Chapter 6381 - 6390
Kai and Jiang Xuelan flew north for three days and three nights.
The Eastern Region was known for its fertile plains and sprawling cities. Even with mountains as barriers, the terrain consisted mostly of open, gentle hills, bustling with cultivators and vibrant with the lively atmosphere of the marketplace.
The Northern Region, however, was entirely different.
From the moment they entered the Northern Region, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth grew increasingly intense. The wind carried the astringent scent of grass and trees, along with a faint, ancient aura, and even the sunlight seemed thinner.
The further north they went, the denser the trees became, and the more precipitous the mountains grew.
Initially, they could see traces of independent cultivators in the mountain valleys.
These cultivators were mostly dressed in coarse cloth, carrying medicine baskets or weapons, and moved cautiously through the forest, presumably seeking the unique spiritual herbs or rare treasures of the Northern Region.
Occasionally, they could also see a few small towns nestled in the valleys.
The town was small, mostly wooden houses with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.
The townspeople, mostly dependent on the mountains for their livelihood, possessed a rugged yet simple charm characteristic of people from the northern regions. When
they saw Kai and Jiang Xuelan, two cultivators with distinguished attire and composed demeanor, they merely observed from afar, not daring to approach and speak.
But by noon the next day,
all signs of life had vanished. The hills beneath their feet were gradually replaced by an endless primeval forest, a vast expanse of ancient trees that blocked out the sky.
Not a trace of human activity could be seen; even the occasional lone cultivators seen before had completely disappeared.
These ancient trees were often dozens of meters tall, their trunks so thick that it took more than a dozen people to encircle them. Their bark was cracked and covered with the marks of time, as if they had been rooted here since ancient times, witnessing countless changes over the ages.
The canopies layered upon each other, intertwining to completely obscure the sky.
Sunlight strained through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, swaying in the wind like countless dancing sprites.
The forest floor was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, soft and rustling underfoot.
But apart from that, there was no other sound.
The forest was eerily quiet, so eerily quiet
it was unsettling. There were no birdsongs, no chirping insects, not even the rustling of the wind through the leaves.
It was as if the forest had been muted, leaving only the faint sound of their clothes fluttering as they flew through the air.
Kai’s divine sense had been quietly spreading, covering an area of several miles around.
He could clearly sense countless faint auras hidden within the forest.
These auras were ancient, quiet, without any malice, yet carrying a hint of wariness.
They were hidden deep within the tree roots, in the thick trunks, and in the intertwined vines.
Like a group of sleeping elders, or like pairs of eyes silently watching them, taking in their every move.
Beside her, Jiang Xuelan’s brows had been tightly furrowed ever since they entered this primeval forest, never relaxing.
The icy blue divine light surrounding her was much dimmer than usual, and her expression carried a hint of discomfort.
As the inheritor of the Ice God, her ice-attribute spiritual power was always domineering and fierce.
But in this forest, her ice god power was noticeably suppressed.
Not by some evil force deliberately suppressing it, but because the wood-attribute spiritual energy in this forest was too dense, almost viscous.
Her ice-attribute spiritual power clashed with this wood-attribute spiritual energy, like fire meeting ice, repelling each other.
This made it more difficult for her to circulate her spiritual power.
“This forest has lived for a very long time, longer than we imagined,”
Jiang Xuelan stopped, hovering in mid-air, her gaze slowly sweeping over the ancient trees below, and said softly.
Her voice carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, solemn tone.
She could sense that every inch of this forest, every blade of grass and tree, contained a powerful life force.
This life force was ancient and tenacious, far surpassing anything she had ever seen before.
Kai nodded, his expression equally serious.
“It’s not just that they’ve lived for a long time.”
“Every tree, every vine, every patch of moss here has its own consciousness.”
“They haven’t taken form, they haven’t spoken, yet they are truly alive.”
“They are sensing the presence of outsiders, wary of our every move, as if waiting for something,” Kai said.
His chaotic power was extremely sensitive to all forces in the world.
Those faint consciousnesses hidden in the grass and trees, in his perception, were like twinkling stars.
Though faint, they were incredibly clear.
The two didn’t linger and continued flying north.
Along the way, that eerie silence always enveloped them.
The presence hidden in the grass and trees never dissipated, always following behind them.
Not too close, not too far, as if monitoring, or perhaps probing.
Jiang Xuelan gradually adapted to the spiritual energy environment, and her icy blue divine light stabilized again.
However, she still deliberately concealed her aura to avoid a strong conflict with the wood-attribute spiritual energy of the forest.
Kai, on the other hand, remained vigilant, his divine sense not daring to relax for a moment.
He knew that this forest, seemingly peaceful, actually concealed hidden dangers.
A slight misstep could lead to utter destruction.
On the evening of the third day, the last rays of the setting sun shone through the gaps in the tree canopy, casting a final golden-red glow that bathed the entire forest in a soft, warm hue.
Just then, a thick fog suddenly appeared ahead.
Like an invisible barrier, it blocked their path.
This fog was no ordinary water vapor, but rather formed from the purest wood-attribute spiritual energy in the world.
It was as thick as melted paste, allowing visibility to only a few meters ahead.
Beyond that, everything was completely shrouded in fog, obscured.
Countless tiny threads of wood-attribute spiritual energy were also mixed within the fog.
The threads were thin yet strong, invisible to the naked eye.
They intertwined into a vast and complex net, enveloping the entire area and emanating a faint pressure.
Kai’s divine sense probed into the thick fog, and was instantly entangled by those spiritual threads, his divine sense becoming sluggish.
He knew perfectly well that anyone stepping into this dense fog would trigger the alarm formed by the threads of spiritual energy.
Not only would they lose their way and be trapped in an endless labyrinth, but they would also be corroded by the wood-attribute spiritual energy within the fog.
Weaker cultivators might even be trapped and die within the fog, becoming nourishment for the forest.
“We’ve arrived at the Misty Forest.”
Kai stopped, his gaze fixed intently on the dense fog before him, his tone carrying a hint of certainty.
This was the outer barrier of the Spirit Clan, and the only way to enter their territory.
Ordinary cultivators couldn’t even take a single step inside. Jiang Xuelan stood beside him, her icy blue divine light surging slightly, forming a thin protective shield that kept the surrounding fog at bay.
Looking at the thick fog before her, her brows furrowed even more.
“How do we get through? This fog is too thick; my divine sense can’t penetrate it at all, and those spiritual energy threads are very strange,” Jiang Xuelan asked.
Kai closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The chaotic power within his body slowly surged, spreading out along his meridians, transforming into an invisible purple stream of light that stretched towards the thick fog ahead.
Chaotic power is the primordial force from the beginning of heaven and earth, encompassing all things and suppressing all types of spiritual energy.
Those threads woven from wood-attribute spiritual energy, once they encountered chaotic power, were like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun.
They melted away silently, leaving not a trace.
After a moment, Kai’s divine sense, aided by the chaotic power, finally penetrated the thick fog and perceived the scene deep within it.
He could clearly sense countless intricate paths deep within the dense fog.
Some led to traps strewn with spikes, some to bottomless abysses, and others to swamps teeming with poison.
Only one narrow path wound its way forward, leading into the depths of the Misty Forest.
It was the only correct path through the Misty Forest.
He slowly opened his eyes, a flash of purple light appearing within them, and said to Jiang Xuelan,
“Follow me, don’t stray from my path.”
“No matter what you see, don’t touch the surrounding fog light,” Kai instructed.
Jiang Xuelan nodded, following closely behind Kai.
The icy blue light shield around her was reinforced again, constantly alert to any movement around them.
The moment Kai and Jiang Xuelan stepped into the Misty Forest, the world seemed to change color instantly.
The previously bright sky darkened in an instant.
The thick fog didn’t slowly gather around them, but surged in from all directions like a tidal wave,
instantly engulfing the two of them completely.
The fog was so thick it almost had a texture, clinging to the skin with a cool, sticky feel.
It was like countless invisible hands gently caressing and probing, or issuing a silent warning,
cautioning them not to proceed rashly.
Kai’s chaotic energy automatically activated, instantly unfurling a purple light shield that enveloped both him and Jiang Xuelan.
The thick fog, upon contact with the purple shield, sizzled as if burned by flames,
rapidly dissolving into wisps of faint spiritual energy, absorbed by the chaotic energy.
