Star Dou Great Forest, core region.
Splash!
The lake surface rippled as water burst upward.
"How is it?" Di Tian asked when he saw the Myriad Demon King return.
"The Child of Nature is a human." The Myriad Demon King's expression was solemn, his words short and direct.
"How is that possible?" All the beasts present were stunned.
The Myriad Demon King did not answer. He pressed his fingers together, touching his brow as green light surged. A wave of light shot out.
In the next instant, the air rippled, light flickered, and the surrounding space shifted. A phantom forest emerged around them.
Before long, under this illusory scene, a colossal golden tree soared into their vision. Time passed; the giant tree shrank back, revealing a golden-haired, golden-eyed man, a small golden tree hovering before him, five soul rings rhythmically pulsing at his feet.
After that, the figures soared high into the sky and vanished.
"I checked the spring water he poured into the pit before leaving. It carries both ice and fire attributes. Alone, each is an extreme poison, strong enough to kill a 100,000-year soul beast. But combined, it greatly benefits plants, allowing them to grow hundreds or thousands of times faster. If I am not mistaken, the Blue Silver King and the other 10,000-year Blue Silver Grass were all transplanted to the location of this spring. This boy's ascension as the Child of Nature is likely tied to it."
As the Myriad Demon King spoke, he withdrew his soul power, dispersing the vision.
"That is only one part," Di Tian said, frowning. "Judging from the change in his fourth soul ring, it too is a life-bound soul ring, and moreover a lightning-attribute soul ring. If I am not wrong, he can attract lightning to temper himself, just like the Thunder Hell Prison Vine. Lightning has a refining effect. His bloodline reaching such a level is very likely linked to this."
"This is the talent that allowed him to break through the boundary."
"His wife Yiner, and the Blue Silver King, survived such a dense lightning barrage because of this as well."
"That means…" Several beasts gasped, immediately grasping Di Tian's meaning.
Only the Bear Lord remained confused. Scratching his head, he asked, "What does it mean?"
"It means this Child of Nature can help soul beasts bypass their tribulation and continue to grow stronger," the Myriad Demon King explained. "But before he fully transforms into the Ancient Tree of Life, one must sacrifice themselves to him to gain this blessing."
"From the information I gathered by linking mentally with the Blue Silver Grass nearby, the former Blue Silver Emperor, Yiner, released a powerful spiritual fluctuation. Her soul strength is likely already at the level of a Savage Beast."
"As for this Child of Nature… his age now… I can only say he truly may have the potential to reach that level."
In just a few short years, he had pushed a 100,000-year transformed soul beast's soul to Savage Beast level. That said much.
The Bear Lord was startled, blurting, "So the Ancient Tree he manifested is far stronger than the Golden Tree?"
"A qualitative difference," Bi Ji said with a nod. "That tree shouldn't even be called the Golden Tree anymore—it should be called the Ancient Tree of Life. Its golden color is not the natural result of years of growth, but rather the overflowing abundance of life energy within it."
"Its very existence is a miracle, representing another extreme of life."
"Of course, the Child of Nature's cultivation is still too low to truly reveal his future potential. What we saw was only the brief manifestation of the Ancient Tree of Life under nature's blessing during his breakthrough. To reproduce it, he still has a long path ahead."
"So how should we treat this Child of Nature?" the Scarlet King asked.
"Bring him back, kill him, bury him, and he'll turn into a tree, won't he?" the Bear Lord said bluntly.
Di Tian shot him a sidelong glance. "And then? The simplest question—do you think, after becoming the Ancient Tree of Life, he would choose to protect our race?"
"He's human! How could he ever protect us?" the Bear Lord retorted.
"That depends on which path he chooses in the end," Di Tian said thoughtfully.
"You think… when he fully unleashes his ability as the Child of Nature, might he be able to heal our Lord's wounds?" the Myriad Demon King suddenly asked.
Di Tian froze, falling into deep thought.
Bi Ji also pondered, then said, "Brother Tian, his wife is a soul beast. From how he treated the Blue Silver Grass, he does not seem hostile to soul beasts. And he clearly already knows about his identity and duty as the Child of Nature."
"Perhaps we can try to test him."
"That's what troubles me," the Myriad Demon King added. "How does he know so much about the Child of Nature? Honestly, I don't believe the story he gave. There may be secrets hidden within him."
He had lived hundreds of thousands of years and never heard of a Child of Nature receiving visions during ascension.
Di Tian then looked up. "Myriad Demon King, I want you—or even your clansmen—to go observe him, learn his attitude toward soul beasts, and try persuading his wife Yiner to help. Are you willing?"
"I can do it!" a massive ice silkworm cried out loudly from the side.
"This isn't your place to speak!" the Bear Lord glared. "Say another word and I'll eat you."
The air went silent.
"This may also be a chance for you—a chance to become a god," Di Tian said. "But I won't force you. The choice is yours."
"I need time to consider," the Myriad Demon King replied.
"Very well." Di Tian nodded, then strode toward the ice silkworm.
"Wuu, wuu, poor me!" The fat creature trembled, tears falling uncontrollably.
'Hmph. The Child of Nature is human—he'll need soul rings. Maybe I'll get my chance,' it thought.
---
Morning, Heaven Dou City.
Clip-clop. A refined carriage moved slowly along the empty streets. Early February, only days after New Year. Even in the imperial capital, the chill was biting. The wide avenues were mostly deserted, wind and frost their only company.
