Azure Heaven Saber
Chapter 312 - 312 59 Catching a Turtle in a Jar

Chapter 312: Chapter 59: Catching a Turtle in a Jar? Chapter 312: Chapter 59: Catching a Turtle in a Jar? Long after, Feng Yin, having adjusted himself, finally re-emerged from the tree trunk.

There was not the slightest breeze stirring the grasses. Clearly, nobody had followed him here.

The great tree stood tall and proud, much thicker than when Feng Yin first came. The tree crown had expanded twice or three times in size!

The trunk gleamed as if it was polished, enhancing its charm.

Feng Yin couldn’t see that under the rich soil and stones, the roots of the ancient tree had extended nearly a hundred yards down. The circumference of the area it occupied had widened even more, reaching several dozen miles at its furthest.

The phrase “undergoes a radical transformation” could not even begin to describe it. It was now a completely different tree.

It wasn’t until he stepped outside that Feng Yin finally realized this ancient tree was an Iron Bone Maple, one of the most famous long-lived tree species in the Anping continent.

This species was incredibly hardy. An Iron Bone Maple of over five hundred years, even a branch as thick as an arm could compete with an iron rod without losing. It could even snap a similarly thick iron rod in half!

As for this tree, by its current state, its age must be at least five thousand years.

“Don’t draw too much attention. Stay low-key. Your ability to survive up to now is correlated with your previous appearance of decay. Your current brilliance will only provoke people to cut you down!”

Feng Yin warned earnestly, just as he had with all other spiritually endowed plants that he encountered. He had given similar advice to the Iron Heart Tree at home, and the small pine trees outside town, and now, to this Iron Bone Maple.

The Iron Bone Maple jumped in fright upon hearing this. It had only just been reborn and had just begun to gain spiritual wisdom. It had never thought about these things before and would rather show his shiny bright side to the world. However, upon hearing Feng Yin’s earnest guidance, it agreed wholeheartedly. To show its understanding, the half-green, half-red leaves fell in an instant.

“Develop in a discreet way then.”

Under Feng Yin’s guidance, the Iron Bone Maple eliminated the shine from its bark and shed the leaves from half of the expanded crown, leaving just a few sparse ones. The other half also became thin and sparse, barely-there. The trunk also developed many small holes…

Its appearance now was arguably more miserable than before, like it had been gnawed on by insects and about to become an empty shell…

“You should be fine now.”

Feng Yin patted the trunk, “Keep it up, I will come and see you next time.”

The Iron Bone Maple seemed reluctant to part with Feng Yin. Two of its branches wrapped around Feng Yin, unwilling to let him go and even showing an impending emotional overflow.

Feng Yin comforted it a bit and made promises to it, saying he would surely come back to see it.

Although the Iron Bone Maple was still reluctant, but seeing Feng Yin’s determination, it decided to make a new move—

The Iron Bone Maple’s trunk trembled and a faint red flush permeated the whole tree, seeping into a branch where a leaf began to grow, a maple leaf as red as blood. Gradually, the red of the leaf intensified, almost as if it were dripping blood.

After a moment, the Iron Bone Maple extended a branch to offer Feng Yin the leaf, clearly suggesting that he should take it!

Though inexperienced, Feng Yin knew this Iron Bone Maple Leaf was unique. Initially, he didn’t want to take it but then he understood it as a gift from the Iron Bone Maple. Having no reason to decline, he accepted it graciously and said his goodbyes reluctantly.

Feng Yin headed deep into the woods, leaving no traces, moving towards Wutong Mountain.

“Wutong Mountain, located in the territory of Chu Country…”

“I’ve come a long way already, and because I’ve deliberately taken a roundabout route, there should still be at least three days’ journey left.”

“But I still have enough time. I won’t be delayed.”

Feng Yin’s mind was calculating as he continued walking. Currently, in Feng Yin’s Space Ring, there was no less than tens of thousands of pounds of roasted centipede meat, an enormous amount of Spiritual Water, many spiritual fruits and vegetables, and a considerable number of snacks, enough for the journey.

A man and a cat, walking and eating, the memory lingering on their taste buds. Harmony was in the air, painting a pretty picture.

In fact, this journey, besides the initial urgent march, was starting to feel more like a leisurely trip for sightseeing and relaxation.

One day, Feng Yin arrived at Mount Siji.

Mount Siji, otherwise known as Four Realms Mountain, was a vast primordial forest featuring vast endless mountains, seemingly limitless and grand.

Together with the high mountains, it gave off a strange feeling of dark air pervading the space at first sight.

If Wukong were here, he would immediately cry, “There’s demon energy!”