Jiang Xuelan wasn’t idle either; icy blue divine light swirled rapidly across her body,
freezing the fog that tried to bypass the purple shield and approach them into tiny ice crystals.
The ice crystals fell to the ground with a crisp “clinking” sound,
but before they could even land, they were completely swallowed by the new dense fog and vanished.
“The consciousness of this forest is stronger than we imagined,”
Jiang Xuelan said softly, her tone tinged with seriousness.
“It’s watching us, judging our good and evil, testing our strength,” Kai said.
She could clearly feel that the wood-attribute consciousnesses hidden in the thick fog had become more active than before.
It was as if they were observing them closely, assessing whether they were qualified to step into the Spirit Clan’s territory.
“Stay close to me, don’t get distracted.”
Kai’s voice was calm, but his tone carried an undeniable solemnity.
His divine sense remained highly focused.
The chaotic power transformed into an invisible serpent, carving out a narrow passage in the thick fog.
The fog on both sides of the passage surged incessantly, as if it were alive, constantly closing in on the passage,
trying to trap them inside .
But the restraining effect of the chaotic power was too domineering.
The threads woven from wood-attribute spiritual energy would instantly melt upon contact with the purple chaotic light, unable to get even a fraction closer to them.
The two proceeded cautiously along the passage Kai had carved out.
Along the way, the fog grew thicker and thicker, visibility decreased, and the wood-attribute spiritual energy in the air became increasingly viscous.
A faint, fresh scent of grass and trees could be detected, mingled with a barely perceptible stench of decay.
These were signs of the spiritual veins beginning to decay, though obscured by the thick fog.
Kai’s chaotic power probed ahead, avoiding trap after trap hidden within the fog.
Some traps were sharp tree roots suddenly emerging from the ground.
These roots were as hard as iron, shimmering with an eerie green light.
Once touched, they would instantly coil around the person, binding them tightly.
Other traps were poisonous mushrooms disguised as stones.
These mushrooms appeared ordinary, yet emitted a colorless and odorless toxin; inhaling even a trace of the toxic gas would paralyze the entire body, causing the loss of all cultivation.
Still other traps were poisonous spores invisible to the naked eye in the air.
These spores floated in the fog, and once they came into contact with a cultivator’s skin, they would quickly penetrate the body, corroding the meridians, making them impossible to defend against.
Fortunately, Kai’s chaotic power countered all other forces.
Before those traps could even get close, they were completely swallowed up by the purple chaotic light.
Transformed into wisps of spiritual energy, it was absorbed by Kai.
Far from harming them, it nourished the chaotic power within Kai’s body.
Jiang Xuelan followed behind Kai, her eyes warily observing everything around her.
Occasionally, she would intervene, using the power of the Ice God to freeze any stragglers, ensuring their safety.
In this way, the two traveled through the thick fog for about the time it takes for an incense stick
to burn. Just when they thought they would continue smoothly, a subtle movement suddenly came from ahead.
It sounded like something was moving rapidly, accompanied by the rustling sound of branches and leaves rubbing together.
Several faint yet concentrated auras were rapidly approaching them.
Kai instantly stopped, his divine sense expanding rapidly, instantly locking onto the auras.
There were five auras, all with cultivation levels between the fourth and fifth ranks of the True Immortal Realm.
Their auras were refined and steady, carrying a rich wood-attribute spiritual energy that blended perfectly with the forest’s atmosphere.
Without careful perception, their presence was virtually undetectable.
Moreover, their auras carried a clear wariness and hostility, clearly targeting them.
“Someone’s coming. It’s the Spirit Clan,”
Kai whispered to Jiang Xuelan, his tone tinged with caution.
“Their cultivation isn’t high, but their auras are very well concealed.”
“They’re probably a Spirit Clan patrol, responsible for guarding this misty forest and preventing outsiders from intruding,” Kai said.
Jiang Xuelan nodded, her icy blue divine light instantly sharpening as she prepared for battle.
“Should we subdue them?”
“No need,” Kai shook his head.
“We’re here to see the Spirit Clan Chief and discuss cooperation. It’s not wise to act rashly, lest we escalate the conflict.”
“Let’s observe their intentions first. If they insist on obstructing us, then we can act.” After speaking, Kai carefully surveyed his surroundings. No sooner had he
finished speaking than five green figures darted out of the thick fog, instantly blocking their path.
They were five Spirit Clan cultivators, all young. Tall and slender
, with pale bluish-green skin and subtle wood-like patterns swirling in their pupils. They
wore robes woven from leaves and vines, adorned with simple runes that emitted a faint wood-attribute spiritual energy.
Each held a wooden staff, the tip of which was inlaid with a small green crystal, emitting a soft glow—clearly their magical artifact.
Leading them was a young Spirit Clan man, handsome with sharp eyes, his cultivation at the fifth rank of the True Immortal Realm.
He stared coldly at Kai and Jiang Xuelan, his tone filled with undisguised hostility.
“Humans? How did you trespass into the Misty Forest?”
“This is the territory of the Spirit Clan; outsiders are not allowed to enter.”
“Retreat immediately, or don’t blame us for being impolite!”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Clearly, he held a high position within the Spirit Clan patrol.
The other four Spirit Clan cultivators also raised their wooden staffs.
The green crystals at the tips of their staffs shone brightly, gathering faint streams of wood-attribute spiritual energy.
They aimed at Kai and Jiang Xuelan, their expressions wary, ready to attack at any moment.
Kai took a step forward, the purple light shield around him slightly receding.
A gentle expression appeared on his face as he clasped his hands in a fist salute to the leading Spirit Clan man.
“Fellow Spirit Clan cultivator, I am Kai, and this is Fellow Daoist Jiang Xuelan beside me.”
“We have not come here with the intention of offending the Spirit Clan’s territory.”
“But we have important matters to discuss with the Spirit Clan Chief. We would be grateful if you could grant us this favor and inform him.” Kai said politely.
“Seeking an audience with the clan leader?” The leading spirit race man sneered, his hostility intensifying.
“Humans dare to seek an audience with our clan leader?”
“You humans are greedy and cunning, cutting down our trees, harvesting our medicinal herbs, and destroying our homes.”
“Your hands are stained with the blood of our spirit race, and now you still have the nerve to seek an audience with the clan leader?”
“I think you’ve come to probe our spirit race’s strength, intending to harm us again!”
The leading man didn’t believe Kai’s words at all.
The other four spirit race cultivators, upon hearing this, became even more enraged.
The wooden staffs in their hands trembled slightly, and streams of wood-attribute spiritual energy became increasingly condensed.
The tense atmosphere in the air instantly escalated, as if a battle would erupt at any moment.
Jiang Xuelan frowned, stepped forward, her icy blue divine light surging slightly, and spoke in a cold tone.
“Fellow Daoist, watch your words!”
“Not all humans are as you describe.”
“We’ve come to discuss cooperation with the Spirit Clan, not to harm you.”
“If you insist on obstructing us, don’t blame us for being impolite!”
Jiang Xuelan was somewhat angry.
“Impolite?” A hint of disdain flashed in the eyes of the leading Spirit Clan man.
“Just the two of you humans? You dare to act so presumptuously on our Spirit Clan’s territory?”
“I advise you to be sensible and retreat immediately.”
“Otherwise, today we’ll let you perish in this misty forest and become nourishment for our Spirit Clan’s vegetation!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly raised his hand, pointing his wooden staff at Kai, and shouted.
“Attack!”
The other four Spirit Clan cultivators immediately responded, swinging their wooden staffs simultaneously.
Streams of green wood-attribute spiritual energy transformed into sharp vines, swiftly wrapping around Kai and Jiang Xuelan.
The vines were extremely fast, carrying a sharp aura, and instantly arrived in front of them,
attempting to bind them tightly.
At the same time, the surrounding fog thickened further.
Countless tiny threads of wood-attribute spiritual energy coiled around them,
forming a massive net that completely blocked their escape route.
“It seems we have no choice but to act,”
Kai thought with a hint of helplessness.
He didn’t want to be enemies with the Spirit Clan, but their insistence on blocking him left him no choice but to retaliate.
He simply raised his hand, and the chaotic power within his body surged instantly.
Purple light burst forth, forming a massive protective shield that enveloped him and Jiang Xuelan.
The attacking vines and threads of spiritual energy, upon touching the purple shield,
melted instantly, like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun, turning into wisps of spiritual energy absorbed by the chaotic power.