Dark clouds pressed down, making the massive palace walls loom even heavier.
Neigh!
At last the horse's cry shattered the silence.
Lifting the curtain, Yang Yunhai stepped down, Dugu Bo following behind.
Xue Ye and "Xue Qinghe" welcomed them warmly, already informed by the guards.
Since it was New Year, protocol demanded Yang Yunhai first greet the emperor. Smiling, he bowed, "Greetings, Your Majesty, Crown Prince."
"Politeness is unnecessary," Xue Ye said kindly. "Please, come inside, it is cold out."
The two nodded and followed him in.
As they walked, Xue Ye made casual conversation. "Brother Dugu, why did you not bring Zhu Zhuqing and your granddaughter today?"
"My granddaughter doesn't like the palace," Dugu Bo replied bluntly. "This place is too cold and empty. Better to sleep at home. Today, I'm just here as bodyguard, accompanying Xiao Hai to keep his promise to visit your son."
Xue Ye sighed. "Indeed, life in the palace is cold and lonely. Qinghe spends most of his days helping me with state affairs, rarely making friends. I am glad nephew Yang can accompany him."
"Enough talk. Since I'm here, bring out the wine," Dugu Bo said.
"Haha, of course." Xue Ye laughed.
The three entered a grand hall.
After some chatting, Dugu Bo said, "Xiao Hai, you don't drink. Go with the Crown Prince to the East Palace. You young ones talk among yourselves. When we're done here, I'll fetch you."
"Yes," Xue Ye smiled. "Qinghe, go ahead."
"Yes, Father." Qian Renxue nodded, leading Yang Yunhai away.
Walking side by side in the cold wind, they soon arrived at an empty path.
"Whatever soul bone you want, speak now," Qian Renxue said. "I'll send word to Spirit City, or you can have your teacher collect it from the Worship Hall. After New Year, your teachers will return there anyway. I believe Bibi Dong already instructed you to persuade Dugu Bo to join Spirit Hall."
"I will not go to Spirit City," Yang Yunhai said firmly.
"Tang Hao will come for me soon. I am fully prepared."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. "If you join the Worship Hall, you can still stay here to aid me."
"We will join the Worship Hall, but leave Spirit Hall," Yang Yunhai said calmly.
Qian Renxue turned, staring at him. "Xue Ye has promised me the throne. Within a year, I'll be emperor."
"So there's a condition? To bear a child?" Yang Yunhai asked, eyes ahead.
A year matched ten months of pregnancy too perfectly.
"I've already arranged it. It's no issue," Qian Renxue said confidently.
"My decision won't change," Yang Yunhai replied. "What? No confidence in yourself?"
"This isn't a fair trade," Qian Renxue said.
Indeed, with Yang Yunhai's wit, a year gave him ample time to move pieces. With Dugu Bo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo beside him, she had no guarantees once they openly left Spirit Hall. Even if they said they'd join the Worship Hall, it could just be words. If he schemed against her, years of effort would be ruined.
Even if she trusted him, she couldn't afford such risk.
Yang Yunhai nodded. "You're right, it's unfair. That's why I brought enough bargaining chips."
"This is the choice you mentioned?" Qian Renxue asked.
"Exactly," Yang Yunhai said with a smile. "Trust me—you won't refuse."
"Wait until we reach the East Palace. Find somewhere quiet," he added.
Frowning, she nodded, leading the way.
Soon, they entered the East Palace. Yang Yunhai followed her into an inner hall.
Creak. The door shut behind them.
Qian Renxue sat, waiting.
Yang Yunhai reached to his waist, drawing out a crimson herb shaped like a rooster's comb.
The moment it touched the air, the temperature rose.
"This is…" Qian Renxue's eyes widened.
"The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower," Yang Yunhai explained. "A fire-attribute treasure. It boosts soul power, refines impurities, strengthens flame attributes, and doubles firepower. Perfect for you. According to my teacher, it can let your Six-Winged Angel martial soul take another step forward."
Qian Renxue's composure faltered, a flash of desire in her eyes. But she quickly masked it, saying, "A tempting offer indeed."
"You know with the Grand Worship here, our leverage is equal. I can't harm you. I leave Spirit Hall because I don't want Bibi Dong on that throne," Yang Yunhai said evenly. "Spirit Hall needs a leader not bound by selfishness or petty love."
He meant for Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo's departure to expose Bibi Dong's coldness to her old allies, and her foolish favoritism for Yu Xiaogang. Spirit Hall's Golden Generation couldn't even defeat Shrek—proof of her failings in both leadership and teaching.
Qian Renxue's heart churned. 'Is this a warning for me too?'
With Dugu Bo beside him, even if Chrysanthemum and Ghost left Spirit Hall, they wouldn't dare kill her. At worst, her pregnancy plan might fail. Compared to the value of this immortal herb, it was nothing.
This treasure could greatly increase her chance of passing the God Inheritance. With that, she feared nothing.
"I warned Bibi Dong many times. She kept choosing wrongly. I don't wait forever. Take it as me supporting you," Yang Yunhai said.
"I hope you inherit the Angel God's position, and as a god, bring order to this messy world, giving the people better lives. I'm a commoner—no one understands their suffering more than me. Now that I have power, I must think of them."
"So this herb is both a bargaining chip and a gift. But also, consider it my test for you."
"Princess Qian Renxue, do you have the confidence to accept and pass this test?" He smiled faintly.
(End of Chapter)
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