Chapter 53: The Seed of the World Tree

Accompanied by Wu Xiang, Zhao Renheng arrived at the East Courtyard of the Wu family. Although the space in the East Courtyard was not particularly large, it gave a refreshing and refined impression. In the current Wu family, living conditions of this caliber were likely already considered very good.

Taking a seat in the primary chair, Zhao Renheng sipped the tea prepared by the servants and said, "Patriarch Wu Xiang, having been unable to see Uncle Kang for many years, I have missed him dearly."

Having just sat down, Zhao Renheng made it clear he wished to dismiss Wu Xiang. Even though displeasure stirred within Wu Xiang's heart, he was tactful enough to say, "Lord Renheng, as it happens there are numerous clan affairs to attend to today, I shall not disturb you further. Should there be any other important matters, please feel free to command me at any time."

As he walked out of the reception hall, Wu Xiang did not forget to dismiss all the servants as well.

Believing that the Wu family would not dare to offend the Zhao family and having no fear of anyone eavesdropping, Zhao Renheng asked doubtfully, "Uncle Kang, what on earth has happened? Where on earth has the Fifth Aunt gone?"

Raising his teacup to take two small sips of tea, Zhao Shenkang said in a deep voice, "The Battle Ancestor is still alive, and the Fifth Young Miss has followed the Battle Ancestor to the Giant Elephant Mountain Range."

The Battle Ancestor is still alive?

For a moment, Zhao Renheng could not recall when anyone named the Battle Ancestor had ever appeared within the borders of the Kun Kingdom.

Then, thinking of the three ancestors of the Wu family, Zhao Renheng asked nervously, "The Battle Ancestor? Is it that supreme ancestor?"

Realizing that the Battle Ancestor mentioned by Zhao Shenkang was likely one of the three legendary ancestors of the Wu family, Zhao Renheng did not even dare to mention that the Battle Ancestor shared the Wu surname. Legends of the Battle Ancestor had always been heard by the younger generation among the eight great families. The three ancestors of the Wu family were founding heroes of the Kun Kingdom; if they had not been entirely obsessed with artifact crafting and indifferent to power and status, the imperial family of the Kun Kingdom today would undoubtedly be the Wu family.

Giving a slight nod, Zhao Shenkang said nothing further.

"In that case, some of the rumors within the imperial family of the Kun Kingdom are true: the Kun Kingdom may perish, but the Eastern Hostel City must be guarded at all costs."

As one of the elders of the Zhao family in Imperial Kun City, he had indeed caught wind of certain ancestral precepts of the imperial family.

Zhao Shenkang had no desire to delve too deeply into imperial family matters. In a solemn tone, he said, "Renheng, this matter is of utmost importance."

Knowing full well that the situation was by no means simple, Zhao Renheng replied respectfully, "Uncle Kang, the Zhao family will certainly keep this secret."

The Zhao family will certainly keep this secret?

Yet he did not say that Renheng himself would certainly keep it. Evidently, upon returning to the Zhao family, Zhao Renheng would inform the clan elders that the Battle Ancestor was still alive.

His mind racing, Zhao Shenkang said in a low voice, "Although the Battle Ancestor appeared in the East Courtyard last night, he merely took away a few younger members of the Wu family with decent aptitude. For a short time, the Battle Ancestor will not interfere in worldly affairs. As for the members of the Wu family, aside from youngsters like Wushu, they do not seem to be aware of the Battle Ancestor's whereabouts."

Understanding what Zhao Shenkang was reminding him of, Zhao Renheng calmly replied, "Uncle Kang, Renheng will keep the stakes of this matter firmly in mind."

Reflecting on Zhao Shenkang's previous words that the Battle Ancestor had appeared in the Wu family's East Courtyard as if coming specifically for Wushu, Zhao Renheng probed, "Uncle Kang, upon seeing Wushu today, I noticed his appearance bears a striking resemblance to Ancestor Taikang?"

Upon bringing up Wushu's connection to the Zhao family and hearing Zhao Renheng mention this, Zhao Shenkang, who was just about to take a small sip of tea, nearly choked on it.

