239: Wood Spirit Awakens

The Giant Treant—the Guardian Sentry of the Ancient Wood Deep Forest—spoke in a low, earnest voice that echoed in everyone's minds. It carried a heavy, undeniable power, and the final hope of an ancient father praying for his dying child.

Qin Feng's thoughts raced in a flash. Refuse? This Guardian Sentry was at least a Late Stage Martial Emperor, perhaps even stronger; they had just watched it crush a Mountain-Moving Violent Bear, an early-stage Martial Emperor, with a single stomp! The cage of ancient vines surrounding them, radiating an indestructible aura, was certainly no bluff. The consequences of forcing their way out or refusing were unthinkable.

However, agreeing to treat the creature meant letting Xiaochun step forward, exposing her to the gaze of such a terrifying existence. Although the other party had sworn by the forest's will that they meant no harm... if her Myriad Medicine Body were exposed, would it draw even deeper greed? In this ancient and eerie forest, any accident could happen.

Xiaochun clutched Qin Feng's sleeve nervously. She could clearly feel the flickering life force of the heavily injured treant, like a candle in the wind, as well as the deep pain and plea in the Guardian Sentry's words. Her innate kindness and affinity for plants made her feel pity, but she knew that Brother Feng was the one to make the decision.

Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom exchanged a glance, their expressions solemn as they shook their heads slightly. Their mission was to protect, and their primary principle was to avoid uncontrollable risks. This Guardian Sentry before them was the greatest source of risk.

Xia Ya gripped her giant shield, and a cold glint flickered at Ji Ruxue's fingertips.

The pressure was entirely on Qin Feng's shoulders.

He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the dying treant before looking into the Guardian Sentry's two lava-like eyes. The intelligence System hadn't provided a warning earlier, which meant the Guardian Sentry's 'request' itself held no direct killing intent or trap.

This was also one of the reasons he had dared to come and investigate.

The other party had mentioned 'repayment' and 'safe passage and guidance.' This might... be a trading opportunity where crisis and benefit coexisted.

Weighing the pros and cons in an instant, Qin Feng stepped forward half a pace, shielding Xiaochun behind him. He cupped his fists toward the Guardian Sentry and spoke in a steady, clear voice, "Senior's love for your child is moving. We were merely passing through and did not wish to get involved in any disputes, but seeing the young tree suffer such a senseless disaster, we also feel regret."

He shifted his tone, looking directly at the other party. "This companion of mine does indeed possess some special methods that might be able to stabilize your child's injuries. However, I must state in advance: our cultivation is limited, and we can only do our best. We cannot guarantee a complete cure for the injury to its Origin. Furthermore, while she is providing treatment, our companions must act as Protectors to ensure safety. If Senior agrees, we are willing to give it a try."

These words expressed a willingness to help (giving the other party hope) while setting boundaries (only doing their best, no guarantees). More importantly, he set safety conditions, positioning themselves as 'helpers doing their best' rather than 'forced tools for treatment.'

The Guardian Sentry's lava-like eyes flickered slightly, as if it understood the caution and conditions in Qin Feng's words. It did not grow angry; instead, a hint of understanding appeared in its thick voice: "Agreed. Your safety within my territory shall be guaranteed by me. Please... be quick."

As the words fell, the surrounding cage of intertwined vines silently parted to both sides, opening a path to the messy clearing. However, they still faintly circled the perimeter; clearly, the guard had not been fully withdrawn.

"Xiaochun, be careful," Qin Feng whispered, signaling Tao Yuanyi and the others with his eyes.

The group understood and immediately formed a tight defensive formation. Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom stood on either side, their auras locked onto the Guardian Sentry's main body (though they knew it wouldn't do much, the gesture was necessary). Xia Ya held her giant shield in front, Ji Ruxue protected the flank and rear, and Qin Feng stayed close to Xiaochun's side. Although the ink plum sword was not unsheathed, Sword Intent already swirled around him, and the defenses of the white dragon armor and heavenly silkworm jade thread garment were raised to their limits.

Xiaochun nodded, forcing herself to be calm. She carefully stepped out from the protection of the group and approached the treant with the weak aura. The closer she got, the clearer the thick sorrow, pain, and the fresh scent of plant blood became. The northern darkness star essence pearl she wore on her chest sent out a warm, moist coolness, putting her mind at ease.

She crouched down and extended her fair palm, gently pressing it near the cracked wound on the treant's trunk, which was constantly oozing dark green sap. Closing her eyes, she quietly activated the Returning Origin Guiding Heart Art.