The leading Spirit Clan man’s expression changed slightly upon seeing this, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
“What kind of power is this? It can actually restrain our wood-attribute spiritual energy?”
He had never seen such power before.
Neither human spiritual energy nor the power of other races possessed such a domineering restraining effect.
Their prized wood-attribute spiritual power proved utterly ineffective against this purple force.
“Fellow Daoist, we do not wish to be your enemies. Please do not obstruct us any further,”
Kai’s voice remained calm, but a new, undeniable authority crept into it.
“We have indeed come to discuss cooperation with the Spirit Clan.”
“This concerns the very survival of the Spirit Clan. If this matter is delayed, you cannot bear the responsibility,” Kai pleaded.
“Survival?” The leading Spirit Clan man sneered, a glint of disdain in his eyes.
“Our Spirit Clan has survived in this forest for tens of thousands of years, enduring countless storms unscathed.”
“How could there be a crisis of life and death?”
“Stop spreading alarmist rumors. You think you can fool us into letting you pass? Not so easy!”
With that, he brandished his wooden staff again, chanting incantations.
Instantly, the surrounding ground began to tremble violently.
Countless thick tree roots burst forth from the ground, like giant venomous snakes, swiftly attacking Kai and Jiang Xuelan.
These roots were thicker and harder than the previous vines,
covered with a thick layer of scales that shimmered with an eerie green light, clearly containing immense power.
If struck, even a cultivator at the fifth rank of the True Immortal Realm would be severely injured.
Jiang Xuelan’s eyes turned cold, and she no longer hesitated.
The power of the Ice God within her body erupted instantly, and the icy blue divine light surged,
transforming into countless sharp ice blades that cleaved towards the attacking tree roots.
Crackling sounds rang out continuously.
The thick tree roots, struck by the ice blades, were instantly frozen into blocks of ice.
Then they shattered, turning into countless tiny ice shards that fell to the ground.
But the tree roots seemed endless.
As soon as one wave was shattered, another wave burst forth from the ground, relentlessly attacking them.At the same time, the five Spirit Clan cultivators also made their move together.
The wooden staffs in their hands kept waving, and streams of green spiritual energy transformed into various attacks.
There were sharp wooden swords, poisonous wooden spikes, and extremely binding vines.
They completely blocked all possible escape routes.
Looking at the scene before him, Kai knew clearly that if this stalemate continued, it would not only waste time,
but might also attract even more Spirit Clan cultivators.
At that point, meeting the Spirit Clan Chief would become even more difficult.
So, he decided to end the battle quickly.
Without harming the Spirit Clan patrol, he would still make them obediently step aside.
He took a deep breath, and the power of chaos inside his body surged once again.
Purple light instantly expanded, forming a gigantic purple palm that gently pressed toward the five Spirit Clan cultivators.
The palm looked slow, yet it contained immense power.
There was not the slightest killing intent—only an overwhelming pressure descending upon them.
The expressions of the five Spirit Clan cultivators immediately turned pale.
They could clearly feel that this pressure was far beyond what they could endure.
There was simply no way to resist it.
The leading Spirit Clan man tried to swing his wooden staff in retaliation, but realized his body could no longer move.
Even the wood-element spiritual energy inside him had completely stagnated, as if frozen solid.
The other four Spirit Clan cultivators were also trapped beneath the pressure, unable to move.
Fear appeared on their faces.
The purple palm gently landed above their heads.
It caused no harm at all. Instead, it injected a gentle stream of chaotic power into their bodies,
suppressing their spiritual energy and preventing them from attacking again.
“Fellow Daoists, we truly mean no harm.”
Kai’s voice rang out once more. His tone was calm, yet carried undeniable authority.
“The spiritual vein is drying up. This forest is about to die.”
“Your Spirit Clan is also on the verge of extinction.”
“We came here to help you resolve this crisis and discuss cooperation.”
“To fight together against the Divine Alliance.”
“If you continue to obstruct us and delay this matter, not only you, but the entire Spirit Clan, will perish because of it.”
Kai reminded them again.
The fear on the leading Spirit Clan man’s face gradually faded.
It was replaced by confusion and shock.
“What did you say? The spiritual vein is drying up? Impossible!”
“Our Spirit Clan’s spiritual vein has been stable since ancient times. How could it dry up?”
“You must be lying to us!” the leading Spirit Clan man said in disbelief.
Kai did not argue. Instead, he took out a black stone from his robe.
It was something he had picked up on the outskirts of the Mist Forest.
The surface of the stone was covered in cracks, and black liquid seeped from them, emitting a faint rotten stench.
He tossed the stone to the leading Spirit Clan man and said,
“Fellow Daoist, take a look for yourself. I found this outside the Mist Forest.”
“Your Spirit Clan has lived here for generations. You should know what this is.”
“This is a Corruption Stone formed after a spiritual vein decays.”
“Once a spiritual vein begins to rot, stones like this will appear.”
“As the spiritual vein continues to wither, more and more of these stones will emerge.”
“Until the entire forest turns into a dead land where not a single blade of grass can grow.”
After speaking, Kai quietly watched the man before him.
The leading Spirit Clan man caught the black stone and examined it carefully for a moment.
His face instantly turned deathly pale, and his body trembled slightly.
He was the captain of the Spirit Clan patrol, named Qing He.
He had grown up in this forest and understood the condition of the spiritual veins extremely well.
He knew clearly that this kind of black Corruption Stone was indeed a symbol of spiritual vein decay.
But he had never imagined that the Spirit Clan’s spiritual vein had already deteriorated to such a degree.
He raised his head and looked at Kai, the hostility in his eyes now completely gone.
In its place were confusion and worry.
“What you said is true? The spiritual vein is really drying up? Our Spirit Clan is truly facing extinction?” Qing He asked.
“Absolutely true.” Kai nodded and said solemnly,
“I can sense that the spiritual vein of this forest has already withered by thirty percent.”
“And the rate of decay is still accelerating. If nothing is done soon, this forest will become a dead land before long.”
“And your Spirit Clan will perish along with it. The power of chaos within me can repair spiritual veins and nourish this forest.”
“That is why I came to seek an audience with the Spirit Clan Chief. I wish to cooperate with the Spirit Clan and help you resolve the crisis of the dying spiritual vein.”
“At the same time, I hope the Spirit Clan can help us fight against the Divine Alliance together.”
After Kai finished speaking, Qing He fell silent.
He looked at the black Corruption Stone in his hand, then at Kai before him, his heart filled with conflict.
He knew that Kai was most likely telling the truth.
Because recently, he too had felt that the spiritual energy in the forest had become much thinner than before.
Some ancient plants had even begun to wither.
But he had always assumed it was merely a natural phenomenon, never suspecting that it was caused by the spiritual vein drying up.
The other four Spirit Clan cultivators also revealed expressions of shock and concern after hearing their conversation.
They all looked toward Qing He, waiting for his decision.
After a long while, Qing He slowly raised his head, and the struggle in his eyes gradually disappeared.
In its place was determination.
He knew this matter concerned the life and death of the entire Spirit Clan and could not be treated carelessly.
Nor could he continue allowing his own prejudice to stop Kai and the others.
So, he clasped his fists respectfully toward Kai and said,
“Fellow Daoist Kai, please forgive our offense.”“I was aware of the depletion of the spiritual veins, but I hadn’t paid it much attention.”
“Since you have a way to resolve the crisis, I’ll take you to see the clan leader.”
“However, the clan leader has always disliked humans. Whether you can persuade him depends on your own abilities.”
Qinghe’s hostility lessened considerably.
“Thank you for your understanding, fellow Daoist.” Kai smiled slightly.
He gently raised his hand and withdrew the chaotic power that had enveloped the five spirit race cultivators.
“If we can see the clan leader and persuade him to cooperate with us, it will not only be a blessing for the spirit race, but also for all of us humans,” Kai said.
Qinghe nodded and put away the black corrosive stone in her hand.
She gave the other four spirit race cultivators a wink and said, “Continue patrolling here and keep a close eye on the surrounding area.”
“If any other outsiders intrude, report it immediately. I’ll take Fellow Daoist Kai and Fellow Daoist Jiang Xuelan to see the clan leader.”
“Yes, Captain!” the four spirit race cultivators replied in unison.
He put away his wooden staff, disappeared back into the thick fog, and continued his patrol.
