Protect Our Patriarch-Chapter 96Book 5: : Promotion! Lixian Ninth Stage Transformation

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"Please forgive my embarrassment, Your Highness," Wang Shouzhe said with a wry smile and a cupped fist. "Our Emperor is truly..."

"No need to worry," Chaoyang King waved his hand with a gracious smile. "Long Chang is becoming more and more shameless, like an old child. But that's not a bad thing; a relaxed mindset might just add a few more years to his life."

"Your Highness, my lord, this way please," Wang Shouzhe invited the two into the Stay Immortal Residence, explaining as they walked, "Stay Immortal Residence is located at the core of our Wang's Clan's Spirit Gathering Array, where the spiritual energy is extremely abundant. Moreover, with our Lixian overseeing it, there's a special life energy here that nourishes the body and soul over time. Please rest in the courtyard and enjoy some spirit tea while I have the residence tidied up."

Having prepared in advance, it wasn't long before Liu Ruolan arrived at Stay Immortal Residence with several sisters-in-law and a group of maids.

Under her direction, the residence was quickly cleaned and refreshed, with living supplies produced by the Wang's Clan replacing the old ones, showing the importance placed on the visit of the Chaoyang King and his wife.

Liu Ruolan, as the main wife of the Wang's Clan, was usually in charge of managing the household affairs and receiving female guests. Given the Chaoyang King's status as a distinguished elder, it was most appropriate for her to handle the reception.

Moreover, according to the message from her great-grandson Anye, the visit was likely to involve treating the Chaoyang King's illness, and having Ruolan assist would avoid many inconveniences.

"Your Highness, my lord, this is my wife, Ruolan," Wang Shouzhe introduced as Ruolan approached after finishing her tasks.

"Ruolan greets Your Highness and my lord," Liu Ruolan bowed respectfully, "If Your Highness needs anything in the future, please feel free to instruct Ruolan."

"Ruolan, you truly have the grace of an immortal, and Shouzhe is indeed fortunate," Chaoyang King complimented warmly, taking Ruolan's hand and presenting a gift. "I have a [Mystic Water Phoenix Hairpin] here, perfect for Ruolan's protection."

The Mystic Water Phoenix Hairpin was a deep azure, heavier than ordinary hairpins, yet exquisitely crafted. The phoenix at the tail seemed ready to soar, with surging energy causing ripples of light across its surface.

Clearly, it was a rare Divine Spirit Artifact.

"Your Highness, you're too kind," Liu Ruolan declined politely. "I have done nothing to deserve such a generous gift."

"A precious hairpin for a fair lady, Ruolan, I feel a kinship with you, so why not accept it?" Chaoyang King insisted, gently placing the hairpin in Ruolan's hair. "This hairpin was a personal gift from the Immortal Emperor for my battlefield achievements in my youth. When activated with divine sense, it transforms into a water-type phoenix to assist in battle, maintaining strength comparable to an early Divine Realm fierce beast for about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense."

"Ruolan, it's quite suitable for your protection. As for its use, you can communicate with the Spirit Artifact at your leisure."

Unable to refuse, Liu Ruolan accepted the treasure and expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness. To show my appreciation, I will personally oversee the banquet in your honor."

Wang Shouzhe's expression subtly shifted, but Chaoyang King seemed pleased, holding Liu Ruolan's hand and saying, "You're so thoughtful, child."

Though Liu Ruolan was considered an "ancestor grandmother" in the family, she was just two hundred years old. To someone like Chaoyang King, who had lived over three thousand years, she was indeed just a child.

After some pleasantries, Chaoyang King got to the point.

She produced a Xi Rang Bracelet and said to Wang Shouzhe, "Master Wang Shouzhe, this is the Tree of Fortune that Young Master Anye entrusted me to bring back to the Wang's Clan. He's currently tied up with some mundane matters at the Ji's Clan in Chaoyang and can't return to East Qian for the time being."

