Chapter 213: Chapter 212: Divine Wood
This was a withered Divine Wood! The small tree was crystalline, its bark like Dragon Scales, but it was currently tainted by wisps of smoke-like Death Qi and Evil Qi. They looked like festering sores, utterly repulsive and unsightly.
Its vitality was fading, choked by the encroaching Death Qi.
This was a sapling of the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood!
Qin Feng was shaken beyond words. The underground True Dragon Cave had actually birthed such a Divine Wood.
Legend had it that the Wood Green Dragon, one of the Four Inherently True Spirits, was born from within the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood.
Any Barbaric Beast with the bloodline of the Dragon Race who obtained this Divine Wood could undergo atavistic regression, even comprehending the mysteries of the Ancestor Dragon Body and forging the Supreme Ancestor Dragon Battle Body.
’However, this Divine Wood looks to be in dire straits. It’s entangled by Death Qi and Evil Qi—it’s practically beyond saving. If not for the vitality from the Seven Star Dragon Spring Water keeping it alive, it would have already been devoured by the Death Qi and Evil Qi!’
Qin Feng felt a pang of regret for not bringing Eighth Master along.
Others would avoid this Death Qi and Evil Qi like the plague, but to Eighth Master, they were nothing but a gourmet meal.
Qing Mu shifted his gaze to Zuo Song.
Zuo Song’s eyes fell upon the True Dragon Divine Wood, and he was about to make his move.
After a moment of silence, Qin Feng stopped Zuo Song. "Old Zuo, it’s useless. Even if you sever your Inner Heaven and Earth Origin, you’d only be treating the symptoms, not the root cause! It won’t solve anything!"
A flicker of hesitation crossed Zuo Song’s face as he glanced at the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood.
"Qin Feng!"
Seeing this, Qing Mu’s expression instantly darkened. With a flash, his gaze landed on Qin Feng as he snapped, "You junior, what do you know! Don’t spout nonsense here!"
Qing Mu’s face was grim, his tone laced with frost.
In truth, Qing Mu had long suspected that Zuo Song might sever his own Inner Heaven and Earth Origin to nourish the Divine Wood.
Deep down, Qing Mu fully endorsed this method. The Inner Heaven and Earth Origin contained the ultimate vitality and power of creation. In some respects, the Inner Heaven and Earth Origin was even more effective than Celestial One True Water.
However, the Inner Heaven and Earth Origin was tied to one’s very foundation. Losing even a sliver of it could lead to severe consequences.
Now that Zuo Song was finally willing to make such a painful sacrifice, Qing Mu would not allow anyone to interfere.
A hint of killing intent crept into Qing Mu’s eyes.
Qin Feng sneered, taking in Qing Mu’s expression. He understood the man’s intentions perfectly.
’This old scoundrel is truly vicious. To secure his own future, he’s actually willing to sacrifice Old Zuo!’
Qin Feng remained expressionless as he said, "Elder Qingmu, I know you’re anxious to revive this Spiritual Root and save your career. However, I must tell you the truth: this Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood is changing because there is a problem with the True Dragon Cave!"
"While Old Zuo could temporarily revive the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood with his Inner Heaven and Earth Origin, that would only be treating the symptoms, not the root cause. As long as the problem within the True Dragon Cave remains unsolved, the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood will wither again in a matter of days!"
Qing Mu’s expression changed drastically.
Qin Feng had voiced Qing Mu’s deepest fear.
In fact, when the problem with the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood first arose, Qing Mu had already had his suspicions. After all, the wood was rooted in the True Dragon Cave.
The Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood wouldn’t just develop such Evil Qi and Death Qi for no reason.
But Qing Mu had been unwilling to even consider that possibility.
Because if something was truly wrong with the True Dragon Cave, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Not only would he, an Elder, face ruin, but Doumu Peak, which was responsible for this area, would also be implicated.
Qing Mu’s face was as dark as a stormy sea. He instinctively refused to believe Qin Feng’s assessment.
Qing Mu couldn’t believe a boy of fifteen or sixteen could possess such insight.
And yet, upon first hearing it, Qin Feng’s reasoning was undeniably sound.
Silence fell over the True Dragon Cave. All eyes turned to the figure in the Black Robe, filled with scrutiny and astonishment.
