Chapter 709

Chapter 709: Searching for the Fruit of the Wooden Tree (One Year Anniversary)

As the sun set over the mountain range, outside a small town on the eastern side,

Lolan Hill stood atop a high rock, overlooking the people of the town leave under the organization of the townsfolk, carrying various supplies towards the western valley.

Although she wished these townsfolk would abandon their supplies and move faster, after inquiring, she decided against it.

For the people of this land, every grain of food and piece of material was precious. Abandoning them now might mean they couldn’t survive the harsh winter, let alone face the threat of starvation.

So she waited a bit longer, then led her team to clear out the surrounding demons to avoid any attacks on the migrating group.

“All have left, my lady. We’ve just checked the town; there’s no one left,” said a black-clothed man with a ghostly mask as he approached.

“Good.” The gentle breeze around Lolan’s fingertips dispersed. She had also used the wind to check again, confirming no one remained, before turning to leave.

In these few days, she led this team of black-clothed demon hunters, guiding many villages and townspeople to the valley.

Fortunately, these groups didn’t need constant escort. Once the surrounding demons were cleared, they were relatively safe. Even if they encountered a few demons, the extraordinary beings from the villages could handle self-defense.

After leaving that place, Lolan Hill led her team westward again. Not long ago, she received a message from Grandmother Ge Luo asking her to return.

Crossing the desolate land, upon arriving at the valley, she found it surrounded by many members of the Chi Clan. Most of them camped outside, while only a few young women and children were sent into the valley for better care.

The valley’s space was limited, so it wasn’t suitable for everyone to crowd inside. Now that these villages and towns gathered, there were more extraordinary beings both inside and outside the valley. Along the way, Lolan saw several Level 5 or Level 6 Necromancer Sequence beings, mostly leaders of their villages.

Seeing the masked girl fall into the valley, some residents who originally lived there bowed respectfully, while newcomers curiously watched as the graceful girl entered the shrine.

Compared to the bustling outside world, the shrine was very quiet. Grandmother Ge Luo still knelt inside, enveloped in a faint aura of dragon veins, seemingly perceiving something intently.

The girl stood quietly beside her, waiting for a long time until Ge Luo opened her eyes wearily.

“You’re back, Jialan. How have you been these past few days? Let me take a look.”

“Hmm.” The girl responded softly and walked closer.

Seeing Lolan Hill unharmed, Ge Luo seemed relieved. After a moment of thought, she began speaking slowly.

“This time I called you back because I need your help with something.”

“What is it?”

“Have you heard of the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace?”

“Yes, it’s said to be a branch of the Xiangyu Sect, currently stationed in Mugan Island.”

“That’s right,” Ge Luo replied with a sigh, then continued.

“Years ago, the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace often sent people to patrol the mountains at dusk. Back then, the world hadn’t changed, and these disciples were mostly Fifth and Sixth Rank elites. There were rarely demons in the mountains.”

“Though life was still tough, at least everyone didn’t worry about safety.”

“What happened to the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace later?” Lolan recalled that she hadn’t seen any of their disciples during her half-year stay.

“After the world changed, many disciples of the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace regressed in cultivation, so they temporarily withdrew. At that time, even demons were affected, so things were relatively peaceful for a while.”

“But later, when the demons gradually recovered and started causing trouble again, the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace disciples didn’t patrol the mountains like before.”

“The last time I heard of a Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace disciple was three years ago, when a member of the Chi Clan reported finding one searching for medicinal herbs in the mountains.”

“After that, I sent people to ask at their base, but it was sealed off with a prohibitive barrier, which ordinary people couldn’t breach.”

“Unable to contact them, I eventually gave up on seeking help and instead contacted the Xiangyu Sect for assistance.”

“Only after a long time did you come.”

Ge Luo looked at the girl again.

“When I saw it was just you, I felt a bit disappointed, but you’ve greatly exceeded my expectations. This child, you must be a treasure to the Xiangyu Sect. They let you venture out alone for training, showing great courage.”

