https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1186-Sacred-Grove-Sanctuary-Clan-Prejudice/13012863/
Chapter 1187: The Anomaly
Chapter 1187: The Anomaly
"Excellent! Please follow me, Fellow Daoist Lu."
Mu Yuanshan led the way, while Lu Xuan and Zhang Jingxian entered an area enveloped by a towering ancient tree.
As they approached, they could truly appreciate the astonishing sight of the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Tree.
The trunk's diameter was immeasurable, and its branches of varying lengths extended outward, piling up like a small mountain. The area was filled with an incredibly rich and pure vitality.
However, the current state of the tree didn't look good. Numerous gray spots of various sizes covered the thick trunk, exuding a lifeless aura.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, please wait a moment."
Zhang Jingxian paused, and Mu Yuanshan, who was ahead, took out several emerald battle flags and waved them casually, silently merging them into the restrictions below the Spiritual Tree.
"Apart from the two Yuanling Cultivators from our sect guarding the Cave Heaven, each Sacred Grove Tree also has powerful restrictions beneath it, which even a casual Yuanling True Lord would find difficult to break."
Lin Jiangyuan, standing nearby, transmitted his voice to Lu Xuan.
After more than ten breaths, layers of emerald veils rose from beneath the Spiritual Tree, and a light gate, just large enough for one person to pass through, appeared before them.
One by one, they entered.
Once inside, Lu Xuan flew up and stopped in front of a gray spot about a square zhang in size.
"Fellow Daoist Mu, when did these gray spots first appear?"
He asked Mu Yuanshan, who had also flown up, in a soft voice.
"The larger the area, the longer it has been there. The biggest one has been there for almost two years now."
Mu Yuanshan was well aware of the changes on the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Tree and pointed to the largest gray spot.
Lu Xuan nodded slightly and carefully observed the ancient tree.
"These Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Trees in the Sacred Grove Sanctuary hold infinite value for the Divine Timber Sect. Their branches, roots, Spirit Dew, and Spirit Flowers and Fruits are all rare treasures, and they can be considered the foundation of our sect."
Zhang Jingxian slowly introduced the tree to Lu Xuan.
"A treasure all over..."
"Over the years, I wonder how many treasures these trees have contributed to the Divine Timber Sect. No wonder the entire sect is renowned in the cultivation world for its various high-grade spirit medicines and pills."
Lu Xuan sighed inwardly.
A layer of hazy light appeared in his eyes as he carefully examined the gray spots and the trunk of the Spiritual Tree with his divine sense.
Although he hadn't used his special ability, he had cultivated countless spirit plants over the years and had studied many sect resources on spirit plants, making him a true master in the field.
"..."
"It's no use."
He retracted his divine sense and his expression turned solemn.
Of course, if he couldn't find the root cause without using his special ability, it would be disrespectful to the entire Divine Timber Sect, considering the many spirit planters in the sect who hadn't discovered the issue.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, have you found anything?"
Zhang Jingxian asked in a deep voice.
"These gray spots on the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Tree have completely withered, as if the vitality within has been directly plundered."
Lu Xuan replied after a moment of thought.
"The same thought occurred to several spirit planters in our sect."
"But we still can't identify the strange demonic insect or peculiar malevolent spirit that has infiltrated the Sacred Grove Sanctuary. Even after searching thoroughly, we haven't found any anomalies."
Zhang Jingxian sighed lightly.
"Or perhaps there's an issue with the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Tree itself."
"But I need to study it carefully. I'll collect samples from the normal parts of the tree and the gray spots for testing."
Lu Xuan said slowly.
As a master of spirit plants, he could obtain detailed information by planting any spirit plant, but the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Tree was so enormous, and it held extraordinary significance for the Divine Timber Sect. Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't dare to dig up its roots and replant them.
"I'll pretend to conduct tests for a few days, and then I'll go check the roots of the Spiritual Tree below."
"He pondered in his mind.
