Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

Vol. 1 - Ch. 298 - Tempering Through Experience

"Clan Leader, Qingyu requests an audience."A voice came from outside the ancestral hall that day.

Having just finished his prayers, Chen Xingzhen turned around and saw Chen Qingyu standing respectfully beyond the threshold. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he smiled and said,

"Come in, Qingyu."

"Is there something you wish to discuss?"

Chen Xingzhen asked. From what he knew of Qingyu, if it were a trivial matter, he would not have come so formally. That was what puzzled him.

Upon hearing the question, the hesitation in Chen Qingyu’s gaze vanished, replaced by firm resolve.

"Clan Leader, I wish to go out and temper myself for a while."

Chen Xingzhen’s expression froze. He understood at once that Qingyu’s request was not to wander near Yong’an City but to journey far beyond.

Clan tempering was not unusual. In the past, whenever a clansman reached the late stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm, they would leave to undergo trials.

First, to seek their own opportunities.

Second, they did so to sharpen their mind and spirit, preparing for the breakthrough into the Innate Realm.

But for the clan as it stood now, such conditions were no longer present. Their numbers were too small, and Blood Coagulation Realm warriors were scarce. Sending them out for tempering carried far greater risk.

Moreover, true clan tempering required the support of a powerful family. Without that support, it was little more than wandering the world.

Chen Xingzhen's face showed contemplation. Yet, when he met Chen Qingyu’s resolute gaze, he did not refuse. Instead, he asked,

“How does Tianshun feel about this?”

"Father has already agreed."

Chen Xingzhen nodded.

"In that case, you may go."

"It's a pity the Divine Tree hasn't awakened and can't grant you its protection. Out there, you must rely on yourself. Be cautious in all things. If you encounter danger you cannot overcome, remember to return at once. The clan will always be your shield.”

"..."

Normally a man of few words, Chen Xingzhen could not help but speak at length this time.

Chen Qingyu nodded silently, showing no impatience.

After bidding farewell to several elders of the clan, Chen Qingyu left.

He carried only a brightly colored bone and a small amount of Blood Rice.

Soon after, a lone Azure Wolf blocked his path.

The wolf's frame was thin and seemingly frail. Upon closer inspection, however, one could sense the powerful blood and qi coursing through its body.

Even more surprising, the wolf was chewing on a mouthful of fresh grass.

"Do you want to follow me as well?"

Chen Qingyu asked in astonishment, gazing at the wolf before him.

The Azure Wolf swallowed the grass and nodded.

Since claiming dominion over the mountain, grass had been plentiful, and the wolf had eaten its fill with ease.

But gradually, without knowing when, it found its massive body shrinking. Yet, as its form shrank, it felt blood and qi stirring within, and its lost cultivation realm swiftly returned.

In just half a month, the wolf had grown to the Blood Coagulation Realm. Its blood and qi increased steadily as it consumed grass.

Sensing the immense changes in its body, a new drive was born within it.

It no longer wanted to eat only the grass of Chaotic Burial Mountain; it wanted to devour all the grass in the world!

However, as a lone wolf, venturing out was far too dangerous. While roaming near the clan, it happened to encounter Chen Qingyu.

Though it could not understand his thoughts, it saw the determination in his eyes and intercepted him.

Seeing the wolf nod, Chen Qingyu smiled faintly. Perceiving the hidden surge of blood and qi within the beast, he gladly accepted its companionship.

Having an Azure Wolf as a companion on the road was no small advantage. In critical situations, the wolf could even serve as a mount.

Delighted by Chen Qingyu’s acceptance, the wolf felt joy swell within.

Companion +1

Safety +1

…

"Clan Leader! Clan Leader, something’s wrong!”

"Brother Qingyu seems to have left!"

Outside the ancestral hall, Chen Qinghe's anxious voice could be heard. But when he entered, he found Chen Xingzhen calmly saying,

"Mm. Qingyu has gone out to toughen up.”

“When will Brother Qingyu return?”

Chen Xingzhen shook his head.

"I do not know. Perhaps he will return when you reach the Innate Realm yourself.”

Hearing this answer, Chen Qinghe felt a pang of loss. No wonder Brother Qingyu had come yesterday to guide him and several clansmen. It was a pity, though, that he still had questions left unasked.

But soon, Chen Qinghe remembered something. He drew an item from his robes and said, “Clan Leader, I found this on Brother Qingyu’s desk. What is it?"

In his hand was a strange, three-colored flower.

Looking at it, Chen Xingzhen sighed.

"This child... Does he still wish to rely on his own strength to step into the Qi Manipulation Realm?"

Or perhaps he was thinking of the clan’s future.

Yet, with Qingyu’s talent, he might not even need the Three-Colored Wind Immortal Flower.

It was a pity. The clan’s foundation was still too weak. They could not help an Innate Realm warrior advance further yet. Perhaps allowing Qingyu to temper himself outside was indeed the better choice.

His departure caused quite a stir within the clan, inspiring the others to work harder.

Though the family faced no immediate threats, they were still far from being truly strong. At the very least, they needed a warrior in the Qi Manipulation Realm to join their ranks.

…

Three months later, the clan welcomed the summer harvest of Blood Rice.

No longer required to pay tribute to other families, the Chen Clan suddenly found itself wealthy. Each season's yield satisfied daily needs and left enough surplus to brew rice wine.

By the fertile fields, Chen Tianyu, missing one arm, spoke:

“Clan Leader, when shall we sell this Blood Rice?”

Blood Rice had little effect on warriors in the Blood Coagulation Realm, and Five Leaf Flowers grew slowly. Even with the aid of Guanyin Soil, only a few stalks could be produced each year. This meant the clansmen’s cultivation progress remained slow.

The clan could only grow stronger by selling Blood Rice, exchanging it for other resources, and opening channels of trade.

Now, however, Yong’an City had no other families. When the Xie and Shi clans left, they naturally did not leave such resources behind. Even if they could not take them, they destroyed them completely.

This meant that if the Chen Clan wanted other resources, they would need to connect with families outside of Yong’an City.

Chen Xingzhen understood this as well. Yet, as he watched the clansmen harvest Blood Rice in the fields, he shook his head.

"No rush. Let's wait a little longer."

"Keep the surplus Blood Rice stored."

Chen Tianyu did not press further. He knew what the clan leader was waiting for.

“Clan Leader! The half-acre field of Blood Rice has borne fruit!”

"...?"

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