The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 1153

Chapter 1153: Chapter 1150: About to Mature Chapter 1153: Chapter 1150: About to Mature “Who?” Wu Man'er was somewhat surprised and hurriedly scanned the surroundings.

However, Shen Luo directly looked toward mid-air, where the red thread connected to the Road Guidance Lamp had an inconspicuous bend.

No sooner had Wu Man'er finished speaking than a delicate figure the size of a palm emerged. It was the Leaf Sprite they had let go earlier, half-leaning, half-sitting on the red thread, pressing a bent section into it.

“It's you, why have you come back…” Wu Man'er exclaimed with surprise and delight.

“This little guy never left at all, he just concealed his form the whole time, following us,” Shen Luo said.

“What, I didn't notice at all,” Wu Man'er said in astonishment.

“You discovered me?” the Leaf Sprite was also somewhat surprised.

“If I didn't focus and observe carefully, I wouldn't have found you,” Shen Luo said.

Only then did Wu Man'er realize that Shen Luo, who seemed calm and relaxed all along, had been releasing his divine soul and cautiously guarding against the surroundings ever since they entered Yunmeng Marsh.

“So did you know I was following you when you decided to save that frog spirit monster?” the Leaf Sprite asked, rising from the red thread and folding her arms, floating in mid-air.

This question was actually somewhat nonsensical, leaving Wu Man'er looking at the charm spirit with a puzzled face.

It took a moment for Shen Luo to react before he laughed and said, “It was just a casual act, is there a need to make you feel good for you to do so?”

It was only then that Wu Man'er understood.

What the Leaf Sprite had misunderstood was that Shen Luo's earlier release of her and his subsequent rescue of the frog spirit monster were just for show, all to gain her favor for some unspeakable purpose.

Shen Luo's reaction, though, made it clear to her–she was overthinking!

The Leaf Sprite's little face flushed red, and she pursed her lips but said no more.

“Why are you following us?” Shen Luo asked.

Seeing his stern tone, the Leaf Sprite felt displeased and descended from mid-air.

When she came before Shen Luo and Wu Man'er, she stood with one hand on her hip and the other pointing at Shen Luo's nose, “Look clearly, I am not following you, I am following this sister here.”

“That's a coincidence, because this sister is following me,” Shen Luo responded unruffled.

“I…” The Leaf Sprite was infuriated but helpless.

Seeing this, Wu Man'er covered her mouth and chuckled, hastily stepping in to smooth things over.

“My name is Wu Man'er, and this is Big Brother Shen Luo. What's your name?”

“Yuanyuan,” the Leaf Sprite glanced at Shen Luo and then turned to Wu Man'er and answered.

“Yuanyuan… that's a nice name. So, why are you following us?” Wu Man'er mildly admired the name before continuing her inquiry.

“Sister Man'er, are you looking for the Divine Tree?” Instead of a direct reply, Yuanyuan asked.

“That's right,” Wu Man'er nodded.

“Then you mustn't follow this broken lamp anymore,” Yuanyuan said, pointing at the lamp above them.

“Why is that?” Wu Man'er quickly asked.

Shen Luo also frowned, looking at the Leaf Sprite.

“You are unaware that the Divine Tree has encountered a calamity, and now a great demon occupies it. In order not to let others touch the Divine Tree, it has set up an array around the periphery of the Divine Tree, blocking the diffusion of the tree's spiritual breath. Nowadays, these Road Guidance Lamps made from the Divine Tree's leaves have lost their function. Being led astray by it, one could easily become lost in Yunmeng Marsh,” Yuanyuan paused, organizing her thoughts before explaining.

“Occupied by a great demon? What great demon?” Shen Luo frowned and asked.

“I haven't seen it, so I don't know,” Yuanyuan shook her head.

Seeing the puzzled looks on Shen Luo and Wu Man'er's faces, she continued, “That great demon also has many formidable monster underlings. Just a few of them coming out would be enough for us charm spirits and monster spirits to be no match, let alone needing it to take action.”

“Why does this great demon want to monopolize the Ginkgo Divine Tree?” Shen Luo inquired.

“Of course, it's because the Divine Tree is about to bear fruit,” Yuanyuan said.

Shen Luo and Wu Man'er exchanged a glance, obviously not having anticipated that their arrival would coincide with this event so closely.

“Are you not here for the Divine Tree Fruit?” Yuanyuan asked, surprised by their reactions.

Both Shen Luo and Wu Man'er shook their heads at the same time.

“How strange. Which cultivator entering Yunmeng Marsh at this time isn't here for the Divine Tree Fruit? That is a Spirit Fruit that only appears once every 500 years. It is said that ordinary animals that consume it can gain Spiritual Wisdom, charm spirits can extend their lifespan by one hundred years, and increase their cultivation level, a Heavenly Treasure akin to Ginseng Fruit,” Yuanyuan said, astonished.

Shen Luo had no prior knowledge of any Divine Tree within Yunmeng Marsh, let alone that the tree bore Spirit Fruit once every 500 years.

Otherwise, he would have come here to try his luck at increasing his lifespan.

“According to the elders of our clan…” Yuanyuan was still speaking, yet for some reason, she suddenly stopped.

“What's wrong?” Wu Man'er asked, seeing that her expression had changed, her voice filled with concern.

“Last time, that Water Python demon from under the great demon's command attacked our clan territory, killing many people. The Granny who raised me was eaten by it in one bite. Actually, I don't even know where to go after leaving you…”

Yuanyuan's eyes reddened, her mood turned low, and even her wings drooped down behind her.

“Yuanyuan…” Wu Man'er, not knowing how to comfort her, could only softly call out her name.

“Did any others from your clan survive besides you?” Shen Luo asked.

“I don't know. I fled in a panic not long ago, and was then caught by a group of human cultivators who set up a formation. Whether anyone from my clan is still alive, I don't know,” Yuanyuan said with a pained expression, quietly starting to sob.

“Since you don't know yet, don't give up hope. First, let's find the other members of your clan,” Shen Luo suggested.

On hearing this, a glimmer of light couldn't help but appear in Yuanyuan's eyes.

“Right, I need to find them first,” she immediately nodded firmly, raising her hand to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes.

“We will…” Wu Man'er began to speak but felt it might be inappropriate, hastily looking to Shen Luo with an inquiring gaze.

Shen Luo understood and silently nodded in acknowledgment.

Only then did Wu Man'er continue, “Don't be afraid, we will help you.”

“You saved me, and now you are willing to help me. You are the kindest and best people I have ever met. If you are looking for the Divine Tree, I will help you too,” Yuanyuan said, gratitude flashing in her eyes.

Shen Luo thought to himself that excluding him and Wu Man'er, the only other people she had probably seen were those who captured and traded her.

“Alright, then let's consider this an alliance,” Wu Man'er said with a smile and a nod.

“What else do you know about the Divine Tree and the great demon?” Shen Luo inquired.

“When I fled, the Divine Tree had already begun to emit a fragrant aroma, indicating that the time for it to bear fruit is almost upon us. Once the fruit appears, it only needs one day and one night to absorb the essence of the sun and moon to mature. When the Ginkgo Spirit Fruit ripens, it will sense the heavens and automatically shoot off in all directions. The creatures of Yunmeng Marsh can then obtain it by chance,” Yuanyuan explained.