Chapter 603: Tree Person

Several months later.

Qingyu Garden.

Fang Xing held a piece of beast hide in his hand, deeply absorbed in its contemplation.

This was the fundamental diagram of the "Rou Taishui" technique.

Although Fei Changnong claimed that battle merits could not be privately transferred, such private transactions were rampant and impossible to regulate.

Fang Xing's willingness to spend several dozen battle merits naturally attracted many Dao Foundation cultivators.

After accepting a bag of talisman coins as a bribe, Fei Changnong said nothing more and acted as intermediary to complete the transaction for Fang Xing.

"Though this transaction has emptied all my battle merits and halved my talisman coins, it was still worth it…"

Fang Xing stared at the pitch-black beast hide before him.

"This hide's texture is extraordinary… not an ordinary beast, possibly comparable to a Yangshen True Lord…"

Upon the pitch-black hide were countless intricate patterns.

These patterns were impossibly complex, constantly extending and shifting… faintly forming the shape of a lingzhi mushroom.

"Rou Taishui…"

Fang Xing's gaze grew distant, instantly immersed within.

"Regardless of this technique's origin, mastering it is exceedingly difficult…"

"But for me, it is remarkably simple… I will surely break through within a few years, condensing the 'Rou Taishui' pseudo-technique."

"Then, I will surely advance beyond Dao Foundation late stage—later, achieving the 'Flesh and Blood Proliferation' technique will be effortless…"

Fang Xing carefully sensed: "This 'Rou Taishui' technique is defensive and restorative in nature…"

As he continued his contemplation, shadows of trees danced across his body, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance…

…

Several months later.

Dulong Slope.

Fang Xing had specifically taken leave to come to Dulong Slope.

Within the bamboo forest.

Several ancient Three-Saint Oaks stood proudly, each trunk thick enough to require multiple people to encircle, radiating the aura of ancient times.

"Spiritual plant—Three-Saint Oak! Perfect for transforming into a Tree Person…"

Fang Xing stroked the oak's bark and nodded slightly.

Thanks to his 【Plant Growth】 talent and the "Yuchonglong" pseudo-technique working in tandem, the first few Three-Saint Oaks he planted had finally reached the ten-thousand-year level!

Papat!

He gathered countless oak fruits—these ten-thousand-year acorns contained pure vitality, usable to refine supreme healing pills or be swallowed directly to enhance the cultivation of wood-attribute cultivators.

"Ten-thousand-year Three-Saint Oak wood… if transformed into a Tree Person, would it reach Yinshen combat power?"

Fang Xing murmured, silently estimating with his Druidic perception.

"To transform a 'ten-thousand-year Tree Person,' first, my Druid level must exceed Level 15, then I must sacrifice vast amounts of experience…"

"If experience is insufficient, will it consume my life force—my lifespan instead?"

"Can be kept as a last resort, but for daily use, paper dolls are better."

Ten-thousand-year Tree Persons are massive and slow-moving… these are hard-to-overcome weaknesses.

Compared to them, paper dolls are far more portable and function entirely differently.

The 【Transform Tree Person】 talent belongs to Druids—a power unseen in this world, likely drawing attention from high-ranking entities.

So when using it against enemies, best to eliminate witnesses.

Paper dolls, however, are common techniques in the Outer Lands, better suited as routine tools.

"If I further refine a 'Spirit Illusion Paper House Dimension,' not only will mobility become effortless, but with a mere wave of my hand, I can summon an entire army of paper soldiers around me…"

"The same logic applies to awakening beasts with the Enlightenment Technique…"

Shush!

The bamboo shadows fell, and a massive black shadow emerged—it was the black serpent!

Or rather, the Dao Foundation beast—Poison-Horned Viper!

The Poison-Horned Viper's scales were pitch-black like ink jade, its body exceeding ten zhang in length, with a single horn on its forehead bearing strange patterns.

To awaken it to Dao Foundation, Fang Xing did not waste his precious Druid experience, but instead spent nearly ten years of his lifespan.

"The cost of awakening beast spirits is higher than ordinary paper dolls…"

"The key is, even if my Beast Taming art is strong, cultivating beasts that continuously break through bottlenecks still draws too much attention…"

"But paper dolls? No one cares—I've just sacrificed my lifespan, after all…"

Fang Xing touched the Poison-Horned Viper's black horn, sensing the concentrated toxins within.

Had his 【Toxin Immunity】 talent not improved further, merely touching this horn might have poisoned him.

"Its combat power is decent… but to elevate it to Dao Foundation late stage would require over thirty years of lifespan."

"To transform into a dragon? Don't even think of it without centuries…"

After all, the Poison-Horned Viper is a living flesh-and-blood being, capable of self-cultivation and possessing its own will.

The cost to break through far exceeds that of paper dolls.

"With six Paper Generals and a Xiao Ren Shen essence nearing Dao Foundation mid-stage, plus this Dao Foundation early-stage Poison-Horned Viper, it should be sufficient."

Fang Xing glanced at the ten-thousand-mu bamboo forest, thinking to himself: "But I still need a backup."

Though he had planted ten-thousand-mu Evergreen Forests in Qingyu Garden, this bamboo forest was older and yielded more experience.

After reaching Druid Level 15, the experience required grows exponentially—no location can be neglected.