From what was laid before his eyes, Zhao Renheng suddenly realized, "So that's how it is! So that's how it is! For years I've been extremely puzzled as to why the Fifth Aunt took away the clan's White Jade Marrow Bed, yet Ancestor Taikang turned a blind eye and pretended to know nothing about it."

Recalling that Wushu and Wuzhen still did not know Wuxing was Zhao Xuanling's son, and Wuxing himself did not know Zhao Xuanling was his mother, Zhao Shenkang spoke in a grave tone.

"Back then, the clan members strongly opposed the Fifth Young Miss's marriage. Without the support of the Zhao family, and fearing that her admirers might vent their wrath upon the Wu family, the Fifth Young Miss consistently concealed her marriage to Wushan from the outside world. Even after giving birth to a son, only Ancestor Taikang within the clan was aware of the matter."

Fearing that upon learning of Wushu's ties to the Zhao family, Zhao Renheng might step in to assist him, Zhao Shenkang added, "That exalted figure holds Wushu in extremely high regard. The reason Wushu was left behind is precisely because that exalted figure wishes for Young Master Wushu to undergo tempering in the mortal world. Unless it is a matter of life and death, Lord Renheng, it is best to simply observe from the sidelines."

Not forgetting to remind Zhao Renheng of the terrifying nature of that exalted figure, Zhao Shenkang continued, "Last night, when that exalted figure manifested, guarding the perimeter of the East Courtyard were more than a dozen Beast Kings."

More than a dozen Beast Kings? Guarding the perimeter of the East Courtyard?

Zhao Renheng could not help drawing a sharp breath. Struggling to calm his churning emotions, he said, "Uncle Kang, you have suffered all these years. Upon returning to the clan, I will immediately report this to Ancestor Taikang."

At this point, Zhao Shenkang knew he could no longer avoid addressing the matter of the White Jade Marrow Bed.

"Regarding the White Jade Marrow Bed..."

Knowing that Zhao Shenkang could clearly see his purpose—that aside from visiting the Fifth Aunt Zhao Xuanling, he was also under family orders to retrieve the White Jade Marrow Bed—Zhao Renheng raised a hand to interrupt.

"As for the White Jade Marrow Bed, the moment the mark left by the Ancestor on it vanished, the Ancestor already knew it was gone. On this trip, learning that the Fifth Aunt is safe and sound, I can finally set my mind at ease. Uncle Kang, I must trouble you with matters concerning Wushu."

As an elder of the Zhao family, the drastic shift in Zhao Renheng's attitude toward the Wu family made Zhao Shenkang realize that Zhao Renheng was a sensible man.

Giving a slight nod, Zhao Shenkang said no more.

Walking on foot toward the Beast Trapping Hall, save for the unexpected interlude of Sun Chengjing's appearance, Wushu and Zhao Fenxing arrived at the Beast Trapping Hall unimpeded. Upon learning that the visitor was Wushu, the staff of the Beast Trapping Hall immediately escorted Wushu and Zhao Fenxing to the VIP chamber.

Simultaneously, smiling maidservants brought forth platters of fruits rich in spiritual energy. The lead maidservant did not forget to remind them, "Lord Wushu, the Hall Master has given instructions: any needs Lord Wushu has during this grand tournament at the Beast Trapping Hall will be provided free of charge. The Beast Trapping Hall wishes Lord Wushu great success in the tournament."

Plucking a piece of spiritual fruit and tossing it into his mouth, Wushu chewed a couple of times and felt a rich burst of spiritual energy flood his palate. Highly satisfied, he remarked, "The Hall Master's support is something Wushu will keep in mind."

Knowing that the young woman accompanying Wushu was of extraordinary status and that her relationship with him seemed exceptionally close, the lead maidservant said, "My lords, if there are no other matters, we shall take our leave."

Nodding with satisfaction once more toward the maidservants, Wushu tossed another piece of spiritual fruit into his mouth and chewed contentedly.

Just then, as the maidservants exited the VIP chamber, Wushu and Zhao Fenxing heard a soft meow. Immediately following, a Fire Cat Beast King in the form of a kitten appeared outside the chamber's window.

Observing Wushu's deeply relaxed and pampered demeanor, the Fire Cat Beast King cast a look of disdain and said, "Young Master, what time is it, and you still have the leisure to eat over here?"

