Chapter 62 The Voice of the World Tree
Inside his courtyard, Zan Yunxiao sat leisurely with a cup of tea in hand.
Seated opposite him was his eldest son, Zan Tianming.
It was the first time Zan Tianming had emerged from seclusion in quite some time. His aura had become noticeably steadier, and his cultivation had reached the 5th stage of the Qi Refinement Realm.
After observing him for a moment, Zan Yunxiao let out a quiet sigh.
"Tianming, this is your first time leaving seclusion in a long while, yet you've only reached the 5th stage of the Qi Refinement Realm."
Although his tone was calm, it carried a hint of helplessness.
Hearing those words, Zan Tianming lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, Father."
"I've disappointed you."
Zan Yunxiao gently shook his head.
"There's no need to apologize."
"Everyone has their own pace in cultivation. Comparing yourself to others will only hinder your Dao Heart."
He set down his teacup and looked toward the mountain behind the clan, where construction of the new residence was still underway.
"Once the residence at the mountain summit is completed, come cultivate there with me."
Zan Tianming looked up in surprise.
"The summit of that mountain contains exceptionally dense spiritual energy. It's far superior to anywhere else within the clan and is the perfect place for secluded cultivation."
A faint smile appeared on Zan Yunxiao's face.
"It should help improve your cultivation speed."
Zan Tianming's eyes brightened.
"Yes, Father."
"I won't waste this opportunity."
After a few more words, Zan Yunxiao dismissed his eldest son.
Zan Tianming respectfully cupped his fists before leaving the courtyard, leaving Zan Yunxiao alone once again.
He leaned back in his chair and let out a quiet sigh.
"If only there were a System function that could directly improve Tianming's talent..."
He recalled the Blessing function.
Unfortunately, it was useless in this situation. The System had long made it clear that the Blessing function could only be used on descendants within the fifth generation. As Tianming was his direct son, he wasn't eligible.
"What a pity."
Just then, a surge of spiritual energy suddenly erupted within his body.
His aura rose steadily before stabilizing moments later.
Without any resistance, his cultivation advanced from the 1st Stage to the 2nd Stage of the Soul Transformation Realm.
There wasn't the slightest trace of surprise on his face.
He already knew where the breakthrough had come from.
Ever since the System had awakened, it continuously rewarded him with cultivation. Every time one of his descendants gave birth to a new member of the family, he would automatically receive five years' worth of cultivation as a passive reward.
Over the years, those rewards had accumulated without him noticing, allowing his cultivation to rise steadily.
To others, breaking through a minor realm in the Soul Transformation Realm would be cause for celebration.
To Zan Yunxiao...
It had become almost routine.
He merely smiled faintly before standing up.
"My cultivation can wait."
"What interests me more..."
His eyes narrowed as he recalled the mysterious void he had entered during his recent seclusion.
"...is that sword intent."
Ever since returning, he had yet to unleash it with his full strength.
A thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"I might as well test it on Zinnia Planet."
At the same time, he also wanted to check on the World Tree Seed he had planted there. It had been quite some time since his last visit, and he was curious to see how much it had grown.
Without another thought, Zan Yunxiao activated Dimensional Travel.
After activating Dimensional Travel, space rippled around Zan Yunxiao.
His figure gradually faded before disappearing without leaving behind the slightest trace, as though he had never been there.
. . .
A moment later, space distorted once again.
Zan Yunxiao stepped out of the spatial passage and arrived on Zinnia Planet.
He landed on the familiar patch of land where he had planted the World Tree Seed long ago.
The instant he looked ahead, his eyes lit up with surprise.
The tiny sapling he had once planted had grown. In its place now stood a towering tree.
Its trunk was thick and sturdy, while countless emerald leaves gently swayed despite the absence of any wind. Pure mana continuously flowed around the tree, nourishing the surrounding land with an astonishing life force.
Although it was still far from reaching the legendary size described by the book in his past life, it had already grown to the height of a three-story building.
Zan Yunxiao slowly walked toward it.
