After spending more than twenty days healing, exchanging the Fruit of Life[Second Update], Yu Su and Lu Yan returned to the Water Marsh together. The wooden creatures, thinking they might not return, anxiously waited day by day. When they finally came back, everyone joyfully rushed to the shore to welcome them.
Yu Su, observing the scene, felt somewhat overwhelmed by the attention. "Yu Su, did you find the insecticide?" The chief wooden shaman nervously asked. Other wooden creatures anxiously looked at Yu Su, expressing tension and concern.
Seeing their anxiety, Yu Su nodded and replied, "Found it." The wooden creatures erupted in excitement. "Great! The Tree God is saved!" "We knew the heavens would protect the Tree God!"
Then, Yu Su and Lu Yan were escorted to the main trunk of the Tree of Life. "Lord Tree God, Yu Su and others have returned!" "Understood." The Tree of Life reluctantly opened its eyes; Yu Su had sensed its irritation as soon as he approached the Water Marsh.
Yu Su handed over the insecticide to the Tree of Life, and its roots coiled around it, delivering the substance to the underground where the parasites were. After a moment, the creatures scattered in panic, but before they could escape, they perished.
The Tree of Life felt the creatures falling off its roots, their bodies decaying in the soil, filled with delight. Yu Su, noting the Tree's excitement, inquired, "Lord Tree God, how is it?"
The Tree of Life happily exclaimed, "Your medicine is effective; the pests are gone!" The wooden creatures cheered. "Fantastic! The Tree God is safe!" "I knew the heavens would bless the Tree God!"
Observing the joyous scene, the Tree of Life subtly rolled its eyes; it wasn't divine intervention but this human, Yu Su, who knew how to prepare the insecticide, eliminating the pests.
Originally indifferent to Yu Su and his companions, the Tree of Life couldn't help but scrutinize them, especially Yu Su. His gaze was profound, making it realize it couldn't fully understand this human.
This was unusual.
However, the Tree of Life didn't delve deeper into Yu Su's background. It acknowledged, "You saved me, and the Wood Spirit's treasure you seek is yours." It plucked a single, vivid red fruit hanging from its branches, presenting it to Yu Su. "This is the Life Fruit, condensed with all my energy. It takes thirty thousand years to bear one. Take it."
Yu Su accepted it but was about to store it when the Tree of Life advised, "It's better to eat it here; once outside my barrier, it might not be secure."
Expressing gratitude, Yu Su considered the advice and decided to consume it there. He handed another clay jar to the Tree of Life, saying, "Lord Tree God, this contains the same insecticide as before, well preserved. It won't expire for a long time. If the pests return, you can use it."
Accepting it, the Tree of Life remarked, "You, human, are impressive. Consider it a favor owed. If you need help in the future, seek me out, and I'll assist you."
Yu Su didn't decline the offer, expressing his thanks. He turned to Lu Yan, saying, "I've consumed the fruit; it might take some time."
Lu Yan replied, "Take your time; I'll be here waiting for you."
Upon consuming the fruit, Yu Su listened to the Tree of Life's advice and swallowed the core. The rich Wood Spirit's power flowed into his dantian, transforming the core into a transparent wooden source crystal. This crystal seamlessly integrated into his dantian, causing a loud rumble.
The originally one-fifth-sized dantian expanded six to seven times, surpassing the normal dantian. Not only that, but the quality of the dantian also improved. The Wood Spirit's power from the fruit flooded into Yu Su, saturating his entire dantian in no time.
Sensing an overflow, Yu Su quickly utilized his cultivation technique to digest and absorb the energy. The "Five Spiritual Arts" chapter of the Wood Spirit technique, a top-tier art, operated smoothly. The rapid flow of Wood Spirit energy flushed through Yu Su's meridians, widening and rejuvenating them.
It was a significant test for Yu Su's willpower.
The thin parts of the meridians needed expansion, causing immense pain. With a muffled groan, Yu Su plunged into a world of intense heat.
Worried, Lu Yan moved forward, but the Tree of Life's branches blocked him. Ready to confront the Tree of Life for possibly harming Yu Su, he exclaimed, "What did you do!"
The Tree of Life glanced at him and calmly said, "Young man, don't be impulsive. He's undergoing the pain of absorbing a substantial amount of spiritual energy. Endure this suffering, and he'll be fine."
Lu Yan understood the concept of absorption trials but remained concerned, closely monitoring Yu Su. Despite the discomfort, Yu Su's aura continued to climb steadily, alleviating Lu Yan's anxiety. As long as Yu Su wasn't in danger, he could endure the process.
Unaware of his own condition, Yu Su focused on absorbing the spiritual energy. Gradually, he felt his strength increasing, progressing from the eighth level of Qi Refinement to the ninth and then reaching perfection. Inside his body, all the spiritual energy in his dantian transformed into a liquid form, and the last wisp of spiritual energy solidified into a transparent source crystal.
Yu Su sensed that his body had undergone the Foundation Establishment.
Overhead, thunderous roars erupted.
The Tree of Life ejected Yu Su from the island.
Lu Yan, eager to follow, was stopped by the Tree of Life. "He's undergoing Foundation Establishment Tribulation; it's a crucial step for him. Don't disturb him."
Understanding what Foundation Establishment Tribulation entailed, Lu Yan refrained from interference, watching Yu Su with full attention.
Yu Su, in his current state, wasn't certain of his condition—his sole focus was digesting spiritual energy. As he processed it, not only did his meridians continuously reshape, but the energy also seeped into his flesh and blood, leaving him covered in mud when the process concluded.
In fact, his skin gradually exuded filthy substances.
Observing the peculiar situation, Lu Yan recalled Yu Su's explanation of the Baptism of Meridians. Though expected, he stayed vigilant, and Yu Su himself was aware that he would likely end up covered in mud.
Indeed, the result matched his expectations; Yu Su's skin surface gradually oozed dirty substances.
Witnessing the phenomenon, Lu Yan realized the process was proceeding as Yu Su described during their encounter near the Lotus Pond. He remained attentive, not alarmed by the transformation.
During this time, Yu Su felt his strength surging.
Advancing from the Qi Refinement Eighth Level to the Ninth, he eventually achieved perfection.
Inside his body, all the spiritual energy in his dantian transformed into a liquid form. The last strand of spiritual energy solidified into a transparent source crystal.
Yu Su knew that he had successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
Thunderous roars echoed above him.
The Tree of Life sent Yu Su away from the island.
Concerned for Yu Su's safety, Lu Yan attempted to follow, but the Tree of Life restrained him.
"He's undergoing Foundation Establishment Tribulation. It's a critical step; let him go through it undisturbed."
Understanding the significance of Foundation Establishment Tribulation, Lu Yan refrained from interference and kept a close eye on Yu Su.
Yu Su, consumed by the process, was uncertain of his condition. His primary focus was on digesting the spiritual energy, which not only refined his meridians but also permeated his flesh and blood. Upon completion, his body was covered in mud.
Observing the peculiar occurrence, Lu Yan remembered Yu Su's explanation about the Baptism of Meridians. While expected, he remained vigilant, and Yu Su himself was aware that he would likely end up covered in mud.
Indeed, the result aligned with his expectations, and Yu Su's skin gradually exuded dirty substances.It actually followed Yu Su, could it be...
The Tree of Life's thoughts raced, immediately considering many possibilities. As it scrutinized Yu Su undergoing tribulation outside the island, its gaze became even more profound.