Chapter 1: Sacrifice!
"One bow!"
"Two bows!"
"Three bows!"
"Kowtow!"
***
Amidst the clamor surrounding him, Noah Ji struggled to open his eyes, eager for a glimpse of his situation.
Gradually, his blurry consciousness began to awaken.
Before him was a peculiar ancestral hall, and below, rows of figures knelt on blue stone slabs, bowing towards him.
Noah murmured to himself:
"Am I dead?"
It made sense, given the runaway truck, survival seemed impossible.
Yet, in the last moments of consciousness, he had managed to drag himself to the middle of the crosswalk. There should be a substantial compensation for his family.
At least he had done something for his family before dying.
Noah sighed, but then he sensed something amiss.
He was young, without children. Surely not so many would kowtow at his funeral?
Besides, if he was dead, how could he still have consciousness?
Before Noah could ponder further, a murky stream of consciousness surged into his mind.
It was the inheritance of memories!
His once hazy awareness quickly sharpened, and his vision cleared.
When Noah looked down again, he noticed something different. He didn't recognize any of the bowing people, who were dressed in strange, primitive animal skins.
Noah looked down to check his own state. Had his soul ascended?
But upon seeing his body, no taller than two meters and no thicker than a bamboo pole, resembling a withered tree, he was at a loss for words.
This wasn't a metaphor. He had literally become a tree!
Although he couldn't identify the species, the withered and yellow branches indicated the tree was not in good shape.
Meanwhile, the rush of memories in his mind plunged Noah into deep thought.
***
"The ceremony is complete!"
"Sacrifice!"
As the crowd rose, several people brought forth the carcasses of unknown animals and placed them on the bare earth.
After the offerings were arranged, an elder in coarse clothes stepped forward, holding a yellowed animal hide aloft, uttering a string of strange and convoluted words:
"Great Sacred Tree, bestow upon us your supernatural power! Grant us the hope of life! Reveal your endless radiance…"
Noah understood the foreign language clearly, piecing together the fragmented memories that had flooded his mind, and the mysterious events before him now made sense.
He had not only become a tree but also the totem of this small clan!
He was the target of this sacrifice.
From the tree's original memories, Noah learned that this was not his own world but a new one, a high martial world where clans were prevalent.
People had perfected the use of their Qi and Blood to great effect, establishing a unique cultivation system!
In this world, some could shatter mountains and soar through the skies!
What was impossible in his previous life was now reality!
Beyond this unique cultivation system, there was something called a totem for worship.
Noah's memories on this were scant, and he only had a vague understanding.
However, it was clear that he was now the totem of this clan!
As a talent of the new century, Noah quickly accepted the fact that he had transversed, but the idea of becoming a tree, even a revered Sacred Tree, was still somewhat repellant to him.
Noah tried to stretch his body, but no matter how hard he tried, his branches remained motionless, only swaying slightly in the breeze.
After several futile attempts, Noah resigned himself to silently observe the actions of the people below, watching the unique ritual unfold.
Following the elder's worship, the animal carcasses in the soil were slit at the throat, and blood gushed out, staining the ground crimson.
Though he lacked a body, the sight still made Noah involuntarily frown.
A blood sacrifice?
What good could come from such a ritual?
But then he remembered that they were worshipping him, so it was fine!
As the blood seeped into the ground, Noah felt a strange sensation in his body.
Uncertain whether it was good or bad, but as the blood reached the roots underground, a tremor ran through Noah's soul!
It was a craving, an instinctual longing.
The next moment, the roots absorbed all the blood from the soil until not a drop was left.
After the sacrifice, the elder looked up at the Sacred Tree, saw no change as usual, and his eyes revealed a hint of disappointment and confusion before he bowed his head to pray again.
Aside from the elder, the expressions of the others varied, with some even looking at their Sacred Tree with a hint of disgust and hatred.
But Noah was oblivious, lost in a peculiar euphoria.
After the roots absorbed the blood, a crisp ding sounded by Noah's ear.
Then, several floating captions slowly formed before his eyes like patterns.
[Name: Noah Ji]
[Species: Weak Sophora Tree]
[Vitality: 0.5]
[Supernatural Power: Eye of Insight]
[Technique: None]
[Combat Skill: None]
[Qi and Blood: 5 (convertible to Vitality)]
[Spiritual Power: 2]
[Status: As the worshipped Sacred Tree, you are but a flickering candle in the wind, on the brink of decay!]
[Deduction: ???]
[Please bind with a clan promptly to unlock more features!]
Seeing the ethereal captions, Noah, well-versed in various web novels, instantly understood.
This was his golden finger!
But why the 'weak' before Sophora Tree?
Eye of Insight (able to discern basic information about a target), was Noah's only skill.
Vitality, undoubtedly, represented Noah's lifespan. A Vitality of 0.5 indicated his limited time left.
The status column made this abundantly clear!
As for Qi and Blood and Spiritual Power, Noah was unclear, but the recent sensation gave him a rough idea of their origins, likely from absorbing the blood of the animal carcasses.
Qi and Blood could be converted to Vitality, meaning he could extend his lifespan. He wouldn't have to be a short-lived tree?
Feeling his poor condition, Noah didn't hesitate and directed his consciousness towards the Qi and Blood column.
The moment Noah made his selection, a bold, red caption appeared before him.
[Binding with a clan is required to use this feature. Chen Clan detected, do you wish to bind?]
[Once bound, the decision is irreversible! The body cannot be moved!]
[Yes?] [No?]
Faced with this sudden choice, Noah hesitated.
While selecting it could indeed strengthen his Vitality, the red letters and the twofold 'cannot' were warning him of the gravity of the situation.
If he chose the wrong clan or location, he would be utterly doomed.
As Noah was about to delve deeper into his golden finger before deciding, a frail figure rushed in from outside, shouting:
"Clan Chief, it's bad! The Li Family is attacking!"
Chapter 2: Clan's Peril
Upon these words, the faces of everyone in the ancestral hall darkened with murderous intent and indignation, and they all turned their gaze towards the elder holding the beast hide.
"Clan Chief, let's fight them!"
"That's right, our Chen Clan won't be bullied so easily!"
***
Under the intense gaze of the crowd, Ethan Chen, who was well into his sixties, also showed a grim expression. The amiable and respectful look on his face was gone, replaced by a hint of outrage:
"Hmph, the Li Clan thinks our Chen Clan is defenseless!"
"Men of the Chen Clan, follow me into battle!"
Ethan Chen's body tensed, revealing strong muscles beneath his loose clothing, making it hard for Noah Ji, watching from above, to believe that this man was a sexagenarian.
Buoyed by the momentum, the others in the ancestral hall also responded fiercely:
"Fight!"
Emotions running high, they quickly exited the ancestral hall!
In an instant, the ancestral hall was quiet once more!
All that remained were a withered tree and several bloodless beast corpses beneath it!
Looking at the empty Chen Clan ancestral hall, fragments of Noah Ji's memory resurfaced.
***
The Chen Clan, a small clan established near Disordered Burial Mountain.
Due to the abundance of resources in Disordered Burial Mountain, there were many small clans like the Chen Clan.
But resources were limited, so conflicts were constant among the many small clans that depended on them.
From what he had just heard, it seemed that the nearby Li Clan had come knocking.
As Noah Ji pondered, angry shouts from outside followed by the sounds of clashing weapons reached him.
Listening to the battle cries and wails outside, Noah Ji was curious to take a peek.
Unfortunately, as a tree, he could not see the battle outside and could only listen to the fierce fighting.
"Quickly summon the Elder Ancestor from his coffin!"
Soon after, Noah Ji heard Ethan Chen's rallying cry.
They were calling upon the Elder Ancestor, which suggested that the situation was not ideal.
But on second thought, since they were being attacked at home, it was clear that the Chen Clan was at a disadvantage.
Before Noah Ji could ponder the significance of "summoning from the coffin," a disheveled member of the Chen Clan rushed into the ancestral hall where Noah Ji was.
Only then did Noah Ji notice that the ancestral hall he was in was just the exterior, and there was another room inside, likely where the spiritual positions of the Chen Clan were placed.
