Chapter 73: Divine Epiphyllum Immortal Tree
Chapter 73: Divine Epiphyllum Immortal Tree
The door of the Matrix Tower opened.
Chang Baimei walked into the Matrix Tower, beaming as he greeted Revered Qin and Revered Mo.
Revered Mo did not recognize Elder Chang Baimei, but upon seeing him, Revered Qin immediately revealed an excited expression. “Qin Huai greets Great Inspector Envoy!”
Inspector Envoy?
Lu Hangzhi froze. He then saw Mo Li’s expression become equally excited. “Could it be, sir, that you are Honorable Chang Baimei? The one who alone held back the tide eighty years ago? The peak Spirit Condensation Stage expert who suppressed the Mutated Bloodline?”
“Indeed.”
Qin Huai stated, “That very gentleman. After that battle, Honorable Chang Baimei was promoted to Inspector Envoy of the Southern District of Two Realms Mountain for his first-class merit. He guards the third defense line in the southern district.”
The Southern District’s Inspector Envoy was equivalent to one of the four great chiefs of the Reinforcement Department. He possessed the authority to command personnel deployment in the Southern District defense line and mobilize the Reinforcement Department. He also held the power of life and death, truly a powerful figure holding real sway over Two Realms Mountain.
“Mo Li greets Great Inspector Envoy.”
Mo Li promptly offered a respectful bow.
Chang Baimei wore a gentle smile from start to end. His gaze moved across the faces of the two Revered Ones before nodding lightly. “You two are the backbone of Two Realms Mountain! There’s no need for such formalities! Today, we found a method to block the invading Demon Beast Mist; your contribution is immense. This Envoy has already petitioned the Reinforcement Department for merits on your behalf. Third-class merit. Unless something unexpected occurs, you each will receive a copy of the ‘Mind Convergence Canon,’ a top-grade Magical Artifact, and an offensive Magical Artifact.”
Lu Hangzhi and Nangong Jun were instantly dumbstruck.
The mere rewards of top-grade Magical Artifacts and Magical Artifacts left them speechless.
Revered Qin and Revered Mo also gasped slightly before expressing their gratitude.
“The Great Inspector Envoy bestows generous gifts. This humble subordinate accepts them undeservedly.”
“You have earned them.”
Chang Baimei finished with a smile, then shifted his gaze to Lu Hangzhi and Nangong Jun standing behind the two Revered Ones. “You two are also disciples of outstanding potential. For Revered Mo to have such successors… he may be proud for life. Truly a cause for celebration.”
“Pay your respects to the Great Inspector Envoy!”
“Yes!”
Lu Hangzhi and Nangong Jun quickly stepped forward respectfully.
“Hangzhi Jun’er greets Great Inspector Envoy.”
“Good.”
Because of the Divine Sense Barrier, Chang Baimei hadn’t been able to sense the detailed situation inside the Matrix Tower earlier and wasn’t very familiar with the two. After scrutinizing them carefully, he let out a soft sound of surprise, fixing his gaze on Lu Hangzhi.
“That set of Artifact Flying Swords is quite impressive. To what level have you cultivated them?”
“Reporting to Great Inspector Envoy, this junior feels ashamed. I have only reached ‘One Thought Six Movements,’ still far from the Minor Achievement realm.”
“At such a young age, achieving ‘One Thought Six Movements’ is already remarkable. It enables you to challenge cultivators above your own grade—an Eighth-Grade Cultivator wouldn’t be a problem.”
Chang Baimei couldn’t help but show a hint of appreciation in his smile.
“Given time, Two Realms Mountain will gain another elite.”
“You flatter me, Great Envoy.”
“As it’s our first meeting, I can’t let juniors leave empty-handed. These two fruits are something this Envoy kept from his younger days. Consider them a meeting gift for you two youngsters.”
As he spoke, he presented a jade plate holding two shriveled, ugly-looking fruits.
“This is…”
Revered Qin and Revered Mo were quite knowledgeable, yet they stared blankly, utterly failing to recognize the origin of the items on the plate. They hesitated for a long time.
Chang Baimei smiled awkwardly.
“My apologies. I kept them too long. Much of their Magic Power has faded. No wonder you don’t recognize them. But it’s no big deal. They are still effective in helping an Epiphany Stage cultivator advance a minor grade.”
