Chapter 249 - 242: Ten-Thousand-Year Divine Tree

Chapter 249: Chapter 242: Ten-Thousand-Year Divine Tree

Jiang Zuo looked down and saw three sea-blue whales.

Two of them were enormous, nearly twenty meters long.

The third was tiny in comparison, only a little over a meter long. It looked like it had been born recently.

’Thunder Whales?’

A thought flickered through Jiang Zuo’s mind as he recalled a description he had once read.

Thunder Whales are fond of the Power of Thunder and tend to live in areas with frequent lightning strikes.

Thunder Whales were considered colossal beasts of the sea, the bane of many smaller fish. However, apart from the creatures on their menu, they were quite docile compared to other Sea Beasts and rarely attacked humans or the Demon Race on their own initiative.

Jiang Zuo had been Crossing the Tribulation here, and the potent Tribulation Thunder Power had drawn this family of Thunder Whales.

The two large and one small Thunder Whale swam joyfully on the sea’s surface, which was suffused with the aura of lightning.

"WOOO! WOOO!!"

When the Little Thunder Whale saw Jiang Zuo looking down, it let out a happy cry.

With a flicker of thought, Jiang Zuo descended and stroked the little creature’s smooth forehead.

Perhaps due to the effects of his Beast Tamer talent, the two large Thunder Whales didn’t try to stop him.

’They’re both fourth-rank?’

It was only after Jiang Zuo entered the water that he realized these two enormous, seemingly harmless Thunder Whales were both fourth-rank Demon Beasts.

’Fourth-rank Demon Beasts?’

’With the concentration of Spiritual Qi on this island, it should be difficult for any Demon Beast to even emerge.’

’If they didn’t migrate here from a great distance, it must mean there’s a Spirit Vein nearby!’

"Where are you from?"

Jiang Zuo communicated with them.

The Little Thunder Whale immediately replied with a series of joyous cries, telling Jiang Zuo they had come from near an island far to the east.

Hearing how far away it was, Jiang Zuo gave up the idea of heading over right away.

He had just advanced to the Three Flowers Realm; he needed to consolidate his Cultivation first.

’There’s no rush to explore. The place isn’t going anywhere.’

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Zuo bid farewell to the three Thunder Whales and flew back toward the shore.

"Master!"

As Jiang Zuo flew back to the shore, he heard someone shouting from below.

Jiang Zuo had already sensed people on the shore, but he hadn’t planned on paying them any mind.

But upon hearing their voices, Jiang Zuo recognized Xiao and Cang among them.

"Come to my place in three days."

Jiang Zuo sent a message to them via voice transmission and flew straight back to his hermitage without landing.

Back in his cave, Jiang Zuo calmed his mind and inspected his internal condition.

’So much Tribulation Thunder Power?’

Jiang Zuo was astonished when he looked at the Five-Element Divine Tree within his body.

The Divine Tree growing on Jiang Zuo’s Dao Foundation was formed from five intertwining Five-Element Divine Trees.

When Jiang Zuo’s Divine Body had reached Perfection, these Five-Element Divine Trees had twisted together to form a single, colossal tree.

The giant tree had leaves of five different colors, and even atop his vast Dao Foundation, it gave the impression of blotting out the sky.

Having just completed his Tribulation, Jiang Zuo had intended to examine the changes that came with reaching the Three Flowers Realm.

He hadn’t expected the first thing he’d see would be arcs of lightning coiled around the Five-Element Divine Tree.

He had allowed all thirty-six bolts of Tribulation Thunder to strike his body, and in the process, had unknowingly absorbed an immense amount of Tribulation Thunder Power.

A quick inspection revealed that the Five-Element Divine Tree had absorbed even more Tribulation Thunder Power than he had refined into his Primordial Flesh and Blood.

In other words, he had actually absorbed the majority of the lightning from this Thunder Tribulation.

’There’s absolutely no other Tribulation Cultivator in the world like me.’

’Other cultivators who have passed a Thunder Tribulation should also have this coiled Tribulation Thunder.’

’It’s just that the amount they absorb is far less than mine. An ordinary cultivator would have a hard time even detecting it.’

’The Divine Tree Flowers that Three Flowers Realm cultivators produce contain Tribulation Thunder Power. This must be the source.’

’Then again, I technically have five Divine Trees. If each one blossoms, does that mean I’ll have fifteen Divine Tree Flowers?’

Jiang Zuo mused.

However, he had only just passed the Thunder Tribulation. It would still take some time to cultivate to the point where the Divine Trees would blossom.

’After those thirty-six bolts of Tribulation Thunder, my Spiritual Power has become much purer. The same Magic is now far more powerful than when I was in the Divine Body Realm.’

’But since the amount of Spiritual Power in my body is so vast, it will take time for it to fully convert.’

’For now, the most obvious change is to my physical body.’

’Leaving aside my Primordial Flesh and Blood, the strength of my physical body is now at least comparable to the strongest of peak fourth-rank Exotic Beasts.’

’Ordinary fourth-rank Magic can hardly harm me anymore.’

’Only Magic infused with Tribulation Thunder Power can cause me any real damage.’

’In other words, very few cultivators in the Three Flowers Realm can still pose a threat to me.’

’I just wonder how I measure up to a Dao Fruit Realm cultivator now.’

Jiang Zuo continued to inspect the rest of his body.

Compared to other cultivators at the same level, he was now terrifyingly powerful.

It would be no exaggeration to call him invincible among his peers.

