Chapter 868: The Gift of the Celestial Fox

As soon as he finished speaking, all the Blue Gold Tree clan elders present were taken aback. The reason their clansmen had been practically poached by others was that they were simply not skilled in combat. At the same level of cultivation, they were almost always the weakest. What Tang San said meant he was ready to take a firm stance to reclaim their people, which meant that conflict was almost inevitable. Although the Ancestral Tree had shown incredible power earlier, its husk was rooted here and couldn't move. How were they to fight other main cities?

The Grand Elder was just about to say something when suddenly, the Ancestral Tree behind Tang San rippled with a layer of azure light. Each leaf glimmered with golden radiance, illuminating Tang San's figure as if it were coated in gold. Tang San's life aura surged again, giving off an even stronger sense of unity with the Ancestral Tree.

Ling Tian's expression changed dramatically. He could clearly feel the sudden surge in Tang San's fortune—a massive pillar of light that soared all the way to heaven. With his seven-tailed cultivation, he actually found himself unable to look directly at this newly appointed Blue Gold Tree clan leader!

Recalling the instructions given to him before he set out, Ling Tian respectfully said, "I will convey your will to the Ancestral Court. I have also brought a gift from His Majesty the Celestial Fox, to congratulate the clan on the Ancestral Tree's revival."

As he spoke, he raised his hand, presenting Tang San with a translucent, glowing white object.

Seeing what it was, even Tang San was downright stunned. It was a lotus seed, one of the fortune seeds in the pod at the center of the Heavenly Bloom!

Back in the day, Tang San had used a number of such clusters of pure fortune to practically bribe the planar ruler, providing the foundation for his success in passing his tribulation. He hadn't expected that the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor would be so generous as to give one to the Blue Gold Tree clan. After all, Tang San knew its significance just as well as the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor himself.

But Tang San immediately understood the intent behind this gift. The seed was something the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor had condensed himself, so it was connected to him and by extension to his clan. He aimed to use it in the same way Tang San had used his chaos energy—to connect to the Ancestral Tree's life energy and receive nourishment. At the same time, the fortune contained within the seed would also assist the Ancestral Tree in consolidating its life energy. It was a win-win scenario that meant the Celestial Fox clan would also solidify its relationship with the Blue Gold Tree clan.

It seemed that the life essence gathered by the Ancestral Tree's revival had already brought enormous benefits to the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor if it had prompted such an extravagant gesture.

Tang San raised his right hand, summoning a gentle blue glow that enveloped the lotus seed and drew it toward him. After briefly inspecting it, he nodded in approval. "Please convey my thanks to His Majesty."

Ling Tian smiled and nodded in return, saying, "His Majesty said that when you see this lotus seed, you will surely understand his intentions. At the same time, I can give you a response to your first request. As you are now the leader of the Blue Gold Tree clan, you are eligible to become the ruler of Skytree City. According to the Ancestral Court's rules, you are now the acting city lord, and you must report to the Ancestral Court's Council within one year. Should you pass the evaluation, you will become the official city lord. His Majesty will fully support you when that time comes."

Just like how Mei Gongzi had to undergo evaluation in order to take over Kali City, Tang San would have to go through the same process to become the official ruler of Skytree City. However, the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's attitude this time was vastly different. The Ancestral Tree's resurgence greatly benefited the continent's fortune. Tang San was of the opinion that neither the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor nor any of the other Emperors would prevent him from becoming city lord or ascending to Emperorhood. Once the life essence became more concentrated, it was even possible that more Emperors could emerge on the Daemon Continent, and this would be a major boon.

"Please extend my thanks to His Majesty. I will set out toward the Ancestral Court soon. In fact, I will first visit the other main cities to seek out our lost clan members, then proceed to the Ancestral Court to undertake the evaluation," Tang San said.

Seeing Tang San's firm resolve, Ling Tian had nothing else to say in response. It was clear that the young nymph would not be persuaded to do otherwise. Moreover, it was clear that when he made this decision, he had the support of the Ancestral Tree. Nothing could be more important than that. All Ling Tian could do was report this to the Ancestral Court and let the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor handle things.

After Ling Tian left, Tang San surreptitiously nudged the connection between himself and the Ancestral Tree. It seemed that after making his earlier declarations, the bond between him and the tree had noticeably strengthened. The Ancestral Tree's instincts had drawn it closer to him. Tang San now had a clear sense of the general direction he needed to take.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Grand Elder, please gather the council; I have something to announce," Tang San instructed.

The Grand Elder looked at "Jin Miaolin," who was bathed in the Ancestral Tree's radiance, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. After a brief moment of hesitation, he spoke up, "Clan Leader, regarding the matter of going to other main cities to reclaim our people... I feel that you should reconsider. While we all wish to do this, our clan is almost powerless in combat. If conflict arises, especially in cities where Emperors are stationed, we will be disadvantaged."

Tang San looked at him calmly and nodded. "I understand that. And if the Ancestral Tree had been dormant, this would have been impossible indeed. But now that it has awakened, things are quite different. The power of the Ancestral Tree is our power, and we shall no longer be suppressed. Why should a glorious clan like ours be forced to cower in fear and live in a cage? Since I am the clan leader now, I fully intend to restore our clan to its rightful status, and this... requires a deterrent force. I will let those who would hunt us down know that the heirs of the Ancestral Tree are no weaklings. Please rest assured, Grand Elder: I did not make this decision on impulse. I have been communicating with the Ancestral Tree for the past week, and these are not just my thoughts but its thoughts as well. The power of the Ancestral Tree will support us—yes, even if we face an Emperor. Allow me to show you."

As Tang San spoke, he raised his hand, and a faint beam of golden light shot from his palm, landing on the Grand Elder.

Immediately, the Grand Elder felt warmth spread through his body. As a high-level master of life energy himself, he instantly understood what had just occurred. He could sense the blessing of the Ancestral Tree imprinted onto his soul, forging a closer connection between him and the tree and granting him the ability to tap into its power.

The Grand Elder's eyes widened in disbelief, and he was overcome with emotion. Gratitude and remorse surged in his heart as he knelt toward the Ancestral Tree—and Tang San—with tears streaming down his face. "Clan Leader, thank you for the Ancestral Tree's blessing... and thank you for your forgiveness."

When Jin Miaolin first returned, the Grand Elder had obstructed him at every turn, unwilling to let him inherit the Ancestral Tree's power. Now, however, he was repaying enmity with kindness, bestowing a portion of the Ancestral Tree's strength upon the Grand Elder and allowing the elder to tap into the tree's power. This completely won over the once self-centered Grand Elder, who now fully realized the depth of Jin Miaolin's connection with the Ancestral Tree—it was to an unimaginable degree.

A few minutes later, the Grand Elder had all the elders of the Blue Gold Tree clan gather before the Ancestral Tree. Without saying a word, Tang San waved his hand, and beams of golden light from the tree shone upon each elder.

When the elders sensed the change in their connection with the Ancestral Tree, they were filled with astonishment and joy. The Ancestral Tree's imprint meant they could all now draw on its power to some extent!

"I believe that you understand my message. This is the blessing of the Ancestral Tree for each of us. What we must now do is ensure its radiance reaches every member of the Blue Gold Tree clan—

every

member. I will soon travel to other places to bring back our lost kin. Once we have achieved this, the Ancestral Tree's light will shine even brighter, granting us even more power. The Blue Gold Tree clan shall stand tall, and we shall cower no more. The time for hiding is over; from today onward, we walk proudly in the sunlight."