Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

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Gan Yu looked over the many clansmen behind him. He spoke in a trembling voice, but you could still tell he was convincing.

"Gan Yu, what are you talking about?"

"Gan Yu, don't lose yourself, this is all for the family!"

"..."

Seeing that none of those present listened to his words, their mouths filled only with rebuke, Gan Yu suddenly burst into laughter:

"Hahaha! It's easy for you to say, since you're not the ones becoming sacrifices, of course you don't care!"

"I'm still young! Why should I be the one to become a sacrifice?"

"Why can't I step up and help revive our family?"

As soon as he said it, his fellow clansmen looked at him like he'd just burned them all, and a few elders went as pale as the rest of them.

"Gan Yu! The patriarch and the clan elders decided together whether to offer totem sacrifices. After you, even two elders will be sacrifices. Are you questioning the decisions of the clan elders and the patriarch?"

"Hmph. So what if I question it? Ask Gan Di and Gan Han. Are they willing to sacrifice themselves for the clan?"

"Gan Yu, as a member of the Gan family, how can you shrink back at a time like this?"

Gan Di froze, stunned, on the side. What does this have to do with me?

Yet, when he thought about becoming a totem sacrifice himself, his expression became complicated. For now, he could only remain silent.

“Enough!”

Gan Zongjin thundered, cutting off the quarrel among the clansmen. His face, however, was exceedingly grim.

If he were not the patriarch, he would willingly become a totem sacrifice himself. He believed that many clansmen shared this sentiment and regarded it as an honor.

But now, with someone openly questioning the clan’s decision and disregarding the family’s honor, the truth was laid bare.

It was no wonder the clan had declined to this point. Problems had already taken root within the family, yet as patriarch, he had failed to see them.

Seeing the fear and defiance on Gan Yu’s face, Gan Zongjin spoke coldly, “Since there are clansmen who refuse to die with dignity, let us grant him some!”

With a wave of his hand, the prepared clansmen stepped forward and seized Gan Yu, dragging him toward the totem.

“I don’t want to! I don’t want to be a sacrifice!”

“Ahhh!”

When Gan Yu’s cries finally faded, silence fell upon the hall.

Gan Zongjin swept his gaze across the room, noting the reactions of the younger clansmen. A faint sigh stirred in his heart. Then, he addressed them.

"Since some of you believe the clan's decision is unjust and unfair, then let us change the method. We will draw lots to decide!”

"I, Gan Zongjin, will also take part in the drawing. This way, surely no one can claim it is unfair.”

Upon hearing this, many clansmen's faces shifted, their expressions darkening.

“Patriarch, how can you participate in the clan’s drawing of lots? If anyone should draw, it should be us elders who are advanced in age!”

"That's right, Patriarch. You must remain to lead the family!"

Many of the clan elders protested.

Meanwhile, some of the younger clansmen, who had just witnessed the earlier events, saw their expressions shift. Their eyes hardened once more, and they, too, began to speak words of persuasion.

"Enough. My decision is made. You need not say more. To become a sacrifice for the totem is an honor!"

"But if, after the drawing, there are still clansmen who refuse to accept it, do not blame me, Gan Zongjin, for disregarding the bonds of kinship!"

By the end, Gan Zongjin’s words carried a chilling edge.

Seeing his resolute stance, the elders no longer tried to dissuade him. Yet, in the depths of their gazes, each one had already formed their own intentions.

"Come, let us draw lots!"

As a wooden box filled with bamboo slips was brought forward, Gan Zongjin stepped forward to be the first to draw. Under the watchful eyes of the clansmen, he held up his slip for all to see.

The bottom of the bamboo slip was blank, signifying that he had not been chosen.

Gan Zongjin’s gaze remained calm, as though the result mattered little to him.

Seeing their patriarch draw lots, the other clansmen quickly followed suit.

Soon, several new clansmen were chosen through the drawing.

Those who drew the marked slips for sacrifice showed no complaints. Without hesitation, they stepped forward toward the family totem, willingly offering themselves as sacrifices.

After absorbing the life force of the clansmen, the multicolored vine began to shimmer with radiant light. The lights varied in hue, corresponding to the seven colors of the vine. Yet, two colors were missing from the glow.

This signified that the family totem still required more sacrifices.

Before the next drawing of lots could begin, however, two clansmen stepped forward of their own accord.

"Patriarch, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the family!"

"And I as well!"

"Good, good!"

Gan Zongjin nodded repeatedly, his expression grave, and said:

"The family will remember you both!"

As the two clansmen offered themselves up, the multicolored vine began to undergo a violent transformation. Soon, the entire ancestral hall was filled with seven-colored radiance.

Gan Zongjin and the other clansmen gazed at the family totem, their eyes brimming with hope.

Within the multicolored glow, many clansmen felt their wounds heal and their blood and qi strengthen. The pain in their bodies seemed insignificant as endless energy surged within them!

As he watched the family totem continue to radiate its brilliance, Gan Zongjin silently vowed:

"Totem Lord, the clan will surely restore you!"

But just as he made this resolution, the totem that had been shining with multicolored light moments ago suddenly withered.

The once vital vine rapidly turned black, and a faint stench of decay began to seep from it.

Seeing the totem’s glow vanish, many clansmen wore confused expressions.

Even Gan Zongjin, the patriarch himself, showed a trace of bewilderment. As he watched the totem's condition worsen, however, his face grew grim, and he could not help but ask aloud,

"What in the world is happening?"

The totem had shown no abnormalities before the sacrifices why would such a change occur now?

Gan Zongjin’s expression became more complicated as troubled thoughts filled his heart as he pondered the cause.

Could it be because some clansmen lacked sincerity?

According to the totem's guidance, however, sincerity was never required only the clan's bloodline. After all, this totem was nurtured by the family, and only the blood of the Gan Clan could be offered as a sacrifice.

Could it be...?

"Marvelous, marvelous—truly marvelous!"

"To think that, at such a time, I would witness such a fine spectacle."

"Patriarch Gan, if you could escape, perhaps your Gan family might rise again one day. But alas, your Gan family is not destined for such fortune."

"Shi Chenghou? Shi Chengyu? Shi Chengqiu?"

As the Shi family warriors appeared before the clansmen, Gan Zongjin clenched his fists tightly.

This time, the Shi family had dispatched nearly all of their Innate Realm martial artists—among them, no fewer than four late-stage Innate Realm elders!

But this was not the matter that concerned him.

Perceiving the doubt in Gan Zongjin’s eyes, Shi Chengqiu gave a faint smile.

"I imagine, Patriarch Gan, that what troubles you at this moment is why your family's totem ended up in such a state."