Chapter 1734: Forever Stink

“Alright, let’s go!”

The group went down the direction the squirrel pointed them. Along the way, they saw all kinds of spirit roots and strange trees that opened everyone’s eyes.

For example, there was the Ironbark Tree that only grew an inch every century but boasted a trunk that was as tough as metal.

There was a Fire Tree that was covered in fire and bore fruits that could strengthen one’s body.

There was a Snow Cedar Tree with a tree trunk that looked like it was carved out of ice, and leaves that looked like they were shaped from snowflakes.

There was a Ginseng Tree with a trunk that resembled a human’s torso and branches that resembled arms.

There was a Cyan Thunder Tree that was over three thousand meters tall, as straight as a sword and as slender as bamboo.

There was a Fragrant For Kilometers that looked ugly as sin but was unbelievably fragrant.

There was a Wonderful Sound Tree with rustling branches and leaves that sounded like the most wonderful music in the world.

And more.

In conclusion, any spirit root and strange tree that was considered priceless or rare in the outside world could be seen and touched here. It was a miracle of nature.

“Ugh... What is this smell?”

The group was engrossed in the profoundness and beauty of the Ten Thousand Wood Forest when suddenly, a terrible stench snapped them out of it.

It smelled like the embodiment of all of the stenches in the world. It was indescribable.

Everyone hurriedly sealed their breathing. Old Man Turtle then said, “Looks like the Ten Thousand Year Tree is just ahead of us.”

“Qingyou, stay outside with Lingyu. The elder and I are enough,” Ye Qing said.

Lingyu immediately argued, “No way! I’m heading in as well! I wanna see what the Ten Thousand Year Tree looks like!”

Ye Qing smirked. “You sure? Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but you’re going to regret this later!”

Lingyu harrumphed. “Hmph! I won’t!”

“Let’s enter together then,” Feng Qingyou said smilingly.

“Fine. Let’s go then.”

Their minds made up, the group of four continued forward. Immediately, they were greeted by the sight of countless trees that were famous or infamous for their stink.

For example, there was the Two-faced Bamboo. It was named this way because it looked fine and slender, but was smelly beyond imagination.

For example, there was the Don’t Bloom Please. It was named this way because it smelled incredibly fragrant before its flowers bloomed, but horrifically smelly after.

For example, there was the Rid Illness Tree. The tree was so smelly that birds, animals, and even insects stayed far, far away from it, but its fruit could treat all kinds of illnesses.

For example, there was the Humans Be Warned. The tree smelled like rotten flesh and so was absolutely disgusting to humans, but both birds and beasts took it in like honey.

Earlier, every tree they saw was fantastical, gorgeous, fragrant, and inviting in their own right. It was like they were walking through a celestial realm or a kingdom of Buddha. But now, it felt like they were wading through the sewers of hell. The smell and filth were such that even ghosts and Buddhas could not wait to get away.

The deeper they traveled, the worse the smell became. Eventually, it got to the point where they could feel the smell even though they had sealed off their breathing.

It was because the stench of these trees could be perceived by multiple senses. If you could see it or sense it with your spirit, then you could sense its stench as well. It was impossible to block off completely.

“I... I can’t stand it any longer...”

A while later, Lingyu finally could take it no longer and complained with a tinge of hysterical sob. Unfortunately, the second she opened her mouth, she accidentally took a gulp of the stench and started dry heaving, “Blegh! Cough! Cough!...”

Feng Qingyou bent down slightly and patted her gently on the back.

Ye Qing taunted her, “I told you you shouldn’t come in, but you just had to ignore sound advice. So? How does regret taste like?”

For once, the stubborn and defensive Lingyu did not mouth a retort. Or rather, the stench was so bad that she did not even have the energy to retort anymore.

In fact, Feng Qingyou was the one who gave him a look.

So, Ye Qing stopped taunting the little girl and said, “Take Lingyu away, Qingyou. The elder and I can do this alone.”

“Mm. Be careful.”

Feng Qingyou nodded and started escorting Lingyu toward the edge of the forest. The girl neither struggled nor resisted. After all, she knew that she would only be prolonging her suffering if she kept being stubborn. Only an idiot would choose to suffer to preserve their face, and she was no dumdum!

After the duo vanished from their view, Ye Qing and Old Man Turtle continued to venture deeper into the forest.

Ye Qing was circulating the Yin Yang Qi throughout his body and negating the stenches to the utmost degree. Old Man Turtle’s shell was shining with the Eight Trigram as well. They both had methods to minimize the effects of the stenches.

Their defenses could not keep out the stench completely, but the remnant was well within their limits of endurance.

“That has to be the Ten Thousand Year Tree.”

After continuing forward for about an incense stick, the duo arrived at a gigantic tree.

The tree was over three hundred meters tall. Its tree trunk was smooth, straight, and tens of meters thick. Its canopy was so thick that it blotted out the sky, and translucent, walnut-sized fruits could be seen hanging from its branches.

The tree was the Ten Thousand Year Tree, and the fruit was the Forever Stink Fruit they were looking for.

The reason the Ten Thousand Year Tree earned its name was because it could live ten thousand years. Such a long lifespan was rare even compared to most plants.

The branches and the tree trunk of a Ten Thousand Year Tree were also the dream treasures of countless warriors.

However, the fruit it bore was loathed by everyone. The reason was simple. The fruit was smelly beyond belief. If someone accidentally made contact with the fruit, they would contract a terrible stench that would last for years.

As the tree lived so long it might as well be an eternity for a human, and the horrific stench of its fruits could linger for years, the people came to call it the Forever Stink Fruit.

“You mentioned that we can’t harvest the fruit ourselves, so, what do we do, elder?”

Ye Qing frowned while staring at the Forever Stink Fruits.

“It’s easy. You just ask.”

Old Man Turtle clasped his hands together and bowed down to the Ten Thousand Year Tree. He said, “We have come for four Forever Stink Fruits, senior. We are heading toward Dong Ji in search for an evil suppressing spiritual treasure that will save the world.”

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

“This junior asks that you sympathize with the plight of the living and fulfill our wish. Please accept my bow and grant us the fruits we desire!”

“Please...”

Ye Qing emulated Old Man Turtle’s example and bowed as well.

A few breaths later, a gentle breeze blew past the tree and caused the fruits to shake unsteadily. Finally, four Forever Stink Fruits fell off the branches.

“Thank you so much for fulfilling our wish, senior.”

After grabbing the four fruits, Ye Qing bowed to the Ten Thousand Year Tree once more.

With this, they had accomplished their objective. Without wasting even a second, Ye Qing and Old Man Turtle took off toward the exit.

Why were they in such a hurry? It was because it was too smelly, of course. They had more or less reached the limits of their tolerance.

“Wowowow, don’t come closer! You stink!”

It wasn’t long before they left the forest and saw Feng Qingyou and Lingyu.

However, Lingyu covered her nose and waved them off frantically as soon as they saw them.

Even Feng Qingyou was wearing a disgusted look on her face.

“Are we that smelly?” Ye Qing rolled his eyes and glanced at Old Man Turtle.

Old Man Turtle nodded seriously. “It’s practically seeped into our bones. Still, I smell better than you.”

Ye Qing looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Old Man Turtle replied matter-of-factly, “Because you’re carrying the Forever Stink Fruits, and I’m not.”

Ye Qing: “...” His logic was perfectly sound. There was nothing he could say to refute that.

“Take this!”

It was at this moment Lingyu tossed a pair of branches in their direction.