Lu Hangzhi and Nangong Jun quickly accepted them, holding them carefully.
“Thank you, Great Envoy!!”
Chang Baimei smiled meaningfully, gesturing for them to consume the fruits immediately.
Lu Hangzhi and Nangong Jun dared not disobey.
Though the fruits looked unappetizing, devoid of any Spiritual Energy, this was a generous gift from a peak Spirit Condensation Stage powerhouse. Trusting his words, they placed the whole fruits, skin and all, into their mouths.
BOOM!!!
Lu Hangzhi felt his body shudder violently. The fruit in his mouth suddenly turned scalding hot…
But it wasn’t a harmful heat.
It was as if the Magic Power hidden beneath the withered peel had abruptly boiled over, surging relentlessly into his Spiritual Power Pool. It caused tremendous turbulence, making his whole body swell with intense heat.
Nangong Jun’s cultivation was already at the peak of Seventh Grade. The moment she swallowed the fruit, her aura instantly soared to Eighth Grade! It kept climbing vigorously, rapidly stabilizing at early Eighth Grade before advancing steadily towards mid-Eighth Grade. The sheer intensity of her rising momentum was astonishing.
Revered Qin and Revered Mo exchanged a swift, shocked glance.
This was far more than just advancing one minor grade! It was clearly propelling her straight from peak Seventh Grade towards mid-to-late Eighth Grade!
Lu Hangzhi’s situation was even more astonishing.
He had only recently used Demon Beast Inner Cores to reach mid-Sixth Grade. Now, with the Spirit Fruit in his mouth, his Spiritual Power Pool churned like stormy seas. It expanded forcefully, almost doubling in capacity! A vast tide of Magic Power continued to crash against its walls relentlessly…
Mid-Sixth to Peak Sixth…
Peak Sixth to early Seventh Grade…
Early Seventh Grade to mid-Seventh Grade!
His Spiritual Power Pool expanded wildly. His cultivation level rocketed upwards unchecked.
Chang Baimei also showed surprise.
Lu Hangzhi’s situation was somewhat unusual.
By all reasoning,
The fruit he had produced was over a hundred years old. Even sealed in the jade plate to preserve its Magic Power, its effect shouldn’t still be this potent.
Besides…
Nangong Jun’s case proved the point. She surged to mid-Eighth Grade before her progress gradually slowed and plateaued.
Lu Hangzhi, however, charged straight to mid-Seventh Grade without slowing. His momentum remained strong, showing every sign of breaking through to late Seventh Grade and striding directly towards its peak!
“This is…”
A flicker of true surprise finally crossed Chang Baimei’s face. He closed his eyes, extending his Spiritual Sense to meticulously examine Lu Hangzhi’s condition. He finally detected a faint, unique aroma… and then an expression of understanding dawned on him. He murmured,
“So that’s it… The fragrance of the Divine Epiphyllum Tree?”
Hearing this, Revered Qin and Revered Mo were utterly shocked. They blurted out,
“Divine Epiphyllum Tree? The legendary Immortal Tree that, when its bloom is witnessed, can elevate a Ninth Grade Epiphany Stage cultivator by an entire major realm?”
That was a legendary stroke of fortune!
This kid…
Had lucked out immensely!
“There’s no mistake.”
Chang Baimei smiled faintly.
“This youngster must have encountered a Divine Epiphyllum Tree in bloom while his cultivation was still low. He likely absorbed all its Spiritual Energy by chance… Hmph… Had it been another kind of heavenly treasure, he might have been overwhelmed, leading to disaster. But the Divine Epiphyllum Tree is uniquely gentle. The Spiritual Energy he couldn’t digest was embedded deep within his flesh and blood, suppressed until now… only to be reawakened…”
As he spoke, Lu Hangzhi had already closed his eyes. His entire being immersed itself in the wild expansion of his Spiritual Power Pool. He shut down his external senses, focusing solely on protecting his vital pool.
Only after the Divine Epiphyllum Tree’s Spiritual Energy within him was fully refined by the pool did his surging aura finally begin to settle… gradually stabilizing at the peak of Seventh Grade.
Nangong Jun had awoken earlier.
Sensing the powerful aura radiating from Lu Hangzhi—undeniably matching her own previous peak strength—she felt both shock and joy. She bowed deeply again. “Thank you, Great Inspector Envoy, for your generous gift!”
