Slaying the Great Demon of the Locust Tree

The ground rose and fell like waves.

The elders who had been kneeling were thrown off their feet by the sudden tremor and tumbled into a heap.

"Alas—"

A sigh of immense age seemed to cross a hundred years before bursting in everyone's ears.

Rustle—

Branches and leaves shook violently overhead.

On the rough, cracked trunk, the bark began to writhe and twist.

At last, it squeezed itself into a gigantic human face.

Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes at the enormous figure before her.

Core Formation Realm.

Its aura was deep and powerful, even more solid than the White Flood Dragon's.

A big fish indeed.

"Finally decided to show yourself?"

Jiang Yuechu rested a hand on her saber, her expression indifferent.

The Old Locust Tree's eyes shifted slightly. "We've lived in peace for years. Why come and ruin it?"

"Locust Tree Village is remote. The soil is poor, and its people live at the mercy of the weather."

"If the winds and rains come when they should, all is well. But some years bring war and drought after drought."

"The year the drought came, the land lay scorched for a hundred miles. People traded children to eat."

The Old Locust Tree paused, its leaves rustling as if in mockery.

"But Locust Tree Village survived."

"Why?"

"Because I promised them a way to live."

As it spoke,

countless slender branches dropped from its dense, gloomy crown.

A heavy cloth sack hung from the end of each one.

Some sacks had split, spilling fine rice.

"I do not cultivate slaughter. I cultivate the withering and flourishing of plants."

"I give them grain and keep them alive."

"They give me flesh and blood to aid my cultivation. They do so willingly. I have never forced them."

Jiang Yuechu stood with her gaze lowered.