his heart.
But these words couldn't be spoken out loud, after all, the Immortal Tree Senior was a peak eighth-tier spirit plant... If it got angry, a single branch could whip him to death.
"If that's the case, I entrust my daughter to you." The Immortal Tree finally made up its mind, "But you must swear not to let her down."
"This junior's talents are dull, and my bloodline is ordinary, Senior should find someone more capable," Wang Zong'an flatly refused.
Are you kidding? He's the young clan leader of the Wang's Clan, the future inheritor of the Wang's great business. How could he happily accept after being humiliated like this?
As for the life-bound spirit plant, he was still far from the Heavenly Human Realm and wasn't in a hurry. With the current rise and development speed of the Wang's Clan, he might encounter a spirit plant of the same level, or even a better one, in the future.
"Your bloodline is indeed quite ordinary, but your modest attitude pleases me," the Immortal Tree said, seemingly oblivious to the "young clan leader's wrath," pondering, "It's time to make a decision. I've lived so long, continuously absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, and have now nurtured a drop of Yimu essence, which is just right for your Yimu bloodline. Whether it can elevate you to the level of a great prodigy depends on your own fortune."
"This..."
Wang Zong'an was truly dizzy from the Immortal Tree's roller coaster of emotions.
He weakly asked, "Can this Yimu essence help my father improve his bloodline?"
"No. The Yimu essence is only suitable for wood-based bloodlines, and your father isn't truly of the wood type. Even if he used it, the effect would be extremely limited," the Immortal Tree explained, "Moreover, the Yimu essence is extremely precious. I've only condensed a drop after living for thousands of years. And you're just at the second layer of bloodline, which is just right for you. If you don't want it, there's no worry..."
"I want it, I want it!"
Wang Zong'an nodded repeatedly.
Are you kidding? This is a heaven-sent treasure that can improve bloodline talent. It would be foolish not to want it.
The reason he hasn't broken through to the Lingtai Realm is that he feels his bloodline is too low, making the breakthrough not worthwhile.
As for the humiliation he just felt, at that moment, he tossed it out of his mind. If humiliation once could get him a treasure of this level, he hoped for more and more intense humiliations in the future.
To receive the Immortal Tree's spirit seed was lucky enough, let alone a drop of Yimu essence that could improve his bloodline!
"I will nurture your daughter well. When I advance to the Heavenly Human Realm, I will refine her as my life-bound spirit plant. If I break this oath, I am at Senior's disposal," Wang Zong'an decisively swore.
"Very well, very well!"
After receiving Wang Zong'an's oath, the Immortal Tree was overjoyed.
The next moment.
The mature Immortal Fruit spirit seed on its trunk disappeared and appeared in Wang Zong'an's hand.
Along with the Immortal Fruit spirit seed, there was also a drop of liquid, lush and vibrant, exuding vigorous vitality. Undoubtedly, this liquid was the "Yimu essence" mentioned by the Immortal Tree.
Wang Zong'an's eyes brightened as he saw the liquid silently merge into his body.
Instantly, a warm sensation enveloped him, making him feel as if he was in a warm spring, extremely comfortable, and he became languid.
He knew this was the Yimu essence transforming his physique.
This bloodline improvement and evolution, unlike the destructive Blood Gu that required success or death, was conducted in a silent and gentle manner. The advantage was that it didn't burden the body, but the downside was that it took effect slowly.
It would take a while to fully digest this drop of Yimu essence.
"Senior, my brothers are still competing for the right to nurture the spirit seed," Wang Zong'an hesitated, "Should we remind them that there's no need to compete anymore?"
"No need, let those rascals fuss about," the Immortal Tree replied, "Hmph, those rascals don't know their own limits. With their capabilities, they think they can covet my daughter?"
"Alright then!"
Although Wang Zong'an felt some sympathy for his fellow disciples, he ultimately restrained himself from reminding them.
His parents had instructed him to keep a low profile when out and about. As the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted. Even if he gained a great advantage, it was better not to let others know and to enjoy it quietly.
While Wang Zong'an was silently absorbing the Yimu essence, on the other side, the competition among the core disciples was in full swing. The ordinary disciples were distracted by the exotic spirit plants, and no one noticed the unusual changes happening with Wang Zong'an.
Core disciples were the future backbone of the academy, each with considerable strength, and the spirit plants they nurtured were quite distinctive.
"Brother Yunlang's Purple Sun Spirit Wood is of excellent quality, clearly not stingy with fire-type spirit stones and heavenly treasures for nourishment. Once he reaches the Heavenly Human Realm and refines it into his life-bound spirit plant, he can eject Purple Sun Spirit Fire, which is very lethal. I think Brother Yunlang has a good chance of winning this time."
"Brother Yunlang is still too young after all. Brother Yuzhe's Fire Dragon Fruit Tree is truly powerful. It's evident that Brother Yuzhe is very skilled at nurturing spirit plants."
Two young ordinary disciples discussed in low voices.
