Chapter 62: The Fusang Tree and a Breakthrough

Along their journey, the group encountered numerous perilous entities. Stone ghost demons from the Void Comprehension Realm, soul-devouring mosquitoes of the Nascent Soul stage, and treacherous formations of all kinds—yet every one of these dangers was effortlessly neutralized by the Scarlet Fire Token in Qin Yangjun’s hand.

Throughout their trek, Yin Kang Xuehan maintained a careful distance from Qin Yangjun, not because he was wary of her, but due to his younger sister.

Ah Ling would cast vigilant glances her way; the moment Yin Kang Xuehan drew too near, the girl would bristle like a startled kitten, leaving Yin Kang Xuehan utterly exasperated.

After traversing a ghostly formation, the trio journeyed for approximately the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, until a colossal tree materialized before them.

This enormous tree possessed an uncanny form, its trunk appearing as if numerous smaller trees had intertwined and twisted into one, while its lush canopy seemed adorned with a multitude of crimson lanterns.

Yin Kang Xuehan’s entire body jolted, and she involuntarily blurted out.

“The Fusang Tree?!”

She had stumbled upon its ancient lore within her clan’s historical texts.

The Fusang Tree, a divine entity from the Upper Realm, was said to possess the power to nurture souls and draw in spiritual essence, serving as the fabled habitat of the mythical Golden Crow. Consequently, its spiritual energy inherently contained the profound Path of Fiery Yang.

Should one manage to comprehend its mysteries, they could potentially ascend directly to the ranks of Immortals.

Naturally, these were merely ancient accounts; without concrete evidence to substantiate them, she could not ascertain their veracity.

Nevertheless, she had never imagined witnessing such a legendary divine artifact with her own eyes, especially in a place like this.

“A pity, it’s on the verge of death.”

Qin Yangjun’s expression remained utterly unperturbed.

His composure was so absolute that it struck Yin Kang Xuehan as unnatural; after all, this was a legendary artifact.

“Do you truly grasp the implications of the Fusang Tree’s presence?”

Yin Kang Xuehan’s voice deepened with an undeniable intensity, a fervent zeal igniting within her eyes.

Given the Fusang Tree’s intrinsic connection to the Golden Crow clan, its presence here suggested a profound link to the mythical Golden Crow itself.

The Golden Crow was, after all, a legendary divine beast.

To Yin Kang Xuehan’s astonishment, however.

Neither Qin Yangjun nor Ah Ling’s expressions betrayed any significant shift.

Ah Ling, for her part, had no inkling of the Fusang Tree’s true significance; to her, it was merely an odd-looking tree.

As for Qin Yangjun, this very tree and the treasures concealed within its depths had always been his objective.

How could something he already knew of possibly astound him?

Disregarding Yin Kang Xuehan’s fervent gaze, Qin Yangjun walked directly to the base of the Fusang Tree.

Standing beneath its vast canopy, one could perceive faint wisps of warm spiritual energy, yet the withered branches unmistakably signaled that the tree’s lifespan was nearing its inevitable conclusion.

While the spiritual energy emanating from the tree was considerable for both Qin Yangjun and Ah Ling.

For Yin Kang Xuehan, however, it amounted to nothing more than a paltry trifle.

The true source of her astonishment regarding the Fusang Tree lay solely in its very existence, not its current vitality.

Upon reaching the Fusang Tree’s base, Qin Yangjun directly raised his hand, and scarlet spiritual energy surged wildly towards him, converging with immense force.

Simultaneously, the aura surrounding him escalated, growing in intensity with each passing moment.

Yin Kang Xuehan froze.

He was actually undergoing a breakthrough; did he not fear her taking advantage of his vulnerability?

It was common knowledge that cultivators were at their most fragile during such a critical moment, and a surprise attack would almost certainly spell their demise and the shattering of their cultivation path.

Could he truly trust her to such an extent?

Then, Yin Kang Xuehan’s gaze subtly shifted, revealing Ah Ling watching her with an expression of unwavering vigilance.

‘So that’s the reason…’

A torrent of complex emotions welled within Yin Kang Xuehan; she realized, with a pang, that the man before her had utterly seen through her.

She had discerned Qin Yangjun’s profound importance in Ah Ling’s heart throughout their journey, knowing that if she were to truly act against him, Ah Ling would likely harbor a lifelong resentment towards her.

‘What a shrewd calculation.’

Yet, Qin Yangjun harbored no such elaborate thoughts.