Chang Baimei smiled, his gaze still fixed on Lu Hangzhi.
What an interesting young man.
He originally intended to help him reach the Seventh Grade cultivation base and solidify his footing at Two Realms Mountain. However, he didn’t expect that the boy had a fortuitous encounter, enabling him to advance rapidly to the peak of Seventh Grade and nearly touch the barrier of Eighth Grade. It was both surprising and amusing.
“Never mind, you all take good care of the young man. I have important duties to attend to, so I must bid farewell.”
“Mo Li, on behalf of my disciple’s grandson Hangzhi, thanks the Inspector Envoy for your generous gift.”
“…”
Chang Baimei waved his hand with a smile and left the Matrix Tower.
The tower was then left with only Revered Qin, Revered Mo, Nangong Jun, and Lu Hangzhi, who remained immersed in a peculiar state.
“He truly has remarkable encounters.”
“I never expected your disciple’s grandson not only saved both of us but also had the fortune to encounter the Divine Epiphyllum Tree. Now he has even caught the attention of the Inspector Envoy. His future prospects are likely boundless.”
Revered Qin laughed heartily.
Mo Li’s tone shifted:
“I’m just worried that his rapid growth and brilliance might attract the attention of another group in the Marketplace.”
“Are you referring to Gu Lie?”
Revered Qin’s expression turned serious.
“Exactly.”
Mo Li replied with a worried look:
“Hangzhi’s sudden leap from the mid Sixth Rank to the peak of Seventh Grade will surely draw the attention of Gu Lie and other Evil Cultivators. Gu Lie alone is not a big concern, but I fear it might reach the ears of other Spirit Concentrating Evil Cultivators.”
Just then, a faint fluctuation of Magic Power emanated from around Lu Hangzhi.
Both sensed it simultaneously and probed with their Spiritual Sense.
“Huh?”
“What’s this…”
“What happened? Why is Hangzhi’s cultivation base dropping again?”
Revered Qin showed a startled expression.
If not for his worry that Inspector Envoy Chang Baimei might not have gone far and could overhear, he almost blurted out, ‘Has the Spirit Fruit expired?’
“Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
Mo Li understood after scanning the situation.
He nodded and smiled:
“Hangzhi, are you awake already?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Hangzhi opened his eyes and nodded:
“Disciple is still refining and purifying Magic Power and cannot rise to greet you. I hope Revered Qin and Ancestral Master will forgive me.”
“No problem.”
Mo Li nodded with a smile:
“We were just worried that your rapid advancement by one major realm and two minor realms would attract Evil Cultivators. It turns out you’ve already solved the issue yourself. Well done. My foolish disciple finally made a wise decision.”
Uh!
Hearing Mo Li speak of his Master Chen Ji in such a way, Lu Hangzhi broke into a cold sweat, feeling too awkward to respond. He silently continued practicing The Path to Divinity to refine his Magic Power.
As the Magic Power continued to purify and expel impurities, the Magic Power in the Spiritual Power Pool quickly depleted, resembling a nearly dried-up lake with only a small pond’s worth of Magic Power left. However, a closer look revealed that the Magic Power in the small pond had transformed from its original milky white to a gleaming silver, becoming thicker and more substantial.
Under Nangong Jun’s astonished gaze, Lu Hangzhi’s cultivation level dropped from the peak of Seventh Grade to the peak of Sixth Grade, becoming much more stable.
“Little Junior Brother?”
“So what is your actual strength now?”
Nangong Jun asked.
Upon hearing this, Lu Hangzhi closed his eyes to inspect himself, then opened them and smiled: “The Path to Divinity truly lives up to its reputation as a Superior-Grade Spell Technique. While refining Magic Power, it has already fully stabilized my cultivation base. I feel my physical strength and Magic Power have increased by more than double compared to before. I can already exert strength above the late Seventh Grade, and with some more cultivation, I should be able to break through again.”
“…” Nangong Jun’s mouth slightly opened, utterly stunned.
This…
was just too fast!
She was only at the late Eighth Grade.
Her Little Junior Brother had already charged straight to the peak of Seventh Grade and was preparing to advance to Eighth Grade.
What would Lü Liang and Xiong Qi think when they met again three years later upon returning to the Xuanxin Sect?