I've already reached the Nascent Soul stage, and you're saying I didn't time travel?

Chapter 120 Stop cutting! Stop cutting! I surrender!
"...That's the gist of it. There might be some omissions. I'll add more when I remember something after I meet the Mother Tree of the Pure God."

Upon hearing Qi Xuan's explanation, the netizens, who had just experienced the impact of the four-armed monster, instantly became excited:
"After all that, it turns out that the thing really was a native. My last bit of hope has been shattered."

"Encountering live natives would be a real disaster; just think of their bizarre appearance with protruding bone spurs on their bodies."

"To be honest, it would be fine if I encountered a native, but when I ran into that monster, I was completely unprepared and almost peed my pants in fear."

"Actually, I think it's good that we encountered the monsters earlier. Otherwise, if we had suddenly encountered them on the island later, we would have lost an entire exploration team. Now that only twenty or thirty people have died or been injured, the loss is already very small."

"Indeed, compared to other ferocious beasts and dangerous plants, this four-armed monster is much stronger, but because we were cautious beforehand, it did not cause greater harm, which is a stroke of luck."

"We have to thank Qi Shen's live stream for being cautious. Otherwise, given the island's exploration team's plans, they might have just activated missiles or bombs to bombard the four-armed monster on the spot. If they hadn't killed it and it had gone crazy and broken out, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"There's no need to worry so much. Didn't you hear what Qi Shen said? To be able to unleash that level of combat power, one must have been at least a terrestrial immortal in life. But how many terrestrial immortals does the Nangong family have? Aside from those elders, there's only the patriarch, right?"

"It is indeed possible that the clan leader's disappearance could turn him into a wandering monster, but according to Qi Shen, there were also terrestrial immortals from the Nangong family guarding the vicinity of the Qing Shen Trees. After all, the output of the Qing Shen Trees is crucial to curbing their illness, and they cannot afford to lose them. It is necessary to send terrestrial immortal-level combatants to guard them."

"But didn't all the Qing Shen Trees wither away later? Did those terrestrial immortals just stay in the same place and not move?"

"Is it possible that those land immortals, like the clan leader or later Nangong Wuji, went mad, died, or disappeared, and no one has said that they successfully returned to the clan from the outside world?"

"If the four-armed monster wandering in the dense forest of the island is a terrestrial immortal of the Nangong family, that would be a good thing. At least it would prove that he is the only one in the forest and that no more monsters will appear around him."

"Then here's the question: who said that the patients of [Bone Disease] are limited to the Nangong family? Don't the terrestrial immortals outside also get the disease? What if this is a disease that is temporarily prevalent on the floating continent, and many terrestrial immortals, including martial artists of other levels, all suffer from this disease? At that time, there might not be just one monster in the island's forest, but a hundred."

"There's no need to exaggerate. After all, the size of the forest is what it is, and the area covered by the fog isn't as large as you might imagine. Based on the information we've gathered so far, there are at most a dozen or so monsters inside."

"A dozen or so monsters is quite terrifying. Didn't you see that even Qi Shen could only barely escape when facing one? How many people in this world can reach Qi Shen's level? If that guy really gets into the city, it will be a one-sided massacre."

"Don't worry, the joint command has developed various contingency plans. Before they can break out of the island, they will definitely activate nuclear weapons and blow them to smithereens."

"Even if we bombard them, I doubt we can kill them completely, because according to Qi Shen, these monsters are likely living corpses, which is why they can't communicate or interact with each other."

"To be honest, I'm very curious about what keeps them active after they die. Normally, energy metabolism stops after a living organism dies, so it's impossible for them to continue moving. But they can wander around for hundreds of years. Doesn't activity require energy? What kind of perpetual motion machine is this!"

"So far, the series of ferocious beasts and demonic plants discovered on the island and in Qi Shen's live broadcast have completely revealed an alternative ecosystem that is completely different from Earth. We cannot apply the common sense of Earth to it."

Moreover, even in the common knowledge of Earth, there are quite a few creatures that live after death. For example, a cockroach can survive for several weeks after being decapitated, a chicken can still run after being decapitated, and a flatworm can regenerate into a complete individual after being cut into pieces.

If these lower-level creatures can exhibit such powerful immortality, it's not surprising that terrestrial deities, far surpassing ordinary humans, could wander for centuries after death.

"In the end, under normal circumstances, the terrestrial immortals are simply dead. The reason they can continue to wander after death is entirely due to the influence of the [Bone Disease]. If we can thoroughly study this disease, it will be of great use in our efforts to curb or even eliminate the four-armed monsters."

