Vol. 1 - Ch. 116 - The Wild World

"Father, what should the clan do now?"

In the dream, after recounting the events of the day, Chen Xingzhen appeared dejected.

He had thought that once the clan secured a foothold in Chaotic Burial Mountain, they could slowly develop and expand when the time was right. But Zhou Huai'an's unexpected arrival today had thrown his plans into disarray.

As the patriarch, he found himself momentarily at a loss.

Seeing Chen Xingzhen's confusion, Chen Changming smiled and offered reassurance:

"Father understands your feelings. When I became the patriarch, the clan was already in decline—beyond recovery. Moving away from the clan’s ancestral grounds was a decision I made despite strong opposition."

He sighed, his gaze distant as if recalling those days.

"The journey was riddled with hardships, but didn’t we make it? At least the clan still stands, and the hope of our clan members remains intact."

Chen Xingzhen hesitated before replying, "But..."

Chen Changming shook his head, his tone steady.

"Blessings and misfortunes are often intertwined. This person's arrival may not be entirely a bad thing for our Chen clan."

He paused, then continued with conviction.

"For the clan to truly grow, it must eventually move beyond Chaotic Burial Mountain. Whether now or later, this day would come. Even if the clan had a few more Innate Realm martial artists, would it really make a difference? Another clan like the Zhou would still rise to challenge us."

Chen Xingzhen nodded slowly, but his father wasn’t finished.

"At present, the clan has no inheritance or resources. Breaking through the Innate Realm is already a monumental task. So, does it really matter if we delay?

"And don’t forget, the clan still has the Divine Tree. With its power, how could it be considered a mere low-level totem, as Zhou Huai’an claimed? At least, in all my years, I’ve never seen another like it."

As Chen Changming's figure began to fade, Chen Xingzhen fell into deep thought.

Indeed, the clan would eventually have to face such challenges. Perhaps he had placed too much emphasis on Blood Rice resources.

While the Blood Rice provided the clan with a steady stream of martial artists, the true strength of the clan depended on cultivating high-level martial artists.

Although Chen Qingyu had reached the Innate Realm, the clan lacked the resources to propel him further. Blood Rice and Five-Leaf Flowers were only effective for those in the Blood Coagulation Realm.

Even if they lost half of their Blood Rice, the remaining fifty percent would suffice for the clan's daily needs. Moreover, the fertile fields had been secured after defeating the Liu and Li families, so it wasn’t an irreplaceable loss.

As long as the Divine Tree remained, the clan could gradually strengthen itself. Trading fifty percent of the Blood Rice for the Zhou clan’s protection—even if only verbal—seemed a reasonable compromise.

The alliance could also serve as a gateway for the clan to connect with other clans and the wider world.

Adhering to old customs and complacency would only trap the clan in an invisible cage, sealing their fate.

He often advised the clan to adopt a broader vision. Yet, in retrospect, he realized he had been trapped by his own mindset.

Perhaps Zhou Huai'an's arrival wasn’t a restriction, but an opportunity for the clan to step out of Chaotic Burial Mountain.

…

[You were born in a Wild World! This place is full of dangers. To become a towering tree as soon as possible, grow diligently!]

The glowing prompt in front of Ji Yang caught him off guard.

A Wild World?

Ji Yang blinked, his initial confusion giving way to apprehension. 

Was this... a high-level map?

Have I been tricked again?

When the prompt disappeared, Ji Yang surveyed his surroundings.

He was growing on what appeared to be flat ground. However, thanks to the tenfold simulation, he no longer started as a sapling. Instead, he began as his current form—grown directly from the Ancestral Hall.

This was one of the perks of advanced simulations. Although he’d lost his divine abilities and cultivation techniques, his innate traits remained intact.

Ji Yang took a moment to recall his abilities from previous simulations:

Enhanced Root Strength, High Temperature Resistance, Toughness, Low Temperature Resistance, Free Growth, Sharp Perception

There were only six abilities, but they had proven effective. With these, he could at least defend himself and avoid a repeat of the Black Gold Beast incident.

However, as Ji Yang took in his surroundings, his earlier optimism faded.

Only a short distance away, towering giant trees dominated the landscape. Each one spanned several meters wide, their heights vanishing into the clouds. And they weren’t solitary; there were countless such trees.

Upon closer inspection, Ji Yang realized he wasn’t growing on flat ground. Instead, he was wedged in the gaps between these colossi, competing for survival.

Why were these trees so enormous?

Ji Yang couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. How long would it take for him to reach such a size?

Before he could contemplate further, another prompt appeared.

[The Wild World is rich in spiritual energy. You will quickly develop intelligence and begin to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.]

This time, there were no choices. The simulation skipped ahead, seemingly triggered by the tenfold acceleration.

Ji Yang soon felt a strange sensation coursing through his being. Nourished by spiritual energy, his body began to grow at an astonishing rate.

Within moments, he had surpassed one hundred meters in height—an unprecedented feat in any previous simulation. Yet, in this Wild World, such a height was unremarkable.

As Ji Yang’s perspective widened, he witnessed a world teeming with formidable creatures.

In the distance, a massive beast with a tiger’s body and wings roared, its shadow stretching for hundreds of meters.

Nearby, a mountain monkey loomed like a living hill, its colossal fists shaking the earth.

Above the clouds, a dragon’s golden-scaled tail flickered briefly before disappearing into the mist.

On a parasol tree, a resplendent phoenix rested, its feathers radiating a kaleidoscope of colors.

Ji Yang froze, taking in the breathtaking scene. This Wild World was undoubtedly a high-level map. But was it... too high-level?

He was just a tree. Was this place really suitable for him?

Yet, as he considered the divine beasts, another thought crossed his mind. The richer the simulation, the greater the rewards. These divine beasts were extraordinary. If he could interact with them and create new storylines, the potential gains from this simulation would be immense.

But how could he attract such creatures? More importantly, how could he ensure his own safety?

Ji Yang scanned his surroundings, contemplating his options.

The tiger-like beast looked anything but friendly. Drawing its attention might end poorly.

The mountain creature, though powerful, seemed more destructive than intelligent—not an ideal candidate.

Comments