Qinghe turned around and gestured for Kai and Jiang Xuelan to follow her.
“Fellow Daoists, please follow me.” ”
The paths deeper into the Misty Forest are far more complex than here, and there are many powerful restrictions.”
“Without my guidance, even if you manage to cross this dense fog, it will be difficult to reach the core territory of the Spirit Clan.”
“Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoists,” Kai said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
Together with Jiang Xuelan, they followed Qinghe deeper into the Misty Forest.
Qinghe walked at the front, gently waving her wooden staff, releasing streams of green spiritual energy that
dispelled the surrounding fog, clearing a wide path.
As he walked, he explained to Kai and Jiang Xuelan, “This Misty Forest is our Spirit Clan’s first line of defense.”
“It’s filled with restrictions set up by our Spirit Clan. These restrictions are made of ancient spiritual plants and wood-attribute spiritual energy.”
“They’re specifically designed to prevent outsiders from intruding. What you encountered just now was only the outermost patrol.”
“Further in, there are even stronger patrols and more powerful restrictions.”
Hearing Qinghe’s words, Kai nodded, his divine sense constantly spreading out, carefully sensing the surrounding activity.
He could feel the surrounding wood-attribute spiritual energy becoming increasingly dense.
The consciousnesses hidden within the vegetation were also becoming more active.
However, their hostility towards them had vanished.
Only a trace of curiosity and wariness remained, clearly because of Qinghe.
Jiang Xuelan also relaxed her guard, the icy blue divine light around her slightly receding.
However, she remained vigilant, observing everything around her.
Looking at Qinghe beside her, she couldn’t help but ask, “Fellow Daoist Qinghe, when exactly did the Spirit Clan’s spiritual veins begin to decay?”
“Didn’t your Spirit Clan’s higher-ups notice?”
Qinghe’s face showed a hint of helplessness and bitterness.
“I don’t know exactly when it started. It was probably several decades ago when we noticed the spiritual energy in the forests was becoming thinner.” ”
Some ancient plants also began to show signs of withering.”
“We reported this to the clan’s higher-ups.”
“But they said it was just a normal natural phenomenon and told us not to make a fuss.”
“Now that I think about it, they must have discovered the problem of the depleted spiritual veins long ago.”
“They just couldn’t solve it, so they chose to hide it, fearing it would cause panic among the clansmen,”
Qinghe analyzed.
Kai’s heart sank slightly upon hearing this.
The problem of depleted spiritual veins had actually existed for decades.
And the Spirit Clan’s higher-ups had chosen to conceal it.
This meant that the decay of the spiritual veins might be more serious than he had imagined.
If it had been a few years later, even with his Chaos Power, he probably wouldn’t have been able to reverse it.
The three continued their journey, Qinghe leading them, avoiding one powerful restriction after another.
These restrictions were incredibly powerful; if accidentally triggered, even a seventh-grade True Immortal would be severely injured.
Along the way, they encountered several patrols of the Spirit Race.
The patrols all bowed respectfully upon seeing Qinghe.
Although they looked at Kai and Jiang Xuelan, the two humans, with suspicion and wariness in their eyes,
they did not stop them, clearly because Qinghe had given prior notice.
The three traveled through the Misty Forest for about half an hour.
The thick fog ahead gradually thinned, and the trees became more sparse.
The stench in the air faded, replaced by a rich and pure wood-attribute spiritual energy,
refreshing their spirits.
After walking for a while longer, a wide clearing suddenly appeared ahead.
The clearing was large, covered with tender green grass and blooming with colorful exotic flowers.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, a stark contrast to the eerie atmosphere of the Misty Forest.
Seven enormous ancient trees stood in the clearing.
These trees were even older than the ancient trees in the Misty Forest, their trunks so thick that dozens of people would need to encircle them.
Their bark was covered with the marks of time, and their canopies intertwined in layers, forming a natural archway.
Ancient runes were carved into the trunks of the trees.
These runes shimmered with a faint green light in the light mist,
emanating a powerful restrictive force that enveloped the entire clearing.
At the very center of the archway, a fist-sized green crystal floated.
The crystal emitted a soft and pure wood-attribute spiritual energy, its gentle light illuminating the entire clearing.
The crystal’s aura blended perfectly with the surrounding ancient trees and the restrictive force,
clearly making it the core of the entire restriction.
Kai stopped, his gaze fixed intently on the natural archway.
His divine sense probed into it, but was instantly blocked by a powerful restrictive force.
He could sense an extremely powerful fluctuation of spiritual energy behind the archway.
That was the power of an ancient restriction, stronger than any restriction he had encountered before.
Clearly, this was the outer defense line of the Spirit Clan.
Only after passing through this gate could one truly enter the core territory of the Spirit Clan.
“This is our Spirit Clan’s outer defense line, called the ‘Seven Wood Archway’,”
Qinghe stopped and introduced to Kai and Jiang Xuelan. “These seven ancient trees are spiritual plants that have lived for tens of thousands of years, containing powerful vitality.”
“The restriction they form is incredibly strong; even a True Immortal Realm Eighth Grade cultivator would find it difficult to forcibly break through.”
“The green crystal in the center of the archway is the core of the restriction, called the ‘Spirit Heart Crystal’.”
“Once the Spirit Heart Crystal is destroyed, the entire restriction will collapse.”
Jiang Xuelan looked at the seven enormous ancient trees, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
“These ancient trees actually have their own consciousness, and their cultivation is not low. No wonder this restriction is so powerful,” Jiang Xuelan said.
She could sense that each ancient tree contained power at least at the True Immortal Realm Seventh Grade.
The restrictions they formed, working together, were indeed beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
“This should be the outer defense line of the Spirit Clan,”
Jiang Xuelan said softly, her tone grave.
“Only after passing through this gate can we truly enter the Spirit Clan’s territory and meet the clan leader.”
Kai nodded, his gaze fixed on the archway, his expression serious.
“This restriction is indeed powerful. Forcibly breaking through it will not only damage these ancient trees,”
but also potentially invite an attack from the Spirit Clan. Fellow Daoist Qinghe, please inform the clan leader. ”
Tell him that Kai requests an audience with a matter of life and death concerning the Spirit Clan, to discuss with him.”
Kai said, looking at Qinghe.
Qinghe nodded and said, “Please wait a moment, fellow Daoists. I will go and inform the clan leader.”
“However, the clan leader has a rather eccentric temperament and has always disliked humans.”
“Whether he is willing to see you, I cannot guarantee.”
With that, he clasped his hands together in front of the archway, chanting incantations.
As Qinghe chanted, the runes on the seven ancient trees instantly lit up.
The eerie green light intensified, and the brilliance of the Spirit Heart Crystal surged accordingly.
A beam of green light shot out from the Spirit Heart Crystal, transforming into a streak of light that flew towards the depths of the forest.
Clearly, it was going to inform the Spirit Clan Chief. The three stood in the clearing, waiting quietly.
The spiritual energy in the air grew increasingly dense, and the consciousness of the ancient trees curiously observed Kai and Jiang Xuelan.
There was no hostility whatsoever; clearly, Qinghe had already informed the ancient trees of their purpose.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, an aged voice came from the depths of the forest.
The voice wasn’t loud, but it clearly reached the ears of the three.
There was no anger, no hostility, only a faint regret and a sense of vicissitude in the voice.
“Human, you shouldn’t have stepped into this place. The Spirit Race and the Human Race have long been sworn enemies; there’s nothing to talk about.”
Hearing this, Qinghe’s face showed a hint of helplessness as she said to Kai, “Fellow Daoist Kai, this is Elder Qingxuan, an elder of our Spirit Race.”
“He’s responsible for guarding this outer defensive line; the clan leader should arrive soon.”
Kai didn’t pay attention to Elder Qingxuan’s tone.
Instead, he clasped his hands in a fist salute towards the depths of the forest, his voice calm and firm.
“Elder Qingxuan, this junior, Kai, has come not to offend the Spirit Clan.”
“But rather, it concerns a matter of life and death for the Spirit Clan, and I request an audience with the Spirit Clan Chief.”
“The spiritual veins are drying up; this forest is on the verge of death.”
“If no action is taken, the entire Spirit Clan will perish.”
“This junior has a way to repair the spiritual veins and only wishes to discuss cooperation with the Spirit Clan to jointly resolve this crisis.”
The forest fell silent for a moment.
