Chapter 498: The Treefolk Altar
Zhang Ruochen withdrew that surge of power, smiled, and said, "It's not that easy. Just cultivating the Wood Spirit Treasure Body alone couldn't possibly produce such strength. At the very least, one would need to cultivate the 'Dual Spirit Treasure Body' of Water Spirit and Wood Spirit, using Wood Spirit True Qi to awaken the vitality in the soil and Water Spirit True Qi to nurture the plants, accelerating their growth."
"How does one use Wood Spirit True Qi to awaken the vitality in the soil? And how does one use Water Spirit True Qi to nurture the plants?" Ao Xinyan asked.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Once you cultivate your Spiritual Power to the fortieth rank, you will naturally comprehend some of the rules and mysteries between heaven and earth. For now, even if I explain it to you, it would be difficult for you to understand."
Ao Xinyan's Spiritual Power was only at the thirty-sixth rank. Although it seemed not far from the fortieth rank, in reality, even if she cultivated for another ten years, she might not reach that level. Moreover, among martial artists at the Heavenly Extreme Realm, her Spiritual Power was already considered very strong.
"Zhang Ruochen, I thought you came to the Wood Essence Ruins Realm for some truly important matter, but it turns out you've been hiding in this small world to rendezvous with your lover. Seeing these blooming flowers all over the mountain, it's truly romantic. Even I feel a bit envious of your little lover."
From the foot of the mountain, amidst the clouds and mist, a woman's ethereal voice drifted over.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, Duanmu Xingling passed through the clouds, stepped on the void, leaped upward, and landed on the cliff face halfway up the mountain.
Then, with another tap of her feet on a protruding rock, she flew to the mountaintop and stood opposite Zhang Ruochen.
Hearing that voice, Zhang Ruochen knew it was Duanmu Xingling. Seeing her ascend the peak, he revealed a hint of joy and said, "Senior Sister Duanmu, how did you come to the Wood Essence Ruins Realm?"
Duanmu Xingling shot Zhang Ruochen a cold, sharp glance, turned her head away with a displeased expression, and said, "I also hold a noble title in the First Central Empire, so of course I can come to the Wood Essence Ruins Realm for training. I wanted to ask you the same thing—you also have the title of Commandery Prince, so why haven't you registered with the Ministry of War? Did you sneak into the Wood Essence Ruins Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen didn't hide it from her and nodded. "I came to the Wood Essence Ruins Realm for a major matter that could cause tremendous damage to this realm. If I came here for training under the identity of the Yunwu Commandery Prince, the Ministry of War would investigate, and it might trace back to me. By sneaking in, even if the Ministry of War investigates later, I can deny it."
Duanmu Xingling held a noble title, which didn't surprise Zhang Ruochen at all. As a Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect, obtaining a title would be an easy task for her.
Duanmu Xingling glanced at Ao Xinyan with hostility in her eyes before finally fixing her gaze back on Zhang Ruochen. "Your major matter will have to wait. You need to come back with me to the Chaos Myriad Realms Mountain right now—there's another major matter there."
"What matter?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Duanmu Xingling then detailed the events of Huang Yanchen's arranged battle with Huang Shenyi.
Zhang Ruochen listened calmly. After hearing it all, he furrowed his brows slightly.
"Huang Shenyi is forcing me into a battle with him," Zhang Ruochen said.
"Exactly."
Duanmu Xingling said, "But if you still don't show up in ten days, given Chen Jie's personality, she will definitely ascend the Heavenly Level Battle Platform and fight Huang Shenyi. The consequences would be unimaginable."
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "With her personality, she definitely would go."
"How can you still smile at a time like this?" Duanmu Xingling said coldly.
Zhang Ruochen remained very calm. He glanced into the depths of the Blackwood Plains and said, "Ten days should be enough. Senior Sister Duanmu, you go back to the Chaos Myriad Realms Mountain first. No matter what, don't let Senior Sister Yanchen ascend the Heavenly Level Battle Platform. I'll return within ten days. Since Huang Shenyi wants to fight, I'm happy to oblige."
