Chapter 2559

Even tears were flung out.

But Zhao Chi knew that her reaction definitely wasn't from sadness — it was from being too happy.

Some things don't need a woman to say them; a man just has to do them.

Especially now that Li Ruanyu couldn't speak at all, Zhao Chi naturally and considerately pressed in every single time right up to the palace gate.

Li Ruanyu probably saw the holy light all night long.

By the very end, Zhao Chi finally realized she really was crying.

But Zhao Chi could be certain — she only truly cried toward the end.

The crying before that was absolutely crying from happiness.

Afterward, once Li Ruanyu had caught her breath, the first thing she did was come punch Zhao Chi.

Crying while pounding Zhao Chi with her tender little fists.

The hits actually hurt a little.

But there was nothing to be done…

He'd made his own wife this miserable… truly miserable… so he could only take a few punches.

In the end, Li Ruanyu's eyes were red and her lips were pursed.

Zhao Chi hurriedly babbled a bunch of sweet nothings, and only then did he soothe Li Ruanyu properly.

Li Ruanyu said resentfully: "Before, every time I only gained 8-9 points of energy at most. This time you gave me a full 15 points, and it was energy over an extra-long period — how could I possibly take it? It's swollen, do you even know that?!"

Zhao Chi could only apologize again.

Li Ruanyu said coquettishly: "You really can't do this again next time…"

"I wouldn't dare, wife…"

"Hmph…"

But to be honest.

This was still the first time he'd seen Li Ruanyu cry.

Her eye rims were red, her eyes brimmed with tears, her nose was red too, and the corners of her mouth were red too.

It really felt like it had an extra flavor to it.

Although he couldn't go again, kissing her for a while was still no problem.

Then he'd kiss her for a while.

Li Ruanyu was so frightened her flower-like countenance lost color, and she backed away repeatedly: "Huh? Huh huh? What are you doi—"

But seeing that Zhao Chi didn't make any further move, she finally relaxed.

It took another few minutes to truly coax Li Ruanyu into a good mood.

During this time, Zhao Chi told her everything about the Tree Spirit and the rest.

Li Ruanyu's attention was successfully diverted.

"Tree Spirit? How could the Eternal Tree have a Tree Spirit?"

"There really is one. I saw it together with Qi Yue — about the size of your forearm, and it looks like a wingless flower fairy on the outside."

"You didn't make that up just to coax me, did you?"

"How could I."

"Then I want to go over and take a look. Is that convenient?"

"Of course, what's inconvenient about that? I was just thinking of letting you go see it too."

Li Ruanyu pointed to the side and said: "Shangguan Ting is still waiting for you next door. You going out with me… is that convenient?"

Zhao Chi smiled and said: "Right now is your time, so of course it's convenient."

Li Ruanyu finally smiled a little, then nodded and said: "Alright, let's go quickly then."

They entered Chaoge Town.

Chaoge Town was brightly lit.

Although there were no spirit-energy lamps, the brightness provided by the ultra-bright fire oil was so high that, apart from the flickering of the flames making the light feel like it was flashing on and off, the effect was even better than spirit-energy lamps.

Li Ruanyu and Zhao Chi each held an ultra-bright torch, quickly approaching the sapling of the Eternal Tree.

From a distance, the female soldiers on patrol spotted the two of them.

But upon seeing it was Zhao Chi and Li Ruanyu, the female soldiers relaxed and continued their patrol.

After entering the wall, they could also see female soldiers standing guard at the perimeter.

Further ahead, ten meters out from the sapling, there were three more female soldiers standing guard on duty.

A bit further in, two professional female farmers were tending to the sapling.

From outside to inside, it was truly layer upon layer of protection.

And every single one had 10 points of loyalty.

This level of arrangement was actually a bit over the top.

But it didn't matter — it was worth doing.

Li Ruanyu also agreed: "It is the Eternal Tree after all, so being strict is indeed right. But this tree of yours… why is it pink?"

Zhao Chi pointed at the ground beside it and said: "Originally it really was tender green, but later after I watered it with blood, that tender green sapling wilted, and it split open from the middle, and this pink new sapling grew out from inside."

Li Ruanyu nodded.

Back in the room, Zhao Chi already told her the whole process.

Li Ruanyu couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

Soon, she noticed the large number of raised tree roots on the ground.

Most of the tree roots were still beneath the soil, but some were still squeezed out as it were, directly exposed above the soil.

The roots are purple, a deeper shade than the pink of the trunk.

They look even more uncanny.

Li Ruanyu sighed: "The Eternal Tree grows in a way similar to the Tree of Life — the root system grows first, while the trunk, branches, and leaves grow very slowly. Once the root layout is complete, the parts above ground will flourish rapidly."

Zhao Chi nodded: "I noticed that too, but even so it still feels too slow. After all, this was catalyzed by 8,000 Quick-Growth Talismans, equivalent to 666 years, and it's still only this much."

Li Ruanyu consoled: "It's fine. The roots you're seeing are only the surface roots. By now there should be far more roots than you can imagine, already buried deep underground. Those 8,000 Quick-Growth Talismans won't have been spent for nothing."

"I understand."

"That tree spirit — does it live inside the tree?"

"Yes, but it's still in its normal state now. It'll probably come out again tomorrow when it gets hungry."

Li Ruanyu said in wonder: "This really is my first time hearing that an Eternal Tree can have a tree spirit. And from what you're describing, the tree spirit and the Eternal Tree are separate — the nutrients the great tree absorbs can't actually sustain the tree spirit?"

Zhao Chi scratched his head.

"I'm not sure either. Next time she comes out, I'll call you over to take a look. But I don't know how long one blood-drinking can sustain her."

Li Ruanyu said: "Hopefully for a good while — so you'll lose less blood."

Zhao Chi laughed: "Losing blood doesn't matter, as long as it isn't lost for nothing. I've already sent you the tree spirit's data — you can take a look first."

Li Ruanyu immediately examined it seriously.

"It's truly astonishing. If I hadn't seen this data with my own eyes, I would never have believed an ordinary person could obtain a seed of the Eternal Tree and actually grow it."

"Mm…"

"You need Quick-Growth Talismans now, right? I'll help you find some, but Quick-Growth Talismans definitely aren't as plentiful as Quick-Work Talismans. Trying to make a giant tree grow large in a short time just isn't realistic — don't set that kind of goal, or you'll only be disappointed later."

Zhao Chi nodded: "I won't. I understand."

Li Ruanyu sighed softly: "Actually, having this giant tree is itself a kind of hope. Take good care of it."

"Alright, let's go to Penglai."

"I'm not going. I'm heading straight back."

"Don't go back yet — I still have something to give you."

"Give me? What?"

"You'll know in a bit. Come with me first. And I still have questions to ask you."

Li Ruanyu laughed: "More questions? Aren't you afraid Shangguan Ting will get impatient waiting?"

Zhao Chi laughed: "Just a few questions — won't take long."

"Fine, let's go."

After greeting the female soldier guard nearby, Zhao Chi brought Li Ruanyu back to Penglai Town once more, heading toward Phoenix Chant Tower.

Li Ruanyu pulled Zhao Chi's arm over, hugged it gently, and they walked forward in sync.

"What questions? Go ahead and ask."