"You're all too young and don't understand," another outstanding disciple interjected with a chuckle, "Brother Jinshan's White Jade Spirit Peony is a model in the spirit plant nurturing world."
"Brother, although the White Jade Spirit Peony is of excellent quality and full of spirit, showing Brother Jinshan's profound nurturing technique, catalysis technique, and financial strength, aside from occasionally condensing some heavenly treasure spirit dew, it's almost useless in combat. I don't know why Brother Jinshan would choose to nurture this kind of spirit plant?"
"Ah~ It's really the young people who lack experience and don't understand the subtleties," the outstanding disciple explained mysteriously, "The White Jade Spirit Peony is the foremost in spirit flower beauty. Once it becomes a fifth-tier life-bound spirit plant, it can open its spirit intelligence, especially communicate with its owner's heart... Brother Jinshan may find it difficult to find a suitable partner in this lifetime... He could try to sell everything he owns to buy a 'Spirit Plant Transformation Pill'..."
"Spirit Plant Transformation Pill?"
After the disciples gasped, they looked at Brother Jinshan with awe and complexity.
Truly worthy of Brother Jinshan, even such a unique and bizarre plan was conceived.
Some female disciples were even more "distraught." Brother Jinshan's thoughts were too terrifying.
Ordinarily, spirit plants or spirit beasts need to reach the ninth tier and undergo the transformation tribulation to truly transform. But those are wild spirit plants and fierce beasts. If they are domesticated, after reaching a certain tier, they can take a Transformation Pill to gain some transformation abilities in advance.
Of course, it's just some transformation abilities, and neither cultivation strength nor spirit intelligence will increase.
Even so, the Transformation Pill is still an extremely expensive fifth-grade spirit pill.
Brother Jinshan didn't know that others were making up stories about him. At the moment, he was proudly showing off his White Jade Spirit Peony: "My nurturing technique is excellent. Look at my White Jade Spirit Peony, its beauty and quality have reached the top choice, and it can condense a drop of spirit dew monthly, which can be directly ingested for cultivation or sold to alchemists for Top Gold. Once it reaches the fifth tier, it will continuously produce spirit dew, making a fortune whether for personal use or sale."
Although he spoke every word seriously, to the audience, every word was filled with impropriety.
At this moment, Brother Jinshan's sleazy aura seemed to have peaked in their eyes.
However, the other senior sisters and brothers didn't have the time to care whether Brother Jinshan was sleazy or not.
They were like salespeople, eagerly showcasing their talent and strength in nurturing spirit plants, hoping to ultimately win the right to nurture the Immortal Tree spirit seed.
"Come on, look at my Man-Eating Flower, how enchanting and gentle its temperament is... It'll swallow you whole when you least expect it..."
"My Ghost Face Mushroom is the best nurtured, capable of releasing fear-based illusions to attack the soul, causing enemies to flee without fighting."
Several senior sisters and brothers introduced their spirit plants while not forgetting to compete and provoke each other, making the scene extremely lively.
"Ah~~ I can't watch anymore."
Wang Zong'an watched for a while but couldn't stand it anymore, shook his head, and quietly left early.
It wasn't until half an hour later that everyone suddenly realized something was wrong.
"Where's the Immortal Tree spirit seed? Why is it gone?"
"Could it have been stolen?"
"Steal your head, Immortal Tree Senior is a peak eighth-tier spirit plant, even a Divine Realm expert can't just steal its spirit seed, right?"
The crowd exploded.
The core disciples were at a loss, feeling deceived, and even the elders were puzzled, not understanding what had happened.
Suddenly.
The eldest elder, wearing a dark jade crown, moved and said, "Uh... This elder has received a message from Immortal Tree Senior, the spirit seed has found its place, everyone disperse."
Then, the other elders also nodded in agreement.
"This elder also heard..."
The core disciples of the Lingtai Realm and the outstanding disciples were instantly dumbfounded.
So they had been performing for nothing just now? They were so quietly overtaken by someone?
Most importantly, they had offended their nurtured spirit plants. Although they haven't truly awakened their spirit intelligence, it doesn't mean they have no wisdom or emotions at all.
"Who is it?! Who got the spirit seed? I will never forgive you!!!"
Suddenly, someone shouted.
The crowd immediately became chaotic, and the core disciples cast suspicious glances at the surrounding ordinary disciples, scaring them into trembling and waving their hands to show their innocence.
The elders also looked at each other, then decided not to get involved anymore, and quietly left one by one.
***
Regardless of how the core disciples jumped around, at this moment, Wang Zong'an had quietly returned to his inconspicuous little courtyard.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he took out the glowing Immortal Fruit, feeling a bit excited.
Once his bloodline talent improved, if he could awaken the third bloodline, he could break through and enter the Lingtai Realm.
Then, nurturing the spirit seed from the Immortal Fruit, he would have an Immortal Tree sapling spirit plant.
Looking at it this way, he, the young clan leader, seemed to be invincible!
All of this came too suddenly.