Duanmu Xingling showed a hint of worry. "Huang Shenyi's strength is formidable. Chen Jie, Luo Shi, and I joined forces and couldn't even block one of his moves. Zhang Ruochen, how confident are you in fighting him?"
Ao Xinyan was full of confidence in Zhang Ruochen and said, "No matter how strong Huang Shenyi is, Zhang Ruochen will definitely defeat him."
Hearing this, Duanmu Xingling became very displeased. She stared at Ao Xinyan and sneered, "Ao Xinyan, I'm discussing serious matters with Zhang Ruochen. Why are you butting in? Have you ever seen Huang Shenyi? Do you know how strong he is?"
Zhang Ruochen looked at Duanmu Xingling with some confusion, genuinely curious. Usually, she was always cheerful and almost never angry.
Why was she so irritable today?
Ao Xinyan was also a very proud woman. Hearing Duanmu Xingling's reprimand, she showed anger and prepared to stand up and spar with her.
Just then, Orange Moon Star Envoy, who was sitting cross-legged in the distance, sneered, "Of course she doesn't know how strong Huang Shenyi is, but I do. Let me tell you the truth—with Zhang Ruochen's current strength, if he fights Huang Shenyi, he will die on the Heavenly Level Battle Platform within five moves. Don't think I'm exaggerating. If I hadn't seen that Zhang Ruochen has cultivated the Dual Spirit Treasure Body, I would say he'd be lucky to last three moves against Huang Shenyi."
Only then did Duanmu Xingling notice Orange Moon Star Envoy. She immediately broke into a smile and said, "Isn't this the Orange Moon Star Envoy of the Black Market First Class Hall? How did you become a prisoner? Come on, tell me—what trump cards does Huang Shenyi have? If you confess honestly, I won't make things difficult for you."
Orange Moon Star Envoy shot Duanmu Xingling a disdainful glance, snorted coldly, and turned her head away.
"Fine, don't tell me. But do you believe I'll strip you naked right now?" Duanmu Xingling walked toward Orange Moon Star Envoy, grinning mischievously.
Orange Moon Star Envoy frowned. "What's the use of telling you? In the face of absolute strength, even knowing your enemy inside and out won't give you a chance to turn things around."
"Is that so?"
Duanmu Xingling grabbed Orange Moon Star Envoy's belt with one hand and held a bronze dagger in the other, tracing it across Orange Moon Star Envoy's face. She blinked her round eyes and smiled. "Zhang Ruochen is a soft-hearted fool, so he probably didn't go hard on you. But I'm in a bad mood today, and I might just take it out on you. Guess how I'll deal with you?"
Orange Moon Star Envoy remained unfazed and said coldly, "I am a Star Envoy of the Black Market First Class Hall. Do you think you can threaten me? Even if you have a thousand methods, you won't get a single word out of me."
Duanmu Xingling's eyes darkened. She pressed the dagger against Orange Moon Star Envoy's collar and dragged it downward.
"Rip!"
The sharp dagger cut through Orange Moon Star Envoy's robe, dragging downward to reveal a large expanse of snow-white skin.
"Enough!"
Zhang Ruochen shouted, turning his back to Duanmu Xingling. "There's no need to use such methods to force her. I need to go deep into the Blackwood Plains. I'll return within ten days. Then, I'll personally meet Huang Shenyi."
Duanmu Xingling put away the dagger, shot Orange Moon Star Envoy a cold glare, walked over to Zhang Ruochen, and said, "I'll go with you."
Xiao Hei said, "Duanmu girl, Xiao Hei and I have a major matter to attend to. This trip is quite dangerous, so don't come along to cause trouble. Take these two back to the Chaos Myriad Realms Mountain first. I swear to you, once we accomplish this major matter, Zhang Ruochen's strength will increase dramatically. Then, not just one Huang Shenyi—even two Huang Shenyi will be knocked flat."
"Xiao Hei, is that true?" Duanmu Xingling's eyes lit up.
