Reincarnated as a Divine Tree-Chapter 183Vol. 1 - - Taking Action

Time passed swiftly, and before long, December had arrived.

That day, the sky was a clear, cloudless blue. At noon, the golden sunlight poured down like molten gold, casting a radiant halo over the entire Chen family estate. Inside the ancestral hall, countless beams of sunlight filtered through the gaps in the locust tree’s branches, casting dappled shadows across the ground. Under this illumination, the usually dark and eerie two-toned locust leaves shimmered with an unusual brilliance. From a distance, the entire tree seemed to be immersed in a sea of gold.

[Clan member Chen Qingyu has broken through to the mid stage of the Innate Realm. Stimulation Points +3]

The sudden system notification roused Ji Yang slightly from his sun-drenched trance. Still, it didn’t surprise him. Chen Qingyu had reached the Innate Realm months ago; what he lacked wasn’t talent or opportunity, but rather the accumulation of qi and blood. The family had long been lacking in that area. Fortunately, the Tian Nan Star obtained in the previous mission had quickly made up for that deficiency. In that light, Chen Qingyu’s breakthrough could be considered a matter of course. Given this pace, Ji Yang estimated that another derivation would soon be within reach.

...

“Good!” In the family’s main hall, Chen Xingzhen’s face lit up with delight at the news. Though it was only a small step for Chen Qingyu, it marked a significant advancement for the entire clan.

“Qingyu, how is your progress with that martial technique?”

He looked at Chen Qingyu, who now radiated a more tempered and restrained aura.

Chen Qingyu shook his head slightly. “The technique is far too profound. Though I gained some insights during the Grand Sacrifice, I still can’t penetrate its deeper layers. Right now, I’ve only barely grasped the basics. Mastery is still far off.”

Chen Xingzhen didn’t seem disappointed. Instead, he offered reassurance. “It’s a high-grade technique. True mastery requires one to reach the Qi Control Realm. The fact that you can even comprehend it at all is already quite good. Now that you've reached the mid-stage of the Innate Realm, your strength must have increased accordingly.”

Chen Qingyu didn’t argue. Even without full mastery of the technique, his combat power had risen sharply. Seeing the confidence in Chen Qingyu’s expression, Chen Xingzhen continued, his tone turning colder.

“Lately, there’ve been some vermin prowling nearby, watching us. Since your strength has improved, go and deal with them.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

Chen Qingyu’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint as he tightened his grip on the iron sword in his hand. He had been waiting for this very order.

As Chen Qingyu’s figure receded into the distance, Chen Xingzhen’s aged face grew somber and cold. On the surface, the family’s strength might not seem impressive, but under the Divine Tree’s favor, the cultivation speed of the clan’s elders had skyrocketed. Word had it that another clan member was on the verge of breaking through to the Innate Realm, and even among the younger generation, many had already reached the Body Tempering stage.

Though the branch of the family on his father’s side had fewer members, they were far stronger than those residing here. If it weren’t for the limited number of people, he would have sent some of them over long ago. With their strength on the rise and with subtle signals from the Divine Tree itself, Chen Xingzhen now felt he had the confidence he once lacked.

The family was no longer in a position to cower and tread carefully. And the matter with the two villains from Mei Mountain… that score had yet to be settled.

It was time.

...

“Elder brother, when should we act?”

Outside the Chen family territory, near an abandoned wooden shack, Shi Po Di broke the silence.

They had been observing the Chen family for about a month now. Recently, their efforts had focused on identifying the two martial artists who had broken through to the Innate Realm. But despite their prolonged surveillance, they hadn’t been able to pinpoint exactly who had made the breakthrough. And due to the presence of the incense totem, they dared not kidnap or interrogate Chen clan members, nor use other invasive methods to investigate.

That was the most troublesome aspect of the incense totem. Its power extended to every member of the clan. Any harm to a clansman would immediately alert the family, and in severe cases, could trigger a response like last time. That was the key reason they had been so constrained.

“We’ll move now,” Shi Potian said. “We’ve investigated long enough. In a few days, we’ll report back to the family and see what the next steps are.”

Shi Po Di nodded, a trace of relief in his eyes. This place—Burial Mound Mountain—was remote and desolate, completely lacking in even the most basic amenities. There were no brothels, no taverns, not even a halfway decent inn. For more than a month, they had either slept in this decrepit shack or spent their nights in trees. Even martial artists in the Innate Realm found it hard to endure such conditions for long, especially given their strength. This was beneath them.

“Leave? Heh...”

A cold laugh interrupted them just as they prepared to depart.

“You think Burial Mound Mountain is a place you can come and go from as you please?” freewёbnoνel-com

The two of them spun around, instantly alert. They hadn't sensed anyone approaching. For cultivators at their level, that was a troubling sign. Either their vigilance had waned recently, or the person behind them was formidable.

When Shi Potian and Shi Po Di laid eyes on the newcomer, their tension eased slightly, though irritation soon flared in their chests. They recognized the man—it was Chen Qingyu, the only known martial artist of the Innate Realm in the Chen family.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re Chen Qingyu?” Shi Potian lifted his chin slightly, looking down at him with a smug expression. Shi Po Di stood at his side, smiling faintly.

“So what if I am?” Chen Qingyu’s voice was calm, cold. “So what if I’m not? The dead have no need to know.”

Hearing such arrogant words from him, the two of them laughed in fury.

They were both Innate Realm martial artists from their own clan and had brought a divine stone along this time specifically to prevent another mishap like last time. This Chen Qingyu was alone. Even if he relied on the power of his clan’s totem, there was no way he could stand against the two of them.

Where was this confidence coming from?

Though flames of anger had already ignited in their hearts, they didn’t strike immediately. Instead, they continued scanning their surroundings cautiously. After confirming that Chen Qingyu was indeed alone, their wariness vanished.

If this had been an ambush, they would’ve immediately withdrawn to regroup with their clan. After all, a strong outsider was no match for a local power, especially on Chen family turf.

But now, with just one man in front of them, they had nothing to fear.

“Elder brother, why don’t we take care of him right now?” Shi Po Di said with a sneer. “The clan will be making a move eventually anyway. Let us be the vanguard of this campaign. What do you think?”

“Agreed. This arrogant fool is already walking the path to death.”

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