Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost

"I've finished. Can I fulfill my promise now?" Wang Linchi asked, glancing at the embryo and then at the thriving sapling growing beneath the soil.

'Absolutely,' the Tree of Immortality responded. 'If things don't work out for you in Great View, you can always come to me. I can help you realize your full potential.'

"I'll certainly consider it," Wang Linchi replied politely.

The Tree of Immortality spoke truthfully but didn't reveal everything. Joining it required reincarnation as one of its offspring. Essentially, this involved the Tree of Immortality devouring Wang Linchi and transforming him into a Longevity Fruit, from which he would then be reborn.

If becoming an offspring of the Tree of Immortality didn't mean falling under its complete control, Wang Linchi would have willingly taken the chance.

Unfortunately, there were no such ifs. The Tree of Immortality understood the principle that those not of one's own kind were bound to have different hearts. Therefore, if Wang Linchi wished to become a core member of the Tree of Immortality's kind, reincarnation was an unavoidable process.

Fortunately, the Tree of Immortality kept its word and had no intention of disposing of Wang Linchi after he completed his task.

'This is your reward,' the Tree of Immortality said, handing over a branchlet that resembled a bone. 'If you have any good ideas, you can come to me. I won't be stingy with your rewards.'

This branchlet was not simple; it appeared to be from a critical part of the Tree of Immortality.

The Tree of Immortality had considered forcibly transforming Wang Linchi into its offspring. However, it encountered a problem: even if it controlled Wang Linchi, it couldn't compel him to become stronger for its benefit. Even if it controlled Wang Linchi's thoughts, if he was unwilling, it would only result in futile thinking, not effective results. Otherwise, why would the Tree of Immortality let Wang Linchi leave and try to recruit him? It would have acted forcefully long ago.

In the time that had passed, the Tree of Immortality had used its Daylight Level strength to drive evolution in all aspects, transforming from being vulnerable to ambushes by Domain Masters to becoming extremely shrewd.

"No problem, but inspiration isn't always easy to find," Wang Linchi replied politely. He had many of his own matters to attend to. His own strength was insufficient; how could he truly serve the Tree of Immortality?

'Then where do you wish to go?' the Tree of Immortality asked. 'The Jing Room Domain is no longer suitable for you; you can only go to other domains.' The Tree of Immortality's words implied that the entire Jing Room Domain had now been divided among the five Daylight Level entities. If it were to send Wang Linchi to the territory of the other four Daylight Level beings, he would most likely be discovered. The best solution was to go to a different domain.

"Where do you think would be suitable?" Wang Linchi countered.

He wasn't even familiar with the Jing Room Domain, where he had lived for so many years, let alone other domains. The Dajing Court's control over information was extremely tight, far beyond what someone of his standing could penetrate.

'Then go to the neighboring Willow Residence Realm,' the Tree of Immortality suggested. 'There are no super Gigantic Secret Realms there, so it's more stable. Plus, it's close to me, so if anything happens, it will be easier for you to find me.'

"Does that mean the collapse of the Secret Realms has affected the entirety of Great View?" Wang Linchi asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

'Not entirely. Only the Seven Realms in the south experienced problems,' the Tree of Immortality explained. 'After the Dajing Court completely obliterated the Shadow Realm and the Shadow Covenant with some kind of Soul Device, the remaining super Gigantic Secret Realms and the factions they supported settled down.'

Hearing this, Wang Linchi was inwardly shaken. The Dajing Court was truly as formidable as ever; he hadn't expected the three northern, eastern, and western domains to be unaffected. The Willow Residence Realm was still one of the Seven Realms of the south, which included the Jing, Ghost, Willow, Star, Stretch, Wing, and Axis Domains.

"So, what's the situation in the Willow Residence Realm?" Wang Linchi asked.

'There's a Demonic Inheritance Successor there,' the Tree of Immortality said, not withholding any information. 'He's using the skeletal body from my previous incarnation to refine the Twelfth Lunar Bone Demon God, and he's close to unifying the entire Willow Residence Realm.'

It wasn't difficult for the Tree of Immortality to know about the Heavenly Demon's successor; with its power, how could it not be aware?

Hearing about a Demonic Inheritance Successor, Wang Linchi felt a jolt. Was it really stable there? Wouldn't he be treated as a blood sacrifice upon arrival?

'The Willow Residence Realm is relatively fine. As for the Ghost, Star, Stretch, Wing, and Axis Domains—those five—three have devolved into Demon Realms due to infighting among Demonic Inheritance Successors, resulting in their own fragmented territories. The remaining two domains house a total of five Daylight Level entities. Only one is human; the other four are non-human.'

'No matter which domain you go to, it won't be easy. You'd be better off with me.'

The Tree of Immortality was well-informed about the surrounding situation. Otherwise, if it knew nothing, how could it maintain its own position?

Truly, the domain where a protagonist resides is different. For five Daylight Level entities to emerge in a single Jing Room Domain was simply incredible.

