Noticing something was wrong, the people of the clan looked panicked. They had just awakened, and even in this state, they didn’t want to disappear quickly.
“Sacred Tree!”
“Quick, get back to the Ancestral Hall!”
…
A silent cry echoed through the clan, it was Benjamin Chen who had realized something was amiss.
In an instant, all the wandering living souls quickly floated towards the Ancestral Hall.
When everyone arrived at the Ancestral Hall, the rapidly dissipating Yin Qi gradually slowed down.
Until all the people of the clan were sheltered under the tree’s shade, the dissipating Yin Qi finally stopped completely.
Inside the Ancestral Hall, Noah Ji sensed the fading Yin Qi from everyone. It seemed that these deceased clan members couldn’t appear during the day.
However, his current shade wasn’t enough to shield all the clan members from the sunlight. What would happen to these living souls when the sun rose higher?
As Noah pondered, more and more clan members crowded closer, even squeezing around Noah’s tree trunk.
At this moment, a clan member was suddenly pushed towards the tree trunk and then disappeared.
The other clan members were surprised but didn’t hesitate and flew towards the tree trunk one after another.
Could the Sacred Tree harm them?
Noah watched the living souls enter the tree trunk one by one, puzzled. When he carefully checked, he discovered that, at some point, a large amount of absorbed Yin Qi had gathered inside his trunk.
This Yin Qi had merged into his trunk, creating a space resembling the Shadowy Realm.
The space was gray and misty but large enough to accommodate these deceased clan members.
It seemed this was a new ability that came with his transformation, saving him a lot of trouble. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known where to let these living souls hide.
As the sun rose, the clan gradually revived, and the clan members began to busy themselves again.
However, many clan members looked bewildered, recalling last night’s events with a hint of confusion on their faces.
The faces were too real, making it hard to distinguish whether it was a dream or reality.
“Lucas, last night it seemed like my grandpa came to see me!”
Alexander Chen, carrying a hoe on his shoulder, said to Lucas Chen beside him.
“Dreams are all fake. If your grandpa comes again tomorrow, just punch him twice.”
Lucas Chen said indifferently.
Alexander Chen thought for a moment, then nodded:
“Alright!”
In his room, Ethan Chen frowned.
Last night’s dream seemed absurd, but the faces of his father and elder brothers were vividly clear in his mind.
He remembered that just as his father was about to say something, the dream dissipated.
This made it hard for him to tell whether last night’s events were caused by his longing after seeing the White Fruit on the Sacred Tree a few days ago.
After a while, Ethan Chen stopped dwelling on it. Whether it was real or not, he could just ask the Sacred Tree!
Soon, Ethan Chen arrived at the Ancestral Hall.
When he pushed open the hall doors and saw the Sacred Tree, his expression became complicated.
Because the many White Fruits that were hanging on the Sacred Tree yesterday had all disappeared.
Yet the Sacred Tree remained the same as before.
This made Ethan Chen both surprised and delighted.
Could it be that last night’s events were not a dream?
“Clan brother, did you dream of anything last night?”
“Yes, I dreamt of my father. He told me to practice martial arts diligently and reach the Blood Condensation Realm soon!”
…
The conversations outside made Ethan Chen even more certain that last night’s dream was not fake.
If it was true, he needed to make some preparations tonight.
He had been worried that he couldn’t strengthen the clan alone, but if his father and several elder brothers could help, he believed the clan’s future would be bright.
However, this matter was significant and must be kept secret from outsiders.
Inside the tree trunk, Benjamin Chen also instructed the clan members accordingly.
The resurrection of the dead, even as souls, would bring great trouble if it spread. The current Sacred Tree of the clan couldn’t be protected by the present Chen Clan.
In the Ancestral Hall, Noah Ji sensed the situation inside the tree trunk and nodded in agreement.
However, he could feel that these living souls he had converted were actually under his control.
If necessary, Noah could even forcibly control them.
But this was not part of Noah’s plan. He just wanted to be a tree, and the clan matters should be left to the two Clan Chiefs to worry about.
Night quickly fell.
As soon as night enveloped the land, Ethan Chen went to rest, and so did the other clan members.
Last night’s dream and today’s conversations with the clan made them realize something was wrong, so they wanted to confirm it tonight.
“Father!”
In the dream, Ethan Chen saw Benjamin Chen again, looking slightly excited.
But this time, Benjamin Chen was much calmer and spoke directly:
“Ethan, time is short, I can’t stay long.”
“This resurrection by the Sacred Tree is to strengthen the clan. Although the clan is stable now, there are still many shortcomings.”
Hearing this, Ethan Chen looked guilty. He had been the Clan Chief for so many years but had failed to make the clan flourish, almost leading to its destruction. It was all his fault.
Benjamin Chen comforted him:
“It’s not your fault, it’s just that I died too early and couldn’t teach you much.”
“Remember what I say…”
“Alright!”
Ethan Chen nodded.
After a short while, Ethan Chen watched Benjamin Chen’s figure gradually fade and nodded again:
“I’ve remembered!”
Benjamin Chen smiled and nodded:
“These suggestions about the clan were discussed with your elder brother and other clan members. However, the situation of the clan is ever-changing, and some suggestions may not be accurate. You can listen, but don’t follow them blindly.”
“Remember, you are the Clan Chief now!”
“Father, I understand!”
As the words fell, Benjamin Chen’s figure disappeared again. This time, Ethan Chen was no longer confused, but his eyes were extremely bright.
In the Ancestral Hall, Noah Ji also carefully considered the decisions made by Benjamin Chen and others during the day and nodded again.
As expected of the previous Clan Chief, his insights into the clan’s development far surpassed Ethan Chen’s.
For the current Chen Clan to develop rapidly, multiple preparations were indeed necessary. The current suggestions were indeed suitable for the Chen Clan, and Noah could also benefit from them.
Under the night sky, Noah’s branches emitted a faint glow.
Without the consumption of the White Fruits, he could now gain 2.4 vitality each night.
If time was sufficient, he might become stronger soon.
Before long, the living souls who had left the Ancestral Hall returned.
When they saw the glowing Sacred Tree, they were unconsciously attracted to Noah, then sat down one by one, closed their eyes, and absorbed the strands of Yin Qi emanating from Noah’s trunk.
With each strand of Yin Qi absorbed, their bodies became more solid.
Seeing this, Benjamin Chen’s eyes showed a hint of excitement.
He had long noticed that although they had resurrected, they consumed a certain amount of Yin Qi daily. If they couldn’t replenish it, their lifespan might be short.
But now, it seemed this problem was no longer a concern.
If they could become stronger in this state, could they personally fight for the clan’s future?
Benjamin Chen was excited. With the Sacred Tree, the clan would surely prosper, perhaps even surpassing its peak period!
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