Luoyun Mountain.
Yun Jin landed atop the mountain.
Sensing her presence, the awakened spirits of plants and trees began to stir with joy.
"Benefactor. Is that you, Benefactor?"
"Have you come to see us?"
"I've grown new fruits. Benefactor, please taste them."
The once-quiet Luoyun Mountain suddenly became lively.
Yun Jin laughed and responded warmly. She held a fruit in one hand, biting into it, while a plant carefully handed over droplets of dew it had stored. Eating and drinking, Yun Jin asked, "Has the old tree never woken after its slumber?"
"Benefactor, are you asking about the eldest tree? Usually, when it sleeps, it lasts one or two hundred years. If it senses no danger, it rarely wakes."
"Benefactor, if you exert some spiritual power, the eldest tree will definitely sense you and awaken."
"However, when the eldest tree first wakes, it might be a bit cranky. Please, Benefactor, do not argue with him."
The plant spirits chirped excitedly.
Yun Jin nodded, marveling inwardly.
Human cultivators possessed the greatest potential and comprehension among all beings, but their starting point was low, and their initial lifespan was short.
These plant lives had low comprehension, but their longevity was extraordinary. An ordinary tree in the mortal realm could live for a thousand years. A spirit like the eldest tree had a lifespan measured in tens of thousands of years. A hundred years for him was like taking a short nap. And she was about to wake him after less than half a month?
Was that like calling him awake the moment he had just closed his eyes?
Yun Jin blinked.
It could hardly be her fault, could it? After all, the old tree had asked her to come!
Clearing her throat, Yun Jin released her spiritual power fully toward the eldest tree. Her energy carried rich wood spirit essence.
The plant spirits of Luoyun Mountain all rejoiced under the surge. The sleeping eldest tree, stimulated by this familiar power, slowly opened his eyes. The continuous spiritual stimulation reached his mind, and he felt the entire tree grow restless.
What is happening?
What is going on now?
Had he not just closed his eyes?
So quickly, he was awakened?
Did the elder not need his sleep?
Upon opening his eyes, his branches flailed wildly, leaves falling like rain.
"Disaster. The eldest tree's waking temper has struck again."
"Quick, retract your head!"
"Benefactor, you should dodge too!"
Yun Jin blinked, showing no intention to dodge. Instead, she stepped closer to the eldest tree.
Seeing Yun Jin, the eldest tree regained some composure.
He forced himself to speak, "Little girl, is there something you need?"
Yun Jin feigned innocence. "Senior Tree, did you not ask me to come see you?"
The eldest tree took a deep breath. "I said, come after mastering the Primordial Wood! You may not know, our plant lives are different from humans. We do not care for customary exchanges. Next time, if it is not important, you should not…"
Before he could finish, Yun Jin waved her hand slightly. The wood-aligned spiritual power surged wildly, bathing the creatures of Luoyun Mountain. They all displayed expressions of comfort.
The eldest tree was also bathed in the energy, and his expression suddenly changed.
He stretched his branches, sensing more deeply.
Next moment, he looked at Yun Jin with disbelief. "Girl, you… you… you…"
Yun Jin nodded humbly. "During cultivation a few days ago, I sensed something, and somehow, I broke through."
The eldest tree remained shocked. "So, you have…"
Yun Jin nodded again. "I have mastered the entire Primordial Wood. Therefore, I came to keep my promise and see you. It seems, Senior, you are not particularly welcoming. Perhaps I should leave and return in two or three hundred years."
Yun Jin turned to leave.
The eldest tree panicked. "Wait!"
Yun Jin stopped, feigning puzzlement. "What is it? You are old and need your sleep most of all. Disturbing your slumber was indeed my fault. I will leave and return when you are well-rested."
The eldest tree hurriedly said, "Rested, rested. I am fully awake now. Girl, tell me, how did you break through the Primordial Wood?"
Yun Jin blinked. "Are you sure it will not disturb you?"
"Certainly, certainly," the eldest tree nodded repeatedly.
[Emotional Value +500]
[Emotional Value +500]
Just from this wave, the eldest tree had contributed 500 consecutive emotional value points. High cultivation made a difference. It was clear there was still much more to gain from him. Perhaps a full hundred-point combo was possible.
Yun Jin sat cross-legged and vividly recounted what had occurred in Mingxin Hall.
The demon siege.
Zhai Ge's betrayal.
The eldest tree's expression shifted constantly, emotional value rising to fifty consecutive points.
From Yun Jin fighting demons alone, to allies joining her side. Then, Zhai Ge's vile act of threatening Mingxin Hall disciples' lives. To the disciples willing to sacrifice themselves to avoid burdening Yun Jin. Muddy tears streamed from the eldest tree's eyes. He wiped them while asking, "And then, and then?"
Yun Jin paused. "I am a little tired today. Shall we continue the rest tomorrow?"
The eldest tree: "?????"
One day, when the sword is in hand, all treacherous chapters of the world will fall!
He cut a small notch in his trunk, extracting a small bowl of transparent sap and handed it to Yun Jin.
"Drink this, and you should not feel tired."
Yun Jin hesitated. "I cannot just—this feels so improper. I am not that shameless, I should—"
"Drink!!!" The eldest tree's voice suddenly roared.
Startled, Yun Jin drank it quickly. The sap spread cool energy throughout her body, instantly invigorating her and sharpening her spirit.
"Now, can we continue?" The eldest tree asked eagerly.
Yun Jin cleared her throat. "Since I am suddenly not tired, let's continue. At the critical moment, I suddenly realized the final super Law, rejuvenating life. I returned this life force, saving the disciples and crushing the demons."
Yun Jin summarized it succinctly.
The eldest tree was stunned. "Just like that?"
Yun Jin nodded. "What else?"
The eldest tree thought for a moment, then asked directly, "When you broke through, what True Meaning did you realize?"
He had lived an incredibly long life. Naturally, he knew. Even along the same Primordial Force, different people could comprehend different True Meanings.
Yun Jin considered briefly, then said softly, "It is symbiosis."
"Symbiosis? What is symbiosis?" the eldest tree asked.
Yun Jin spoke calmly. "On Luoyun Mountain, thanks to the help of countless plants, I defeated a powerful enemy. At that moment, I determined the direction of my path."
The eldest tree recalled something, speaking in a daze, "Having perceived the vast universe, still cherishing plants deeply?"
He had heard Yun Jin mutter this before.
Yun Jin nodded. "I only lacked the final insight. When these disciples were willing to die rather than burden me, I understood. The plants pity me, I pity the plants. All beings pity me, I pity all beings.
My path is not merely protection or compassion, it is symbiosis and mutual aid. Life grants me strength, and I return it to life. That is symbiosis." Yun Jin spoke with serene conviction.