The treehouses of the Vine Tribe hung high among ancient trees thirty zhang tall, and the vine-woven suspension bridge swayed gently in the night wind, making faint sounds.
Zhao Yun followed Duoli into the tribe. Suddenly, dozens of pairs of Emerald Green eyes opened on the bark walls; they were the Tree Spirit children peeking out from tree hollows, full of curiosity.
"Humans are here!"
Someone shouted, and the forest instantly became lively. Fireflies gathered into light ribbons leading the way, glowing dandelions drifted down to pave the steps, and Thorns even retracted into the ground, warmly welcoming the mysterious guest.
The aged Tree Spirit Elder Mu'ai Vine appeared before Zhao Yun. The Snake Wood Staff Mu'ai leaned on exuded an ancient and mysterious aura. The seven Bronze Bells hanging from his Deer Antlers rang without wind, playing a melody that faintly resonated with the surroundings, as if merging with the soul of the forest.
"A distinguished guest guided by the Spirits of Nature."
Mu'ai's voice carried a strange tremor. His moss-covered fingers brushed over the Dragon Mark on Zhao Yun's left arm.
"Azure Scales reflecting the moon—it is the Bloodline of an Ancient Dragon."
The aroma of roasted mushrooms from the Bonfire feast filled the air, and Zhao Yun was invited to the tribe's Altar. The Altar was situated amidst the protection of nine giant trees, with half of a Tortoise Shell inscribed with Runes floating in the center, emitting a mysterious glow.
When Zhao Yun stepped onto the Bluestone Slab, the Tortoise Shell projected three beams of light, illuminating the entire Altar.
"Please place your hand on the Spirit Testing Stone."
Mu'ai lightly tapped the ground with his Snake Wood Staff. A dark crystal rose where the light beams intersected; this was the Origin Source test for the power of the Elt Continent.
The moment Zhao Yun's palm touched the crystal, the ancient trees surrounding the Altar groaned, as if sensing the powerful energy within him.
The black crystal first burst forth with a golden radiance representing a warrior's Battle Qi, which dimmed after three breaths. Then, the entire crystal began to turn transparent, revealing Starlight resembling a galactic vortex within.
"This? This is the purest Original Magic Power!"
The wooden staff fell from Mu'ai's hand, his voice filled with shock and reverence.
The honey-wine wooden cup in Duoli's hand suddenly sprouted roots, and vines climbed onto her small face and Deer Antlers. She widened her eyes.
Zhao Yun looked at the Starlight flowing within the crystal, recalling the Star Sand from the fissure at Changban Slope.
He attempted to circulate his Inner Qi. The Dragon Mark on his left arm moved, and the silver vortex inside the crystal expanded, dyeing the three beams of light an Emerald Green and gold, enveloping the entire Altar in mysterious power.
"Lord White Dragon, look closely!"
Duoli jumped onto the Altar and formed complex Dharma Seals with her small hands. Three Thorns as thick as wrists drilled out of the ground, but they curled into flower buds upon touching the edge of Zhao Yun's garment, seemingly fearful of the power within him.
Mu'ai picked up his wooden staff and drew a circle in the air. Countless points of light gathered into a Vine diagram, explaining the most basic Vine Spell to Zhao Yun, which required injecting Magic Power to cast.
Zhao Yun formed the hand signs according to the diagram, and the internal circulation within his body operated automatically. The spell that normally required a three-minute chant was cast instantly; a flash of Azure Light flickered from his fingertips, and the Altar was submerged by Emerald Green Vines as thick as a bowl.
Duoli was lifted into mid-air by the vines, and Mu'ai's beard was also entangled by the leaves, creating a comical scene.
"Retract!"
Zhao Yun pointed his fingers like a sword, and all the vines in the area turned into points of light. He stared at the lingering Azure Light on his fingertips, pondering, and realized that when manipulating the vines, the flow of Inner Force was consistent with the meridian pathways used in his Spear Technique.
The Bonfire reignited, and Mu'ai's hands holding the Tortoise Shell were still trembling.
"The Magic Power purity of an Ancient Dragon Bloodline is a hundred times that of an ordinary mage, but the essence of your Magic Power is closer to the world's Origin Source."
Duoli used tree sap to draw a map of the continent on a giant leaf, briefly explaining the races of this continent to Zhao Yun:
The Orcs in the northern Wasteland can use the power of their Ancestral Spirits; the Dwarves of the northeastern highlands have first-rate weapon forging skills; the Arrows of the Elves in the west can shoot down flying dragons; and the Undead Race of Eternal Night Island have recently been digging graves.
"Are there any records of traversing time and space?"
Zhao Yun asked. The vine bracelet on his wrist suddenly tightened; this was the "token of thanks" Duoli had secretly placed on him earlier.
Mu'ai's Deer Antlers rustled, and the seven Bronze Bells pointed west.
"The Black Moon Altar hides an Ancient Teleportation Array, but one must pass through the human territory of Leeds City."
The old man lowered his voice.
"Be wary of the Church's Paladins; they have been aggressively capturing Heretics recently."
At midnight, moonlight filtered through the tree canopy. Zhao Yun gently stroked the Dragon Mark on the top floor of the treehouse. As Inner Force circulated, golden lines resembling meridians emerged on his Azure Scales, and the Jade Pendant brightened and dimmed with his breath.
He looked toward the east, where Changban Slope should be, and a feeling of homesickness welled up in his heart.
"Lord," he clenched the Jade Pendant, the scene of Liu Bei gifting him armor flashing before his eyes. Inner Force surged in his palm, actually condensing half a map of Jing Province in the void. The rivers on the map flowed upstream—this strange sight made his resolve to find his way home even firmer.
When Duoli burst into the room carrying a pinecone wooden pillow, she saw Zhao Yun tying his Broken Sword with vines.
"I am going to Leeds City."
Zhao Yun had already changed into the dark green Close-fitting Garment woven by the Tree Spirits, and the Dragon Mark moved like a living creature under the moonlight.
"Even if I cannot find the way back, I will display the might of my Great Han in this realm."
The Morning Mist had not yet dissipated when Zhao Yun, carrying his tightly wrapped Azure Gown Sword, stepped onto the forest path. Mu'ai's voice transmission came from the air.
"When passing through the Howling Wind Gorge, do not use the Dragon Mark Power."
Zhao Yun touched the Jade Pendant in his embrace. The dewdrop on the Broken Sword reflected his youthful appearance from when he was in his twenties.
Traveling a hundred li to the west, when the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds, Zhao Yun arrived at Leeds City.