Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

When they heard that only two strands of blood qi had been gained, several clan members frowned slightly. However, upon remembering that Chen Qingyu was now an Innate Realm martial artist, their doubts dissipated.

The blood qi of an Innate Realm martial artist was far denser, its quality vastly superior to that of a Blood Coagulation Realm cultivator. To gain two strands in a month was already a respectable pace.

Chen Xingzhen silently calculated.

A single Tian Nan Star could increase two strands of blood qi. That meant with just four more, Chen Qingyu would undoubtedly break through to the mid-Innate Realm!

However, the cost was steep—one Tian Nan Star alone was priced at ten thousand jade coins. Buying four more would require twenty thousand jade coins, a sum that was far from insignificant.

If they were to allocate those jade coins toward purchasing Purple Ganoderma or the more affordable Bodhi Fruit, the overall improvement to the clan would be far greater.

Yet, the clan also needed a high-level martial artist.

Back in Chaotic Burial Mountain, an Innate Realm cultivator was more than sufficient. But in Yong'an City, it was far from enough. For the clan’s future—and for other reasons as well—they had to cultivate a warrior of even higher standing.

Ideally, someone at the peak of the Innate Realm, or even in the Realm of Qi Control! Only then could they establish a foothold in the complex power struggles of Yong'an City.

Regardless, these rare treasures—resources the clan had never seen before—would greatly enhance their overall strength.

From now on, this would be the clan's primary focus.

Only by raising the cultivation realms of its members and strengthening their collective abilities could the clan nurture truly outstanding warriors.

This was the direction for the future.

However, their most pressing challenge was something else entirely.

At present, they needed to secure their supply of Blood Rice while also carving out a new path in Yong'an City—a means to convert their Blood Rice and other resources from Chaotic Burial Mountain into jade coins.

In the end, these jade coins would be used to acquire the necessary materials to strengthen the clan in all aspects. This was also the main reason for their dealings with the outside world.

According to Chen Tianjing, the clan’s recent sale of Blood Rice had already drawn the attention of the four major clans. This alone proved how much these clans desired the grain.

While the clan’s strength had improved significantly—its number of Blood Coagulation Realm cultivators was nearing double digits—they were still far from matching the four great clans.

Moreover, if they wanted to establish themselves in Yong'an City, it was unlikely those clans would allow it so easily.

A new clan meant greater instability. Their involvement would inevitably disrupt the existing balance, diminishing the resources and influence of the others.

No matter how one looked at it, the four great clans would not sit idly by and allow the clan to develop peacefully. This was the greatest obstacle they now faced.

Chen Tianyu and the others began to voice their opinions.

“Tianjing said the four great clans aren't completely united. Maybe there's an opportunity there? Perhaps we could align ourselves with one or two of them?”

“That won’t work. They may have their own rivalries, but they maintain a certain unspoken agreement. Besides, we can’t afford to split our Blood Rice with any other faction.”

“What if we reveal the Zhou clan’s token? No matter how strong the four great clans are, they can’t possibly challenge the Zhou clan. With their protection, they wouldn’t dare take our Blood Rice by force.”

Several members nodded in agreement.

The clan now had abundant farmland and a thriving Blood Rice harvest. If not for the Zhou clan, their development would have been far smoother.

Since they were already offering half their harvest as tribute to the Zhou clan, the Zhou clan should, in theory, provide them with protection.

Yet, upon hearing this, Chen Xingzhen shook his head and said,

“Perhaps displaying the Zhou clan's token will keep the four great clans from making any overt moves, but our clan doesn’t rely solely on Blood Rice. We have other goods that need to be sold in Yong'an City. 

“If the four clans decide to obstruct us, it will be difficult to obtain jade coins. Moreover, Yunmeng City is too far from Chaotic Burial Mountain. We cannot entrust the safety of our clan to Zhou Huai’an’s verbal assurances alone.

“The only reason the Zhou clan has dealings with us is because of our Blood Rice and the natural Blood Spring within our territory. But the Blood Spring cannot be moved, and Blood Rice isn’t something only our clan can cultivate—any other clan could grow it as well.”

“If they replace us, the Zhou clan won’t suffer any losses. But for our clan, it would be an absolute disaster. And no one would care. We cannot stake our future on a token that holds no real power.”

Hearing this, the others grew solemn.

“Then, Patriarch… are we just going to hand over our Blood Rice without resistance?” Chen Tianmo asked, unwilling to accept the situation.

Chen Xingzhen sighed.

“There is no other way. The Zhou clan is too powerful for us to resist. Their token may serve as an embellishment, but it is not a life-saving talisman.”

The others wore troubled expressions.

To make matters worse, they still didn’t fully understand the strength of the four great clans. The clan was essentially walking blind.

They all knew that the only way to break this deadlock was for their clan to grow strong enough to deter their enemies—to make the four great clans think twice before making a move.

But that was precisely the problem.

The clan was weak. They had no way to deter anyone. It was a vicious cycle, and they had no means to escape it.

“Patriarch, I suspect the four great clans have already sent spies after us. How should we handle this?”

Chen Tianjing nodded in agreement. “There’s no way they would pass up this opportunity. That said, I didn’t sense anyone tailing us on the way back.”

The others, however, were not reassured.

For someone at the late Blood Coagulation Realm like Chen Tianjing to sense nothing… that didn’t mean there were no spies. It only meant that whoever was watching them was far more powerful than him.

Which could only mean one thing—the ones tailing them were Innate Realm martial artists.

This in itself was alarming.

If Innate Realm spies were already on their trail, then it was only a matter of time before the four great clans sent even stronger forces against them.

The Zhou clan's token would not be enough to protect them.

“For now, let’s not dwell on this,” Chen Xingzhen said. “I will discuss matters with my father and the elders before making any decisions.”

The others nodded.

With the clan’s deceased elders and various other members still watching over them, they weren’t entirely defenseless. This might even be an opportunity to gain some insight into their enemies.

Once the others left the ancestral hall, Chen Xingzhen pressed his palms together and prayed before the Divine Tree once more.

The ancient tree remained as it always had—tranquil and unassuming. Yet, among its dense locust leaves, one shimmered faintly with a golden glow, hidden in plain sight.

Not long after the meeting, an enraged voice suddenly echoed through the clan:

“You unfilial son! Get back here before I beat you to death!”

…

“Have you come up with a solution?”

In  Chen Xingzhen's dream, Chen Changming smiled as he asked.

Though he was a soul, there was now a calmness about him that hadn’t been there before. Perhaps it was due to his prolonged stay by the Divine Tree, or maybe it was because his soul had ascended to a higher state.

Either way, he didn’t mind. This clarity of mind… it allowed him to think with greater precision.

Yet, Chen Xingzhen could only shake his head bitterly. Against such overwhelming forces, he had no answer.

The enemy had multiple Innate Realm martial artists—possibly even stronger ones. Meanwhile, their clan had only Chen Qingyu at the early Innate Realm.

How were they supposed to intimidate the four great clans?

Perhaps, for now, the enemy was merely observing. But soon… the true storm would arrive.

And a mere token from the Zhou clan would not be enough to save them.