With this in mind, Fang Xing approached the oldest of the ten-thousand-year Three-Saint Oaks.

With a thought, a green light descended upon the Three-Saint Oak.

—Transform Tree Person!

—Enlightenment Technique!

The tiny amount of Druid experience on his person vanished instantly, then came his lifespan!

Ten years, twenty years, thirty years!

Fifty years, one hundred years, three hundred years!

After consuming exactly three hundred years of lifespan, the ancient Three-Saint Oak trembled, its roots tearing from the earth.

Boom!

It rose to its feet, becoming a colossal Tree Person, its trunk splitting into six branches, sprouting a peculiar head with two faces—one on each side—thus forming a strange three-faced, six-armed Tree Person.

Its eyes looked down, spotting Fang Xing, and a deep, gentle voice spoke: "I pay homage to you, Child of Nature!"

"Hmm, your name is 'Sanshou!'"

Fang Xing said: "Your only task is to guard this bamboo forest."

Though Tree Persons move slowly, they excel at defensive and positional warfare.

Fang Xing sensed briefly and confirmed: Sanshou possessed the 【Natural Barrier】 talent—equivalent to a massive array, capable of encompassing the entire grove within its protection.

Its power was absolute Yinshen True Immortal level—defense was unquestionable.

Paired with the agile and mobile Six Paper Generals, it was utterly secure.

"Stay hidden at all times."

Fang Xing gave a few final instructions; Sanshou immediately sat back down, reverting to the form of the ten-thousand-year Three-Saint Oak.

"In this world, such beings are probably called 'Ten-Thousand-Year Tree Spirits'?"

"Its concealment ability is astonishing—before manifesting, even a Yinshen True Immortal might not distinguish it from an ordinary oak."

Fang Xing nodded, deeply satisfied.

"My lifespan is now only 2, 00 years left—truly insufficient…"

He shook his head, preparing to leave, when a flash of emerald light appeared.

Xiao Ren Shen, Xiao Qing, lay curled atop the Three-Saint Oak's roots, fast asleep, utterly at ease.

"Clever little thing."

"Nowhere in Dulong Slope is safer or richer in plant essence than beneath this tree…"

Fang Xing smiled faintly.

Given time, this place might become a "Sacred Grove," a Druidic sanctuary.

Then, even a Yangshen True Lord would find it impossible to breach!

Of course, the investment required would be immense.

…

Fang Xing stepped out of the bamboo grove to find Lu Feng waiting outside.

Compared to his former vigor, this Lu family patriarch now looked aged—his temples streaked with gray, his back hunched.

"Uncle Fang…"

Lu Feng coughed once—his cultivation had regressed.

"Aren't you on the battlefield?"

Fang Xing was surprised.

"I was severely injured a few days ago and was allowed to return home to recuperate…"

Lu Feng smiled bitterly: "My foundation is damaged—I'll likely never return to Sensing Qi late stage, like Iron Luo."

"The Blood Shadow Sect's techniques are indeed sinister."

Fang Xing sighed deeply and handed over a healing berry.

Lu Feng accepted it with a bitter expression, knowing he had long since lost face with Uncle Fang.

He knew the healing berry's effect—it could only slightly replenish primordial energy, nothing more.

Fang Xing knew this too; it was merely a token gesture.

For someone who once tried to seize ten thousand mu of bamboo forest, he had already shown mercy by not killing him—how could he possibly heal the man?

'Even with 'Natural Healing,' severe foundation damage is nearly impossible to mend... unless one obtains the 'Advanced Natural Healing' talent...'

Druids have decent healing abilities; the healing berry is equivalent to 'Minor Wound Healing,' while 'Natural Healing' can treat moderate injuries.

'Advanced Natural Healing' can heal severe injuries—even severed limbs, deafness, blindness, or foundation damage—so long as treatment is applied, full recovery is possible.

But Fang Xing had not yet obtained this talent.

Even if he had, he would never heal Lu Feng.

"Where is Hu Liuniang's grave? Is it beside Tie Luo's?"

Fang Xing said, "I still need to pay my respects."

"Please, Uncle Fang."

Lu Feng, face still bitter, led the way ahead.

Though the Lu family of Dongfeng now ruled supreme, the old bond between the Five Cloud Companions still lingered—Tie Luo the Hermit, Song Yunqian, and Hu Liuniang were all buried beside Old Lu.

Even a memorial tomb for Lin Xu stood among them.

Yet now, before the graves of the three, a lone figure stood silently.

"Who are you?"

Lu Feng, seeing a stranger paying homage to his ancestors' graves, demanded sharply.

"Wait... you're... Lin Xu?"

Fang Xing spoke in surprise.

Though the figure's face was deathly pale, his appearance was unmistakably the old Lin Xu.

"What? Uncle Lin?"

Lu Feng sensed his aura and turned pale: "He's forged a Dao Foundation too?"

Lin Xu turned, forcing a stiff smile, then vanished in a gray-white streak of light, shooting skyward.

"Friend Lin, please wait—"

Fang Xing's body rippled with shadowy trees, and he chased after him instantly.

In his heart, he smiled inwardly: 'This is Lin Xu, yes—but only his corpse. The real Lin Xu died long ago. This body has been reanimated and refined by the Corpse Manipulation Sect's secret arts... and somehow, he broke through to the Dao Foundation?'