Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

Seeing that Chen Qingyu was still calm and rational beside him, Chen Tianyu finally sighed with relief.

If Qingyu had lost control, the clan would have suffered a devastating loss.

However, as he looked at the bloodshot-eyed clansmen unleashing battle techniques in a frenzy ahead of him, Chen Tianyu couldn’t help but shout,

"What in the world is happening?!"

"Why did Tianlu and the others suddenly start fighting?"

"Could it be those things?"

His gaze quickly shifted to the strange, faintly glowing crimson plants nearby. If they were the cause, why hadn’t he or Chen Qingyu been affected?

Could it be because of our cultivation level?

As he watched the chaotic battle unfold, Chen Tianyu made a swift decision. He turned to Chen Qingyu and barked,

"Destroy them!"

The two split up, heading left and right respectively, and began tearing out the strange plants rooted in the ground.

As the Innate Realm cultivators took action, their qi and blood surged powerfully. A single casual strike, a palm or a punch was enough to rip a plant out by its roots.

In just moments, the surrounding plants were almost completely destroyed, leaving only a dozen or so farther away.

Yet, even after clearing the area, the frenzied clansmen didn’t stop!

Their eyes burned with madness, and their attacks grew even more vicious. Clearly, they were intent on fighting to the death!

The two had no choice but to abandon the remaining plants and rush to intervene.

Not far away, Chen Qinghe and Chen Qingmeng stood frozen, staring blankly.

From their vantage point, they saw the clansmen erupt into brutal combat the moment they stepped forward, slaughtering each other without hesitation. The sight left the two utterly stunned.

When the two finally came to their senses, anxiety instantly appeared on their faces.

Yet, the anomaly ahead was too frightening for them to move forward. All they could do was frantically shake the three elder uncles beside them, who were still deep in thought.

"Uncle, hurry and look at them! What’s happening to them?"

"Please, save my father!"

Hearing these urgent cries and being shaken so violently, the clansman quickly snapped out of his daze. At that moment, realization flashed in his eyes, and he blurted out,

“I know now! I know what this thing is called!"

"It's called Burial Dust, a most peculiar entity..."

Chen Qinghe immediately cut him off.

"Uncle, don't waste time explaining! Just tell us what we need to do right now!"

"Oh, right! Hurry and tell them to grind that plant into a paste and apply it to the forehead!"

Not far away, Chen Qingyu and Chen Tianyu also heard these words. They didn't stop the clansmen any longer and immediately sprang into action.

Fortunately, they hadn’t destroyed all of the plants earlier, otherwise they would be truly helpless now!

Just as Chen Qingyu was about to pluck a Burial Dust stalk, Chen Tianyu spoke up: “Qingyu, this might be useful to the family. Leave some behind."

Chen Qingyu nodded, then began taking only half of each Burial Dust stalk.

It was slower, but the clansmen had been fighting for so long that they wouldn't die instantly anyway, so it didn't matter.

With the help of two Innate Realm martial artists, the clansmen, who had been locked in fierce combat moments ago, had medicinal paste made from Burial Dust smeared on their foreheads.

Once the paste was applied, those who had been at each other’s throats quickly ceased fighting.

By this time, they all bore serious injuries, yet fortunately, none had died on the spot.

Seeing that the paste had worked, Chen Tianyu’s expression eased considerably.

"What... what happened to me just now?"

"Brother, why are you hurt?"

Those who had regained consciousness all looked confused, as if unaware of what had just transpired.

After hearing the account of what had happened, many of them turned pale in shock.

To raise a hand against one’s own kin was a grave taboo within the family. Seeing their distress, Chen Tianyu offered words of comfort.

"Don't blame yourselves too much. It wasn’t your fault. It was caused by the Burial Dust.”

“Burial Dust? What exactly is that?”

One of the clansmen asked, confused.

An elder of the family spoke up to explain.

"I've only ever seen mention of Burial Dust in ancient texts. It thrives in darkness and grows year-round in shadowed places. It must be nourished with fresh blood to continue growing. The crimson glow it emits has a unique, almost magical influence capable of affecting a martial artist’s consciousness."

"Furthermore, its strange power only manifests under certain conditions: close proximity and a sufficient number of Burial Dust plants nearby. As for the method to neutralize its effect, you’ve already learned that.”

"According to the ancient texts, Burial Dust appears to have another effect as well. However, the manuscript was damaged, so I don’t know what its other properties are.”

“Then why were Qingyu and the others unaffected?”

Chen Tianlu voiced his doubt.

“I’m not entirely sure. Perhaps Innate Realm martial artists have stronger mental fortitude, making them immune to Burial Dust’s influence. Or maybe the plants here are still in their juvenile stage and not yet fully grown. After all, nourishing and keeping this thing growing requires a considerable amount of fresh blood. I fear that even the blood of all the beasts in Chaotic Burial Mountain wouldn't be enough."

After hearing the elder’s explanation, the clansmen finally understood. Yet, a trace of fear lingered in their eyes.

This thing was far too strange. Without the two Innate Realm clansmen accompanying them, the family’s main force would have most likely been completely wiped out here.

In such a situation, an ordinary martial artist would surely have the same instinct as Chen Qingyu and the others to destroy the plant.

However, doing so would mean destroying the antidote with their own hands. The clansmen’s fate would have been grim indeed.

Ancient ruins are truly perilous!

After experiencing this ordeal, everyone present set aside their earlier complacency. Their eyes now carried a solemn weight. They had barely reached the entrance of the ruins when the family came within a hair’s breadth of annihilation. Who knew what dangers awaited them deeper inside?

"This thing may seem strange, but it's also a rare treasure. See if it can be transplanted later. If so, we’ll take it back to the family.”

After a moment of thought, Chen Tianyu spoke.

The other clansmen nodded slightly. Now that they knew the antidote, Burial Dust didn’t seem nearly as terrifying as before. In fact, it might even become an asset to the family.

"Use the locust leaves bestowed by the Divine Tree."

Looking at the various injuries among the clansmen, Chen Tianyu gave the order.

The purpose of this expedition into the ruins was to strengthen the family’s power. Although they had already gained many things, none of them could directly strengthen the clansmen. Besides, they had only just reached the entrance of the ruins. They still needed to press on and explore further.

Upon hearing the command, the clansmen produced the locust leaves that the patriarch had given them before they left and crushed them.

As the leaves crumbled, countless green light motes emerged and the wounds from the earlier clash began to heal rapidly.

In just a few moments, their bodies were completely free of scars, they were in excellent condition. Even the torsos dented by heavy blows returned to normal. Only the blood and vitality lost during the battle needed time to recover through breathing exercises.

Chen Tianyu ordered the clansmen to rest and restore themselves before continuing forward.

Just as everyone began circulating their cultivation techniques to replenish their vitality, a surprised voice rang out from nearby, it was Chen Qinghe.

"Second Uncle, this bone is glowing!"

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