After Ji Yang made his choice, time continued its relentless march.
As he watched the two saplings gradually wither away, Ji Yang nodded in satisfaction.
However, at that moment, a sudden cracking sound echoed in his ears.
The ominous sound reverberated through Ji Yang's being, filling him with dread.
Before Ji Yang could react, new subtitles appeared before his eyes:
【Your roots are not enough to support the collapsing cliff. You are dead! 】
In his final glance, Ji Yang saw the cliff beneath him crumble instantly! His painstakingly grown tree trunk was engulfed by the collapsing terrain.
As his vision shifted, Ji Yang found himself back in the shrine.
Reflecting on the recent outcome, Ji Yang couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
However, this time he had endured longer, so the rewards should be greater than before... right?
【Simulation complete!】
【This simulation has given you a new ability: Unbreakable Resilience.】
【You have acquired a new supernatural power in this simulation: A Leaf as a Blind Spot.】
Unbreakable Resilience: Your skin has thickened, enhancing your ability to endure adversity.
A leaf as a blind spot: You can store a certain amount of life force in leaves, temporarily increasing your strength.
Looking at these two newly acquired abilities, Ji Yang fell silent.
He couldn't shake the feeling that the system was nudging him in a certain direction.
As he observed the enhanced glow on the leaves from his new supernatural power, Ji Yang realised its potential usefulness for the Chen Clan's current challenges, despite the life force it consumed.
However, Ji Yang remained skeptical about this "certain" amount of vital energy. After all, the difference in the amount of vital energy needed to increase the strength of a Body Tempering Realm warrior compared to an Immortal Realm cultivator was undoubtedly huge.
Ji Yang didn't go into the specifics of this difference, but the Leaf as a Blind Spot came just in time.
In addition to this new supernatural power, there was also a new ability; Unbreakable Resilience.
After acquiring this ability, Ji Yang actually felt that his skin had thickened a bit.
Given the current toughness of his bark, Chen Qinghe's machete likely wouldn't make a dent.
Overall, this simulation was very successful, and it boosted Ji Yang's confidence. With his blessing, the Chen Clan might finally possess the strength to challenge the Li Clan, if not outright defeat them.
Speaking of which, wasn't there still an ancestral elder in the shrine?
Ji Yang carefully observed the Ancestral Elder, noting her missing hand and leg. Her body appeared to have undergone special refinement, rendering it incredibly resilient.
Despite being covered in wounds from prolonged battles, her recent loss of limbs had not diminished her formidable strength.
As dawn approached, the glow on Ji Yang's body gradually faded. The life force he had absorbed last night had exceeded his expectations and had directly doubled.
Ji Yang's Qi had reached 9.8.
With the remaining blood and spiritual energy insufficient for another simulation, Ji Yang knew that absorbing the blood of a Blood Coagulation Realm beast would replenish the necessary energy. Without hesitation, he converted all the remaining energy into vital energy.
After all, both of his supernatural powers required Qi, and the cost of the first power remained unknown. It was imperative to prepare in advance.
Ji Yang hoped that his increased vitality would allow him to sprout more branches and leaves, accelerating his absorption of moonlight and creating a virtuous cycle.
As his vital energy surged, an indescribable comfort spread throughout his body. Even his underground roots expanded rapidly, stretching several metres beyond the ancestral hall.
After his vitality surpassed the ten-point mark, Ji Yang was astonished to find himself growing taller.
Not only that, but his branches also thickened significantly. What was once as slender as bamboo had now grown to the size of a fist.
Ji Yang was overjoyed by this unexpected improvement. It appeared that as his Qi increased, his growth would correspondingly accelerate, not solely relying on external factors.
Perhaps soon, he could transform into a towering ancient tree.
After all the changes stopped, Ji Yang reopened his status window:
[Race: Young Locust Tree]
[Abilities: Sighting Eye, Reversal of Fate, One Leaf as a Blind Spot]
[Magic: Lunar Eclipse].
[Combat Techniques: None]
[Qi and Blood: 0 (can be converted to Qi)]
[Calculation Points: 15]
Status: As a revered tree, you finally have some self-defence capability, but it's still far from sufficient.
Despite the increase in his Qi, Ji Yang didn't sprout many new branches and leaves this time. It appeared this amount of Qi wasn't adequate for significant growth; more would be necessary for future developments.
With his vital energy surging, Ji Yang's underground roots extended several metres beyond the temple. His "eye" could now see further, enabling him to break free from the confines of the small shrine.
In a secluded room near noon, Chen Xingzhen was in deep thoughts.
"Patriarch, did you call for me?"
Shortly after, Chen Tianyu pushed open the door and entered.
Chen Xingzhen nodded slightly and spoke,
"Tianyu, gather some hungry clansmen for a hunt later."
Chen Tianyu looked confused and asked,
"But Patriarch, with the Li Clan guards everywhere, can we really risk going out?"
"Patience. This isn't just about hunting."
"If direct confrontation fails, this hunt will serve as a diversion, a way to distract the Lang Clan and buy us time."
Understanding Chen Xingzhen's strategy, Chen Tianyu nodded,
Shortly after, the Chen Clan assembled several pale-faced warriors, visibly drained of Qi in the Body Tempering Realm. Leading them was Chen Tianyu, his complexion healthier than the rest but with a hint of anger in his eyes.
Once preparations were complete, they quietly slipped out through the clan's rear exit.
"Patriarch, Patriarch!"
"What's the urgency?"
Seeing a clan member rush in with a joyful expression, Li Yongcheng furrowed his brow and asked.
"Patriarch, just now, some Chen Clan members tried to go hunting at noon. But we discovered them and chased them away!"
Li Yongcheng's face showed a hint of surprise. He continued,
"Who from the Chen Clan ventured out? How did they fare? Tell me everything, spare no detail!"
"The leader was Chen Tianyu, accompanied by several warriors in the Body Tempering Realm..."
Upon hearing this account, a faint smile curled Li Yongcheng's lips.