Chapter 310: Inducement

So the question arises.

How many years does it take for the fruit on this wood-element tree to mature?

The answer is: anytime!

Because this tree is not a true tree, and its fruit is not a true fruit.

To obtain fruit from this tree, there is only one method: align your own wood-element Dao law with that of the great tree.

If you gain the wood dragon's approval, you may obtain the fruit.

Foundation Establishment disciples have not yet comprehended Dao laws, so they naturally lack their own Dao law—but that's fine; simply place your hand upon the wood dragon—the divine tree—and channel your internal wood-element spiritual power through your cultivation technique into the tree to complete the Dao law alignment.

It's that simple.

Thus, whether you obtain fruit from the tree depends entirely on fate, not competition.

That means you can go and align with this massive wood-element tree anytime.

As long as it's after the secret realm opens.

The only catch is that this is not very friendly to cultivators who have not trained wood-element techniques.

Within the Wood Dragon Gorge, there are countless branching valleys like those in the Golden Dragon Gorge, and these smaller valleys often conceal unexpected immortal herbs.

Wait!

The Wood Dragon Gorge is the one among all the dragon gorges with the most heavenly treasures and rare essentials; when the time comes, it will surely be thoroughly ransacked.

In the blink of an eye, several days passed.

The day the Wood Dragon Gorge opens is fast approaching.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

Just as the Wood Dragon Gorge was about to open, a man in a pale moon-white robe suddenly leapt up and landed atop a large boulder, raising his hand to address the crowd.

Instantly, nearly everyone turned to look at the man.

"Is that…"

Someone recognized him: "The Ninth Imperial Prince!"

"The Ninth Imperial Prince of the Great Liang Dynasty!"

"Greetings, Ninth Imperial Prince!"

"Greetings, Prince!"

Many excitedly bowed directly to the Ninth Imperial Prince.

Those who did not bow, upon learning his identity, naturally treated him with serious respect.

After all, they now knew who he was.

One should avoid provoking such a person whenever possible.

"Hehe…" Seeing the crowd's reaction, the Ninth Imperial Prince chuckled and said, "No need for formalities. I wish to reveal a secret to you all!"

"As everyone knows, this Five Dragon Gorges Secret Realm is a royal secret realm, never before opened to outsiders!"

"Now that you've come here, it is all thanks to the grace of the Great Liang royal family. But today, I won't speak of grace—I'll speak of one thing!"

"The Wood Dragon Gorge is different from the other dragon gorges!"

Of all the details within the Five Dragon Gorges, only the royal family understands them most deeply; thus, when the Ninth Imperial Prince declared the Wood Dragon Gorge different, everyone leaned in to listen.

The Ninth Imperial Prince continued: "Within the Wood Dragon Gorge, there is a Wood Dragon!"

"But… this Wood Dragon differs from the Golden Dragon—it has evolved into a tree, named the 【Suo La Divine Tree】."

"Upon the Suo La Divine Tree grows a fruit called the Suo La Holy Fruit, which contains not only vast and rich wood-element spiritual energy, but also hidden within it the rules of the wood element—even Nascent Soul experts regard it as a treasure!"

"Hehe… You don't need me to explain the importance of this fruit, do you?"

After speaking, the Ninth Imperial Prince leapt down from the boulder.

Countless people around him clenched their fists and prepared to move.

He Pingsheng smiled coldly.

This Ninth Imperial Prince's scheming runs deep—he revealed the existence of the Suo La Divine Tree but deliberately concealed its crucial details.

Thus, once the secret realm opens, countless cultivators will rush headlong toward the innermost Suo La Divine Tree, leaving him free to leisurely gather the heavenly treasures in the smaller valleys.

Devious.

Fortunately, Wei Chuan had given He Pingsheng a map; otherwise, he might have been fooled by this Ninth Imperial Prince.

Boom…

At that moment, the magical barrier surrounding the three mountains suddenly flared into view.

The ten-day period had ended.

A small gap opened in the magical barrier.

"It's open…"

The Ninth Imperial Prince exclaimed excitedly: "The Wood Dragon Gorge is open… Let's go!"

Whoosh…

He was the first to leap out, scrambling up the mountain!

To reach the Wood Dragon Gorge, you must climb this mountain.

The Wood Dragon Gorge lies just beyond the mountain's far side.

Indeed, after the Ninth Imperial Prince led the way, countless cultivators rushed forward like mad, leaping and climbing the cliffs.

As if delaying even a moment would let someone else snatch the Suo La Holy Fruit.

He Pingsheng did not rush. He waited about half a stick of incense, letting the first wave of frenzied cultivators climb the cliffs before he leapt up himself.

After landing, he glanced around—nearly everyone nearby wore pale moon-white Dao robes.

These were all royal family disciples.

Clearly, the royal family disciples already knew the secrets of the Wood Dragon Gorge; they weren't in a hurry, and of course, none were foolish enough to reveal its secrets—they let the others scramble desperately for the Suo La Holy Fruit.

Beyond the mountain, a second gorge appeared before him.

Thick, overwhelming wood-element spiritual energy washed over him.

He Pingsheng inhaled deeply of the fresh wood-element spiritual energy, his gaze falling upon the valley.

Countless figures leapt forward like flies.

Some had summoned mounts, riding them for greater speed.

And those with mounts were far from few—some rode white tigers, others green lions, and still others strange beasts He Pingsheng had never seen.

Boom…

Under He Pingsheng's feet, Jin Guang erupted violently, his speed instantly doubling as he shot down into the valley.

Though he had no need to compete for the Suo La Holy Fruit, he still had to contend with the royal family for other heavenly treasures.

The royal family had many members—over a hundred!

When passing the first branching valley, He Pingsheng did not enter.

Several royal family disciples had already gone inside.

After all, the branching valleys within the Wood Dragon Gorge were numerous; no need to crowd together.

He pressed forward.

Jin Guang continued beneath his feet as he raced ahead.

To those unaware, it seemed he was racing for the Suo La Holy Fruit.

After passing over a dozen branching deep valleys, He Pingsheng casually chose one fork and stepped inside.

"Sssss…"

As soon as he entered the valley, He Pingsheng froze in shock.

Before him lay a field of second-grade heavenly treasures.

More importantly, seeing these treasures gave He Pingsheng a sense of nostalgic familiarity.

Ku Ma Zi!

Yes—it was precisely the thing he had desperately sought and failed to find before.

Though he had eventually bought it at the Skull Mountain Trading Fair, it had cost him considerable effort.

Yet here, this rare Ku Ma Zi grew in vast, sprawling patches.