'Alright, I'll follow Lu's method.'
Zhang Jingxian nodded in agreement, and Mu Yuanshan's group naturally had no objections.
Since Lu Xuan had come all the way from the Sword Sect, they had to respect the method he proposed.
For the numerous cultivators of the Divine Timber Sect, it was a desperate attempt to salvage the situation.
Lu Xuan took out a Fifth Rank Swordgrass and dug out a normal Spiritual Tree and a mutated one covered in gray spots.
The group returned to a quiet cave mansion within the Cave Heaven.
This place was where Mu Yuanshan and his partner cultivated. Occasionally, cultivators from the Divine Timber Sect would come and stay in the Cave Heaven for extended periods, and they would cultivate and replenish their resources here.
Lu Xuan entered a room and used various techniques and treasures to conduct multiple experiments on the two pieces of spiritual wood.
Unfortunately, the mutated spiritual wood showed no reaction, not even when a drop of the pure Primordial Tree Sap was applied. It just lay quietly in front of Lu Xuan.
"Besides the possibility of unknown demonic insects or malevolent spirits invading the Cave Heaven, or the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Trees themselves having issues, there might be other reasons."
"Insider theft."
Lu Xuan's expression remained calm.
Of course, in front of the two Nascent Soul Cultivators guarding the Cave Heaven, he couldn't voice this speculation, lest Zhang Jingxian's group misunderstand him.
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At the same time, he also believed that the Divine Timber Sect would conduct an internal investigation, so he had to bury this thought deep in his heart.
"Lu, it's rare for us to gather like this. Let's go out and have a few drinks together."
Lin Jiangyuan's gentle voice sounded from outside the room.
"Sure."
Lu Xuan removed the restriction he had casually set up and walked out of the room.
The five of them sat together, tasting the spirit fruits and spirit brew produced within the Divine Timber Cave Heaven.
Compared to Lu Xuan's cultivated and brewed items, these spirit fruits and spirit brews were not inferior in quality, each with its unique flavor.
As the wine flowed, the group became more familiar with each other, and even Zhang Jingxian, who had initially doubted Lu Xuan, softened his attitude, though he remained slightly cold and didn't engage much with Lu Xuan.
As long as they didn't affect him, Lu Xuan didn't mind.
"It's a pity for Mu Shidi. He's been guarding the Divine Timber Cave Heaven for hundreds of years, and now, at the final stage of his cultivation, such a big problem has occurred, making it impossible to see it through to the end."
Zhang Jingxian toasted to Mu Yuanshan and sighed.
"Yes..."
Mu Yuanshan let out a long sigh.
"I have no hope of breaking through, and my lifespan is limited. I had planned to gradually transfer the responsibility of guarding the Cave Heaven and caring for the Ten Thousand Year Spiritual Trees to Jiang Shidi, but I never expected such a sudden change."
"Don't think about that. With Lu here, we might be able to solve the spiritual tree problem smoothly!"
Lin Jiangyuan spoke up, sensing the awkward atmosphere.
"Oh right, Lu, the spirit brew you crafted is renowned in the cultivation world. Why don't you take some out for us to try?"
He changed the topic.
"I was just thinking of doing that."
Lu Xuan smiled and took out several bottles of Huizhen Sword Essence, Heart Flame Wine, and other high-grade spirit brews.
"I wouldn't call it renowned, but it does have some unique qualities, and the quality is quite good."
He smiled and poured a cup for each of Zhang Jingxian's group.
"Indeed, it's quite good."
"Especially the Fifth Rank Sword Essence, which can infuse subtle Sword Qi into the spirit brew. It's truly remarkable!"
"It's a pity that we aren't Sword Cultivators, so we're wasting this high-grade spirit brew."
The group praised Lu Xuan's spirit brews, which were of high rank and excellent quality, and they couldn't help but savor them.
Lu Xuan's mind unconsciously focused on the group, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
(End of Chapter)
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