Chapter 874: Talent Tree Transforming

As time passed, the leaves on the Talent Tree glowed brightly, a stark contrast to their dim appearance when he first saw them.

Although many leaves did not carry complete spiritual patterns, Lu Ye still reaped significant rewards.

This was truly a case of a massive gain after a long wait.

He had initially worried that Nian Yuexian might assign him other tasks, given his prolonged absence from Cangyan Mountain Pass. However, his guard token remained silent recently, and Nian Yuexian had not contacted him at all.

Lu Ye felt as though he had been forgotten, which suited him perfectly.

If Nian Yuexian continued to assign him trivial tasks, as she had done previously, he would have no time for other pursuits.

While Lu Ye reaped massive rewards, Ying Wuji's team also achieved considerable gains. A team of over ten people continuously collected Earth Fire, accumulating hundreds of portions by now.

While these items would not cost much merit if purchased from the Heavenly Mystery Treasury, the current predicament was that the Treasury had no stock, forcing them to collect the resources themselves.

An entry of approximately 20,000 war merit points appeared in his battlefield imprint; Lu Ye knew this was his monthly salary as a captain of the guards.

By this calculation, he had been at Cangyan Mountain Pass for a full month since reporting for duty.

Another sum of war merit had not yet been issued, as it was not yet due. This was the reward for his patrol duty; Nian Yuexian had previously assigned him a long-term task to patrol the area around Cangyan Mountain Pass and a corresponding patrol position, with rewards disbursed monthly.

However, Lu Ye was unsure if he would actually receive these points, as he had spent the entire period at the volcano and had not performed his patrol duties.

Heavenly Mystery was fair and just; since he had not fulfilled his responsibilities, it was highly unlikely he would receive the task reward.

Each time a leaf on the Talent Tree was fully illuminated, he would examine the information it contained.

However, after the fifth spiritual pattern on his side was activated, the Talent Tree seemed to undergo some unusual changes. Its roots had plunged into the magma, continuously absorbing the power of blazing fire, yet the unlit leaves on the tree no longer showed any reaction.

This startled Lu Ye. The Talent Tree was his greatest secret and his reliance; the assistance it had provided him since he began cultivating was unimaginable. If anything were to go wrong with it, the loss would be immense.

After a careful inspection, however, he confirmed that nothing was wrong with the Talent Tree; various spiritual patterns could still be activated and constructed at will. The Talent Tree now resembled a Pixiu, entering a state where it only absorbed and did not release.

Regardless of how much blazing fire energy it absorbed, the unlit leaves remained motionless.

Gradually, Lu Ye discovered the underlying reason. The continuously absorbed blazing fire energy indeed caused no changes to the leaves, but the roots extending from the base of the tree had undergone a distinct transformation.

The Talent Tree's roots had visibly grown sturdier, denser, and more solidified.

Originally, these roots looked no different from ordinary roots, but now they glowed a deep red, resembling densely coiled, red-hot branding irons.

This change was undoubtedly a positive development.

Lu Ye instinctively felt that the Talent Tree was undergoing a metamorphosis. Although he was unsure if his hypothesis was correct, the current circumstances strongly suggested it.

Before its metamorphosis, the Talent Tree already provided immense assistance. What would it be like after its transformation?

Lu Ye couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

"Lord Ying, has the temperature here decreased?" a cultivator from Myriad Demon Ridge suddenly asked.

Compared to when they first arrived, after more than half a month, the harshness of the environment had noticeably eased.

Everyone else also keenly noticed this.

Ying Wuji nodded, "It must be because we've collected too much Earth Fire."

He said this, yet felt a degree of bewilderment. While they had indeed collected a significant amount of Earth Fire, it shouldn't have been enough to alter the environment to such an extent.

However, upon second thought, it wasn't surprising; over the years, others must have come here to collect Earth Fire before them, and such continuous collection could indeed alter the environment.

What he did not know was that, in addition to their team collecting Earth Fire, Lu Ye was secretly absorbing blazing fire energy, and the amount Lu Ye consumed was far greater than what they had collected.

"Let's hold on for a few more days, then we'll head back," Ying Wuji announced.

The current collection efficiency was no longer as high as when they started, so a few more days of collection would suffice; there was no need to linger any longer.

As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Ye, who was sitting cross-legged on the stone wall on the other side. He was curious about what secret technique Brother Niu was cultivating, as he appeared to have gained nothing during this time and often made mistakes in his cultivation, displaying a pained expression.

Two days later, the temperature within the volcano noticeably dropped even further. Not only did Ying Wuji's team's efficiency in collecting Earth Fire become extremely low, but Lu Ye also sensed that the Talent Tree's rate of absorbing blazing fire energy was significantly slower than before.

