Protect Our Patriarch

……

While Wang Shouzhe was catching up with old friends, over in the Eternal Spring Garden, Wang Lici and Wang Lixian were still diligently working through their beginner-level exam papers.

Especially Wang Lixian, who was so eager to finish quickly that she sneakily extended ten or so branches, each holding a pen, furiously scribbling away.

"Ancestor Lixian, math tests your thinking skills, not how many limbs you have. Doing the exam like this might not be effective," Wang Ningxi suddenly appeared behind Wang Lixian.

He stood with his back to the sunlight, his entire face shrouded in shadow, looking particularly grim and stern.

Wang Lixian's whole tree froze, and she could only watch helplessly as Wang Ningxi ruthlessly removed her pens one by one, almost making her burst into tears.

"Ancestor Lici, please focus. That little green snake of yours isn't as clever as you, discussing with it will only lead to more mistakes," Wang Ningxi appeared behind Wang Lici as if by teleportation.

Wang Lici, who was communicating with the little green snake through spiritual sense, stiffened like a student caught cheating in an exam.

"Lingbo, you told me that enduring hardship is the path to success. After finishing three exam papers, you've made noticeable progress. There are seven more to go, keep it up, I believe you can do it."

Outside, a tiger and a butterfly were stealthily peeking, having somehow crept closer, spying on their exam papers.

Seeing them work so hard, it seemed likely that the questions for the Holy Son Struggle had been leaked in advance.

Such a golden opportunity couldn't be missed.

Focused as they were, they didn't notice at all.

Several green branches slithered like snakes, silently appearing behind them.

Like bloodthirsty vines from the plant world hunting prey, these branches moved slowly and stealthily, making no sound and blending their energy and aura seamlessly with the tree they hid in, revealing nothing until they were close, then suddenly springing towards them with explosive speed.

The speed was so fast it even caused a loud sonic boom.

"Not good!"

Zhen Shicong and Yu Nianyun's faces changed drastically.

After all, they were great prodigies carefully nurtured by the Holy Land's nine veins, with top-notch spiritual sense and strength, and their reaction speed was first-rate.

The Fire Elemental Butterfly's form instantly scattered, transforming into streams of flame shooting out, then reformed in mid-air, fluttering its wings and flying swiftly towards the sky, its form flickering like a shimmering red flame.

Where it passed, a lively trail of fire element formed a beautiful trajectory.

This seemingly inevitable strike was actually dodged by him.

Meanwhile, the somewhat naive-looking tiger also reacted quickly, turning around with a "roar" and slapping out fiercely.

The wind from its claws was fierce, as if it would tear everything to shreds.

The thick tiger paw collided with the green branches, immediately causing a violent energy shockwave. The entire tree where the tiger was shook crazily, countless branches unable to withstand it, breaking one after another.

But this long-prepared strike was ultimately blocked by her.

However, seeing that her prepared strike failed to subdue the intruders, Wang Lixian was not frightened but delighted, excitedly shouting in the courtyard, "How dare you, petty thieves, think you can resist your Ancestor Lixian!"

After shouting, she quickly discarded the pens in her "hands," her roots plunging deeply into the ground.

In an instant, her originally miniature form began to expand rapidly.

The ground bulged high, the exam table was overturned, and in the blink of an eye, Wang Lixian transformed into a towering giant tree over ten zhang tall, her lush green canopy blocking out the sky.

A rich life aura began to spread from her as the center.

At the same time, she casually tossed out a bunch of mutated plants, waving their branches as they launched a frenzied attack, encircling, slowing, freezing, and entangling with all sorts of methods.

"Attack! Attack! Attack!"

"Beat them to a pulp!"

Under the concentrated fire of countless fruits and vines, Zhen Shicong and Yu Nianyun soon experienced what it meant to be "calling to the heavens with no response, calling to the earth with no help."

In fact, their strength was quite extraordinary, much stronger than ordinary Purple Mansion Realm cultivators of the same level, with various means of escape. But they happened to encounter Wang Lixian, and she was in a particularly bad mood.

Even though it was just a clone of Wang Lixian here, those mutated plants were painstakingly cultivated by Wang Shouzhe over hundreds of years, each with its own specialty, and when working together, they could maximize their advantages.

Fighting Wang Lixian meant facing not just one tree, but an entire plant army.

The most troublesome part was that within Wang Lixian's life domain, the recovery speed of those plants was terrifyingly fast, faster than they could destroy them.

Although the plants' attacks weren't lethal to them, they couldn't kill them all, nor could they escape. Continuing to fight would only deplete their profound energy.

It was quite despairing.

Finally.

After demolishing two pavilions, collapsing a building, and destroying countless flowers and plants, turning the entire courtyard into a mess, Zhen Shicong and Yu Nianyun finally ran out of profound energy, captured alive with their bodies covered in wounds.

