Chapter 333: The Vow of Grafted Branches Under the Old Pear Tree

Upon first arriving at Xianyun Abode, one could see a tree in the courtyard, appearing to be over six zhang tall, yet its trunk was short and stubby, with branches sprawling everywhere in a clawing, aggressive manner. It was early winter at the time, and the tree was bare, looking extremely ugly.

Long Qi did not know what kind of tree this was, nor did he understand why Lingxiang would place such an incredibly ugly tree in the courtyard, and she even seemed to like it very much, as she had actually set up a stone table and stone stools beneath it.

Later, he learned that this was a pear tree, brought up from Chenjian by Lingxiang's mother specifically when she moved into Xianyun Abode. It was said that this pear tree was already over a hundred years old, and Tumi Xianzi loved it dearly.

"A pear tree entering the house brings poverty and ruin." Why bring any other tree, yet insist on bringing a pear tree?

However, it was only later that Long Qi truly witnessed what it meant for falling blossoms to be like snow.

Just as spring arrived, the old pear tree began to sprout buds. By the time the third month had passed, overnight, the entire tree was covered in white blossoms. As the gentle breeze blew, rustling through the branches, the whole courtyard was filled with a delicate fragrance. By the fourth month, when the spring breeze was at its peak, the pear petals fell with the wind, covering the ground in white, making Xianyun Abode look absolutely beautiful.

Although it was a pear tree, Lingxiang never neglected it. Every month, she would send Long Qi to water it twice, and each time it had to be water from a Spirit vein. She would also frequently catch insects and apply fertilizer, tending to it with the utmost care.

But strangely, Lingxiang never pruned the old tree.

Long Qi had, after all, spent many years in the marketplace and was not entirely ignorant; he knew that for fruit trees, only diligent pruning allowed them to grow better. Yet, when Lingxiang heard this, she disagreed.

"Do you know why the pear trees in Chenjian are so short and stubby?"

Long Qi shook his head upon hearing this, and Lingxiang continued:

"Just as you said, in order for them to grow better, fruit farmers will prune them. On one hand, the fruit will grow larger and more numerous, and on the other, it restricts their growth, making them easier to harvest later. But I do not rely on this old tree to bring me anything, so why should I constrain it?"

"Of all things in heaven and earth, the spirit of plants and trees is the most perceptive; they know the four seasons and distinguish dawn from dusk. With such Spirit Qi, if I were to rashly intervene, would I not be cutting off its future?"

This was the first time Long Qi had heard such a theory, and he could not help but feel that Lingxiang was making a mountain out of a molehill—it was just a plant, what could one possibly expect it to do?

Yet Long Qi did not know that Yangmeidaxian, among the innate Spirit Roots, was also merely a hollow willow. Moreover, there was actually an inside story as to why Lingxiang treated this tree so well.

When Lingxiang was still two years old, the pear tree bore fruit that year. Little Lingxiang happily climbed up to pick one and ate it, but she did not expect it to be bitter and sour. Her little face scrunched up, and she threw it away.

This throw happened to land on the head of Lingxiao Zhenren, who was coming up the mountain. Seeing his daughter with a pouting face, he smiled and walked up to pick her up.

"Why is Xiang'er so angry?"

Little Lingxiang pouted, her face full of displeasure: "This old pear tree is too much of a rascal. It grows fruit that is sour, bitter, and hard to swallow; it's not tasty!"

Hearing this, Lingxiao Zhenren laughed even more boisterously: "Xiang'er, although this tree has age, it has not yet been 'grafted,' so naturally it cannot produce tasty fruit."

Little Lingxiang did not understand: "What is 'grafting'?"

This question stumped Lingxiao Zhenren, and he pondered for a long time before speaking: "Grafting is like when Daddy and Mommy got married, and eventually had a child as smart and beautiful as Xiang'er."

Upon hearing her daddy praise her, little Lingxiang giggled, but she did not forget the fruit from earlier: "Xiang'er wants to eat tasty fruit, Daddy, hurry and graft it, hurry, hurry!"

Lingxiao Zhenren laughed even more uncontrollably: "Daddy cannot graft this old tree, but since Xiang'er wants to eat fruit, how about Daddy buys some for you tomorrow?"

But little Lingxiang was not happy when she heard this: "I don't want that! No! I insist! I want to eat the fruit from this old tree!"

Lingxiao Zhenren did not know where his precious daughter had learned so many "no's," but he truly had no way to deal with her—who told her to be his own daughter!

"Fine, fine, fine! Then Daddy promises Xiang'er that in a few days, I will perform a wood-grafting for this old tree. Next year, Xiang'er will definitely be able to eat fragrant and sweet pears, okay?"

"Then let's pinky swear!"

As little Lingxiang said this, she stretched out her chubby little hand, and Lingxiao Zhenren also happily reached out to hook his finger with hers. After a round of chanting rhymes, he carried little Lingxiang into the house while playing.

However, this promise was never fulfilled.

The Demon Lord had a cold expression, his Qinghui Finger pointing directly at Long Qi. It was about to strike Long Qi, but Long Qi was bound by the Water Art and had no power to dodge.

Although Lingxiang did not know the Qinghui Finger, she was all too familiar with it. The Qinghui technique was a branch of the Qinghui cultivation method; it did not look as grand as some Witchcraft, but it was an extremely formidable technique.

The Qinghui cultivation method was originally a type of technique aimed at demons, among which the "Exorcising Qinghui" was the most outstanding, but if one cultivated this method to the seventh level, it could be used on humans.

The Qinghui Finger was this seventh-level technique. It gathered the power of Qinghui at the fingertips and then shot it rapidly at the opponent.

The power of Qinghui would indeed not cause physical harm to a person, but the Qinghui Finger could dissipate Spirit Qi and break Witchcraft. If one lost their Spirit Power, not to mention whether they would be injured, they would certainly be at a disadvantage in the ensuing battle.

Sure enough, this finger pierced straight through Long Qi's body. Although Long Qi felt no pain, a sense of exhaustion washed over him, as if he had fallen into a vast ocean, and he could only let the waves roll him along, drifting with the current.

Lingxiang's heart tightened, and she almost cried out, but she held it back. She only tugged at the Demon Lord's sleeve and asked urgently: "Are you truly Daddy?"

"What? Does Xiang'er not believe me?" The Demon Lord smiled warmly.

"Naturally, I cannot believe it easily," Lingxiang glanced at Long Qi to the side, then asked: "You say you are my daddy, then can you tell me, what is the reason for the wood-grafting?"

Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord's expression froze, and his eyes turned gloomy.

"Is Xiang'er blaming Daddy for not keeping his promise?" He then sighed, "It was a turbulent time, and Daddy was also helpless."

"Hiss~" Lingxiang drew a sharp breath. Only she and her daddy knew about this matter. Could the person in front of her really be...

No! This is too strange!

Lingxiang always felt something was wrong in her heart, but for a moment, she could not figure out what was wrong.

Just as Lingxiang was pondering, the Ghost Mask stepped forward and interrupted her train of thought.

"My Lord, the precious mirror has been obtained, and the Princess has also been found. In this subordinate's humble opinion, withdrawing early is the best strategy."

Although Long Qi's thoughts were chaotic, upon hearing the Ghost Mask's words, he was instantly jolted into alertness.

What does this mean? Could it be that they want to take Lingxiang away?

He could not help but think of the dream he had at Xianyun Abode, and his heart immediately panicked.

"Lingxiang... Lingxiang..."

Could it be that it wasn't a dream?