Feather Movement

Nightmare struggled to wake up once again from the boundless darkness and intense pain.

The moment his consciousness returned, he instinctively tried to spring up and assume a defensive posture, but this movement aggravated his full-body injuries, causing him to let out a suppressed groan before falling back down.

He found himself lying on a simple wooden bed covered with soft dry grass, inside a small treehouse. The treehouse was constructed from natural wood and vines, filled with the breath of life. The air was permeated with a faint, refreshing fragrance of herbs and wood, which instantly lifted his spirits, and even the intense pain in his body seemed to lessen slightly.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled spots of light inside the room. Outside the window, he could hear the crisp chirping of birds and the babbling of running water, an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, completely different from the perilous battles he had recently endured.

Where is this place?

Nightmare instantly became vigilant. Enduring the intense pain, he struggled to circulate his Divine Sense to examine himself.

His injuries were extremely severe. Due to repeatedly forcing the circulation of Demonic Essence, burning his vital blood, resisting attacks head-on, and the crushing force of the final spatial transmission, many of his Meridians were fractured, his demonic gold core was covered in cracks and dim, and his Myriad Poison Demonic Body was severely damaged, teetering on the verge of collapse.

If not for the Minor Achievement of his Demonic Body, which gave him a much deeper Foundation than ordinary Cultivators of the same stage, his cultivation would have been completely crippled, or he might have already perished.

Strangely, however, a gentle, vital energy was enveloping his wounds, slowly but continuously repairing his damaged Meridians and Physical Body, and suppressing the rampant foreign energies. This energy was not his own; it came from an external source.

His gaze swept the room. The treehouse was simple; besides the wooden bed, there was only a wooden table. On the table sat a wooden bowl containing half a bowl of emerald green liquid that exuded intense vitality.

Was this the effect of the liquid?

Who saved him? What was their motive?

Nightmare's eyes were cold. He tried to communicate with the System, but found that the System, too, seemed to have fallen into a deeper level of silence due to excessive energy consumption. Only the most basic character status panel could be barely accessed; all other functions were grayed out.

Just as he was secretly vigilant and pondering countermeasures, the treehouse door was gently pushed open.

A girl, wearing simple hemp clothes and a wreath on her head, who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, walked in carrying a bowl of clear water. When she saw Nightmare's eyes open, she first froze, then broke into a surprised smile: "Ah! You're awake? Grandpa! Grandpa! He's awake!"

The girl's voice was clear and pleasant, like a mountain spring, and her eyes were pure, showing no sign of deceit.

Soon, an old man with white hair and beard, a benevolent face, and holding a Green Wood Staff slowly walked in. The old man exuded a harmonious aura that seemed integrated with nature. His cultivation... Nightmare couldn't discern it immediately. It seemed like he was only in the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet also unfathomable.

"Young friend, you are finally awake." The old man smiled gently, his voice mild. "How do you feel? Your injuries were severe. If A'Yao hadn't found you unconscious by the stream and brought you back, and if we hadn't used our tribe's unique 'Spring of Vitality' to sustain your life, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

"Spring of Vitality?" Nightmare's gaze swept over the bowl of emerald green liquid on the table, and he spoke in a hoarse voice, "Thank you both for saving me. Where is this place? And who are you?"

"This old man is Mu Huan, and this is my granddaughter A'Yao," the Elder said, stroking his beard. "This place is the **Wood Spirit Valley** on the edge of the Southern Wasteland Demon Domain. Our tribe has lived in seclusion here for generations, avoiding worldly conflicts."

The Wood Spirit Clan? Nightmare searched his memory but found no record. It seemed to be a small, reclusive tribe.

"Thank you, Elder Mu, and Miss A'Yao, for saving my life." Nightmare suppressed his doubts and spoke politely. "I am Nightmare. I was pursued by enemies and stumbled into this place. I will leave as soon as my injuries improve slightly, and I promise not to disturb your tribe's peace."

With his injuries still unhealed and the System silent, it was best not to cause trouble. He needed to stabilize the situation and recover his strength first.

