Chapter 54

Yellow Was the Greed

The entrance to the valley of the Holy Blade Sect was congested beyond reason. Shen Tao had to excuse himself from the line as there wasn't even a line--there was a torrent of people lining up behind everyone and everything, making it seem as though there were sixty rows and sixty entrances whereas, in fact, all flooded towards one.

Though he knew that people would race over, he never expected there to be this many. His heart raged ever so slightly as he'd never seen a sight like this at the entrance of the Bloodmoon Sect, not even close.

There were just about ten thousand people, at the very least, possibly even more. Chances were that just a couple of hundreds would barely meet the requirements. Even with the disaster and the attack, Holy Blade Sect wouldn't randomly lower their requirements just to placate mediocrity, especially now when they would become a de-facto leader within six thousand miles.

He stepped back and took in some fresh air. There was no need to rush--it would be his turn, eventually. The numbers would quickly begin to thin out he saw that the vast majority of the people present were at the Foundation Establishment Realm and well above twenty years of age. And even those that were younger were merely at Qi Condensation Realm. He'd only noticed six, perhaps seven people that were likely to get accepted, and even they would become ordinary disciples at best.

Even if it was tiring and dull to simply wait around doing nothing, there was little else he could do. He was no longer Shen Tao, but Xiang Tao, a vagabond seeking refuge at last.

**

"Aaaand, done!" Leo ripped away the last of the overgrown roots, tossing it on the side.

He was alone, having sent the kids away earlier since he didn't know what would happen when he finished. Descending the tree, he plastered his hand at his hips and stared at the renewed visage--he didn't recognize what type of tree it was, but it did leave him breathless nonetheless.

The tree's trunk was wide, roots digging deep into the dirt below, while its branches webbed out into a perfectly symmetrical canopy shaped almost like a mushroom cap. It was a distantly familiar shape, as though he'd seen it before in his life somewhere, but couldn't quite remember. Even while 'sheared', it still appeared wild and untamed, the branches like unrestrained arms going in every which direction.

It suddenly began to churn, gaps in its bark abruptly glowing in faint emerald. Strange smoke began to evaporate while its leaves began to gently sway, glowing in the same color as the gaps. Leo felt a knock of energy against his chest that pushed him a step back and watched in awe as well over a hundred thousand stalks of grass immediately grew in a wide circle around the tree. Within them, flowers began to bud and bloom in seconds, and all other trees surrounding it grew brighter in hue, seemingly revitalized.

He, too, felt something within himself crack, but could seldom feel what as his sight was immediately flooded by a barrage of windows.

['??????' has breathed in fully, rekindling its life]

['??????' reveals its true form and identity to you: Alder, Soul of the Forest]

[Your favorability has increased by 10]

[Alder will owe you a favor]

[You have received ]

[+8 to System XP]

[System Level: 2]

[System XP: 13/20]

[...]

[ -- a piece of bark suffused with Divine Qi. Holding it on person blocks everyone from inspecting you with their Divine Sense. Your Soul cannot be probed, inspected, or damaged. Once a year, you may use the Bark to plant a banyan tree that will bear 6 pieces of Divine Fruit]

[...]

[Your efforts have been further rewarded: received ]

[ -- direct Qi within the sword and attack at any angle. The attack cannot be blocked]

[Your cultivation has been increased: Early Foundation Establishment --> Late Foundation Establishment]

[Your roots have undergone a minor transformation: --> ]

[A temporary System Shop has been opened: your next purchase will cost 0 System XP]

[Item List:

1. 1x -- designate a spot. You may teleport to it by using the scroll at will if you are within 500 miles. Can teleport max up to 2 people at once.

2. 5x -- upon consumption, immediately enter a perfect meditative trance for 12 hours. Extremely useful when contemplating Dao, or training martial arts.

3. 1x -- gains True Insight within 5 feet of itself. Warning: the hidden world is thus so for a reason. Perhaps it is best left alone?

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

4. -- shift into the nether membrane of reality, temporarily becoming invisible. Drains immense quantities of Qi. Overuse can leave the mind reeling.

5. (3 uses) -- ring a bell that temporarily hypnotizes everyone below Immortal Foundation Realm. Interacting with them in any capacity wakes them up from hypnosis.

6. -- mends cracks on one's Soul.

7. 2x drops of -- achieve [Sunfire Physique] for 1h. Permanently drops one's cultivation a minor realm.

8. 10x -- immediately heals any injury, so long as the person's heart hasn't stopped. Can regrow minor parts (fingers, toes). Cannot regrow limbs.

9. -- attacks through this item are concealed by nature. They make no sound or disturbance in natural Qi. Can only be detected by people with high perception.

