Chapter 147: The Golden Tree
Zhang Lexuan let out a light, melodious laugh. Anyone who heard it could sense the helplessness and self-mockery in her laughter. Zhang Lexuan was no fool. Immersing herself in past memories was just her way of not wanting to wake up from a dream. She fully understood the intentions of Mu En and Yan Shaozhe.
Before meeting Du Qianjue, she might have thought that Mu En and Yan Shaozhe didn't want her to be lonely for the rest of her life and hoped she would find her happiness by stepping out of her memories. However, after meeting Du Qianjue and hearing their words, she realized what they really meant.
Zhang Lexuan, being the senior sister of Shrek Academy's inner courtyard, was well aware of the academy's current situation. Due to their loss in the soul master competition and the combined pressures from the four major countries of the continent, Shrek was in a tough spot. The recent wave of student dropouts and various negative evaluations had yet to fully subside.
In this challenging time, the most brilliant figure was none other than Du Qianjue, whom she had just met. Even Zhang Lexuan had to admit Du Qianjue's excellence, feeling somewhat inferior. Despite her current level as an eighty-third level Soul Douluo, she couldn't see through Du Qianjue, which meant he could potentially defeat her even though she also had a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
Du Qianjue was as young as Bei Bei. When Bei Bei was at the Soul Master level, Du Qianjue had already reached the Soul Sage level, with combat power nearing that of a Titled Douluo. In terms of strength alone, Zhang Lexuan considered herself inferior to Du Qianjue.
However, this didn't mean she liked this stranger she had only met once. Let alone letting go of the person in her heart. Mu En and Yan Shaozhe's intentions were clear: they wanted her to choose Du Qianjue at the Sea God Fate matchmaking convention, using her as a link to bind Du Qianjue to Shrek's cause.
"Is that all I'm worth?" Zhang Lexuan laughed at herself, returned to her residence, and locked herself in her room.
Du Qianjue knew nothing of what transpired. He also didn't know that Yan Shaozhe was already plotting how to use a beauty trap to bind him to Shrek. At that moment, he was drooling while staring through his window at the tall ancient tree in the center of Sea God Island.
The ancient tree emitted a gentle light, its vast life energy covering the entire island. It not only increased the concentration of the island's natural energy but also nourished the soul masters' bodies continuously. And this was just its leaked energy! Its true power was immense.
"The Golden Tree!!" Du Qianjue's eyes burned with intensity. This tree's usefulness to him was no less than the Dragon Core of the Bright Holy Dragon King!
"What a rich life force this tree has," Xue Linglong couldn't help but exclaim.
"Of course it's rich. This is the core of life for Douluo Star," Du Qianjue said with a laugh.
"Core of life?" Xue Linglong, hearing this term for the first time, was puzzled.
It wasn't surprising she didn't know. Likely, only the lovesick Yinlong King sleeping under the Lake of Life knew about the core of life and the plane consciousness.
"Think of this Golden Tree as one of the soul cores of Douluo Star," Du Qianjue explained in the simplest terms.
"Soul core!" Xue Linglong's eyes widened. For soul masters and soul beasts, a soul core was the source of their power. Losing it meant either a significant drop in power or death.
"Is the life core so important to Douluo Star?" Xue Linglong asked, her gaze on the Golden Tree growing more serious.
"It's important, but not crucial," Du Qianjue said calmly. "With the Golden Tree, the natural energy concentration of Douluo Star increases. Without it, the concentration decreases. For Douluo Star itself, the life core's role is negligible. It won't destroy the planet if it's gone. Only those who practice cultivation would be affected."
"Why is it growing at Shrek Academy?" Xue Linglong frowned.
Shouldn't the life core grow in the Great Star Dou Forest? After visiting the Lake of Life, Xue Linglong felt no place was more suitable for the Golden Tree's growth.
"Why do you think? Look over there." Du Qianjue pointed toward the entrance of Shrek Academy, where ten statues stood. The central statue of a handsome young man wore a faint smile, his mouth forming a Nike-like curve.
Xue Linglong clenched her fists in anger. Du Qianjue didn't need to say more; she understood. Why was the Golden Tree at Shrek? It was transplanted! Who else but the gods of the past could have done it?
Seeing Xue Linglong's rage, Du Qianjue smiled wryly. This was just the beginning. He hadn't told her the juiciest part yet. If she knew that Tang San not only transplanted the Golden Tree to benefit Shrek but also had Tang Hao seize the plane consciousness and Ah Yin take over the life core, attempting to turn the entire Douluo Star into the Tang family's backyard, she'd be furious.
Du Qianjue didn't plan to mention these things here. Ah Yin was taking over the Golden Tree, and Tang San's divine sense was surely guarding her. Talking about it here could alert Tang San. Although Du Qianjue coveted the Golden Tree, he didn't plan to act now. He intended to wait until he reached the pinnacle of Douluo and was ready to become a god before draining the Golden Tree.
After all, during the Douluo Three period, the entire Shrek was blown up, and the Golden Tree turned to ashes. Douluo Star wasn't affected. Ah Yin, having successfully taken over the Golden Tree, soon reincarnated into another life core. Even if the Golden Tree was drained, Douluo Star would produce another one. Only Ah Yin, who was taking over the Golden Tree, would disappear. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell Ah Yin, "You're very moist."
There's always a long road ahead...
One of Du Qianjue's main reasons for coming to Shrek was to see the Golden Tree. It was crucial for his future development. Now, he was sure of its existence!
Chapter End.
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