Chapter 38: Something Feels Off, Look Everyone

On the battlefield, the Giant Tree remained at a disadvantage.

"Ah-Li, I can't hold on much longer. How much longer do you need?" The Giant Tree’s branches extended, blocking the path of the Xuanwu skeletal beast. The divine beast’s remains let out a dull, low rumble, then suddenly opened its maw and bit down fiercely onto the Giant Tree’s trunk.

"Hiss—just hold on a little longer, I’m almost there..." The Giant Serpent rolled on the ground in a half-dead state, coiling into endless loops and crushing countless fierce creatures in its wake.

However, his cultivation level was far inferior to Ji Yaoguang’s. Moreover, his strength lay in pure offensive arts; he had no talent for sealing. Every time he attempted to seal the Source Object, it would last for only a few miserable breaths before the object corroded and shattered the seal. Simply put, he had wasted a lot of time with zero results.

Finally, the Giant Serpent steeled himself. He opened his massive maw and swallowed the Source Object, intending to use his formidable physique to lock it within his body. Yet, the moment he swallowed the foul thing, he felt an excruciating pain that exceeded his limits. Unable to suppress his instinct, he let out a roar and spat it out.

The Giant Tree, risking being knocked over by the Xuanwu remains, lunged a branch forward and struck the Source Object with precarious timing. In an instant, the branch turned dark, the corruption spreading rapidly until it had stained nearly half of the Giant Tree.

Ji Yaoguang was so furious that his branches trembled. His treetop canopy coalesced into a distorted face, and he hissed, "Si Li! How dare you spit that toward the city!"

"Hiss—brother," the giant snake straightened his body, looking dejected. "Let’s join forces, beat this old turtle back, and then deal with this thing!"

"Hurry up!" Ji Yaoguang’s voice was uncharacteristically laced with anger. "I can't hold on—"

The massive snake body shimmered with radiant scales, spiraling through the sky in a perfect arc before winding up the tree trunk and emerging from the canopy. Its scales stood on end. Simultaneously, the Giant Tree gathered its strength; every leaf in its cloud-like canopy began to glow, drawing in the infinite spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Ice-blue spiritual power condensed into tangible light, augmenting the Giant Serpent’s massive frame. For a moment, it appeared as if carved from crystal. Utilizing the energy channeled by the Giant Tree, it opened its maw, unleashing a torrent of ice crystals like a rainstorm or a tsunami.

The ice crystals shattered the Source Object’s light barrier and surged toward the Xuanwu remains. The purple fire in the skeletal beast’s eyes surged as if its fighting spirit had been ignited. At the same time, the snake and turtle opened their maws, and a wave of purple light erupted, surging forth with unstoppable force.

The blue and purple waves collided and entwined for a moment before the ice-blue light gained the upper hand. The center of the clash began to move slowly toward the Xuanwu remains.

However, just then, countless small birds appeared in the distance, causing both of them to be startled and distracted. In that split second, the Xuanwu remains turned abruptly, dodging the range of the cold energy. The blue light struck the wilderness, causing vast stretches of ice to spread and turning the entire world into a frozen wasteland.

Yet, neither of them regretted the error; instead, they were filled with immense joy.

"Ah-Jin is healed!" The giant snake was overjoyed and stood upright. "Ah-Guang, my little brother is healed! He can use his totem again! He’s come to help us! Truly, my good brother. Wait, there’s someone sitting on him... Hiss—that person smells like you!"

Ji Yaoguang’s entire tree body trembled as he gritted his teeth. "Him coming is one thing... but why did he bring Ah-Zhao along!"

"If I didn't bring him, you probably wouldn't be able to hold on." A second later, Si Jin landed silently beside a tree branch. "Alright, let’s make this quick. With Xiao Zhao and me here, this match shouldn't be hard to win."

*Oh no, Ah-Zhao’s identity is exposed!*

Ji Yaoguang felt a tightness in his chest, but he knew this wasn't the time to dwell on it. He could only continue to stretch his shade, layering extra protection in front of Ah-Zhao to keep him from being harmed by the shockwaves.

Lin Zhao looked calm. As he landed on the branch and steadied himself, he didn't hesitate to reach out and press his hand against the canopy.

In an instant, the living, black patches on the Giant Tree rapidly gathered toward Lin Zhao’s palm. The tree seemed to feel the warmth of the sun; the black patches burned away like firewood, and a warm, constant flow of energy poured from his hand. This exquisite delicacy went to Lin Zhao’s head; he not only hugged the trunk but couldn't help pressing his face against it.

The great tree stiffened for a moment.

However, the delicious taste lasted only a short while. Soon, the black patches on the Giant Tree vanished entirely. The tree stretched its branches, and endless spiritual energy gathered once more from all directions. This time, the power was far greater than before.

Si Jin stood to the side, singing softly. Countless spectral images of birds circled him, forming concentric circles that carried his voice far and wide. For a time, a beautiful melody filled the world. The tune shifted rapidly from a high, bright crescendo to a serene, empty silence. The skeletal remains seemed to be triggered by memories of its past, falling into an eerie stillness.

At the same time, Lin Zhao pressed his hand onto the Giant Serpent coiling around the tree and took a sip. It was also a delicious taste—rich, mellow, like silky chocolate—but unfortunately, there was very little of it, and it was gone after a few bites.

The giant snake felt the heavy shackles on his soul vanish instantly. His body was flooded with the strength that had been suppressed for so long. He had never fought such a wealthy battle before, and for a moment, he felt positively lightheaded.