Mount Siji, a border of four realms, each connecting to the lands of Qi, Chu, and Qin countries respectively.

As for the so-called fourth realm, it referred to a community of the Yao tribe which had settled amongst the mountains of Mount Siji, one of the rare demon clans residing inland amongst humans.

This place was vast and thinly populated, with dense forests and tall mountains. The Demon Emperor possessed extraordinary power and extraordinary combat capabilities. Neither Qi, Qin, nor Chu dared to move against this Yao clan power lightly.

On one hand, even if one country took the initiative and mobilized the army and martial experts, there was no guarantee of outright victory.

On the other hand, the outcome of the war would inevitably weaken the national power regardless of the outcome, providing opportunities for the other two countries.

In such a situation where there was no profit in victory and danger in defeat, it was natural not to fight.

All the countries had the same concerns. As a result, although the power of the Yao tribe seemed sandwiched, they were actually safe and secure, able to benefit from both sides!

So, Mount Siji truly lived up to its name.

However, Feng Yin was now facing a dilemma—

Would he go through the mountain?

Should I take a detour, or take the official route?

Using the official road required a pass, and although Feng Yin had one, not just one pass, showing any might expose his identity and trigger an unpredictable crisis.

Given the situation, there was only one option left. Feng Yin trusted his extraordinary skills and chose to go directly through the mountains.

He had only covered a few dozen miles, probably not even reaching the inner circle of the forest when…

As usual, Feng Yin imbued a good looking old tree with magic, to scout ahead. This was their most secure plan, neither Feng Yin or Feng Ying needed to expose themselves and yet they could scout several tens of miles ahead.

But just after he finished his first Spirit Gathering, there was a sudden noise…

Boom…

Pom pom…

Suddenly, there was the sound of fierce fighting from ahead, accompanied by thick smoke and dust, rising like the edge of a weathered cloud at the horizon.

Although the noise sounded distant, who among those who could fight here would be ordinary?

Knowing this was not good, Feng Yin immediately made a move, already touching the second finger on the tree.

The tree shook rapidly, visibly growing quickly….

But…

Feng Yin glanced over, and saw a figure swiftly coming from the thick smoke ahead. It was a swift flash of light streaking across the sky, and a wisp of blue smoke, barely visible. Even such exquisite martial arts couldn’t hide his embarrassing state.

Feng Yin immediately widened his eyes.

But not because the battle was so fierce that he could not cope, but because the intruder’s movements, how familiar do they sound?!

Damn, isn’t this Stealing the Sky and Changing the Day technique?

Sky Stealer, actually here?!

Feng Yin figured it out instantly. Sky Stealer was definitely following him.

But he had obviously miscalculated his own abilities and distance, rushing to get ahead of him, and even causing more trouble, being chased and beaten to the point of disgrace!

In light of this, Feng Yin felt a burst of schadenfreude.

Serves you right!

You wanted to chase me!

You wanted to be faster!

Bad luck now, huh?

Hahahaha…But then his eyes widened even more ——

Because Sky Stealer, was coming straight in his direction!

His target seemed pretty clear!

Feng Yin and Feng Ying were both taken aback, why the hell … out of all the directions in the north, south, east, west, why did he have to choose this one?

Having no other choice, Feng Yin quickly communicated with the old tree, then disappeared into its trunk along with Feng Ying.

And then… in not more than ten seconds.

Sky Stealer had navigated to the back of the tree, almost to the exact spot where Feng Yin and Feng Ying had just been, and halted. He then took a blade of dripping green, the material of which was unknown.

Next Sky Stealer, out of sincerety, apologized to the tree: “Sorry about this.”

Before his words had even finished, he decisively pierced the trunk of the tree with his blade, and then made a downward jerk, creating a semi-person-high gap.

At that moment, Feng Yin felt a chill run down his spine, as if his soul was about to flee from his body: Are you kidding me, did Sky Stealer actually discover me?

The blade of green light flashed continuously, quickly dealing on every side, each direction receiving a slash, which carved out a perfect square in the tree trunk.

Then after, the blade of green light stopped moving and started giving off an engulfing light.

The tree’s tissue closest to its bark on the outside, visibly started being engulfed by the blade of green light. This caused the square hole in the trunk to expand rapidly, devouring the tree from the inside, creating a hole in the bark within a few seconds.

Then it stopped.

Because this rapidly created new cavity in the tree, was now connected to Feng Yin’s cavity inside the tree! Two holes had become one!

Feng Yin’s eyes were nearly bulging out of his sockets.

What the hell…

This is just too unlucky, isn’t it?

Who would have thought you could be caught like a turtle in a jar?

……

[Cough, cough]