The heavy rain had not stopped, as if it were about to create a hole in the sky.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared, accompanied by wind and rain.
The Netherworld Divine Tree was trapped by the Heavenly Cloud Sect's magic array and could not stop their evil deeds, so it could only do its best to encircle the great fire around itself.
During the day, people in both cities noticed the thick smoke rising from the Kunlun Mountains, and by then the fire had been burning for a whole day.
The Netherworld Divine Tree has existed for thousands of years. It is tall and majestic, and even after burning for a whole day, the broken trunk can still be seen.
The heavy rain came on strong and lasted for a full hour before the fire was extinguished.
The fire was extinguished, revealing the blackened and broken giant tree, and Ning Yao couldn't help but tear up.
The ancient war did not destroy it.
It has stood for a thousand years in the Kunlun Mountains, and even as it declines, it has not been destroyed.
In years of severe drought, it not only did not destroy it, but also protected the creatures of the Kunlun Mountains.
What frustrated Ning Yao even more was that no matter how she tried to communicate, she was unable to get in touch with Shenmu.
Ning Yao's mind raced as she recalled the scene of saving Shenmu.
He took two steps forward, placed his hand on the dark tree trunk, and tried to awaken the sacred tree with his spiritual energy.
However, no matter how much spiritual energy she output, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, unable to stir up the slightest ripple.
Everyone looked in Ning Yao's direction, wondering what she was doing.
But everyone was quiet, afraid of disturbing her.
After a long time, the rain had subsided considerably, but the sacred tree still showed no reaction.
With Hua Yan's help, Lin Qingyu came to Ning Yao's side.
Speaking in a voice only three people could hear, "The sacred tree said that without a tree spirit, even you couldn't save it. Now that the tree spirit has been retrieved, why is it still useless?"
Hua Yan glanced at Lin Qingyu in surprise.
Ning Yao was downcast and said, "I don't know either."
Lin Qingyu looked up at the sacred tree, which was burned beyond recognition, lifeless, but still stood tall.
"As long as the tree spirit is here, we will find a way."
"But the creatures of this Kunlun Mountains have lost the protection of the sacred tree."
"Miss Ning, the sacred tree is destined for you. Could it have left you something? Perhaps that thing is the turning point?"
Ning Yao turned her head to look at Lin Qingyu, and she suddenly remembered the little divine tree in the secret realm.
That was a gift from Shenmu to her in gratitude for saving her life.
If the Netherworld Divine Tree became a trapped beast, its spirit robbed and its trunk burned.
The small sacred trees in those secret realms were neither burned nor damaged.
However, due to the loss of vitality from the Netherworld Divine Tree, it became listless and nearly withered.
Since the two are one, if the tree spirit is given to it, will the Netherworld Divine Tree still have any hope of survival?
Ning Yao was eager to try.
"Let's go! We'll go down the mountain first and head to Songyang City!"
Ning Yao made a tough decision and led her people down the mountain first.
The group left in a large procession.
——
Songyang City, City Lord's Mansion.
Zhao Xin was busy coming and going with her servants.
"Is the guest room ready?"
"Quickly bring in the clean clothes."
"Have a few people prepare medicine to dispel the cold, and be sure to prepare plenty."
"Also, keep meals readily available at all times, so there are no mishaps!"
Zhao Xin, dressed in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, stood in the rain, directing the crowd.
"Miss, the rain is too heavy. Please go inside to take shelter from the rain!" the maid shouted to her.
The rain was so heavy that you couldn't hear anything if you didn't make a sound.
Zhao Xin shook her head and replied loudly, "Although the rain is heavy, it's a good thing. At least the wildfire in Kunlun Ridge has been contained. Father and the others must have gotten wet in the rain. I need to prepare everything that needs to be prepared so that when they come back, everything will be ready!"
"By the way, have you seen my older brother come back?"
The maid shook her head: "I didn't see the young master. With such heavy rain, if he's outside, he won't be back for a while. He must be taking shelter somewhere. Miss, don't worry."
Zhao Xin frowned slightly: "If Father comes back and I haven't seen him yet, he'll probably be angry again."
With a loud "boom," Zhao Xin looked up at the sky and saw a bolt of lightning flash across the night sky, illuminating the entire night.
Her brow relaxed: "This is truly a godsend. If it rains like this for a few more days, at least the crops can be planted later, and there will be hope for them to survive. The people will no longer suffer!"
"Go to the storeroom and find some medicine for sprains and bruises, as well as medicine for burns and scalds."
"I understand, Miss. Please be careful!"
The maidservant trotted away, and Zhao Xin thought for a moment before walking towards the gate of the mansion.
As soon as I stepped out of the front hall, I heard a noisy commotion at the door.
She thought Zhao Heng had returned, so she hurriedly went out, intending to question him.
Then I saw my father, Zhao Ze.
"Father, you're back? Are you alright?"
When Zhao Ze saw that his daughter was still awake so late, and that her raincoat and straw hat were soaked with rain, he knew that she had been busy all night.
A warm feeling welled up in my heart. My daughter is so thoughtful. Where is my rascal's thoughtfulness?
"Yes, Father is fine. Quickly tell someone to prepare a few guest rooms and clean clothes..."
"Father!" Zhao Xin interrupted him, "I've prepared all of these. The guests can use them at any time. I've also prepared ointment. There's food in the side hall. Let the guests go wash up and change their clothes first!"
Zhao Ze was very pleased and nodded repeatedly: "Good, good, good."
"Miss Ning, Qingyu, you should go and rest for a while. We'll have some simple food later."
Ning Yao stepped into the mansion and immediately spotted Zhao Xin.
Zhao Xin asked in surprise, "Father, she is..."
Zhao Ze nodded and said, "We'll talk about it later. Let Miss Ning go and get ready."
Suppressing his excitement, Zhao Xin stepped forward and said, "Miss Ning, please come with me."
Ning Yao nodded: "Thank you for your help."
Throughout the entire process, Zhao Xin did not see Lin Qingyu behind Ning Yao.
Lin Qingyu was completely dumbfounded.
"Uncle, Xin'er, she..."
Zhao Ze smiled and patted his shoulder: "Xin'er has long admired Miss Ning. Ever since she learned that it was Miss Ning who saved her, she has been thinking about repaying the favor."
“You’ve been in contact recently, so it’s normal that she only has eyes for Miss Ning right now. Is Qingyu going to be jealous of Miss Ning?”
Lin Qingyu's ears turned red: "No, never mind. Miss Ning is a woman, so it's only right that Xin'er goes along."
"Okay, go change your clothes quickly, don't catch a cold."
Lin Qingyu, seemingly lost in thought, turned to Hua Yan and asked, "Miss Hua Yan, aren't you going?"
Hua Yan twitched the corners of her mouth and said to Zhao Ze, "I have a private room and don't need anyone to serve me."
Zhao Ze nodded and immediately ordered his servants to take him away.
The remaining Xiao Yuanhuai and the others were led to their guest rooms by a servant.
Only Zhao Ze, Lin Qingyu, Zhao Heng, Chen Sheng, Chen Jingrong, Liu Xu, and the rest of the Tianyun Sect remained.
"Qingyu, what should we do with these people?"
Lin Qingyu's expression was displeased: "Lock him up for now, and let Miss Ning decide what to do with him tomorrow!"
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