Chapter 96: Planting a World Tree i
The Tiger Emperor of the White Tiger Clan, Bai Xiaofeng, was utterly shocked beyond measure.
In just a few months, Bai Xiaoqing had leaped from the Nascent Soul Realm to the Quasi-Immortal Realm!
Even more terrifying was that her bloodline had evolved into the Purest Bloodline.
It must be known that the Purest Bloodline had never appeared in the branches of the White Tiger Clan in the Lower World!
Even in the Immortal Domain’s Main Sect, it is said one would only possibly see it in a hidden, unparalleled genius.
But, now his own daughter had achieved it…
He took a deep breath, filled with shock, and said, “Xiaoqing, how… how did you do it?”
Bai Xiaoqing heard this, smiled, and said, “1 told you, didn’t I? 1 just found a master and became his pet cat!”
Hearing this, Bai Xiaofeng’s expression grew even more complex.
A master?Becoming a pet cat?
What kind of master could this be?
Suddenly, something occurred to him, and his face grew grim as he said, “Your master, couldn’t possibly be that terrifying expert from the Southern Territory who killed ten immortals with a single tune, could he?”
His expression was extremely grave!
Being in the Xuantian Realm, he naturally knew about the series of events that had taken place in the Southern Territory.
The existence of the terrifying expert in the Southern Territory was now common knowledge.
The annihilation of the Ten Great Profound Immortals was the epitome of terror!
But Bai Xiaoqing proudly said, “No, not that.”
“The one who killed the Ten Great Profound Immortals with a single tune was only his disciple,” she declared.
Hearing this, Bai Xiaofeng was completely stunned.
A person capable of killing Ten Great Profound Immortals with a single tune was actually just the disciple of that existence?
Terrifying, too terrifying.
He had previously predicted that the hidden expert from the Southern Territory might be at the Celestial Immortal Realm!
Because the hierarchy in the Xuantian Realm was of Profound Immortals, even though some powerful cultivators had secret methods to suppress their own power, they could not surpass the Celestial Immortal Realm.
But now it seemed… he had vastly underestimated the situation!
“To think that such a terrifying figure exists in the small Xuantian Realm…”
He muttered to himself, and the look in his eyes towards his daughter also became more complex.
Even if his own daughter received blessings and rewards at the True Monarch’s Blessing Ceremony, could she achieve the Purest Bloodline?
Impossible!
Staying here, she had greater opportunities.
“How about it? Father, do you still want me to return with you?”
Bai Xiaoqing asked proudly.
Bai Xiaofeng pondered for a moment, then said, “You don’t have to return for now.”
“But don’t forget, you and the Prince of the Tiger Clan from the Earth Yuan Realm have been betrothed by the elder of the Main Ancestral Hall. After this year’s True Monarch’s Blessing Ceremony, you should return to the clan and marry him!”
Upon hearing this, an unwilling expression appeared on Bai Xiaoqing’s face as she said, “No, Father, 1 don’t want to marry someone I’ve never met…”
Bai Xiaofeng furrowed his brows, as if he felt this was a very troublesome matter, but he still said, “Concentrate on your cultivation for now… I will do my best with this matter.”
But he had no confidence in his heart.
This marriage was arranged by the Immortal Domain’s Main Sect, and moreover, the other party was a branch from the “Earth” Realm, far stronger than the branch of the “Xuan” Realm… It was difficult to say.
“I knew Father was the best,” Bai Xiaoqing said delightedly. “Father, I will go back first then. My master should be returning from his sketching soon.”
She turned around to leave.
“Wait a moment.”
Bai Xiaofeng called out to her; he hesitated for a bit but still gathered the courage to ask, “Your master… does he need any other pet cats?”
“I think there are many outstanding juniors in our clan that would be quite suitable to be pet cats…”
After saying this, he felt as if he could die of embarrassment.
A mighty Tiger Emperor!
And he had spoken such shamelessly thick-skinned words.
His persona had crumbled today!
But it had to crumble, for that was the Purest Bloodline, difficult to find even in the Immortal Domain. If his own line could produce a few more…
Bai Xiaoqing heard this but shook her head and said, “That senior is unfathomable, and his requirements for selecting cats are very high… 1 don’t think there’s anyone suitable in our clan.”
Hmph, 1 certainly don’t want other cats competing for the master’s affection!
Isn’t it better to have the master’s embrace all to oneself? Meow, meow!
After saying this, she turned into a streak of light and vanished.
Bai Xiaofeng stood there dumbfounded, feeling a sense of loss as the wind blew by.
At this moment.
The sun had already sunk below the horizon.
Atop a mountain peak.
Under Li Fan’s guidance, Zi Ling had finally completed her first piece of artwork!
A painting of the setting sun!
The mountains undulated, broad and expansive, with a red sun sinking westward, as though it contained the ultimate truth of heaven and earth.
Having finished the painting, Zi Ling was astonished to find that she… had almost reached the Xuanxian Realm?
She was shocked.
“Imitating the Great Way has allowed me to advance quickly…”
She murmured to herself.
“Hmm, not bad, but you are still far from grasping the true essence of the setting sun,” Li Fan commented after a brief review and then said, “Let’s go, it’s time to go home.”
The two of them packed up their things and followed behind Li Fan.
It didn’t take long for the trio to arrive back at the small courtyard.
“Hmm? Why is there a sapling here?”
Li Fan walked over, only to see a small sapling lying at the doorway.