Thus, two Heavenly Shamans, one Emperor, and an auxiliary force that had cleared all negative status effects unleashed their strongest attack. An immense amount of frost gathered in the Giant Serpent’s throat—pure, unadulterated power. When it reached its peak, he contracted his chest and abdomen, his massive wings bulging, and then he let out a violent blast.

Endless cold light shone. The Xuanwu remains could only manage to gather a single bead of light before being struck head-on. Along with the city on its back, it was sealed deep within thousands of meters of ice.

The massive tree grew and coiled over the ice-encased city, and massive black spots began to emerge from the roots, which Lin Zhao continuously devoured as a grand feast. The feather totem on his chest glowed, lighting up one feather after another.

Time passed. Eventually, the Xuanwu remains within the ice bowed its head. The purple fire in its eyes extinguished, and the city on its back turned cold and lifeless, losing its sinister, dark aura and crumbling into ash.

The giant snake circled the turtle in disbelief, flicking his tongue. "Hiss—little brother, you didn't sing some dream-song on me, did you?"

"Are you even worth it?" Si Jin sat atop the Giant Serpent’s head, propping up his chin. "Use your brain. Why do you think Ji Yaoguang returned?"

The giant snake hissed and turned his head to probe toward Lin Zhao...

The next second, the Giant Tree vanished. The Giant Serpent coiled upon it crashed heavily to the ground, and Lin Zhao, clutching at empty air, fell from the sky.

Just as he was about to summon his own Golden Crow, he saw a familiar figure standing on the body of the Giant Serpent below.

How could he not be familiar? It had only been an hour or two, yet it felt like years had passed.

*Ah, my old tree is still as handsome as ever, even with his messy hair. A wild old tree!*

Lin Zhao’s mood inexplicably improved. He stopped trying to summon the Golden Crow and simply spread his arms.

Ji Yaoguang’s long hair was slightly disheveled. He looked up, his clear eyes fixed on Lin Zhao. Countless green vines sprouted beneath him, lifting him into the sky, and he opened his arms, reaching out to embrace the falling Ah-Zhao.

At that moment, Si Jin raised an eyebrow, appearing quietly behind Lin Zhao. He wrapped his right arm around Lin Zhao’s waist, intending to snatch the bird away.

However, at that very moment, a green vine shot out from the void behind him, striking first despite appearing later.

*Swish!* The vine lashed out, striking the top of his head with the crisp sound of cracking bone. It drove him down like a pile driver, slamming his head into the Giant Serpent’s forehead and leaving a deep crater several meters wide.

"Little brother," the giant snake said, his head throbbing as he kept his mouth shut and flicked his tongue. "Ah-Guang has the best temper in the world. What bad thing did you do to make him hit you so hard?"

"Heh!" Si Jin reached up and calmly pressed his fractured skull back into place. "Just wait and see. Some people’s tempers... I’m afraid they won't be so good from now on."

At that moment, Lin Zhao fell into Ji Yaoguang’s arms.

Ji Yaoguang looked at him and smiled gently. "Sorry, I missed the timing."

Lin Zhao looked at his smile, and the anxiety in his heart vanished, replaced by the brilliance of spring flowers. He reached out to hook his arms around the old tree’s neck and looked him over. He inexplicably wanted to kiss him... *No, he warned himself, no! The old tree will get spoiled and repeat his mistakes. This trend must not be encouraged!*

*I'll talk to him later!*

Thus, after confirming he was unhurt, Lin Zhao let go, his expression changing in a second. He grabbed the necklace on the old tree’s neck and pulled him close. "You’ve got some nerve, thinking about leaving me behind when you were in such trouble?"

"How could I ever bear to leave you? I was just too useless, unable to solve the danger for you," Ji Yaoguang’s eyes flickered. He opened his mouth, cradling Lin Zhao’s hand, his voice filled with lingering fear. "Ah-Zhao, it's a good thing you were here. I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Don't talk nonsense," Lin Zhao said, displeased, though his tone softened involuntarily. "Don't worry, even if you die, you'll see me again."

"Fear born from love is only human nature," Ji Yaoguang smiled. "I didn't want to get involved this time, but Si Li did risk his life to help me in the Sea of No Light, so I couldn't ignore him. But you—how did you come here with Si Jin?"

"Because he helped me cure my illness," Si Jin quickly interjected. "Brother, did you know? Xiao Zhao is a pure-blooded Golden Crow! A pure-blooded Golden Crow who can grow by using corrosion as fuel! You don't have to worry about mutation anymore; he can extend your life by a thousand years."

"Ah?" The giant snake couldn't process this. After several seconds, he suddenly turned his head and roared, his maw wide open. "Hiss! Little brother, how could you dare bring him here? I’ll stay behind; you and Ah-Guang hurry and take him to see the Shaman God!"

"The Di Kingdom..."

"Hiss—this is the sun! The Di Kingdom can be rebuilt, but this is the sun!" Si Li hissed loudly. "When he grows up, the Fang Kingdom will have a true sun, and the people will have a real future. Don't you know that?"

"We're already here, so stop talking nonsense. Let’s go together?" Si Jin interrupted him skillfully.

"Hiss—even if we don't survive, we shouldn't have brought him—" Si Li paused. "Go?"

"Yes," Si Jin said languidly. "Such an important little bird, it’s only right that the three of us take him to the Shaman Kingdom, isn't it?"

"But there are still many people in the Di Kingdom who haven't evacuated," Lin Zhao said—since the matter was concluded, he was naturally willing to leave. "Someone has to stay behind to rebuild, right?"