"Even immortals on land have fallen victim to this. With our current technology, can we really fully understand [osteophyte disease]?"

"Since the landmass fell, the floating continent's land has merged with Earth, and its ecosystem has been integrated into Earth's entire ecosystem. Do you think it's possible that the pathogenic factors of [Bone Disease] have already spread through the atmosphere, and everyone has been infected without our knowledge?"

"If the [osteophyte disease] spreads widely, the trouble will be huge. Even immortals cannot avoid being infected, and supreme grandmasters have committed suicide to end their suffering. If any ordinary person were to contract the disease, dying on the spot would probably be the least of their worries."

"Damn it, I'm telling you guys I have no choice but to practice martial arts. My family is happy and I don't want to just die on the spot!"

"Even if you cultivate martial arts, you may not be able to prevent this disease. In fact, the stronger you become, the more terrifying the destruction you will cause after death, just like the four-armed monster on the island."

"Studying is not an option, not studying is not an option either, so give me some ideas!"

"The Mother Tree of Purification! Find the Mother Tree of Purification quickly! If we can find it, we might discover the right antidote!"

"Qi Shen, hurry up and find the Qing Shen Mother Tree so we can see it!!"

"Please, please save the child."

……

Netizens were extremely eager to hear about it, and coincidentally, Qi Xuan also mentioned the Qing Shen Mother Tree in a casual conversation:

"...Regarding this Pure Spirit Mother Tree, it is different from the plants that are commonly seen. I have not seen this thing in the relevant records. I suspect that it was specially cultivated by some powerful beings to deal with the [Bone Disease], so I know very little about it."

Fortunately, during my investigation of the Nangong family, I obtained some scattered records, which gave me a general understanding of some of their characteristics.

"The Qing Shen tree is extremely tall, with crystal-clear leaves and branches like jade. It bears fruit once every ten years, and the fruit can condense Qing Shen dew. This Qing Shen dew can play an excellent role in delaying and controlling the [osteophyte disease], but it cannot completely cure it. Moreover, excessive consumption can easily cause some sequelae."

In addition, the Qing Shen tree is susceptible to pests and diseases during its growth and is also prone to breakage for various reasons, so it needs careful care.

As for the difference between mother trees and offspring trees, the offspring trees planted in various places are basically cultivated using branches of the mother tree combined with special spiritual liquid. The offspring trees need to be carefully cultivated for at least three hundred years before they have the opportunity to grow into mother trees.

After becoming a mother tree, the resin secreted by its bark will harden into a transparent crystalline armor when it comes into contact with air. Even terrestrial deities may not be able to break through it, and it will also attract corresponding beneficial beasts to become the mother tree's guardian beasts.

Even if the mother tree is cut down, there is still a considerable chance of it surviving.

In addition, the mother tree produces Qing Shen Yu Lu every year, and the yield is greater and of better quality, with a stronger effect on treating "osteophyte disease".

It can be said that only the mother tree is the divine tree that the Nangong family truly needs.

However, cultivating a mother tree is extremely difficult. Even if the Qing Shen Trees in various places do not wither and die, it is possible that even one will grow into a mother tree after three hundred years.

Upon hearing these descriptions, netizens all groaned in despair:

"The saplings are all dead, what are we going to do? There's no Qing Shen Tree on the island, so we have no way to deal with [Bone Disease]."

"Yes, without the Cleansing Dew as a key raw material for analysis, and without being able to take action against the four-armed monster at this stage, and lacking case analysis, are we just going to watch the [Bone Disease] break out?"

"Let's be optimistic. Perhaps the monsters in the island's forest don't belong to the Nangong family, but come from other families. There might even be a Qing Shen Tree or the Qing Shen Mother Tree in the forest."

"Even if they really exist, and there are four-armed monsters in the forest, we still can't get in."

"Actually, I think it's more likely that it's not. According to Qi Shen's description of the Qing Shen Tree, there are no trees in the forest, no, or even the entire island, that match the corresponding characteristics."

"Damn it! Damn it! Why do we humans have to suffer so much?!"

"Let's see what Qi Shen's next exploration will bring; perhaps he'll discover other effective drugs for [osteophyte disease]."

……

Qi Xuan continued speaking as he walked forward:
"We now know that all the saplings of the Nangong family scattered throughout the country have died, and only the mother tree is still alive. In fact, Nangong Wuji even sent the last remaining geniuses of the family into it."

But two hundred years have passed, and anything can happen in such a long time. Whether the mother tree is still alive is a question. I personally tend to think that something has happened to the mother tree, and it may have withered away completely like the other saplings.

