https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-672-Too-Many-Treasures-is-Also-a-Headache/12544904/
Chapter 673: The Tree Spirit
Chapter 673: The Tree Spirit
An endless expanse of lush green filled the heavens and the earth.
A flying boat shot out from a massive deep cyan vortex.
Lu Chen stood with his hands behind his back, observing everything in the Azure Wood Star Cave through the spiritual energy shield.
After leaving the Thunderfire Star Cave with Xuanyuan Zhe, he boarded the latter's flying boat and smoothly entered the Cyanwood Star Cave.
What greeted them was a world of trees and vines.
Towering trees, dozens to hundreds of zhang tall, filled the landscape, with countless strange vines entwined between them. Weird and wild herbs grew in abundance, and the entire realm was permeated with a dense wood-spirit aura.
"This is the Greenwood Star Cave," Xuanyuan Zhe introduced with a smile.
"Indeed, the name fits perfectly," Lu Chen couldn't help but exclaim.
Just then, a pitch-black vine, several zhang thick, rose high on one side of the flying boat, as if observing Lu Chen and Xuanyuan Zhe within.
Hundreds of grass and wood spirits with vibrant green bodies flapped their thin wings, following closely behind Lu Chen.
Lu Chen looked down to see giant trees with roots stretching for countless zhang, striding forward with great momentum. The vines and plants ahead seemed to have a consciousness of their own, scurrying out of the way for fear of being trampled by the trees.
"Friend Xuanyuan, what about these grass and wood spirits?" Lu Chen asked, noticing that Xuanyuan Zhe seemed accustomed to their presence.
"Friend Lu need not worry," Xuanyuan Zhe reassured, "these spirits aren't very aggressive, and they usually don't take the initiative to attack cultivators who enter the Azurewood Star Cave."
"Moreover, with their simple intellect, they should be able to discern who they can and cannot provoke." The young man chuckled.
Lu Chen nodded in agreement.
Indeed, those with strong aggressive tendencies would not be tolerated in the Star Cave. After prolonged sweeps and cleanings, only the relatively friendly ones would remain.
"Each of the eighteen star caves in the Star Cave has its own unique wonders. The Thunderfire Star Cave has that mysterious sea of thunder, while the Azurewood Star Cave is said to have its roots in the legendary Jianmu. A branch of Jianmu grew and differentiated, giving birth to this blessed land of the Azurewood Star Cave." Xuanyuan Zhe explained.
"Jianmu?" Lu Chen exclaimed in surprise.
That was a legendary primordial spiritual treasure. He wouldn't have thought that this so-called Azure Wood Star Cave would be connected to it.
"Of course, it's not the main body of Jianmu, just one of its branches, and even that is just a rumor, so who knows if it's true," the young man clarified.
Lu Chen's curiosity piqued, and he wondered if he could cultivate the ancient spirit plant mentioned in the legends. He would be delighted even if he could only harvest the Jianmu light group...
As much as he wanted to, he didn't hold high hopes. With a calm mind, he observed the various strange plants and wood spirits below.
There were Cangqingmu demons with half their bodies growing out of strange tree trunks, whispering sprites with exquisite features, and even a group of giant trees gathered together, engaging in primitive reproduction.
"It's like a cultivation version of plant pollination, just a bit too vivid and explicit," Lu Chen mused to himself.
A peculiar thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Traveling to various cultivation sacred sites and leading a life of discovery could be a wonderful way to exist. Experiencing diverse cultures, collecting exotic spiritual plants and beasts..."
Of course, that would require him to possess sufficient strength first. Otherwise, the cultivators he encountered along the way might not share his peaceful sentiments.
"Alas, I turn my heart towards the bright moon, but the moonlight only illuminates the ditches and gutters," he sighed.
"Why must there be fighting and killing?"
"Hee hee~"
As they passed through a verdant forest, delightful giggles reached their ears.
Soon, small humanoids, about three feet tall, flew out from the tree trunks.
These wood spirit humanoids had exquisite features, snow-white skin, and verdant veins that trailed from their cheeks to their limbs, adding a touch of allure to their innocent appearances.
"What are these wood spirit humanoids?" Lu Chen asked curiously, observing the dozen or so creatures flocking towards the flying boat.
"These are Tree Nymphs, a rare type of grass and wood spirit monster. They are born from the heavens and sustain themselves by absorbing the spiritual energy of plants and trees. By nature, they are innocent and pure," Xuanyuan Zhe explained.
"Tree Nymphs... I wouldn't have expected tree spirits to manifest in such a charming form," Lu Chen remarked.
"But, speaking of it, there is a world of difference between different forms of 'nymphs.' In a sense, that ancient and evil tree spirit in the cave could also be considered a nymph-like spirit plant," Xuanyuan Zhe said.
Lu Chen's thoughts turned to the ancient and evil tree spirit in his spirit field, which battled the Demon Ghost Vine daily. Its bizarre and sinister appearance now made him view it in a more unfavorable light compared to the adorable and playful Tree Nymphs before him.
As his mind wandered, he noticed that the Tree Nymphs were hovering beside the flying boat, their curious gazes fixed on him.
"Could it be that there's some kind of plant-based treasure or spiritual energy emanating from your body, Lu? These Tree Nymphs seem to be drawn to you, and they're showing you a rare sign of affection," Xuanyuan Zhe commented.
Lu Chen's eyes widened in realization. The pale green light group in his dantian began to spin faster, and with a mere thought, his fingertips emitted strands of pure Wood Origin Qi.
As he extended his fingers, the surrounding Tree Nymphs shrunk in size and flew towards them, eagerly absorbing the Wood Origin Qi. Due to their varying sizes, several of them even crowded around a single finger, greedily absorbing the pale green spiritual energy.
After sating themselves with enough Wood Origin Qi, the Tree Nymphs created a flower-shaped imprint that exuded a fresh and natural aura. They presented it to Lu Chen before reluctantly bidding him farewell.
"You're quite lucky, Lu. Those Tree Nymphs aren't your average grass and wood spirit monsters. That special imprint they left behind must be quite valuable," Xuanyuan Zhe said, a hint of envy in his tone.
"I guess I'm fortunate. As a Spirit Herbalist, I just so happen to possess a type of wood spirit energy that is commonly used to nurture and accelerate the growth of spirit plants. I never expected it to be so appealing to these little spirits," Lu Chen replied with a smile as he stored the flower imprint in his storage bag.
This was but a small interlude on their journey to Yu Lin San Ren's cave abode.
The flying boat sped forward, and in no time, they arrived before a towering giant tree that reached a height of nearly a thousand feet.
The giant tree's canopy spread out, covering an area equivalent to a small town. Within its branches were numerous naturally formed treehouses, from which various grass and wood spirit monsters emerged.
"Yu Lin San Ren's cave abode is situated on this giant tree. Please, Lu," Xuanyuan Zhe said as he stored the flying boat artifact and gestured invitingly with one hand.
"After you, Xuanyuan," Lu Chen said.
Just as the two were about to fly into the giant tree, a burst of green light appeared within, and Yu Lin San Ren herself emerged to greet them.
"Welcome, Lu and Xuanyuan," she said with a warm smile, her green hair seeming to merge with the giant tree behind her.
(End of Chapter)
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