Chapter 528: Wet Nurse

A question had always troubled Lu Yang.

If chanting Immortal Fairy’s name was all it took to resurrect her, then why was she only unintentionally brought back to life by him 300,000 years later?

Considering the Imperial Advisor’s rudimentary karma-fruit technique, it’s possible that the person who assassinated Immortal Fairy used a similar method to erase public memory of her.

But would such a method work on immortals?

No one could be sure.

Currently, Immortal Time’s body was buried beneath the Wood Vein, but his immortal soul was missing, and his fate was unknown.

Given Immortal Time’s situation, what was the status of Immortal Ying Tian, Immortal Nine-fold, and Immortal Qilin? What roles did they play in Immortal Time’s demise—were they perpetrators or victims?

“Fairy, do you recall anything that happened before your demise, or any characteristics of the culprit?”

Immortal Fairy frowned, trying hard to recall the events.

“My memory of that period is very hazy. I only remember sleeping that day. In a daze, I felt my soul floating, which was incredibly comfortable, as if I was melting. I don't remember anything after that. The next thing I knew, you called my name, my soul reassembled, and I successfully resurrected.”

Lu Yang sighed. It seemed he wouldn't be able to get any information from Immortal Fairy.

Immortal Fairy, who claimed to be the leader of the Five Ancient Immortals, surely possessed formidable abilities. It was impossible for her to have no reaction after being ambushed. Either the attacker was overwhelmingly powerful, or Immortal Fairy was not in a normal state.

“It's one thing to kill me, but they didn't even spare Immortal Time and the others! Don't let me find out who did it, or I'll beat them to death!” Immortal Fairy raged. Her own death wasn't a big deal; over the long years, someone would eventually call her name by chance. But Immortal Time was different; his body was buried here, making his chances of survival slim.

Immortal Time had greatly helped her in forming her Immortal Dao Fruit, a debt she had to repay.

“When we return, I'll discuss this with Senior Sister. She can make the decision.” Lu Yang was dejected, regretting that he couldn't currently help Immortal Fairy.

“If Immortal Time's condition is unknown, then how can the Jianmu still exude vitality?” Lu Yang pointed to the newly acquired wooden plaque.

Immortal Fairy looked at the illusory image of the Jianmu she had constructed, her expression complex, and sighed softly: “For a wondrous object like the Jianmu, as long as even a tiny fragment remains, it can gradually recover its vitality, transforming from death to life. This can be seen as a form of alternative resurrection, but it would be an entirely new Jianmu, unrelated to Immortal Time.”

“The Jianmu beneath our feet is currently in a state of gradual vital recovery. In probably tens or hundreds of thousands of years, it will be fully resurrected, rising from the ground to become a new Heaven-Reaching Jianmu.”

“The tree that Shangguan girl was near just now shouldn't have grown so tall. This is due to the Jianmu's vital influence. If I'm not mistaken, the roots of that large tree are very close to the Jianmu's location.”

“Immortal Time himself once said that the Jianmu suffered a great calamity in ancient times, was cut in half, and lost all vitality. A new Jianmu grew from the old one, and that was him.”

“Alright, the little ones have seen enough for now. Let's rest tonight.” Shangguan Yu clapped her hands, instructing Bai Ming to lead them to their accommodations. They would begin learning the "General Principles of the Five Elements" tomorrow.

Although she hadn't realized that Immortal Time's true body was beneath the Wood Vein, she knew the preciousness of the Jianmu. She didn't share such knowledge with just anyone; she believed these five individuals were destined for greatness, to leave a significant mark on cultivation history, and thus formed good relations with the younger generation.

The Five Elements Sect arranged accommodation at the intersection of the five veins, in Qiu Jin'an's territory, a location comparable in status to Heavenly Gate Peak.

“Oh, you're all back! Long time no see, Sect Master Lu.” A somewhat familiar voice echoed, teasing Lu Yang.

Lu Yang saw that it was Lin Shaoyou, Qiu Jin'an's senior disciple. With a Wood spiritual root, he possessed combat power comparable to a late-stage Integration cultivator even in the early Integration stage, making him a genius on par with Senior Brother Dai Bufan.

