Vol. 1 - Ch. 44 - He Is Really My Father!

On the third day, the fruit had shed its green colour and turned completely greyish-white.

Inside the greyish-white fruit, some raised spots began to appear, as if something was growing inside.

However, this did not affect the clansmen's observation and reverence; on the contrary, they were filled with anticipation.

In the Ancestral Hall, Ji Yang also stared at these gradually growing fruits, deep in thought.

In just these three short days, these fruits had consumed 12 points of his Blood and Qi, averaging four points per day.

In other words, the Blood and Qi he had painstakingly absorbed from the moonlight over these three days had all been converted into nourishment for these fruits, and he was even losing 1.6 points of Blood and Qi every day.

However, Ji Yang still did not take any action, as he could sense that the fruits would ripen in a few more days.

He also wanted to see what the fruit would look like after he used his Soul Gathering ability.

On the fourth day of the fruit's growth, the spots that had appeared earlier began to take shape. They were growing out of one side of the fruit, making it look somewhat unsightly as it approached the size of a fist.

The members of the different clans showed a hint of surprise when they saw this.

At that time, Chen Xingzhen was still going through the remains of the clan's records, trying to find the answer to the Divine Tree's fruit.

As for the past few days, he had heard about the growth of the Divine Tree's fruit, but he had not personally gone to inspect it.

On the evening of the fourth day, under the bright moonlight, Ji Yang absorbed both the moon essence and the Yin energy while occasionally glancing at the fruits on his body, which had gradually turned pale white.

The white fruits were now about the size of a fist, and their shapes were more distinct and layered.

However, when Ji Yang looked at those white fruits again, he vaguely felt that something was wrong.

In the previous two days, the fruits were still small and the spots were not prominent, so nothing could be seen. But as the white fruits grew over these two days, the spots on them became more obvious.

In the middle of the night, under the moonlight, Ji Yang took another look at those white fruits.

But what he saw when he took a closer look surprised him.

Unbeknownst to him, the spots on those white fruits had already transformed into human features, and those fist-sized white fruits had now become heads.

The faces on the fruits each had distinct features, their eyes tightly closed as if still waiting to ripen.

In the distance, the pitch-black Divine Tree had disappeared into the darkness, with only its glowing leaves shining under the moonlight.

What was shocking and terrifying was that beneath the numerous glowing leaves, there were dozens of fruits with human-like faces.

Under the moonlight, these fruits exuded an eerie depth. It was fortunate that the Ancestral Hall was empty; otherwise, anyone there would have been petrified by the sight.

After the initial shock, Ji Yang's heart returned to normal.

Fruits with facial features were nothing new to him; he had seen them before, like the ginseng fruit.

However, having them grow out of his own body was still something Ji Yang found hard to accept.

After all, he was considered the family's Divine Tree, representing the family's glory.

Now, looking at himself, he appeared more like a demonic tree, and the Chen family seemed to be worshipping an evil entity in him.

Ji Yang shook his head inwardly, pushing aside the absurd thoughts that had arisen in his mind.

He had already speculated about the appearance of these fruits.

After all, they had grown because he had used the Yin Gathering ability, and it was clear that this was related to the living souls in the Ancestral Hall earlier.

The features of three of the fruits clearly resembled those of the clan members who had recently died in battle.

Perhaps once the fruits matured, the ability to collect souls would be considered complete. He wondered how these transformed fruits were different from the living souls in the Netherworld before.

Despite his displeasure at their appearance, Ji Yang still had some anticipation.

He just didn't know what kind of upheaval would occur in the Chen family tomorrow.

Fortunately, several of the family's Blood Coagulation Realm warriors hadn't returned yet, leaving only Chen Xingzhen in the clan, so he didn't have to worry about being chopped up by his clansmen.

The next day, at dawn, Chen Qingsong picked up a broom, pushed open the doors of the Ancestral Hall, and began to sweep away the little dust that remained.

The family's Ancestral Hall, representing the clan's pride and now housing the Divine Tree, needed to be cleaned every day.

After the grand ceremony for the Divine Tree, many clansmen offered to take over Chen Qingsong's duties, but he refused.

When the Divine Tree showed its spirit, he couldn't miss such an opportunity. Perhaps he was destined to have the family's Divine Tree and receive its blessing.

This was what the patriarch had said: as long as one had reverence, there was a chance to receive the blessing of the Divine Tree.

As he swept, Chen Qingsong looked up at the Divine Tree in awe and prepared to worship it again.

During the worship, he wanted to sneak a peek at the fruits the Divine Tree bore.

The Patriarch had said that one should not look directly at the Divine Tree on ordinary days; it was a great disrespect.

During the worship, Chen Qingsong looked up at the Divine Tree. But the next moment, his face turned horrified and his body stiffened.

In front of him, a white fruit with a human face was silently hanging on a branch. Although the eyes of the white fruit were closed, he felt as if it was looking directly at him, making eye contact.

This terrifying sight made his heart tighten with fear. When he turned his head to look at the whole Divine Tree, he immediately realized that it was filled with white fruits with human faces.

Seeing this scene, Chen Qingsong could no longer suppress the fear in his heart, so he rushed out and shouted loudly.

"What's going on?!" His screams quickly drew many clansmen to investigate.

"Uncle, the Ancestral Hall, the Divine Tree..."

Seeing the newcomers, Chen Qingsong pointed at the Ancestral Hall with a hint of panic.

Upon hearing this, the crowd did not hesitate, thinking that an enemy had entered the Ancestral Hall to destroy the family's Divine Tree.

When they reached the Ancestral Hall, they found no one and immediately turned their eyes to the family's Divine Tree.

"Ah! What is this?"

"Sss...!"

"Why did those fruits grow like that?"

Shocked voices from the clansmen filled the hall as they saw the white fruits.

Even though it was the family's Divine Tree, many of them showed panic on their faces; this was more shocking than an Innate Realm beast attacking them.

Some of them immediately left the Ancestral Hall to report to Chen Xingzhen.

However, this was still the family's Divine Tree, so although they were scared, they did not retreat.

After a careful examination, one of the clansmen frowned deeply as he looked at the white fruits on the tree. He couldn't help but feel that the faces on the white fruits looked familiar.

At that moment, a flash of realization crossed the clansman's eyes. He quickly pulled another clansman aside and said urgently,

"Tianquan, look at this fruit. Doesn't it look like your father?"

Chen Tianquan, still frightened by the scene in front of him, suddenly changed his expression upon hearing this.

Having lost his father at a young age, this was a deep wound in his heart. He retorted angrily,

"Why don't you say it looks like your father?"

"No, Tianquan, I'm not cursing you. Take a good look!"

The clansman pointed to the rightmost branch of the Divine Tree, his expression sincere. "It's the one hanging on the rightmost branch."

Seeing the seriousness on his clansman's face, Chen Tianquan suppressed his anger and looked in the direction pointed out.

When he saw the inconspicuous fruit among the branches, his anger vanished, replaced by shock.

He exclaimed, "Father? It's really my father!"

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