Is he about to wither away again?
As he sensed the state of his own existence, Ji Yang felt sowhat puzzled.
Logically, his life should not have been so short, even without spiritual energy in this place.
However, since things had already co to this, Ji Yang did not struggle.
By now, the child had grown into a young man and had beco one of the finest hunters in the village. Each ti he ventured into the mountains, he returned with plenty of spoils. Ji Yang wondered if the martial patterns he had displayed had offered the boy true enlightennt.
That day, beneath the locust tree, the youth noticed that the tree was in poor condition. A trace of sorrow appeared on his face.
Soon, however, the boy turned and left. When he returned, he carried a ladle of spring water in his hands.
Seeing this, Ji Yang could only shake his heart in silence. Growing up here, I have never lacked water. My withering is not because of thirst.
Still, the boy’s kindness ward Ji Yang deeply.
Yet the youth's next action left Ji Yang sowhat bewildered.
Instead of pouring the spring water onto Ji Yang’s roots, the boy did sothing else. Instead, he reached out and plucked a branch that still held a faint trace of vitality. He carried it away and buried it at another spot near the village entrance. Then, he gently poured the spring water over it.
Ji Yang could not understand the boy’s intentions. Does he truly believe that with just this ladle of spring water, the severed branch could sprout anew?
The thought made Ji Yang laugh inwardly. But in the very next mont, his laughter froze.
Before his eyes, the branch that the youth had watered began to change—new roots unfurled at a visible speed, tender leaves erged, and the offshoot slowly transford into a budding trunk.
Though still fragile, it was undeniably alive!
This scene left Ji Yang utterly stunned.
He suddenly felt that he could still be saved and that it was not ti to give up yet. Imdiately, he tried to shake his trunk, his heart crying out in desperation.
"Pour it...
"On !"
Before he could finish, a new prompt appeared before his eyes:
[You have long relied on the Martial Saint’s True Body. Your life force has drained away more severely. You have died of old age!]
In the last image he saw, the youth bowed respectfully twice beneath the locust tree. His lips moved in a soft murmur as if offering an explanation.
Ji Yang understood the boy’s words, the spring water was too little and could not save him.
So be it.
Having received the explanation, Ji Yang no longer struggled. As the vision shattered, his consciousness returned to the ancestral hall once more.
Yet, when he recalled the simulated world he had just experienced, regret filled his heart.
He had thought it was rely an ordinary world. But now, it seed not so simple. Was the place where he had taken root simply the wrong one?
In those final monts, Ji Yang faintly sensed a ripple of Blood and Qi stirring within the youth.
However, since everything had already ended, he chose not to dwell on it further.
[Simulation Complete!]
[In this simulation, you have comprehended a new ability: Devoted Focus!]
[In this simulation, you have comprehended a new divine power: Qi Observation!]
[In this simulation, you have comprehended a new divine power: Branching Vitality!]
Devoted Focus: The martial patterns etched upon your trunk can be more easily understood by living beings.
Qi Observation: You may consu a portion of your life force to perceive the flow of fortune.
Branching Vitality: You can use a portion of your life force to grow new branches.
Looking at the results of this simulation, Ji Yang was astonished. Despite not having lived long in that world, he had managed to comprehend one new ability and two divine powers. All things considered, that was quite a respectable gain.
Of the abilities, Devoted Focus was at least acceptable; it could help his clansn quickly grasp martial techniques.
However, he did not yet fully understand the divine powers Qi Observation and Branching Vitality. They would need to be tested later to reveal their purpose. Judging from their descriptions, however, these powers were unlikely to imdiately strengthen the clan’s overall might.
Strictly speaking, the simulation did not et Ji Yang’s expectations. But simulations were random, and he could not guarantee that every attempt would yield the desired outco.
This would only be possible if the clan grew strong enough and he amassed enough simulation points to allow him to explore different paths.
Ji Yang steadied his thoughts and chose not to dwell on it further. The clan’s future survival and growth depended on the upcoming great battle a conflict no less critical than the first war against the Li family.
Though he was confident in himself and his clan, Ji Yang knew that before the battle began, he had to prepare thoroughly.
Within the branches and leaves of the locust tree, the incense-imbued leaf shimred faintly once again with a soft glow.
…
“Clan Leader, we have returned.”
Several figures entered the clan’s main hall, weary from travel yet their faces alight with joy.
They were none other than Chen Tian Lei and his companions, who had hurried back from Yong’an City just two days prior. Fearing pursuit from the Shi family, they pressed on through the night without pause. Now, at last, they had safely returned to the clan, free from further worry.
Seeing his clansn return unhard, Chen Xingzhen smiled warmly and said, "Tian Lei, Tianling, Yihu you have all worked hard."
Hearing the clan leader call his na, Chen Yihu responded emotionally:
"Clan Leader, it was no hardship. Everything we did was for the sake of the clan.”
He then stepped forward and presented their spoils.
"These are the jade coins we earned during our months in Yong'an City. However, our two uncles said that such a small sum was of little use, so we used the coins to purchase items that might prove valuable to the clan.”
Chen Xingzhen nodded repeatedly in approval.
"You have all done very well. The journey has been exhausting. Go rest for now and prepare for the upcoming clan war!”
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
At these words, a trace of solemnity appeared on their faces.
It was then that Chen Tian Lei suddenly spoke.
“Clan Leader, while I was in Yong’an City, soone passed along a ssage. They claid that the Shi family produced a martial artist of the Qi Manipulation Realm. However, we do not know who the ssenger was, nor can we verify its truthfulness. We thought it best to return and report first.”
Chen Xingzhen's expression darkened, but he rely nodded and said,
"Very well. I understand."
After the group departed, Chen Xingzhen furrowed his brows tightly.
Such news could never be confird through the clan’s own influence in Yong’an City. Only the other families of Yong’an City would have access to such information.
In Yong’an City, there were only two great families. That could only an it was the Xie family. However, the harvest of Blood Rice had already passed so ti ago, and the Xie family had not sent anyone to purchase it. This showed that the Chen Clan and the Xie family were no longer cooperating. Perhaps the Xie family had joined forces with the Shi family, forming a powerful alliance.
For the mont, the ssenger's identity was no longer important. However, the ssage's content was sothing Chen Xingzhen could not ignore.
If the Shi family truly possessed a martial artist of the Qi Manipulation Realm, the crisis facing the Chen Clan would reach a whole new level.
With the clan’s current strength, they could withstand a perfected Innate Realm martial artist. However, if they were to face a Qi Manipulation Realm expert, even one who had only just stepped into the Inner Gang Realm, the clan would not be able to resist.
For now, there is only one path forward.
After a mont of contemplation, Chen Xingzhen summoned two clansn and spoke solemnly.
"Go and inform the others. Prepare for the Grand Sacrifice to the Divine Tree!”
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