10. (2 uses) -- create an illusionary array spanning two miles. Lasts 30 minutes. Can only be seen through by the Array Grandmasters.]

[...]

[You have 30 minutes to choose]

Leo was, once again, angry.

The system presented him with so many amazing choices, that having to choose one felt almost diabolically unfair. He would have rather the system simply chose one of the ten at random and given it to him without mentioning others. Now that he knew, though, he was yellow with greed, in want of them all.

There was also the conundrum of selfishness--should he pick for himself, or for the pair of his Disciples? After all, he couldn't leave the forest any time soon, but the two might want to do so in the near future.

Seeing that he only had thirty minutes left, he gritted his teeth and sprinted off toward the camp. He'd pick the four-five items that he thought were the best and ask Yue and Liang which one they wanted. And, whatever they chose, he'd give it to them.

However, the two were conked out and asleep--not even in their mud huts, but rather leaning against each other and the boulder. A smile stretched out on his lips as he sighed, sitting down and choosing the first option--. While all others were useful beyond measure, this one would ensure their safety when they decided to leave. Any circumstance and they could just come back home immediately.

Even if the world past the forest was rife with death, he didn't want to see either of them die.

He prepared dinner as silently as he could, which his newest robe-borne-item made even easier. The piece of bark rested close abreast, and it was his dearest item. It would allow him to hide his meager cultivation and cosplay as a secluded hermit all that much better. However, because he'd have to inject a bit of Qi to activate it, he let it go unused for now. Both kids were accustomed to him being Foundation Establishment lad, and if he suddenly changed, they might start asking questions. Questions he had no means of answering.

It was the tantalizing scent of the food that woke the two up.

"H-huh? What... what the hell happened?!" Yue exclaimed, her cheeks reddening as she woke up and darted away quickly from her Junior Brother. "Was I so tired that I thought you were a decent pillow? Aah, Master, this is all your fault..."

"Haah, dinner's ready," he said, and her (very played-up) distress vanished immediately as she sat down in front of her plate.

"Have you finished, Master?" she asked.

"Hm."

"How is your friend?"

"Satisfied," Leo said. He elected not to mention something that transpired beyond the system's framework. A voice... no, perhaps closer to a 'thought' appeared inside his mind, a thought that wasn't there before and that did not belong to him. It detailed a location deeper west into the forest, beyond the solitary grave, where a well existed. And the 'thought' insinuated that the well was of the great importance, not just to the forest, but to the entire world. For now, however, he put it on the back burner, deciding to look for it once the longhouse was completed. "They gave me this, so I now pass it onto you." Leo took out the tattered scroll stained with purple lettering and handed it over to confused Yue.

"What is it, Master?"

"It's a Void Scroll," he said. "Close your eyes, pour your Qi into it, and place a mark here, nearby." Yue followed instructions and Leo watched a rip in space occur for a moment before disappearing. "Now, the next time you pour your Qi into it, you will be teleported right here, immediately. As long as you are within 500 miles of this place. Ah, two people can teleport at once, so make sure you save your Junior Brother, as well."

"..." Yue didn't say anything, lowering her head suddenly. Leo's confusion lasted only for a moment. "I... cannot accept this, Master."

"Hm? Why?"

"Because you have given me so, so, so much, that if I had ten lifetimes I feel like it wouldn't be enough to repay you," she said. "I haven't earned any of these things."

"... who cares?" Leo asked. "It's my choice to give them to you. Besides, I haven't given you anything that I cannot part with. But, if you feel like you haven't earned it, I can always give you guys something to do."

"Yes, please! Tell us what we can do!" in the meantime, Liang was lips-deep in the stew, as though it had nothing to do with him.

"I will need some iron ore and stone for the longhouse that I'm building," Leo said, taking out the compass. "This compass here will light up if you are within 200 yards of either one. Tomorrow, take Blackie, and your Junior Brother, and start exploring southward."

"Of course, Master!" Yue took the compass as though it was the holiest object she ever touched, shakily putting it away. "I'll make sure to find it!"

"Don't go too far. And if you come across anything dangerous, come back immediately. Understood?"

"Yes!"

"Ah. I will also need some hides--if you find some animals that you can defeat, and that are hostile to you two, grab some."

"Will do, Master!"

"But, again, it is imperative that you stay safe," as Leo broke off into his umpteenth safety speech, Yue dove into the stew, not wanting it to go cold. "Not just here in the forest, but outside as well. The world is dangerous, and that is why I want you to take the scroll and hold it close. Not just the scroll, I will also pass an attacking art to you two tomorrow, so you will have to practice diligently and make sure to always be on the lookout..."