This appearance of the Fire Cat Beast King differed greatly from the past; perched atop its head was a tiny tree sprite no larger than a fingernail. In a milky, infantile voice, the tiny tree sprite chimed in, "Indeed, indeed! What time is it, and you still have the heart to eat spiritual fruit over there?"

The voice of the tiny tree sprite was exceptionally familiar to Wushu; it was an exact match for the voice of the World Tree in the Resting Land.

While they were speaking, the Fire Cat Beast King had already leapt onto the table before Wushu. The tiny tree sprite jumped directly off the beast's head, and then laughed ecstatically, chirping, "They're all mine! Every single one of them is mine!"

In the next instant, all the spiritual fruit just brought by the Beast Trapping Hall maidservants flew toward the tiny tree sprite, vanishing completely into thin air right before Wushu's eyes.

The fruits had arrived quickly, but vanished even faster. Wushu had intended to eat a few more to replenish himself before the tournament, but with the arrival of the tiny tree sprite, every single fruit had been swept away. Frowning in displeasure, Wushu muttered, "How dare you steal my fruit?"

Unfazed by Wushu's threat, the tiny tree sprite retorted, "I am a seed of the World Tree! If I don't eat my fill and eat well, I won't be able to protect myself or safeguard your spiritual consciousness."

After taking Wushu's spiritual fruit, it still tried to trick Wushu into believing it was for his own good—that only by growing stronger could it protect both itself and Wushu's spiritual domain.

Deeply annoyed, Wushu reached out and poked the tiny tree sprite with his finger, saying, "Do I look like a child to you? Do you think I'm that easy to fool?"

The reason Wushu had brought the World Tree seed along was that the World Tree in the Resting Land wished to plant its only seed within Wushu's spiritual consciousness. In this way, the seed could obtain sufficient spiritual energy for development while simultaneously providing exceptional protection for Wushu's spiritual consciousness.

The Fire Cat Beast King spoke earnestly, "Young Master, what it says is true. It is indeed a seed of the World Tree. According to Lord World Tree, the seeds of the World Tree require fertile spiritual soil as nourishment in order to take root, sprout, and gradually grow into towering trees."

Since the tiny tree sprite had started snatching his spiritual fruit the moment it appeared, Wushu remained skeptical. "This little fellow isn't planning to use me as its spiritual food, is it? If it grows too powerful one day, will it just end up eating me? Look at how gluttonous it is."

Shaking its head, the Fire Cat Beast King calmly replied, "According to Lord World Tree, the true significance of the World Tree is not to grow in isolation, but to help its master sublimate their spiritual world. Furthermore, the World Tree of the Resting Land has not experienced all that much, so this is currently all Lord World Tree knows."

Challenged thus by Wushu, the tiny tree sprite seemed to grow indignant. With a puff of its cheeks, it began returning the stolen spiritual fruit one by one back to their original places.

Upon hearing that the spiritual world could be sublimated, Wushu grew intensely interested. Although he had cultivated on the Forgotten Continent for a hundred thousand years, he had never encountered any ancient texts mentioning the existence of World Trees, nor the rule that their seeds had to be planted in spiritually fertile consciousness soil to grow.

Since the World Tree seed offered such tremendous benefits to one's spiritual consciousness, Wushu had no intention of letting slip such a golden opportunity.

Poking the tiny tree sprite's body with his finger once more, Wushu smiled helplessly and said, "Oh? Is the little fellow angry now?"

At that moment, the tiny tree sprite huffed and rolled its eyes at Wushu. Finding the creature immensely amusing, Wushu continued, "Little one, would you like to come take a look inside my spiritual consciousness? Right now, Big Brother's spiritual domain is quite lively—a divine monument and the soul body of a Demon race ancestor are both living inside it!"

A divine monument? The soul body of a Demon race ancestor? They both live inside Wushu's spiritual consciousness?

At this, the main body of the World Tree could no longer keep silent. Utilizing the tiny tree sprite's body, it spoke in its milky voice, "Young Master, to be able to describe the act of suppressing enemies with such refined detachment—you truly are something else, Young Master."

Ugh... Wushu's forehead was covered in black lines.