Chapter 41: How a Villain is Made — Corrupting the Old Tree in Progress

The new nest built by the Ancient Tree was indeed far more comfortable than the monotonous eggshell, and Lin Zhao felt the sleep was simply wonderful.

Even upon stepping out of the eggshell onto the branches, gazing at the emerald-green forest and fragrant flowers, he felt a distinct sense of otherworldly seclusion—comparable to a high schooler getting a rare two-day holiday to spend the weekend in the countryside.

However, once he left the bird's nest and leaped up to the dense canopy of the towering tree, he could see the purple sun still hanging high in the sky, surrounded by desolation and decay. Even the small grove beneath him instantly became filled with an eerie vibe, as if harboring some immense terror, looking precisely like a prime location for players to grind for loot in a video game.

"This counts as sunny weather, right, Ancient Tree?" He patted the tree trunk beneath him. "Pack up your things, we're getting ready to leave."

In an instant, Ji Yaoguang appeared silently beside him, his back wrapped in dense green vines that were currently enveloping the treehouse and the eggshell. Due to the extreme disparity in size, a glance at him made it look as though he were carrying a dinosaur on his back.

"Brother Yaoguang is truly a master of packing and organizing!" Lin Zhao clapped in amazement, though he then asked doubtfully, "But with you carrying all this, how are we supposed to get out? The diameter of that sewer pipe seemed to be only about this big."

He reached out and gestured at his chest. "Last time the two of us went in, we were squeezed into a tight ball. This time you're bringing my shell along, how are we supposed to get through?"

Ji Yaoguang smiled slightly: "The Witch Country has campaigned against the Vast Sea many times; how could that passage possibly be only that large? It was opened small last time because the Father God was angry."

"So he won't be angry this time?" Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow.

Ji Yaoguang formed hand seals, confident and composed. He didn't even bother setting up the array from last time, directly chanting an invocation prayer: "Father God above, I beseech you to listen to my humble prayer. Within the Vast Sea, the Golden Crow bloodline is not yet extinct; we shall sweep away the filth. Now I shall return to the Witch Country and swiftly open the Gate of the Vast Sea. If this opportunity is missed, regret will linger in our hearts forever. I implore you to respond swiftly!"

The magic pearl on his chest automatically lit up and floated, revealing the waypoints of the magic array.

Lin Zhao asked dubiously: "We're up in a tree, don't we need to go down to the ground?"

Ji Yaoguang said with reserved dignity: "No need. Since I no longer need to suppress the seal this time, it is the Father God's turn to beg us to return. Entering the door this time will by no means be that little trail from last time!"

It was rare to see the Ancient Tree acting so aloof, and Lin Zhao couldn't help smiling: "Aren't you afraid that upon returning to the Witch Country, the Witch God will personally let you know who's the boss?"

Ji Yaoguang smiled slightly: "No, I am still somewhat important, and you are even more crucial. Do not be afraid when we reach the Witch Country; he will surely treat you with even more care than he treats me."

Lin Zhao laughed: "The kind of care that got you banished here?"

Even as they spoke, the surrounding trees suddenly distorted, shimmering faintly like a mirage as they flickered in and out of view.

Lin Zhao's heart tightened. Within the images of the trees, as if another picture were being inserted, they were covered frame by frame amidst distortion and flashing. In the blink of an eye, their grove vanished, and appearing behind them was the massive Great Wall of the Di State, alongside the westward-slanting sun.

There was no dizzying spin, nor were there tree roots and sewer pipes. It was an efficiency and speed far superior to first class, leaving Lin Zhao deeply shocked.

"Wait, Ancient Tree, when you summoned that tunnel last time, were you being targeted?" He couldn't help asking.

Ji Yaoguang touched his nose: "Well, those are all matters of the past, no need to dwell on them."

Lin Zhao laughed: "Alright then, Brother Yaoguang, quickly fetch your precious blue seashell and open the city gates."

