Chapter 1172: Teng Jiwen (2/2)

If others were to say this, they would be amused by the joke. However, the scene unraveling before them was too far removed from a joke.

Li Qiye didn’t look like he was joking. More importantly, he could actually invade the Peac.o.c.k Tree. This was simply inconceivable.

When a treefather turned into an ancestral tree, it wouldn’t keep its original sentience, it would become just like other trees. However, there was one aspect that was different; these ancestral trees were extremely powerful. Even Immortal Emperors wouldn’t be able to invade them easily.

It didn’t matter if the Peac.o.c.k Tree had given permission or Li Qiye used a special technique, this was still a heaven-defying matter and definitely not a joke.

The four of them then watched Li Qiye add more gus.h.i.+ng fire into the body of the tree.

After a long while, Li Qiye withdrew the flames and the cauldron. This was enough time to ameliorate these blocked runic pathways.

Before leaving, he glanced at Teng Jiwen and smiled: “Life replenishment isn’t such an easy matter.”

He drifted away cooly after leaving behind those words. Meanwhile, the four of them were still astounded, unable to say anything.

A long time after Li Qiye left, the group finally calmed down. Teng Jiwen looked at the old man next to him and asked: “Third Uncle, do you think this is possible?”

The old man pondered for a moment before replying: “I really haven’t heard of life replenishment for an ancestral tree before. These are unfathomable existences, this task is probably as difficult as trying to prolong an Immortal Emperor’s life.”

A different old man added: “Although it's pure speculation, there is only one possibility. He is an Alchemy Emperor! Only an Alchemy Emperor would be able to replenish the life of an ancestral tree.”

At this time, Teng Jiwen touched the spot Li Qiye was pouring fire into, but there were no signs of charring. It looked as if the Peac.o.c.k Tree had opened a hole for Li Qiye to pour in the fire.

“Life replenishment for an ancestral tree…” He muttered to himself in a daze. Eventually, he composed himself and told the old man: “Third Uncle, go back and tell the elders that I won’t be coming back for now.”

This old man was surprised to hear this and retorted: “You can’t, all of the elders are coming out now for your a.s.sessment! If you miss this chance, you will be handing the citadel lord’s position to someone else.”

Teng Jiwen was only one of the descendants from the citadel. He had another strong compet.i.tor that was not lesser than him in either background or ability. Because of this, the position for the main successor had yet to be decided.

Teng Jiwen was touring the world and offered his respects to the different ancestral trees in order to learn the dao. Through this, he wanted to enhance his strength to pa.s.s the a.s.sessment of the ancestors.

But now, he actually said that he wasn’t going back. This made the people near him jump in shock.

A different old man worriedly spoke to persuade him: “That’s right, this a.s.sessment is of utmost importance. If you miss it, I’m afraid your chances of becoming the citadel lord will become slim.”

Teng Jiwen took a deep breath and earnestly said: “I know the gravity of the situation, but I will still remain here. Everyone, don’t worry, I understand the implications very well.”

The three old men glanced at each other. They couldn’t do anything if Teng Jiwen had made up his mind.

***

Kong Qinru returned from the Exquisite Valley. All of the supplies Li Qiye specified had been brought in full.

With enough materials, Li Qiye began to perform the finis.h.i.+ng touches for the stage he was building at Peac.o.c.k Land. He had been through all the locations here, including the oceans nearby, and nailed down formation arrays. The center was done as well.

After finis.h.i.+ng the final preparations, he could breathe easy. He looked down at his work from the mountain before casually entering a tavern in a nearby town.

He leisurely ordered some dishes and sat by a window. After being served, he slowly poured wine into his cup as if he was waiting for someone.