"The Netherworld Realm,"
Ji Yang muttered quietly, contemplating his situation.
Rooted underground for what seemed like an eternity, he struggled to sense any earthly Qi or glean nutrients from the soil.
As for Soul Qi and Yin Qi, their essence remained elusive to him.
After a brief internal debate, Ji Yang opted to absorb Yin Qi, hoping it was the right decision.
With resolve in his choice, he braced himself for whatever was to come, realizing he couldn't control the outcome but only endure it.
As time accelerated, Ji Yang's trunk underwent a gradual transformation.
The once brown bark darkened to an ominous black, and the changes only intensified from there---spreading from trunk to roots, branches, and leaves.
Eventually, Ji Yang's branches, once adorned with emerald dark green locust leaves, turned completely dark, swirling with a faint grey mist that added an eerie hue to his evolution.
During this transformation, Ji Yang felt a surge of joy as his previously stunted tree trunk began to grow again.
His surroundings also shifted significantly; what was once an empty expanse now shimmered with a dense grey mist that seemed to have existed there unseen before.
As Ji Yang continued to expand, he noticed his black locust leaves greedily absorbing this mist---Yin Qi.
The realization dawned on him that his decision had been correct; this mist was a vital nourishment specific to the Netherworld Realm, fueling his growth in a surprisingly comfortable manner.
However, amidst his euphoric progress, Ji Yang caught sight of a vague figure in the distant mist.
This discovery startled him; unusual sightings often heralded choices, and choices often brought danger.
In the face of danger, Ji Yang saw an opportunity waiting to be seized.
As he continued to exist in this simulated world, the benefits grew greater, despite being now just a tree with no power to alter his circumstances.
All he could do was confront them with equanimity.
Over time, Ji Yang noticed more vague figures approaching, gradually becoming clearer and closer.
Eventually, one figure materialized directly in his line of sight---a human-like form made of grey-white mist, its expression blank and its eyes lifeless.
"Soul," Ji Yang thought, recognizing the apparition for what it was.
Soon, the figure drew near, and the options appeared before Ji Yang once more:
【You have absorbed a considerable amount of Yin Qi, attracting wandering souls. What's your choice? 】
【Provide Shelter】【Ignore】【Roots Strangulation】
"Souls?" Ji Yang furrowed his brow, weighing the three options carefully.
While he could easily strangle a single soul with his roots, the dense Yin Qi implied the presence of countless souls.
The prospect of facing such numbers unnerved him.
Ultimately, Ji Yang decided to ignore them, likening the situation to a cicada in spring and fall---a passive stance seemed the safest path, perhaps ensuring his survival longer.
After making his choice, time continued its steady march.
The soul that had approached Ji Yang decided to linger beneath his shade.
As Ji Yang's black locust leaves absorbed Yin Qi, the soul underwent a similar transformation.
Initially solitary, more souls gradually gathered under Ji Yang's canopy, filling his field of vision.
Reacting to the Yin Qi, their forms solidified, and their vacant eyes flickered with a hint of vitality.
One soul, in particular, grew robust over time, its eyes now gleaming with life.
It began to disperse the other souls around it, carving out its own space beneath Ji Yang's branches.
And so, these wandering souls took to practicing a series of boxing techniques daily in the open.
Though their intelligence was limited, it seemed to have become their instinct.
Observing from above, Ji Yang silently watched this scene unfold.
Surprise flickered in his eyes as he realized that these souls retained memories, contrary to his initial assumption.
What exactly was this underworld realm?
As Ji Yang continued absorbing Yin Qi daily, he experienced rapid growth.
In a short span, he towered over ten meters tall, with a trunk as thick as a water bucket.
His canopy blossomed, adorned with countless clusters of leaves.
Remarkably, the souls' growth rate matched his own.
Gradually, more and more souls showed vitality in their eyes, organizing around Ji Yang in a hierarchical structure that expanded outward.
Ji Yang found their development fascinating, a captivating spectacle.
After some time, the souls gathered beneath Ji Yang's shade seemed to communicate in a unique manner.
At that moment, new subtitles appeared before Ji Yang:
【A multitude of souls have become sentient. They wish to venture out, expand their territory, and offer themselves to you. What will you choose? 】
【Give generously】. 【Stay indifferent】. 【Convince Souls】.
Seeing the options, Ji Yang's lips curved into a faint smile.
After pondering briefly, Ji Yang decided to contribute generously.
Now gathered in significant numbers, many of these souls had solid forms.
Considering their strength, they were formidable even in this underworld realm.
Ji Yang was eager to see how far their development could go.
Following his decision, the lush leaves on Ji Yang's branches began to fall.
Each leaf descended into the waiting hands of a soul, transforming into a set of black armor that enveloped them.
With leaf armor added, several souls ventured into the distance, accompanied by others.
As Ji Yang patiently awaited the outcome, the subtitles before him suddenly froze his expression:
【The souls under the tree's shade ventured out to battle, seeking strength, but unwittingly attracted the shadow of war. They perished.】
As the subtitles faded, a guttural roar echoed near Ji Yang's ears.
Looking up, he saw a half-human, half-horse figure---a colossal knight clad in silver armor---charging toward him.
Even the armor fashioned from Ji Yang's leaves couldn't withstand the onslaught.
Finally, the knight swung a long scythe and cleaved through Ji Yang's fortified trunk.s