Sage of Humanity
Chapter 876 - 874: Talent Tree Transforms

Time passed, and leaves on the Talent Tree continued to ignite. The Talent Tree in its current state, blazing and consumed by flames, was a far cry from the first time Lu Ye had seen it.

Although many of the leaves did not contain complete spirit runes, Lu Ye's gains were substantial.

It truly felt like a long stretch of inactivity followed by a windfall of three years' worth of fortune.

Initially, he worried that Nian Yuexian might assign him some other tasks since he hadn't reported back to Cangyan Mountain Pass for so long. But recently, there had been no response from the guard token, and Nian Yuexian hadn't looked for him at all.

Lu Ye felt like he had been forgotten, but it suited him just fine.

If things had gone on like before, with Nian Yuexian constantly giving him trivial tasks, he wouldn't have had time to do anything else.

He had enormous gains, and Ying Wuji's squad had similar successes, continually gathering Earth's Core Fire. By now, they had collected hundreds of portions.

If they were to purchase these from Heaven's Augury treasure vault, it would cost some merit, but awkwardly, the vault had no stock, so they could only collect it themselves.

There was an increase of about twenty thousand points in battle merit within the battlefield marking, which Lu Ye knew was his monthly stipend as a lieutenant colonel.

Calculating this way, he had been at Cangyan Mountain Pass for a month.

There was another batch of battle merit yet to be issued because it wasn't time yet, which was the reward for his roving duty task. Earlier, Nian Yuexian had given him a task to patrol around Cangyan Mountain Pass, along with a roving duty assignment, a long-term task, not a one-time thing, so the reward was issued monthly.

But whether he would receive it or not, Lu Ye wasn't sure because he had been staying at the volcano this whole time, not fulfilling his patrol duties.

Heaven's Augury was fair and just. Since he hadn't fulfilled his duties, it was unlikely he would receive the reward for those tasks.

Whenever a leaf on the Talent Tree was fully ignited, he would investigate the information it contained.

But as his fifth spirit rune was activated, the Talent Tree underwent a subtle transformation. Its roots plunged into the magma, continually absorbing Fiery Flames force, but the unignited leaves remained motionless.

This frightened Lu Ye. The Talent Tree was his greatest secret and reliance, providing unimaginable help since his cultivation began. If something went wrong with it, the loss would be too great.

After careful examination, he determined the Talent Tree was intact, able to activate and construct various spirit runes at will. It now seemed like a mythical beast Pixiu, only consuming and not producing.

No matter how much Fiery Flames force it absorbed, the unignited leaves stayed still.

Gradually, Lu Ye discovered the cause.

Constantly absorbing Fiery Flames force didn't change the leaves, but the roots extended from the tree, showing different alterations.

The roots of the Talent Tree became noticeably thicker and more densely woven and solidified.

Originally, these roots looked ordinary, but now they were a vibrant red, like red-hot iron threads intricately entwined.

Such changes were undoubtedly beneficial.

Lu Ye intuitively felt the Talent Tree was evolving. Though unsure if his hunch was correct, the current scenario suggested it was very likely.

Before evolving, the Talent Tree had greatly aided him. What would it be like afterward?

Lu Ye couldn't help but feel anticipation.

"Lord Ying, has the temperature here dropped?" a cultivator from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge suddenly asked.

Compared to when they first arrived, the environment had significantly calmed down over the past half month.

Others also keenly noticed the change.

Ying Wuji nodded, "Probably because we've collected too much Earth Fire."

Despite saying so, he was slightly puzzled. They had collected a lot of Earth Fire, but it shouldn't be to the extent of altering the environment.

On second thought, countless others must have come here to collect Earth Fire over the years, so the environment changing wasn't surprising.

He didn't know that besides them, Lu Ye was secretly devouring much more Fiery Flames force, far exceeding their collection.

"A few more days, and we can head back," Ying Wuji declared.

Efficiency had waned, and there was no need to stay longer. They could collect a bit more before leaving.