"Ha ha ha ha~~ With your measly strength, you still want to fight your Ancestor Lixian!" Wang Lixian laughed mischievously, hanging the tiger and butterfly with vines from the tree canopy, waving her branches triumphantly.

"Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding!"

Seeing the situation turning bad, Zhen Shicong could no longer maintain his fire spirit form, hurriedly detaching from the flames surrounding the Fire Elemental Butterfly, reverting to a well-dressed, scholarly young man, trying hard to explain, "I am Zhen Shicong of the South Ming Leaving Fire vein, and this is Junior Sister Yu Nianyun of the Heavenly Demon Illusion Body vein. We are all on the same side, let's talk this over."

"Roar roar~"

The trapped half-grown tiger cub also couldn't maintain its illusion form, transforming into a naive-looking girl.

"I don't care who you are!" Wang Lixian's branches danced in the air, emitting a villainous laugh, "Sneaking around like this, you must be up to no good. Let me teach you a lesson~ Heh heh heh~~~ Tell me, what are you really up to?"

She wasn't sure if they were spies, but she was sure that with this commotion, she wouldn't have to do the exam papers today.

"Whack whack whack!"

The branches struck their bodies, causing intense pain.

Zhen Shicong was almost in tears.

Where did such a terrifying tree come from in Green Emperor Valley? It was like a scholar encountering a soldier, unable to reason. Despite his vast knowledge and cunning strategies, he found no use for them now.

Yao Chengchao, watching from the side, also shrank his head.

Wasn't this the little sapling that comforted him earlier? It seemed quite terrifying. Anyway, he, Yao Chengchao, probably couldn't beat her.

"Brother Zhen, aren't you known as 'unmatched in strategy'?" Yu Nianyun was also on the verge of tears from the beating, "Think of something quick."

A plan?

Yes, a plan.

In his desperation, Zhen Shicong really thought of a plan: "Stop hitting us! We heard that Ancestor Lici, the prospective Saintess, achieved great feats at a young age while traveling the Celestial Dynasty. We couldn't help but admire her and came to pledge our allegiance."

"What? Pledge allegiance to Big Sister Lici?" Wang Lixian was stunned, pausing her life branches' "whipping."

"Pledge allegiance to me?"

Wang Lici, who was watching the commotion, suddenly perked up, finding Zhen Shicong and Yu Nianyun much more pleasing to the eye.

She immediately said, "Xian'er, hold off for now, don't damage my two subordinates."

"So they're on our side." Wang Lixian suddenly lost interest, retracting her life branches.

Thud thud!

The two fell to the ground, gaining their freedom.

Yu Nianyun looked anxious, unable to resist transmitting to Zhen Shicong, "Brother Zhen, didn't you say we were here to gather intelligence? To become the Holy Master ourselves, how did we suddenly pledge allegiance to Wang Lici?"

"This is called 'tactical strategy.' We'll pretend to pledge allegiance first to gather intelligence. Once I secure the position of Holy Son, what can Wang Lici do?" Zhen Shicong transmitted secretly, reassuring her.

"What are you two whispering about?" Lan Wan'er quickly assumed the role, calling the two over with a "second sister" demeanor, "Since you're pledging allegiance, hurry and greet the big sister."

Though fierce, she was quite pleased inside.

With these two joining, Sister Lici's team was growing stronger. Once they also recruited Jiang Xingyuan, Gongyang Ce, and that Yao Chengchao, they'd have a large group of followers. Then she and Sister Lici wouldn't have to scavenge for food themselves all the time.

Yao Chengchao's expression was odd.

Were these kids really this naive? Believing whatever others said? That "Zhen" guy was clearly pretending to pledge allegiance, and they believed it?

"Zhen Shicong/Yu Nianyun, greet the big sister."

To avoid further beating from Lixian, Zhen Shicong and Yu Nianyun behaved exceptionally well, obediently stepping forward to pay their respects.

"At ease." Wang Lici, with her hands behind her back, assumed her usual big sister demeanor, "To join my Lici's ranks, you must have some education. Here are some exam papers to test your foundation, complete them all."

With that, she stuffed the exam papers that had been saved earlier into their arms.

"Ancestor Lici~" Wang Ningxi broke out in a cold sweat, "These are your..."

Before he could finish, Wang Lixian covered his mouth with a life branch, "Little Ningxi, don't interrupt your Ancestor Lici's efforts for the clan, she's recruiting talent."

As she spoke, she also rolled out a few exam papers, handing them to Zhen Shicong: "Here are a few more, do them all."

"Here, here..."

Lan Wan'er's eyes lit up, the mutated little green snake, along with Yao Chengchao, were overjoyed, quickly handing over exam papers. Yao Chengchao even helpfully righted the overturned tables and chairs, pressing the two directly onto them.

Zhen Shicong: "..."