"Let me ask you something casually," Wang Linchi said, a thought suddenly striking him. "The person who took a part of your body to refine the Twelfth Lunar Bone Demon God—is he called Yan Ming King?"

Given the scene when the Secret Realm shattered, Yan Ming King, being the protagonist, was the only one who could have snatched spoils from the chaos.

'It is him. You seem to know him?' the Tree of Immortality confirmed. 'His Twelfth Lunar Bone Demon God can merge to form a grand array, and combined with the natural strategic terrain of the Willow Residence Realm, it has brought a rare stability to the domain.'

The Tree of Immortality didn't seem to bear much resentment towards Yan Ming King. Wang Linchi's eye twitched. How much time had passed outside? Yan Ming King was actually in charge of an entire domain now? This was too absurd!

To become a Domain Master, even when the Southern Seven Realms weren't in turmoil, one needed to be at least Bright Moon Level. Now, one had to be at least Daylight Level to hold the line. Of course, a domain could also become like the three that devolved into Demon Realms, turning into such a mess that the Daylight Level entities descending from the Secret Realms wouldn't even want them.

"Don't you harbor any hatred then? After all, it came from your body," Wang Linchi asked curiously. Logically, the Tree of Immortality should also have its intelligence lowered and be consumed by hatred. Why was it so calm?

'How could I not hate him?' the Tree of Immortality replied. 'But this child's destiny is extraordinary. Moreover, within the Jing Room Domain, the Dragon Emperor and others are involved. If I were to seek revenge now, I fear my own backyard would catch fire.'

Judging by the Tree of Immortality's demeanor, the intelligence reduction was effective, just somewhat suppressed. Since Yan Ming King's current strength was definitely insufficient to face the Tree of Immortality, the tree would likely only send various cannon fodder and villains to him to serve as experience fodder. Only when Yan Ming King had grown strong enough to potentially counter-kill the Tree of Immortality would it make a real move.

'This child isn't having an easy time either. He has offended not only me but also the Dragon Emperor and others. We occasionally send people to cause him trouble, hoping to eliminate a future threat, but the results have been poor.'

Well now, Wang Linchi hadn't even asked, and the Tree of Immortality had already provided the explanation.

"He's always been this lucky?" Wang Linchi remarked, going along with the Tree of Immortality.

'Precisely. Otherwise, how would I dare let you go to the Willow Residence Realm?' the Tree of Immortality affirmed, agreeing with Wang Linchi.

"..." Wang Linchi didn't dare to agree. Yeah, right! Yan Ming King's protagonist halo was too terrifying; even Daylight Level entities couldn't detect their own unusual behavior around him.

"Alright then, please send me to the Willow Residence Realm," Wang Linchi said. He felt the pleasantries had gone on long enough, and he had gathered some information. At least he wouldn't be completely in the dark when he arrived.

'I can only send you to the border between the Jing Room Domain and the Willow Residence Realm. You'll have to cross the domain boundary yourself.'

'The grand array formed by his Twelfth Lunar Bone Demon God won't pose a threat to you; it only deters those at Elite Gold Level and above.' As the Tree of Immortality finished speaking, its roots began to squirm.

Before Wang Linchi could react, he felt the world around him spin. When he came to his senses, he was no longer under the canopy of the Tree of Immortality.

Looking back, an immense tree that seemed to touch the sky and stand firm on the earth loomed. Wang Linchi couldn't even see the full extent of the Tree of Immortality's massive form.

'Go on. You are always welcome to return here,' the Tree of Immortality said one last time.

Wang Linchi nodded and stepped across the boundary between the two domains.

On one side were innumerable branches and roots; on the other stood a colossal bull-headed White Bone Demon God. He crossed over with ease, facing no attack.

Simultaneously, Wang Linchi felt his body lighten. Clearly, the Tree of Immortality's gaze had vanished, blocked by the Twelfth Lunar Bone Demon God's array.

Escaped with my life, Wang Linchi thought, looking up at the sun in the sky and feeling a bit unaccustomed to it.

Wang Linchi wasn't sure how long he had spent at the base of the Tree of Immortality. Although the time was arduous, the rewards had been incredibly plentiful. He had dissected numerous Awakeners, all of them prodigies from the Great Families, Sects, and the Court, which had further clarified his future path.

His only regret was not being able to obtain corresponding Soul Forging Methods, Soul Skills, and the like. If he had been able to search the ruins of Xuan Spirit Heaven back then, especially the encampments of the major powers, he might have acquired a Soul Forging Method that led directly to the Morning Star Level. But at that time, he couldn't leave the area designated by the Tree of Immortality. As for asking the Tree of Immortality for help—Wang Linchi wouldn't do something so cluelessly audacious. Between his life and a Soul Forging Method, he would definitely choose his life. After all, he only had one life, while Soul Forging Methods could be acquired again.