Chapter 75: Avoidable

“If we lose the natural Blood Spring, won’t the Disordered Burial Mountain be unable to grow Blood Rice anymore?”

“That’s right.”

Benjamin Chen’s affirmative answer left Ethan Chen’s mind in turmoil, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

As the Clan Chief, he deeply understood the importance of Blood Rice.

Without the threat from the Li Clan, if the clan could develop in this Disordered Burial Mountain for years, relying on Blood Rice, they might one day become a great clan and restore their former glory.

But without Blood Rice, the progress of the clan warriors’ Body Tempering would slow down, even come to a halt, and the clan’s development would lag far behind.

Although the flesh of fierce beasts could also be used for Body Tempering, how many fierce beasts could there be in the Disordered Burial Mountain? How many years of hunting could the clan sustain?

Blood Rice, which could be harvested three times a year, was extremely rare.

Ethan had initially thought that the unique soil of the Disordered Burial Mountain was the reason for the Blood Rice, but he hadn’t expected the existence of a natural Blood Spring deep within.

If the Liu Family really found it and the Blood Spring disappeared, how would the clan develop in the future?

At this moment, Ethan’s eyes were resolute. He couldn’t let the Liu Family find the natural Blood Spring, or half of the clan’s future would be cut off.

But thinking about the strength of the Liu Family, Ethan’s gaze became hesitant again.

If the clan really tried to stop the Liu Family, wouldn’t it be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot?

If the clan were destroyed now, what would be the point of talking about development?

Blocking them to the death would be almost futile and would lead to the clan’s destruction.

Letting it go would mean losing Blood Rice, but it would likely preserve the clan.

Considering the Liu Family had found Blood Rice, they probably wouldn’t attack the clan. If they wanted to, they wouldn’t have waited until now.

The choice was clear.

Benjamin did not interrupt Ethan’s thoughts.

After thinking it through, Ethan’s face showed a trace of helplessness.

Even knowing the Liu Family’s purpose now, they couldn’t stop them and could only pretend not to see.

Losing Blood Rice but preserving the clan’s strength wasn’t too bad, especially since the clan still had the Sacred Tree.

Since the Liu Family hadn’t developed in the Disordered Burial Mountain for years, they probably wouldn’t even after finding the Blood Spring. Perhaps by then, the Chen Clan would be the only clan in the Disordered Burial Mountain.

In this way, the clan’s development might be better than before.

But this advantage would be nothing compared to Blood Rice, only serving as a consolation for the loss of Blood Rice.

Recalling the Liu Family’s actions over the past few years, Benjamin suddenly thought of something and couldn’t help but ask Ethan with anticipation:

“Father, the Liu Family has been in the Disordered Burial Mountain for years, searching for the Blood Spring. But in these years, fertile fields have still produced Blood Rice. Is it possible they won’t find it this year either?”

Benjamin shook his head:

“Although the natural Blood Spring has many tributaries and is hard to find, the Liu Family has eliminated most places over the years.”

“Moreover, the Disordered Burial Mountain is only so big. The Liu Family’s grand search this time shows they’ve run out of patience. Even if they don’t find it this time, they will next time.”

Benjamin’s words extinguished Ethan’s last bit of hope.

It seemed the clan couldn’t make a change.

But then Ethan suddenly asked:

“Father, do you know where the natural Blood Spring is?”

Benjamin nodded calmly:

“I know. The natural Blood Spring is right beneath our clan’s Ancestral Hall.”

“Oh.”

Ethan’s face remained unchanged at first.

But when he realized it, his face was filled with astonishment, and even in his sleep, his heart raced.

He had only asked out of curiosity, not expecting the natural Blood Spring to be right beneath the clan’s Ancestral Hall. It was hard for him to accept.

Benjamin continued:

“When the clan migrated here, I was severely injured and beyond recovery. But by chance, I discovered the natural Blood Spring and the Blood Rice here.”

“That’s why we established the new clan here.”

“To be precise, the natural Blood Spring is right beneath the Sacred Tree in the Ancestral Hall. The revival of the Sacred Tree is probably due to this Blood Spring.”

Benjamin’s revelations left Ethan at a loss for words.

But knowing the location of the Blood Spring changed his thoughts instantly.

If the Blood Spring were elsewhere, he could pretend not to see it.

But now, knowing it’s beneath the Sacred Tree in the Ancestral Hall, it meant they would have to move the Sacred Tree to find the Blood Spring.

The Sacred Tree was the clan’s totem, the hope for the clan’s prosperity, and the savior in times of crisis.

Between Blood Rice and the Sacred Tree, he would choose the Sacred Tree without hesitation.

Moreover, with both combined, he had no choice.

After a moment of contemplation, Ethan nodded silently:

“Father, I understand.”

Seeing Ethan’s expression, Benjamin nodded in comfort. He hadn’t told Ethan earlier to see how he would decide.

Now it seemed Ethan had his answer.

When Benjamin first learned of the Liu Family’s purpose, he already had an idea.

Without the Blood Spring, the Sacred Tree might not have revived, nor would they have been reborn.

For the clan’s future and present, this battle was inevitable. He hoped Ethan shared his thoughts.

Though the disparity was great, the Chen Clan was not without the power to fight back.

…

In the Ancestral Hall, Noah Ji silently observed the patch of scarlet soil not covered by the blue stone slab, feeling a trace of suspicion:

“Natural Blood Spring? Red soil?”

With his enhanced vitality, Noah could now glimpse the dream exchanges of these soul bodies.

He had heard the conversation between Ethan and Benjamin.

He had thought the scarlet soil was due to the Blood Sacrifice, but there was more to it.

Noah slowly extended a reinforced root downward.

Soon, he discovered something unusual. His root reached a marsh-like area at a certain depth.

The sensation from the root was different.

This must be the natural Blood Spring hidden deep underground, though it differed from his imagination.

Noah tried to absorb vitality from the Blood Spring with his root, but it didn’t work.

Retracting his root, Noah sighed.

He had felt the two clans might clash, and now it seemed he was right.

Even if the Chen Clan wanted to give up the Blood Spring, they couldn’t, as he was bound to the Chen Clan and couldn’t move.

Thinking of the Liu Family’s strength, Noah sighed at the difficult road ahead.