"Your shell won't be able to get through," Ji Yaoguang smiled brightly, "Let's take a different path and give A-Jin a surprise."

"Not following their rules this time?" Lin Zhao wondered if he had somehow corrupted the Ancient Tree.

"We are here to save the people of the Di State, young and old alike; there's no need to skulk around," Ji Yaoguang smiled slightly. "Besides, the one I'm looking for is the very person who makes the rules."

He stepped forward and gently knocked on the wall.

A hole expertly materialized in the wall.

Ji Yaoguang plucked a leaf from his hair crown and tossed it inside.

The next second, the Great Wall shuddered, abruptly opening a massive gateway resembling a palace door, though the opening was so deep and shadowy that it carried a rather menacing "come into my parlor" vibe.

A giant snake's head suddenly stretched out from the Great Wall, its eyes glancing at Lin Zhao standing nearby: "Your tree, I'm borrowing it for just a little while, if I may?"

Ji Yaoguang was about to say there was no need to exclude A-Zhao, when he heard Lin Zhao say with satisfaction: "Rented out for a fee, hurry back soon!"

Not bad, this snake had a good eye and knew this was his tree.

"Very well, the city is vast, please make yourself at home." With that, it swallowed Ji Yaoguang whole in a single gulp and retreated back into the Great Wall, leaving behind only a doorway with suspended stone steps.

Lin Zhao stepped onto those stone steps, and when he emerged from the Great Wall, he found that he had been brought directly into the inner city.

"Truly a VIP channel." Lin Zhao walked admiringly onto the bamboo-wood long street, feeling the sunlight filtered through the bamboo shade.

People came and went around him—feathered people, Yanhuo people, and snake people from various states bustled back and forth along the street, making him blend in completely without drawing any attention.

He walked up to a small stall outside the inner city, where the middle-aged woman closest to Lin Zhao enthusiastically said: "Little brother, would you like a bowl of scalded mixed vegetables? Our Di State's finest bamboo shoots, chives, pork, and bean sprouts, combined with my family's secret sauce—absolutely delicious, give it a try!"

Lin Zhao smiled slightly: "Alright, I'll have a bowl."

He sat down on a small wooden stool, and the piping hot vegetables were quickly served. Steam rose in billows, and with a single bite came a satisfaction completely different from fruit.

Though the Ancient Tree wasn't eating along with him, his anticipation remained fully maxed out.

This kind of mortal hustle and bustle was what he loved most.

After finishing a bowl of vegetables, he suddenly remembered that without the Ancient Tree this time, he seemed, appeared, perhaps, possibly... to have no money?

No problem, though.

Lin Zhao quietly pried a small piece of wood off the stool and concealed a bit of fire seed inside: "This is a newly issued sacred wood from the Witch Country; it can purify filth, burns for a long time, and works wonders. You can sell it to those shops in exchange for money."

The woman immediately looked somewhat panicked: "Great Witch, but I don't have the change to give you..."

"Hmm..." Lin Zhao thought for a moment, then suddenly reached out and grabbed a passing acquaintance carrying a bucket: "Little Wu, lend me one gold shell."

"One gold shell?" Weisheng Wu was startled. "Why don't you just go rob someone? My monthly allowance is only twenty blue shells!"

Lin Zhao smiled: "Lend it to me, and I guarantee you won't have to wipe the railings ever again."

Weisheng Wu decisively produced his savings and said: "Take it all!"

...

Within the Watchtower of the Di State, the Deputy Ruler of the Di State was absentmindedly flipping through the list for the upcoming grand selection. Standing beside him was a youth with a rabbit perched on his shoulder, and the two of them were engaged in a fierce discussion regarding the roster.

"Deputy Ruler, has your illness gone to your head?" Ji Wangzhi was practically jumping up and down. "How can you possibly send all the witchcraft disciples to participate in the grand selection? Do you think the keeper of the Witch Country's Great Qingchuan pass will recognize you? He won't recognize anyone! Push him too far, and he won't let a single person through!"