The man who rushed into the ancestral hall fiddled around inside, and then Noah Ji saw him emerge, holding up a mutilated corpse and shouting as he ran out:
"The Elder Ancestor has arrived!"
***
Noah Ji was somewhat speechless; it seemed there was a reason why the Chen Clan had survived until now!
Indeed, with the emergence of the Elder Ancestor, the sounds of battle outside the ancestral hall intensified.
"Retreat!"
With a stranger's command echoing around, the noise outside gradually faded until it disappeared.
"The Elder Ancestor is mighty!"
Amidst the joyful shouts of the Chen Clan, the "Elder Ancestor" who had been summoned was carried back in.
Only now, the Elder Ancestor, who was already missing an arm, had also lost a leg!
The members of the Chen Clan who came in with him were also in a sorry state, many bearing serious injuries.
It seemed to be a Pyrrhic victory.
After the group respectfully placed the "Elder Ancestor" back in the ancestral hall and paid their respects, everyone dispersed.
Before long, the ancestral hall returned to the quiet it had before.
Looking at the empty surroundings, Noah Ji sighed inwardly.
Being reincarnated as a tree, unable to speak or move, was a great torment for him.
And the performance of the Chen Clan today had dashed Noah Ji's hopes of transforming Qi and Blood into Vitality.
The Chen Clan was so unstable that it might be exterminated within days. Growing here was too risky.
Noah Ji had already died once; he didn't want to die a second time.
Besides, this new world intrigued him!
He needed to live a little longer, even if as a tree!
***
Night fell quickly, and the Chen Clan was relatively quiet, with only a few dim oil lamps placed at key intersections.
In the Chen Clan ancestral hall, a Sophora tree barely two meters tall stood forlornly to one side, its withered branches looking as if a strong wind could blow it over.
Under the cover of night, a figure slowly entered through the main door of the ancestral hall.
Noah Ji, deep in thought, quickly turned his attention to the movement inside the hall.
Noah Ji had no eyes, but his consciousness was more effective than sight, allowing him to see his surroundings even in the pitch-black night.
Once he recognized the figure, Noah Ji realized it was none other than Ethan Chen, the current Clan Chief of the Chen Clan.
What puzzled Noah Ji was why Ethan Chen would come to the clan's ancestral hall so late.
Noah Ji watched with interest, experiencing sensations different from his previous life.
Ethan Chen walked into the ancestral hall without pausing under the Sacred Tree where Noah Ji resided, heading straight inside!
Looking up at the many spiritual positions, Ethan Chen sighed and began to weep!
He spoke of the difficulty of maintaining the clan and the possibility of its destruction on his watch!
The outside Noah Ji remained silent after hearing this.
In truth, he also wanted to help the Chen Clan, as he was, after all, their guardian Sacred Tree.
But considering he was just a tree, Noah Ji's rationality overcame reality.
Perhaps even if he took root here, he might not have the strength to help; it was better to watch and wait for the right opportunity.
After lamenting his hardships, Ethan Chen heard footsteps approaching from outside the ancestral hall.
Sensing the noise, Ethan Chen composed himself, once again assuming the role of the Clan Chief.
As the Clan Chief, he could not show his sorrow and helplessness.
"Clan Chief, Oliver seeks an audience!"
"Come in."
Soon, a robust young figure entered the ancestral hall.
Noah Ji remembered this person; he was part of the group that had paid respects to him during the day, and what struck Noah Ji was that this person didn't seem to hold the same reverence for him as the others, even showing some disdain.
Seeing the two, Noah Ji suddenly remembered he had a skill he hadn't used yet, and this was the perfect opportunity to try it out.
The next moment, Noah Ji used the Eye of Insight on the two men.
With the skill activated, information about the two men quickly appeared before Noah Ji:
[Name: Ethan Chen]
[Age: 62]
[Realm: Late Stage of Blood Condensation Realm]
[Introduction: Clan Chief of the Chen Clan]
[Name: Oliver Chen]
[Age: 23]
[Realm: Mid Stage of Blood Condensation Realm]
[Introduction: A genius of the younger generation of the Chen Clan]
Blood Condensation Realm, a unique cultivation realm of this world!
The Three Realms of Body Refining are: Body Tempering Realm, Blood Condensation Realm, Innate Realm!
Five Stages of Qi Control: Internal Cultivation, External Qi, Gathering of Three Spirits, Condensing Five Qi, Unity of Heaven and Man!
Three Realms of Concentrating Spirit: True Pill of Martial Dao, True Fire Refining Spirit, Communication between Heaven and Earth!
And finally, the Realm of Martial Immortal!
It is said that reaching this realm allows one to triumph over nature!
Chapter 3: Rebel Son
Flashes of knowledge darted through his mind.
As the Clan Chief of the Chen Clan, whose realm was merely at the Blood Condensation Realm, it was evident that the Chen Clan was indeed a minor clan.
"How are the casualties today?" Ethan Chen asked slowly.
"Clan Chief, today five of our clan members are seriously injured, ten have minor injuries, Uncle Mason Chen's arm is wounded, and Uncle Elijah Chen has suffered some internal injuries. They are both recuperating, but I'm afraid neither will be able to exert the full strength of the Blood Condensation Realm. Furthermore…"
"Alas!" Listening to Oliver Chen's report, Ethan Chen sighed.
With only five Blood Condensation Realm warriors in the clan, the loss of one in the struggle against the Li Clan had already been a heavy blow. Now, with two more injured, the decline of the Chen Clan was all but certain.
Without change, the Chen Clan might soon be wiped out!
Thinking this, Ethan Chen's eyes gradually hardened, as if he had made a decision that went against the wishes of his ancestors. He then instructed Oliver Chen:
"Spread the word, tomorrow have the younger generation of the clan move out through the secret passage!"
After uttering these words, Ethan Chen seemed to age considerably.
Oliver Chen was startled by the command, then asked in surprise:"What about the others?"
Ethan Chen shook his head: "The rest will prepare for a decisive battle with the Li Clan! Even in death, we cannot let them have an easy time!"
Hearing Ethan Chen's decision, Oliver Chen silently lowered his head, having anticipated this outcome, so he wasn't surprised.
Still, he found it difficult to accept such a fate for the clan.
But he understood that it was already a blessing if the younger generation could be preserved.
If everyone escaped through the secret passage, the Li Clan would soon notice and escape would become more difficult.
"You are the strongest of the Chen Clan's 'Qing' generation; you should leave as well! As long as there are members of the Chen Clan alive, there is a chance for us to rise again!"
"I won't leave! I'll stay too!" Oliver Chen responded without hesitation, determined.
The Chen Clan was no match for the Li Clan; if he left as well, there would be no hope left for the clan.
"Alas!" Ethan Chen sighed again but said no more.
The two gazed at the spiritual positions in the Ancestral Hall in silence for a long while.
Oliver Chen looked away, but from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the clan's Sacred Tree beside them!
In that moment, as he looked at the Sacred Tree, something seemed to click in Oliver Chen's mind, and a hint of disgust flickered in his otherwise calm eyes.
Thinking of the clan's recent plight, Oliver Chen picked up an axe from a corner of the Ancestral Hall and strode toward Noah Ji with a menacing air.
Noah Ji, who had been observing the two, noticed Oliver Chen's actions. Seeing him approach with the axe, Noah Ji had a bad feeling and shouted in his mind:
"What are you doing?"
"Don't come any closer!"
Unfortunately, Noah Ji's words did not carry.
Oliver Chen quickened his pace and soon stood before Noah Ji.
As Oliver Chen raised the axe high, ready to chop down, Ethan Chen urgently rebuked: "Stop, what are you doing?"
Hearing the rebuke, Oliver Chen paused but did not lower the axe, instead speaking with dissatisfaction: "Of course, I'm chopping down this useless tree!"
Ethan Chen immediately retorted angrily: "Disrespectful! This is the clan's Sacred Tree! Kneel and apologize at once!"
