In battle, this ability could make a martial artist clear-headed and rational, allowing them to handle situations in the most optimal way. Ji Yang likened this ability to artificial intelligence—his own evaluation of its power.
However, the green bamboo had fallen into a deep sleep and could no longer provide this gift to the Liu clan. If not for that, the outcome of the clan battle would still be uncertain.
It was no wonder the Liu clan desired the Natural Blood Spring. If the green bamboo awakened, the rise of the Liu clan would be inevitable.
After consuming the green bamboo, Ji Yang gained none of its abilities, yet he had no regrets. Besides, if he could not acquire new powers through such means, then totems from other clans likely wouldn’t work for him either—an assurance of his safety. Otherwise, with the strength he had displayed, he might attract unwanted attention from rival clans.
Emerging from his memories, Ji Yang felt his consciousness significantly strengthened after eating the green bamboo. Glancing at his attribute panel, he was surprised:
His original Blood and Qi, which had dropped to zero, had risen by sixty-six points after consuming the green bamboo. Even more impressive was the increase in spiritual energy, now at forty-five points.
This included the five points gained from the beast he had just consumed and the nineteen points he originally had, meaning the bamboo had added twenty-one points.
If he could find a few more sources , there would be no need to sacrifice beasts. However, totems imbued with such spirit were rare. He suspected that apart from himself, only this peculiar green bamboo existed in the entirety of Chaotic Burial Mountain.
In the long term, he would still need to rely on beast sacrifices. Without hesitation, Ji Yang converted the additional Blood and Qi to vitality. His current simulation points were insufficient, and with the sacrifices he would need to make later, replenishing his condition was the priority. Vitality was key to his power.
Winter had come, and with the clan's newfound stability and lack of immediate threats, Ji Yang decided to be generous. Activating his divine ability, Thousand Miles Red Land, he transformed the ground into a source of warmth. The floor's temperature rose swiftly.
In the clan compound, the household slaves who had just participated in the Divine Tree Festival discussed fervently. Although they lacked the qualifications to enter the shrine, they had glimpsed the interior through the door cracks and were amazed by the scent that reached them, believing it to be a divine decree following their prayers. However, as slaves, they could not receive the Divine Tree's blessings.
As they resumed their duties, the sudden warmth from the ground astonished them. It was early November, and while heavy snow had yet to fall, the days grew colder. Within days, their clothing would struggle to ward off the chill. Fortunately, being under the Chen clan’s protection meant they did not fear freezing to death.
Now, the warmth made it feel like June, and their clothes felt overly heavy. Some even suspected it was an illusion. Stories abounded of people on the brink of freezing feeling a false heat, causing them to shed their clothes. This abnormality led some to panic and consider asking a clansman about it.
Turning, they saw the Chen clan members celebrating, praying earnestly and giving thanks to the Divine Tree. After the last grand ceremony, the Divine Tree had shown its power by healing the injured. That it would manifest divine power again in this ceremony was not surprising.
Some clansmen shed their heavy clothing to move more freely. Stepping beyond the clan grounds, they noticed the temperature drop. The Divine Tree's blessing, it seemed, was limited to the clan estate.
When Chen Xingzhen heard the report, he was elated. If the clan could maintain this warmth, they would be safe from the winter cold.
Two days later, news came from the spiritual fields: the new secret method had worked, and the Blood rice that had stopped growing had resumed bearing fruit. In a few days, they could harvest this crop. Chen Xingzhen's face lit up at the news.
While they had seized 1,500 catties of Blood rice from the Liu clan, which temporarily sustained them, blood rice tempered warriors, and no clan would think they had too much. There were about ten warriors in the clan now, each capable of consuming one cattie of Blood rice daily. This meant that 1,500 catties would last only two months, assuming the number of warriors did not grow.
Chen Xingzhen’s thoughts turned to discussions with his father two nights prior. His father, Chen Changming, had revealed in a dream that the Liu clan’s downfall was due to the Divine Tree.
They spoke not just of the past but of future growth. Now that they had no rivals in Chaotic Burial Mountain, they could expand their territory beyond their small plot of land.
The Natural Blood Spring posed another challenge. Though the main spring was under Chen control, its tributaries spread far, scattering the fields where Blood rice grew. If the clan could consolidate control over these tributaries, they could better plan and harvest crops.
However, such efforts would have to wait until after winter. The most pressing issue was the clan's dwindling numbers. Despite earlier plans, their population remained sparse.
The recent conflicts had reduced their already small numbers, and many remained unmarried due to hunting and survival efforts. The clan would need to look to nearby villages for potential spouses for their warriors.