Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

The clan alone could not withstand such a threat, so they must rely on the Divine Tree and the outer walls for defense.

With the Divine Tree present, it would be difficult to utterly defeat the clan, even if their strength was lacking. Perhaps, by drawing upon the Divine Tree’s divine power, they could contend with the Shi family for a time.

However, unleashing the Divine Tree's power would require immense consumption. To avoid being trapped within the clan again, Chen Xingzhen resolved to begin the Grand Sacrifice to the Divine Tree immediately.

Of course, this was not merely his own decision; it was guidance that came directly from the Divine Tree itself.

This time, Chen Xingzhen was determined. He would sacrifice all the ferocious beasts the clan had reared and capture every beast within several dozen li of Chaotic Burial Mountain to offer them as well.

Though this might hinder the clan's future development, such concerns would only matter if the Chen Clan remained on Chaotic Burial Mountain. If the clan were destroyed, the fate of the mountain would be meaningless.

Chen Xingzhen did not hesitate any longer. He left the main hall, preparing to personally oversee the matter.

…

"Clan Leader, according to reports from Elders Chengyu and Chenghou, the Chen family is holding a grand totem clan sacrifice. The elders also observed that the Chen clan has dispatched many of their people toward Chaotic Burial Mountain. It seems they intend to hunt ferocious beasts."

In Yong’an City, the Shi family's great hall was filled with gathered clan elders.

Above them, Shi Chenghong lightly tapped the table beside him and asked,

"Elders, what do you make of this?"

One elder sneered:

"Clan Leader, I believe the Chen family is merely putting on a show!"

"Their clan totem is clearly one of incense and worship. How could it possibly absorb the blood of ferocious beasts? This act is nothing but an attempt to mislead us or perhaps it serves some other hidden purpose.”

Another elder added with disdain, "Clan Leader, with our family's strength, the Chen Clan's schemes are useless. We can crush them with sheer force. This is nothing more than a desperate last-minute measure. Do they truly believe their so-called Divine Tree can stand against us?"

Shi Chenghong nodded slightly, then turned his gaze toward one of the elders and asked, “How about Yunmeng City? Have you heard anything?”

"How about Yunmeng City? Has any word come back?"

"Clan Leader, there has been no reply as of yet."

"Then we wait."

…

"Sacrifice!"

In the ancestral hall, ferocious beasts were offered one by one to the Divine Tree of the clan.

Beneath the sacred tree, the hall was filled with clansmen wearing expressions of reverence. Yet their eyes were fixed on the branches of the tree, as the martial patterns that had appeared during the previous ritual were resurfacing.

This caused many of them to concentrate intently. Last time, they had only grasped a fragment and were unable to fully comprehend the patterns. If they could gain a deeper understanding this time, their strength would surely increase.

Chen Xingzhen stood to the side, his expression grave. The beasts sacrificed thus far were still insufficient. However, he had already sent part of the clan, along with the Azure Wolves, to Chaotic Burial Mountain to continue the hunt.

Even if they had to wipe out every ferocious beast of Chaotic Burial Mountain, they had to provide the Divine Tree with enough offerings.

As the clansmen gazed up at the locust tree's trunk, Ji Yang likewise cast his invisible sight upon them.

In Ji Yang’s vision, streams of gas in varying hues shimmered above each person’s head.

While observing this strange spectacle, Ji Yang did not forget to monitor the drain on his life force.

This was the divine power he had recently acquired: Qi Observation.

Now, with all the clansmen gathered, it was the perfect chance to test it.

As the divine power awakened, Ji Yang’s vision shifted. Above each clansman’s head, one or several strands of vivid colors floated.

Each strand seemed to carry its own meaning. Most striking of all, when the clansmen focused on the martial patterns etched on Ji Yang’s trunk, the yellow strands above their heads trembled and wavered.

Several of the gathered clansmen stood out among the rest. The yellow strands above their heads were especially vivid and radiant.

Foremost among them was Chen Qingyu. As the clan’s foremost prodigy, his martial talent and comprehension required no further proof. Naturally, the yellow qi above his head was thicker and more robust than the others'.

Second was Chen Qinghe, who had relied on the clan’s Blood Rice just last month to successfully break through to the late stage of the Body Tempering Realm. For someone his age to reach such a level clearly demonstrated his talent.

However, the third person left Ji Yang somewhat astonished.

This person was neither of the clan’s “Qing” generation nor one of the younger youths. It was Chen Qingcheng, who had come to the ancestral hall to participate in the grand sacrifice.

Had it not been for his father, Chen Tianquan, having a higher seniority, Qingcheng would have belonged to the “Han” generation of the clan.

Chen Qingcheng is only ten months old, yet he is already the size of a two- or three-year-old child. It was said that a month ago, he could run freely throughout the clan and was beloved by the clansmen.

Even during the grand clan sacrifice, he stood solemnly among the others, staring intently at the martial patterns on the locust tree’s trunk as though hoping to understand them.

However, his young age made his serious demeanor seem almost comical, prompting quiet laughter from those nearby. Still, within the ancestral hall, no one dared to be frivolous, and they quickly averted their gazes.

Ji Yang paid little mind to this. Instead, he speculated inwardly, Perhaps his innate talent is simply not low...or perhaps it is connected to my other divine power, Awakening Spirit.

Ji Yang knew this could be clarified later. Once he used Qi Observation on the other children of the clan again, the truth would naturally reveal itself.

Ji Yang carefully observed several clansmen again, but found nothing unusual. However, when his gaze fell upon Chen Xingzhen, the clan leader, a trace of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Unlike the other clansmen, the qi above the clan leader’s head was tinged with black. Ji Yang sensed a vitality gradually weakening within it.

Although Chen Xingzhen was a late-stage Blood Coagulation Realm martial artist, he was already advanced in age. Burdened daily with the affairs of the clan, his lifespan was swiftly dwindling. This was not unexpected.

Ji Yang sighed inwardly. Yet, with the clan war looming, he had no way to help him.

Seeing that his life force was steadily draining while he maintained the divine power of Qi Observation, Ji Yang stopped watching. His vitality was far too precious at this moment. Even though the divine power consumed little, it could not be squandered recklessly.

Still, through this trial, Ji Yang gained a deeper understanding of the divine power.

This divine power seemed quite effective. Perhaps by relying on it, Ji Yang could observe the martial talent, fortune, and lifespan of the clansmen, allowing him to select more wisely when passing down techniques in the future.

Ji Yang did not reject the concept of fortune. Incense itself was a form of fortune, proof that this world still held countless mysteries to be discovered.

As Ji Yang withdrew the divine power, the invisible streams above the clansmen’s heads quickly faded away.

Below, just as Chen Xingzhen was preparing to look at the martial patterns on the locust tree trunk, a voice came from beside him.

"Clan Leader, Uncle Xingsong has returned!"