"Apologize? It's just a tree. The clan is on the brink of extinction, and you're still concerned about this so-called Sacred Tree? This tree has been in the Ancestral Hall for many years, offered countless sacrifices of beast blood, yet where is its divine power? What kind of Sacred Tree is this?
If the clan cannot be preserved, what use is keeping this wretched tree? Better I chop it down for firewood to cook a meal for our people!"
Silent by the side, Noah Ji pondered upon hearing this.
His words did seem to have some logic!
But remembering his current identity, Noah Ji shook his head repeatedly in his mind: "I am the clan's Sacred Tree, you Rebel Son!"
Ethan Chen sighed at Oliver Chen's resentful words: "Alas! Now that it has come to this, I will no longer hide the truth from you. In the past, our Chen family was indeed a glorious clan, but after losing in a clan struggle, we were reduced to our current state!
Our Chen family's secret method of preserving the Elder Ancestor's body and strength comes from that time! And this Sacred Tree is the spark of hope that our family managed to preserve with great difficulty. If the clan is to grow strong, it must rely on the Sacred Tree! The power of the Sacred Tree is beyond human reach; that's why our Chen family has been worshipping it for the past twenty years."
Listening to Ethan Chen's story, Oliver Chen slowly lowered the axe but still frowned and said: "But Clan Chief, you've seen it yourself, this Sacred Tree has been like this for twenty years. Twenty years of worship, has there been any change? This kind of Sacred Tree, we might as well do without!"
"Do not speak nonsense, as long as I am the Clan Chief, the worship of the Sacred Tree cannot stop! As long as the Sacred Tree stands, there is hope for the clan!" Seeing his persuasion was ineffective, Ethan Chen invoked his authority as Clan Chief, which made Oliver Chen's face turn red with frustration. He wanted to argue but ultimately, under Ethan Chen's stern gaze, he conceded.
"I'll go check on Uncle Mason!"
With that, Oliver Chen left through the door.
Watching Oliver Chen's retreating figure, Ethan Chen walked slowly to the main courtyard of the Ancestral Hall, looked up at the withered Sacred Tree, and murmured with a trace of regret: "Was I wrong? But without the Sacred Tree, wouldn't the clan never have a chance to rise again?"
He thought of the beast corpses sacrificed over the past twenty years, which were numerous.
The key issue was that the sacrificed beasts' Qi and Blood were drained, not only preventing the clan's warriors from tempering their bodies but also making the meat tough and inedible, like chewing wax.
Perhaps he had indeed been wrong; the clan had expended too much on this Sacred Tree over the past twenty years.
Ethan Chen remained silent for a long while before leaving the Ancestral Hall under the endless night sky, his figure stooped in silence.
After Ethan Chen left, Noah Ji, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, also sighed deeply.
Twenty years of sacrifice was hard to ignore, but he hadn't benefited from those sacrifices either!
According to the fragmented memories in his mind, the Li Clan had no Totem, otherwise, the Chen Clan wouldn't have lasted this long.
This meant that after the Chen Clan's downfall, there was a high chance he could survive.
He sympathized with the Chen Clan's current predicament, but he also had to consider his own survival.
The collision between reason and reality, the interweaving of emotions, left Noah Ji lost in thought.
Chapter 4: Transformation of Qi and Blood
The night was tranquil, the moonlight pristine, and the sophora tree stood silent and withered.
"Tap, tap, tap!"
A series of light footsteps quickly roused Noah Ji from his deep thoughts.
Soon, two faint voices drifted from outside the ancestral hall.
"Is anyone there?"
A young voice was the first to break the silence.
"No one's around, we can go in!"
Another voice, deep and resonant, quickly responded.
"Thieves?"
Hearing their conversation, Noah's heart tightened with a hint of nervousness.
Now powerless, unable to move or speak, and lacking the strength to protect himself, if these were thieves, he was done for.
At this moment, Noah could only hope that these thieves were after the Chen Clan's elder ancestor, not him. After all, the only valuable things in the ancestral hall seemed to be those two items. They couldn't possibly be here to steal the spiritual position of the Chen Clan's ancestors, could they?
As their conversation ended, the sound of footsteps on the blue stone slab of the ancestral hall came in quick succession.
As the two figures climbed over the outer wall and entered the ancestral hall, Noah got a clear view of them.
They were two teenagers, around ten years old, dressed in coarse cloth.
One had a refined appearance with lively eyes, while the other had a simple, slightly chubby face.
Seeing the two boys, Noah's heart eased considerably.
He recognized them; they had knelt at the back during the day, likely younger members of the Chen Clan.
But what were they doing sneaking into his ancestral hall in the dead of night?
Were they here to steal offerings?
Or something else?
Noah, secretly observing, was quite intrigued, even forgetting the matters he had been pondering earlier.
To confirm their identities, Noah cast the Eye of Insight on each of them.
[Name: Lucas Chen]
[Age: 14]
[Realm: Early Body Tempering Realm]
[Introduction: Member of the 'Qing' generation of the Chen Clan]
[Name: Alexander Chen]
[Age: 13]
[Realm: Early Body Tempering Realm]
[Introduction: Member of the 'Qing' generation of the Chen Clan]
Indeed, the first to enter was Lucas Chen, and the slightly chubbier one was Alexander Chen, both from the 'Qing' generation of the Chen Clan.
Their nervous expressions suggested this was their first time doing such a deed, which only piqued Noah's curiosity about their intentions.
After landing smoothly, the two didn't rush into the ancestral hall but looked around to ensure no one was there before letting out a sigh of relief.
"Lucas, should we really be doing this? What if the Clan Chief or your father finds out?" the slightly chubbier boy asked with trepidation.
The older Lucas replied with a determined gaze:
"The clan is in such a state; why bother with such concerns?"
"The Sacred Tree should have been destroyed long ago! Think of how much effort our people have wasted on it over the years!"
"Consider the other clans without a Sacred Tree; they're still thriving!"
"I believe our clan's decline is because of this tree. If we cut it down, the clan will surely overcome this crisis! We're not doing wrong; we're saving the clan!"
"My father? He'll understand when he's our age!"
Hearing about saving the clan, Alexander's eyes hardened, and he nodded vigorously:
"You're right, it's definitely this tree's fault. Tonight, we'll rid the clan of this menace!"
With that, both drew their machetes and quickly approached Noah Ji, who stood isolated in the ancestral hall.
Curious Noah was stunned by their conversation.
So, these kids were sneaking into the ancestral hall in the middle of the night to chop him down!
He had just narrowly escaped Oliver Chen's axe, and now he faced the machetes of these two.
Watching them approach with machetes in hand, Noah felt an urge to cry but had no tears.
Especially since Ethan Chen, the Clan Chief, wasn't around, there was no one to speak for him.
Soon, they were at Noah's base, looking up at his withered form with resolute eyes.
"Lucas, where should we chop first?"
"Are you dumb? Of course, the roots!"
Lucas replied irritably.
As they prepared to strike at Noah's roots with their machetes, he let out a sigh of resignation.
No more thinking.
If he didn't bind to the clan and convert his vitality now, he'd likely never see tomorrow's sun!
As they raised their axes, Noah's consciousness acted faster, rapidly converting his Qi and Blood into vitality!
As Noah began the transformation, the familiar prompt appeared again, but this time he didn't hesitate and quickly affirmed!
While his Qi and Blood rapidly depleted to zero, Noah's vitality began to soar.
From 0.5, it climbed higher and higher.
0.6, 0.7… 1.5, 1.6.
When vitality reached 2.7, the growth slowed, finally settling at 3.0.
Five points of Qi and Blood had transformed into 2.5 points of vitality, a two-to-one conversion.
But before Noah could even experience the change, a sharp chopping sound rang by his ear.
Looking down, he saw the two boys' machetes had struck at the roots of his tree form.
It was over.
Noah's heart chilled, but then he realized he was unharmed, and the machetes had only stripped away a layer of bark.
Before he could ponder further, a surge of life-giving energy rapidly infused his desiccated form.
This vitality was like a light in the darkness, an oasis in the desert.
As vitality emerged, Noah's roots buried deep underground began to expand rapidly, soon spreading throughout much of the ancestral hall.