The last time the Five Elements Sect visited the Dao Inquiry Sect, it was acting Sect Master Lu Yang who hosted Lin Shaoyou.

Lin Shaoyou, thinking Senior Sister also served as acting Sect Master, proposed challenging someone of her generation. Then Senior Sister silently stepped forward, and Lin Shaoyou silently retreated, so the matter was dropped.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Lin.” The five bowed with cupped hands.

“Alright, alright, don't be so formal. Relax. I just got tired from practicing a spell and came out for some fresh air. I figured I'd say hello since you're back.”

“Huh, did 'Grandma Master' give you those wooden plaques?” Lin Shaoyou noticed the six wooden plaques hanging on their chests.

Bai Ming's face instantly changed, and he quickly pulled Lu Yang and the others away.

Lu Yang and the others didn't understand why, but they obediently moved away from the spot.

With a crack, a startling lightning bolt struck, charring Lin Shaoyou's exterior while leaving his interior tender, and black smoke billowed from his body.

Bai Ming quietly explained: “Senior Shangguan dislikes being called old the most. If someone knowingly offends her, this is what happens.”

“Cough, cough, it's nothing serious, I'm fine.” The charred husk came back to life, its eyes shining brightly.

A faint cracking sound was heard as countless cracks appeared on the surface of the charred husk. Lin Shaoyou safely emerged from it as if nothing had happened, even his clothes were brand new.

Bai Ming again quietly explained: “Senior Brother's clothes are formed by growing leaves from his body and then refining those leaves into garments. Most people can't see this process clearly; I only knew about it after my master told me.”

Meng Jingzhou's eyes lit up. Lin Shaoyou was Dai Bufan's peer, which meant he was also Senior Sister's peer, and this wasn't the Dao Inquiry Sect.

“Senior Brother Lin, how old are you this year...”

Before he could finish, Lu Yang suddenly reacted, covering Meng Jingzhou's mouth from behind and pulling him back.

“Don't drag everyone down with your death wish.”

Everyone looked at each other, not understanding Lu Yang's sudden strong reaction.

Lin Shaoyou even directly asked: “Junior Brother Meng, did you have something to ask?”

“No, no, he was just sleepwalking.” Lu Yang answered for Meng Jingzhou.

“By the way, Senior Brother, didn't you just master a spell recently? Why are you still practicing spells?”

“Hehe, what kind of genius do you think I am? It's perfectly normal for me to have new ideas and practice new spells, isn't it?”

“So, what are you practicing this time...”

“I'm combining the Tree Planting Art with Imprisonment to increase the latter's strength. It's a bit complicated to explain, so you'll understand if I show you.”

Lin Shaoyou took out a few tree seeds from his pocket and sowed them in a circle around himself. The seeds rooted instantly and grew rapidly, encircling him. The branches and leaves of the trees curved inward, forming a birdcage-like structure.

The trees emitted a metallic luster, resembling those that grew in the Metal Vein.

“See, like this.” Lin Shaoyou punched the iron tree, but it didn't budge. He then stomped hard, and the ground also remained still.

The tree roots below were intertwined, forming an impenetrable and extremely sturdy network.

“How amazing!” Bai Ming exclaimed. Just this technique alone could catch an opponent off guard and easily trap cultivators of the same rank.

“It seems you use it quite smoothly, Senior Brother. Why are you still practicing it? Is there something you haven't mastered yet?”

“This combined spell has a minor flaw I haven't been able to overcome.”

“What is it?”

“I don't know how to voluntarily deactivate it.”

Bai Ming was speechless.

Bai Ming slowly raised his hands, cupped his fists, and said with emphasis: “Senior Brother, please take care!”

Bai Ming signaled to the others to leave. Lin Shaoyou sighed faintly, realizing he would have to rely on himself.

“Grandma Master, help!”

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Three bolts of lightning struck, but Lin Shaoyou remained completely unharmed.

“Huh? What's the principle behind this?”