I Can See Through Everything-Chapter 348

"Turns out there really is a rat hiding in the shadows."

Upon hearing this sentence, Elder You was utterly shocked. He suddenly felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart, shooting straight to the top of his head.

Without thinking, he immediately pushed his movement technique to its limit, creating layers of afterimages as he desperately dodged forward.

Just as the afterimages appeared, a hand suddenly reached out, tearing through the illusions and shattering the airflow.

If Elder You hadn’t dodged in time, that hand would have pierced through his back, and his life and death would be uncertain.

"Hmm, not bad for a rat."

The disheveled figure sounded slightly surprised.

However, he didn’t stop. Stepping forward, he stuck closely to Elder You's back and unleashed another claw strike.

Sensing this, Elder You was horrified.

His phantom clone had been so easily seen through.

It was clear that the opponent's martial arts level was far beyond his.

Remembering the strange demonic technique the opponent had used earlier, Elder You had no intention of staying to fight.

He immediately activated the exotic treasure in his possession.

In the next moment, a black halo emerged from Elder You’s chest, quickly enveloping his entire body.

The black halo not only deflected the disheveled figure’s hand, but also wrapped around Elder You, transforming into a streak of light that sped down the mountain.

"A demonic treasure?"

The disheveled figure was taken aback. He hadn’t expected the rat hiding on the sidelines to possess such a treasure.

Unfortunately, by the time he wanted to stop him, it was already too late.

The power of the treasure was beyond what he could block at his current level.

He could only watch helplessly as Elder You was carried away by the black light, disappearing swiftly into the night.

"He actually escaped."

The disheveled figure was filled with regret.

Had he known that the rat was carrying a demonic treasure, he would have used all his strength from the start.

If he could have seized that treasure, it would have been a great boon to his currently impoverished state.

"Lately, my luck has been getting worse and worse. Could it be that the Heavenly Dao of this world has started to target me?"

Twice in a row, he had been outplayed.

The disheveled figure became wary.

Since returning from Zhongzhou, his luck had been rather poor.

Not only had his injuries failed to fully heal, but tonight he had been humiliated twice.

From a cultivator’s perspective, this was definitely not a good omen.

It was very possible that the Heavenly Dao of this world had already set its sights on him.

"Damn it, it’s all because of that brat. If it weren’t for him forcing me to use the Heavenly Demon Body Separation Technique and leaking my essence, how could I have attracted the attention of the Heavenly Dao in this world?"

The disheveled figure’s eyes filled with venom as he recalled the true culprit behind his current predicament.

Had it not been for the injury inflicted by Lu Qing and the subsequent loss of his essence, which forced him to use the Heavenly Demon Body Separation Technique, he wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Every time he thought of this, his hatred surged to the point that even the waters of the five great lakes and four seas couldn't wash it away.

"Just wait, one day I will find you. I’ll destroy everything you have.

I’ll tear out your soul and burn it for ten thousand years.

Only then will I be able to quell the hatred in my heart!"

The disheveled figure’s form gradually faded away, leaving only his voice, filled with hatred, echoing through the mountain forest.

Dozens of miles away, a streak of black light skimmed rapidly through the air under the moonlight.

It soon landed in a mountain valley. As the black light dissipated, it revealed the pale face of Elder You.

Cautiously, Elder You pulled out a jet-black shuttle-shaped jade talisman from his chest.

Seeing the cracks on the talisman, Elder You felt a pang of sorrow.

The Tower Master had given him this treasure, and it could only be used three times at most.

He had only been out for a short while, and already he had used it twice.

One more time, and the treasure would completely shatter, becoming utterly useless.

"I never expected the outside world to have become so dangerous.

In just a few days, I’ve faced two life-and-death crises."

Elder You glanced back in the direction of the Qingyun Sword Sect with lingering fear.

Wasting no time, he activated his movement technique and continued on his way.

The danger that strange figure posed was even greater than the old man he had encountered at the Wei Manor.

It wasn’t that the man’s cultivation was stronger, but rather that his technique was too strange and terrifying.

The pure demonic aura was enough to make even Elder You, a senior member of the Wujian Tower, tremble with fear.

Even though he had already fled dozens of miles, he still didn’t feel safe.