The spread of the roots seemed to extend his vision even further.
But the changes didn't stop there.
After the underground roots ceased their expansion, the previously withered trunk also transformed, shedding its old bark and sprouting a new layer. In the middle of the trunk, a green shoot rapidly grew.
Below, Alexander, who was about to strike again, noticed the changes in the Sacred Tree above.
Staring at the once-dry trunk now sprouting buds and young branches, he stood frozen, his machete inadvertently dropping to the ground.
The sight before him defied his understanding.
"Alexander, don't just stand there, keep chopping!"
"The bark is still tough!"
Lucas, ready to deliver a second blow, urged him on as he saw the tool drop.
"The tree, the tree is sprouting!"
Alexander tugged at Lucas's sleeve, pointing at the transforming Noah above, exclaiming in shock.
Chapter 5: Sprouted
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Lucas Chen furrowed his brows but still followed Alexander Chen's pointing finger to look in the indicated direction.
When Lucas Chen saw the Sacred Tree, now brimming with new vitality, his mouth opened unconsciously in shock:
"How can this be…!"
Lucas Chen murmured, disbelief evident in his eyes.
After a moment of stunned silence, Lucas Chen suddenly snapped to his senses, hurriedly grabbed the still dazed Alexander Chen, and ran towards the outside of the Ancestral Hall!
"Run!"
Panic was written all over their faces; they couldn't accept what was happening before them, let alone know how to deal with it. Fleeing seemed to be the best option.
"Wait, the machete!"
Alexander Chen, being pulled away, shouted out.
"At a time like this, who cares about the machete, let's go!"
The doors of the Ancestral Hall were firmly locked, and the two men hurriedly scrambled back the way they had come, moving even faster than when they had entered.
After the two had left, the Ancestral Hall returned to silence, with only the machete left beneath the Sacred Tree as evidence of their visit.
***
Inside the Ancestral Hall, Noah Ji was feeling the sensation of vitality filling his body.
Although it wasn't much, it was several times more than before.
Noah Ji tried hard to stretch his body, but all that resulted was a slight trembling of the branches.
However, even this small achievement satisfied Noah Ji; it meant that as long as he had enough vitality, he could eventually transform the branches into his own arms.
Looking down at the spot where the machete had struck, he saw that it had healed just as quickly as his vitality had increased, indicating a strong regenerative ability, which delighted Noah Ji.
He truly was a Sacred Tree, with extraordinary abilities.
Moreover, during the conversion of Qi and Blood into vitality, his roots had already dug deep into the ground and spread out considerably, while his vision had become farther and clearer.
However, Noah Ji also discovered a downside; after binding with the Chen Clan, his roots were deep in the ground, immobile.
If he tried to move, his vitality would likely fade away.
This meant Noah Ji had to grow here, sharing life and death with the Chen Clan.
If the Chen Clan were to be destroyed, his own end would probably not be far off!
Although his rooting was due to the actions of those two reckless kids, from another perspective, he didn't seem to have much choice.
To this, Noah Ji didn't feel much anger or complaint; instead, he felt a sense of relief as if a burden had been lifted.
After all, he was a tree!
Then, as if thinking of something, Noah Ji's personal information appeared again:
[Name: Noah Ji]
[Species: Weak Sophora Tree]
[Vitality: 3]
[Supernatural Power: Eye of Insight]
[Technique: None]
[Combat Skill: None]
[Qi and Blood: 0 (can be converted to Vitality)]
[Spiritual Power: 2]
[Deduction Points: 28 (points increase with each realm breakthrough within the clan, Body Tempering Realm +1, Blood Condensation Realm +2…)]
[Unable to Deduct!]
[Note: Requires Qi and Blood 10, Spiritual Power 5, Deduction Points 5 to perform Deduction!]
[Status: As the worshipped Sacred Tree, you have barely recovered some vitality, but it doesn't serve much purpose.]
Aside from the increase in vitality, Noah Ji was quickly drawn to the new Deduction function that appeared after binding with the clan.
Although he didn't know the function of Deduction, Noah Ji felt that it might be the only way to save the Chen Clan, not just the clan, but himself as well.
But upon seeing the prerequisites for Deduction, Noah Ji was troubled once again.
The prerequisites for Deduction were sufficient Qi and Blood, Spiritual Power, and extra Deduction points.
He had 28 Deduction points readily available, and it wasn't hard to deduce from the description that these points were likely the result of the clan's warriors.
The Deduction points were sufficient, but he was lacking in Qi and Blood and Spiritual Power, so how could he perform Deduction?
The only way Noah Ji knew to obtain these two attributes was through the sacrifices made by the Chen Clan.
Absorbing beast blood could increase these attributes.
But could the current Chen Clan still offer enough beast corpses for sacrifice?
If possible, Noah Ji would want to summon Ethan Chen, the Clan Chief, to make a sacrifice for him right now.
But he could neither speak nor move; he could only silently pray in his heart.
Hopefully, Ethan Chen, the Clan Chief, would not disappoint him.
The night was as dark as ink, with the moon hanging high.
Apart from a few patrolling members, the Chen Clan was quiet.
Lucas Chen and Alexander Chen, who had left, had not returned, seemingly hiding in their own rooms.
***
The next day, a hint of dawn spread across the sky.
Ethan Chen walked out of his room, his face etched with fatigue.
The clan was on the brink of disaster, and he had spent a sleepless night.
But after pondering all night, he still couldn't find a way out for the clan, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted.
"Clan Chief! Clan Chief, something terrible has happened!"
Hearing the panicked voice at the door, Ethan Chen's heart skipped a beat, and his expression immediately turned solemn.
Had the Li Clan attacked again?
But they had invoked the Elder Ancestor yesterday, which had prevented the Li Clan from leaving unscathed. It hadn't even been a full day; how could they attack so soon?
As a young man rushed in, Ethan Chen immediately ordered:"Gather the people, prepare for battle!"
The young man waved his hands hurriedly:"Clan Chief, it's not… it's not the Li Clan! It's the Sacred Tree! The clan's Sacred Tree has sprouted! Clan Chief, you must come and see!"
Ethan Chen's already furrowed brows deepened upon hearing the news of the Sacred Tree sprouting, and he could no longer maintain his composure. This news was even more unsettling than the Li Clan attacking.
"Is that true?"
Ethan Chen asked again, suppressing the excitement in his heart.
"Clan Chief, it's absolutely true. I discovered it this morning when I went to clean the Ancestral Hall!"
"Quick, follow me to see!"
With a complex expression, Ethan Chen hurried towards the Ancestral Hall.
By now, quite a few people had already gathered outside the Ancestral Hall, but none dared to approach, merely standing at the entrance and watching.
"The Clan Chief is here, the Clan Chief is here!"
"Make way, everyone!"
Facing the curious gazes of the clan members, Ethan Chen didn't say much but went straight through the doors of the Ancestral Hall, heading inside!
Upon entering the Ancestral Hall, Ethan Chen was greeted by the sight of the rejuvenated Sacred Tree!
Although the Sacred Tree was not lush, and the newly grown branch even looked somewhat frail, Ethan Chen was visibly shaken, his emotions too intense to articulate, and for a moment, tears streamed down his face.
He had been skeptical upon hearing the news of the Sacred Tree sprouting, but now, seeing it with his own eyes, he expressed the emotions in his heart.
He had thought he would never see the Sacred Tree revitalized in his lifetime, yet here he was, witnessing this moment.
Remembering the power of the clan's Sacred Tree in the past, hope flickered in Ethan Chen's eyes, and he murmured softly:
"This is wonderful."
"We're saved!"
"The clan is saved!"
Chapter 6: Sacrifice again
Ethan Chen was momentarily stunned when he looked down and saw the machete beneath the Sacred Tree.
Observing the clear marks where the machete fit perfectly against the roots of the Sacred Tree, Ethan Chen fell into deep thought.
At this time, other members of the clan gradually gathered at the Ancestral Hall.
Oliver Chen, who had learned of the sprouting Sacred Tree from others, rushed to the Ancestral Hall straight from the morning training grounds, his eyes filled with skepticism.