Should he seize the core Earth Fire they had extracted?

During this period, they had extracted at least a thousand portions, perhaps even more, of core Earth Fire. This might enable the Talent Tree to complete its metamorphosis. However, if he were to act, his identity would be revealed, and he would expose a trump card.

Lu Ye still needed to weigh whether this transaction would be worthwhile.

Before he could make a decision, a startled cry suddenly echoed: "Lord Ying!"

Immediately, panic erupted on that side.

Lu Ye looked up to see everyone from Myriad Demon Ridge gathered together, with Ying Wuji standing before them, guarding a group of Cloud River realm cultivators like a protective hen. He vigilantly gazed towards the center of the magma pool.

In the center, as the magma churned, huge bubbles burst, as if something massive was emerging from its depths.

Lu Ye also rose abruptly, his expression alert.

In such a unique environment, it was easy for demonic creatures to breed. Ying Wuji had previously warned his Cloud River realm subordinates to be wary of potential fire-attributed demonic beasts.

However, the prolonged period of safety had caused everyone to lower their guard.

Now, it appeared that demonic creatures might indeed be breeding here, and judging by the grand commotion, it might not be an ordinary one.

"Let's leave here!" Although Ying Wuji did not know what anomaly was about to occur, it was clearly not advisable to linger.

Just as he was preparing to lead his Cloud River realm subordinates away, what was emerging from the bottom of the magma began to reveal itself.

It was not a demonic creature, but a massive stone platform. As it rapidly ascended from below, the scalding magma spilled in all directions. The intense heat had rendered the platform a burnt dark red, and waves of scorching heat swept across the area.

The entire group was filled with surprise and uncertainty.

No one had expected such a stone platform to be hidden beneath the magma, let alone that it would suddenly emerge today.

Ying Wuji frowned, about to step forward to investigate, when he saw Brother Niu on the opposite side shift his body and land on the stone platform.

The massive stone platform and the diminutive human figure created a striking contrast.

Ying Wuji also flashed over, glanced around, and asked, "Brother Niu, do you recognize the origin of this object?"

Lu Ye slowly shook his head.

This stone platform appeared ancient at first glance, and it was unknown why it had been submerged within the volcano. Yet, despite its age, there were no signs of damage, and even the intricate patterns on its surface remained unworn, indicating its extraordinary material.

Lu Ye focused his attention on the intricate patterns crisscrossing the platform, comparing them with the vast array of formation information in his mind, hoping to uncover its secrets.

"Lord Ying, could this object's sudden appearance signify some kind of fortuitous opportunity?" a cultivator mused.

Ying Wuji shook his head, "Don't overthink it. This object's appearance is likely related to the recent depletion of blazing fire energy in this area. When blazing fire energy was abundant, it could remain hidden below. Now that the energy is scarce, it has surfaced." Having said this, he looked at Lu Ye, "Brother Niu, what are your thoughts?"

Lu Ye nodded, "I think so too." What Ying Wuji said aligned with his own thoughts; otherwise, such a coincidence would make no sense. During this period, both parties had extensively collected and absorbed blazing fire energy here, leading to a slight improvement in the environment. While the stone platform's purpose was unknown, it must be related to blazing fire energy, remaining hidden only when the energy was abundant.

"Brother Niu... are you proficient in array formations?" Ying Wuji felt a sudden unease as he watched Lu Ye intently studying the patterns on the stone platform.

Someone's mastery of array formations was considerably high!

Lu Ye did not lift his head. "I know a little, but I wouldn't call myself proficient." He added, "It's quite normal for spell cultivators to also cultivate array formations."

"That's true," Ying Wuji said, relaxing. "Brother Ying, you should be proficient in array formations, right? Can you discern anything?"

Ying Wuji replied, "It somewhat resembles a spirit-gathering array, but it doesn't quite seem to be one. As for the specific function of the formation inscribed on it..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the stone platform suddenly vibrated with a hum, and then lines of patterns lit up, spreading across its surface.

Around the stone platform, flower patterns also illuminated, and instantly, phantom images of flowers appeared around it.

One, two... a total of over forty appeared.

Everyone clearly felt that the surrounding blazing heat energy was being frantically absorbed by the stone platform.

All eyes turned towards a specific cultivator in the crowd.

It was this person who had just activated his spiritual power, causing the stone platform to undergo such an anomaly.

Being the focus of such attention, the cultivator felt a little flustered and awkwardly explained, "I saw that the patterns on it were intact, so I thought I'd try to activate its power. I honestly didn't expect it to actually respond."

He figured it would be more practical to observe it firsthand rather than simply studying it.

"I was wrong, please forgive me, my Lord!" The cultivator quickly admitted his mistake.