He glanced at Lu Ye, who sat cross-legged against the stone wall, curious about what secret techniques this Brother Niu was cultivating. This period seemed unproductive for him, often resulting in visible signs of pain from incorrect cultivation.

Two days later, the temperature at the volcanic crater dropped further. Ying Wuji's squad had trouble collecting Earth Fire, and Lu Ye noticed the Talent Tree swallowed Fiery Flames force much slower.

Should he steal their Earth's Core Fire?

They had gathered at least a thousand portions, possibly more, enough for the Talent Tree's evolution. But doing so would expose his identity and reveal a trump card.

Was it worth the risk? Lu Ye had to weigh it carefully.

Before he decided, a cry rang out, "Lord Ying!"

Chaos ensued.

Lu Ye looked over to see Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators gathering. Ying Wuji stood before them, protecting his Cloud River Realm subordinates, warily eyeing the center of the magma pool.

At its center, the magma churned with massive bubbles, as if something was emerging from its depths.

Lu Ye shot up, equally cautious.

Special environments like this easily bred monsters. Ying Wuji had warned them to be wary of possible fire attribute demon beasts.

After so long with no incidents, they had relaxed.

Now it seemed likely there was something, and it wasn't a typical monster.

"Leave here at once!" Ying Wuji ordered, not knowing what change awaited but sensing it was no longer safe.

As he prepared to lead his Cloud River Realm subordinates away, the submerged object revealed itself.

It wasn't a monster but a huge stone platform. As it rose, searing magma flowed, and the intense heat turned the platform a burned red. Waves of heat spread outward.

The group was in shock and uncertainty.

No one expected a stone platform hidden beneath the magma to emerge suddenly.

Ying Wuji frowned, stepping forward to investigate, but Brother Niu, on the other side, already landed on the platform.

The small figure on the massive platform formed a striking contrast.

Ying Wuji followed, observing the surroundings, "Brother Niu, do you recognize this artifact?"

Over the years, many cultivators came and went, yet no one had discovered this stone platform. Its emergence now was peculiar.

Lu Ye shook his head slowly.

Clearly ancient, the platform showed no wear or damage from its time submerged within the volcano. Even the intricate patterns on it remained intact, indicating its extraordinary material.

Lu Ye carefully studied the crisscrossing patterns, comparing them with the Array Path knowledge in his mind, searching for clues.

"Lord Ying, could this sudden appearance be some kind of opportunity?" a cultivator suggested.

Ying Wuji shook his head, "Don't get your hopes up. Its appearance likely relates to the loss of Fiery Flames force. It hid beneath when strength was sufficient and emerged when depleted." Looking to Lu Ye, "What do you think, Brother Niu?"

Lu Ye nodded, "I think so too."

Ying Wuji's explanation matched his thoughts. Their combined collection and consumption of Fiery Flames force must have altered the environment, bringing forth the stone platform, likely related to the force it concealed within magma.

"Brother Niu... are you proficient in the Array Path?" Ying Wuji asked, noticing Lu Ye's intense focus on the patterns, feeling uneasy.

Someone had evidently remarkable skill in the Array Path!

Without looking up, Lu Ye replied, "Just a bit, not proficient," then added, "It's common for magic cultivators to study the Array Path."

"Certainly," Ying Wuji relaxed.

"Brother Ying, are you proficient? Any insights?"

Ying Wuji observed, "It seems like a Spirit Gathering Array, but not quite. I can't tell its exact function..."

As he spoke, the platform buzzed and the intricate patterns lit up, illuminating the surroundings.

Around the stone platform, flower motifs glowed, creating floral shadows in the air.

One, two... over forty in total.

The group felt the surrounding heat being rapidly absorbed by the platform.

All eyes turned to a specific cultivator.

This individual had activated spirit force, causing the platform's reaction.

Feeling their stares, he nervously confessed, "I saw the intact patterns and wanted to test its power. I didn't expect it to activate..."

He believed practical demonstration better than endless study.

"My apologies, Lord!" the cultivator quickly admitted fault.

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