Elder Qingxuan’s voice rang out again, tinged with doubt and disbelief.
“You, a human, understand spiritual vein repair?”
“Spiritual veins are the foundation of our Spirit Clan. Since ancient times, only members of our Spirit Clan have been able to perceive and repair them.”
“How could an outsider like you possibly have a way to repair spiritual veins?”
“I think you’re exaggerating, trying to trick us into letting you into the Spirit Clan’s territory for nefarious purposes.”
Elder Qingxuan’s voice was deafening.
“This junior is not exaggerating,” Kai said, taking out the black, decaying stone again and holding it high.
“Elder Qingxuan, look at this stone. It’s a decayed stone formed from the corruption of a spiritual vein.”
“There are many such stones on the outskirts of the Misty Forest.”
“The chaotic power within me is the primordial power from the beginning of time.”
“It encompasses all things, nourishes all things, and can restrain the corruption of spiritual veins and repair depleted ones.”
“I can prove it on the spot, as long as Elder gives me a chance.”
Kai’s face was sincere, without the slightest pretense or affectation.
After a moment, Elder Qingxuan’s voice rang out again.
His tone carried a hint of hesitation and solemnity, “Alright, I’ll give you a chance.”
“If you can truly prove that you can repair the spiritual vein, I will take you to see the clan leader.”
“If you dare to lie to me, I will make you perish under this Seven Wood Arch today, becoming nourishment for the ancient trees.”
Elder Qingxuan gave Kai a chance.
“Thank you for your kindness, Elder.” A smile appeared on Kai’s face.
He clasped his hands towards the depths of the forest, then walked to one of the seven ancient trees.
A fine crack ran along the trunk of the ancient tree, and its leaves were somewhat withered and yellowed.
Clearly, it was affected by the depletion of its spiritual veins.
Kai reached out and placed his palm on the tree’s trunk.
The chaotic power within his body slowly surged, and purple light flowed from his palm into the tree’s body.
The chaotic power, gentle yet domineering, instantly spread along the trunk to its roots,
nourishing its root system and repairing the crack.
A moment later, a miracle occurred.
The crack in the tree’s trunk began to slowly heal.
The withered leaves turned green again, radiating a rich vitality.
Even the surrounding spiritual energy became denser.
The runes carved on the trunk brightened, shimmering with a faint green light,
as if cheering and thanking Kai.
Elder Qingxuan’s voice rang out again.
His tone was tinged with shock and disbelief, “This…this really is the power of chaos?”
“It can actually nourish spiritual plants and repair damage! It seems what you said was true, the spiritual veins are truly drying up.”
Kai withdrew his hand and clasped his hands towards the depths of the forest, “Elder, please be wise, everything I have said is true.”
“The corruption of the spiritual veins is becoming increasingly severe. If no measures are taken soon, this forest will become a dead zone.”
“Your Spirit Clan will also perish. I implore you, Elder, to take me to see the Clan Chief.”
“To discuss the repair of the spiritual veins and cooperation against the Divine Alliance.”
The forest remained silent for a long time.
So long that Kai and Jiang Xuelan thought Elder Qingxuan would refuse again.
Just then, Elder Qingxuan’s voice rang out again.
His tone was solemn and resolute.
“Alright, I’ll take you to see the clan chief. But I must warn you, the clan chief has a very strange temper and a deep prejudice against humans.”
“Whether you can persuade him depends on your own abilities. If you can’t persuade him, even if you have the ability to repair the spiritual veins, you won’t be able to stay in the Spirit Clan’s territory,” Elder Qingxuan said.
“This junior understands, thank you, Elder.”
Kai nodded, a sigh of relief in his heart.
He knew this was his only chance to see the Spirit Clan chief.
No matter what difficulties he encountered, he had to seize this opportunity
to persuade the Spirit Clan chief to cooperate with them.
As soon as he finished speaking, a green light flew from the depths of the forest and landed on the clearing.
It transformed into an aged Spirit Clan elder.
The elder had white hair, a thin face, and pale blue skin, with what seemed like flowing wood grain in his pupils.
He wore a long blue robe, covered with ancient runes, radiating a powerful aura.
His cultivation was at the eighth rank of the True Immortal Realm, and he was one with the forest.
It was as if he were a part of the forest itself.
“Elder Qingxuan.” Qinghe bowed respectfully to the elder.
Elder Qingxuan nodded, his gaze falling on Kai.
His eyes were complex, filled with surprise, doubt, and a hint of barely perceptible wariness.
“You are Kai? You possess the power of chaos within you?”
“Indeed, this is junior.” Kai clasped his hands in a fist salute to Elder Qingxuan, his tone respectful.
“Junior Kai greets Elder Qingxuan.”
Elder Qingxuan sized Kai up and down for a moment, then nodded.
“Not bad, so young, yet you possess the power of chaos, truly remarkable.”
“It seems you do indeed have the ability to repair spiritual veins. Let’s go, I’ll take you to see the clan leader.”
With that, Elder Qingxuan turned and walked towards the depths of the forest.
Kai and Jiang Xuelan exchanged a glance and followed.
Qinghe remained under the Seven Wood Archway, continuing to guard this outer defensive line.
Elder Qingxuan walked at the forefront, his pace slow.
As they walked, he introduced the area to Kai and Jiang Xuelan: “Our Spirit Clan’s core territory is called the Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits.”
“All members of our Spirit Clan live there, along with countless ancient spiritual plants and beasts.”
“Our clan leader resides in the deepest part of the Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits, in a place called the Azure Wood Palace, which is our Spirit Clan’s sacred ground.”
The three continued their journey, traversing dense forests.
The trees here were older and thicker than those in the Misty Forest.
Moss and vines covered their trunks, and their roots meandered and coiled across the ground, forming natural barriers.
The wood-attribute spiritual energy in the air was so concentrated it was almost liquefied.
Taking a deep breath, one could feel their spiritual power surging wildly within, an incredibly soothing sensation.
Kai’s divine sense continued to spread, carefully sensing the surrounding activity.
He could sense that countless powerful auras were hidden within this Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits.
Their cultivation levels ranged from the fifth to the eighth rank of True Immortal, and some even reached the ninth rank.
Clearly, they were high-ranking members of the Spirit Race.
Moreover, the spiritual plants and beasts here possessed their own consciousness.
They coexisted harmoniously, jointly protecting this Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits.
The atmosphere was filled with peace and tranquility, a stark contrast to the cruel world outside.
Jiang Xuelan also gradually relaxed.
The icy blue divine light surrounding her harmonized with the surrounding wood-attribute spiritual energy.
No longer were they mutually exclusive as before.
She looked at the exotic flowers and plants around her, at the spirit beasts darting through the forest, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
She had never seen such a place before.
No strife, no killing, only peace and tranquility.
It was like a paradise on earth.
After walking for about half an hour, a wide valley appeared ahead.
The valley was vast, so vast that it seemed to stretch to the horizon, like a small, independent world.
Kai’s breath caught in his throat.
Everywhere in the valley were enormous ancient trees.
Some trunks were as thick as small mountains, requiring hundreds of people to encircle them.
Some canopies soared into the clouds, reaching straight to the sky.
Some roots meandered and twisted across the ground, forming natural bridges and platforms.
Clear streams flowed between the ancient trees.
The water was crystal clear, with colorful petals floating on its surface.
The babbling brook made a clear, melodious sound, like a beautiful song.
The ground was covered with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants.
Some trees emitted a soft glow in the darkness, while others swayed gently in the breeze.
Some even seemed to be softly chanting, releasing a faint fragrance.
The wood-attribute spiritual energy in the air was so concentrated that it almost condensed into water droplets.
Inhaling it refreshed the mind and body, making one’s spiritual energy incredibly active.
But Kai’s gaze did not linger on these beautiful scenes.
His eyes were fixed on an ancient pine tree deep within the valley.
That ancient pine was larger than any tree he had ever seen. Its
trunk was as thick as a magnificent palace, requiring hundreds of people to encircle it.
Its bark was cracked, covered with the marks of time, as if it had been rooted there since ancient times,
witnessing countless changes over the years.
Its canopy blocked out the sky, enveloping the entire valley in its shade.
Its branches and leaves were lush and verdant, exuding a powerful vitality.
The roots of the ancient pine rose from the ground, forming natural steps that
meandered upwards, leading to a huge hollow in the trunk.
