Chapter 545: A Paradise Hidden from the World

Hua Changxi, accompanied by the Soul Turtle, cautiously advanced bit by bit deeper into the island.

The soul energy on the island was so dense it nearly coalesced into a tangible mist, while the air was filled with a refreshing fragrance of grass and flowers; merely being there made one feel their divine soul was being nourished.

The earth beneath their feet was soft and elastic, as strands of pure soul energy slowly seeped through the soles of their feet into their bodies, silently strengthening their soul forms.

As far as the eye could see, soul plants of various colors and types grew in scattered, layered profusion.

However, they seemed neglected, rendering these soul plants exceptionally messy, resembling common weeds.

Witnessing this desolate scene, Hua Changxi's heart beat faster; this was yet another sign that the island belonged to no one.

They continued deeper.

Soon, the woman and the turtle arrived at a forest of soul-energy fruit trees, both momentarily holding their breath at the sight before them.

Everywhere across the hills and fields stood vigorous, ancient soul-energy fruit trees; their branches were covered in blossoms like brocade, while clusters of heavy fruits bent the boughs, resembling countless crystal-clear white jade lanterns emitting a warm, holy halo under the faint glow of the soul mist.

Soul-energy fruit trees, as their name suggests, are soul woods that absorb and refine soul energy to bear soul-energy fruits.

The soul energy contained within these fruits is gentle and pure, making them excellent items for strengthening the soul form and replenishing soul energy.

Among soul woods, soul-energy fruit trees are not a rare variety but rather a common type.

However, this particular grove of soul-energy fruit trees was somewhat special—the trees were incredibly old!

"Wow~"

Seeing the fruit-laden grove, the Soul Turtle jumped for joy, then paddled its four short legs and impatiently rushed into the orchard.

The Soul Turtle ran to the base of a fruit tree, opened its mouth wide, inhaled, and sucked a soul-energy fruit directly into its mouth, then began chewing with audible smacks.

Seeming unsatisfied with just one, the Soul Turtle grew slightly larger; now, a single inhale could draw in dozens of soul-energy fruits at once, leaving juice dripping from its mouth.

Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow upon seeing this but did not stop it, merely remaining vigilant as she observed her surroundings.

Within the forest, only the sound of the Soul Turtle eating fruits could be heard.

After some time, seeing no unusual movements, Hua Changxi extended her divine sense to probe the surroundings while stepping into the orchard.

The rich fragrance of fruit filled her nose, and she could not help but salivate.

The soul-energy fruits on the trees were pure white like jade, with smooth, delicate skin, as if carefully carved from the finest mutton-fat jade.

Through the translucent skin, one could faintly see a thick, milky soul-energy pulp flowing inside; with every slight shake, one could feel the immense vitality contained within.

Hua Changxi counted with her divine sense; this orchard contained exactly three thousand six hundred soul-fruit trees, arranged in distinct rows based on their front and back positions.

The foremost one thousand two hundred trees had slightly slender branches and leaves, bearing white jade fruits that, though small in size, were exquisite and delicate.

[Realm: Infant Transformation Stage 9.999 billion/10 billion; Divine Sense: 6 billion points]

To determine the amount of soul energy contained in the fruits, Hua Changxi picked one and ate it.

[Realm: Infant Transformation Stage 9.999 billion/10 billion; Divine Sense: 6.001 billion points]

Hmm, eating one increases soul energy by one million points!

She continued deeper.

The middle one thousand two hundred trees had thicker trunks, with layers of soul flowers clustering around sweet and solid fruits.

After Hua Changxi ate one, [Realm: Infant Transformation Stage 9.999 billion/10 billion; Divine Sense: 6.011 billion points]

Eating one increases soul energy by ten million points!

She continued deeper.

The rearmost one thousand two hundred trees were even more extraordinary; their skins naturally bore soul patterns and emitted their own soul light.

[Realm: Infant Transformation Stage 9.999 billion/10 billion; Divine Sense: 6.111 billion points]

Good heavens, eating one increases soul energy by one hundred million points!

After swallowing three soul-energy fruits, Hua Changxi's heart pounded wildly.

This island is extraordinary!

Hua Changxi struggled to calm the urgent desire in her heart to claim this island and returned to the outer edge of the orchard.

As soon as she stepped out, her eyelid twitched.

In just a short while, the Soul Turtle had eaten all the soul-energy fruits from six trees.

"Little Turtle, stop eating."

"You..."

Hua Changxi called the Soul Turtle over, her expression complicated; she knew the turtle could eat, but she hadn't expected it to eat this much.

Each tree bore at least several thousand fruits; from six trees, the Soul Turtle must have consumed at least twenty or thirty thousand fruits.

Being able to devour such a vast amount of soul energy at once also proved, from another angle, that the Soul Turtle's strength had at least reached the Spirit Platform Stage.

The Soul Turtle looked somewhat unsatisfied: "Master, I'm not full yet."

Hua Changxi: "...Did your father and mother perhaps dislike you and intentionally lose you?"

