I am the sacred tree, evergreen for eternity.

The eastern mountains are bathed in moonlight and sparse stars.

Under the moonlight, the emerald green branch suddenly lit up.

Feeling something in his heart, Xuan gently placed the tree spirit's branches into the soil beneath his feet.

The inspiration grew ever stronger.

Emerald green roots emerge from the base of the branches and silently penetrate deep into the soil.

New branches and leaves sprouted from the trunk, their glistening, colorful leaves swaying gently in the moonlight.

A sapling is growing.

It is only about a foot tall, with slender branches and tender green leaves, just like the Yu Su that sprouted from the soil back then.

Hong gazed at the growing sapling, a faint smile appearing on his aged face.

This is a branch of the tree god.

This is the first blessing bestowed upon this new land by the Tree God.

He turned to look at the children who had been given a new lease on life.

—Those emaciated children, whose eyes have regained their light.

"From this day forward, you are also subjects of the Xia clan."

Hong's voice, weathered yet resonant, echoed through the valley.

"The blessings of the tree god will flow in your blood."

"The mark of the Xia family will be engraved on your foreheads."

"A new world belonging to the Xia clan will be created beneath your feet."

The children knelt before the sapling, their tears mingling with the soil.

With their tender voices, they devoutly recited that prayer—

"By the Tree God."

Deep in a remote valley, an ancient elm tree with a canopy as wide as the clouds stands quietly in the same moonlight.

Actually, on some ordinary day.

Yu Su had already completely crossed that threshold.

From an ordinary elm tree, it became a truly extraordinary being.

Then, he obtained his first spell—the Wood Flower Clone.

Trees are called "flowers," and grasses are called "glories."

Like other ordinary plants, it can detach a branch from itself, allowing it to take root, sprout, and grow into an independent tree.

This separated tree can resonate with the will of its master, just like Yu Su's other body in the distance.

Through this resonance, he was able to perceive more distant mountains and seas and spread the seeds of civilization.

But he did not give any divine instructions or command those people who believed in him.

He is willing to wait.

Waiting for the Xia family to voluntarily head towards the mountains and seas.

Finally, Xuan took this step and became the first pioneer of the Xia family.

Yu Su was also able to separate three clones.

When Dang Hong returned to the Valley of the Divine Tree, he announced to the crowd at the altar of the Tree God:

"The Tree God will select the first pioneers."

"Taking his branches, they went to all corners of the world, taking root, multiplying, and expanding the Xia clan's territory in more distant lands."

The entire Xia clan was instantly thrown into an uproar.

"Wow!"

Pick me!

"Chief, I'm the first to sign up!"

The young faces were flushed red, and their eyes shone like burning torches.

Some people raised their iron knives high, some pounded their chests with their fists, and some even squeezed to the front of the crowd, afraid of being left behind.

Hong was stunned.

He seriously underestimated the younger generation's fervor for achieving great things.

The longing that burst forth from those hundreds of eyes almost overwhelmed the old man.

Hong opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself choking up.

He suppressed his surging emotions and held up three fingers:

"Three people."

"There are only three branches left of the Tree God, so we only have three chances."

"Three days later, at the tribal square, the winner of the contest will receive a branch!"

Hong's gaze was sharp, and his voice was like iron.

No one objected.

Competition has always been the fairest rule.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Valley of the Divine Tree.

Not only were the totem walkers eager to get started, but the ordinary people of the tribe without any talent for cultivation were also ignited.

In the blacksmith's shop, Hui put down the hammer in his hand, looked eastward, and remained silent for a long time.

He was just an ordinary person, but the iron ore he discovered and the weapons he manufactured completely changed Xia's life.

He could also do something for the Trail Blazers—better bows, sharper arrows, stronger ironware.

Pharmacist, weaver, stonemason, potter...

This selection of pioneers eventually turned into a nationwide carnival for the Xia clan.

Those young people with exceptional skills also yearn to venture out into the mountains and seas and achieve feats that surpass those of their fathers.

The competition lasted for many days.

Yan, Meng, and Feng ultimately secured this precious opportunity and became the pioneers of the Xia family's expansion.

As they led their respective followers back to the end of the Valley of the Divine Tree, even the most composed Yan couldn't help but feel his heart surge with emotion:

"By the Tree God."

"We will surely spread your will."

"May the civilization of the Xia clan stand tall throughout the mountains and seas!"

They turned and walked away.

There was no turning back.

Large numbers of Xia clan members left the Divine Tree Valley, scattering like seeds in all directions.

Yu Su was aware of all of this.

His physical body is rooted deep within the Valley of the Divine Tree, but his will extends along with those branches.

Each branch that takes root and sprouts is like a beacon lighting up in the darkness, illuminating one unfamiliar land after another for him.

……

Five years later.

That day, the sun shone brightly, and the sky was cloudless.

The central square of the Xia clan tribe was packed with people.

Long lines of people surged toward the Valley of the Divine Tree from afar, led by several pioneers who had once led branches of the Tree God to open up new territories.

After many years, they returned to their hometown.

In the square, thousands of Xia clan members cheered and shouted.

Hong stood on the altar, looking at the pioneers returning from afar, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Children, you've worked so hard!"

"By the Tree God!"

"Cheers to your achievements!"

Hong raised his arm, his aged voice like the distant tolling of a bell.

Thousands of Xia clan members shouted in unison, their voices rising to the heavens.

Amidst countless praises.

Yu Su moved.

The spiritual energy within his body completely boiled over in that instant.

He had been stuck on the threshold of the extraordinary for decades, but at this moment, he finally found the path to the top.

It's not a sudden enlightenment or a stroke of luck.

Those branches took root, grew, and resonated in the distance, bringing him entirely new perceptions and insights.

Those pioneers struggled, fought, and grew in the distance, bringing him a richer faith and strength.

Quantitative change eventually led to qualitative change.

Spiritual energy burst forth from the tree trunk, and a seven-colored beam of light shot into the sky from the canopy, piercing straight into the clouds.

At that moment, the entire Sacred Tree Valley was enveloped in that rainbow light.

Then, a magical change occurred!

Among the crowd, several totem walkers who had been stuck at the peak of the Body Refinement stage suddenly trembled.

The shackles that had bound them for so long began to crack under the illumination of that rainbow light.

Spiritual energy surged into their blood like a river bursting its banks, cleansing their bodies that were trapped in the mundane world.

That feeling is like a seedling trapped underground, finally about to break through the soil and be reborn!

Exceeding the deadline.

They finally entered the third level of the Body Forging Technique.

Once the spiritual energy completely transforms their bloodline, they can become true superhumans.

Like a tree spirit, transcending the mundane levels of life.

Hong was among them, feeling the aura emanating from several of his clansmen, and tears streamed down his face.

Thousands of Xia clan members knelt on the ground, chanting devoutly, their voices merging into one—

"May the tree spirit protect you!"