Chapter 1733: Ten Thousand Wood Forest

“If that’s the case, then forget it.”

Old Man Turtle let out a sigh before breaking into a smile. “Be it the Merfolk Pearl, the Phoenix Bull Eye, the Seastone Stamen or the Nine Glory Spirit Fish, they are all items that cannot be found immediately. It would be putting the cart before the horse; losing more than we gain if it adds significant delay to your journey.”

“Besides, we have Little Yu now. She knows more secrets than I do. There is no need to seek the distant shop when there is one right in front of us[1].”

“Thank you for your understanding, elder.”

In fact, Ye Qing thought so too. He then asked, “Since we’ve found a way to retrieve memories, are you still coming with us to Dong Ji, elder?”

The reason Old Man Turtle was heading to Dong Ji was to recover his lost memories. Since he now knew the method to retrieve it, there was no need for them to risk his life with them.

“Of course I’m going. Why wouldn’t I?”

Old Man Turtle replied without hesitation, “For one, it’s easier to visit Dong Ji and enjoy its wonders once more than it is to recover my memories. Two, we now know a method to negate its influence anyway, so I do not need to worry about losing my memories a second time.”

“And third, I promised to help you find the evil suppressing spiritual treasure. I wouldn’t abandon my promise halfway.”

Ye Qing thanked him. “Your benevolence and righteousness are impressive, elder. This junior is impressed.”

It was at this moment Lingyu interrupted, “What’s an evil suppressing spiritual treasure? Is that the reason you’re heading to Dong Ji?”

Ye Qing smiled. “That... is a secret.”

Lingyu’s face crumpled when she heard this. She harrumphed. “Forget it. Like I care about your secret!”

Feng Qingyou gave her a head pat before looking at Old Man Turtle. “You are more knowledgeable and experienced than us, elder. Do you know if there’s anywhere in the Eastern Sea where the Forever Stink Fruit can be procured?”

Old Man Turtle took a moment to think. “If there is one place in the Eastern Sea that has the Ten Thousand Year Tree and the Forever Stink Fruit, then it must be the Ten Thousand Wood Forest.”

“However, I cannot guarantee that it must have what we seek.”

Ye Qing smiled. “It’s fine. We’ll know once we check it out.”

......

“So that’s the Ten Thousand Wood Forest. What an astounding masterpiece of nature!”

It didn’t take the group long to find the Ten Thousand Wood Forest with Old Man Turtle’s guidance. Ye Qing could not help but be astonished when he finally set his sights on the thick, colorful, and lush forest that spanned over dozens of kilometers.

At first, he thought that the Ten Thousand Wood Forest was situated on an island. In reality, it was growing out of a tree stump.

The tree stump was as big as an island and with roots that were so long, thick, and winding that they resembled dragons. They were buried deep within the soil of the seabed.

The top part of the tree stump was flat and smooth like a blade had cut through it cleanly. Countless massive trees were growing out of it. It was as if the trees were shoots of the tree stump. It was both impressive-looking and grand.

Not only that, not a single tree shared the same species. They were all rare and extraordinary trees as well.

The trees were covered in all sorts of colorful lights. Together, they painted a gorgeous and unique picture of the sea.

“Wah... so beautiful...”

Lingyu’s mouth was agape as she exclaimed in astonishment again and again.

“Is this your first time here?” Ye Qing asked curiously. The Feathers permanently resided in the Eastern Sea, so logically speaking they should know everything about it. The Ten Thousand Wood Forest was one of the “safest” dangerous locations in the Eastern Sea, so there was no way they hadn’t come here.

Lingyu didn’t think much. She answered, “We Feathers have been slumbering at the bottom of the sea all this time. It is only recently that we rejoined the world. Daddy and mommy forbade me from leaving the Heavenly Feather City too, so I’ve never been to this place.”

Ye Qing nodded. He had anticipated an answer like this and so wasn’t surprised when he received it.