The sapling had not a single leaf left on it, several roots were cracked, and it looked almost like it was about to turn into a withered branch.
Upon seeing this, Nan Feng’s pretty face shook with disbelief, “This is… the World Tree from the Xuantian Realm?!”
She was shocked.
Before the Ten Great Profound Immortals descended to the Lower World, she had infused Immortal Spirit Qi into the World Tree’s chain of order. Therefore, she could feel it!
Zi Ling was also dumbfounded. How did the World Tree end up here?
“Previously, the World Tree was being chased by an unknown entity… It has fled for refuge, seeking the protection of our master!”
Nan Feng thought for a moment and immediately came up with the answer.
Li Fan also pondered, Who put it here? Could someone from the village have brought a fruit tree sapling for him?
He wasn’t sure, but still said, “To encounter is to be predestined, let’s take it back and try planting it.”
With that, he picked up the World Tree and brought it inside the courtyard.
Once in the courtyard, Li Fan said, “Lu Rang, come here, your teacher will teach you how to plant a tree.”
Lu Rang, who was working in the vegetable field, immediately carried his hoe over.
His body had grown stronger from the daily manual work, and his aura was terrifying, having reached the Quasi-Immortal Realm!
Surprised to see the small sapling, he asked, “Master, what kind of sapling is this?”
The other disciples also gathered around.
“This sapling seems extraordinary…”
“It feels special. Could it be a type of Spiritual Medicine?”
“It must be. Anything our master brings back can’t be mediocre!”
Everyone weighed in with their comments.
Xinning also walked over, her eyes wide with surprise.
The World Tree… has it come here?
“This World Tree has become sentient; it knows that this is the safest place… But, without Xuan Huang Qi, even if this senior can protect it, it’ll gradually wither away…”
She couldn’t help muttering to herself.
While everyone was puzzled, Li Fan had already taken the hoe and started to dig a hole next to the peach tree!
“Watch carefully, planting a tree is not the same as planting vegetables; you must dig deep enough.”
He swung his hoe and dug into the earth!
Instantly, everyone stared in a daze. They clearly saw Li Fan’s hoe carrying the immense force of heavenly ethos, and as it hit the ground, it was as though each stroke could dig out a separate world!
The next moment, the pale gray granular soil was turned over, and a hole emerged!
“After digging the hole, you first need to water it to moisten the pit!”
Li Fan sprinkled a ladle of wellwater, and mist emanated.
The crowd watched intently, for that was Divine Spring water!
“Then place the sapling upright and cover it with soil.”
Li Fan positioned the small sapling properly, held the sapling with one hand, and used the hoe with the other to push the soil back!
Quickly, the soil secured the small sapling in place. Li Fan poured another ladle of water halfway through, then compacted and completely covered the soil.
“With this, the tree is planted. The most important thing for a tree’s growth is to establish its roots. Whether the roots are deep enough determines the height the tree will reach in the future!”
“If the roots are unstable, no matter how tall it grows, a single strong wind will cause it to break!”
“You must understand that if the foundation is not solid, the earth will shake and mountains will sway!”
Li Fan provided instruction on planting trees.
The few disciples were immersed in the wisdom of Li Fan’s words.
“The roots are most important. Master is telling us we must establish a solid foundation!”
Long Zixuan muttered to himself.
“I have grown too fast; perhaps it’s time to solidify my foundation… Master is reminding me.”
Nan Feng’s face showed a dawning realization.
They all gained significant insights.
“If the foundation is not solid, the earth will shake and mountains will sway…”
In Xinning’s wide eyes, a thoughtful expression appeared. “In my previous life, didn’t I fail to reach the Immortal King Realm because, at the last moment, my cultivation level cracked? The senior is enlightening me on the cause of my failure!”
“I understand now. This life, 1 must follow this senior and achieve perfection!”
She made up her mind.
“Wow, this tree has just been planted, and it feels like it’s already brimming with life!”
Lu Rang exclaimed in surprise.
Everybody focused their gaze, and indeed, the branches that had seemed dry and lifeless were now exuding a fullness of life, as if they were growing!
Seeing this, Xinning was even more astonished.
“My goodness… The World Tree is a rare treasure of heaven and earth. Other than the Xuanhuang Mist Sea with which it symbiotically exists, no soil can nourish it, unless, unless…”
She murmured, “Unless it’s the legendary ‘Immortal King Soil’ that can make an Immortal King immortal… This…”
She was completely stunned.
At that moment.
In a realm not far from the Xuantian Realm.
This realm was vast and boundless, with endless mountains and rivers, mighty rivers coursing through it, where Immortal Spirit Qi mingled with Spiritual Energy. Although diluted, it nourished countless immortal beings of this world!
Between heaven and earth, occasionally, immortal creatures would appear, and even Profound Immortals were sighted in brief, breathtaking moments!
In the center of this world, atop a vast mountain range stood an ancient palace. Above the mountain gate, five characters imbued with the power of the Immortal Path were emblazoned:
“Earth Spirit Realm Sub-rudder!”
At that moment, a ray of light suddenly appeared from nowhere and drifted toward the mountain gate. The guarding Immortal reprimanded:
“Which remnant soul dares to disturb this place? Scram immediately!”
As the remnant soul approached, barely revealing its original appearance, the guardian Immortal was shocked and said, “What? Yu Chenbing? How did you end up like this?”
“What happened in the Xuantian Realm?!”