Vol. 1 - Ch. 49 - Climbing Over the Wall

In the darkness of the night, Li Cailiang wore a bitter smile. "It seems you've already made up your mind."

"Most of the resources in the Chaotic Burial Mountains are now controlled by the Chen family. With the so-called Divine Tree aiding them, the Chen family is likely to grow even stronger in the coming decades, perhaps even surpassing their current power."

"At this rate, what can my Li family use to compete with them?"

Li Yongcheng fell into a deep silence. Their family's previous strength had already been crushed by the Chen family. 

Even if they started over and rebuilt, how could they compare to a Chen family bolstered by the Divine Tree? 

As time passed, the gap between the two families would only widen.

"It must be the Divine Tree that allowed the Chen family to survive against all odds and turn defeat into victory. That's likely the reason," Li Cailiang continued. 

"During the last great battle, I caught a glimpse of that Divine Tree. It was planted in the Ancestral Hall of the Chen family. Now that we've discovered this secret passage, it seems like heaven is helping my Li family."

"This secret passage probably leads to the Chen family's Ancestral Hall. I can take advantage of the night, enter the hall through this passage, and destroy the Divine Tree!"

"Without the Divine Tree, with your abilities, it's quite possible for our family to flourish again. Surpassing the Chen family would only be a matter of time."

Li Yongcheng immediately objected.

"No, Uncle Li, it's too risky."

Li Cailiang shook his head. 

"I'm already of advanced age, and reaching the later stages of the Blood Coagulation Realm is likely my limit. It's difficult for me to ascend to the Innate Realm in this lifetime. Even if I leave the Chaotic Burial Mountains, I won't be of much help to the family."

"Since you've decided to change your path, with your abilities, you're more than capable of leading our people safely out of the Chaotic Burial Mountains."

"We can't pass up such a good opportunity."

"Besides, the Chen family is in disarray right now, and there probably aren't many guards in the Ancestral Hall. With my strength in the later stages of the Blood Coagulation Realm, it should be enough. After destroying the Divine Tree, I might still be able to escape through the secret passage. I'll follow the path that leads me there." sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NøvᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

After saying this, a hint of confidence appeared in Li Cailiang's eyes.

Li Yongcheng's words of persuasion stuck in his throat. He had analyzed the reasons for their family's great defeat. 

One of the most important reasons was that the severely injured Chen family members had recovered within a few days. 

Additionally, those strange locust leaves had played a role in the family's ultimate failure. Both of these factors were obviously connected to the Divine Tree that had appeared in the Chen family.

If things went according to Li Cailiang's plan, it would indeed be a good thing for the family. 

Not only would it curb the Chen family's growth, but it would also avenge past grievances.

However, he feared that Uncle Li might be taking too great a risk this time. 

He understood that this seemed to be the only option the family had at the moment, and if successful, it would greatly benefit their future revenge.

Reason collided with emotion. After a moment, Li Yongcheng's gaze hardened. 

"Uncle Li, let's discuss the details."

"Good!"

...

In the Ancestral Hall, Ji Yang silently absorbed the moonlight and Yin energy. 

Today marked the fifth day since the fruits had started growing. 

The fruits, originally the size of a fist, hadn't shown significant changes in size, but their colour had gradually shifted from green to grey, and the faces on the fruits became clearer and more vivid.

As Ji Yang focused on absorbing the moonlight, a sudden sound echoed in the Ancestral Hall---a noise as something hit the ground.

"Thud!"

The sound of someone climbing over the wall and landing made Ji Yang's heart skip a beat. 

Normally, clan members would enter through the main gate. Someone climbing over the wall was definitely suspicious, bringing to mind the night when Chen Qinghe and Chen Qingmeng attempted to cut down his tree.

Initially, Ji Yang thought they had returned for more mischief, but when he looked up, he saw a lone figure. 

The figure seemed familiar, with such light footsteps that Ji Yang's buried roots hadn't detected them at first. Now, the figure was slowly approaching Ji Yang.

Yet Ji Yang didn't react much, only a hint of confusion crossed his mind. The intruder was none other than Chen Qingyu.

If this had happened earlier, he would have been deeply concerned. 

After all, Chen Qingyu's cultivation was not low, and he had previously shown disrespect to his Divine Tree. He had genuinely feared his impulsive actions. But now, he wasn't worried at all.

As the most talented of the younger generation, Chen Qingyu's only intention was to help the clan leader overcome his obsession with the Divine Tree and save their clan. 

After Ji Yang had displayed his divine power to protect the Chen family, Chen Qingyu had initially appeared rebellious, but he had since abandoned his previous thoughts.

Besides, he had been completely focused on the hunt recently. 

Under such circumstances, Ji Yang was naturally not concerned that Chen Qingyu would do anything outrageous. However, he was still puzzled as to why he had come at this hour.

Chen Qingyu walked slowly and stopped two meters away from the Divine Tree. His gaze swept over Ji Yang's branches, one by one, before finally landing on a white fruit.

Following his gaze, Ji Yang also looked at the white fruit. Without needing a closer inspection, Ji Yang already understood the implication---the face on that white fruit bore a striking resemblance to Chen Qingyu.

Hanging on the tree was his father.

Ji Yang's eyes scanned the spirit tablets in the Ancestral Hall and found the name of Chen Qingyu's father, Chen Tianshun. 

He belonged to the "Tian" generation, along with other family members like Chen Tianyu and Chen Tianjing. Considering Chen Qingyu's age, Chen Tianshun should only be in his forties or fifties. It was unclear why he had died so early.

Ji Yang paid no attention and continued to absorb the moon essence.

Standing under the tree, Chen Qingyu was not crying like the other clan members. 

He just stood quietly under the moonlight, gazing at the familiar face above him as numerous memories flooded into his mind at that moment.

As time passed, Chen Qingyu remained motionless. 

It wasn't until the sound of slow footsteps came from outside the Ancestral Hall that Chen Qingyu snapped back to reality. He quickly scaled the wall and left the Ancestral Hall.

However, as he was climbing the wall, his body suddenly stiffened, almost causing him to fall. 

Relying on his late-stage Blood Coagulation Realm cultivation, Chen Qingyu forcefully stabilized himself with his hands and eventually left safely.

Creak!

The doors of the Ancestral Hall slowly opened. Ji Yang didn't even need to look to know who it was. 

Besides Chen Xingzhen, the clan leader, there were only a few others who would come here in the middle of the night.

Upon entering the Ancestral Hall, Chen Xingzhen did not rush over to Ji Yang but first looked at the surrounding wall. 

Even though he was older, as a martial artist at the late stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm, he could not have missed the commotion in the hall.

Chen Xingzhen had already guessed who it was but decided not to reveal it. He simply shook his head with a sigh and then respectfully approached the Divine Tree.

Even after observing for a long time, his feelings became complicated again when he saw the white fruit on the tree. 

However, he did not forget the purpose of his visit.

Ji Yang was aware of his intentions but did not know how to communicate with Chen Xingzhen, the clan leader. But that was not important.