Si Jin coughed twice: "Even so, we must block the pass; we block as many as we can, and I'll take the responsibility."

"The responsibility the Ruler has given you is already heavy enough, can you please stop causing him trouble?"

"As for the matter of the sacrifice, the Source Ghosts have already chosen us," Si Jin said calmly.

"What?" Ji Wangzhi turned pale with fright, then wore an expression of hatred. "Deputy Ruler, can't we ally with the various states and exterminate these pests?"

"Why do you think the power of the Source Ghosts has grown stronger and stronger over the years?" Si Jin sighed. "If the Witch Country does not provide earthly breath, the borders will be eroded and corrupted. The various states are bound to contract their defense lines in recent years. If they don't want to contract their defense lines, the best way is to seize the remaining earthly breath of other states."

"Hateful!" Ji Wangzhi gnashed his teeth.

Of course, he wouldn't ask why they couldn't contract their defense lines. Every contraction meant abandoning the various subsidiary lands on the outer edges of the state, leaving only the central capital city. Without resources and without arable land, contracting was merely waiting for the next death.

Moreover, the reclamation of those lands was bought with the blood and flesh of countless soldiers; every inch was extremely precious, and who could bear to abandon them?

"Therefore, behind the Source Ghosts this time, someone is fanning the flames," Si Jin smiled bitterly. "Brother is already on the verge of alienation, and to the west lies the Vast Sea. None of the various states are optimistic that we can hold out; I fear they have long since begun carving up our witchcraft disciples and earthly breath."

"Only mortals are not needed, is that right?" Ji Wangzhi sneered. "Because they themselves can barely feed the common people of their own countries."

Si Jin nodded. "However, human effort can change things. Since the situation has come to this, we can only fight hard and see how many can survive this time—that will be that. I request that you distribute the notices quickly."

Ji Wangzhi took his leave helplessly, and as he walked away, he couldn't help wiping his eyes.

Si Jin watched him leave. The sickly beauty with a furrowed brow gently leaned back against the couch to rest.

At that moment, his heart stirred. After waiting a few breaths, he saw a streak of golden light rush into his courtyard.

The Deputy Ruler instantly assumed a look of panic and stammered, "Who are you? What do you want to do to me? I am the Deputy Ruler of this empire, and my brother is the Heavenly Witch. If you harm me, he will not let you go."

With that, he even fearfully covered his lips, preparing to cough up some blood.

Seeing this scene, Lin Zhao couldn't help rolling his eyes: "What are you putting on an act for? Get up, I have something to say to you."

Si Jin panicked even more: "No, I will never be coerced by you! I am the Deputy Ruler of the Di State, I would rather take my own life than..."

Lin Zhao said decisively: "I am here to cooperate with you."

Si Jin looked pitiful: "What kind of cooperation is this? If you want to cooperate, please submit the documents through internal affairs. I will not accept such private cooperation; if people found out, they would think we were up to something!"

Lin Zhao laughed in exasperation: "Not private cooperation? Don't you know what you've been up to?"

Si Jin clutched his chest in anguish: "What do you know? How could I know that you know? If there is anything you know, why come and ask me? You should know my rules—can't I come and ask even if I don't know your rules? By the way, what qualifications do you have to speak to me like this? Do you know how many people will rush in if I shout?"

Lin Zhao smiled slightly. "Well, since you're completely impervious to reason, don't blame me for pulling out my ultimate move. Hmm..."

At this, he paused. "You wouldn't want your brother to know you were faking your illness, would you?"

Si Jin was inwardly shocked and completely dumbfounded, yet outwardly he still maintained a delicate and helpless expression. He knew very well that over the years, not a few people had suspected him of faking his illness, but they had all been fooled by his exquisite acting skills and his brother's miserable state.

Therefore... the Deputy Ruler smiled calmly: "I don't know what you're talking about. You want to trick my brother? He won't believe you."