Logically speaking, if the group of geniuses who entered the Mother Tree to cultivate had successfully grown up, broken through their cultivation levels, and were not afflicted by the disease, they would definitely have tried to deal with Nangong Wuji, who was wandering in the forest.

At worst, they would rebuild the family's territory, find ways to increase the population, repopulate the family, and even cultivate more offspring.

"But as everyone has seen, Nangong Wuji is still wandering in the forest, the family residence is in ruins, and there are no traces of anyone else walking around nearby."

Those family geniuses are either dead or have left; there is no third answer.

So, is there any need to speculate about the state of the Mother Tree of Purity?

Qi Xuan sighed and continued:
"But no matter what, I have to go and see for myself to be satisfied. What if the mother tree is still alive? What if not all the family geniuses have died? Maybe I can get more information about this world from there, and find a way to detect or even cure [osteophyte disease]."

"To be honest, although I don't have any symptoms right now, just in case, I still need to learn more about osteophyte disease and understand the various symptoms and characteristics in the early stages of the disease."

Furthermore, it would be best to store a batch of Cleansing Dew. Even if it turns out I am not ill in the future, this Cleansing Dew can be sold to the local natives in exchange for more valuable intelligence.

As they were talking, Qi Xuan suddenly paused slightly.

As the camera zoomed in, viewers in the live stream quickly learned why he had stopped.

Because in the bushes ahead, they could vaguely see a figure with its back to them.

He was wearing a close-fitting black robe, and at least from behind, he didn't have two extra hands or any particularly protruding bone spurs.

Could these be the surviving indigenous people?

Upon realizing this, netizens all became excited.

With the help of the indigenous people, we can communicate, and at the very least, learn some information related to osteophyte disease.

Even more surprisingly, it's not impossible to find out how to cultivate the Qing Shen Tree, or even various medications for treating "osteophyte disease".

Countless netizens in the live stream urged Qi Xuan to step forward, eager to begin the interaction with the natives.

Qi Xuan stood there motionless for a moment, then suddenly laughed:

"Could the person in front of me please turn around?"

Upon hearing his question, the figure in front immediately began to answer:
"Since you care about my appearance, why don't you come forward and take a look?"

"I've walked too far and my legs are a bit sore. I'd like to sit down and rest for a bit. How about we chat for a bit?"

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Let's talk about the Nangong family nearby."

"What's so interesting about a family that's been wiped out?"

"There's so much to talk about, like what exactly is this 'osteophyte disease'?"

"Do I really need to explain this disease to you, since everyone knows about it?"

The figure suddenly turned around, revealing an ordinary-looking young face:

“How about we talk about something else? There’s a treasure-hunting rat in this field, but I can’t catch it by myself. If you’re willing to help me, I can give you fifty spirit stones afterward.” He casually kicked aside the grass next to him, revealing a small hole about the size of a fist hidden in the grass. There were some fragments of ore scattered around the entrance of the hole, which looked very much like a hole dug by a treasure-hunting rat.

But Qi Xuan's words were tinged with mockery.
"What if I want spirit stones first?"

With a "thud," the young cultivator casually tossed a spirit stone over.

Qi Xuan took it without hesitation.

Looking at this stone, which is only the size of a pebble, it is undoubtedly a sacred stone.

This was the first time he had ever encountered something like a spirit stone, and his expression became quite strange for a moment.

Qi Xuan casually put the spirit stones away and called out:

“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll only help you capture the treasure-hunting rat if you tell me information related to [Osteopathy].

The young cultivator frowned:
"You lied to me once, how do you know you won't lie to me a second time?"

"Unless you're willing to help me capture the treasure-hunting rat first, I will never tell you any information related to [Osteopathy]!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan laughed instead:
"Since you put it that way, then I'll be leaving."

"You don't want me to spread the news about the treasure-hunting rat to everyone, do you?"

Seeing Qi Xuan about to leave, the young cultivator suddenly shouted:
"Wait a moment!"

Qi Xuan glanced at him.

The young monk asked:

"Are you sure you're going to help me catch the treasure-hunting rats after knowing about [Osteopathy]?"

"I am sure."

Qi Xuan's words were sincere, comparable to "I'll just rub against you, I won't go in."

"All right then,"

The young cultivator frowned and said:

"This is not a big deal. [Bone disease] is a disease that is widespread among the cultivators of the Duotian Sect. When they are sick, they do not feel anything unusual. When the disease occurs, the bones grow like thorns and protrude outwards, which is extremely painful. Only medicines such as the Tranquilizing Pill, the Clear Mind Jade Dew, and the Netherworld Cicada Elixir can suppress it."