"It seems it’s time to return. If even I fall outside, there will be no one left to bring back the information from the outside world."

Having made his decision, Elder You sped up his pace, gradually disappearing into the darkness.

While the outside world was in turmoil, with the situation becoming more treacherous, none of it affected the tranquility of Jiuli Village.

Since Lu Qing had set up the array, the environment of Jiuli Village had steadily improved.

The trees had become lush, and the temperature was pleasant.

Even in the sweltering heat, being in the village brought a sense of coolness and comfort.

Furthermore, with spiritual energy enveloping the area, it felt almost like a paradise.

The villagers even noticed that their bodies were becoming healthier and more energetic day by day.

Understanding that these changes were due to Lu Qing’s spellwork, the villagers’ gratitude toward him grew with each passing day.

"Grandfather Zhang, you said you had something important to discuss with me. What is it?"

One day, as Lu Qing was casting the Spiritual Rain Technique on the spiritual fields, he saw Grandfather Zhang and a few village elders coming up the mountain to find him.

"It’s about the Communicating Spirit Tree at the village entrance."

The elderly men marveled at Lu Qing's cloud and rain spell, clicking their tongues in wonder.

Irrigating rice fields with magic—such a thing they had neither seen nor heard of before.

Even more remarkable were the rice seedlings in the field.

Not only were they growing extraordinarily robust, but the tips of the leaves emitted faint golden radiance, making them look quite unusual.

"Aqing, why do these seedlings shine with a golden glow?"

One of the village elders couldn’t help but ask.

"This is a new breed of spiritual rice I’m experimenting with through magic, which is why the seedlings look a bit different."

Lu Qing explained with a smile.

The villagers already knew that he could use magic, so he didn’t bother hiding it.

"What kind of rice will come from using magic?"

Another elder widened his eyes in curiosity.

"I don’t know what they will become later, but when it’s time to harvest, everyone can take a look."

"Sounds good."

The old farmers, who had spent their entire lives in the fields, were naturally very curious about rice grown using magic. They all agreed enthusiastically.

"By the way, Grandfather Zhang, you mentioned something happened to the Communicating Spirit Tree?" Lu Qing asked.

The Communicating Spirit Tree was the large tree by the village entrance where the villagers tied red ropes when they left the village.

To the villagers of Jiuli Village, it held special significance, and Lu Qing was also quite concerned about it.

"We’re not sure what’s going on. Why don’t you take a look yourself?" Grandfather Zhang suggested.

"Alright, I’ll go with you."

Since Lu Qing had finished watering the two acres of spiritual fields, he dispersed the clouds with a hand gesture and followed Grandfather Zhang and the elders down the mountain to the village entrance.

At this moment, many villagers had gathered around the Communicating Spirit Tree.

They were looking at it with wonder, and murmurs of amazement could be heard from time to time.

Lu Qing even spotted Hu Laosan among the crowd.

Over the past few days, the Hu family father and daughter had slowly integrated into village life.

Especially Hu Laosan, who was naturally sociable and easily gained the favor of the villagers.

As a result, the villagers gradually accepted him.

"Everyone, make way! Ah Qing is here!"

Upon seeing Lu Qing and Grandfather Zhang arrive, one of the villagers called out.

The crowd immediately parted, allowing Lu Qing and the others to approach the tree.

When Lu Qing saw the Communicating Spirit Tree, he was a little surprised.

Because the tree had undergone significant changes since the last time he saw it.

The leaves had become even greener, which wasn’t unusual.

But the entire tree had also grown much taller.

Most striking of all were the roots, which were now so intertwined that they formed the shape of a small hut.

The most important thing, however, was that Lu Qing could sense a faint, unusual power emanating from the tree.

"Hmm, incense power?"

At this moment, Yan’s voice suddenly rang out in Lu Qing’s mind.

"Senior, what is incense power?" Lu Qing asked.

The inheritance left by the Li Huo Sect didn’t mention anything about incense power.

"You don’t know? Well, that makes sense. The Li Huo Sect never delved into the path of incense, so it’s normal that you’re unaware."

"Incense power is a peculiar force condensed from pure faith and belief. Most traditional cultivation sects don’t study it, but Xuankong Mountain, your enemy, was quite proficient in it during the ancient Immortal Era.