"Young friend Nightmare, there is no need for politeness; meeting is fate." Elder Mu Huan waved his hand and looked deeply at Nightmare. "Your injuries are extremely severe and cannot be healed in a single day. Rest here and recover in peace. The valley is surrounded by an Illusion Array set up by our ancestors, making it difficult for outsiders to find."

Nightmare's heart stirred slightly. The old man seemed to imply something, but he couldn't detect any malice, so he followed the cue and said, "Then I shall trouble you."

Over the next few days, Nightmare stayed temporarily in the Wood Spirit Valley.

He secretly observed his surroundings while silently circulating the Myriad Poison Demonic Scripture to absorb the dense herbal Spiritual Qi from the valley and the medicinal power of the "Spring of Vitality" to heal his injuries.

The Wood Spirit Clan seemed small in population, all living in similar treehouses. Their customs were simple, and they were content to live peacefully, mainly subsisting by cultivating Spirit Medicine and hunting low-level Yao Beasts. Elder Mu Huan was highly respected within the tribe. The girl, A'Yao, brought him the Spring of Vitality and some spiritual fruits every day.

The Spiritual Qi within the valley was peaceful and pure, greatly benefiting the repair of his injuries. However, his Demonic Path Cultivation Technique was incompatible with the local aura, so his absorption efficiency was low, and he dared not circulate it at full power for fear of exposing his Foundation.

His recovery was unusually slow. At this rate, he wouldn't be able to restore his fighting strength for at least one or two months.

This made Nightmare anxious. Gu Qingying, having had her Opportunity stolen, would certainly not let the matter rest, and her sect would likely investigate. He had to recover his strength and leave this place as soon as possible.

On this day, A'Yao brought the Spring of Vitality again. Looking at Nightmare's still pale complexion, the girl's eyes showed sympathy, and she said clearly, "Big Brother Ye, your injuries seem to be healing very slowly. If only... if only the 'Sacred Tree' were still here, its aura is the best for healing! Before, no matter how badly someone in the tribe was injured, they would get better just by lying under the Sacred Tree for a few days!"

"The Sacred Tree?" Nightmare's heart stirred.

"Alas, it's a pity the Sacred Tree suddenly withered many years ago..." A'Yao's small face drooped, full of disappointment. "Grandpa and the tribal Elders tried many methods, but none worked..."

The speaker had no intention, but the listener took note.

Nightmare comforted A'Yao outwardly, but his mind became active.

A Sacred Tree that could quickly heal severe injuries? Although withered, perhaps something unique remained? Maybe it could help him recover from his injuries?

After A'Yao left, Nightmare subtly inquired about the Sacred Tree with Elder Mu Huan.

Upon hearing this, the old man sighed, his eyes filled with recollection and sorrow. "The Sacred Tree is the Foundation of our Wood Spirit Clan. The vitality it emits can nourish all things and dispel evil spirits and sickness. Unfortunately, over a hundred years ago, for reasons unknown, the Sacred Tree's vitality suddenly drained away rapidly, causing it to wither quickly. Our tribe tried everything we could but couldn't save it, only watching helplessly as it... alas..."

"May this Junior go and pay respects? Perhaps... I might discover something?" Nightmare probed.

Elder Mu Huan glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and nodded. "Very well, young friend. Since you are no Mortal, perhaps there truly is an Opportunity for you. The Sacred Tree is in the Forbidden Ground at the deepest part of the valley. I shall take you there."

Led by Mu Huan, Nightmare arrived at the Forbidden Ground in the deepest part of the valley.

The vitality here was actually denser than in other areas, yet a profound sense of deathly silence and sorrow enveloped the surroundings.

In the center of the Forbidden Ground stood an impossibly huge withered tree. Its trunk was so thick it would take ten people to circle it, but it was scorched black all over, devoid of a single leaf. All its branches twisted toward the sky, resembling a desperate scream, filled with a sense of desolation.

This was the Sacred Tree of the Wood Spirit Clan. Although it had withered, one could still sense the immense life force it once possessed.

Nightmare slowly approached and reached out to touch the scorched black trunk.

The touch was cold and hard, without the slightest hint of vitality.

He tried to circulate the Myriad Poison Demonic Scripture, but he couldn't draw any energy from the withered tree.

