Chapter 2591: That Tree
Mu Sanye solemnly declared, "Before, this competition was only between you and me, but now, it's a competition between Senior Mu Ke and Senior Xu Wuwei. This has gone beyond us, Xu Xiangyin."
Lu Yin hastily protested, "Senior, this junior only wishes to join the Voidforce Universe."
Mu Sanye took no offense to Xuan Qi’s words. In fact, his expression softened a bit, and when he spoke, his voice was filled with admiration and even apology. "Xuan Qi, I owe you an apology."
Lu Yin promptly responded with humility, "Please, there’s no need."
Mu Sanye took a deep breath. "I was blind to not recognize a precious gem in the dust. Xuan Qi, the innate gift that you've gained from your arboreal transformation is truly great."
Xu Xiangyin moved in front of Lu Yin. He wanted to say something, but then swallowed his words. Despite his reluctance, reason said that Lu Yin would never be able to join the Voidforce Universe. Senior Xu Wuwei had already made that decision, and the young man's future undeniably belonged with the Arboreal Realm.
This thought caused Xu Xiangyin's previously aggressive stance to weaken noticeably.
Mu Sanye found Xu Xiangyin’s reaction odd, but he did not question it. Instead, he said, "Xuan Qi, let's speak privately."
"There's no need to hide any of this junior’s matters from Xu Xiangyin," Lu Yin replied.
Mu Sanye was taken aback by this response, and he looked at Xu Xiangyin with open envy.
Xu Xiangyin walked away without speaking another word, only gesturing for Mu Sanye to continue. Resignation had caused Xu Xiangyin’s entire body to slump.
Lu Yin watched as the old man moved away. It was clear that the rapidly changing situation was hard to accept for him. Lu Yin had overdone his act as Xuan Qi, and in doing so, had unwittingly created a powerful bond with the old man.
Mu Sanye wondered, "Since when did that old ghost become so accommodating?"
Lu Yin silently stood in place as he waited for Mu Sanye to speak. He was about to learn the identity of the big tree that was always running away.
Mu Sanye turned his head back to stare intently at Lu Yin. He turned grave as he spoke, "Xuan Qi, I will not belabor the need for my apologies. I hope that our previous interactions will not hinder your future. Do you know the nature of the tree you received your innate gift from?"
Lu Yin shook his head. "I know nothing about it, Senior."
A frown caused Mu Sanye's forehead to furrow. The man appeared to become lost in his own thoughts, and his expression grew conflicted.
Expectation sparkled in Lu Yin's eyes. The tree that had given him his innate gift of spatial control was a source of continuous fascination for him. The power that it had granted him was as incredible as the power of time, which was a concept so profound that even Progenitors struggled to grasp it. How could a mere tree possess such power? L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
"Honestly, there is no one in the Arboreal Realm realm who truly knows what that tree is, exactly. However, I can tell you that it is a legend in the Arboreal Realm. We initially believed it to be a mere myth, and no one actually thought that it was actually real. Your innate gift of spatial manipulation has forced us to reconsider those doubts."
Mu Sanye took a moment to collect his thoughts before explaining, "Human history is essentially a story of war. This does not just include our internal conflicts, but also wars against other species as well. Our adversary that has endured the longest has been Aeternus, of course.
"Countless wars have been recorded in my universe’s history, and this particular tree has shown itself during numerous significant battles, such as the historically renowned Seventy Five Day Campaign, the Great Migration War, and the Civilization Rebirth Battle within the Arboreal Realm itself. The impact that the tree had on each of those conflicts is undeniable. During the Seventy Five Day Campaign, it led us to victory by spiriting away a powerful member of the enemy on the nineteenth day. During the Great Migration War, it inexplicably connected several different battlefields together, which led to our defeat. No one knows how that was accomplished. It seems as though the concept of space is meaningless to that tree.
"The Civilization Rebirth Battle didn’t even start simply because of that tree’s interference, but its influence was so massive that the tale persists even to this day. If not for that tree, the Arboreal Realm would not be what it is today.
"I apologize, Senior. I became lost in thought."
"You seem particularly interested in the War of the River Jiu," Mu Sanye noted, feeling rather puzzled.
"That tree intrigues me, Senior. In the Arboreal Sanctuary, I was nearly taken away by it," Lu Yin explained.
Mu Sanye suddenly looked envious. "That’s an experience that many people would do anything for. Only the strongest of the most powerful experts have ever been taken away by that tree. You should consider yourself lucky to have even touched it. Do you now understand just how mysterious that great tree is? Only by joining my Arboreal Realm can you truly unlock the potential of your innate gift—your potential has become truly limitless! What do you say? Join my Arboreal Realm. The Voidforce Universe cannot compare to us."
"Mu San, you’re crossing a line!" a voice rang out. Xu Xiangyin suddenly appeared, glaring at Mu Sanye. "How dare you claim that my Voidforce Universe is inferior to your Arboreal Realm!"
Mu Sanye matter-of-factly responded, "My Arboreal Realm was able to support the Origin Universe during a war. That is something that your Voidforce Universe was never capable of doing."
"Nonsense! Who can say for certain what happened in such an ancient era? It’s even possible that my Voidforce Universe actively attacked Aeternus! Your Arboreal Realm might have fallen behind and caused later issues to arise," Xu Xiangyin retorted.
Lu Yin was speechless. These men were being truly brazen.
Mu Sanye became disgusted. "How could you even say that? That’s completely uncalled for!"
Xu Xiangyin snorted contemptuously and then set a hand on Lu Yin's shoulder. "Let's go."
Mu Sanye swiftly moved to intercept the two men. "Xu Xiangyin, wait for Mu Ke to arrive!"
Xu Xiangyin completely ignored the other man and pulled Lu Yin away. "Senior Xu Wuwei is waiting for us."
"Stop!" Mu Sanye cried out. At that moment, Shi Jiao appeared right between the two men. "You are in the Cyclic School right now! Take your fight elsewhere."
Seizing the opening, Xu Xiangyin tore through the void and whisked Lu Yin away to the Voidforce Universe.
Mu Sanye felt incredibly frustrated. "Dammit!"
Shi Jiao frowned. She could have intervened, but she had chosen not to. It would be best to allow Xuan Qi to decide his own fate.
...
Once again, Lu Yin found himself in the Voidforce Universe.
"Hahaha, that old ghost Mu San was lucky this time! Shi Jiao arrived at the perfect time! Xuan Qi, come, I'll take you to the Void Pass," Xu Xiangyin gloated.
Lu Yin nodded in gratitude, "Thank you, Senior."
Xu Xiangyin chuckled. "Why are you thanking me? That old bastard Mu San must be beside himself right now. He'll do everything he can to get here, and when he does, I'll be able to secure even more resources for you."
The man paused for a moment and then let out a sad sigh. He patted Lu Yin on the shoulder. "This is all that I can do for you, Xuan Qi. Once you've joined the Arboreal Realm, try not to be so upright. When you see Mu San again, go ahead and ask him to allow you to join the Arboreal Realm. I'll make sure to get as many benefits as possible for you."
Lu Yin felt deeply grateful to the old man. "I understand."
Xu Xiangyin had gone above and beyond to help Lu Yin. Not only had the old man done his best to get as many benefits as possible for Lu Yin, but he was also trying to protect the young man from any resentment Mu Sanye and the others might develop towards him. All the while, Lu Yin would be the only one to reap any of the benefits of Xu Xiangyin’s efforts.
However, Xu Xiangyin's words also implied that he did not believe for a moment that Xuan Qi could successfully cross the Void Pass. Was success truly impossible?