Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

Nevertheless, the solid stone walls and peculiar soil could not be overlooked.

As for the few stalks of Burial Dust, the elders would need to determine if they could be transplanted. For now, their usefulness to the clan was unclear. With only a handful remaining, relying on them for defense against enemies was unreliable. However, if transplantation were possible, Chen Xingzhen had already chosen a suitable location.

The group then discussed the details of excavating the ruins. Once the deliberations concluded, Chen Xingzhen prepared to issue his orders.

Suddenly, an angry shout rang out from nearby.

"I told you not to go, and yet you wouldn't listen! You insisted on coming along—today I’ll teach you a lesson!"

Amidst the scolding, Chen Qinghe could be heard wailing:

“Clan Leader, save me!”

As he cried out, he burst through the doors and rushed straight to hide behind Chen Xingzhen. His voice was urgent.

“Clan Leader, my father must have been poisoned by the Burial Dust. Is there still a cure?"

Chen Xingzhen was momentarily stunned. Hadn't Chen Tianjing avoided going to the ruins?

Yet, when they saw him standing at the entrance of the ancestral hall, anger on his face and a cane in hand, the group could not help but laugh wryly.

“All right, all right, Tianjing. I already know about it. This wasn't Qinghe's fault. The ruins are dangerous. Even if Qinghe and the others hadn’t moved that stone stele, some other clansmen would have.”

"Here's what we'll do. Tomorrow, let Qinghe and the others help excavate the ancient ruins. Consider it a way for them to atone for their mistake.”

“Clan Leader, I’ll go today!”

Seeing that Chen Tianjing was still angry, Chen Qinghe quickly volunteered.

"If I stay home, I'll get beaten again. It's better to wait until Father cools down before returning.”

...

Yong'an City, Shi Clan.

“Failed?”

"Mm. I conveyed all of the clan’s terms, but once the Fang Clan heard that the Zhou Clan was the target, they immediately drove me out. There was no room for negotiation at all."

Shi Chengyi showed displeasure on his face.

As an elder of the Shi Clan, he was rarely thrown out in such a manner—it was truly humiliating!

Upon hearing this, Shi Chenghong’s brows furrowed tightly. He then said,

"The other side failed as well."

Shi Chengyi was taken aback. He knew exactly which "other side" was being referred to—the envoy the clan had dispatched to the Cui Clan of Qinghe, of course.

"Clan Leader, what should our family do now? If we can't handle the Zhou Clan, then attacking the Chen Clan will certainly be very risky.”

Shi Chenghong let out a cold snort.

"How should I know what to do?"

The conditions the clan had offered were already exceedingly generous. Logically, even if the three great clans did not accept, they would not simply ignore them. Besides, the Shi Clan had not asked them to oppose the Zhou Clan directly. Why refuse outright?

Yet now, the clan truly found itself at a loss for options.

"Enough. Since the other three clans are unwilling, let the Chen Clan dance around for a while longer."

"I have already decided. We will cooperate with the Xie Clan. First, we will eradicate the other two great clans. Yong’an City can no longer accommodate four great families."

Upon hearing these words, a flicker of shock appeared in Shi Chengyi’s eyes. Cooperating with the Xie Clan would be far too dangerous. Even if the two clans joined forces and eradicated the other two families, wouldn't the Shi Clan become the Xie Clan's next target? Does the Clan Leader not see the risk in this?

Just as Shi Chengyi was about to speak up, Shi Chenghong continued.

"Furthermore, summon all the elders who are still outside. Over these years, the clan has made sufficient sacrifices. It is time to attempt it.”

Shi Chengyi, who had been preparing to offer a word of caution, instead revealed a spark of joy in his eyes. He asked hurriedly,

“Clan Leader, does this mean our clan can request the Totem’s Blessing?”

Shi Chenghong nodded slightly.

"The divine power of the Totem is already sufficient. With Uncles He Zhang and He Li present, I believe there will be no problem.”

Upon hearing these words, Shi Chengyi’s heart filled with joy.

The Totem’s Blessing was one of the clan’s greatest secrets, known only to the elders. Yet, requesting such a blessing was no simple matter. The clan had offered sacrifices for many years to accumulate enough divine power within the totem.

The Totem’s Blessing had a straightforward effect: it granted clansmen a sixty percent chance of breaking through to the next realm, even across major realms.

Sixty percent was already an astonishing probability.

It was by relying on the Totem’s Blessing that the clan first secured its foothold in Yong’an City.

Shi Chengyi clearly remembered that during the Divine Stone blessing, the formerly weak clan gained three Innate Realm martial artists. This event laid the foundation for the clan’s current strength.

Who would have thought that, after so many years, the clan would receive a second blessing?

Uncles He Zhang and He Li were the only two martial artists in the clan who had reached Innate Realm Great Completion. Had it not been for the Chen Clan’s interference, the family would have had three such experts by now.

However, if both uncles could advance further, the clan would have two martial artists in the Qi Manipulation Realm!

Even if only one succeeded, the clan would be able to stabilize its current position.

In that case, cooperating with the Xie Clan would no longer be risky. The time spent working alongside the Xie Clan would be more than enough for the Divine Tree’s blessing to take effect. If all went smoothly, the Xie Clan might not be a match for them.

As for the Chen Clan, there was no need to mention them. They would no longer pose a threat.

The more Shi Chengyi thought about it, the more excited he became. He nodded eagerly.

"Clan Leader, I will summon the clansmen at once!"

"Mm. Do it discreetly. For now, don't let the other clans notice."

"I understand!"

As he watched Shi Chengyi's excited figure depart, Clan Leader Shi Chenghong's expression eased somewhat, though a trace of worry still lingered on his face.

Sixty percent is no small thing, but if both uncles fail, it would be disastrous for the clan. For now, all I can do is pray that the clan’s fortune does not decline in my hands.

…

At the Xie Clan, outside the grand hall, a quarrel broke out.

“I must see the Clan Leader!”

“Hongyuan, the Clan Leader is busy with clan affairs. Come back later."

"No, I also have important matters to report to the clan leader. I must see him now!"

"Hongyuan, don't make this difficult for me. Hmm? Have you broken through to the Innate Realm?"

After the two voices of dispute, another voice called from outside the hall:

"Hongyuan requests an audience with the Clan Leader!"

Inside the grand hall, Xie Yanmiao set aside the silk scroll filled with records and spoke slowly.

“Enter.”

“Hongyuan greets the Clan Leader.”

Xie Hongyuan stepped into the hall and bowed deeply. Xie Yanmiao gave a slight nod.

"Not bad. Breaking through to the Innate Realm so quickly shows considerable potential.”

“Clan Leader, you flatter me.”

"Hongyuan, you came today to ask about the Chen Clan matter, didn't you? Until now, all communication with the Chen Clan has been under my charge. Then why did a clansman inform me yesterday that I no longer need to concern myself with it?”