"Then what's the way to completely eradicate it?"

Qi Xuan then asked.

The young monk glanced at him:
"I have already answered your question."

Qi Xuan got off Sunday and took two steps forward:
"I've already walked over to you. Answer a few more questions and I'll be right there."

"Going back to the previous question, is there a way to completely eradicate it?"

The young monk was extremely sparing with his words:

"No."

Qi Xuan took two more steps forward:
What are the initial symptoms of the disease?

"My bones itch."

Qi Xuan then took two more steps:

"Does this disease only affect cultivators? What about ordinary people?"

"These are two issues."

Qi Xuan took two more steps.

"This disease does indeed only affect cultivators, but ordinary people would have all died from other diseases long ago."

Qi Xuan was slightly taken aback, then asked:
What's the deal with four suns in the sky?

"This is not something you should know."

"Is it something I shouldn't know? Perhaps you're saying this because you can't answer the question?"

Looking at Qi Xuan, who was only a dozen meters away, the young cultivator's lips curled into a strange smile:
"You'll know soon!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly stretched out his hands, and then those seemingly normal arms suddenly transformed into two thick, long, and tough vines that shot straight toward him.

Faced with this sudden attack, gasps of surprise immediately filled the live stream.

Qi Xuan, however, did not care at all. He casually picked up a rusty blade, grasped the back of the blade, and lightly swung it downwards.

With a "whoosh," two sections of tough vines, strong enough to pierce steel, were severed on the spot, green sap spurting everywhere. The young cultivator's expression immediately turned one of shock and rage:
"A magical artifact?!"

"you have not answer my question yet."

As he spoke, Qi Xuan charged forward.

The young cultivator's expression changed drastically. His body instantly sprawled out, transforming into a clump of vines, and he frantically darted into the bushes.

"Hey bro, don't run away!"

"Pfft!"

"You haven't finished answering my question yet."

"Pfft!"

"If you don't tell me, I'll tear you to pieces."

"Pfft!"

A long, thin scream suddenly came from the bushes:

"I don't know anything, don't ask!"

"Hey, it can still talk, which means it knows quite a lot."

"Pfft!"

……

Watching Qi Xuan relentlessly chase and kill a bunch of vines in the forest, occasionally slashing at them with his sword, netizens were completely dumbfounded.

Isn't this supposed to be a person? How did it turn into a bunch of vines in the blink of an eye?

Qi Xuan slashed down with every strike, showing no mercy.

With the sharpness of the broken magical weapon, he could cut off a piece of writhing vine from his opponent with each strike.

Although the opponent's evasive movements were very agile, Qi Xuan had also practiced the "Wandering Body Steps" and his movement techniques were in no way inferior.

Seeing that half of its massive body had been cut off and even its nearby roots had been found, screams of agony suddenly echoed from within the vines:

"Stop cutting! Stop cutting! I give up!"

Qi Xuan grabbed the vine, grinning maliciously as he threatened:
"Next, I'll ask you questions and you'll answer them. If you can't answer even one, I'll stab you."

After several inquiries, it was discovered that the illusory vine, whose value had been completely drained, had had its roots cut off.

It wasn't that Qi Xuan was dishonest, but rather that he genuinely knew too little information.

Forget about the sun, it didn't even have any information about the illness or the Nangong family.

"But there's nothing we can do about it; after all, it's just a demonic vine."

Qi Xuan sighed, gazing at the broken roots still writhing and struggling on the ground, and introduced them to the camera:

"This is a special demonic plant called the Illusionary Demon Vine. Once a passing beast or cultivator is devoured by it, it can not only mimic the other party's appearance, voice, and other characteristics, but also inherit a portion of their memories."

Therefore, encountering this creature in the wild is quite dangerous; one could easily be deceived and devoured on the spot.

Unfortunately, too much time has passed since it devoured that cultivator, and the memories it retained are too few to unravel all our mysteries.

"However, at least we obtained a crucial piece of information: the exact location and distance of the Qing Shen Mother Tree, which will save us from running around aimlessly to find it later."

"But let's take a short break before we continue the search."

The morning's live stream ended amidst a discussion about the Illusionary Vine.

After starting the live stream in the afternoon, Qi Xuan rode Sunday toward the Qing Shen Mother Tree.

Bored on the way, he decided to teach the strange martial arts manual he had drawn the night before.

The entire live stream chat exploded!
(End of this chapter)