Plans thrown into disarray

"Gone? All gone? Not a single fruit left?"

Zhang Xuezhou was affected by the colossal form of the alien demon during the Lightning Tribulation, so he couldn't care less about anything else.

At that time, he even had a need to return to reality, so he directly used the relatively crude Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation of Broken Soul Ridge.

The grand formation was indeed incredibly profound. After Zhang Xuezhou used the formation to protect himself, it not only reduced the harm of the Lightning Tribulation but also caused the Lightning Tribulation's power to be dispersed, so that the final few strikes did not completely hit him.

With individuals like Zhang Xuezhou receiving protection, there are also potential victims.

The transplanted marigold tree was struck by several bolts of lightning.

Zhang Xuezhou originally thought that the tree's bare leaves were due to problems with the environment, but he never expected it to be a symptom of being struck by lightning.

Not only did the leaves of the marigold tree fall off, but the marigold fruit also disappeared.

"That's it!"

Zhang Xuezhou opened his mouth, feeling that his plans after surviving such a close call had been completely disrupted.

His composure was indeed due to having a backup plan; his good mindset didn't come from nowhere, but rather from Zhang Xuezhou having a way to resolve the issue of the Locking Yang Law Power within his body.

This method is the previously established "Human Pill" cultivation practice.

By combining the Longevity Fruit, the Drunken Peach, and the Nine Treasures Wine, he would possess the cultivation conditions required after the Yin-Yang School's fusion cultivation technique. This would allow him to convert Law Power into physical strength as his body expands, and to continuously consume the Yang-Locking Law Power to transform it into cultivation.

Once this Law Power is cleared, his body will generate its own Law Power Law Power, allowing him to freely use it and restore his body to normal.

He could take a beating, use Technique Method, and even possess Demon Power; Zhang Xuezhou thought things couldn't be better.

But his plans couldn't keep up with the changes.

Looking at the bare marigold tree, Zhang Xuezhou felt a pang of sadness.

"My Lord, do we have any other Longevity Fruit Trees?" Zhang Xuezhou asked urgently. "I mean, do we have any similar Longevity Fruits? I'd like to eat another ten or eight!"

"This fruit tree is a unique species with a chaotic Spirit Root; it's probably one of a kind in the Three Realms, so there's no way we can get the Longevity Fruit to eat!"

As a variety specially cared for by Divine Lord Zhenyuan, the Longevity Fruit Tree is extremely rare. It is a special product of Kunlun Sacred Land's continuous efforts to develop longevity, and it is far superior to the Drunken Peach Tree.

There are many Drunken Peach Tree, but only one Longevity Fruit tree.

If the longevity fruit tree dies, there will be no more longevity fruit in this world.

"A unique specimen? Longevity Fruit Tree, you can't die! We've depended on each other for so many years, sharing joys and sorrows. I've always treated you like my own flesh and blood, raising and teaching you. I never imagined that today, I, an old man, would bury my black-haired child..."

Divine Lord Zhenyuan had been feeling melancholy these past few days, but seeing Zhang Xuezhou's open-mindedness changed his mood.

But when Zhang Xuezhou hugged the tree and wept, he couldn't help but feel heartbroken again upon hearing Zhang Xuezhou's mournful words, as if all the years of cultivation and planting in the Kunlun Sacred Land had turned into flowing water.

In short, whether they were heartbroken or grieving, the longevity fruit tree had been struck by lightning and died.

Even though Divine Lord Zhenyuan buried Ming Wangpeng's body these past few days, the fruit tree hasn't moved a single root.

"Was he completely dead, beyond saving?"

"A person cannot be brought back to life, nor can a dead tree!"

"People can turn into ghosts after they die, and trees... come to think of it, the poisonous trees planted here before actually sprouted new saplings after they died!"

Divine Lord Zhenyuan believed that the Longevity Fruit Tree was beyond saving and that it would die after being struck by heavenly lightning.

Zhang Xuezhou, however, believes that trees and people cannot be compared.

Leaving aside distant issues, there are cases even in our own backyard.

For example, after the death of the Empress Dowager, the poisonous tree that had previously dominated the land of Broken Soul Ridge had already reproduced a second generation.

