lcionline Chapter 329 Extra Chapter 5: The Tree Spirit
Chapter 329 Extra Chapter 5: The Tree Spirit
Dream: To be forgotten by everyone is no different from death. —Seeking
Twilight Snow Sect.
"A ninth-rank tree demon has appeared in Jianggu City. Forty-three mortals have already died at the hands of the tree demon, and all the disciples sent out by the eight major sects have been wiped out." Xie Wanxun frowned as he looked at the battle report in his hand.
She tossed the battle report onto the table, looked at the leaders of the other sects, and asked, "Everyone, what do you think?"
"I think the best course of action is for all the sect leaders to mobilize at the same time and kill the tree demon as quickly as possible, so as to minimize the losses," said Xia Mengchu, the sect leader of the Nine Cauldrons Division.
Lin Jiyun, the sect leader of Tianyan Sect, agreed: "Indeed, the tree demon is a scourge to the world. If we cannot get rid of it soon, the prestige of our eight major sects will be questioned."
“However, as far as I know, tree demons are usually docile, and I have never seen one so ferocious. For safety’s sake, we should gather all the elite disciples of the sect together to deal with the tree demon.” Xiao Shuo, the sect leader of the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts, stroked his chin and made a suggestion.
Xie Wanxun looked at the battle report on the table and said to Tian Ruochun beside him, "Xiao Tian, bring me the information on the tree demon."
A neatly arranged book was placed on the table. Xie Wanxun looked at the information in the book and learned that the tree demon was called "Lacquerwood Tree Demon". It was formed from ten-thousand-year-old lacquerwood and could not be submerged by water or burned by fire. It was practically without any weaknesses.
After pondering for a moment, Xie Wanxun asked Qin Muyang, "Sect Leader Qin, what were the results of your divination?"
The coins were facing down, and everyone's expressions were not good.
This indicates that defeat is inevitable in this battle.
The other sect leaders looked at Xie Wanxun, seemingly waiting for her to make the decision.
“Then we must go. Going to fight gives us a chance to win, while sitting and waiting to die will only result in more casualties.” Xie Wanxun made a decisive decision, looking firmly at the sect leaders present.
“I support Wanxun, no, I support Sect Leader Xie’s decision.” Si Jinchuan nodded in agreement. His words were calm and reassuring, making the other sect leaders who were still making up their minds finally decide.
"Alright, we'll meet at Jianggucheng tomorrow at 9:00 AM. Meeting adjourned!" Xie Wanxun stood up and walked towards the door.
Back at Muxue Palace, Xie Wanxun began to handle sect affairs. Looking at the mountain of scrolls, she couldn't help but rub her forehead.
If she were asked to slay demons and monsters, she would naturally do so without hesitation. Unfortunately, these paperwork tasks were a real headache, and although Tian Ruochun had already taken on most of them, the rest was still difficult for her to handle.
Moreover, she had already arranged to go to Yunxiao Sect in the evening to compete in swordsmanship with Si Jinchuan.
No, she can't just sit here and wait to die.
Xie Wanxun stood up, took out a wooden puppet from a storage box next to her, and poured spiritual power into it.
In no time, the puppet transformed into her likeness.
The puppet blinked curiously, looking at Xie Wanxun.
"Listen carefully, you possess my memories, now handle official business for me. I will return to the Twilight Snow Sect around evening. If I am not back in time, please deal with the disciples for me," Xie Wanxun instructed. She deliberately left the Luo Ze Sword behind, not wanting anyone to suspect anything.
"Okay," the puppet replied briefly, then went to attend to official business.
Xie Wanxun nodded in satisfaction and slipped out through the back door.
Yunxiao Sect.
The roar of the cascading waterfall was deafening, and the mist, like a light veil, enveloped the surroundings in a dreamlike atmosphere.
Two figures stood side by side on their swords, swooping down from the top of the waterfall.
Xie Wanxun's clothes fluttered wildly, like battle flags. She seemed to be enveloped in a layer of light, and although her figure appeared slender compared to the magnificent water curtain, she exuded an indomitable aura.
She wielded her sword, the blade slicing through the water, the splashes of water refracting the sunlight into tiny golden glints.
With each step she approached the waterfall, the onrushing spray grew stronger, yet it did nothing to affect her posture; like a soaring eagle, she plummeted towards the unknown depths of the pool.
"Hmm!" Xie Wanxun flew to the bottom of the waterfall on her sword. She jumped onto the land next to her and casually waved her hand, causing the sword formed from spiritual energy to dissipate.
"I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time!" Xie Wanxun shouted. She opened her arms, feeling the refreshing mist from the waterfall. She closed her eyes, and the wind blew through her long, black hair.
Si Jinchuan stood aside watching Xie Wanxun, feeling a pang of heartache in his heart.
Xie Wanxun was once a carefree young lady of a sect, but after becoming the sect leader, she lost all freedom. She was burdened with countless sect affairs, and even taking a break became a luxury.
"Wanxun, I bought some tea crisps and some fine tea leaves. Would you like to try some?" Si Jinchuan took out the tea crisps and a cup from his storage bag. He put the tea leaves into the cup and then poured in some water.
Xie Wanxun nodded happily, lit a phoenix fire in her hand, and heated the cup.
A moment later, Xie Wanxun picked up the tea pastry and took a small bite.
The first impression upon tasting it is the rich aroma of tea, a unique freshness and elegance, much like the fragrance that permeates a tea garden in spring.
Then comes the soft texture of the mochi and the delicate fragrance of the tea filling. One bite is chewy and satisfying, yet not overly sweet.
Paired with sweet tea and listening to the crisp birdsong, it feels as relaxing as floating on clouds.
"It's delicious," Xie Wanxun said with a light laugh, quietly sipping the tea in her cup.
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Xie Wanxun turned to look at Si Jinchuan, who was gently wiping the Xuan Sword, with six tea pastries placed beside him.
"Want more?" Si Jinchuan looked at Xie Wanxun and reached out to wipe the crumbs from the corner of her mouth.
Xie Wanxun shook her head, stood up, dusted off her clothes, and said, "I should probably head back now."
"Ah."
Xie Wanxun looked at Si Jinchuan, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. She leaned down and finally noticed something different about Si Jinchuan.
"What's that around your neck?" Xie Wanxun asked curiously, pointing to the red rope around Si Jinchuan's neck.
She had no recollection of Si Jinchuan ever wearing a pendant.
Si Jinchuan reached behind her neck, quickly unfastened the clasp of the pendant, and with a flick of his wrist, the pendant was removed from her neck and casually held in his hand.
A whistle hangs from the end of the pendant, which looks antique and emits a textured light.
Xie Wanxun picked up the whistle, examined it for a moment, then put it to her lips and blew hard.
"No sound?" Xie Wanxun didn't believe it. She blew the whistle again, but it still made no sound.
"Why are you wearing a broken whistle? I'll buy you a good one next time." Xie Wanxun handed the whistle to Si Jinchuan nonchalantly, then sat down on the ground, looking slightly tired.
Si Jinchuan looked at the whistle in his hand, but it felt very unfamiliar.
He couldn't remember when he'd put on the whistle. But a voice echoed in his mind: "The whistle blows, life is at stake..."
“…If the whistle goes out, the person dies.” Si Jinchuan shuddered in fright, as if he had been burned, and threw the whistle away.
When he turned to look at Xie Wanxun, his eyes widened in surprise.
He saw Xie Wanxun lying quietly on the ground, without making a sound...