Fang Yun sat in his wheelchair, noticing the joyous atmosphere among the crowd. Especially those with less cunning, they even showed signs of excitement. The yellow-furred dog demon kept sticking out its long tongue, panting heavily, its saliva dripping onto the ground.
Star demons couldn’t eat their own kind, but the Dragon Clan, Holy Blood, and Holy Jade were not included. If they could obtain dragon bones in Dragon Cliff, they would undoubtedly become stronger faster.
Niu Shan excitedly said, “Following Her Majesty the Moon Empress was the right choice. We can even enter the depths of Dragon Cliff, a place even the Demon Kings can’t enter.”
All the Demon Barbarians nodded in agreement, feeling fortunate.
Fang Yun smiled slightly, observing the Holy Tree up close.
The crown of the Holy Tree was thick and large, similar to a banyan tree. Being under it didn’t feel oppressive, but instead, it gave an indescribable sense of security. Especially those jade-like leaves, they were particularly pleasing to the eye.
There were some fallen leaves on the ground. Hua Yuqing kept bending down to pick them up. The strange trees didn’t stop him, but rather felt proud.
Fang Yun also picked up a leaf. The texture and material of the leaf were very similar to jade.
As they walked, everyone noticed that whenever Fang Yun passed by, the strange trees nearby would gently sway their branches, clearly expressing their welcome.
Some of the Presented Scholars smiled helplessly, while others shook their heads. If it weren’t for the blood demons, humans, and beasts, Fang Yun’s visit to the Holy Land would be like a leisurely tour. He was welcomed everywhere, incomparable to anyone else. No wonder people were at ease sending this genius into the Holy Land.
Soon, everyone arrived at the trunk of the tree. This trunk was different from ordinary trees. It was like many smaller trunks combined, forming either a normal cylindrical shape or a flat piece, leaving many passages. Everyone followed Old Master Pen through the maze-like passages.
The ground was covered with fallen leaves. Ma Xiong and Xue Yi knew that Hua Yuqing wanted to study them, so they released their mechanical dogs to help Hua Yuqing pick up the leaves. Soon, a large pile was accumulated and was collected by Hua Yuqing into the Swallowed Lake Pearl.
As they walked, Old Master Pen said, “Although I am a strange creature, I also read the books of sages and learn poetry. The only regret in my life is that I can only learn but not create, like a silkworm without silk, a bird that doesn’t sing. I have never written a biography or composed a poem for the Holy Tree. Would you be willing to fulfill this old man’s wish?”
Everyone looked at each other. Ma Xiong said, “Brother Fanming’s articles are well-known throughout the nation, and Brother Fang’s poems are famous all over the world. Why don’t Brother Fanming write a biography for the Holy Tree, and Fang Yun compose a poem for it. How about that?”
Fang Yun smiled and said, “Why don’t we all write poems for the Holy Tree together?”
Unexpectedly, Han Shoulu chuckled, “After the lesson from Zong Wude, who would dare to compete with you in poetry? Speaking of Zong Wude, it’s quite pitiful. During the Holy Land Literature Conference, the host was supposed to introduce him after you, but he was interrupted by the Tyrant. After the poem was finished, everyone was focused on the ‘Thousand Miles Share the Beauty of the Moon’, and then we were forcibly brought to the Holy Land. He is the fifth-ranked Presented Scholar in the world, but just because he was after you, no one in the City of Confucius knew who he was or what he wrote. To avoid repeating the same mistake, you should think about the poem first. We will discuss and write a few articles for the Holy Tree, and then you can write the poem.”
“Right, we won’t fall for it,” said Jia Jing’an.
“Alright, you write the articles, and I’ll think about a poem for the Holy Tree,” said Fang Yun.
After a brief discussion, three people were selected to write eulogies, parallel prose, and discourses.
These Presented Scholars were all well-learned. After a moment of brewing, they started writing and produced three articles. Although they were written in haste, they all had the style of a master, and Old Master Pen nodded in approval.
Finally, everyone looked at Fang Yun.
