Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

"Harvest the Blood Rice!"

"This year's Blood Rice is truly exceptional!"

"The rice wine brewed this time will surely taste even better!"

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the day of the Blood Rice harvest had arrived.

In the fertile fields, clansmen wore excited expressions.

Though this event had long become routine within the clan, the joy of watching each plump grain of Blood Rice beaten from the stalks and packed into sacks could never be replaced.

Moreover, this Blood Rice was tied to the clan’s development in the months ahead. It could produce several new martial artists and strengthen the younger generation.

By the fields, Chen Xingzhen smiled faintly as he gazed upon the bountiful harvest.

Yet, when he turned his gaze toward a fenced-off plot of land in the distance, he asked, "How is that half-acre of farmland faring?"

Of course, what Chen Xingzhen was asking about was the half-acre of farmland that was specially cultivated with Guanyin Soil during the clan’s exploration of the ancient ruins.

Beside him, Chen Tianyu replied,

"Clan Leader, the Blood Rice on that half-acre plot seems to still be growing. For now, there’s no sign of it bearing grain.”

Chen Xingzhen was taken aback. More than two months had passed since the crop was planted, yet the Blood Rice had not produced a single ear.

He had gone to inspect it once before and found that the stalks had grown over three meters tall, which was unusual. If it continued to grow like this, could it truly become a tree?

“Forget it. Have the clansmen keep observing it."

Chen Xingzhen did not grow impatient. This Blood Rice harvest was already quite good—better than previous ones. Even without that half-acre, the clan had more than enough to last them through the coming months.

After watching the harvest of the Blood Rice, Chen Xingzhen let out a faint sigh.

News had just arrived from Yong’an City that the Shen family had been destroyed.

Now, only the Xie and Shi families remained in Yong’an City. The balance of power in the city had changed completely.

The Chen Clan's original plan to expand into Yong'an City now faced far greater obstacles.

Setting aside the intentions of the Xie family, the Shi family would certainly never agree.

However, this was not the issue the clan needed to consider at present. What mattered now was the Shi family’s next move.

According to the information sent back, after eliminating the Gan and Shen families, the two surviving clans had reached equilibrium. Currently, they were busy dividing and absorbing the industries of the fallen families. Meanwhile, the clansmen had not noticed any further actions from the Shi family.

For the Chen Clan, this was undoubtedly good news.

Now, with the Blood Rice harvest underway and the Zhou family expected to arrive at any moment, it seems unlikely that the Shi family will make any sudden moves.

If not for the clan’s limited strength, Chen Xingzhen would have already considered leading his clansmen in a proactive strike.

Unfortunately, the departed elders of the clan could only manifest their strength at night by borrowing the power of the Divine Tree.

Still, the destruction of the two great families had surely cost the Shi family dearly, weakening them in turn. However, if the stalemate continued too long, the situation would gradually turn against the Chen Clan.

Chen Xingzhen gazed toward the distant sky, a trace of hope flickering in his eyes.

He prayed that Zhou Huai’an still remembered his request from last time.

If the Chen Clan could obtain a Wind Immortal Flower from the Zhou family, Qingyu might have the opportunity to break through to the Qi Manipulation Realm. Then, the clan would no longer be bound by so many limitations.

Though an individual martial artist in the Qi Manipulation Realm was unable to bring about earth-shaking changes for the clan, they were at least enough to protect the family from petty invaders.

But when would the Zhou family’s people arrive?

…

“Clan Leader, we have already reached an agreement with the Xie family. The Gan and Shen Clans' territories will be divided evenly between our two families. Our clansmen have already been dispatched to take over."

Above, Shi Chenghong stood brimming with confidence, a faintly contemptuous smile on his face.

“Hmph, the Xie family only has Xie Yanmo. Do you truly think our clan fears them?"

As he spoke, a trace of pride flickered across his features.

Recently, the Xie family had sent clansmen daily to pressure them, which greatly irritated him.

However, just a few days ago, two of his uncles, who had received the blessing of the family totem in the ancestral hall, made progress.

Uncle He Zhang had successfully broken through, becoming the clan’s sole martial artist at the Inner Gang Realm!

The clan regretted Uncle He Li's failure.

Despite the clan’s divine stone, he was unable to break through. It seemed unlikely that he would reach the Qi Manipulation Realm in this lifetime.

Nevertheless, this outcome was within the bounds of what the clan could accept.

After the clan revealed its strength by producing a martial artist in the Qi Manipulation Realm, the formerly aggressive Xie family fell silent.

Soon after, the two families joined forces to attack the Shen Clan, who still resisted desperately.

Though the Shen Clan's resistance inflicted some losses, the outcome remained the same.

With the destruction of the Shen Clan, Yong’an City came fully under the control of the two families. The industries left behind by the fallen clans were divided between the Shi and Xie families.

Recently, the clan elders have been in disputes with the Xie family, trying to secure greater benefits for their side.

The only pity was that the cultivation resources once held by the two destroyed families were destroyed at the last moment.

This was the way of the clans. When a family faced annihilation, they would never allow their enemies to prosper.

If they could not obtain something, neither would their foes.

This undoubtedly reduced the gains the Shi family could reap.

However, once they absorbed the industries of the two destroyed clans, their future development would surely proceed smoothly. The Xie family would no longer be an obstacle.

With more time, perhaps another martial artist in the Qi Manipulation Realm might emerge within the clan.

For now, however, no new Innate Realm Great Completion martial artist had appeared, which was regrettable.

Upon this realization, Shi Chenghong thought of the Chen Clan with hatred.

Had it not been for the Chen family’s interference, the Shi Clan would have had three Innate Realm Great Completion martial artists. With the totem’s blessing, perhaps they could have gained another Qi Manipulation Realm expert.

Now, with their resources consolidated, the Shi Clan knew their next step: destroy the Chen family!

In Yong’an City, only the Shi and Xie families remained. Since the Shi Clan had already reached an agreement with the Xie family, the Xies would not interfere. The clan's focus returned to how to deal with the Zhou family.

Yet, Shi Chenghong was not impatient. With a martial artist in the clan who could control Qi, the Chen family posed no real threat, no matter what tricks they possessed, so long as they lacked an expert in the Inner Gang Realm.

After pondering for a moment, Shi Chenghong summoned two clansmen and said,

"Go. Send more people to keep a close watch on the Chen family’s movements. Report everything you observe these days back to the clan.”

"Yes, Clan Leader!"