Chapter 64 A Cup of Tranquility
Days quietly passed.
During that time, Zan Yunxiao continuously refined the sword intent he had obtained from the mysterious void.
Again and again, he swung his sword.
Each strike became more profound than the last.
The once vast forest had long since lost its original appearance.
Towering ancient trees were reduced to splinters.
Countless mountains bore enormous sword scars that stretched for miles, while deep ravines split the earth as if the land itself had been torn apart.
What was once a lush wilderness had become a barren wasteland.
Not even the magical beasts dared to approach.
As Zan Yunxiao repeatedly unleashed his power, the heavens themselves began to change.
Dark storm clouds gathered above the ruined forest.
Thunder roared across the sky.
Moments later, a torrential downpour descended.
The rain continued for days without stopping.
The countless craters and sword-created valleys gradually filled with water, eventually forming lakes of various sizes throughout the devastated land.
Zan Yunxiao quietly watched the changing landscape.
After taking one last glance at the devastated land, he turned around.
With a gentle step, his figure shot through the sky, heading back toward the World Tree.
. . .
Not long afterward, the enormous emerald canopy came into view.
The World Tree immediately noticed his return.
"Master!"
Its branches swayed excitedly, while countless emerald leaves rustled as though welcoming him home.
After returning to the World Tree, Zan Yunxiao spent several more days talking with it.
The World Tree excitedly told him everything that had happened during the past five hundred years, even though most of that time had simply been spent growing while waiting for his return.
Eventually...
Zan Yunxiao knew it was time to leave.
He still had the Zan Clan waiting for him.
The moment that thought crossed his mind, his gaze fell upon the World Tree.
Its branches were swaying happily as it chatted with him, completely unaware that he was about to return to his own world.
Zan Yunxiao fell into silence.
"If I leave now..."
"...it'll be alone again."
Although he had promised to visit more often, time flowed differently between the two worlds.
To him, it might only be a few months.
To the World Tree...
It could be decades or even centuries.
After pondering for a long while, an idea suddenly came to him.
"I suppose..."
"This is the only way."
The World Tree tilted its branches curiously.
"Master?"
Zan Yunxiao smiled.
"I'm going to leave something behind."
Before the World Tree could ask another question, Zan Yunxiao closed his eyes.
His Divine Soul trembled.
A moment later, an almost imperceptible fragment separated from his main soul.
The process was painless, but Zan Yunxiao's face turned slightly pale for an instant.
The tiny soul fragment floated before him, radiating the same aura as his true self.
With a wave of his hand, the fragment transformed into an illusory figure identical to Zan Yunxiao.
The clone slowly opened its eyes.
Because it was born from a fragment of his Divine Soul, it possessed the same memories and consciousness as the original.
The World Tree stared in amazement.
"There are... two Masters?"
Zan Yunxiao chuckled.
"Not exactly."
"This is only a fragment of my soul."
"It won't be as powerful as my true body, but it can stay here and accompany you."
The World Tree's leaves trembled with excitement.
"So... Master isn't leaving me alone?"
Zan Yunxiao shook his head.
"My true body must return to the Zan Clan."
"But this soul avatar will remain here."
"It'll accompany you, talk with you, and watch over this world until I return."
The World Tree became so happy that its branches danced from side to side.
"Thank you, Master!"
"I'll never be lonely again!"
Seeing the World Tree's innocent joy, Zan Yunxiao smiled faintly and looked at the cheerful World Tree.
Fortunately, this wasn't something beyond his capabilities.
After reaching the Soul Transformation Realm, a cultivator's Divine Soul underwent a qualitative transformation.
One of the realm's greatest abilities was the power to split one's soul.
As long as the main soul remained intact, separating a fragment caused no permanent damage and could gradually recover through cultivation.
More importantly...
Even if his physical body were destroyed in the future, his Divine Soul could survive independently. He could then search for a suitable body and possess it, allowing him to continue living.
This was one of the reasons why Soul Transformation Realm cultivators were so difficult to kill.
Although splitting off a fragment of his soul slightly weakened his Divine Soul, it was only a minor loss that could be recovered through cultivation.
Compared to allowing the World Tree to spend another five hundred years in solitude...
He felt it was well worth the price.
Before departing, Zan Yunxiao made one final preparation.
He slowly rose into the air and extended his hand toward the World Tree.
Pure spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips, spreading in every direction like countless invisible threads.
