Soul Land V: Rebirth of Tang San-Chapter 1101 - 1098: The Transformation of the Tree Ancestor

The Tree Ancestor seemed to undergo some changes. Its massive trunk showed obvious signs of renewed vitality, and the life force it emitted was no longer gentle but almost viscous. The blue leaves and golden branches glimmered faintly, and when Xu Anyu laid eyes on it for the first time, his initial thought was: this is the center of the entire world.

The aura of the Tree Ancestor had been significantly strengthened—far more than just a modest enhancement.

Witnessing this scene, Tang San wasn’t surprised at all. Having achieved the status of Quasi Emperor, Tang San had elevated the reputation of the Blue Golden Tree Clan immensely. Furthermore, he had established them as a Neutral Race. Imperceptibly, this accomplishment had exponentially amplified the power of faith directed toward the Tree Ancestor. Coupled with the clan’s unity and the transformation of the Blue Golden Tree Clan’s status on the continent, all of these factors served as the most nourishing sustenance for the Tree Ancestor.

Approaching the Tree Ancestor, Tang San offered a deep bow with reverence before its massive form. Only after straightening up did he slowly speak, "Great Tree Ancestor, your descendants have lived up to expectations, securing new opportunities and a brighter future for our clan. Today, I return to deliver my report. Going forward, no race will ever bully us again. No upheaval will plunge us into grief and despair. Our clan will guide the evolution of life force across the continent you created, illuminating every corner with your glory."

As he spoke, Tang San raised his hand and placed it upon the trunk of the Tree Ancestor’s towering body.

Instantly, the enormous trunk of the Tree Ancestor lit up. Brilliant golden rays burst forth, and each leaf transformed into what seemed like gleaming blue crystals, radiating dazzling luminescence.

A surge of immensely powerful life energy suddenly erupted from the Tree Ancestor. All clansmen of the Blue Golden Tree Clan were immediately enveloped in radiant blue-golden light. Even Xu Anyu, an outsider, bathed in this life energy felt as though his entire being was enveloped in life force, swelling with an overwhelming sense of transcendence.

The Tree Ancestor’s branches and leaves swayed lightly, and as Tang San closed his eyes, the most vast and pure life energy enveloped him.

Vaguely, Tang San began to feel his aura connected with the Tree Ancestor’s. He sensed the life aura at the level of the plane undulating invisibly. Amid these undulations, there was even a pulling force, as though trying to draw his divine consciousness into that world. The stronger the pull, the higher the rank of life aura emanating from him became.

Squinting slightly, Tang San’s Sea God’s godhood pulsed faintly, severing the connection between himself and the Tree Ancestor.

Evidently, although the Tree Ancestor operated on pure instinct, it still showed some awareness. It was pleased with Tang San’s assistance to the Blue Golden Tree Clan, yet it seemed reluctant to have the clan entirely under the control of someone external like Tang San.

"But Tree Ancestor, do you realize that without me, the Blue Golden Tree Clan would still be weak, even on the brink of extinction? Would you stand idly by as your clan faced destruction?"

Tang San was not merely being melodramatic. If not for his arrival, although the Blue Golden Tree Clan could persist under the guardianship of the Tree Ancestor’s body, such a fragile existence wouldn’t last. If the Blue Golden Tree Clan lost control of Jianmu City, then the destruction of the Tree Ancestor’s physical roots would be close at hand. Without the high-level stimulation from Tang San’s godhood, the Tree Ancestor couldn’t summon enough power to unleash its potential, let alone kill an Emperor. The eventual outcome would likely have been a complete fragmentation by various clans.

Tang San conveyed his thoughts through divine consciousness into the Tree Ancestor’s body. As part of the plane master, the Tree Ancestor’s physical body was the sole entity capable of maintaining a sliver of connection with it. Although the current Tree Ancestor no longer retained true consciousness, its instincts were still influenced by this connection, which explained its unwavering protection of the Blue Golden Tree Clan.

