Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 87 - 76 The Divine Tree on the Verge of Becoming an Immortal

Chapter 87: Chapter 76 The Divine Tree on the Verge of Becoming an Immortal

Gu Wen silently stood to one side without interjecting, for he had been the same when he first came into contact with Dragon Bridge, preferring to follow the lead of professionals until he fully understood the actual situation.

In the realm of cultivation, Ao Tang and Yu Hua knew much more than himself, so naturally, he left it to them.

He wondered how Jiang Fugui was doing.

Before sending him away, he had instructed him to live in anonymity, and the fields he owned in Nanshui were all registered under his wife’s name, left to be managed by some relatives.

After all, Gu Wen had considered fleeing long before, so it was natural that he did not ostentatiously register the lands in his own name.

In recent years, as the exorbitant taxes and levies in the Daqian region grew, the countless aunts and uncles of Jiang Fugui who could no longer subsist in Bianjing had all fled to Nanshui. According to the letters, they had formed a small clan.

The village, led by the Jiang surname, including the tenant farmers recruited, had a population of hundreds.

There was no need to worry about secrecy; imperial power did not extend into the rural villages. If the court were able to locate his relatives in remote villages in Nanshui, then Daqian would not have ended up in its current state. One should never overestimate the mobilization capabilities of ancient dynasties; after all, not many modern states have managed to govern the grassroots well either.

Once a clan was formed, the words of its elders could be more potent than those of the Emperor.

This was the rebellion foundation that Gu Wen had envisioned. As long as there was sufficient solidarity, even a makeshift troupe could rise up. Often, it was the times that made heroes.

But plans can never keep up with changes, and Gu Wen no longer wished to be Emperor.

The conversation continued nearby; the old tree spirit conveyed two pieces of news. One was that Broken Sword Mountain had sealed the Sword Washing Pond and activated a Sword Array, keeping outsiders at bay. Another was that Daqian had gathered fifty thousand elite troops near Luo River, drawing soldiers from the nearby counties.

Naturally, Ao Tang asked why the old tree spirit was revealing such information to them and how they could be sure it wasn’t a trap.

"I have made many good connections, seeking only to face fewer enemies when the time comes to transcend," declared the elderly Divine Thought, accompanied by falling leaves and withered branches, some of which had already shed their bark, as if they could wither away at any moment.

Something seemed to dawn on Ao Tang, his expression suddenly changing, then humbly he said, "Senior’s magnanimity is admirable."

Immortal Land had existed since ancient times, unknown for how many eons, and within it had always been many old oddities unknown to man. The Sanqing Taoist Sect had some records of the tree before them; no one knew its name, but it had always offered Spirit Fruit to the chosen whenever Immortal Land was accessible.

Today, the two prominent figures of the Sanqing Taoist Sect, Huayang Venerable and Yun Miao Venerable, had both received opportunities from it.

And the term for realization also had another name—becoming an Immortal, achieving transcendence, not bound by the Five Elements, and living as long as the heavens and the earth.

Its reason, as it said, was merely to lessen the calamities associated with its ascension. It was not easy for plants to cultivate, and those that developed spiritual nature were even rarer, much less those able to achieve transcendence. Perhaps only the one before them could achieve it.

And the tree itself was a peerless Divine Tree, its refinement into Pills was no less potent than an Immortality Pill.

Was this senior, who had lain dormant for untold eons, finally going to transcend?

Yu Hua also suddenly felt that something was amiss, and her gaze became serious.

Sensing the change in atmosphere, Gu Wen subtly circulated his mana, ready to flee at any moment. If Yu Hua took an enemy seriously, then a fight would be beyond his current capacity to interfere in.

A good teammate’s most basic premise was not to hold the others back.

Plop!

Suddenly, a fruit fell and hit Gu Wen on the head; he caught it smoothly. The fruit looked like an apple, amber in color, replete with spiritual essence.

The aged Divine Thought conveyed its message.

"You need not worry. I have never taken a life, nor have I killed any living being. This fruit will aid your cultivation, young friend. It bears fruit once a month. Would you like it?"

Gu Wen glanced at the other two. Ao Tang, in his bullock form, was nodding eagerly, unable to wait for him to respond, blurting out, "Second Ancestor, you mustn’t refuse a gift from an elder; hurry and thank the senior."

Was it a life-threatening risk to refuse, or was this an incredible boon?

Gu Wen glanced at Yu Hua, and seeing her nod at him, he bowed with clasped hands, "Junior thanks the senior for this gift."

The old tree spirit responded, "If it pleases you, then each month, under any tree in Immortal Land, there will be a Spirit Fruit for you."

Hisss, what’s this about monthly check-ins for Spirit Fruits?

Gu Wen couldn’t help but smile. Having received a favor, of course, he needed to show proper etiquette, bowing with clasped hands once more, "Thank you, senior. I shall always remember this kindness."

"Then make it two fruits a month," the tree spirit went on. "For establishing this good connection, all I ask is for you to refrain from bringing harm to me."

Another Spirit Fruit fell, and with great joy, Gu Wen said, "May the senior live forever, and surely you will achieve the great Dao."

No Spirit Fruit came this time, but the thought of obtaining two Spirit Fruits each month without any effort caused his mouth to stretch into a wide grin. Just one fruit was equivalent to a year’s worth of Heavenly Marrow; that amounted to twenty-four years’ worth in a year, two hundred forty in ten years, and two thousand four hundred in a century!

He did not aspire to become an Immortal with these alone, but using them to enhance his strength and acquire more Spiritual Objects was an immense benefit.

And this was nearly for free. The only catch was not to cause harm to it.

Wait, could it send Spirit Fruits anywhere in Daqian?

Gu Wen’s understanding of the old tree’s power grew faintly; it must be more formidable than the Lord Emperor and on par with Yu Hua.

"And you, Heavenly Girl, do you want one too?"

The old tree treated Yu Hua with an extra degree of respect.

Initially, Yu Hua did not want one, but seeing Gu Wen tug at her sleeve, she reluctantly agreed, "Give me one then."

Afterward, the three had a meal in the village. Yu Hua and Ao Tang only needed to take Fasting Pills, but Gu Wen still preferred eating meals, hence his request for lodging. With his physical constitution, he could survive on raw meat, but that was not befitting of a human.