Moreover, compared to the bitter, poisonous leaves of the first generation, the leaves of the second generation are sweet and delicious, and seem to have the effect of making people smarter.

After Zhang Xuezhou finished speaking, Divine Lord Zhenyuan was also taken aback.

If others were to give examples, that would be one thing, but Divine Lord Zhenyuan had truly witnessed Zhang Xuezhou's state when he broke free from Suoyang, covering almost the entire distance that others would take a lifetime to traverse in just a few days.

This was aided by the power of Suoyang, but Zhang Xuezhou's ability to gallop so rapidly as a novice was indeed beyond reason. Even Divine Lord Zhenyuan felt inferior and realized that he was far behind.

It wasn't until Zhang Xuezhou explained the reason that he learned the answer.

With a light leap, Divine Lord Zhenyuan flew towards the poisonous tree halfway up the mountain.

Then Zhang Xuezhou spread his jade wings, as if launching a surprise attack in an instant, only spreading and folding his wings, and then he also stood next to the withered poisonous tree.

"This tree only has a few branches left!"

"That's because I pulled out the tender leaves earlier, leaving it with no leaves, so it looked like it was dead. Look at these branches, they're so green, they look full of life!"

In the past, Divine Lord Zhenyuan would have needed to praise Zhang Xuezhou's flying ability with his demonic wings, but now he had no time to care about such things, and was instead focused on the regeneration of the poisonous tree.

The poisonous tree that fell to the ground died, but new shoots did grow on the branches that had touched the ground, and there were even instances where leaves sprouted.

Although Zhang Xuezhou had hollowed out these leaves, Divine Lord Zhenyuan could still discern their original appearance and thus determine their survival status.

"If this withered tree can come back to life, perhaps the marigold tree can also sprout new seedlings!"

"Lightning is a destructive force, but it also gives birth to a new life in a different sense; even trees struck by lightning can have a spring!"

Divine Lord Zhenyuan and Zhang Xuezhou exchanged glances, feeling that they had mourned the Longevity Fruit Tree a little too early and could wait and see how it fared.

If the longevity fruit tree dies, then it can only be considered dead.

If the longevity fruit tree can be revived, that would undoubtedly be a good thing.

In short, the longevity fruit tree is not suitable for burial. It can be left for two years, just like when it was sent back to the Empress Dowager at Anle Palace, to observe its condition.

"Without the Longevity Fruit Tree, my Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation would be meaningless. As for that poisonous tree... eating its poisonous leaves had no effect before, so I'm afraid eating its tender leaves won't be of much use either!"

Divine Lord Zhenyuan originally intended to build a grand structure at Duanhun Ridge, but now he has given up on that idea and hastily erected a shed.

However, the matter of securing one's livelihood still needs to be addressed. Not to mention guarding the Longevity Fruit Tree to fight against Xuan Nu and others, even the lifespan of Divine Lord Zhenyuan needs to be protected with sufficient strength to prevent him from turning into Human Furnace.

He thought about himself, and then about Zhang Xuezhou, who had a lifespan of six hundred years, and then about Zhang Xuezhou's physical condition. In the end Divine Lord Zhenyuan chose not to mention it.

It would have been fine if he knew about this, since Divine Lord Zhenyuan at least had the ability to remedy the situation, but informing Zhang Xuezhou would have done nothing but cause him anxiety.

Not only did Zhang Xuezhou fail to join the ranks of the True Self Realm cultivators, but his body was also in a mess, making it impossible for him to stand firm in the Three Realms in a short period of time, far less capable than if he had taken care of him.

After some discussion, Zhang Xuezhou gave up the idea of returning to the Kunlun Sacred Land, and Divine Lord Zhenyuan also gave up the idea of building the Nine Palaces and Eight Courtyards at Duanhun Ridge.

The two men turned their attention to the Empress Dowager, who lay there lifeless, and ended up carrying her sedan chair again.

Regardless of their own thoughts and plans, the two had no choice but to put things on hold.

Divine Lord Zhenyuan had no choice but to fulfill his promise to the Empress Dowager, while Zhang Xuezhou, with no bright future ahead, chose to approach the new emperor to seek a lucky draw, hoping for better fortune.