Chapter 348: Spirit-Linked Sacred Tree

Chapter 348: Spirit-Linked Sacred Tree

2024-09-21

"So, there really was a rat hiding in the shadows."

Upon hearing these words, Elder You Chang was startled, feeling a chill rise from the depths of his heart, piercing straight through his skull.

Without a moment's hesitation, he instantly unleashed his movement technique to its utmost, creating numerous afterimages in his original position, desperately trying to escape forward.

Just as the afterimages appeared, a palm suddenly emerged, tearing through the afterimages and bursting the air currents.

If it weren't for Elder You Chang's swift evasion, he might have been clawed through the heart, leaving his life hanging in the balance.

"Hmm? The rat's movement technique is not bad."

The wild-haired figure was slightly surprised.

However, he didn't stop; instead, he took a step forward, sticking closely behind Elder You Chang, and lashed out with another claw.

Elder You Chang sensed this, and his heart trembled with fear.

His afterimage clone had been so easily seen through, revealing his true body.

It was clear that the other party's martial arts realm was far superior to his own.

Recalling the bizarre demonic technique he had witnessed earlier, Elder You Chang had no desire to continue fighting.

Without hesitation, he activated the treasure in his embrace.

The next moment, a black glow emerged from Elder You Chang's embrace, swiftly enveloping his entire body.

The black glow not only deflected the wild-haired figure's palm but also directly wrapped around Elder You Chang's body, transforming him into a streak of light that sped downhill.

"A demonic artifact?"

The wild-haired figure was taken aback, never expecting that this rat lurking nearby would possess a treasure.

But it was too late for him to stop it now.

The power of the treasure was beyond his current ability to resist.

He could only watch helplessly as Elder You Chang was carried away by the black light, quickly disappearing into the night.

"That rat managed to escape."

The wild-haired figure was filled with regret.

If he had known that the rat carried a treasure, and a demonic artifact at that, he should have exerted his full strength from the very beginning.

If he could obtain that treasure, it would be a significant boost for his current destitute state.

"Lately, my luck has been getting worse and worse. Could it be that the heavenly path of this world has turned against me?"

Having been outsmarted twice in a row, the wild-haired figure became vigilant.

Ever since returning from Zhongzhou, his luck had been less than favorable.

Not only had his injuries failed to fully heal, but he had also suffered two setbacks that very night.

From a cultivator's perspective, this was definitely not a good omen.

It was highly likely that he had caught the attention of the heavenly path of this world.

"Damn it! It's all because of that kid! If he hadn't forced me to use the Demonic Disintegration Technique, leaking my origin energy, I wouldn't have been noticed by the heavenly path of this world!"

The wild-haired figure thought of the one responsible for his current predicament, and his eyes filled with venomous hatred.

If it weren't for being injured and having his origin energy stolen by Lu Qing that day, forcing him to use the Demonic Disintegration Technique, he wouldn't have fallen into such a predicament.

Every time he thought of this, the hatred in his heart was so intense that even the vast oceans couldn't dilute it by half.

"Just you wait, one day I will find you, and I will destroy everything you have.

I will extract your divine soul and burn it for ten thousand years.

Only then will my hatred be appeased!"

The wild-haired figure gradually faded away, leaving only his voice filled with hatred, echoing through the forest.

Several dozen li away, a black light streaked low across the moonlit sky at incredible speed.

Soon, it landed in a mountain valley, and the black light dissipated, revealing Elder You Chang's pale face.

Elder You Chang carefully took out a black shuttle-shaped jade talisman from his embrace.

Seeing the cracks on the jade talisman, Elder You Chang felt a pang of pain.

This treasure, bestowed by the Master of the Celestial Pavilion, could only be used three times at most.

He never expected that he had already used it twice in such a short time.

If he used it once more, the treasure would shatter completely and become useless.

"I never imagined that the outside world had become so dangerous.

In just a few days, I've encountered two life-threatening crises."

Elder You Chang's heart still raced with fear as he glanced back at the direction of Azure Cloud Sword Sect.

Without hesitation, he immediately employed his movement technique and continued forward.

The danger posed by the bizarre figure earlier surpassed that of the old man he had encountered at the Wei Family Estate.

It wasn't that the old man's cultivation was stronger, but rather that his technique was incredibly eerie and terrifying.

That pure demonic aura, even he, an elder of Wuguilou, felt his heart tremble.