Chaoyang King couldn't help but marvel at the openness and trust of the Changning Wang's Clan, not fearing that she might covet the Tree of Fortune!

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Wang Shouzhe respectfully accepted it, activating the Xi Rang Bracelet. A spatial energy fluctuation later, the Tree of Fortune, temporarily housed within, was released.

It was a slender sapling, slightly taller than a person. Compared to a typical healthy sapling, its trunk was overly thin, giving a frail impression, and its leaves were somewhat yellowed, appearing wilted and lacking vitality.

Clearly, the years of forced extraction of its source energy had severely damaged it, leaving what should have been a vibrant, lively quasi-immortal sapling looking weak and fragile.

In this unfamiliar place, without his most trusted Wang Anye by his side, the sapling seemed anxious and fearful, with its roots and branches curling up involuntarily.

Seeing this, Wang Shouzhe and the others couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, silently cursing the Wei's Clan for their inhumanity.

Even Chaoyang King sighed.

At that moment, a gentle aura mixed with some immortal spirit energy descended from above, enveloping the Tree of Fortune in a warm, spring-like embrace.

Simultaneously, a branch from Lixian's main body extended down, encircling and shielding him, with broad green leaves brushing gently over his crown.

Wang Lixian's childish voice rang out, "Bao Fu, don't be afraid. This is your home now, and we'll all protect you."

Anye's letter had mentioned naming the newly adopted Tree of Fortune [Wang Bao Fu], to be brothers with the Seven-Colored Glazed Treasure Tree [Wang Bao Cai].

"Yiya ya."

The Tree of Fortune, Wang Bao Fu, couldn't speak yet, but he sensed Lixian's kindness and warmth, and he liked the immortal spirit energy she exuded. He nestled comfortably in Lixian's embrace, cooing softly, while Wang Lixian continued to comfort him.

Having lived to this point, Wang Lixian finally showed some semblance of an elder sister.

Once Wang Bao Fu had calmed down a bit, Wang Shouzhe and Lixian examined his condition together.

After the examination, Wang Shouzhe's slightly furrowed brow relaxed, "Bao Fu is quite lucky. Though his source is significantly damaged, he's still young. With Lixian's nurturing and my treatment, he should recover in ten to twenty years."

"That's good to hear."

The Chaoyang King and her husband exchanged relieved glances.

The Tree of Fortune, being a semi-immortal seed, had growth potential on par with the Enlightenment Tea Tree. Once matured, it would greatly benefit the entire human race.

Moreover, any "semi-immortal seed" indicated it had broken through its shackles, having its own "Dao," and thus the potential to become an immortal tree.

For instance, the Enlightenment Tea Tree chose the path of aiding "enlightenment." Over tens of thousands of years, several Immortal Sovereigns and Immortal Emperors had ascended to the True Immortal Realm under its branches. Accumulate enough of such achievements, and it might one day shed the "quasi" from its quasi-immortal status.

The Tree of Fortune was no different.

If it were to ascend to an immortal tree, it would provide a powerful shield for humanity.

"Is Xian'er a life-attribute semi-immortal seed?" Chaoyang King curiously observed Wang Lixian.

Wang Lixian's abundant vitality and pure life force were unlike anything she had ever seen, inexplicable unless she was a "semi-immortal seed."

"Indeed, Xian'er is a life spirit tree I acquired by chance, with the potential to reach the twelfth-tier peak," Wang Shouzhe "honestly" introduced.

Wang Shouzhe had never publicly declared Lixian to be a true immortal seed, instead using "semi-immortal seed" as a guise. The same applied to Wang Zongkun; having "Kun" in his name didn't mean he was a pure-blooded Kun, just that the family had "hopes" for him.

This naming convention was quite common in both the Immortal Dynasty and the Great Qian, so no one thought much of it.

