Chapter 985: Sky Wave Tree Realm

“Okay.”

Linggu Transformation handed over the Parasitic Worm Demons to Sun Kai and his companion.

Having made their decision, the two men didn’t hesitate and swallowed the Parasitic Worm Demons in front of Ling Gu.

Once swallowed, they didn’t feel much difference.

However, simultaneously in the minds of Lu Xuan and Ling Gu appeared the image of a Transparent Insect Zhi, which split into numerous transparent tentacles as if connecting into the void.

Threads of thought traveled along the tentacles into their Sea of Consciousness, making their words, actions, and inner thoughts clear as day.

...

“You two may temporarily reside in the cave abode and find separate courtyards to settle down.”

“I will notify you when needed,”

said Linggu expressionlessly.

“Beyond the abode lies a forbidden area I have set up;

you are not to enter without my permission.”

Lu Xuan did not want the two to know about the existence of the Weird Spiritual Plants.

“This is your first warning, the second won’t be so simple.”

“Cultivate well, and you will ultimately see that today’s decision was the right choice.”

With that, Ling Gu’s figure vanished.

Throughout the whole process, Lu Xuan did not show his face.

Sun Kai and his companion headed to a corner of the cave abode, each finding an empty courtyard, and their minds slowly settled down.

“From now on, whether it’s our lives or our cultivation journey, it can be said it’s completely in the hands of Senior Ling.”

“Hope the choice made today is the right one.”

The two gathered together, quietly voicing their thoughts.

Being under Ling Gu’s wing was what they had desired, though the process turned out a bit twisted, putting everything under his control.

However, since the decision was made, regret was useless, and they quickly adjusted.

The Spiritual Energy on the fifth level was much purer and denser than where they had lived before, plus, Lu Xuan had deliberately chosen a superior cave abode, making them feel a distinct difference as they began their cultivation.

“Fellow Daoist Wu, I just went out for a walk and found a Demon Envoy and a Demonic creature lurking inside the abode!”

“Demons Envoy… Demonic creature… could they be nurtured by Senior Ling?”

Wu Peng finished his cultivation, a shocked expression on his face.

“Most likely;

that spherical Demon Envoy should be the rumored Blood Demon that can emit a blood ray capable of severely contaminating a Golden Core Real Person or even turning them directly into a pool of blood.”

“Hisss… that’s truly terrifying!”

The two inhaled sharply together.

“And that little demonic creature, even if it’s a low-rank demon, once it grows into its full form, it will possess strength no less than a Golden Core Real Person.”

“With such terrifying demons and monstrous creatures, Senior Ling actually raises two of them.”

The two exchanged looks, their respect for Ling Gu growing even more.

…

Not long after taking on two Evil Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level, Lu Xuan silently returned to the Thunderfire Star Cave.

Upon his return, he resumed his usual agricultural life, mostly remaining inside the cave abode, cultivating spiritual plants, and breeding Spirit Beasts.

In his spare time, he would refine the True Sword Liquid and draw several high-rank Sword Talismans, fulfilling the tasks given to him by Huanzhen Sword Peak.

One day, as he was checking the condition of the spiritual plants, an acquaintance arrived outside the cave.

“Fellow Lu, you’ve been back so long and haven’t contacted an old friend?”

A gentle female voice, like flowing water, reached Lu Xuan’s ears.

With a sweep of his Spiritual Sense, he saw a woman in green clothes, exuding a fresh and natural aura, standing outside the cave.

“It’s Hermit Yu Lin!”

Lu Xuan hurriedly went out to greet the visitor.

“Just returned from Thunder Fire Asterism Cave not long ago, busy dealing with some trivial matters, tending to the Spirit Plants inside the cave abode, and was thinking of visiting Fellow Daoist in the Green Wood Star Cave, but I didn’t expect that you would come here first.”

“Lu feels ashamed.”

A trace of apology appeared on Lu Xuan’s face as he smiled and welcomed Hermit Yu Lin into his cave abode.

“I thought after Friend Lu became a disciple of the Dongxuan Sword Sect, you had forgotten about this old friend.”

Hermit Yu Lin’s eyes shimmered as she spoke softly.

“It’s my fault, I’ll punish myself with three cups.”

Lu Xuan brought out some Spirit Fruit Spirit Brew, saying with a smile.

The two had known each other for many years, often gathering with three or five other Spirit Plant Masters to exchange insights on cultivating Spirit Plants, and were quite close.

After not seeing each other for several years, they exchanged pleasantries briefly before Hermit Yu Lin suddenly sighed softly.

“To be honest, this young lady has always envied Friend Lu for joining the Dongxuan Sword Sect.”

“We agreed we were all No-Organization Spirit Plant Masters, but suddenly Friend Lu rose high into the clouds and joined such a giant as the Dongxuan Sword Sect.”

“Luck, all luck.”

“Actually, Lu comes from a branch of the Sword Sect. By a fortunate coincidence, I met an uncle from the Sword Sect who valued my skills in cultivating Sword Grass and brewing Spirit Brew, so he brought me back to the Sword Sect.”

Lu Xuan explained briefly.

“Opportunities often come to those who are prepared, and it was precisely because of your surpassing mastery in cultivating spiritual plants that you could seize that sliver of opportunity and change your fate.”

Hermit Yu Lin was deeply moved.

“How have you been recently, Fellow Yu Lin?”

Lu Xuan asked with concern.

“Same as always.”

“It’s just that the Green Wood Star Cave has been somewhat restless lately.”

“Oh? What’s happening?”

“In the Green Wood Star Cave, there is a mysterious secret land called the Sky Wave Tree Realm, which houses a large number of wood-related monsters and many treasures. However, no one has discovered the whereabouts of this Tree Realm until now.

A few months ago, several Golden Core Real People accidentally found an entrance to the Sky Wave Tree Realm. After the news spread, many ‘Cultivators’ came, hoping to enter the Tree Realm and get a share of the spoils.”

“Sky Wave Tree Realm?”

Lu Xuan felt a jump in his heart, but he maintained a calm expression.

“Are there many treasures inside?”

“The area of the Sky Wave Tree Realm is immensely vast, covering almost half of the Green Wood Star Cave and fully integrated into the special environment of the Star Cave, without a fixed entrance.”

“But this time it’s different, that entrance has been marked by ‘Cultivators’, making it easy to enter.”

“Why, does Friend Lu want to explore it?”

Hermit Yu Lin asked curiously.

“If there are a lot of wood-related heavenly materials and earth treasures, Lu is indeed somewhat interested.”

Lu Xuan replied casually, but he had already guessed the origin of this supposed Sky Wave Tree Realm.

“It must be the residence of Xuan Ji Tree Mother and those dozen or so Little Tree Maidens in the cave abode.”

“Now that people have found a fixed entrance, those Plant Spirits inside will hardly be able to live in such tranquility again.”

He felt sorry in his heart for the cute monsters he had seen.

However, he did not have the intention to get involved.

First, he had met Xuan Ji Tree Mother only a few times, and his relation with her was nowhere close to that with the Green Horn Thunder Son. He had just acquired some Little Tree Maidens from her, saving her a significant amount of resources, barely evening things out, and it wasn’t worth getting involved on her behalf.

Secondly, he surmised that Xuan Ji Tree Mother possessed strength not inferior to a Primordial Infant True Monarch, and in the Tree Realm, where she had home-field advantage and could manifest in myriad forms, embodying all the Plant Spirits, there was no need to worry about her safety.