Just as he was secretly disappointed and preparing to withdraw his hand—

An unexpected change suddenly occurred!

Inside his System space, the azure luan inheritance plume, which had been silent, seemed to be triggered by some aura. It began to tremble on its own, emitting a faint, seven-colored stream of light!

At the same time, the colossal withered remains of the Sacred Tree seemed to resonate with the plume. Deep within the scorched black trunk, an extremely faint, almost extinguished emerald green radiance stubbornly flickered for a moment!

Although it was only for an instant, both Nightmare and the nearby Elder Mu Huan clearly felt it!

"This... what is this?!" Elder Mu Huan's body shook violently, and his eyes burst forth with incredibly excited light as he stared intently at the fleeting emerald green spot. "The Sacred Tree... the Sacred Tree still has a trace of sentience remaining?!"

He suddenly looked at Nightmare, his voice trembling: "Young friend Ye! Do you... do you have something on you that contains the purest vitality or Wood Spirit Origin?!"

Nightmare was also greatly startled!

The Azure Luan is an ancient divine bird, controlling wind and life. Its plume indeed contains a trace of the power of Life Origin! Could the withering of this Sacred Tree be related to the loss of its vitality? And could the power of the Azure Luan Plume sense it, or even... supplement it?

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Nightmare's mind.

What benefits would reviving the Sacred Tree bring him? Quicker recovery from injuries? Deeper gratitude and trust from the Wood Spirit Clan? Perhaps... even other unexpected benefits?

What about the risks? Would exposing the Azure Luan Plume attract covetous eyes?

But looking at Elder Mu Huan's excited and hopeful eyes, and this desolate Sacred Tree... a look of determination flashed in Nightmare's eyes.

He decided to gamble!

He nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "This Junior did coincidentally obtain an item that seems to contain peculiar vitality. Perhaps it is worth a try. However, this Junior cannot guarantee whether it can save the Sacred Tree."

Elder Mu Huan was so excited that tears streamed down his face. He repeatedly said, "No matter! No matter! As long as there is a sliver of hope, it is an immense kindness to our Wood Spirit Clan! Regardless of success or failure, our Wood Spirit Clan will forever be grateful for your great virtue!"

Nightmare said no more. With a thought, the shimmering **azure luan inheritance plume** appeared in his hand.

The moment the plume appeared, a seven-colored halo flowed, and a sacred, vital aura permeated the area, seemingly rejuvenating all the vegetation in the Forbidden Ground!

The withered Sacred Tree itself began to **tremble** violently. The faint emerald green radiance deep within the trunk lit up again, growing brighter and stronger at a visible rate! It was as if a traveler, parched for countless years, had finally spotted a sweet spring!

Nightmare could clearly feel that the Azure Luan Plume in his hand was emitting wisps of pure vitality, which the Sacred Tree was greedily absorbing!

It was working!

He carefully brought the plume closer to the Sacred Tree's scorched black trunk.

Just as the plume was about to touch the trunk—

Buzz!

Another anomaly arose!

The scorched, twisted patterns on the Sacred Tree's trunk suddenly shone with a dark, eerie light. A deeply hidden, bizarre suction force—**cold, deathly silent, and greedy**—the complete opposite of vitality, suddenly erupted, attempting to swallow the Azure Luan Plume along with Nightmare!

This was not merely a loss of vitality! This Sacred Tree had clearly been corroded and contaminated at its Origin by some extremely evil power!

The aura of the Azure Luan Plume not only stimulated its remaining sentience but also startled the **Evil Entity** hidden deep within!

"Not good!" Nightmare's expression changed drastically. He tried to pull back the plume, but it was already too late!

The cold, deathly silent suction force wrapped tightly around the plume and his arm like countless icy tentacles, frantically devouring his vitality and Demonic Essence!

Elder Mu Huan nearby was also stunned, clearly completely unaware of this!

"Roar—!"

A roar, neither human nor beast, filled with endless malice and greed, erupted violently from inside the Sacred Tree, sounding as if it came from the depths of the Nine Nether Hells!

The entire Wood Spirit Valley was instantly enveloped by a terrifyingly evil aura!