The Sacred Tree had been dormant for decades; how could it change today?
He simply didn't believe it!
Could this be a tactic by the Clan Chief to lift the spirits of the people? But what was the point?
However, when Oliver Chen pushed through the crowd and entered the Ancestral Hall, seeing the sprouting Sacred Tree with his own eyes, his shock was no less than Ethan Chen's.
"It's really… sprouted!" Oliver Chen looked up at the Sacred Tree, murmuring to himself.
Watching the Sacred Tree brimming with new life, Oliver Chen quickly regained his composure.
It was just a tree sprouting, hardly a miracle, even if this tree grew somewhat faster!
He had always been indifferent to the clan's Sacred Tree. Instead of placing the clan's hopes on a tree, he believed it was more reliable to rely on the machete in his own hands.
So what if the Sacred Tree had sprouted? Could it really save the clan?
And why did the Sacred Tree choose to sprout at this critical moment? Oliver Chen didn't see it as a good omen.
If he were the Clan Chief, the first thing he would do was to chop down this Sacred Tree that confused the minds of the clan's people!
However, seeing the joy on the Clan Chief's face, Oliver Chen kept his thoughts to himself.
"Oliver, you've arrived just in time. Go and gather the rest of the clan to assemble at the Ancestral Hall!"
Ethan Chen was excited, the man in his sixties appeared especially agitated today.
Oliver Chen nodded in agreement; he didn't want to dampen the Clan Chief's spirits at this time.
Soon, all members of the clan were gathered together.
Among the crowd, Lucas Chen and Alexander Chen were also present, but unlike the curiosity in the eyes of others, the two seemed particularly restrained, even avoiding looking at the clan's Sacred Tree.
Especially when they saw the machete under the Sacred Tree, they both turned their heads away in unison.
Once everyone had arrived, Ethan Chen stood beneath the Sacred Tree, his gaze sweeping over the others in the Ancestral Hall.
Looking at the few clan members inside the Ancestral Hall, Ethan Chen sighed inwardly.
The clan had declined to such an extent that he, as the Clan Chief, felt ashamed.
But now there was hope for the clan!
The sprouting of the Sacred Tree could surely lead the clan out of its current predicament!
"Silence!"
Ethan Chen withdrew his gaze and raised his hand, quieting the Ancestral Hall.
Looking at the many clan members gazing at the Sacred Tree, Ethan Chen slowly began to speak:
"At this moment, the clan faces a matter of life and death. Fortunately, the Sacred Tree has sprouted. As long as the Sacred Tree is alive, there is hope for the clan…"
Under Ethan Chen's narration, the people of the Chen Clan listened intently.
Above them, Noah Ji silently watched everything unfolding before him.
This scene was precisely what he wanted to see. Although he had regained some vitality, it was far from enough.
He needed more beast blood, which he could only obtain if the Chen Clan made offerings to him!
With Ethan Chen's support, there should be no major obstacles; he just needed to wait quietly.
In the Ancestral Hall, Ethan Chen silently recounted the glorious deeds of the clan's Sacred Tree in the past.
Ethan Chen's primary goal this time was to use the sprouting of the Sacred Tree to stabilize the hearts of the clan's people!
As long as the clan united, coupled with the sprouting Sacred Tree, there might indeed be a glimmer of hope.
If the hearts of the clan were scattered, even the Sacred Tree could not save them.
As the Clan Chief, he was acutely aware of the importance of this!
During Ethan Chen's narration, the Sacred Tree of the past had been gloriously infinite, not only protecting the clan members but also enhancing their strength.
Some clan members listening below had determined looks in their eyes, filled with hope.
As long as the Sacred Tree grew, there was hope for the clan!
But there were also some who were skeptical, clearly not convinced by Ethan Chen's words, and most of these were the younger generation of the clan!
Ethan Chen's face showed a hint of helplessness.
Of course, he knew what was in the hearts of these clan members. After all, they had never seen the glory of the Sacred Tree; without proof, it was natural for them not to believe.
But at this point, he could not offer an explanation.
After his explanation, Ethan Chen did not forget the most important matter: the offerings!
The clan rules had recorded that to receive the assistance of the Sacred Tree, the clan members needed to make offerings.
When the Sacred Tree was first planted, there were small offerings every three days and large offerings every five days.
However, as the Sacred Tree remained unchanged for a long time, coupled with the dissatisfaction of the clan members, it later became a weekly offering, and even a monthly offering!
But now that the Sacred Tree had sprouted, it was clearly a critical moment, and Ethan Chen decided to make daily offerings!
And most importantly, the clan didn't have much time left.
With this in mind, Ethan Chen immediately said to the two below:
"William, Michael, go catch the Spirit-Tailed Chickens we raise in the clan! They will be used to make offerings to the Sacred Tree!"
"Yes, Clan Chief!"
At this moment, Oliver Chen hesitated before speaking:"Clan Chief, there are only two Spirit-Tailed Chickens left in the clan!"
Spirit-Tailed Chickens were a type of fowl rich in Qi and Blood, gentle in nature and abundant in vitality, making them a favorite among many clans.
Their greatest use was to enhance the Qi and Blood of warriors and to heal injuries.
Such fowl were extremely precious in a small clan like the Chen Clan!
After offering them to the Sacred Tree, the blood and flesh of the Spirit-Tailed Chickens would lose their Qi and Blood potency, becoming tough and less palatable than even ordinary dry rations.
This was the reason for Oliver Chen's hesitation, not to mention that there were many injured people in the clan at the moment, making these two Spirit-Tailed Chickens all the more important.
"Mm, I know."
Ethan Chen's response left Oliver Chen silent.
Clearly, the Clan Chief had decided to use these two Spirit-Tailed Chickens for the offering!
Oliver Chen silently looked at the Sacred Tree in front of him, whispering in his heart:"You'd better show your divine power!"
Upon hearing about the Spirit-Tailed Chickens, Noah Ji was also moved.
And Oliver Chen's words of obstruction made Noah Ji even more interested; he wondered how much Qi and Blood and Spiritual Power these Spirit-Tailed Chickens could provide him.
Chapter 7: start deduction
Soon, the two who had left returned once again.
In their hands, they each carried a rooster weighing about ten pounds, its tail feathers a reddish-brown hue.
It seemed these were the Spirit-Tailed Chickens they had mentioned.
Upon seeing this, Ethan Chen once again faced Noah Ji and offered a prayer before instructing the two to sacrifice the chickens.
"Cluck, cluck, cluck!" Sensing their peril, the Spirit-Tailed Chickens let out frantic cries.
As the sharp blade sliced through the necks of the chickens, blood gushed forth, splattering into the soil beneath the Sacred Tree. The chickens' cries grew fainter until they ceased altogether.
Feeling a surge of longing, Noah Ji no longer hesitated. He stretched out his roots buried beneath the ground, absorbing the blood that had seeped into the soil.
While absorbing the blood, Noah Ji kept his information panel open, paying close attention to the changes.
[Qi and Blood: 1 (can be converted to Vitality)]
[Spiritual Power: 2]
The Qi and Blood, which had previously been depleted, began to rise rapidly from zero as Noah Ji's roots absorbed the blood.
1, 2, 3…
The same was true for Spiritual Power, although its increase was slightly slower compared to Qi and Blood.
However, judging from the rate of increase, the Qi and Blood gained from this sacrifice were more than the last time.
Soon, Qi and Blood had broken through to five points, and Spiritual Power had reached four points.
As the blood was fully absorbed, the growth rate of Noah Ji's Qi and Blood and Spiritual Power gradually slowed. When he looked at his information panel again, it had changed.
[Name: Noah Ji]
[Species: Weak Sophora Tree]
[Vitality: 3]
[Supernatural Power: Eye of Insight]
[Technique: None]
[Combat Skill: None]
[Qi and Blood: 14 (can be converted to Vitality)]
[Spiritual Power: 6]
[Deduction Points: 28]
[Deduction Available!]
[Status: As a worshipped Sacred Tree, you've barely regained a bit of vitality, but it's not very useful.]