If Zhang Ruochen had indeed come to the Wood Essence Ruins Realm for a major matter, rather than to rendezvous with a lover, Duanmu Xingling would fully support him and wouldn't cause any trouble.
Xiao Hei said solemnly, "How much skill I have, you should know better than Zhang Ruochen. Given our friendship, would I lie to you?"
"Alright! I trust you. Xiao Hei is much more lovable than some people, who always have some unknown confidante popping up out of nowhere."
Duanmu Xingling pinched Xiao Hei's ear, looked up at Zhang Ruochen, smiled, and said, "Since you really do have a major matter, I won't say more. See you at the Chaos Myriad Realms Mountain. I hope you can really defeat Huang Shenyi by then."
Orange Moon Star Envoy sneered coldly. "If Zhang Ruochen cultivates for another three years, he might be able to contend with the current Huang Shenyi. As for now, you'd better not hold out too much hope for him."
Xiao Hei looked a bit troubled and said, "Duanmu girl, take her away quickly. Remember, don't let her escape! I'm keeping her for an important purpose."
After Duanmu Xingling, Ao Xinyan, and Orange Moon Star Envoy left, Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei also headed deep into the Blackwood Plains.
In the Blackwood Plains, it was hard to find any trace of Treefolk anymore. The forest was eerily quiet, with only the footsteps of Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei.
Xiao Hei said, "Zhang Ruochen, are we just going to charge straight into the Treefolk's lair?"
"Of course not. The Treefolk race has many powerful members. Even if we join forces, we can't be their match. Besides, our target is the Origin Qi of the Wood Essence Ruins Realm. If we can avoid alerting the Treefolk, we should."
Using the Wood Spirit Red Tannin, Zhang Ruochen had already cultivated the Wood Spirit Treasure Body. Now, he could sense the life of every blade of grass and tree, and even perceive their thoughts. This had caused a shift in his mindset.
He had already killed enough Treefolk; there was no need to exterminate them all.
Xiao Hei said, "That's easy enough. As soon as we see the Origin Qi of the Wood Essence Ruins Realm, the Cosmic Divine Wood Map will naturally fly out and absorb it."
"I hope it goes smoothly," Zhang Ruochen nodded.
Xiao Hei shrank to the size of a fist, kicked off, and landed on Zhang Ruochen's shoulder.
Then, Zhang Ruochen began to mobilize his Wood Spirit True Qi, absorbing all the wood-attributed spiritual energy around him.
The wood-attributed spiritual energy condensed into a thirty-zhang-tall black giant tree, enveloping Zhang Ruochen and Xiao Hei within its trunk, transforming them into a century-old Treefolk.
The roots of this century-old Treefolk rose up, and it moved rapidly, charging toward the heart of the Blackwood Plains. Before long, Zhang Ruochen saw the Treefolk race's altar.
That altar was extremely grand, like a shaved-off mountain peak. From a distance, it gave off a majestic and imposing aura.
Below the altar, there were countless Treefolk gathered together, forming a black forest.
Just from a single glance, Xiao Hei's expression turned serious. "The Treefolk race being able to build such a mysterious altar is very suspicious."
"What's wrong?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xiao Hei said, "I'm not very familiar with the Treefolk race, but I know they are spirits of nature and shouldn't understand sacrificial rituals. Generally, only humans and a very few barbarian beast races slaughter livestock to offer to gods, thereby obtaining Divine Martial Marks. This altar... is very suspicious. I need to study it."
Zhang Ruochen said, "In that case, let's split up. I'll go collect the Wood Spirit Origin Qi, and you study that altar."
"Alright. According to the guidance of the Cosmic Divine Wood Map, the Origin Qi of the Wood Essence Ruins Realm is hidden beneath the altar. It seems to be supporting the altar, or perhaps the altar is suppressing it below. Strange, very strange. I need to study this carefully," Xiao Hei said.
...
(Third QQ group for *Eternal God Emperor*: 542913113. Groups one and two are already full, so you don't need to add them! If you've already joined groups one or two, please don't add group three. Thank you.)