I Made The World Mutate

Xiao Mu shivered.

The old Peach Tree was far too powerful, even more so than the century-old corpse at General Mountain.

With the world mutation, the old Peach Tree seemed to have acquired some unknown benefits, its strength astonishingly formidable.

Abruptly it seemed that taking a peach branch by force was no longer an option.

However, judging from the recent occurrence, the old Peach Tree did not appear to possess a killing instinct. Xiao Mu wondered if it might be persuaded to give him a peach branch willingly.

Daoist Qing Yan was in a terrible state, his face pale and his entire body trembling. He was overwhelmed by the Peach Tree's immense power.

Perhaps, his purpose for coming here was similar to the two men earlier -- intending to cut down the Peach Tree entirely and claim it as his own, which may explain why he was this frightened.

"Peach Ancestor, we made you kill again. We are incapable, unable to protect you!"

A man in his sixties suddenly walked out from behind a stone on the hillside, looking at the Peach Tree with a remorseful and guilty expression.

The old Peach Tree replied nonchalantly, "Village Chief Hao, don't talk like that, these people are unreasonable, your presence would not have helped, and might have gotten you in trouble."

"I do not want to kill unless absolutely necessary, but they crossed the line. How is the village doing now?"

A look of sorrow sank over Village Chief Hao's face, "Things are not good, we're losing ground daily. That thing appears and disappears with no pattern, it's just too hard to defend against."

"What a pity!"

The old Peach Tree sighed, "I'm deeply rooted here and won't be able to move for two more days, otherwise I would certainly help you deal with this menace."

Village Chief Hao responded, "We're already grateful for your sentiments, Peach Ancestor."

"We wouldn't dare to bother you, Peach Ancestor. Recently, more and more people have been coming for the peach wood, and their strength has been getting stronger. If the relevant department learned of this information, it wouldn't work in your favor."

"Peach Ancestor, you should take the opportunity to leave after you can move in two days."

The old Peach Tree questioned, "Why would you suggest that, Village Chief Hao? I am part of this village too. Over the years, thanks to your care, I've become what I am today."

"Once I'm able to move, I'll surely eliminate this menace for the village first. As for leaving, I can always wait till the next time I'm able to move."

Village Chief Hao worriedly expressed, "The next time you can move will be a week later. Peach Ancestor, you shouldn't do this for us, it's not worth it. The longer it is dragged out, the more it would be disadvantageous to you."

"A lot can happen in a week, if you, Peach Ancestor, continue to stay here… "

Worried, Village Chief Hao continually shook his head.

"Oh! We have another visitor, why not come out?"

A strange face suddenly appeared on the trunk of the old Peach Tree, staring intently in the direction of Xiao Mu and Daoist Qing Yan.

They've been discovered!

Xiao Mu was startled, then calmly walked out with a small smile on his face.

There was no need to be afraid of this old Peach Tree, which was not of an evil kind.

He came for a peach branch, not to cut down the Peach Tree. He could always negotiate politely with it and if they refused, he could just leave.

"Why doesn't our other friend come out?"

The old Peach Tree stared intently at Daoist Qing Yan's hiding spot.

Daoist Qing Yan, who had been scared into hiding, didn't dare to come out. But upon hearing the Peach Tree's words, he cautiously made his appearance.

"Did you two come here with the purpose of cutting down the old tree, making Peach Wood Swords, and selling them one after another?"

The old Peach Tree glared at Xiao Mu and Daoist Qing Yan, with an unpleasant look on its face.

As for Village Chief Hao, as soon as Xiao Mu and Daoist Qing Yan appeared, he had already quietly stepped back.

Facing this kind of mutated being, his assistance wouldn't be of much use. Remaining here would instead prove detrimental to the old peach tree.

Xiao Mu smiled and said, "Old Peach Tree, you misunderstand. My main reason for coming here is to ask for a piece of peach wood from you, nothing more."

"And this person?"

The Old Peach Tree glanced deeply at Xiao Mu and remained noncommittal.

Asking for a piece of peach wood, although it would also affect it, was far from being as harmful as felling the whole tree.

