Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

Ji Yang no longer hesitated. He focused on the soul before him and began the transcendence rite.

In the next instant, countless wisps of ethereal white mist appeared out of thin air and streamed into Zhou Huai'an’s soul.

As more and more mist was absorbed, Zhou Huai'an’s eyes gradually lit up, and a clear brilliance returned to his gaze.

During the process, Ji Yang noticed something unusual: the stronger the soul being transcended, the more soul power was consumed. Soul power was directly tied to the strength of Ji Yang’s own consciousness. Still, as long as he did not attempt mass transcendence, it was manageable. Moreover, once the rite was complete, the lost soul energy would return to him.

Zhou Huai'an, regaining awareness, looked bewildered. After glancing around and examining his current state, however, clarity quickly dawned in his eyes. With a bitter smile, he said,

"I suppose... I've already died, haven't I?"

"That's right."

Chen Changming's firm voice came from the side.

Zhou Huai'an turned his head at once and saw that Chen Changming was already close by.

"You are...?" Zhou Huai'an asked, puzzled.

Chen Changming smiled and cupped his fists.

"I am Chen Changming, the eleventh patriarch of the Chen family. Xingzhen is my son.”

Understanding flickered in Zhou Huai'an’s eyes, and he soon smiled.

"Your clan's totem is truly remarkable. I never imagined that one could be revived even after death.”

Chen Changming shook his head.

"Only your soul remains. It cannot be called revival. Moreover, the clan totem cannot resurrect outsiders...”

"Mm. I can already feel it—I am slowly fading."

Zhou Huai'an's expression was calm, and he sounded free of regret. Instead, he seemed almost intrigued.

"To have such an experience... Death doesn't feel like such a loss after all."

"Clan Leader Zhou's ability to face this so openly commands our respect," Chen Changming replied with admiration.

Zhou Huai'an gave only a faint smile, then guided his soul form upward. It drifted higher, as if savoring this new sensation like a child discovering a new toy.

Chen Changming followed quietly at his side, not interrupting.

Soon, Zhou Huai'an stopped in midair and gazed out at the distant scenery. He remained motionless, but spoke calmly.

"To be able to look upon this world once more after death... I have no regrets. Clan Leader Chen, if you have questions, please ask. I will hold nothing back.”

Hearing this, Chen Changming nodded slightly. This was precisely why the Divine Tree had urged him to come.

Without wasting words, Chen Changming asked directly,

"Clan Leader Zhou, may I ask why the Zhou family suffered such a calamity?"

Zhou Huai'an let out a long sigh before slowly replying.

"I once visited the Chen family, as you surely recall. But at that time, I did not come specifically for the Chen Clan. My true purpose was to visit an ancient relic site...”

Zhou Huai'an’s voice grew heavy as he recounted,

"After leaving the Chen family, I went with several clansmen to explore an ancient relic. Inside, our family discovered a Spiritual Essence of Heaven and Earth the very item I carried when I came here.”

"Spiritual Essence of Heaven and Earth is a rare treasure of heaven and earth. It can give a Qi Manipulation Realm warrior a slim chance of advancing to the Condensing Spirit Realm. When we obtained it, I believed that a new era for the Zhou family was about to begin. However, in our misfortune, we encountered members of an upper-ranked family who were also searching the ruins, the Gongyang Clan.

"That Spiritual Essence of Heaven and Earth was vital to our family's future. Naturally, we could not yield it. Even if we had, the Gongyangs would not have spared us. With the aid of our clan totem, we slew a few of them. I thought then that the Zhou family could finally rest easy.”

He sighed deeply.

"But in the end, the secret leaked out. The Gongyang family learned of it."

Zhou Huai'an trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken.

Chen Changming fell into deep contemplation.

The disparity between the upper-ranked families and the mid-tier clans was evident there was no way the Zhou family could have been a match. The Spiritual Essence of Heaven and Earth would inevitably fall into the hands of the Gongyangs.

Chen Changming was no stranger to the ways of the world. He understood the significance of such a treasure perfectly. It was not just a rare item; it was a stepping stone that could determine whether a family ascended to the next level.

A warrior in the Condensing Spirit Realm even at the first stage, the True Pill Realm—was a true powerhouse. No upper-ranked family could resist the allure of such an opportunity.

The saying goes: "A man is not guilty, but carrying jade invites his doom." For a clan that was not yet strong enough, possessing such a treasure was a fatal mistake in itself.

Fortunately, the Chen family did not possess anything of that caliber nothing that would draw the covetous eyes of the upper-ranked families. Blood Rice was valuable, yes, but to those lofty families, it was hardly a treasure worth scheming over.

"Does Clan Leader Chen have any more questions?" Zhou Huai'an asked, smiling faintly.

Chen Changming shook his head. He had only wanted to know why the Zhou family was destroyed. As for other matters, there was no need to pry. The more one knows, the heavier the burden.

Seeing him decline, Zhou Huai'an’s smile deepened. His once solid soul, bathed in moonlight, began to dissolve into countless motes of light. Moments later, he had scattered into the night sky, leaving only two distinct clusters of energy behind.

Below, in the ancestral hall, Ji Yang stirred his consciousness and gently drew the two energies back. The pure gray Yin Energy swiftly merged with Chen Changming’s soul, and the white Soul Essence nourished Ji Yang’s awareness.

With the aid of the Yin Energy, Chen Changming’s spirit would surely advance further within the realm of the Yin soul.

The Zhou family patriarch, Zhou Huai'an, had truly fallen.

In truth, given the strength of Zhou Huai'an’s soul, he could have endured for some time even after transcendence.

However, Zhou Huai'an had no lingering attachments, so he chose to end his journey on his own.

At first, Ji Yang considered absorbing the Zhou patriarch into the clan to strengthen their power.

Yet, after careful thought, Ji Yang abandoned the idea.

First, his Soul Condensing Divine Ability could only be used on his own clansmen; it could not transform the souls of outsiders.

Moreover, how could a man like Zhou Huai'an ever agree to become a vassal of another family? Even in death, geniuses carry their pride. As the Zhou patriarch, with his clan already destroyed, he would never cling to life in humiliation.

Had he truly wished to survive, he would not have remained here to fight to the death against his foes after recovering from his injuries last night.

Ji Yang slowly regained consciousness, his gaze drifting forward.

[Name: Ji Yang]

[Race: Netherworld Pagoda Tree]

[Vitality: 2700]

[Divine Abilities: Eye of Insight, Reversal of Elixirs, Blind by a Leaf, Soul Condensation, Armor Shroud, Scorched Earth, Spirit Awakening, Withered Wood Revives, Soul Seizure, Transcendence]

[Cultivation Methods: Lunar Eclipse, Gathering Yin, Incense-Fueled Golden Body, Soul Consumption, Solar Eclipse]

[Combat Techniques: Ancestral Long Fist, Seven Emotions Six Severances Sword (Fragmented), Taiyi Seal, Big Dipper Seven-Star Fist, Five Venoms, Yin Wind Palm.]

[Blood Qi: 180 (convertible into Vitality)]

[Spiritual Power: 58]

[Deduction Points: 26]

[Deduction Available]

[Status: Absorbing Moonlight Essence…]