Chapter 49 The Eve of the Storm

Qinglinze, located in the southeast of the demon realm, is an ancient marshland that is vast and boundless, shrouded in a pale blue spiritual mist all year round.

This place is filled with ancient trees, intertwined vines, and abundant water, making it a paradise where the Wood Spirit Demon Clan has thrived for generations.

However, over the past thousand years, the "Ancient Tree of Life," the core sacred site in the marshland, has gradually declined, its once magnificent vitality has been constantly lost, and the spiritual energy of the marshland has become increasingly thin.

Deep within the marshland, inside a palace constructed from enormous living trees, the atmosphere was somber.

The envoy from Mu Weng, who had previously been sent to the capital, stood bowing in the hall, with several core elders of Qing Linze sitting above him, each with a solemn expression.

"Old Man Mu, are you sure your perception is accurate? Is the origin of that little tree spirit beside the Demon King truly like this...? Unbelievable?"

The head elder, with a withered face and holding a green vine staff, spoke in a deep voice, his voice carrying the vicissitudes of time and a hint of urgency.

The old man raised his head, his aged face showing absolute certainty, even slightly flushed with excitement:

"Reporting to Elder Aoki, there is absolutely no mistake!"

Although I couldn't see it with my own eyes, that aura... was pure and boundless, filled with the most primal life force. Its level was far beyond that of any member of my clan!

Even... even more pure than the origin of the Tree of Life at its peak, as recorded in ancient texts!

He paused, recalling the fleeting sensation he had experienced in the palace, and the subsequent attempt to establish a connection through the Ancient Wind-Listening Tree only to have it instantly severed. A lingering fear mingled with a powerful sense of fervor.

"If we can invite her back to the marshland, and let her original vitality nourish the ancient tree, we will surely be able to reverse the decline, and even let Qinglin Marsh regain its ancient glory!"

Another elder frowned and said, "But the Demon King Chi Li was adamant and heavily guarded. Even the spiritual connection was instantly detected and erased."

Trying to take someone from her is like snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

“It’s not about ‘forcibly taking’ it.” A glint of light flashed in Mu Weng’s eyes. “That little guy has a pure heart and a natural affinity for the same kind of energy.”

Even though the Demon King is powerful, he may not be able to completely sever this call that originates from his bloodline instincts.

What we need is an opportunity, an opportunity that allows her to 'herself' feel the call of the marshland and to yearn for it.

"The Demon King will not give us that chance." Elder Qingmu slowly shook his head. "She has already regarded that little tree spirit as a taboo subject, and touching it will result in death."

Although we are extremely anxious for the survival of the ancient tree, we should not gamble with the lives of our entire clan.

"Elder!" Mu Weng stepped forward urgently. "The ancient tree is the foundation of our Qinglinze. If the ancient tree withers completely, the spiritual energy of the swamp will dissipate, and the destruction of our clan will be only a matter of time!"

Now that hope is at hand, how can we give up out of fear of power?

Even the strongest demon king has his moments of weakness!

We just need to wait patiently and make arrangements in secret…

"Enough." Elder Aoki raised his cane, interrupting him. His cloudy eyes showed weariness and determination. "I understand what you mean."

The matter of the ancient tree concerns the survival of the entire clan; we certainly cannot sit idly by and wait for our demise.

He surveyed the assembled elders, his voice low and firm:

"Pass down the order to activate the 'All Spirits Return to Origin Array' base. Using the remaining life force of the Holy Land as a guide, continuously and extremely slowly emanate life fluctuations that are of the same origin as our race, directed... directly towards the capital of the Demon Realm."

The elders were all taken aback upon hearing this.

"Elder! Activating the foundation will consume the ancient tree's last remaining roots! If it fails, the ancient tree's decline will only be accelerated!" an elder voiced in opposition.

"If we don't try, we'll just be waiting to perish," Elder Aoki said gravely.

"This is not to forcibly guide her, but to plant a 'seed' in the little tree spirit's consciousness, so that she unconsciously perceives a 'home' in the distance that is of the same origin as her and is calling her."

As long as this seed takes root and sprouts, there may be opportunities in the future.

He looked at Mu Weng:

"Old Mu, now that you have made contact with the capital, you will be in charge of this matter."

Remember, the fluctuations must be extremely subtle and natural, like whispers in the wind, so as not to alert the Demon King.

This is... the only thing we can do, and also the most risky step we can take.

Mu Weng bowed deeply: "Your subordinate obeys! I will certainly live up to your trust!"

He knew it was a high-stakes gamble.

The gamble is on the future of Qinglinze, and on whether the pure sapling's instinctive yearning for the "roots" can overcome the tender constraints imposed by the Demon King's iron fist.

Meanwhile, Tang Lu, who was enjoying "limited freedom" in the demon realm's royal palace, was completely unaware of this.

She just felt that the air seemed to smell a little better in the last few days.

A subtle, comforting scent wafted through the air and into the sunlight, omnipresent, making her feel comfortable and at ease.

When she's sunbathing, she unconsciously takes a deep breath towards the southeast.

Occasionally, in my sleep, I dream of an endless, vibrant blue mist.

Even when she uses the Wood Spirit to nourish the flowers and plants, she feels that her power seems to be more vibrant and smoother.

She attributed these subtle changes to "the weather getting better" or "I becoming more capable," and happily shared them with Akari.

As Chi Li listened to her childlike words and saw her smile, her vigilance was like a fully drawn bowstring.

She sensed the distant, homologous energy waves permeating the air and attempting to penetrate the barrier more clearly than anyone else!

Although it was so faint as to be almost negligible, its persistence and targeted nature allowed her to instantly pinpoint the source—Qing Linze!

They still haven't given up!

They switched to this subtle and gradual approach, hoping to influence Tanglu in a subtle and imperceptible way.

A cold glint flashed in Chi Li's eyes.

She quietly reinforced all the barriers around the palace, especially those protecting the spiritual realm.

At the same time, she began to occupy Tang Lu's time and attention in a more "domineering" manner.

"Tang Lu, accompany me in cultivation today."

"Tanglu, try this newly arrived spiritual tea and see how it tastes."

"Tang Lu..."

She filled almost all of Tang Lu's free time, using her strong presence and meticulous care to build an impenetrable emotional barrier.

They tried to completely shut out those "whispers" from afar.

Although Tang Lu sometimes felt that Li Li seemed to have become more "clingy," she was already dependent on Chi Li and had no complaints about it. On the contrary, she was happy to spend time with Li Li.

However, Akari knew that this was only a temporary measure.

Passive defense is definitely not her style.

Since Qing Linze dares to reach for her treasures again and again, he should be prepared to bear her wrath!

It's time to let that silent marshland clearly understand what the wrath of a king is, and what an untouchable taboo is!

A thunderous counterattack against Qing Linze was already brewing in Chi Li's mind.

The storm is about to sweep away against the direction the wind is coming from.