Chapter 473 - 470: The Life Tree is Calling Her

Chapter 473: Chapter 470: The Life Tree is Calling Her

Without a shred of hesitation, Jin Yi said in a deep voice, "Alright. I’ll go with you."

He took a step forward, his tall frame giving off a strong sense of security.

"Wanwan, I’ll go with you too!" Yan Lie immediately piped up.

Zhu Xiu’s massive serpentine body slid silently forward, his cold, vertical pupils glinting faintly under the moonlight.

He said nothing, but his actions spoke volumes.

Bai Wanwan drew her gaze back and looked at her Beast Husbands. "The place where that tree stands is the core forbidden ground of the entire Flood Dragon Tribe. Security is bound to be tight, and there’s likely a Red Rank Powerhouse standing guard. We can’t afford to alert them just yet."

She mulled it over for a moment, her gaze sweeping across her Red Rank Beast Husbands. "Alright. Zhu Xiu, Jin Yi, Yin Ze, and I will scout ahead. If we’re discovered, our small group will be a smaller target, and we can retreat quickly."

"Then can I wait outside the forbidden grounds to provide backup?" he thought resentfully. ’Why did I have to lose at rock-paper-scissors that day!’

Hua Han’s beautiful, fox-like eyes darted about. Though he also wanted to go, he was more aware of the gravity of the situation.

He stepped forward, his voice both soothing and cautionary. "Wanwan, I’ll do as you say. We’ll stay home and watch over Aunt Shuang and the little ones, and wait for you to return. Your safety is what’s most important. If you run into danger, don’t try to force your way through."

A warmth spread through Bai Wanwan’s heart. She nodded seriously. "Alright. Don’t worry. We’ll be careful."

The night was as thick as ink. A cold moon, veiled by thin clouds, cast only a dim, hazy glow.

Most of the Beastmen in the tribe were already lost in dreams, with only a few scattered lights twinkling between the treehouses.

The sea breeze whistled through the forest with a mournful cry, perfectly masking any subtle sounds of movement.

Bai Wanwan had changed into a dark set of beast-hide clothes that allowed for easy movement.

The three Red Rank Powerhouses suppressed their auras to the absolute minimum. They led Bai Wanwan along the most remote, overgrown paths, creeping toward the forbidden grounds of the Life Tree.

Just as they’d hoped, they encountered no patrolling Beastmen. Only the occasional hoot of a night owl broke the silence.

The closer they drew to the forbidden grounds, the richer the Life Tree’s aura became—a gentle yet immense life force that also carried an indescribable, ancient pressure.

Soon, an area naturally enclosed by massive black reefs came into view. The entrance was sealed by thick vines and totem-carved Stone Pillars.

Zhu Xiu’s cold, vertical pupils swept over the perimeter of the forbidden grounds. His forked tongue flickered silently, precisely pinpointing the auras and locations of the guards.

"There are quite a few guards. Four or five Orange Rank males are posted at every approach." His massive body shifted slightly in the shadows. "I’ll create a small diversion to draw away the guards near the entrance. Jin Yi, Yin Ze—seize the chance to get Wanwan inside immediately. Be quiet, and be quick."

"Alright," Jin Yi and Yin Ze nodded in unison.

With a gentle flick of his enormous Snake Tail, Zhu Xiu’s form vanished like a phantom into the depths of the dense woods beside them.

Only a few breaths later, a series of extremely faint CLACKS, like rolling pebbles, suddenly echoed from behind a reef to the far left of the entrance. This was followed by a deliberately muffled rustling, like small animals scuffling.

The few Orange Rank males guarding the entrance were instantly on alert. Two of them exchanged a glance and cautiously took a few steps toward the sound, peering in its direction. "What was that noise?"

"Sounds like something’s there?"

The instant their attention was diverted and they turned toward the noise, Jin Yi and Yin Ze moved!

Seated on Jin Yi’s back, Bai Wanwan felt nothing but the whistling of the wind as the golden shadow moved so fast it nearly tore through the air.

Yin Ze followed right behind him.

Their coordination was flawless. In the instant the guards shifted to investigate, the two males successfully brought the female inside the forbidden grounds.

The guards glanced doubtfully at the now-silent reef, then swept their eyes warily over the surroundings. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, they muttered a few words and returned to their posts.

The moment they stepped into the forbidden grounds, an even richer, almost tangible wave of life energy washed over them.

In the center of the forbidden grounds, a colossal tree of indescribable magnificence towered up from the earth. Its trunk was as thick as a small mountain, with gnarled roots that plunged deep into the ground like massive dragons.

Its massive canopy blotted out the sky, yet even in the dead of night, it emanated a faint, gentle green glow.

On closer inspection, however, the light was uneven, flickering between bright and dim like a candle guttering in the wind.

The leaves and branches also appeared somewhat sparse, and the edges of many leaves were withered and yellow, exuding an undeniable... air of lethargy and decay.

"This... is the Life Tree?"

Jin Yi gazed up at the legendary Holy Tree. Despite being worldly and experienced, he was still shaken by the immense life force it contained. His voice was filled with a trace of awe.

Zhu Xiu’s enormous serpentine form slid silently to the base of the tree, his cold scales nearly brushing against the rough bark.

He tilted his serpent head back, his cold, vertical pupils scrutinizing the massive tree. His deep voice held a hint of reminiscence. "I have heard it mentioned in the old legends that the fruit of the Life Tree, when consumed, can extend one’s life by a hundred years. It is a gift from the Beast God to this continent."

His gaze swept over the sparse branches. "But from the looks of it... I’m afraid it hasn’t borne fruit in a long, long time."

Standing beside the massive roots, Bai Wanwan was as small as an ant.

A strange sensation gripped her.

It wasn’t just awe, but also... an indescribable stirring.

It was as if the tree were silently calling out to her, conveying a profound sadness and longing.

She could even distinctly feel that deep within its seemingly boundless life force, there was an unshakable undercurrent of weakness and exhaustion.

As if guided by some unseen force, driven by an impulse from deep within her bloodline, Bai Wanwan subconsciously reached out and gently touched the tree trunk—it felt rough and cold, yet seemed to hold an endless vitality.

The very instant her fingertips touched the bark!

HUMMM!

A low, magnificent hum suddenly rang out, seeming to rise from the depths of the earth and the very heart of the tree.

The entire Life Tree, like a giant roused from a ten-thousand-year slumber, instantly awoke. The ancient, mystical patterns on its trunk suddenly flared to life, erupting in a brilliant, blinding, emerald-green light!

The light formed a tangible pillar that instantly burst through the confines of the canopy, shooting straight into the deep night sky. It illuminated the entire forbidden grounds and even the sky above half the Flood Dragon Tribe, turning night into day!

"Ah!"

Startled by the sudden, drastic change and the piercing light, Bai Wanwan let out a small cry. She snatched her hand back as if she’d been shocked, her heart hammering in her chest!

But it was too late!

Outside the forbidden grounds, every single guard was stunned by the earth-shattering phenomenon.

That pillar of light piercing the heavens, that brilliant glow like a descending miracle—it was a sight none of them had ever witnessed in all their years guarding the Life Tree!