Yu Nianyun: "..."

Were these the Holy Son Struggle test papers they dreamed of? Why did it feel like something was off...

……

While they were causing a ruckus here, they didn't notice that as Wang Lixian made her move, the rich life aura with a hint of celestial spirit energy began to spread throughout Green Emperor Valley, gradually permeating its depths.

Ordinary people might not detect such faint celestial spirit energy, but there are always exceptions.

Deep within Green Emperor Valley, there was a valley enclosed by formations.

The valley was vast, with spiritual energy flowing within, and a faint green mist wafting about. This mist was the result of Yi Wood spiritual energy condensing to its extreme. This indicated the valley's spiritual energy was incredibly dense, with more than one top-grade spiritual vein buried beneath.

However, this large valley only had three trees planted in it.

Each of these three trees had its own characteristics, the largest being an old toon tree with lush foliage and gnarled trunk.

Its trunk was extremely thick, the tree itself nearly a hundred zhang tall, its massive canopy blocking out the sun, making the Longevity Tree in Changchun Valley seem like a miniature child in comparison.

Apart from the old toon tree, the other two were a towering green pine with a straight trunk and a spirit peach tree laden with fruit.

The green pine had dark bark, its trunk shooting straight into the sky like a spear, exuding a sharp aura.

The spirit peach tree wasn't as tall as the other two, but it was lush and full of spiritual charm. The peaches hanging from its branches were translucent, like red jade, looking very appetizing.

Though the three trees differed in appearance and aura, they were all vibrant, brimming with spiritual light, and exuded a strong, ancient aura accumulated over countless years.

Clearly, these three trees were of extremely high grade.

They were the oldest and most powerful ancient trees in Green Emperor Valley. This valley was also the core of the spirit-gathering formation within Green Emperor Valley.

The dense Yi Wood spiritual energy spread from them to all directions, filling the entire Green Emperor Valley.

The three trees were originally very quiet, but as Wang Lixian's aura spread here, the old toon tree's lush leaves suddenly shook, and the whole tree seemed to awaken from slumber, slowly stretching out.

"Where did this celestial spirit energy come from? It's weak and thin... seems to have a wood attribute, a life attribute taste."

An old voice came from the old toon tree, filled with hesitation and confusion.

"Celestial spirit energy is extraordinary by nature, not something ordinary spirit plants can control. It seems we have an extraordinary guest in our Green Emperor Valley." The spirit peach tree also slowly stretched its leaves.

As it spoke, green light bloomed from the spirit peach tree laden with fruit.

Soon, a branch fell from the treetop, transforming into a human figure in the green light.

It was a woman with red lips and snow-white skin, a seductive figure, wearing a jade red silk jacket and skirt, looking very languid.

"Sleeping for hundreds of years has rusted my bones." She stretched lazily, casually remarking, then looked at the old toon tree, smiling, "The life attribute celestial spirit energy seems to be coming from the direction of Eternal Spring Garden. I plan to go take a look, would Old Chun like to join?"

With that, she looked at the green pine: "Little Pine, are you going?"

"Senior Hongyu, you may go on your own." A deep and serious voice came from within the green pine, firmly refusing.

The old toon tree, however, didn't hesitate at all, its trunk also emitting green light. In the green glow, a branch fell, quickly transforming into an elderly man with crane-like hair and youthful features.

The old man wore a long robe, with springtime growth and autumn harvest depicted on the left and right sides, respectively, looking very tasteful.

Like fierce beasts, spirit plants reaching the ninth rank can transform into human form.

Moreover, many high-level spirit plants can use branches to create clones. So, when the main body is inconvenient to move, spirit plants can use branches to form human-shaped clones to move around.

The human form created this way usually has reduced combat power, but it doesn't hinder movement, making it very convenient.

This old man was naturally the human form of the old toon tree.

Known as "Old Chun," the old man dusted off his sleeves, his figure flickering as he flew towards Eternal Spring Garden: "Let's go. Take a look."

"Hahaha~ Old Chun, wait for me." The woman transformed from the Hongyu spirit peach tree laughed and hurriedly followed.

Soon, the two trees landed in Eternal Spring Garden.

"This is..."

Seeing the scene before them, the two trees were a bit dumbfounded.

At this moment, Wang Lixian had already shrunk her form to just over a person's height, standing behind Zhen Shicong and Yu Nianyun, waving her branches with a crackling sound: "Big Sister Lici, your new subordinates are no good, their math skills are too poor, even worse than mine."

Beside her, Wang Ningxi was struggling "mmm mmm" as he was bound by several branches, his mouth covered with leaves. His little face was flushed with anger, yet he couldn't do anything to Wang Lixian.

Over the years, Wang's Clan School had undergone several rounds of reform, with basic and general education separated from the school, turning the Wang's Clan School in Ping'an Town into an "elite academy." Only direct descendants of the Wang Clan could enter without passing rigorous exams.