Indeed, the previous annotation had disappeared, and the 'Deduction Not Available' had changed to 'Deduction Available.'
Overjoyed, Noah Ji did not hesitate any longer.
[This Deduction will consume 10 Qi and Blood, 5 Spiritual Power, and 5 Deduction Points. Do you wish to continue?]
[Yes? No?]
Noah Ji unhesitatingly chose yes, and both his Qi and Blood and Spiritual Power sharply decreased.
In the next moment, the world before Noah Ji's eyes transformed.
The Ancestral Hall around him vanished, replaced by a dense, enclosed forest.
Noah Ji was surprised and spread his consciousness, only to find that not only was he in a strange place, but his trunk had also thinned considerably. At first glance, he was nothing but a frail Sapling!
Before he could understand what was happening, a line of text quickly formed before his eyes.
[You were born in a dense forest! In order to grow into a towering trees, you start to strive for growth!]
As the text slowly faded, the timeline before Noah Ji's eyes seemed to accelerate.
The sun rose and set rapidly, days and nights interchanged, and seasons changed around him.
Time seemed to fast-forward, and in just a moment, he had grown from a Sapling to a tree as thick as an arm.
Time slowed, and a second line of text quickly appeared before Noah Ji.
[A Spring and Autumn Cicada has chosen to rest on your trunk. What do you choose?]
[Drive it away] [Ignore it]
Noah Ji spread his consciousness and quickly detected a cicada the size of a thumb resting on his trunk.
Was this the Spring and Autumn Cicada?
What surprised Noah Ji was that he could actually make a choice!
Quite interesting!
After pondering for a moment, Noah Ji chose to ignore it.
The timeline stretched again, and Noah Ji's trunk grew taller and his body thicker.
After a while, time stopped again, and a new line of text emerged before him.
[Due to the presence of the Spring and Autumn Cicada, you gradually developed sentience. To accelerate your growth, you decide to?]
[Absorb the essence of the sun] [Absorb the spiritual energy of the moon]
Noah Ji was taken aback. So, he didn't have sentience before this.
But what was the difference between these two choices?
After hesitating for a while, Noah Ji chose to absorb the spiritual energy of the moon.
No particular reason, just a random choice.
After Noah Ji made his choice, time accelerated once more.
Before long, another line of text appeared before him.
[Your sap has been drained by the Spring and Autumn Cicada, and you have died!]
Below the text, Noah Ji's robust trunk visibly withered at a speed visible to the naked eye, and soon, only a dry bark and yellowed, withered leaves remained.
Is this death?
Damn Spring and Autumn Cicada!
No manners!
***
Noah Ji's consciousness quickly blurred, and the world before him collapsed in an instant.
When Noah Ji regained consciousness, the members of the Chen Clan inside the Ancestral Hall had already begun to rise and leave.
Noah Ji spread his consciousness and found that his branches remained unchanged, and everything he had just experienced was like a dream.
As Noah Ji pondered, new text emerged before his eyes:
[Deduction Complete!]
[You have comprehended a new Technique: Lunar Eclipse]
[You have comprehended a new Supernatural Power: Reversal Pill]
Lunar Eclipse: Swallow the essence of the moon and convert it into Vitality!
Reversal Pill: You can actively dissipate Vitality to aid others in healing!
Looking at the newly acquired Technique and Supernatural Power, Noah Ji was contemplative.
Both the Technique and Supernatural Power were not without reason.
If his guess was correct, they were related to the choices he made during the Deduction.
The Technique Lunar Eclipse was acquired from his choice to absorb the essence of the moon.
As for Reversal Pill, Noah Ji was puzzled.
Could it be because his sap was drained by the Spring and Autumn Cicada?
This left Noah Ji somewhat speechless.
Overall, Noah Ji was extremely pleased with his gains.
Lunar Eclipse would allow him to gain Vitality without relying on the sacrifices of the Chen Clan, though it required absorbing the essence of the moon, meaning it could only be done at night, and the effects were still unclear.
As for Reversal Pill, based on its description, it seemed to be a supportive Supernatural Power.
This power was useless to Noah Ji himself, but it was extremely beneficial for the current Chen Clan.
However, Noah Ji still had to consider whether the dissipated Vitality and gains were proportional.
While Noah Ji was contemplating, the other people in the Ancestral Hall had already dispersed, and the hall once again became empty and deserted.
The Clan was facing great difficulties, and they had many other matters to attend to.
Noah Ji looked up into the sky; there was still some time before nightfall.
With this idle moment, Noah Ji could only lament in solitude.
Why was he a tree, after all?
Chapter 8: Lunar Eclipse
Dusk approached, and unbeknownst to all, a pale moon had already taken its place in the sky.
Beneath the moonlight, Noah Ji began to circulate the Technique he had deduced during the day, Lunar Eclipse.
As the Technique was activated, the moonlight in the sky seemed to be drawn towards him.
With every "breath" Noah took, the branches and leaves on the trunk shimmered with an additional hint of pearly white light.
The two glows complemented each other, and under the moon's illumination, the whole tree soon became a radiant white, standing out in the night like a dreamy vision!
Fortunately, the walls of the Ancestral Hall shielded this scene from the eyes of others.
Under the operation of the Technique, Noah's consciousness spread out, reviewing his own status.
[Name: Noah Ji]
[Species: A weak Sophora Tree]
[Vitality: 3.1]
[Supernatural Powers: Eye of Insight, Reversal Pill]
[Technique: Lunar Eclipse]
[Combat Skill: None]
[Qi and Blood: 4 (convertible to Vitality)]
[Spiritual Power: 1]
[Deduction Points: 23]
[Unable to Deduct!]
[Status: Absorbing moon essence…]
Seeing that his Vitality had increased by 0.1, Noah's face lit up with joy. By his calculations, it would take about half an hour to increase 0.1 Vitality, meaning that operating the Technique throughout the night could potentially increase his Vitality by about 1 point.
Though the growth was slow, it was steady.
Moreover, with this Technique, he was no longer entirely dependent on the clan's offerings for survival, which greatly increased his chances of living, much to Noah's delight.
He then immersed himself wholeheartedly in the joy of absorbing the moon's essence!
Meanwhile, Ethan Chen, having dealt with clan affairs, slowly made his way to the Ancestral Hall. The clan's situation was deteriorating, and Ethan's visits to the Ancestral Hall had become more frequent.
However, today, as Ethan pushed open the grand doors of the Ancestral Hall, he stood frozen in place.
The Chen Clan's Sacred Tree, which had appeared unremarkable during the day, was now bathed in moonlight, its entire body gleaming with a bright white aura.
The glowing leaves were somewhat dazzling, but the joy in Ethan's heart was beyond words.
The Sacred Tree had revealed its spirit!
This was the true appearance of the Chen Clan's Sacred Tree!
After many years, he finally witnessed the Sacred Tree's radiance once more!
Ethan closed the doors of the Ancestral Hall, hurried to the base of Noah Ji, and bowed deeply, muttering some incomprehensible words.
Noah was aware of Ethan's arrival, but he did not show much reaction.
Although he possessed consciousness, he could not speak, and thus could not communicate with Ethan.
As for the unusual aspects of his Technique being observed, it was of no concern. After all, as the clan's Sacred Tree, wasn't it expected to show some miracles? How else would the Chen Clan worship and offer sacrifices to him?
Having bound himself to the Chen Clan, he was now in the same boat as them. The Technique could indeed enhance his Vitality, but to survive in this world, he still needed the Chen Clan's support.
Moreover, the conditions for Deduction were quite difficult. Without the Chen Clan's offerings, his growth would be slow.
Ethan, after a period of mumbling, lifted his head slightly and began to pray softly:
"Great Sacred Tree, I know you can hear the words of this old man. I, Ethan Chen, the current Clan Chief of the Chen Clan, implore you to guide our clan through this crisis and ensure our survival. I offer my thanks here and now. Should the clan overcome this crisis, we will hold a grand three-day offering in your honor!"
Listening to Ethan's words below, Noah understood clearly.
During the day, he had clearly observed the reactions of those present.