The tree hollow was spacious and bright, with a curtain woven from vines and flowers hanging at the entrance.
A faint fragrance emanated from the curtain.
Standing before the tree hollow was a middle-aged man.
Tall and imposing, with a resolute face, his long, blue hair cascaded over his shoulders, flowing in the wind.
His skin was pale blue, and his pupils were deep green.
Wood grain seemed to flow within his pupils, radiating a calm and powerful aura.
He wore a long robe woven from leaves and vines.
Several unidentified small flowers adorned the robe, emitting a faint spiritual energy, perfectly blending with the surrounding environment.
His cultivation had reached the ninth rank of the True Immortal Realm. His
aura was as steady as a mountain, merging with the entire valley.
It was as if he were the ruler of this ancient realm of myriad spirits, every movement carrying an unquestionable majesty.
“That is our Spirit Clan Chief, Chief Qingmu,”
Elder Qingxuan stopped and whispered to Kai, his tone respectful.
“The patriarch has lived for a hundred thousand years, his cultivation is unfathomable.”
“He is the most powerful person in our Sixteen Heavens Spirit Clan, and also the guardian of this Ancient Realm of Ten Thousand Spirits.”
“You must be careful with your words, do not offend the patriarch,” Elder Qingxuan instructed.
Kai nodded, his heart filled with awe.
The cultivation of a ninth-grade True Immortal was stronger than any enemy he had encountered before.
Even if he possessed the power of chaos, defeating Patriarch Qingmu was almost impossible.
But he did not back down; he knew this was his only chance.
No matter what difficulties he encountered, he had to persuade Patriarch Qingmu to cooperate with them.
Elder Qingxuan led Kai and Jiang Xuelan slowly to the tree cave and stopped.
He bowed respectfully and said in a respectful voice, “Patriarch, the person has been brought.”
“He is Kai, who possesses the power of chaos within him.”
“He says he can repair our Spirit Clan’s depleted spiritual veins and wants to discuss cooperation with our Spirit Clan to jointly fight against the God Clan Alliance.”
Patriarch Qingmu did not speak, and did not even glance at Elder Qingxuan.
His gaze was fixed on Kai.
His eyes were cold, so cold that the surrounding temperature seemed to drop several degrees.
There was no emotion in his gaze, only a condescending scrutiny.
It was as if he were looking at an ant that had strayed into his territory, carrying a hint of disdain and indifference.
His gaze lingered on Kai for a long time
, scrutinizing him meticulously, as if trying to see through him inside and out.
Then, his gaze shifted to Jiang Xuelan, giving her a quick glance.
He turned back again, his eyes still cold and unchanged.
“Humans,”
Chief Qingmu finally spoke, his voice deep and resonant, like wind blowing through a pine forest.
A powerful pressure enveloped Kai and Jiang Xuelan.
“The Spirit Race and the Human Race are sworn enemies, there has been no room for negotiation since ancient times.”
“You humans are greedy and cunning, cutting down our trees, harvesting our spiritual herbs, destroying our homes.”
“Your hands are stained with the blood of our Spirit Race.”
“Now, you come here again, what tricks do you intend to play?”
The pressure was incredibly strong, the aura of a ninth-grade True Immortal, like Mount Tai pressing down on Kai.
The chaotic power within Kai automatically activated, and a purple light shield instantly unfolded, blocking the pressure.
His face paled slightly, but his eyes remained resolute, showing no sign of retreat.
Jiang Xuelan also felt the powerful pressure.
The Ice God Power within her instantly erupted, and an icy blue light shield unfolded, barely blocking the pressure.
Her brows were furrowed, and her expression was rather grim.
The pressure from a ninth-grade True Immortal was simply too overwhelming.
Even as the inheritor of the Ice God’s legacy, she found it difficult to withstand.Kai took a deep breath and respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chief Qingmu.
His voice was calm yet firm.
“Chief Qingmu, this junior is Kai, from the Human Resistance Army of Free Valley.”
“This junior has come not to offend the Spirit Race, nor to play any tricks.”
“But to discuss a matter of life and death for the Spirit Race with you, Chief.”
Kai’s expression remained calm and unchanging.
“Resistance Army?” Chief Qingmu’s lips curled into a cold smile.
That smile was filled with disdain and mockery. “Your human race’s resistance against the God Race Alliance is your own business, none of our Spirit Race’s concern.”
“The Spirit Race does not participate in any conflicts. You fight your battles, we live our lives.”
“We keep to ourselves. You don’t need to try to deceive me with some matter of life and death.”
Chief Qingmu didn’t believe Kai’s words at all.
Kai looked at Chief Qingmu, his eyes resolute, without the slightest wavering.
“Chief Qingmu, if the Spirit Clan could truly remain neutral, I wouldn’t have come to interfere.”
“But you can’t. You know the ambitions of the Divine Alliance better than I do.”
“They’ve already conquered the Human, Beast, Demon, and Ghost races; their next target is your Spirit Clan.”
“The reason they haven’t attacked the Spirit Clan yet is simply because they feel the Spirit Clan has no immediate value.”
“Moreover, the Spirit Clan’s restrictions are powerful, and they don’t want to pay too high a price.”
“But once they conquer the other races and are free to act, they will not hesitate to attack the Spirit Clan.”
“No matter how strong your Spirit Clan’s restrictions are, can they stop the Divine Alliance’s army?”
“Can they stop those Golden Immortal level experts?”
Kai’s words struck Qingmu’s heart like a heavy hammer.
Chief Qingmu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The coldness in his eyes was gradually replaced by a hint of solemnity.
He had lived for ten thousand years, witnessing the rise of the Divine Alliance and the destruction of countless races.
He knew better than anyone that the Divine Alliance’s ambition was to rule the entire Sixteen Heavens.
No non-divine race can remain unaffected.
Kai’s words were true.
He simply refused to acknowledge them, unwilling to confront them.
“Are you threatening me?”
Chief Qingmu’s voice grew even colder, a barely perceptible hint of anger in his tone.
He was the chief of the Spirit Race, the ruler of the Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits.
No one had ever dared to speak to him like this before.
“This junior dares not threaten the chief; this junior is merely stating the facts,”
Kai’s voice remained calm, devoid of the slightest fear.
“The strength of the Divine Alliance is growing ever stronger, and so is their ambition.”
“If the Spirit Race continues to hide here, refusing to join forces with other races, they will inevitably be conquered by the Divine Alliance.”
“At that time, not only will this Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits be destroyed, but all the Spirit Race members will be enslaved by the Divine Race, or even killed.”
“I have come here to seek cooperation with the Spirit Race.”
“We will help the Spirit Race repair the spiritual veins and resolve the crisis of their depletion.”
“The Spirit Race will help us resist the Divine Alliance and jointly protect our homeland.”
“This is a win-win cooperation, beneficial to both sides.”
Chief Qingmu fell silent.
He stood before the tree hollow, his gaze falling upon the ancient trees and exotic flowers and herbs in the valley.
His eyes were complex, filled with struggle, reluctance, and a barely perceptible worry.
He had lived for a hundred thousand years and witnessed too much greed and betrayal from the human race.
He didn’t trust humans and was unwilling to cooperate with them.
But Kai’s words were impossible to ignore.
The problem of the spiritual veins and the threat from the Divine Race weighed heavily on his heart like two mountains.
“You came to the Spirit Clan just to say this?”
Chief Qingmu’s voice softened slightly, but remained icy.
“If you only wanted to persuade me to cooperate with your human race, then you can leave.”
“The Spirit Clan will not cooperate with the human race, nor does it need your help.”
“No.” Kai shook his head.
He took out the black, decaying stone from his robes and handed it to Chief Qingmu.
“This is the main reason I’ve come.”
“Clan Chief, you should recognize this stone. It’s a decaying stone formed from the corruption of a spiritual vein.”
“I found many such stones on the outskirts of the Misty Forest.”
“Moreover, the deeper one ventures into the Spirit Clan’s territory, the more obvious the signs of spiritual vein corruption become.”
“I can sense that thirty percent of the spiritual veins in this Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits have already withered.”
“And the rate of corruption is accelerating.”
“If measures aren’t taken quickly, this Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits will soon become a dead zone.”
“All the spiritual plants will wither, and all the Spirit Clan members will perish.”
Clan Chief Qingmu reached out and took the black decaying stone, examining it carefully for a moment.