As a result, Wang Lixian was definitely at the bottom there.

But this time, she had come out for a rare stroll and found that many people's cultural level was even lower than hers, and a sense of superiority surged within her, filling her life with motivation.

"It's her, it's her!" Old Chun sensed the faint celestial spirit energy emanating from Lixian and became excited, "She is the legendary celestial plant."

Having lived for countless springs and autumns, he naturally knew how rare celestial plants were in this world. Besides the noble existence in the Celestial Palace, Old Chun hadn't heard of a second one.

For all spirit plants in this world, reverence for celestial plants was an instinct imprinted in their blood.

"Old Chun." The plump and juicy Hongyu was also quite surprised, "Isn't she just a sapling? How can you be sure she's a celestial plant, maybe she just absorbed some celestial spirit energy?"

"It can't be wrong, though she's still young. But look at her jade-like trunk, perfect branches, all exuding an invisible divine glow." Old Chun murmured, "Even the way she swings her branches to beat people is full of noble aura."

"Who's sneaking around?" Wang Lixian keenly sensed something lurking, sweeping her branches like a tornado.

"Bang bang!"

With two crisp sounds, the half-wall blocking Old Chun and Hongyu's forms shattered into pieces.

The branches continued their momentum, striking towards Old Chun.

With Old Chun's strength as a tenth-rank spirit plant, even if it was just a clone, dodging Wang Lixian's attack wouldn't be difficult. But he didn't dodge, letting the branches strike him.

The thick branches lashed at Old Chun, sending his robe flying and hair fluttering, yet they couldn't harm him in the slightest.

Seeing this, Wang Lixian was stunned.

The others in the courtyard were also bewildered, all turning to look at the two trees.

"Please calm your anger, my lord. Hongyu and I had no intention of spying, we merely sensed your presence and came to pay our respects." Old Chun hurried inside, bowing to Wang Lixian with utmost respect, then called to Hongyu behind him, "Hongyu, quickly pay your respects to the celestial plant lord."

Hongyu was speechless.

Old Chun was the most esteemed existence in Green Emperor Valley, even the valley master treated him with utmost respect. Even if the other party might be a celestial plant sapling, there was no need to be so obsequious, right?

However, despite thinking this, she had to comply with Old Chun's authority, swaying her hips forward, bowing gracefully to Wang Lixian: "Hongyu pays her respects, my lord."

"Are you two trees too?" Wang Lixian looked them up and down.

Since her birth, it was the first time she had seen trees that could turn into humans, truly envious.

Father said she had to reach the ninth rank to transform, which seemed like a long way off. She really wanted to advance to the ninth rank quickly.

"To answer my lord, I am Old Chun, and this is Hongyu. We are spirit plants of Green Emperor Valley." Old Chun answered respectfully.

"Old Chun, Senior Hongyu." Zhen Shicong, who was being forced to do exam papers, felt like he had found saviors upon seeing the two trees, hurriedly pleading for help, "Seniors, please save us! We are direct disciples of the South Ming Leaving Fire and Heavenly Demon Illusion Body veins. This tree is too terrifying, too ruthless."

He had heard of Green Emperor Valley's Old Chun and Hongyu, knowing they were powerful spirit plant figures, though they were mostly in slumber, so their fame was limited to rumors. But their strength was undeniable, and if they were willing to help, they could surely rescue him and Yu Nianyun.

These exam papers were terrifying. With each question, Zhen Shicong felt his soul and body being severely tormented. If this continued, he would surely die here, sob sob sob~

Old Chun glanced at Lixian, then at the hopeful Zhen Shicong and Yu Nianyun, and without hesitation said, "These two fools dared to offend the celestial plant lord, they deserve punishment. Feel free to whip and beat them, don't spare me any face."

Zhen Shicong's eyes filled with terror, no way? Old Chun was siding with outsiders?

"You dare to complain?" Wang Lixian was furious, spreading her branches and lashing at Zhen Shicong with a flurry of strikes, "I hate tattletales the most in my life!"

Clearly, she was reminded of some unpleasant memories.

Because of tattling, she had been whipped by her parents many times, and the Wang Clan's tradition of disciplining children was no joke.

"Ouch ouch~ I was wrong! I was wrong!" Zhen Shicong cried out in pain, tears streaming down, "I'll never tattle again."

Just as Zhen Shicong was in agony and despair.

Suddenly.

A somewhat stern voice rang out: "Xian'er, stop, don't mess around."

Hearing this voice, Wang Lixian's tree body trembled, quickly retracting her whipping branches, transforming into a small, innocent sapling, swaying gently in the wind, looking obedient and innocent.

Meanwhile, Wang Lici, who had been acting like a big sister, hurriedly shrank to her desk, picking up a pen and furiously scribbling on her exam paper.

……