Aside from the Clan Chief, who still cared for the Sacred Tree, few others believed in it; otherwise, there wouldn't have been an incident of two youngsters sneaking into the Ancestral Hall to chop down the tree at night.
And the hope seen in the others was solely because Ethan was still the Clan Chief.
Once Ethan was gone, it was highly likely that Noah would end up as firewood.
Therefore, for the sake of protecting the Chen Clan and himself, Noah had to make a gesture.
If it had been the old Noah, he could only watch helplessly, having no means other than his greenery.
But times had changed, and now Noah had a Supernatural Power at his disposal.
In the next moment, Noah activated his Supernatural Power: Reversal Pill!
With the use of the Supernatural Power, faint green specks of light emerged from Noah's leaves.
As the green specks appeared, Noah's recently achieved Vitality of 3.2 decreased by 0.1.
Without a doubt, these green specks were another form of his own Vitality.
Noah could feel the presence of these green specks and had the ability to control them.
Under Noah's manipulation, the green specks quickly surged towards Ethan's body below.
Ethan, who was bowing in worship, also noticed an unusual sensation within his body.
Looking up, he saw countless green specks swirling around him, each one entering his body and making him feel increasingly better.
Even the fatigue of many days vanished in that moment!
Faced with this spectacle, Ethan knew without a doubt that the Sacred Tree was manifesting its spirit!
He immediately bowed deeply in gratitude: "Thank you, Great Sacred Tree! Thank you! The Chen Clan is saved!"
Ethan, overwhelmed with joy, absorbed the green specks and wept.
It took a long while for him to recover from his excitement and begin to experience the effects of the green specks.
These green specks not only eliminated fatigue but also revitalized the Qi and Blood within his body!
Ethan was overjoyed to realize this.
For a Warrior, the early stages relied on the strength of Qi and Blood. When Qi and Blood reached a certain level, one could break through to a higher realm and transform their potential!
Every high-level Warrior had incredibly powerful Qi and Blood.
Ethan, now in his sixties, was merely a Warrior of the Blood Condensation Realm. This realm was not considered high; it was decent enough for a small place like Disordered Burial Mountain, but far from a true powerhouse.
At his age, advancing further was extremely difficult, as Qi and Blood would gradually decline with age, along with a lack of energy and other issues.
But these green specks revitalized his Qi and Blood, which meant that as long as he absorbed enough, perhaps he could advance to another realm?
If he benefited this much from the absorption, what about the younger members of the clan?
Thinking of this, Ethan clenched his fists, his excitement indescribable.
With such divine power from the Sacred Tree, why would the Chen Clan not prosper?
Furthermore, after absorbing enough green specks, Ethan felt that the old injuries from his martial arts training had also disappeared.
As Ethan's condition improved, the green specks beneath the Sacred Tree vanished.
But by then, Ethan was already immensely satisfied!
Chapter 9: Crisis
Reflecting on the current plight of his clan, Ethan Chen couldn't help but sigh.
If only the Sacred Tree could have been revived earlier, would his Chen Clan have fallen to such a state?
But on second thought, it wasn't too late!
Now that the Sacred Tree had been revived and was displaying its divine power, there was still hope for his Chen Clan!
Ethan's eyes shone with a strange light, his expression brimming with confidence.
Having regained his composure, Ethan didn't disturb Noah Ji any further. After another round of respectful bows, he slowly departed.
With the Sacred Tree possessing such effects, he needed to plan carefully to resolve the current crisis facing his clan!
Watching Ethan leave the Ancestral Hall full of vigor, Noah Ji nodded slightly.
It seemed the effects of the Reversal Pill were quite good. Although it consumed some of his own vitality, the loss of 0.1 wasn't too much and was within an acceptable range.
After Ethan's departure, Noah Ji continued to immerse himself in absorbing the moon's essence, and the Ancestral Hall once again fell silent.
Only the leaves of the tree, glowing with white light, rustled in the breeze.
***
"Clan Chief, my broadsword is itching for action. When will we obliterate the Chen Clan?"
Inside the Li Clan's main hall, where the core members had gathered, a bearded man eagerly questioned the middle-aged man seated at the center.
The middle-aged man, with an imposing demeanor and a hint of sternness on his face, was Joshua Li, the Clan Chief of the Li Clan!
Upon hearing the man's question, everyone's gaze turned to Joshua, awaiting the Clan Chief's response.
After a few days of rest, they had all recovered and were eager to launch another attack on the Chen Clan.
"Fight, fight, fight, is that all you think about? Do you think you can overcome the Elder Ancestor of the Chen Clan?"
Chastised by the Clan Chief, the others hung their heads low.
Though there were several Blood Condensation Realm Warriors among them, the memory of the Chen Clan's Elder Ancestor's formidable presence made them consider their actions carefully.
"Clan Chief, the Elder Ancestor of the Chen Clan is now left with only one hand and one leg. Another attack, and we're sure to take him down!"
The questioning man spoke up again.
The others nodded in agreement. The deceased Elder Ancestor of the Chen Clan was indeed fierce, but he was dead. After a couple more fights, they didn't believe he could regrow his lost limbs!
Joshua Li sighed upon seeing their reactions. Although the Li Clan had a larger number of Blood Condensation Realm Warriors than the Chen Clan, it seemed their brains had been devoured by the Stone Demons of Disordered Burial Mountain.
Joshua spoke plainly: "Don't rush. The Chen Clan is already within our grasp. Their downfall is only a matter of time, but remember, aside from our Li Clan and the Chen Clan, the Liu Family is also eyeing us covetously from Disordered Burial Mountain!"
"Didn't the Liu Family already agree not to get involved in this matter?" The man asked, puzzled.
"Fool, you believe what the Liu Family says? The Liu Family simply wants us and the Chen Clan to weaken each other. If we suffer heavy losses, they'll be at our doorstep the next day!
So, we mustn't rush to destroy the Chen Clan. We need to take it slow!"
"Clan Chief, how long must we wait then?" Someone from below inquired.
Joshua Li didn't answer but instead asked another person: "Has anyone from the Chen Clan ventured out recently?"
"Yes, but we spotted them and sent them packing!"
Joshua nodded: "Good. The Chen Clan is now holed up within their territory, unable to hunt in Disordered Burial Mountain or trade in the market, effectively cutting off all contact with the outside world. Plus, their stored food and dried meat are running low.
In this case, we just need to surround them without attacking. After a few more days, they won't have the strength to fight us. The Chen Clan will collapse on its own!"
Hearing this, the others had an epiphany and nodded in agreement.
Fighting wasn't the issue; fighting on an empty stomach was!
"Clan Chief is wise!"
***
Amidst a chorus of flattery, Joshua Li's face revealed a faint smile. He then ordered several people to keep watch over the Chen Clan, block all exits, and not let a single person escape!
After the clan members left, Joshua pondered carefully and then nodded to himself.
It was fortunate that the Li Clan had him; otherwise, they wouldn't be much better off than the Chen Clan!
Once the Li Clan absorbed the Chen Clan, taking over the hunting grounds of Disordered Burial Mountain and other resources, they would undoubtedly become stronger.
Especially the Chen Clan's secret method of refining the body of their Elder Ancestor, which he had long coveted.
Although the refined body's Realm would be one level lower than in life, such a secret method was rare in Disordered Burial Mountain!
The Elder Ancestor of the Chen Clan was originally of the Innate Realm, and even after refinement, which lowered him to the late Blood Condensation Realm, the body had been damaged in subsequent battles and could only exert the strength of the mid Blood Condensation Realm.
Even so, it had allowed the Chen Clan to cling to survival until today. It was indeed a valuable asset!
Moreover, he had heard that within the Chen Clan's Ancestral Hall, there was a Sacred Tree. Once they broke through the Chen Clan, he might have the chance to see what this Sacred Tree looked like!
If all went well, perhaps in the near future, the Li Clan would be the only one left on Disordered Burial Mountain!
Joshua Li gazed into the distance, his eyes revealing a hidden ambition.
***
"Clan Chief, Clan Chief, something terrible has happened!"
The next day, a young man's shouts once again echoed outside Ethan Chen's door.