However, the Cultivation Realm was mysterious and unpredictable. There might be others with powerful abilities unknown to him, so Jiang Zuo didn’t dare to become too arrogant.

「Three days later.」

"Come in."

The two stood outside the valley, only daring to enter after hearing Jiang Zuo’s voice.

"Master, we haven’t seen you in twenty-four years. To think your appearance hasn’t changed at all."

The pair said with emotion, looking at Jiang Zuo.

’Has it only been twenty-four years in the outside world?’

Jiang Zuo also felt a faint sense of wistfulness.

’It’s a good thing time flowed faster in the Daoist Talisman Holy Land Secret Realm.’

’Otherwise, by the time I returned, they would have become old and grey.’

Even so, it felt like only yesterday they were just youths. Now, in the blink of an eye, they were mature, middle-aged adults. Jiang Zuo couldn’t help but feel a pang of sentimentality.

"Speak. Why have you sought me out? If it’s about Martial Arts cultivation, I believe I’ve already taught you everything."

However, Jiang Zuo had no intention of exchanging pleasantries.

"Master, many things have happened on the island while you were away."

"Cang and I are now the official shamans of the Bone-piercing Tribe. Over the years, we learned something from the previous shaman. We then verified this information through another tribe, and we believe you will be interested in it, Master."

Xiao said respectfully.

"Oh? Tell me. If I’m truly interested, I can do my best to grant your request."

Jiang Zuo knew the island’s inhabitants were very direct, so he was direct as well.

"Yes, Master."

"Over a decade ago, before we became shamans, the previous shaman told us something."

"She said there is another Divine Tree on the island, planted by the Master from long ago. But she didn’t know its exact location."

"Only someone who unites all the island’s tribes could possibly get close enough to find it."

"This is the reason why there have always been wars between the tribes on the island."

"However, Cang and I analyzed the situation and believe that uniting all the tribes isn’t necessary to find the Divine Tree."

"Even if someone did unite all the tribes, they still might not find it."

"The Divine Tree is simply hidden by some sort of means."

"Coincidentally, not long after that, another tribe tried to attack the Bone-piercing Tribe, but we fought back and defeated them."

"Cang and I learned more information related to the Divine Tree from that tribe’s shaman."

"Eventually, by following the clues, we found a specific place on the island."

"The Divine Tree should be there, but a strange power prevents us from getting close."

Xiao slowly recounted the story of the Divine Tree.

The two weren’t afraid of Jiang Zuo backing out on a deal. If not for him, the Bone-piercing Tribe would have been defeated and absorbed over a decade ago.

Their intended request wasn’t excessive either. As long as their information was genuine, they believed the Master wouldn’t refuse.

As they expected, Jiang Zuo’s interest was piqued.

’If what they say is true, who knows how many tens of thousands of years that Divine Tree has been growing.’

"Let’s go. Take me there!"

Jiang Zuo said immediately.

"Yes, Master!"

Xiao and Cang gave directions, and Jiang Zuo simply flew through the air with them.

Before long, they had led Jiang Zuo to an inconspicuous mountain hollow.

Without them needing to say a word, Jiang Zuo saw the issue.

He was now a fourth-rank Array Master. He could tell at a glance that the hollow was, in fact, a Natural Illusion Array.

Someone unfamiliar with Arrays would only notice something was amiss after entering it.

Ordinary people, however, would be turned away by the Array, unable to approach at all.

"Alright, tell me what you want."

Jiang Zuo had no intention of breaking the Illusion Array in front of them.

Even though they were both mortals and posed no threat, Jiang Zuo wasn’t ready to let them know exactly what kind of Divine Tree was growing inside.

"Master... I was wondering if you could leave a Cultivation Technique Secret Manual for our tribe, so we could learn your Magic?"

Cang spoke up, her head lowered nervously.

In her mind, this was a taboo request.

If she hadn’t sensed that Jiang Zuo was a reasonable person, she would never have dared to ask.

"I can. But are you sure?"

"I must warn you, this island is not suitable for Cultivation. With such a small population, it would be difficult for even one person capable of Cultivation to be born."

"And even if someone did manage to cultivate, it wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing for your tribes."

Jiang Zuo warned.

’It’s one thing to be unable to pursue Cultivation. But to be able to, yet be stuck in a place like this... the despair would be unimaginable.’

’And there’s no telling what a desperate Cultivator might do.’

"Xiao and I both know there are risks."

"But, as you know, Master, our home is barren. If possible, we want to leave this place."

"Your Cultivation Technique Secret Manual would leave us with a glimmer of hope."

"This kind of opportunity won’t come again. We don’t want to have any regrets!"

Cang said with sincerity.

"As long as you understand what you’re asking."

"I’ll need some time to write out the Cultivation Technique Secret Manual. I will have it delivered to you when it’s done."

Jiang Zuo said, then sent them away with a wave of his hand.

Once he was alone, Jiang Zuo took out an Array Flag.

He thrust the Array Flag forward, and the Natural Illusion Array formed by the surrounding peaks was instantly broken.

The Illusion Array dissipated, revealing a strange, small tree. It was the color of jade and shaped like coral.

The moment Jiang Zuo laid eyes on it, he felt his Divine Sense clear and sharpen.

’This tree... it’s related to Divine Sense!’

Jiang Zuo’s heart trembled.

He looked closer and saw three translucent, golden fruits growing on the strange Ten-Thousand-Year Divine Tree.