A pure, emerald-green glow filled with vibrant life force slowly flowed from Xiaochun's palm. Like the gentlest of streams, it seeped into the treant's hideous wound. Wherever the glow passed, the violent and chaotic wood-attribute Yao energy seemed to be slightly calmed. The sap leaking frantically from the edges of the wound slowed down, and even some tiny cracks showed signs of extremely slow closure under the nourishment of the life force.

The treant's weak wail seemed to lessen slightly, and the distorted face of pain on its trunk relaxed a bit.

The Guardian Sentry's lava-like gaze watched intently. The rhythm of the dancing vines around them slowed, showing its tension and anticipation.

Time passed bit by bit. Fine beads of sweat gradually broke out on Xiaochun's forehead, and her face began to turn pale. The Returning Origin Guiding Heart Art, combined with her own life force, was indeed effective at stabilizing external wounds and guiding disordered Yao energy. However, the treant had been heavily injured by the brute force of the Mountain-Moving Violent Bear. Its Origin core (similar to a Yao Beast's inner core or a human's Dantian and Divine Soul) had been shaken and eroded. Such deep-seated damage could not be cured by simple life force nourishment.

She could feel that the life force she injected was like a stone sinking into the ocean; it could only alleviate pain on the periphery, but it was difficult to reach the silent, dim, and crack-riddled Origin core. To truly awaken and repair it required a more fundamental and powerful force of creation, such as... the full activation of the Myriad Medicine Body's Origin life force.

Xiaochun opened her eyes and looked at Qin Feng with a sense of helplessness and exhaustion. She shook her head gently and whispered, "The external wounds can be stabilized a bit, but the inside... with my current strength, I can't get in, and I can't fix it."

Qin Feng's heart sank; it was as he expected. He had long anticipated that an injury to the Origin of a Half-step Martial Emperor-level treant would not be so easily healed. Although Xiaochun had the Myriad Medicine Body, her cultivation was still shallow, and her control and mastery over her Physique were far from profound.

He looked at the Guardian Sentry, shook his head, and said frankly, "Senior, my companion has done her best. Your child's external wounds can be somewhat stabilized, but the injury to the Origin... is beyond our current capabilities. I am sorry."

The Guardian Sentry's lava-like eyes dimmed for a moment, and its massive body seemed to slouch. The suppressed pain and disappointment almost became tangible. The surrounding vines hung down limply.

"As expected... is it still limited..." The ancient voice was full of bitterness and helplessness. "Even the purest Wood Spirit rhythm cannot awaken its Origin... Is it really..."

Just then—

A sudden change occurred!

Without any warning, the entire Ancient Wood Deep Forest gave a soft 'hum'!

It wasn't a sound, but an extremely grand, ancient, and profound oscillation of will. Like the invisible ripples caused by a sleeping behemoth turning over, it instantly swept through the entire forest! Everyone present, including that powerful Guardian Sentry, felt their Souls tremble slightly, as if they had been casually glanced at by some supreme existence!

Immediately after, a low and thick pulsation came from deep beneath everyone's feet, like the heart of the earth awakening and beating! Countless visible, crystal-clear pale green light spots drifted out from every leaf, every blade of grass, and every inch of soil in the forest. Like fireflies being summoned, they converged toward this clearing, especially toward the heavily injured treant!

In the center of the clearing, amidst the trampled mud, a brilliant emerald light—containing endless life force and ancient majesty—suddenly lit up! The light grew brighter and brighter, gradually condensing and rising until it finally transformed into a blurred figure composed of pure light and spirit.

It looked like a tree yet wasn't a tree, like a person yet wasn't a person. Its entire body was made of flowing jade-like light, with the faint outlines of branches, leaves, and roots visible. It radiated an indescribable, vast aura that seemed to breathe and share the fate of the entire Ancient Wood Deep Forest. Just by existing there, it commanded awe, as if one were facing the eternal Soul of this ancient forest.

Ancient Wood Deep Forest—Guardian Wood Spirit!

It had awakened!

The moment the Guardian Sentry saw this figure of light, its massive body shook violently. Then, an unbelievable ecstasy and immense reverence erupted in its lava-like eyes. It slowly and almost piously lowered its dancing vines, its entire 'body' bowing low to welcome the manifestation of the will of the forest's true Dominator!

Qin Feng and the others were even more shaken. Before this vast, ancient, pure, and incredibly powerful natural will, they felt as small as dust. Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom's faces were deathly pale; their Late Stage Martial King cultivation seemed laughable even to think of resisting before such an existence.

The light figure of the Guardian Wood Spirit turned slightly. Its gaze, which lacked features yet seemed to see through everything, first fell upon the heavily injured treant, revealing clear pity and anger. Then, its gaze swept over Qin Feng and the others, who were prepared for a great enemy and on full alert. Finally, it fixed upon Xiaochun, who was pale from overexertion and had not yet recovered from this shocking turn of events.