Hearing this, Ethan, who was initially startled, became solemn.
"Has the Li Clan attacked us again?"
After speaking, Ethan sighed inwardly. The Li Clan gave them no respite, and even with the Sacred Tree's divine power, it would be difficult for them to escape danger and change the clan's fortunes.
"No, it's not that! This morning, our people tried to go hunting in Disordered Burial Mountain but were ambushed by the Li Clan!"
Relieved that it wasn't an attack from the Li Clan, Ethan asked again: "How are the casualties?"
"Fortunately, we detected their presence early and retreated quickly. Only a few of our people suffered minor injuries, nothing serious."
Chapter 10: Become senile
"That's good, that's good!"
Ethan Chen muttered to himself, but this left the young man who had come to report the news somewhat startled.
Why was the Clan Chief still saying things were good when the people of the clan were injured? Had it not been for his status, he would have suspected that the speaker was a spy from another clan.
"Clan Chief, our clan's stored grain and dried meat are almost gone!"
At this moment, another young man approached Ethan Chen to report.
"How long can we hold out?"
"Probably less than a day, and almost all of the clan members who went out have been attacked by the Li Clan, yielding nothing."
Upon hearing this, Ethan Chen instantly understood the Li Clan's conspiracy. The blessing of the Elder Ancestor was still upon them, and to avoid injury, the Li Clan dared not attack directly, instead resorting to this method to trap the Chen Clan to death inside.
This was an overt scheme, and his Chen Clan had no means of counterattack.
"Good! What a clever tactic!" Ethan Chen exclaimed with a sense of admiration.
The two who had come to report were also downcast, understanding the crux of the matter.
But Ethan Chen didn't seem to care. Things were already so bad that they couldn't get much worse. He immediately waved his hand and said to the two: "Gather everyone outside the Ancestral Hall, I have something to say. Bring the injured clan members as well!"
"Yes, Clan Chief!"
The two who received the order quickly departed!
However, as they left, they both saw a hint of confusion in each other's eyes.
"Have you noticed the Clan Chief seems to be in good spirits?"
They spoke in unison, then looked at each other, startled, realizing it wasn't just their imagination.
Without knowing the reason, the two didn't say more and went to notify the other clan members.
***
In the Ancestral Hall, Noah Ji stood quietly in a corner, utterly bored.
After practicing all of last night, his vitality had reached 4.1. If it weren't for using a Reversal Pill, it would have been 4.2.
That worked out to an increase of 0.1 vitality every half hour.
It was just a pity that he couldn't operate his technique during the day.
If he had chosen to absorb the essence of the sun, the outcome might have been different, but then he wouldn't have been able to practice at night. It was the same dilemma.
He hoped that during the next Deduction, he would encounter the same choice again, but Noah Ji felt it was unlikely.
He also wondered when the Chen Clan would make their next offerings. He had just displayed his divine power yesterday, so it should be soon.
But considering the current predicament of the Chen Clan, the offerings didn't seem so straightforward.
As Noah Ji was enjoying the rising morning sun, the Ancestral Hall's doors were slowly opened again.
Without surprise, the visitor was Ethan Chen, the Clan Chief.
After closing the doors, Ethan Chen's gaze turned to the Sacred Tree within the hall.
Although the Sacred Tree no longer glowed at night, the improvement in his own condition was undeniable.
With the clan's situation becoming increasingly dire, and facing the Li Clan's tactics, Ethan Chen had a plan in mind, but he needed to communicate with the Sacred Tree first.
Without the Sacred Tree's healing, his plan would be nothing but a castle in the air.
Understanding this, Ethan Chen immediately laid out his plan.
Upon hearing Ethan Chen's story, Noah Ji couldn't help but cast his invisible gaze toward the elder who was over sixty years old. It seemed Ethan Chen was betting all the clan's remaining options on him.
But it appeared he didn't have much choice.
Currently, his fate was tied to the Chen Clan, and at least for now, he couldn't extricate himself from the current predicament on his own.
After sharing his plan, Ethan Chen looked at Noah Ji with hopeful eyes.
He believed the Sacred Tree was sentient and would surely respond to him.
Under Ethan Chen's gaze, the branches of the Sacred Tree swayed slightly.
Seeing this, Ethan Chen showed gratitude and bowed once more.
At this moment, there was a noisy debate coming from outside the Ancestral Hall, as if people were arguing about something.
After bowing, Ethan Chen frowned slightly and then walked towards the outside of the Ancestral Hall.
"What's going on?"
Stepping out of the Ancestral Hall, Ethan Chen looked at the assembled clan members and asked Oliver Chen who was in front.
Oliver Chen spoke with some indignation: "Clan Chief, many of our clan members who went out to hunt recently have been attacked by the Li Clan, and now there's not much food left in the clan. At this rate, we won't last much longer."
"I'm already aware of this!"
Ethan Chen replied with a sigh, but Oliver Chen continued: "Clan Chief, in my opinion, why don't we take advantage of the fact that our people still have the strength to fight and go out hunting? Otherwise, after a while, when our people lack Qi and Blood and are starving, our fighting power will decrease, and we'll completely lose our chance!"
After Oliver Chen finished speaking, many people behind him nodded slightly, thinking it was a good idea.
At that moment, a middle-aged man with a somewhat pale face stood out from the crowd and spoke against it: "This is not advisable!"
Everyone immediately looked at the speaker, who was none other than Elijah Chen, a Blood Condensation Realm Warrior of the clan. Upon closer inspection, he bore a striking resemblance to Lucas Chen, only much older in appearance.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Elijah Chen sighed and continued: "The reason the Li Clan hasn't attacked our clan is because the Elder Ancestor is still in the Ancestral Hall. If we gather to hunt, the Elder Ancestor cannot be brought along, and relying solely on the clan's current strength, we are no match for the Li Clan. This will only make our situation even more difficult!"
Some of the clan members below nodded again.
Oliver Chen's brow furrowed: "But Uncle, if we don't take a chance, won't we have no opportunity at all?"
"This method is too risky. If something goes wrong, the clan might…"
***
The two sides argued incessantly, each with their own point of view.
In the back of the crowd, Lucas Chen and Alexander Chen stood aside. Hearing the clan members' debate, Lucas Chen couldn't help but whisper: "I think my father has really become senile!"
"Oliver's idea is so good, don't you think, Alexander?"
Alexander Chen scratched his head: "Huh?"
***
"Enough! Let me say a few words!"
As Ethan Chen spoke up, the other clan members instantly fell silent.
"We have little food left in the clan, so we must go hunting! And since the Li Clan has people guarding Disordered Burial Mountain to attack us, we need to find a new path, one unseen by the Li Clan!"
After Ethan Chen finished speaking, everyone present was puzzled.
The Chen Clan was built on the ground, and the people couldn't fly, so how could they avoid the Li Clan's guards and go to Disordered Burial Mountain to hunt?
"The only way is through the clan's secret passage!"
As someone blurted out, everyone's gaze turned to the speaker, who then realized he had spoken out of turn.
"No!"
"The clan's secret passage is the last escape route for some clan members, it cannot be exposed!"
"Yes, once the Li Clan discovers the secret passage, the clan will have no way out!"
The two who had been arguing stopped at the mention of this suggestion and immediately stood on the same side.
"I was just saying!"
The person who had spoken muttered.
But everyone understood that, according to the Clan Chief, this seemed to be the only way.
"This is my plan!"
As the crowd fell silent, Ethan Chen slowly spoke up.
The two who had just been opposing were shocked to hear this.
Due to the previous anomaly with the Sacred Tree and other matters, the younger generation of the clan had not yet been moved out, but now the Clan Chief was saying that the clan members should go hunting through the secret passage.
If the Li Clan discovered the secret passage and blocked it in advance, it would completely cut off the clan's last resort.
The most critical issue was that both the previous and current suggestions had come from the Clan Chief himself, leaving the two momentarily unable to accept it, unclear about what Ethan Chen was thinking.
Even though it was the Clan Chief who had spoken, Oliver Chen still couldn't help but retort:
"But, Clan Chief…"