To think that even this small village tree could condense incense power, it’s quite remarkable."

Yan’s voice continued to elaborate in Lu Qing’s mind.

It was rare for there to be something Lu Qing didn’t know, which made Yan eager to explain.

"I see. What’s the use of incense power?" Lu Qing continued to ask.

"That, I’m not entirely sure." Yan shook his head. "Incense power is extremely strange, and even during the ancient Immortal Era, only a few sects truly mastered it.

But I’ve heard the elders of the Li Huo Sect mention that incense power can vary depending on the prayers of its worshippers, forming different kinds of energy. It’s unpredictable and difficult to guard against.

I’m curious as to what kind of incense power this Communicating Spirit Tree has accumulated."

Hearing this, Lu Qing’s interest was piqued.

He activated his ability and looked at the tree.

After a few breaths, a faint golden light appeared on the tree, along with several lines of information.

[Communicating Spirit Tree: A tree nurtured by spiritual energy, having developed a trace of spiritual awareness through the prayers of the villagers.]

[Due to the villagers' long-term, sincere prayers for safety, the tree has condensed a sliver of incense power.]

[The incense power of this tree is tied to the village, offering protection to this land.]

[By tying a red rope, representing the villager’s identity, to the tree, one can receive a sliver of protective fortune.]

…

When Lu Qing finished reading the information that appeared from the Communicating Spirit Tree, his eyes lit up with joy.

At the same time, he understood how the tree’s incense power had formed.

Earlier, Yan had explained that incense power only condenses from pure belief and prayers.

The Communicating Spirit Tree was the tree that the villagers of Jiuli Village prayed to for safety.

Every time a villager left the village, they would tie a red rope to its branches, and upon returning, they would remove the rope.

For decades, this tradition had never been broken.

In a way, the tree had absorbed the most genuine and pure hopes of the villagers, their desire for safety and protection for their loved ones.

That was why the tree had now condensed a form of incense power with protective qualities.

From now on, whenever the villagers left the village and tied a red rope to the tree, they wouldn’t just be making a symbolic prayer for safety.

They would actually be receiving the tree’s blessing, a real sliver of protective fortune.

This fortune would shield them from danger and ensure they encountered good fortune on their journeys.

"Aqing, is there something wrong with the tree?"

Grandfather Zhang asked worriedly when he noticed Lu Qing staring at the tree.

The other villagers also looked at Lu Qing with concern, even the children were watching closely.

The Communicating Spirit Tree held a special place in the hearts of the villagers. Almost everyone had deep emotional ties to it.

Many of the younger villagers had spent their childhoods playing beneath its branches.

They had been raised hearing strict warnings not to climb or damage the tree.

Because of this, any changes to the tree naturally made them anxious.

Seeing the villagers’ concerned expressions, Lu Qing smiled.

"Everyone, don’t worry. The tree hasn’t encountered any problems. In fact, the changes it has undergone are a good thing."

"A good thing? What kind of good thing?" one of the elderly villagers asked immediately.

"As the world is undergoing some changes, this tree, which has been growing here for many years, has absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, as well as the villagers' prayers.

Now, it has developed a trace of spiritual awareness and has become a true spiritual tree.

If we take good care of it, it will be able to protect our village even better in the future."

Lu Qing tried to explain the situation in a way that the villagers could understand.

Sure enough, when they heard that the Communicating Spirit Tree had developed spiritual awareness, the villagers were shocked.

"The tree has become sentient?"

"It has spiritual awareness? Does that mean it can hear us now?"

"This is great news!"

After the initial shock, excitement quickly followed.

Though they didn’t fully understand the concept of spiritual awareness, they did understand that the tree could protect the village more effectively, and that was enough for them.

Suddenly, one of the villagers grabbed his young son by the ear.

"You little rascal, did you hear what Aqing said? From now on, you’re not allowed to be disrespectful to the tree. If I ever catch you climbing it like you did this morning, I’ll break your legs!"

"Yeah, and you, boy! I saw you just the other day breaking off one of the branches. If you ever do that again, I’ll thrash you!" another villager scolded his son as well.

Hearing this, the other villagers began chiding their children, too.

In an instant, the village was filled with the sound of children pleading for mercy.

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