Fang Yun put down the tray, prepared the ink, and said, “The size of this tree has far exceeded our vision. The three articles are long and have fully described the majesty, grandeur, and splendor of the Holy Tree. But I, sitting in a wheelchair, can hardly see the full view of the Holy Tree. If I write recklessly, it will surely make a fool of myself. Asking me to write a poem that encompasses the entire Holy Tree is really a tough task.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. It was indeed difficult to write about this tree, especially with the excellent works of the previous three.
Fang Yun continued, “Just now, I was thinking and suddenly felt emotional. I thought of my own life, and then thought of the Holy Tree when it was as small as grass. How would we see it?”
Upon hearing this, everyone sighed. They all knew about Fang Yun’s difficult childhood and the persecution he faced from the noble families. Although he is now like a towering tree, looking back at the past, he must feel emotional.
Fang Yun said, “Then I will write a short poem to express the ambition of the Holy Tree.” After saying that, Fang Yun picked up the brush and started writing.
From a small thorn deep in the grass, it gradually rises above the weeds.
People don’t recognize the tree that can reach the clouds, until it reaches the clouds and they call it high.
Li Fanming sighed lightly and said, “When the Holy Tree was small, it was buried deep in the grass, just like Fang Yun before he became a Child Scholar. Later, the Holy Tree gradually grew taller than the weeds, but people still didn’t know that this was a Holy Tree that could reach the sky. Just like Fang Yun, he was still not particularly valued. Only when the tree truly reached the sky, people would suddenly realize and call it a Holy Tree. This poem, although it doesn’t describe the full view of the Holy Tree, it does express the life of the Holy Tree.”
“Our eulogies and articles are indeed gorgeous, but they only describe the appearance of the tree, forgetting to write about the ambition of the tree. Indeed, it’s hard to compare with Fang Zhenguo.”
Han Shoulu said, “Without being around the Holy Temple, we can’t discern talent, but at least we’ve reached the Prefecture, and soon we’ll surely make a name in the State! As for the poem about the tree, it’s mediocre in form, but the ambition it conveys is comparable to the Three Caos! Only when one aspires to reach the clouds can one be considered lofty, and at this moment, Brother Fang is indeed reaching for the clouds!”
The old scholar exclaimed loudly, “What a wonderful aspiration to reach the clouds! This is what a holy tree should be, it should have the ambition to reach the clouds, how can we judge it by its appearance? Brilliant! May I have this poem?”
“Of course!” Fang Yun wrote the three characters “Cloud-reaching Tree” and handed it to the old scholar.
The old scholar beckoned, and the poem flew to him. He recited it over and over again as he flew, shaking his head and wagging his tail, looking very pleased.
Everyone followed the old scholar, walking for about two quarters of an hour before they arrived at a spacious hall. The hall was devoid of any human utensils, just an open space, because the alien trees didn’t need to sit.
At the far end of the hall, there was a tree over two meters tall. The tree was like purple crystal, whether it was the branches, leaves, or the fruits on it, all emitted a purple glow, and at the same time, it had a life force that crystals didn’t possess.
There were seven fruits on it. The old scholar flew over, picked one, and handed it to Fang Yun, saying, “As long as you carry the holy fruit, you don’t need to fear the spirit bones. Whatever you want them to do, they will do it. Let’s go, I’ll take you to the Dragon Cliff passage.”
Everyone looked at the holy fruit in Fang Yun’s hand, very curious. Fang Yun touched it, it was slightly cool, softer than real purple crystal. He looked at it again, but couldn’t see anything special, so he handed it to Hua Yuqing. Then he followed the old scholar.
The old scholar said, “The holy fruit is not ordinary, if you eat it, you will die.”
Fang Yun and the others were puzzled, thinking that since it was used to save their lives and give to the spirit bones, of course they couldn’t eat it.
The holy fruit was passed around among everyone. Finally, it returned to Fang Yun’s hand. Fang Yun put it into the Swallowed Lake Pearl, saying, “Then I’ll keep it for everyone first, and give it to the spirit bones after we leave the Dragon Cliff.”
Everyone nodded, all trusting Fang Yun.
Then, the old scholar led them to a long, dark passage. After half an hour, a light gate appeared in front of them.