The energy gradually enveloped the entire region where the World Tree stood.
Moments later, an enormous invisible barrier silently formed.
From the outside, the area appeared no different from an ordinary forest.
The World Tree's immense aura, its abundant life force, and the dense mana surrounding it were all perfectly concealed.
Unless someone possessed cultivation far beyond Zan Yunxiao's, discovering the World Tree would be nearly impossible.
Satisfied with the barrier, Zan Yunxiao nodded slightly.
"This should keep you safe."
The World Tree happily swayed its branches.
"Thank you, Master!"
Beside it, the soul avatar smiled faintly.
"I'll remain here."
"If anything happens, I'll protect you."
Hearing that, the World Tree no longer felt anxious about its master's departure.
Zan Yunxiao glanced at the two of them one last time before activating Dimensional Travel.
Space rippled before him.
"I'll return."
The World Tree waved its branches enthusiastically.
"Have a safe journey, Master!"
With a step forward, Zan Yunxiao entered the spatial passage.
His figure disappeared without a trace.
A moment later...
He emerged once again within the territory of the Zan Clan in his residence.
The familiar spiritual energy of his home greeted him as the spatial passage behind him silently closed.
Now that he had finished testing his newly comprehended sword intent and had spent time accompanying the World Tree, Zan Yunxiao decided to take a rare moment to rest.
He had barely settled into his chair when a respectful voice sounded from outside the courtyard.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
Zan Yunxiao looked up.
Standing at the entrance was Elder Dan, the Zan Clan's Alchemy Master.
He cupped his fists and bowed respectfully.
Beside him a young man disciple carrying a large clay jar sealed with wax. A rich fragrance faintly escaped from within, filling the courtyard with an enticing aroma.
Zan Yunxiao raised an eyebrow.
"What are you carrying?"
Elder Dan smiled respectfully.
"Patriarch, this is wine."
"I recently developed a new recipe after countless experiments."
He gestured toward the clay jar.
"Since it is my first successful batch, I wished to invite you to taste it."
Hearing the word wine, Zan Yunxiao's eyes brightened slightly.
It had been a very long time since he had last enjoyed a proper drink.
After years of cultivating, handling clan affairs, and traveling between worlds, he had almost forgotten what it was like to simply sit down and enjoy a cup of wine.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Very well."
"I'll gladly try it."
Elder Dan's face lit up with delight.
He immediately instructed the young man to set the clay jar on a stone table inside the courtyard.
The young man carefully removed the seal.
The instant the jar was opened, a mellow fragrance spread through the air.
Even Zan Yunxiao, who rarely drank anymore, couldn't help but inhale deeply.
"It smells excellent."
Elder Dan chuckled proudly.
"I hope it lives up to your expectations, Patriarch."
Without another word, Elder Dan poured a cup and respectfully presented it with both hands.
Zan Yunxiao accepted it.
Looking at the crystal-clear wine reflecting the afternoon sunlight, he smiled faintly.
Zan Yunxiao raised the cup to his lips and took a slow sip.
The wine flowed smoothly down his throat.
It carried a mellow sweetness at first, followed by a subtle warmth that spread throughout his body. A faint herbal fragrance lingered on his tongue, leaving behind a refreshing aftertaste.
His eyes lit up slightly.
"This is quite good."
He took another sip before placing the cup back on the table.
"I didn't expect you to have such talent in brewing wine, Elder Dan."
Hearing the Patriarch's praise, Elder Dan's face immediately brightened.
He let out a relieved smile.
"To be honest, Patriarch, I was quite nervous."
"This is the first batch I've successfully brewed after many failed attempts."
Seeing that Zan Yunxiao genuinely enjoyed it, Elder Dan bowed respectfully.
"If the Patriarch likes it..."
"This old man would like to dedicate this wine exclusively to you."
"As long as I continue brewing it, the first jar of every batch will always be delivered to your residence."
Zan Yunxiao was slightly surprised.
"You don't have to do that."
Elder Dan shook his head with a smile.
"It is my honor."
"If not for the Zan Clan, this old man would never have had today's achievements."
"Being able to contribute something the Patriarch enjoys is more than enough for me."
Zan Yunxiao looked at the sincere expression on Elder Dan's face before smiling faintly.
"In that case..."
"I'll accept your kindness."
Elder Dan's smile grew even wider.
Seeing the Patriarch enjoy the wine he had painstakingly created brought him greater satisfaction than any praise for his alchemy.