Daoist Qing Yan stuttered, "My goal is the same as Mr. Mu. I want to ask for a piece of peach wood from the Old Peach Tree, to make a Peach Wood Sword for the purpose of exorcism and demon suppression. I beg the Old Peach Tree to grant us this."

The Old Peach Tree said coldly, "Even a piece of peach wood is part of me. Losing it would hurt my fundamentals. Why would I give it to..."

Halting midway, the Old Peach Tree seemed to recall something. Its tone changed and continued, "However, if either of you are willing to do me a favor, I could present you with a piece of peach wood, sufficient to make a Peach Wood Sword."

Xiao Mu's expression changed, "Please elaborate Old Peach Tree."

Daoist Qing Yan was overjoyed, "We are willing to help, Old Peach Tree. Please feel free to tell us."

The peach wood taken from an ancient tree capable of metamorphosis, when made into a Peach Wood Sword, would certainly yield uncommon results. Both of them were gleeful at this.

If all it took was a small favor to obtain it, it was definitely worth it, no matter what.

"Village Chief Hao, you can explain."

The Old Peach Tree called for Village Chief Hao.

"Thank you, Old Peach Tree."

Village Chief Hao stepped out from behind the stone, expressing his gratitude first to the Old Peach Tree.

From the Old Peach Tree's address, he immediately inferred the favor which the Old Peach Tree wanted Xiao Mu and Daoist Qing Yan to render. Firstly, he thanked the Old Peach Tree, then continued, "Gentlemen, I am Hao Dong, the village chief of Taolin Village. Recently, an evil ghost has been causing trouble in our village, appearing and disappearing without a trace. It has already defiled the spirit tablets of several households, even going to the extent of killing ancestral yin spirits."

"Seeing you both as extraordinary individuals, I entreat you to help our village in eliminating this evil ghost."

As Village Chief Hao concluded, the Old Peach Tree took over, "Whoever among you can help Village Chief Hao eliminate this evil ghost from their village, I am willing to present a piece of peach wood, sufficient to craft a Peach Wood Sword."

Daoist Qing Yan was exuberant, "I am willing to lend a hand."

However, Xiao Mu heard an underlying meaning in the Old Peach Tree's words and asked, "Old Peach Tree, both Daoist Qing Yan and I require a Peach Wood Sword. Does that mean that if both of us contribute and successfully eliminate the ghost, you would be willing to present each of us with a piece of peach wood?"

The Old Peach Tree expressed skepticism, "A mere evil ghost could be eliminated by just one person. Why would two people need to intervene?"

"The peach wood grows from me, just like your fingers. Losing even one would be unbearably painful, let alone two."

"Moreover, I myself could act to eliminate the ghost in two days. Delaying for two days and offering a piece of peach wood as a token of gratitude, that's quite sufficient."

"Both of you can discuss who will take action."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mu and Daoist Qing Yan exchanged glances. Especially Daoist Qing Yan, he had thought that after eliminating the ghost, each of them would be rewarded with a piece of peach wood. He hadn't expected there to be only one piece in total.

The very next moment, Daoist Qing Yan couldn't restrain himself from saying to Xiao Mu, "Mr. Mu, getting the Peach Wood Sword is a matter of urgency for me. Would you consider giving it up?"

Xiao Mu didn't hesitate, "I'm sorry, Daoist. I too, am intent on having the Peach Wood Sword. It would be best for you to give up."

A slight anger crossed Daoist Qing Yan's face as he forcefully suppressed his ire, "Mr. Mu, the Peach Wood Sword is very important to me. Please yield, there will surely be a reward in the future."

Xiao Mu rejected this with a shake of his head, "I'm sorry, the Peach Wood Sword also holds great importance to me. I would like to ask Daoist to please give it up."

Daoist Qing Yan's face turned grim as he hummed, "Since it's come to this, let's settle this with our abilities and see who is superior. Whoever wins will have the Peach Wood Sword."

Xiao Mu, with an icy smile, wasn't afraid to confront this Daoist Qing Yan.

However, Village Chief Hao hastily intervened, "Venerable ones, please do not quarrel. Such confrontation harms harmony."

"How about this? Both of you follow me to the village to have a look first, then lend a hand together. In the end, the Peach Wood Sword will be given to the one who successfully eliminates the ghost. What do you think?"