Chapter 142 Memories of the Lifebrand Ancient Tree (2/2)

Even though he was unable to turn his 'head', somehow Lu Tianzi was still able to look around and observe his surroundings.

Yet just like before, no matter where he looked, there was only the vast plain that stretched endlessly into the horizons.

A dreadful premonition slowly came over Lu Tianzi.

Was he living out the memories of the Lifebrand Ancient Tree?

But it was said that the Lifebrand Ancient Tree had existed for hundreds of millennia!

Did that mean he would have to experience all hundreds of millennia of the Lifebrand Ancient Tree's memories?

No way… right?

Lu Tianzi shook his 'head'.

There was no use worrying over such matters.

Now that the mental connection had stabilised, Lu Tianzi had regained full control over it as well.

But that was only control over the mental connection.

Even though he still had no control what he was experiencing, if worst comes to worst, he could at least cut off the mental connection like he did with the earlier one.

For now, he had to make the best out of the situation, and try to assimilate the Lifebrand Ancient Tree's memories as his own.

He calmed his mind and continued to sway with the wind, taking in the peace and quiet of a world that was without any sort of disturbances.

At this moment, it was as though he was the only one that existed in this strange and ancient world.

The sun set, and then the sun rose again, repeating the cycle once more.

In this pristine world untouched by the hands of man, the nourishment from nature itself was unbelievably pure, allowing him to grow significantly stronger by the day.

Just like that, seven days passed with Lu Tianzi being trapped in the body of the Lifebrand Ancient Tree.

According to the Scarlet Moon Overlord, the participants were only allowed to cultivate in the Lifebrand Courtyard for a week.

But Lu Tianzi was not in a hurry to leave.

After all, despite the passing of the week, he had yet to truly benefit from this experience.

Since there seemed to be no one trying to wake his real body in the outside world, Lu Tianzi certainly was not intending to complain about being allowed to remain for a longer period of time!

The days continued to pass by, and days turned into months.

Without Lu Tianzi realising it, he had already lost track of the passing of time.

In his mind, he was no longer Lu Tianzi, but had become Lifebrand Ancient Tree itself.

Around him, the wild grass of the vast plain changed with the seasons.

In winter, they grew dry and withered, yet stubbornly lived on.

In spring, they regained their vitality, growing vibrantly by the day.

In summer, they wore the colour of a beautiful gold under the bright and glaring sun.

In autumn, they swayed with the howling winds once more.

Before Lu Tianzi knew it, years had passed. He had witnessed the changing of the seasons more times than he could count. Other trees had also started to grow in the surroundings, slowly forming into a sparse forest.

And then something new happened.

A young couple appeared in the woods, and worked hard to construct a small wooden house right beside him. They lived a simple yet happy life, relying on each other as they grew fruits and hunted small animals for food.

Of course, it was not all smooth sailing for them.

At times, they were unable to obtain sufficient food, and had to endure the hunger pangs that followed.

At times, they were injured by the very animals that they were trying to hunt, and had to bear with the painful wounds.

At times, they contracted illnesses, and had to alleviate their conditions with general herbs.

Even so, they were contented as long as they were in the company of each other, and continued living on in happiness.

Overlooking the house, Lu Tianzi watched on as the couple experienced the different aspects of life, slowly ageing with the passing of the years.

This couple were mere mortals, and did not embark on the path of cultivation. But even taking that into consideration, their lifespans were considered shorter than average, passing on even before they hit the age of sixty.

Coincidentally or not, it happened in a single night, with both of them firmly holding onto each other's hands as they passed away in their sleep.

Lu Tianzi sighed in his heart.

Life.

Although the quality of life that this couple led could have been improved in many areas, they were contented with what they had. Up to the very end, they had appreciated whatever fate brought to their table, and lived out a life without regrets.

This could also be said of the wild grass and vegetation that refused to bend to the elements of nature. They, too, had to deal with whatever fate brought to them. Yet even though they had yet to obtain sentience, they stubbornly held on, living out their lives to the fullest.

At this moment, Lu Tianzi felt like he was starting to gain the faintest insight into what life truly entailed…

***

Back in the Lifebrand Courtyard, Marshal Xianming continued to wait patiently while watching the two hundred youngsters in their silent meditation.

It was already the third day since they had started cultivating in this precious cultivation ground, and he could sense that most of them had still yet to succeed in establishing a mental connection with the Lifebrand Ancient Tree.

However, Marshal Xianming was not surprised.

After all, this was not a simple task even for some Origin Core realm martial artists, not to mention those who were only at the Essence Condensation realm.

Right from the beginning, he had only expected a handful of them to be able to truly touch upon the world laws that were embedded in the Lifebrand Ancient Tree.

While Marshal Xianming was still in the midst of his contemplation, the Lifebrand Ancient Tree that had been motionless all along suddenly swayed, creating a gentle rustling sound that broke the silence of the Lifebrand Courtyard.

Marshal Xianming immediately froze, completely dumbfounded by what he just saw.

The swaying of the Lifebrand Ancient Tree might seem like an inconsequential matter to others, but Marshal Xianming knew exactly what it meant!

Throughout his countless years of serving in the Scarlet Moon Palace, this was only the second time that he had seen the Lifebrand Ancient Tree sway in such a manner.

The first time happened countless years ago, when the Scarlet Moon Overlord managed to touch upon one of the high tier world laws that had been embedded in the Lifebrand Ancient Tree.

But ever since then, no one had been able to replicate this feat, not even the Scarlet Moon Overlord himself!

Or at least, not until today.

Now that he was bearing witness to such a scene once again, Marshal Xianming could not help but feel goosebumps appearing all over his body.

Back then, even the Scarlet Moon Overlord had to meditate for months before finally achieving such a feat. Yet within a span of three short days, someone within these two hundred youngsters had actually managed to replicate his achievement?

How was such a thing even possible?

Just what kind of monstrous talent must one possess in order to achieve such a thing?!