Chapter 1175: Heavenvine Citadel (2/2)

Li Qiye used the Myriad Era Tree to diagnose the ancestral vine. He eventually shook his head and murmured: “Even more serious than I imagined.”

Eventually, he recalled the Myriad Era Tree and smiled before leaving his room to stand on the edge of the sky.

The pavilion he was staying at was built on top of a medium-sized mountain. It was clearly transported from somewhere else to the top of this particular leaf.

While looking at the strange world ahead, he chuckled and said with emotions: “No matter which generation, there are no rootless duckweeds in this world.” [2. I’m not familiar with this expression. The only idiom I know of duckweeds is duckweeds coming together by chance or strangers coming together by chance. I’m not sure what this one means, but I would guess from the narrative that the root signifies home.]

He stood there and gazed at the horizon while contemplating many things. It was difficult to find someone who understood the Heaven Spirit World more than him.

Just like he told Kong Qinru before, he didn’t agree with humans staying in this world; they were simply rootless duckweeds here. [3. There we go, now the expression makes sense.]

In the future, they would one day come to find that this was not their world and that they were simply traveling pa.s.sersby or even less significant than that. In his eyes, they were orphans without any shelter or support.

This was a world for the charming spirits, the world of the treants, and the world of the sea demons, leaving nothing behind for the humans.

Of course, everyone had the choice and right to stay or leave. For millions of years, Li Qiye had been too lazy to care about it. After all, people didn’t know about certain things. Only when that day arrives would they realize it.

Of course, that would be when they have to make a choice.

He stood there for an unknown period of time. Teng Jiwen came back and stood next to Li Qiye without daring to disturb him. After a long time, he softly spoke: “Sir, my master is here.”

Li Qiye came back from his reflection and casually smiled: “Have you ever thought about where the Heavenvine Citadel will go if the ancestral vine does collapse one day?”

Such words were too much for Teng Jiwen. The jolt made him take a step back. He had never thought about such a terrible thing before. It would be disrespectful towards his ancestors.

He wryly smiled and spoke right away: “Sir, that is a very unlucky statement.”

Li Qiye raised his brows and flatly said: “I am only stating the truth, there is nothing unlucky about it. Even if an ancestral tree could be revived, it will eventually wither once more! Nothing is eternal in this world, and your ancestral vine is no exception. At the Heaven Spirit World, many ancestral trees have already fallen with their lineages following them soon afterward.”

Teng Jiwen couldn’t come up with a retort right away for his mind was quite confused. These ancestors would scold him if they were to hear such words. Even though he was unwilling to think about it, Li Qiye was right about this fact. That day would come. However, it was very far away to him. He would definitely not live to see it.

Li Qiye turned and walked inside at this time. Teng Jiwen regained his composure and quickly followed behind him.

There was already an old man waiting in the room. He was a little bit different. Although his body was made from flesh and blood, his right arm still carried the characteristics of a treant for it seemed to be carved out of wood.

“Profound Treehand.” Li Qiye took a glimpse at the man’s right hand and smiled: “To have such a level of atavism, you must be the Heavenvine Citadel Lord.”

The old man was surprised to see Li Qiye blurt out his background so quickly. Anyone could see that his right hand was atavistic. However, few could see through its mysteries.

And yet, an outsider was able to discern it with a single glance. His surprise was well warranted.

Teng Jiwen was scared by Li Qiye as well. He eventually made introductions after calming down: “Sir, this is my master and also the current lord of our citadel.”

Despite being the citadel lord, the old man was very respectful and polite towards Li Qiye. He bowed and said: “You must be the supreme alchemist that my disciple has been harping about…” [3. The “you” here is not quite “sir” level, but it is a polite and formal “you”.]