Having already “read the script,” he knew that Yin Kang Xuehan was fundamentally not a bloodthirsty individual, held no animosity towards humans, and certainly possessed no rigid “demon clan” stance.

The prior assassination attempt, he understood, was merely an unforeseen consequence of the butterfly effect, thus Qin Yangjun had never truly regarded her as an adversary.

As energy coalesced around Qin Yangjun, a cluster of golden-yellow flames ignited upon his form. Cracks began to spiderweb across the Inner Core within his Dantian, and an indescribable agony radiated through every fiber of his being.

Qin Yangjun grit his teeth, maintaining spiritual unity as he channeled every ounce of his spiritual energy towards his Dantian. The Fusang Tree’s potent energy swirled around him, forming a visible vortex.

His Inner Core began to emit brilliant rays of light, before ultimately shattering with a resounding boom.

Within his Dantian, a small golden effigy materialized, wreathed in flickering flames.

Concurrently, a shimmering phantom of the sun gradually formed behind Qin Yangjun, within which a shadowy black bird stood sentinel.

Disbelief flooded Yin Kang Xuehan’s eyes.

“The Golden Crow Manifestation…”

The very next second, the phantom sun abruptly dissipated, unleashing a wave of golden flames that instantly engulfed their surroundings. Qin Yangjun exhaled slowly.

In that fleeting moment, a scorching heatwave radiated outwards in every direction.

Gazing at the vibrant flames dancing in his palm, Qin Yangjun’s lips curved into a subtle smile.

“At last, I’ve broken through.”

Not only had he achieved a breakthrough this time, but he had also reaped an unexpected boon.

In the original narrative, Yu Lingyue had merely utilized the Fusang Tree’s energy to achieve Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment. However, being female, she was inherently unable to fully absorb the tree’s potent, utmost Yang energy.

He, on the other hand, was male, his primordial yang remained untainted, and the cultivation technique he practiced was one of utmost Yang and unyielding strength. These combined conditions allowed him to absorb the energy with unparalleled efficiency, achieving twice the results with half the effort.

Furthermore, he had serendipitously seized upon the faint trace of Golden Crow aura residing within the Fusang Tree, thereby comprehending the formidable Golden Crow Manifestation.

Feeling the immense power surging within his body, Qin Yangjun’s confidence soared.

Even if a cultivator at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm were to arrive now, he felt capable of holding his own in battle, relying solely on this Golden Crow Manifestation.

“Congratulations, Young Master, on your breakthrough!”

Ah Ling, her face alight with joy, eagerly approached him.

Qin Yangjun chuckled, gently ruffling Ah Ling’s hair.

“Now, it’s your turn.”

Ah Ling’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Me?!”

“Of course. I will guard you while you cultivate.”

Qin Yangjun had brought Ah Ling here not primarily for any sisterly reunion, but with the explicit intention of enhancing her strength.

“But… that tree genuinely appears to be dying.”

Ah Ling gazed at the Fusang Tree, her face etched with regret. Such a divine tree, if only it could be transplanted back to the Yuqian Sect, would undoubtedly cultivate countless formidable experts.

“I understand your sentiment, but this tree has withered to such an extent that even if we could transport it back, it wouldn’t survive. We might as well ‘consume’ all its remaining essence here.”

Hearing Qin Yangjun’s pragmatic words, Ah Ling shed her sentimental thoughts. She walked beneath the tree and began to cultivate in a cross-legged position.

Moments later, scarlet spiritual energy rapidly converged upon Ah Ling, while the Fusang Tree’s branches began to crumble, gradually disintegrating into dust.

A deep, rumbling sound echoed through the air.

Just then, a series of muffled thunder-like reverberations began to resonate from their surroundings.

Yin Kang Xuehan lifted her head, sensing that the protective formation encircling the Blazing Flame Tomb had been breached.

The eight demon kings were on the verge of breaking through.

Yin Kang Xuehan’s expression turned grave. Eight Great Ascension Realm demon kings—if they were discovered, even she would have no guarantee of escaping unscathed.

As this thought crossed her mind, she involuntarily glanced at Qin Yangjun.

To her astonishment, however, Qin Yangjun’s face showed not the slightest hint of panic.

On the contrary, a faint smile played upon his lips.

That smile sent a shiver down Yin Kang Xuehan’s spine.

She couldn’t help but wonder to herself.

‘What devious scheme is this fellow concocting now?’

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