“Anyway, I got sidetracked. Actually, I still want you to go to the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace’s base.”

“Even though they may be cold, the current situation is urgent. The dragon veins beneath the mountains are worsening, and the surging Netherworld energy will only intensify. Without external forces to balance it, more demons and ghosts will escape through the cracks in the fragmented realms.”

“At that point, their numbers could be overwhelming, and the Chi Clan’s extraordinary beings won’t be able to resist.”

“The nearest force willing to help is the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace. They are one of the top sects and responsible for guarding this place. If I explain the situation, I believe they won’t ignore it, especially since a full-scale outbreak could endanger nearby regions and bring the wrath of the dynasty down on them.”

“I understand.” Lolan nodded seriously after listening carefully.

“Good child.” Ge Luo sighed in relief and then took out a small wooden box, pushing it towards Lolan.

“I don’t have much valuable stuff, but here, take this.”

Inside the box was a purple fruit with a light frost on its surface, emitting a cold mist. Touching it, one could feel the chill.

“Purple Netherfruit” (Rare Coral Grade): At the bottom of the Netherworld, near dark rivers, there grows a rare tree named “Seekerwood,” whose branches stretch for miles. Its fruit allows one to relive their entire life in dreams, revealing the origins of their troubles and worries. The older one is, the better the effect and the greater the improvement in mindset.

“This fruit came from my exploration of the dragon veins deep in the Netherworld years ago. I accidentally entered a realm gap and saw the remnants of Seekerwood, with three fruits hanging on it, which I picked.”

“If consumed directly, one can recall their entire life and find the sources of their troubles.”

“Back then, this fruit might not have been very useful, but with today’s changing world and higher demands on one’s heart, it should help you significantly.”

Ge Luo placed the box in Lolan’s hand after explaining.

“This thing would cause a frenzy if taken outside, especially among the representatives of major sects.”

Seeing the girl hesitate, Ge Luo affectionately stroked her hair.

“Don’t be silly. Accept what is given, so as not to disappoint others’ kindness, and continue the cycle of goodwill. If good people aren’t rewarded, who would want to be good?”

After some hesitation, Lolan bowed in thanks and accepted the brown wooden box.

“Thank you, Ge Luo.”

“Good, that’s settled.” Ge Luo smiled and nodded.

They talked for a while longer, with Ge Luo informing the girl about the location and precautions of the Condensed Purple Night Illumination Palace’s base. After Lolan finished her instructions, she waved goodbye and walked out of the shrine.

Watching the girl’s distant figure, Ge Luo felt a sense of relief.

Though her own knowledge couldn’t be passed down, at least she had encountered such an excellent successor in her later years.

She lightly clapped her hands, and a woman dressed as a shrine maiden entered the hall.

“Madam Ge Luo.” The woman’s face was clearly Qing Ling, whom Ge Luo had recently reunited with.

“Qing Ling, I’ll send a demon hunter to escort you to the Red Peak Mountain in the east. When you were young, I took you there once, and it should still recognize you. Speak to it like this…”

Hearing this, the shrine maiden raised her head in disbelief.

“Is it really come to this?”

“This is our last desperate plan. Relying on outsiders is like a dream, and now we must make our final choice…” Ge Luo slowly rose and walked to the door of the shrine, looking down at the Chi Clan members coming and going in the valley.

“In my youth, I had many beautiful dreams, but I chose this place. Though it’s barren, it has kept me away from external distractions and given me peace.”

“But you didn’t have to do this. I’ve heard the elders say that you were—”

Qing Ling seemed about to protest but was stopped by Ge Luo raising her hand.

“There are no ‘what ifs’ in life. What we choose is real, and I don’t regret this life.”

As the sun set, casting its light once more into the deep valley, it dyed the shrine and the old woman in a soft golden hue, making her silver hair beautiful.

—

By the way, today marks the one-year anniversary.

Last year today, I released the first chapter, and it’s hard to believe it’s been a year already.

Thank you all for your support, and I’ll list the recent supporters soon.

(End of Chapter)