The black-robed youth was far too composed. Many of the young powerhouses stared at him, as if trying to see right through him.
’What in the world is Qin Feng’s background? How could he know so much about the True Dragon Cave?’ Long Ling’s lovely eyes landed on Qin Feng, sizing him up as they shimmered with curiosity.
The other young men present felt a pang of jealousy.
Zuo Song shot Qin Feng an astonished glance. Seeing the conflict on Qing Mu’s face, Zuo Song thought for a moment before sending a voice transmission.
"Brother Qingmu, what my young friend says may be true. He has a mysterious background and comes from a lineage of profound knowledge. His insight is vast, and he is well-versed in the secrets of Ancient Times. Since he has identified the problem, perhaps he has a way to solve this predicament of yours!"
Qing Mu fell into a thoughtful silence.
Qing Mu couldn’t bring himself to make the call, feeling a stubborn reluctance.
Qing Mu was reluctant to trust a strange kid who hadn’t even reached the Condensing Vein Realm.
Tilting his head, Qin Feng’s gaze swept over Qing Mu with a leisurely air. In any case, it had nothing to do with him whether the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood lived or died.
If the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood withered, Qin Feng would suffer no loss.
And if it were revived, Qin Feng stood to gain little.
As for whether Old Zuo would still insist on severing his Origin, Qin Feng figured that if the old man refused to listen to reason, he would only have himself to blame.
After a long silence, his expression shifting between light and shadow, Qing Mu’s gaze finally settled on the black-robed youth. "Young man, since you’ve identified the problem with the True Dragon Cave, do you have a solution?"
Qing Mu decided to take a chance on Qin Feng. It was a long shot, but what did he have to lose?
A confident smile touched Qin Feng’s lips. "Of course there’s a solution!"
As a Demigod Level Array Grandmaster, Qin Feng had ventured into countless forbidden lands and treasure troves. Though his world-shaking cultivation was gone for now, his keen eye remained.
The problem within this True Dragon Cave was naturally not enough to stump him.
A flash of joy appeared on Qing Mu’s face. He asked hurriedly, "Then are you willing to help?"
’Qing Mu is clearly grasping at straws, to actually believe the pack of lies from a snot-nosed brat of fifteen or sixteen,’ Fan Qingshan thought, watching it all with cold detachment and a slight sneer.
’How utterly ridiculous! Unbelievably foolish!’ Fan Qingshan sighed to himself.
Qin Feng raised his head and spoke slowly. "I have no problem helping, but Elder Qingmu, before I do, you must agree to two conditions of mine!"
"What conditions?"
The moment Qin Feng mentioned conditions, Qing Mu actually started to believe him.
’This black-robed youth must be confident,’ Qing Mu thought. ’Otherwise, even with Zuo Song backing him, he wouldn’t have the guts to be negotiating terms with me.’
"The first condition is simple. If I can help you revive the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood, you must agree to let Zuo Song—Old Zuo—become the branch president of the Mystic Master Guild at All Stars Academy!"
Zuo Song looked at Qin Feng, his eyes filled with gratitude.
Qing Mu’s eyes darted between Fan Qingshan and Zuo Song. After a moment, he said, "If you can revive the Ancestral Dragon Divine Wood, I agree to that condition!"
Fan Qingshan’s expression flickered, but then his eyes filled with a cold sneer.
Qin Feng smiled. "The second condition is also simple. This task should be counted as a sect-summoned mission. I hope you, Elder, will not short any of us of the rewards we are due!"
At these words, the young powerhouses in the cave looked over, their expressions toward the black-robed youth now holding a hint of gratitude.
Qing Mu gave the black-robed youth a surprised look. After a moment, he said, "That condition is also reasonable. I can agree!"
"Excellent. Those are my only two conditions!"
A smile touched Qin Feng’s eyes.
’This kid’s not so bad after all. Neither of his two conditions were for himself!’ His impression of Qin Feng having improved slightly, Qing Mu lifted his head and said slowly, his face still stern.
"Qin Feng, I agree to both of your conditions. But let me give you a word of warning. If I discover that you are toying with me, I will not let you off easily, even if Elder Zuo is here to protect you!"