His pupils contracted slightly. His
fingers clenched tightly in his sleeve.
The coldness on his face was instantly replaced by solemnity.
He knew better than anyone what this decaying stone meant.
The corruption of the spiritual veins had reached a point that could no longer be ignored.
He had simply refused to face this fact, choosing to conceal it.
But he quickly regained his composure, his expression turning cold again.
He tossed the rotten stone back to Kai, saying in an icy tone, “Just an ordinary stone. The Spirit Clan has plenty.”
“The matter of the spirit veins is none of your concern, outsider. We, the Spirit Clan, have our own ways of handling it.”
“Chief Qingmu, you know better than I do that this stone is no ordinary stone.” Kai caught the rotten stone, gripping it tightly in his hand.
His gaze fixed firmly into Chief Qingmu’s eyes.
“The corruption of the spiritual veins is becoming increasingly severe. Your Spirit Clan’s higher-ups should have noticed this problem long ago.”
“It’s just that you have no way to solve it. Your Spirit Clan cannot leave this Ancient Realm of Ten Thousand Spirits, cannot leave the spiritual veins.”
“If you leave, you will wither and die. You are already trapped here.”
“If you don’t accept my help, only annihilation awaits you.”
Kai’s words were heavy, carrying a hint of threat.
The Azure Wood Clan Chief’s face turned grim.
He stared at Kai, his eyes cold, but he did not refute. Kai’s words were like daggers, striking at the truth he least wanted to face. He was already aware of the crisis of the depleted spiritual veins, and the clan elders had discussed countermeasures many times.
But whether it was ancient sacrificial rituals or the Spirit Clan’s secret techniques, they could only temporarily slow down the corruption of the spiritual veins. They could not solve the problem at its root. Over the years, he had watched the spiritual energy of the Ancient Realm of Ten Thousand Spirits grow thinner and thinner. Watching some ancient spiritual plants wither away quietly, and seeing the cultivation levels of the younger members of the clan stagnating, the anxiety in his heart was already etched into his very bones. “Insolence!”
Chief Qingmu suddenly raised his hand, unleashing a powerful burst of wood-attribute spiritual energy.
The surrounding air instantly thickened.
Countless vines sprouted from the ground, coiling around him,
radiating a sharp aura.
“Human brat, how dare you speak ill of the Spirit Race’s fate!”
“Even if the Spirit Vein truly faces a crisis, it’s none of your human race’s business to interfere!”
His voice was filled with suppressed anger, a mixture of
embarrassment at having his truth exposed, ingrained prejudice against humans, and
fear of an unknown destiny.
Elder Qingxuan, standing to the side, immediately stepped forward
, bowing respectfully and urgently to Chief Qingmu.
“Clan Chief, Fellow Daoist Kai’s words are all true.”
“Just now, under the Seven Wood Arch, he used the power of chaos to repair a damaged ancient tree.”
“His power can indeed nourish the spiritual veins. Now, the spiritual veins are in imminent crisis, and the Divine Alliance is eyeing us covetously.”
“We can no longer cling to our prejudices and miss our only chance!” Elder Qingxuan said.
Clan Chief Qingmu glanced coldly at Elder Qingxuan, his tone carrying a hint of rebuke.
“Qingxuan, do you know what you’re saying?”
“Humans have always been cunning. Back then, in order to seize the spiritual herbs of the Spirit Clan, they didn’t hesitate to slaughter unarmed Spirit Clan cubs.”
“Have you forgotten this blood debt?”
“How can we trust a human? How can we entrust the life and death of the Spirit Clan to outsiders?” Clan
Chief Qingmu’s tone was heavy.
“Clan Chief, this junior dares not forget the blood debt.”
Kai stepped forward, his tone still respectful, but now with a touch more earnestness.
“Those who harmed the Spirit Race back then were those greedy human cultivators.”
“Not all humans are like that. The Free Valley Resistance Army, where I belong, has always upheld its principles.”
“We have never harmed any innocent race.”
“Now, we are fighting with all our might against the invasion of the Divine Alliance.”
“To protect the peace of this world, I know that a mere promise is not enough to convince the clan leader.”
“But I am willing to swear by the power of Chaos.” ”
If I utter even a single falsehood, if I harbor the slightest intention to harm the Spirit Race,” ”
I will surely suffer the backlash of the power of Chaos, my soul scattered, never to be reborn.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the power of Chaos within Kai surged suddenly.
A purple light shot into the sky, forming a massive pillar of light,
enveloping the entire valley.
Within the pillar of light lay the primordial aura of the beginning of heaven and earth.
Pure and domineering, without a trace of malice.
Only the power of a solemn oath.
The surrounding spiritual plants sensed this power, swaying their branches and leaves,
emitting a soft hum, as if witnessing this oath.
Chief Qingmu’s eyes finally showed a noticeable change.
He had lived for a hundred thousand years and witnessed countless oaths of various races.
Yet, he had never seen anyone dare to swear an oath with the power of chaos.
The power of chaos was domineering and unparalleled; once an oath was broken, the backlash was something no one could withstand.
He could sense that Kai’s oath was utterly sincere.
There was no falsehood whatsoever; that resolute determination did not seem feigned.
Just then, three green lights flew from the depths of the valley.
They landed behind Chief Qingmu and transformed into three aged elders of the Spirit Clan.
They were all elders of the Spirit Clan, all at the eighth rank of the True Immortal Realm.
Their auras were steady, and their expressions were solemn.
The elder at the head of the group had an aged face and snow-white hair.
His eyes were cloudy yet held a hint of sharpness; he was none other than Elder Qingyuan, the Great Elder of the Spirit Clan.
“Chief, Elder Qingxuan is absolutely right,”
Elder Qingyuan bowed to Chief Qingmu and said solemnly.
“We’ve just tested the core spiritual vein of the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm.”
“The situation is more serious than we imagined.”
“The corruption of the spiritual vein has spread to the core area.”
“If this continues, within a hundred years, the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm will be completely reduced to a dead zone.”
“Fellow Daoist Kai’s chaotic power is our only hope.”
“Even if we distrust the human race, we cannot risk the fate of the entire Spirit Race.”
The other two elders echoed this sentiment.
“Clan Chief, the Great Elder is right.”
“The spiritual vein is the foundation of our Spirit Race; without it, the Spirit Race will perish.”
“The threat of the God Alliance is imminent; if we hold out alone, we will be breached sooner or later.”
“Cooperation with the human race may be the only way out.”
All the elders agreed with Kai.
Because they knew that only Kai could save their entire Spirit Race.
Clan Chief Qingmu fell silent.
He looked at the elders before him, at the resolute Kai,
and then at the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm that had nurtured the Spirit Race for ten thousand years.
The struggle within him grew increasingly intense.
He hated the human race, hated their cruelty and greed of the past.
But he loved the spirit race even more, and didn’t want to see this home they had lived in for generations destroyed.
He didn’t want to see his people face annihilation.
After a long while, he slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The spiritual power within his body gradually receded, and the vines around him slowly faded away.
When he opened his eyes again, the coldness and indifference in his eyes had been replaced by solemnity and determination.
However, his gaze towards Kai still carried a trace of wariness.
“Alright.”
Chief Qingmu’s voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of weariness, yet incredibly firm.
“I’ll give you a chance, and I’ll give the spirit race a chance.”
“If you help us repair the spiritual veins, I will agree to cooperate with your Free Valley Resistance Army.”
“We will unite against the Divine Alliance, but I warn you, if you dare to play any tricks,”
“If your method of repairing the spiritual veins harms the Spirit Race,”
“I will tear you to pieces and ensure you are never reincarnated.”
Chief Qingmu’s words carried a hint of threat.
Kai, however, was not angry. A look of joy appeared on his face, and he quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chief Qingmu.
“Thank you for your trust, Chief!”
“This junior will certainly not fail in my mission and will do my utmost to repair the spiritual veins.”
“I will not dare to slacken in the slightest, nor will I dare to harm the Spirit Race in the slightest!”
“If there is anything needed during the repair of the spiritual veins,”
“I ask for your cooperation, Chief and all elders.” Kai looked at the elders.
Elder Qingxuan also showed a relieved smile and nodded to Kai.
“Fellow Daoist Kai, rest assured, we will fully cooperate with you.”
“Repairing the spiritual vein requires the core spiritual spring of the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm, as well as the ancient spiritual crystals of the Spirit Clan.”