The Soul Turtle widened its small eyes: "Master, how did you know my father and mother disliked me?"

Hua Changxi gave two dry, forced laughs, said nothing more, and turned to prepare to cross through the orchard.

The Soul Turtle hurried to follow, but after crawling for only a short while, it felt too tired, so it shook its body, transformed to the size of a palm, leaped, and landed directly on Hua Changxi's shoulder, lying still.

Hua Changxi turned her head and glanced sideways at the Soul Turtle: "Are you using a transformation technique?"

The Soul Turtle shook its head gently: "No, I am using the inherited divine ability of our River-Crossing Soul Turtles, called 'Size as One Wishes'."

Hearing that this was the innate inheritance of the Soul Turtle clan, Hua Changxi asked no further, but asked with some curiosity: "River-Crossing Soul Turtles? Why does your clan have such a name?"

The Soul Turtle shook its head, displaying obvious disdain: "Master, why are you so dull? Of course, it is because my clan has inhabited the Soul River for generations, specifically ferrying living beings; we are the ferrymen of the Soul River."

Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised: "Does that mean your clan controls transportation on the Soul River?"

The Soul Turtle proudly lifted its chin: "Naturally; on the Soul River, all living beings give my River-Crossing Soul Turtle clan some face."

For the rest of the journey, Hua Changxi was not so tense.

They had blatantly intruded and caused quite a disturbance, yet no living beings appeared; perhaps this truly was an ownerless island.

Passing through the outer forest of Soul Force Fruits, the view before them suddenly opened up.

As far as the eye could see lay a sea of Soul Flowers.

The petals of the Soul Flowers were as translucent as crystal; between their stamens, tiny specks of Soul Force light waxed and waned, swaying gently in the breeze and emitting a strange fragrance that calmed the mind and spirit.

Above the flower sea, swarms of Soul Bees, their wings marked with Soul Force runes, busily shuttled among the blossoms to extract the essence of the stamens, their tails glowing with faint honey light as they diligently traveled back and forth to gather nectar.

The honeycombs built by the Soul Bees were embedded in the crevices of the gnarled branches of old trees not far from the flower sea; the combs were entirely amber in color, with holes arranged in neat order.

Hua Changxi, accompanied by the Soul Turtle, crossed the flower sea without disturbing the Soul Bees and quickly reached the old tree forest.

"Master, so many honeycombs."

The Soul Turtle began to drool again.

Hua Changxi was also stunned by the dense clusters of honeycombs on the old trees; being closer now, she could even see that the interiors of the combs were filled with thick, mellow Soul Honey.

The honey pulp was crystal clear and viscous, emitting a rich, sweet aroma; merely smelling it made one's divine soul feel as though it were wrapped in warmth.

This was undoubtedly a rare and miraculous treasure for nourishing the divine soul.

Seeing the Soul Turtle becoming restless, Hua Changxi quickly led it away from the old tree forest.

If they dared to touch the honeycombs, they would surely be attacked by the Soul Bees.

Although those Soul Bees did not appear powerful, their sheer numbers were overwhelming.

Furthermore, she was uncertain whether there might be powerful Soul Bees residing on the island.

Until they had fully explored the island, it was best not to act rashly.

After passing through the old tree forest, rows of silvery-white mulberry trees came into view.

On the thick leaves of the mulberry trees, countless Soul Silkworms were greedily feeding.

Their bodies were lustrous like jade; they continuously spun strands of silver silk, which were fine yet tough, shimmering with a hazy moonlight glow and swaying lightly in the wind with remarkable vitality.

What kind of treasure island is this?!

Hua Changxi felt that this island was truly covered everywhere with Soul Force resources.

Hua Changxi did not disturb the Soul Silkworms and continued deeper inward.

Soon, a crisp and melodious tinkling sound entered her ears.

Passing through a curtain of hanging Soul Vines, a clear Soul Spring suddenly appeared before her eyes.

The spring eye gurgled with clear water, its surface floating with a thin white halo, while the bottom was paved with translucent fragments of Soul Jade.

The spring water was rich in Soul Force; the misty vapor brushing against her face instantly soothed the restlessness of her divine soul.

"Gulp~"

The Soul Turtle,不知 when it had jumped down from Hua Changxi's shoulder, had approached the spring's edge; it stretched out its head, cautiously licked a mouthful of the spring water, and then comfortably narrowed its eyes.

Then, it went to lick a second mouthful, a third mouthful...

Seeing this, Hua Changxi did not stop it but instead looked toward the center of the Soul Island.

At the center of the Soul Island, towering Soul Trees rose from the ground; their trunks were vigorous and thick, their bark textured with ancient depth, and every leaf seemed carved from the finest white jade, circulating with a faint radiance under the dim light filtering through the Soul Mist.

Observing everything on the Soul Island, Hua Changxi felt a stir in her heart.

The entire Soul Island was lush with vegetation, its spiritual springs murmuring, bees dancing and silkworms resting, all living things coexisting and relying on one another; everywhere brimmed with surging spiritual energy, resembling a peaceful paradise existing alone between heaven and earth.