Even in the resource-rich Shenwu period, immortal seeds and saplings were extremely rare. Wang Shouzhe obtained Wang Lixian and Wang Zongkun by "cheating" to break the "Shenwu Army's highest record."

Normally, achieving such feats would require being more extraordinary than even a prodigy like Wu Panpan.

Clearly, both Lixian and Zongkun were prizes personally placed by the Holy Emperor to accompany the growth of human immortal seeds.

According to the Holy Emperor's introduction when the prizes were awarded, Lixian and Zongkun weren't products of this world but were acquired by the Holy Emperor during his "travels" in other regions.

This suggests that naturally nurturing an immortal seed in a world is extremely difficult.

"Wang's Clan is truly fortunate and blessed," Chaoyang King marveled, full of praise. "Having two semi-immortal seeds is a rare opportunity. Given time, Wang's Clan will undoubtedly become a pillar of humanity."

Chaoyang King had spent her life battling on the front lines, fighting to protect humanity. At her level, her perspective and heart had long surpassed many first-class clans and even royal families.

Seeing Wang's Clan rise to share the burden of humanity, she felt joy rather than envy.

"Your Highness flatters us. Our Wang's Clan is still small and needs room to grow," Wang Shouzhe shifted the topic. "Anye mentioned that Your Highness was injured on the outer region battlefield. If you don't mind, may I examine you?"

Chaoyang King had come with a hopeful heart and naturally wouldn't refuse. She extended her arm graciously, "Please, Master Wang Shouzhe."

"Your Highness, forgive my intrusion. Please relax and do not resist my profound energy."

As Wang Shouzhe spoke, he placed his fingers on Chaoyang King's arm, and a stream of pure profound energy slowly seeped into her meridians.

Just as he was about to guide the energy throughout her body.

Suddenly.

A sinister and malevolent energy erupted, viciously attempting to devour Shouzhe's profound energy.

"?"

Wang Shouzhe frowned, his profound energy's life source energy surging up to battle the sinister energy, each wearing the other down.

In terms of energy, Shouzhe's source energy was clearly more refined and of a higher level, giving him a significant advantage. However, the sinister energy was extremely tenacious and vast, having infiltrated every cell of Chaoyang King's body, almost merging with it.

"Xian'er, help me," Wang Shouzhe called out, having gauged the situation.

"Yes, Father."

Wang Lixian's main body branches swayed, merging her abundant life energy with Wang Shouzhe's.

With the father-daughter duo working together, the effect was immediate.

The mighty life profound energy swept through Chaoyang King's meridians, shattering the sinister energy, which then retreated rapidly, burrowing into her cells and bone marrow, becoming extremely difficult to remove.

After completing a full circuit.

Wang Shouzhe released her arm with a grave expression, "What kind of poison curse has Your Highness been afflicted with? It's incredibly tenacious!"

"Master Wang Shouzhe, Feng Wei was poisoned by one of the 'Twenty-Four Earthly Fiends' of the outer region demons, the life poison of the Poison Demon King," Chaoyang King's husband, Yao Yuangang, explained anxiously. "The battle was too fierce back then, and with the front line in peril, she couldn't properly heal and kept fighting, worsening her injuries until the poison seeped into her bones, resulting in this situation."

"It's not just the poison," Wang Shouzhe said solemnly. "The main issue is Your Highness's numerous old injuries, leading to a depletion of her life source. Although she appears strong, her body is riddled with wounds, allowing the poison to run rampant."

"Moreover, with such a fragile body, many potent but effective detoxification methods can't be used, as Your Highness's body wouldn't withstand them. I believe this is why even the Immortal Emperor is at a loss."

"Master Wang Shouzhe, is there hope for Feng Wei?" Yao Yuangang asked anxiously.

"There is hope," Wang Shouzhe considered. "But Your Highness's old injuries and poison are severe, requiring gradual treatment. First, we need to strengthen her constitution and replenish her source, then slowly extract the poison from her bones, like peeling an onion. Recovery will take decades, possibly a century, so Your Highness should prepare for long-term convalescence."