Meanwhile, Feng Qingyou was asking Old Man Turtle a question, “Is that the legendary Sea Connecting Tree, elder?”

“Well deduced, lass. You are correct.”

Old Man Turtle paid her a compliment before explaining, “According to the legends, a great battle between the celestials had taken place in the Eastern Sea over ten thousand years ago. The Sea Connecting Tree was cut in half by a sword, and a celestial’s blood happened to splatter on the tree stump. As a result, it underwent a miraculous transformation and spawned a strange forest where every single tree was different from one another.”

Ye Qing asked curiously, “Are there really ten thousand plus types of trees in the Ten Thousand Wood Forest?”

He had heard of the Sea Connecting Tree Old Man Turtle and Feng Qingyou were talking about as well. The Sea Connecting Tree was an exceedingly rare kind of miraculous tree that only grew in the sea. Its roots were said to penetrate thousands and thousands of kilometers into the sea bed, and its tree trunk was permanently soaked in seawater. Only its branches and leaves were peeking out of the sea surface like duckweeds.

As its trunk was thick as a mountain and spanned all the way to the seabed like a bridge that connected the sky and the bottom of the sea, it came to be known as the Sea Connecting Tree.

“If anything, it’s an underestimation. It would not be named the Ten Thousand Wood Forest otherwise.”

Old Man Turtle smiled. “Legend had it that one can find every unusual wood or spirit tree here except the fabled spirit roots and divine trees.”

“Speaking of which, the Ten Thousand Wood Forest is sentient. Therefore, you must remember to abide by one rule when we enter the place.”

Old Man Turtle warned, “You must not harm any animal or tree in the forest. This includes actions such breaking a branch, plucking a flower, harvesting a fruit and more. Otherwise, the forest will fight us every step of the way.”

“Do you understand, Little Yu?”

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou knew better than to indulge in their base instincts. Therefore, the warning was mostly directed at the naughty girl.

“I get it, okay?”

Lingyu mumbled impatiently, “... Long-winded just like daddy.”

Looking down from above, the Ten Thousand Wood Forest was surrounded by all sorts of colorful lights. The lights did not just block their vision but also interfered with their spiritual senses greatly.

It would be impossible to determine the location of the Ten Thousand Year Tree or the Forever Stink Fruit from above. They must enter the forest first and seek the Forever Stink Fruit from there.

The second they entered the Ten Thousand Wood Forest, the fragrant scent of plants, flowers and fruits immediately struck their nostrils. The air was overflowing with vibrant energies as well. It was refreshing to say the least.

Wherever they looked, spirit trees covered in colorful lights and profound energies were abound, butterflies were dancing amidst the flowers, birds were flying or jumping from branch to branch, and animals were chasing and playing with each other. It was a beautiful scene of life.

The birds, beasts and insects did not appear afraid in the slightest even though a bunch of uninvited guests had intruded upon their sanctuary. However, there was no malice in their eyes either. They were simply looking at the group with curiosity and intelligence.

“We bear no ill will, my friends. We have come solely to search for the Ten Thousand Year Tree!”

Old Man Turtle did not hurry into the forest. Instead, he bowed to the creatures and stated their intentions first.

It was as if the creatures were sapient. After listening to Old Man Turtle’s statement, they chattered among themselves for a bit before scattering in every direction.

One squirrel even cried out in their direction and pointed down another direction while it was leaving.

Clearly, the squirrel was giving them directions.

“Thank you very much for your guidance, my friend.”

Old Man Turtle saluted the squirrel.

“Incredible. Can these animals understand Grandpa Turtle’s words?” Lingyu exclaimed in amazement.

“All things have spirit, and every grass, tree, bird, beast and more in the Ten Thousand Wood Forest are sentient. They can tell if we are good or evil as well.”

Old Man Turtle said while stroking his beard, “Therefore, so long as we carry goodness in our hearts, they would not harbor any malice toward us either.”

1. Meaning persisting on a sub-optimal path even though there’s an optimal one that’s also easier to take. ☜