So even after escaping several dozen li, he still didn't feel safe.

"It seems it's time to return. If even I perish outside, then no one will be able to bring back news from the outside world."

With a decision made, Elder You Chang's movement technique became even faster, and he gradually disappeared into the darkness.

The tumultuous events unfolding in the outside world had no impact on the tranquility of Nine Li Village.

Ever since Lu Qing set up the formation, the village's environment had been improving day by day.

The trees were lush, and the temperature was pleasant.

Even during the scorching days, anyone within the village would feel cool and refreshed.

Moreover, with spiritual energy swirling around, it was almost like a heavenly paradise.

The villagers also noticed that their bodies were becoming healthier and more vibrant each day.

They understood that these changes were all brought about by Lu Qing's use of spells.

The villagers' gratitude towards Lu Qing grew stronger by the day.

"Grandpa Zhang, you mentioned there's an important matter you wanted to discuss with me. What is it?"

On this day, Lu Qing was casting the Spirit Rain Technique on the Spirit Field when he saw Grandpa Zhang and several village elders climbing up the mountain to find him.

"It's about the Sacred Tree at the village entrance."

Grandpa Zhang and the elders were amazed as they witnessed Lu Qing's Cloud and Rain Technique.

Using spells to irrigate rice fields was something they had never even heard of, let alone seen.

The key point was that the seedlings in the rice fields Lu Qing was watering were also extraordinary.

Not only were they exceptionally robust, but the tips of their leaves were also shimmering with golden light, making them appear extraordinary.

"Lu Qing, why are these seedlings shimmering with golden light?"

One of the elders couldn't help but ask.

"This is a new type of rice seed I've been trying to cultivate using my spellcasting methods. That's why the seedlings are so unique."

Lu Qing explained with a smile.

The villagers already knew that he possessed spellcasting abilities, so he didn't try to hide it.

"What will the rice be like when it's grown using spells?"

Another elder asked, his eyes wide.

"I don't know what they'll turn out like either. You can all come and see when it's time for the harvest."

"Alright."

The elders, who had been farming their entire lives, were naturally curious about rice grown using spells. They all agreed to come and see it.

"By the way, Grandpa Zhang, what's the matter with the Sacred Tree?" Lu Qing asked.

The Sacred Tree was the tree where the villagers tied red cords when they went out.

It held special significance for the people of Nine Li Village, and Lu Qing was also quite concerned about it.

"We're not sure what's going on either. Why don't you go and take a look yourself?" Grandpa Zhang suggested.

"Alright, I'll go with you."

Lu Qing had just finished watering the two acres of Spirit Field, and after dispersing the clouds with a hand seal, he descended the mountain with Grandpa Zhang and the others, arriving at the village entrance.

At this moment, quite a few people had gathered at the village entrance.

Many villagers were surrounding the Sacred Tree, and they occasionally exclaimed in surprise, though it was unclear what they were looking at.

Lu Qing even spotted Hu Laosan among the crowd.

Over these days, the Hu family had gradually become integrated into the village life.

Especially Hu Laosan, who was naturally quick-witted.

He easily gained the villagers' favor.

So, they gradually accepted him.

"Make way, Lu Qing is here!"

A villager spotted Lu Qing and Grandpa Zhang approaching and shouted.

The villagers immediately parted to the sides, allowing Lu Qing and the others to reach the Sacred Tree.

When Lu Qing saw the Sacred Tree, he was also surprised.

The tree had undergone quite a few changes since the last time he saw it.

Firstly, the leaves had become even greener, which was no surprise.

Secondly, the entire tree had grown much taller.

Especially the roots, which had always been twisted and tangled, now seemed to intertwine, forming the shape of a small hut.

Most importantly, Lu Qing felt a strange fluctuation emanating from the tree.

"Hmm? Incense Power?"

At this moment, a voice, "Flame," suddenly echoed in Lu Qing's mind.

"Senior, what is Incense Power?" Lu Qing asked.

The Flamefire Sect's heritage made no mention of Incense Power.

"You don't know? That's understandable. The Flamefire Sect doesn't delve into the path of Incense Power, so it's normal for you to be unaware."

"Incense Power is a unique force condensed from pure thoughts and faith.

Ordinary cultivation sects don't research it, but the Hanging Mountain, whom you have a grudge with, excels in this path.

In the ancient cultivation era, they were quite adept at this."

