Chapter 1098: The Ancestral Tree's Transformation
Chapter 1098: The Ancestral Tree's Transformation
The Ancestral Tree seemed to have undergone significant changes. Its immense trunk now pulsed with renewed vitality, and even the life energy it emitted was no longer the gentle light Tang San had seen during his first visit here; it had thickened almost to the point of being called viscous. Blue leaves and golden branches glowed with a faint radiance. The moment Xu An'yu laid eyes on it, his first impression was, This is the center of the world.
The Ancestral Tree's aura had clearly grown stronger. Not by a little, but by a great deal.
Tang San wasn't surprised in the slightest. His rise to Crown Prince had greatly boosted the reputation of the Blue Gold Tree clan, and with their recognition as a neutral faction, the influx of faith and fortune toward the Ancestral Tree had likely multiplied severalfold. Coupled with the clan's newfound unity and rising status across the continent, it was the best nourishment the Ancestral Tree could receive.
Tang San approached the tree and offered a deep, respectful bow before slowly straightening.
"Great Ancestral Tree," he said, "your descendants have not let you down. We have secured a new future for our people. I return today to report our triumph. From now on, no race shall bully us, no conflict shall cast our people into sorrow. We shall guide the evolution of life energy across this continent, so your brilliance may shine upon every corner of the land."
As he spoke, Tang San lifted his hand and placed it against the tree's massive trunk.
In that instant, the entire Ancestral Tree lit up, golden radiance bursting forth. Every leaf turned crystalline blue, emitting dazzling light.
A surge of immensely potent life energy erupted from the Ancestral Tree, enveloping every Blue Gold Tree clan member in radiant blue-golden light. Even Xu An'yu, an outsider, felt his whole being bathed in life energy, wrapped in a sublime sense of elevation.
The Ancestral Tree's branches swayed gently. Tang San closed his eyes, standing beneath the densest and purest life energy of all.
He could faintly sense a connection between himself and the Ancestral Tree, as if waves of life energy were pulling at his divine consciousness and trying to draw him into another realm. The stronger the pull, the higher the level of life aura he exuded.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and his Sea God divine seat awakened for an instant. With a gentle release of power, he severed the connection between himself and the Ancestral Tree.
Clearly, while the Ancestral Tree now operated mostly on instinct, it still retained a sense of awareness. It was pleased with his help to the Blue Gold Tree clan, but it didn't want the clan to be entirely controlled by an outsider.
But Ancestral Tree, do you not see? Without me, your clan would still be weak, even on the brink of extinction. Would you really watch your own people be destroyed?
Tang San's thoughts were no exaggeration. Without him, the Blue Gold Tree clan might have survived under the Ancestral Tree's protection, but not for long. If they lost control of Skytree City, the Ancestral Tree itself would've faced uprooting. Without the stimulation of Tang San's high-level divine seat, it wouldn't have been able to unleash its power—not enough to kill an Emperor, certainly. Instead, it would have eventually ended up chopped down and split by other races.
Tang San transmitted all these thoughts into the tree's consciousness. The Ancestral Tree, although by now an inextricable part of the plane's will, could still faintly respond. Though it no longer had a complete consciousness, its instincts were still there, and that was why it had always protected the Blue Gold Tree clan.
Gradually, the Ancestral Tree's aura settled. Gentle life energy rippled outward in waves. From high in its canopy, a streak of golden light floated downward—a slender branch, translucent and golden. As it descended, it twisted softly in the air, coiling into a circular ring. Small blue leaves sprouted along it, and at last, it silently landed atop Tang San's head.
Nine leaves stood upright along the golden branch, adorning Tang San with regal splendor.
"Clan Leader, this is the Ancestral Tree's recognition! It acknowledges you as the king of our clan, the successor of your father and the Ancestral Tree itself!" the Grand Elder exclaimed, trembling with excitement.
"Greetings, Tree King!" the clan called out as one, once again kneeling in reverence.
As the crown settled on his head, Tang San clearly felt the life energy in his body undergo a subtle transformation. Perhaps the Ancestral Tree was helping mask his true nature, but in that moment, he felt no longer out of place in this world. The suppression and rejection he had always felt from the plane vanished entirely. This was the Ancestral Tree's acknowledgement, which equated to the recognition of the plane itself.
To Xu An'yu, Tang San now seemed completely fused with the world. Though his life energy hadn't grown in strength, its quality had clearly improved. He seemed to have reached perfect harmony with the world, as though the entire Blue Gold Tree clan was now an extension of his body.
It was a stunning sight. Xu An'yu understood: When Tang San ascended, he might truly become the next Ancestral Tree. The only question was… Would he also vanish into the heavens like the one before?
But Tang San knew better. The Ancestral Tree's recognition was perfect but not permanent. Once he faced his tribulation, everything would be laid bare. When that time came, he would once more face the plane head-on, and then… the time would come to use his other plans.
The miracle faded. The Ancestral Tree gradually returned to normal.
Tang San turned toward the clan, raising both hands. Instantly, the Blue Gold Tree clanspeople felt embraced by life energy and stood up instinctively.
"People of the Blue Gold Tree clan. I am Jin Miaolin, your clan leader and the king acknowledged by the Ancestral Tree."
Thunderous cheers echoed across Skytree City. Every eye burned with passion.
Even though most of the clan hadn't witnessed Tang San's exploits during the Battle for the Throne, they had heard every detail. After countless hardships, their leader had become a Crown Prince and brought the clan back to prominence. How could their hearts not surge with pride? The Ancestral Tree's recognition had only solidified their faith.
Tang San raised both hands again, and silence quickly returned.
"Our journey to the Ancestral Court was a success. I have officially assumed the position of Lord of Skytree City. The Ancestral Court has permitted us to continue governing our homeland."
Cheers exploded again. Many of the clan's elders were already in tears. What they had feared most was losing the city—in other words, the Ancestral Tree itself. Though the Ancestral Tree had immense deterrent power, who wouldn't covet the source of all life on the continent?
"In the Battle for the Throne, I defeated nearly all my opponents and was ranked as a Crown Prince. I also formed a marital alliance with the first-ranked Crown Princess. We have earned the friendship of the dragon race and many other major races. For the future of our clan, and for us never again to be treated like commodities, I petitioned the Ancestral Court for our neutrality, and it was granted.
"In the near future, each main city across the continent will house a Tower of Life managed by one of our elders. As a neutral faction, we will gather life energy for everyone, spreading the Ancestral Tree's radiance to every corner of the land, helping other races evolve.
"The Ancestral Court will also erect a Tower of Life for me and establish a Sacred Mountain. I will remain in the Ancestral Court, helping it gather life energy. From now on, the Blue Gold Tree clan will no longer remain hidden on the fringes. We will step onto the central stage of the entire continent."