Chapter 43: The Divine Ability Tree

Inside the cave, the strange fragrance gradually dissipated.

Gazing at the fully bloomed Wolfbane Flower, Jiang Chen stepped forward. At that moment, as if sensing his approach, several vines lashed out toward him.

Seeing this, his blood surged, and Jiang Chen effortlessly destroyed the attacking tendrils.

“The Wolfbane Flower is rather unique in nature. According to the experience of the Dire Wolf Clan, to preserve its medicinal potency, it is best stored in a wooden box.”

With this thought, Jiang Chen produced the wooden box he had long prepared, carefully plucked the Wolfbane Flower, and placed it inside.

As soon as the flower was picked, the once-ferocious Wolfbane Vine instantly withered, losing much of its vigor.

Witnessing this, Jiang Chen formed a hand seal, attuning himself to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth as he activated a secret art. This technique, left behind by the former Qi-refining Wolf King of the Dire Wolf Clan, was designed specifically to facilitate the transplantation of the Wolfbane Vine.

"Go!"

Spiritual power gathered at his fingertip as Jiang Chen touched the root of the Wolfbane Vine.

In the next instant, the vine seemed to fall into slumber, utterly bereft of vitality. Its leaves withered, tendrils shriveled, and soon, only a scattering of dried twigs and leaves remained.

"Life truly is remarkable."

Taking in the transformation, Jiang Chen ended the secret art and sighed in admiration.

He knew the Wolfbane Vine was not truly dead—this was merely its dormant state. Whenever faced with mortal danger, the vine would withdraw all vitality, conserving its essence and minimizing all expenditure, thus hoping to endure the calamity.

At this moment, responding to Jiang Chen's command, Shu Tianjiao scurried forward, digging from a pit of corpses a fist-sized, crimson stone. Its texture was smooth as jade, saturated with abundant vitality—the root, or perhaps the seed, of the Wolfbane Vine.

“Transplanting spiritual plants is no simple task. Some may wither and die if moved recklessly. Compared to them, however, this Wolfbane Vine is relatively easy.”

Taking the seed from Shu Tianjiao and examining it briefly, Jiang Chen slipped it into his sleeve.

“Let’s go.”

He swept his gaze about, making certain nothing was left behind, then turned and departed.

This Ramhorn Mountain, hidden deep within the forest, was seldom visited by people and inhospitable to human life—not a place to linger.

Not long after, under Shu Tianjiao’s command, the rats, bearing their spoils—a fierce-horned wolf and over twenty wolf cubs—began the journey home.

Three days later, Jiang Chen finally returned safely to Golden Sand Valley.

"At last, I’m back."

In his own courtyard, Jiang Chen sighed in relief. Though he was accustomed to the hardships of living rough in the wild, given the choice, he still preferred a more comfortable life.

Upon his return, the first thing Jiang Chen did was bathe, burn incense, and organize his spoils.

“Tracking Art, Gale Art, Minor Wind Blade Art—these are the three inherited talismanic arts of the Dire Wolf Clan. In addition, from the Wolf King’s memories, there is also the Wind Riding Art—not a mere talisman, but a true spell.”

“With this spell, a living being can command demon winds, attacking or defending as needed—a versatile art. In fact, the so-called Gale and Minor Wind Blade Arts are derivatives of this one spell.”

With practiced hand, Jiang Chen recorded each technique, for these were true foundations.

Of course, he understood that while the Wind Riding Art seemed comprehensive, its offensive and defensive capabilities were only middling—nothing outstanding among spells. Still, its value was real, especially since it formed an integrated system with Gale and Minor Wind Blade Arts.

The more profound a supernatural art, the harder it was to master—often, understanding a single divine technique could consume a cultivator’s entire life. To address this, advanced arts were broken down into smaller spells, forming a tree of techniques.

Thus, cultivators could progress step by step, from simple to complex, until at last they mastered the divine art. This was the essence of inheritance. For this reason, a full system of spell inheritance was far more valuable than a single, isolated spell.

“This is quite a harvest. Even if I don’t practice the Wind Riding Art myself, I could always trade it.”

Finishing his notes, Jiang Chen nodded in satisfaction at the book before him.

While Jiang Chen reveled in his gains, far away on Wooden Fish Island, Ironman Tu was receiving an unusual guest—a rotund, well-dressed man in his forties, whose manner spoke of wealth and status, quietly ascended to the island’s summit.

“Island Master, this is a letter from the Third Lord.”

Bowing respectfully, the man handed a letter to Ironman Tu.

At these words, Ironman Tu looked up. He was not unfamiliar with this man; he was Fu Quan, chief steward of the Gao family’s third branch, and a trusted confidant of the Third Lord.

A silent tension filled the air. Though Fu Quan inwardly looked down on Ironman Tu—just a cadet among cadets of the Gao clan—he did not dare show the slightest disrespect, for this man before him was truly formidable.

As Fu Quan grew increasingly uneasy, Ironman Tu finally accepted the letter.

“The An family has been annihilated?”

After reading its contents, Ironman Tu’s previously calm heart was thrown into turmoil.

Fu Quan bowed and confirmed.

“Yes, that is correct. The An family’s only Qi-refining cultivator—the family patriarch—entered Five Immortals Mountain to gather spirit herbs, but was caught in the mountain’s upheaval and perished. Once the news spread, old enemies quickly descended and exterminated the entire An family.”

“However, it seems the An family was prepared—their true foundation had already been moved. In the subsequent searches, nearly all their strong members were killed, but the treasures remain unfound.”

“Moreover, our investigation suggests the An family may have established arrangements in Leshan County. The surviving remnants are likely to flee there, and the waterways are the best route.”

Bent low, Fu Quan relayed all he knew.

Qingyuan Prefecture governed three counties: Qingquan, Qingxi, and Qinghe. Unlike lower Qinghe County, both Qingquan and Qingxi were upper counties—densely populated, possessing their own spiritual resources, and home to settled cultivators.

The An family was a prominent clan of Qingxi County, controlling a ranked spiritual spring and cultivating a hundred acres of spiritual fields. After generations of effort, their assets were considerable.

“I see…”

Receiving confirmation, Ironman Tu lapsed into deep thought, drumming his fingers on the table.

Fu Quan dared not interrupt.

Time slipped away in silence. After the length of a tea’s steeping, Ironman Tu finally returned to himself.

“Go tell the Third Lord that I will do as he commands. I will immediately increase patrols on the waterways and hunt for the An family’s remnants.”

His tone grave, Ironman Tu delivered his answer.

Fu Quan said nothing further. He left Wooden Fish Island at once—he still had to report back. The An family’s wealth was considerable, and seeing the opportunity, the Third Lord’s greed had been stirred.