“Inside is the Dragon Cliff, you can enter.”
Everyone immediately bowed to the old scholar and said in unison, “Thank you, old scholar, for your help.”
The old scholar nodded kindly and said, “I wish you all a safe departure from the Holy Land.” Then he disappeared.
Everyone walked to the light gate. The dog demon said, “I’ll scout ahead!” After saying that, he slowly entered. After a while, he didn’t come back.
Everyone looked at each other and entered one after another.
Soon, Niu Shan pushed Fang Yun into the light gate.
“Ah!”
Fang Yun’s vision went black and then bright. He felt his heart lurch and found that his body was falling towards a pool with the waterfall. He couldn’t help but let out a soft cry. Then he saw a group of silver-scaled fish with sharp teeth in the pool, their mouths wide open, waiting.
These silver-scaled fish were the size of a palm, with two rows of teeth that kept interlocking and rotating, looking very menacing.
Fang Yun’s heart rate accelerated dramatically, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind. This was the Holy Land, even the Dragon Cliff, where even the most inconspicuous things were full of danger. He quickly took out the Mountain Inkstone from the Swallowed Lake Pearl and infused it with talent, immediately surrounding himself with a radiant green mountain, forming a strong protective force. Then he took out a long knife, but before he could recite a verse, he plunged into the water with a splash.
Just before he hit the water, Fang Yun clearly saw the silver-scaled fish leaping up, opening their mouths to bite him, but they all bit on the “Mountain Ode”.
As soon as he entered the water, Fang Yun immediately felt incredibly relaxed, as if he was naturally able to swim. He was about to paddle forward with his arms, but the water around him formed a huge wave that pushed him forward rapidly.
“This… isn’t this the Water Demon’s Wave Riding? It’s an ability that only a Water Demon General would have.” Fang Yun then realized that he had eaten a Demon General’s False Dragon Pearl, a Demon Marshal’s False Dragon Pearl, and a Demon Marshal’s Flood Dragon Pearl. His water control ability far exceeded that of an ordinary Water Demon General. If a Water Demon General dared to attack him with water, they might be controlled by him instead.
The silver-scaled fish were extremely ferocious, and in just a few bites, the power of the “Mountain Ode” was reduced to less than ten percent. If they caught up with him, Fang Yun would undoubtedly die. But the huge wave in the water separated the silver-scaled fish from Fang Yun.
Fang Yun noticed that these fish, despite their sharp teeth and destructive power, were just instinctively living in the water. They couldn’t control the water, just like the alien trees. They were clearly stronger than the demon trees in the Demon Realm, but they didn’t know any demon techniques and could only attack with their bodies.
Fang Yun suddenly remembered that it was because he was poisoned that Han Shoulu gave him the Flood Dragon Pearl to eat. Without that Flood Dragon Pearl, he wouldn’t have such a strong water control ability. Was this a blessing in disguise? In addition to thanking Han Shoulu, should he also thank the Tyrant?
The pool wasn’t very big. After five or six breaths, the huge wave pushed Fang Yun to the shore. Fang Yun was not good on his feet, but the water wave acted like a skateboard under his feet, pushing him more than ten meters away from the pool before retreating back into the pool, taking all the silver-scaled fish with it.
Having survived the ordeal, Fang Yun’s heartbeat gradually returned to normal. He couldn’t help but recall the scene just now. He was originally prepared to have a big fight in the Dragon Cliff, but he encountered a group of powerful strange fish, which was really too sudden.Fang Yun felt his legs go weak, not out of fear, but as an aftereffect of poisoning. His legs had not fully recovered yet. His wheelchair was in the water, but the silver-scaled fish showed no interest in it. Instead, they bared their sharp teeth at the shore, staring intently at Fang Yun. From time to time, a fish would leap out of the water, as if in provocation.
A faint red glint in the eyes of these fish revealed an intense desire for Fang Yun.
Fang Yun recalled the records about The Holy Land, he didn’t remember seeing such fish. Just as he was about to look around, he noticed something extra in his sleeve pocket. He pulled it out to find a new holy fruit. (To be continued.)