"A century?" Chaoyang King was taken aback, "Can I live another hundred years?"

"Your Highness, you're actually quite young, not yet three thousand five hundred, right?" Wang Shouzhe chuckled, "It's just that years of battle have depleted your life source, making you seem near death. But with proper care, I can assure you at least another three hundred years."

Three hundred years!

The Chaoyang King and her husband were overjoyed.

Such longevity was comparable to a normal Lingxu Realm cultivator. Though Lingxu Realm cultivators were said to live four thousand years, most didn't reach that age, typically living around three thousand seven or eight hundred years.

"Good, good, this trip to East Qian was worth it," Yao Yuangang exclaimed with joy, producing a jade bottle from his storage ring. "Master Wang Shouzhe, this is one of our spoils from the outer region battlefield—[Spiritual Wood Essence]. It's said to be extremely beneficial for the growth of spiritual plants. You've done us a great service, please don't refuse."

"Spiritual Wood Essence?" Wang Shouzhe's eyes lit up, "Xian'er was originally decades away from reaching the ninth tier, but with this, her advancement is imminent."

This gift was exactly what he needed, so Wang Shouzhe accepted it with both hands, "Xian'er's early advancement to the ninth tier will benefit both Your Highness's recovery and Bao Fu, so I humbly accept."

"Xian'er, try this Spiritual Wood Essence," Wang Shouzhe instructed.

"Okay, thank you, Father."

Wang Lixian responded sweetly, lowering a branch to envelop the Spiritual Wood Essence and absorb it.

In no time, her aura surged, with the immortal spirit energy emanating from her crown growing denser, and her already robust trunk and roots visibly expanding.

Within two or three days, she reached the peak of the eighth tier with the help of the Spiritual Wood Essence.

Simultaneously, a dark cloud gathered over [Stay Immortal Valley].

This was Lixian's ninth-tier tribulation cloud, comparable in intensity to a Divine Realm tribulation for human Basalt cultivators.

Seeing this, the "unrelated people" temporarily left Stay Immortal Valley, watching Lixian's tribulation from afar, while Wang Shouzhe sat beneath her main body, merging his divine sense with hers.

As an immortal seed, Lixian's source was powerful, and this ninth-tier tribulation cloud was not a significant threat to her, making the tribulation process almost uneventful.

After the tribulation, the heavenly essence gathered by the tribulation cloud rained down on Lixian and Wang Shouzhe.

Under the nourishment of the heavenly essence, Wang Lixian's crown, barely damaged by the tribulation lightning, quickly recovered and grew even more lush and dense, with broad leaves glistening with vitality, exuding an increasingly abundant and pure life aura, and a denser immortal spirit energy.

Even the aerial roots hanging from her massive crown appeared thicker.

Clearly, this wave of heavenly essence greatly benefited Wang Lixian.

With a life bond contract linking Wang Shouzhe and Wang Lixian, their fortunes were intertwined, and their bloodlines connected, allowing him to gain some benefits from the heavenly essence, slightly enhancing his bloodline aptitude.

Of course, the portion of heavenly essence he received was minimal, so his bloodline aptitude didn't improve dramatically, only advancing from the entry level of a Peerless Prodigy Class B to the mid-level of the same class.

However, with his bloodline aptitude at its current level, even a slight improvement was extremely difficult, requiring significant opportunities. Therefore, Wang Shouzhe was quite pleased.

At that moment.

A little girl in a green dress suddenly descended from the sky, landing with a "plop" in Wang Shouzhe's arms.

The little girl looked about eight or nine years old, with chubby cheeks, appearing like a carved jade doll, very adorable.

She hugged Wang Shouzhe affectionately, blinking her big, bright eyes, and said in a sweet voice, "Father, Father, Xian'er has finally taken human form. Are you happy, are you pleased~"

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