The real dragon hidden in the clouds above was a sight to behold, its claws resembling those of a divine predator.
However, when Ji Yang watched the dragon casually strike down and devour a passing giant bird, he shook his head in resignation.
Finally, Ji Yang’s gaze settled on a Colorful Phoenix perched serenely atop a Parasol Tree nearby.
At that moment, the phoenix was grooming its vibrant feathers, exuding an air of gentleness and grace.
This one will do, Ji Yang decided, a plan quickly forming in his mind.
The phoenix’s preference for living in trees gave him the perfect opportunity. He could leverage his strong roots and rapid growth to absorb all the nutrients from the Parasol Tree. With his ability to grow freely, Ji Yang could even shape his trunk into a home tailored for the phoenix—perhaps with a living room and a balcony. Surely, the phoenix wouldn’t be able to resist!
And if it wasn’t enough, Ji Yang resolved to cut down all the surrounding trees, leaving the phoenix with no alternative but him.
No sooner had the idea taken root than Ji Yang began extending his ever-expanding roots toward the Parasol Tree. Time in the Wild World flowed rapidly, and the abundant spiritual energy accelerated Ji Yang’s growth.
What once was a slender trunk wedged between towering trees soon became a commanding presence in the area. Ji Yang had achieved his goal; his roots reached deep beneath the Parasol Tree, slowly draining its vitality.
The once-proud Parasol Tree began to wither, its vibrant leaves losing their luster.
The Colorful Phoenix noticed the change, its unease evident as it scanned its surroundings. But despite its growing anxiety, it failed to discern the source of its tree’s decline.
As the Parasol Tree withered further, the phoenix became restless, its gaze finally landing on Ji Yang.
The phoenix’s sharp eyes narrowed as it assessed him. His sturdy trunk, with its unique proportions, seemed to have caught its attention. A flicker of interest flashed in the phoenix’s gaze, though hesitation lingered as if it hadn’t yet decided whether to move.
It’s working! Ji Yang thought with excitement.
But just as the phoenix was about to act, a sudden interruption shattered the scene.
Out of nowhere, a wooden spear pierced through the Parasol Tree with a sharp crack. Though it missed the phoenix, the already weakened tree groaned under the impact. Startled, the phoenix didn’t hesitate any longer. It took flight, vanishing into the sky in a flash of dazzling colors.
Ji Yang was stunned, his branches drooping in disappointment as he watched the phoenix disappear into the distance.
Frustration bubbled within him, but before he could investigate, a new text appeared before his vision:
[A group of hairy humans has discovered your uniqueness and decided to settle under your tree. What do you choose?]
“Hairy humans?” Ji Yang muttered, intrigued.
Looking down, he saw a group of enormous humanoid figures, each several meters tall and covered in thick fur. These beings resembled ancient humans, their primitive features and robust frames exuding strength.
With their arrival, the other beasts in the area seemed to retreat, as if instinctively avoiding the newcomers.
The phoenix is gone anyway... Ji Yang thought. After a brief moment of deliberation, he selected [Accept them].
The moment he made his choice, Ji Yang’s branches began to transform. His once-wild shapes smoothed into a majestic, lush canopy, offering shade and shelter to the hairy humans below.
The newcomers celebrated their good fortune, waving their arms enthusiastically. Gradually, they began to settle under Ji Yang’s sprawling shade, building a small community.
Not long after, another text appeared:
[The hairy humans have decided to worship you, but they don’t know what to sacrifice. What will you choose?]
Ji Yang stared at the options, recalling Zhou Huai’an’s words in the Ancestral Hall.
He weighed the choices carefully. Blood was easy to obtain, but Ji Yang felt it was a crude and limited option. Spiritual essence, on the other hand, was powerful and aligned with his long-term growth, but he had already encountered it in other worlds.
Incense aura... Ji Yang mused. This was a unique resource he hadn’t experienced before. Its effects were unknown, but it was worth exploring.
After some thought, Ji Yang chose [Incense Aura].
The hairy humans seemed to instinctively understand his decision. They began bowing and offering fervent prayers beneath his canopy.
As they worshipped, faint tendrils of smoke-like energy emerged from their bodies, drifting upward and merging into Ji Yang’s trunk.
These wisps of white smoke carried more than just energy; they contained the sincere thoughts of the worshippers. Ji Yang could feel their prayers—pleas for the safety and prosperity of their tribe.
At first, the changes were subtle. But as Ji Yang absorbed more incense aura, he noticed significant transformations. His trunk grew denser and harder, and the brown bark gained a faint sheen.
Most remarkably, he discovered a newfound ability: the power to communicate with the hairy humans.
The realization astonished Ji Yang. The incense aura was far more potent than he had anticipated, offering not just physical enhancements but also a deeper connection with his worshippers.
What made it even better was its sustainability. Unlike blood or spiritual essence, incense aura required no external resources. As long as the hairy humans continued their daily prayers, the supply would remain endless.
A smile spread across Ji Yang’s consciousness. This new development was just the beginning.
Chapter Release Update
Exciting news for our supporters! New advance chapters have been released according to the following tiers:
Bronze Totem – [3] advance chapters
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