The closer he came, the more he could sense the dense mana gathering around the World Tree. The surrounding land, once barren, had transformed into a lush green oasis, and even the air carried an indescribable vitality.
"It has grown this much already..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He gently placed his hand against the trunk.
A warm pulse traveled through the bark, as though the World Tree recognized its owner.
"It seems planting you on a planet rich in mana was the right choice."
The moment those words left Zan Yunxiao's mouth...
A soft, youthful voice suddenly echoed through the quiet surroundings.
"Thank you, Master."
Zan Yunxiao's pupils instantly contracted.
His relaxed expression vanished.
Without the slightest hesitation, he took several steps backward while his spiritual sense spread in every direction. Instinctively, he drew his sword from the system space, his hand tightening around the hilt as he prepared to strike at any moment.
His sharp eyes swept across the surrounding forest.
There was no one. No aura. No sign of another living being.
Yet he was certain he had heard the voice.
His heart became vigilant.
Someone capable of approaching him without being detected was undoubtedly no ordinary existence.
He slowly drew his sword halfway from its sheath.
The faint sound of metal echoed through the silent forest.
In a low, cautious voice, he spoke,
"...Who's there?"
Silence answered him.
The breeze gently rustled the emerald leaves of the World Tree, but nothing else moved.
Zan Yunxiao narrowed his eyes.
He continued scanning every direction, prepared to unleash his newly comprehended sword intent the instant an enemy revealed themselves.
Zan Yunxiao's gaze remained fixed on the silent forest.
The mysterious voice had disappeared as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving only an unsettling stillness behind.
His grip on the sword tightened.
"If you're trying to play tricks on me..."
His calm voice carried a hint of coldness.
"Then you've chosen the wrong person."
Still, no one answered.
His patience gradually wore thin.
The faint sword intent surrounding him slowly intensified, causing the air itself to become sharp. Leaves drifted from the surrounding trees as an invisible pressure spread across the area.
Zan Yunxiao slowly raised his sword.
"I'll give you one last chance."
"Show yourself."
"If you refuse..."
His eyes swept across the dense forest before him.
"I'll destroy this entire forest until there's nowhere left for you to hide."
The terrifying sword intent gathered around the blade, making the surrounding mana fluctuate violently.
The once peaceful forest instantly became deathly silent, as though every living creature sensed the impending danger. Even the towering World Tree gently swayed, its emerald leaves rustling in the tense atmosphere.
Zan Yunxiao did not strike immediately.
He held his sword poised, waiting to see whether the mysterious owner of the voice would finally reveal themselves.
Just as Zan Yunxiao was about to swing his sword...
The childish voice rang out once more.
"W-Wait!"
"I'm sorry, Master!"
"Please don't cut me!"
"Waaaaaa..."
The voice was no longer calm.
It sounded like a frightened child on the verge of tears.
Zan Yunxiao froze.
The sword intent surrounding him instantly dispersed as he turned toward the source of the voice.
This time, he pinpointed it immediately.
The voice...
Was coming from the World Tree.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"The tree... is talking?"
For the first time in a long while, genuine astonishment appeared on Zan Yunxiao's face.
He stared at the towering World Tree, unable to believe what he had just heard.
Meanwhile, the World Tree continued speaking in a trembling voice.
"I'm sorry, Master!"
"I didn't mean to scare you!"
"Please don't cut me down!"
"I've only just grown up a little!"
"Waaaaa..."
Its leaves trembled violently as though it were shivering in fear.
The branches swayed from side to side while the mana surrounding the tree became unstable, perfectly reflecting its panicked emotions.
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm really, really sorry..."
"Please don't destroy the forest..."
"And... and don't cut me..."
"I promise I'll behave..."
The World Tree repeatedly apologized, sounding more pitiful with every sentence.
Zan Yunxiao remained standing there in silence.
His sword was still in his hand, but his mind had gone completely blank.
Of all the possibilities he had considered...
An enemy.
A hidden expert.
Even an ambush.
Never...
Not even once...
Had he imagined that the one speaking to him would be the World Tree he had planted with his own hands.