With a soft “pop,” the green pearl burst open, releasing a dazzling emerald radiance that transformed into a misty azure glow.
Within the glow, a shadowy figure flickered in and out before the light condensed, revealing its true form—a towering black pine tree.
The tree was extraordinarily massive, yet its appearance was bizarre. An invisible boundary seemed to split it down the middle: one half lush with dense foliage, the other withered and barren, as if dead. This was none other than Mu Qing’s true spiritual tree form.
Her expression complex, the woman flicked her fingers rapidly.
One incantation after another shot forth, vanishing into the black tree in flashes.
The tree trembled suddenly before sinking partially into the ground, standing firm and motionless.
But Mu Qing wasn’t finished. She opened her mouth and spat out a sphere of emerald-green essence blood.
With a push, the essence blood flew toward the black tree, disappearing into a slightly swollen section of the trunk.
Murming an incantation, Mu Qing raised both hands, sending two green beams of light into the tree.
The next moment, a brilliant green light erupted from where the essence blood had entered. The dazzling radiance twisted the tree’s surface, forming a lifelike wooden face.
The face writhed in apparent agony, as if alive.
Upon closer inspection, it bore the unmistakable visage of the Golden Ape, Jin Ling.
“Awaken now!” Mu Qing’s brows arched as she shouted and sent another incantation flying.
With a sharp crack, a portion of the black tree’s trunk split open, and a golden-furred ape leaped out.
“Greetings, Master! You’ve awakened me—could it be…?” The ape immediately knelt upon emerging.
“Elder Jin, rise. Fortunately, you left a split soul within my true form before departing. Now that your main soul has perished, you are Jin Ling.” Mu Qing sighed softly.
“So it’s true… I could no longer sense my main body. From this day forth, Jin Ling shall serve you faithfully! But Master, you’ve summoned me at the cost of your essence blood—surely there’s a task for me?” The ape’s expression shifted before it spoke respectfully.
“Indeed. The mark I placed on Han Li was destroyed, and I’ve lost track of him. I must use the ‘Wood Domain’ to locate him. But doing so requires tapping into my true form’s power. I need you to guard it. I’ve set up the Verdant Wood Formation nearby—even someone like Six Legs would be trapped briefly, giving you time to escape with my true form.” Mu Qing spoke gravely.
“The Wood Domain?! That technique drains your origin power! Once used, you cannot employ it again for a millennium. Are you certain?” The golden ape looked alarmed.
“I must. That pearl we saw in the Demon Tomb—its power is identical to my origin force, yet ten times purer and more abundant. If I obtain it and absorb its energy, I could break through my current realm and ascend further. To me, its value surpasses even the fabled Netherworld Divine Milk.”
“If that is your will, Jin Ling shall guard your true form with my life.” The ape bowed solemnly, knowing further persuasion was futile.
“Good. Your original body was destroyed, and this wooden form, though derived from my power, is only at the early Spirit Commander stage. Take this.” Mu Qing spat out a small, green-tinged mirror.
The palm-sized mirror bore intricate wood grain patterns on its back. With a slight shake, it radiated a dazzling glow—clearly a treasure of immense power.
“The Heavenly Wood Mirror?! This is your lifelong treasure! How can I take it? You’ll need it in the Demon Tomb!” Jin Ling recoiled in shock.
“If my true form is lost, so am I. Besides, you know I’ve acquired another spirit treasure in recent years—equally powerful, and more effective against demonic energy.”
After a long hesitation, Jin Ling finally accepted. With a gesture, the mirror turned into a streak of green light and merged into his body.
“Take these two Evergreen Spirit Swords as well—far superior to your previous ones.” Mu Qing reached toward the black tree, and two branches fell, transforming into gleaming green swords.
Jin Ling eagerly caught them, strapping them to his back without protest.
With preparations complete, Mu Qing relaxed slightly, giving final instructions before reversing her partial transformation, restoring her human form.
A green streak shot from the valley, vanishing into the distance.
Soon after, Jin Ling activated the formation Mu Qing had left behind. The valley’s surroundings distorted like a mirage, rendering it invisible and flawless to the naked eye.
Mu Qing flew steadily, her surroundings now an ethereal realm of floating green lights, phantom flora, and an overwhelming aura of wood spirit energy. A colossal emerald tree loomed behind her, making her seem like a sylvan deity.
Within moments, she returned to the hill where Han Li’s trail had last been detected. Landing atop the peak, she raised her hands, and the green radiance expanded rapidly, enveloping the entire hill.
The phantom plants solidified, taking root as if the hill had become a verdant paradise.
Simultaneously, roots from the tree behind her shot forth—some vanishing into the foliage, others burrowing underground.
Mu Qing closed her eyes, concentrating deeply.
After a long while, she reopened them, murmuring, “So it was the Ghost Mistress’s disciples who destroyed my mark. Even she may not know they possess such a technique. But now that I know their direction, I’ll find them.”
With a hand seal, the green light receded, the illusory plants dissipating as the hill returned to normal. She then soared into the sky, pursuing Han Li’s path.
—
Unaware that Mu Qing and Six Legs were now targeting him, Han Li had been altering his route constantly with the two women to erase any traces.
Now, they flew over a desert.
“What?! Brother Han still plans to return to the Spirit Realm through a spatial node?!” Yan Li exclaimed in shock.
“Indeed. My studies across realms have shown that all spaces, regardless of size, possess nodes. Smaller spaces make them easier to detect. Spatial rifts are merely mutated nodes. If we find one here and take the risk, we have a strong chance of returning,” Han Li replied calmly.
“But the dangers—spatial storms, unpredictable exits—are immense,” Yuan Yao said hesitantly.
“There’s risk, but with me guiding, we’d have a seventy to eighty percent success rate. This Netherworld River is merely an annexed space, not a true realm. Unless you wish to stay here permanently…” Han Li frowned.
“Couldn’t we hide and cultivate here? The dense yin and spirit energy would benefit us,” Yan Li suggested with a smile.
“Impossible. Have you forgotten the Ephemera Clan? Their reinforcements could arrive anytime. Even Mu Qing and the Ghost Mistress fear them. This is their sacred land—they know it far better than we do. No hiding spot is safe. And don’t you wish to return to the human realm to restore your bodies?” Han Li narrowed his eyes.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage