Just then, the clear sound of bells came from afar.

The villagers looked back and saw a snow-white divine deer slowly walking towards them, its body treading on the cracked earth.

The antlers are entwined with emerald green vines, and with each step, tender buds sprout from the ground beneath the hooves.

A woman in plain clothes sat on the back of a deer, with a jade token hanging at her waist. Her clothes fluttered like a banished immortal descending to earth.

"Gods! Gods have come to save us!" The villagers knelt down, their foreheads pressed against the scorching earth.

The woman gracefully leaped off the deer's back and reached out to help her up, saying, "Please rise, everyone. I am merely a follower of the Mountain Goddess and do not deserve such a grand gesture."

"It was all arranged by the Mountain Goddess. She heard your prayers and sent her believers to save you."

Her gaze swept across the withered fields, and when she saw the demonic tree, her eyes filled with a smile.

The crowd of people looked at each other in bewilderment. If Mr. Gu hadn't seen through the intricacies of the situation, they might have glared angrily at this follower of the Mountain Goddess and wanted to drive him away.

Having already learned the truth, and given the extraordinary abilities of this mountain goddess's followers, the people were naturally willing to believe her.

Gu Huai stared intently at the jade pendant at Chen Shuiyi's waist, the two characters "Barren Mountain" gleaming warmly in the sunlight.

His breathing suddenly quickened. Was this woman also related to the time traveler?

“This young master seems to recognize this tree. Could it be that we are destined to meet?” Chen Shuiyi suddenly turned her head, her clear eyes looking straight into Gu Huai’s eyes.

A sudden sandstorm arose, and the withered crop stalks whistled in the wind.

Everyone held their breath and instinctively looked over.

Gu Huai took a deep breath and pointed at the menacing tree, saying, "This isn't some terrifying demonic tree, it's a baobab tree!"

As he explained, he glanced subtly in the woman's direction, "In my hometown, there's a place where this tree is called the Tree of Life..."

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Shuiyi's eyes, and the corners of her lips turned up slightly: "It seems that you are indeed destined to be with our desolate mountain."

Gu Huai was startled and was about to ask further questions when he saw Chen Shuiyi turn around to face the villagers.

With a gentle wave of her hand, a few verdant leaves drifted down from her sleeve: "This tree was originally a gift from the Mountain Goddess to humankind, but it was corrupted by evil spirits that caused it to change."

Amidst the villagers' astonished gazes, Chen Shuiyi took out a jade bottle.

She took out a willow branch, twirled it inside the jade bottle, dipped it in the water, and gently sprinkled it outwards.

The glistening water droplets fell onto the roots of the demon tree, causing those grotesque roots to convulse violently!

A wisp of black smoke shot out from the tree trunk, twisting and dissipating in the air.

Amazingly, the cracked bark began to peel off, revealing a smooth, brown outer layer.

The twisted branches stretched out, and at the top grew several large, gourd-shaped fruits.

“The tree’s demonic nature has been removed, so you don’t need to worry that it will destroy the village. This tree is different from ordinary trees; it can save your lives and provide you with more food during famine years,” Chen Shuiyi explained in detail.

"Food? Can you eat this tree? Or does it bear a lot of fruit?" a child asked curiously.

"The baobab tree is a treasure trove." Chen Shuiyi gently stroked the giant tree, which had been restored to its original state. "Its fruit is sweet and juicy, and can be preserved for ten years after being dried; its bark fibers can be used to weave clothing; and its hollow trunk can store rainwater..."

Chen Shuiyi turned her head again to look at the young man sitting above the wheelchair beside her. "Young Master Gu, why don't you explain in detail?"

Gu Huai understood and, amidst the expectant gazes of the people, pushed the wheelchair forward: "As I mentioned before, this tree is called the Tree of Life. In another world, it is also known as the 'Desert Spring.' A mature tree can store tens of thousands of kilograms of water, and during the dry season, you can extract water by chiseling open the trunk."

He pointed to the fruit on the tree, "This is called breadfruit. When roasted, it can be eaten like steamed buns; it's very nutritious. Not only that, this fruit can also be ground into flour for a staple food, and the seeds can be pressed for oil..."

The villagers' eyes lit up as they listened, their gazes becoming increasingly fervent. Several of the bolder ones had already gathered in front of the tree, curiously touching the smooth bark.

This is no demonic tree at all; it's a treasure sent to them by the Mountain Goddess!

As long as this tree exists, even in years of famine, the villagers can be self-sufficient!

No wonder the fairy in front of me said that every part of this tree is a treasure!

Thinking of this, the group of villagers felt extremely guilty. They had even harbored some resentment towards this mountain goddess before, since she had brought unprecedented calamity to their village, turning all the fertile fields into dead land!

Now, everyone from eighty-year-old grandfathers to three-year-old children has come to love it!

This tree has such a magical property that it can continue to survive even if these fields are destroyed!

But these places...

Some farmers still sigh, saying that this is land passed down from their ancestors, and even though they can survive, they still feel depressed.

But the legendary mountain goddess was also a victim; it can only be said that fate is cruel!

Seeing the gazes of this group of people, Chen Shuiyi smiled again.

She continued to wave the willow branch, and the clear, cool water droplets sprinkled onto the cracked fields.

The parched land was like a long-awaited rain after a drought, and the cracks healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The jade-white deer ran merrily, and wherever its hooves passed, tender green seedlings sprouted from the soil, quickly becoming lush and verdant.

"A miracle, a miracle!" Old Man Li knelt down on the ground, trembling as he stroked the revived land.

Chen Shuiyi put the jade bottle back into his sleeve: "There are still dozens of villages in Chongzhou that have suffered this disaster. I must go there immediately."

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly looked at Gu Huai and said, "Since you recognize this tree, would you be willing to come with me and explain its wonderful uses to the people?"

“But I…” Gu Huai looked at his leg. Although his leg was not completely broken, it would be difficult for the world to return to normal now.

How do I get to other places?

"Don't worry, the barren mountain can heal your leg," Chen Shuiyi said gently.

The divine deer came to his wheelchair and gently nudged him with its antlers.

The wheelchair beneath Gu Huai instantly grew vines and floated in mid-air.

Gu Huai: "!!!!"

This fellow villager is amazing! Just how magical are these barren mountains?

He has already begun to look forward to it.