The aura of the Tree Ancestor gradually calmed, its rich life energy dispersing harmoniously outward. From the direction of the Tree Ancestor’s crown, a strip of golden light floated downward—a thin, delicate branch composed entirely of translucent gold. As it descended, the branch coiled gently and formed a circular shape on its own. Tiny blue leaves began to sprout from the branch, and ultimately, it drifted soundlessly onto Tang San’s head. Nine leaves stood upright, complementing the golden branch in a manner resembling a regal crown, imbuing Tang San with an even greater air of nobility.

"Patriarch, this is the Tree Ancestor’s recognition—its acknowledgment of you as the king of our clan and as the heir to the Tree Ancestor," the Great Elder exclaimed excitedly.

"Hail the Tree King!" The clansmen of the Blue Golden Tree Clan knelt once more in reverence.

As the crown rested on Tang San’s head, he distinctly felt a peculiar transformation in his life energy. Perhaps it was the Tree Ancestor’s aid in concealing him, but at this moment, he felt himself completely integrated with the life forms of this plane. The sense of rejection from the plane that had long oppressed him disappeared quietly. This was the Tree Ancestor’s recognition, and by extension, true recognition from part of the plane master itself.

Thus, in Xu Anyu’s eyes, Tang San appeared as though he had more perfectly melded into this world. Although the intensity of his life aura hadn’t changed, its rank seemed to have risen further. He seemed poised to achieve union of heaven and man, as if all the Blue Golden Tree Clan clansmen had already become part of his own being.

This extraordinary texture was undeniably striking. Xu Anyu understood that Tang San, upon ascending to Emperor, might very well become a new Tree Ancestor. Yet he wondered whether Tang San would follow the path of the previous Tree Ancestor and ultimately integrate into the heavens and earth.

Tang San himself was clear that the Tree Ancestor’s acknowledgment of him as an agent of the plane master might not last forever. When he faced his Emperor Tribulation, all secrets would be laid bare, and at that point, he would truly have to confront everything.

The miraculous nature of the Tree Ancestor gradually faded, returning to normal.

Tang San turned to the Blue Golden Tree Clan clansmen, raising his hands in a gesture of uplift. Instantly, every member of the Blue Golden Tree Clan felt embraced by a surge of life aura, standing up subconsciously.

"Clansmen of the Blue Golden Tree Clan, I am Jin Miaolin, your patriarch, the Tree Ancestor’s recognized king."

Immediately, cheers erupted throughout Jianmu City. The eyes of every Blue Golden Tree Clan clansman burned with fervor.

Although most clansmen hadn’t witnessed Tang San’s exceptional performance during the Quasi Emperor Battle, they had all heard of the epic competition’s events. Against great odds, their patriarch emerged victorious, achieved Quasi Emperor status, and led the Blue Golden Tree Clan toward resurgence. How could they not feel ecstatic? The Tree Ancestor’s recent acknowledgment further solidified their conviction.

Tang San raised his hands, quickly quieting the excited crowd.

"During my recent pilgrimage to the Ancestral Court, I successfully presented my duties and formally became Jianmu City Lord. The Ancestral Court has also permitted our clan to continue stewarding this primary city. Our homeland is secure."

The cheers reignited. Older members of the Blue Golden Tree Clan were moved to tears. Their greatest fear had been losing control of their city—or, worse, the Tree Ancestor’s body itself! Despite its formidable deterrent power, who wouldn’t covet the life origin of this continent?

"During the Quasi Emperor Battle, I defeated the overwhelming majority of opponents and ultimately reached Quasi Emperor. I also united with the foremost Quasi Emperor in matrimony. We have secured friendships with the Dragon Clan as well as with races from various main cities. For the future of our clan, and to ensure we are no longer exploited as mere resources by dubious forces, I petitioned the Ancestral Court to grant our clan recognition as a Neutral Race. This proposal was approved. Soon, every primary city along Fairy Avenue will have a Tower of Life managed by one of our clan Elders. As a Neutral Race, we will consolidate life energy for each city, spreading the Tree Ancestor’s glory across the continent. This effort will elevate the life rank of all races and foster their evolution. The Ancestral Court will also establish a Tower of Life exclusively for me, laying the foundation for a future Holy Mountain, where I will serve as its overseer, consolidating life energy for the Ancestral Court. From now on, the Blue Golden Tree Clan will no longer be confined to the shadows but will step onto the grand stage of the continent in a true sense."