"Flame" continued to explain in Lu Qing's mind.

It was rare for Lu Qing to encounter something he didn't know, and this piqued his curiosity.

"I see. I'm curious, what is the purpose of this Incense Power?" Lu Qing continued his inquiry.

"I'm not entirely sure," Flame replied, shaking his head. "This Incense Power is extremely peculiar. Even in ancient times, only a handful of sects were proficient in this art."

"I once heard the elders of the Flamefire Sect mention that Incense Power is quite bizarre. It can condense into different types of power based on the thoughts of those praying, making it unpredictable and hard to defend against."

"I'm not aware of the nature of the Incense Power condensed by the Sacred Tree at the entrance of your village."

Lu Qing's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this.

He activated his ability and gazed at the Sacred Tree.

After a few breaths, a faint golden light of ability emerged from the tree.

At the same time, several floating words appeared.

【Spirit-Linked Sacred Tree: A tree nurtured by spiritual energy, born with a hint of spirit from the sincere prayers and offerings of the villagers.】

【This Sacred Tree has condensed Incense Power due to the long-standing, sincere prayers of the villagers of Nine Mile Village.】

【The Incense Power on this Sacred Tree is formed by the prayers of the Nine Mile Village villagers and is closely tied to the village. It can bless and protect this land.】

【The Incense Power on this Sacred Tree contains the essence of protection and peace. By tying the red cord, which represents the identity of the villagers, to it, one can receive a subtle blessing of fortune.】

...

As Lu Qing finished reading the floating words, a look of delight appeared in his eyes.

He also understood why the Incense Power in the Sacred Tree had condensed.

Flame had mentioned that Incense Power was formed by the pure thoughts and faith of the villagers.

The Sacred Tree was a symbol of the villagers' prayers for peace and protection.

Every villager from Nine Mile Village, when leaving the village, would tie a red cord to its branches and remove it upon their return.

This tradition had remained unchanged for decades.

In a sense, the Sacred Tree embodied the purest wishes of the villagers—prayers for peace and blessings for their loved ones.

This is why the Sacred Tree now possesses the protective power of Incense Power.

In other words, from now on, when villagers leave the village, they need only tie the red cord to the tree.

It's not just a prayer for peace anymore.

It's a genuine blessing from the Sacred Tree, bringing a strand of good fortune to those who carry it.

This ensures that when they are away, they will encounter smooth journeys, turning bad luck into good, and returning safely.

"Lu Qing, is there something wrong with the Sacred Tree?"

Zhang Grandpa, seeing Lu Qing staring at the Sacred Tree, asked with concern.

The other villagers also looked at Lu Qing with worry, even the children.

The Sacred Tree held a special place in the hearts of almost every villager, each with a unique bond.

The younger ones had spent much of their childhood beneath its shade.

Because of this, many villagers had been taught from a young age to never climb or damage the Sacred Tree.

So, its transformation was a matter of great concern.

Seeing the villagers' worried gazes, Lu Qing smiled.

"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with the Sacred Tree. On the contrary, this change is a good thing."

"A good thing? What kind of good thing?" An elder immediately asked.

"Recently, some changes have occurred in the world. This Sacred Tree, after growing for so many years and absorbing the essence of the heavens and earth, coupled with the frequent prayers from the village, has now developed a hint of spirituality, becoming a true Spirit Tree."

Lu Qing tried his best to explain the situation in a way everyone could understand.

Indeed, upon hearing that the Sacred Tree had gained spirituality, everyone was shocked.

"The Sacred Tree has gained spirituality?"

"With its newfound spirit, does that mean the Sacred Tree can hear our words?"

"This is wonderful news!"

After the initial shock, joy followed.

Although they didn't fully understand what the Sacred Tree's spirituality meant, they could grasp Lu Qing's assurance that the tree could better protect the village.

Suddenly, a villager grabbed his son's ear:

"You little rascal, did you hear what Lu Qing said? You're not allowed to be disrespectful to the Sacred Tree anymore. If I see you climbing it like you did this morning, I'll break your legs!"

"Yes, and you, young man. I saw what you did the other day, daring to break the branches of the Sacred Tree. If you dare do that again, I'll beat you black and blue!"

Another villager did the same, pinching his son's ear.

Hearing this, the other villagers scolded their own children.

In an instant, the air was filled with the sounds of little kids pleading for forgiveness.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end