“We will prepare these for you as soon as possible.”
Clan Chief Qingmu waved his hand, beckoning Elder Qingxuan to his side, and whispered, “Qingxuan, take Fellow Daoist Kai and Fellow Daoist Jiang Xuelan to rest.”
“Arrange their accommodations, but also send people to secretly monitor them to prevent them from secretly probing the Spirit Clan’s strength.”
“Yes!” Qingxuan nodded.
“Qingyuan, take a few elders to prepare the items needed to repair the spiritual vein.”
“Tomorrow morning, the repair ceremony will begin at the core spiritual vein,” Clan Chief Qingmu said.
“Yes, Clan Chief!”
Elder Qingyuan replied. Clan
Chief Qingmu gave Kai a deep look.
His eyes still held wariness, but also a hint of expectation.
“Kai, remember your oath. The fate of the Spirit Clan rests in your hands.”
“If you break your promise, not only you, but the entire Free Valley Resistance Army will become the enemy of the Spirit Clan,” Qingmu said.
“I will keep this in mind and never break my promise,”
Kai said solemnly.
Afterwards, Elder Qingxuan led Kai and Jiang Xuelan away from the tree hollow of the Qingmu Clan Chief,
heading towards the residential area of the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm.
Along the way, Jiang Xuelan secretly gave Kai a reassuring look.
Kai nodded slightly, but his heart remained uneasy.
He knew this was just the beginning.
The process of repairing the spiritual veins would certainly not be smooth sailing.
Moreover, the prejudice of the Spirit Race against the Human Race could not be eliminated in a short time.
There was still a long way to go before true cooperation could be achieved.
Elder Qingxuan said to Kai and Jiang Xuelan as they walked, “Fellow Daoists, the residential area of the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm is just ahead on the banks of the Spirit Stream.”
“The spiritual energy there is abundant and suitable for resting, but there is one thing I would like to remind you both.”
“There are many ancient spiritual plants and spirit beasts in the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm.”
“They are all companions of the Spirit Race, so please do not touch them casually.”
“To avoid causing unnecessary conflict. In addition, although the clan leader has agreed to cooperate, there are still many clansmen who harbor hostility towards the Human Race.”
“Please try not to go out alone.”
Elder Qingxuan thoughtfully reminded the two of them.
“Thank you for the reminder, Elder Qingxuan. We’ve taken note,” Kai nodded respectfully.
He understood the Spirit Clan’s hostility.
After all, the grudges of the past were too deep to be easily resolved.
He could only demonstrate his sincerity through actions,
proving that humans weren’t all greedy and cunning.
Soon, the three arrived at the banks of the Spirit Stream.
The scenery here was even more beautiful than deep in the valley.
The clear Spirit Stream flowed gently.
Tender green grass and colorful exotic flowers grew along its banks.
A refreshing spiritual energy filled the air, invigorating the spirit. Small,
exquisite houses made of wood and vines sat along the banks
, blending perfectly with their surroundings.
Clearly, these were the dwellings of the Spirit Clan.
Elder Qingxuan led them to a small house at the end of the Spirit Stream and said, “Fellow Daoists, this is your lodging.”
“The facilities inside are all prepared; please rest here for now.”
“Tomorrow morning, I will come to pick you up and take you to the core spiritual vein to begin the restoration ritual.”
“If you need anything, simply circulate your spiritual energy and send a signal, and I will come immediately.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Elder Qingxuan,” Kai said gratefully, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
Elder Qingxuan nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then turned and left.
Watching Elder Qingxuan’s departing figure, Jiang Xuelan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She said to Kai, “I didn’t expect that Clan Chief Qingmu would actually agree to cooperate.”
“This journey has been incredibly difficult.”
“But, are you really confident in restoring the spiritual vein?”
“Even the Spirit Clan itself cannot solve the problem of the depleted spiritual vein.”
“Can the power of chaos really do it?” Jiang Xuelan wasn’t sure either.
Kai smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m confident. The power of chaos is the primordial force from the beginning of heaven and earth, encompassing and nourishing all things.”
“The corruption of spiritual veins is essentially the depletion and impurity of spiritual energy.”
“The power of chaos can purify the impurity, nourish the spiritual veins, and repair their damaged foundations.” ”
However, repairing the core spiritual veins requires a large amount of chaotic power.”
“Moreover, we may encounter some unknown dangers during the process, so we must be careful.”
A resolute look appeared in Kai’s eyes.
“I will always be with you.” Jiang Xuelan looked at Kai, her eyes filled with love.
Along this journey, Jiang Xuelan had long since fallen in love with Kai.
They were no longer just partners, and Jiang Xuelan was no longer asking Kai to help her find her clansmen.
They were more like companions, soulmates.
“No matter what dangers we encounter, we will face them together. If you need anything else, I can help too…”
Jiang Xuelan’s face flushed as she finished speaking.
Kai nodded, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.
During this time, no matter how great the danger, Jiang Xuelan had always been by his side.
Unwavering support became his strongest reliance.
He knew that repairing the spiritual veins and fighting against the divine alliance was a path fraught with difficulties.
But as long as Jiang Xuelan was there, he had the courage to forge ahead.
Furthermore, Jiang Xuelan’s words about other needs truly resonated with Kai.
During this time, without dual cultivation, he felt something was amiss.
“Xuelan, are you sure you’re willing to give me your body?” Kai asked.
Jiang Xuelan didn’t speak, but nodded vigorously.
Kai smiled and carried Jiang Xuelan into the small house.
The house was simple yet elegant, with soft moss covering the floor.
A pot of fragrant spiritual herbs sat in the corner.
A wooden table and two chairs stood by the window.
Sunlight streamed through the vine-woven window, filling the room with warmth and softness.
What followed was a fierce battle between the two, both drenched in sweat and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Afterwards, Kai walked to the window, gazing at the beautiful scenery outside, his expression gradually becoming serious.
He knew that tomorrow’s restoration ceremony was not only a matter of life and death for the Spirit Race,
but also for the future of the Free Valley Resistance Army,
and even the fate of the entire Sixteenth Heaven.
He had to give it his all and could not afford the slightest mistake.
Meanwhile, inside the tree hollow of the Green Wood Clan Chief,
Elder Qingyuan and several other elders were gathered around him, discussing the matter with grave expressions.
“Clan Chief, do you really trust that Kai?”
one elder asked worriedly.
“Humans are always cunning; we cannot easily trust him.”
“What if his restoration of the spiritual veins is a ruse, and he truly wants to seize our Spirit Race’s core spiritual crystal?”
“What if his true intention is to control the Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits? Then our Spirit Race will truly be doomed.”
Chief Qingmu shook his head, his tone grave. “I don’t trust the human race either, but we have no choice.”
“The spiritual vein crisis is imminent, and the Divine Alliance is watching us closely.” ”
Kai’s chaotic power is our only hope. Moreover, his oath, sworn with chaotic power, is not empty words.”
“If he dares to break his promise, the chaotic power will retaliate against him. We only need to secretly monitor him and take precautions.”
“Once we discover any unusual activity, we must immediately strike and kill him. We must not give him the opportunity to harm the spiritual race.”
Chief Qingmu didn’t fully trust Kai at this moment.
“Chief is right,”
Elder Qingyuan nodded. “We have already arranged for people to secretly monitor Kai’s every move.”
“As long as he shows the slightest abnormality, we will detect it immediately.”
“Furthermore, we will also take precautions regarding the spiritual crystals and spiritual springs needed to repair the spiritual veins, and we must not give him any opportunity.”
“Excellent!” Chief Qingmu looked out the window at the Myriad Spirits Ancient Realm that had nurtured the spiritual race for ten thousand years.
His eyes were filled with complex emotions.
He only hoped that Kai could truly repair the spiritual veins
and sincerely cooperate with the Spirit Race to overcome this crisis.
If Kai broke his promise, he would fight with all his might to make Kai pay a heavy price and
protect the Spirit Race’s homeland.
As night deepened, the Ancient Realm of Myriad Spirits gradually fell silent.
Only the murmuring of the Spirit Stream and the soft humming of the spiritual plants echoed in the night sky.
Kai and Jiang Xuelan each regulated their breathing, conserving their energy
to prepare for tomorrow’s repair ceremony.
A battle concerning the fate of the Spirit Race and the Human Race had only just begun.
Dangers and challenges awaited them on the road ahead.