Chapter 499

Chapter 499: Five Qi Returning to Origin

The news that shattered the Dongfang clan’s defenses again came from other factions in Wanlong Mountain.

—Though they’d lost the chance to ally with Mu Lin, the Dongfang clan had still revived their ancestors. Life must go on.

Steeped in regret, they opened their mountain gates and cautiously reached out to rebuild connections. To their surprise, a powerful clan from Wanlong Mountain sought them out almost immediately.

What boosted their morale was the visiting clan leader himself coming to establish ties. This gesture reignited the Dongfang clan’s fading confidence.

"We’re not completely worthless after all!"

"We can thrive without divine protection!"

Just as hope returned, the dragon-raising Yang family dropped earth-shaking news during their meeting.

"Have you heard of the Golden Fruit?"

"Only the Gem Fruit… Is this Golden Fruit special?"

"Beyond special."

The Yang Family Leader’s eyes burned with fervor.

"Word from Southeast Province says it rebuilds one’s foundation – granting eight hundred years of life, Heavenly Spiritual Roots, and a divine body from birth!"

"Even the dullest peasant becomes a genius after eating this divine fruit."

"Impressive, but single fruits mean little to great clans like ours."

The Dongfang Clan Leader initially shrugged it off. The Xuanling world overflowed with Rare Resources that extended lifespans and reshaped destinies. His clan’s territory still held such treasures from better days.

One fruit didn’t matter… until the Yang leader leaned forward.

"One fruit? No. But what if they’re man-made? Mass-produced?"

*Crash!*

The Dongfang Clan Leader’s teacup exploded in his grip.

A single fruit meant nothing amidst endless powerful clans. But endless fruits? That changed everything. His clan could compete. Maybe even transform their entire bloodline into the Golden Race.

This wasn’t just fruit – this was holy revolution.

No one noticed the shattered porcelain. Every clan elder sat thunderstruck, minds reeling.

However, amidst the excitement, some elders felt doubtful.

“A fruit granting eight hundred years of lifespan, Heavenly Spiritual Roots, and a divine body? Such a divine fruit can’t possibly be mass-produced by anyone!”

This made the Yang Family Leader chuckle.

“Mortals can’t create such divine fruits. But gods can. Our human race now has a True God—one who commands the power of life itself.”

“That True God is both brilliant and compassionate. Witnessing humanity’s struggles in cultivation, he created the Golden Fruit to aid us… All hail the Goddess of Life!”

The Yang Family Leader spoke with fervent admiration, failing to notice the Dongfang Clan Leader, elders, and prodigies turning pale.

Dread crept into their hearts.

“This… can’t be a coincidence…”

Before they could react, the Yang Family Leader added eagerly, “Here’s more good news—the new god has ties to your Dongfang clan.”

“Rumor says His Excellency Mu Lin was protected and supported by your Dongfang Ya during his early days. With that bond, your clan will surely receive priority for Golden Fruits!”

“Congratulations! The Dongfang clan might soon become the Golden Sacred Tri—”

His words trailed off as the Dongfang clan’s faces grew increasingly ashen, like mourners at a funeral.

“???”

The Yang Family Leader stared in confusion.

It never crossed his mind that the Dongfang clan had sacrificed Mu Lin’s mentor. Mistaking their horror for hostility, he seethed inwardly:

*Ungrateful snakes! Riding high then biting the hand that feeds…*

Still, he forced a smile. “No need for coldness. I came hoping to buy Golden Fruits through your connection to His Excellency Mu Lin.”

“We’ll pay triple—no, fivefold!—the price. The Yang family will also help rebuild your influence in Wanlong Mountain.”

He bowed low, believing his offer irresistible. Resources and connections in exchange for surplus Golden Fruits? A steal for the Dongfang clan.

…

The Dongfang Clan Leader knew cooperating with the Yangs meant massive gains. More families would follow, bringing enough resources to restore their glory.

Such was the privilege of serving a god—especially Mu Lin, the Goddess of Life. His unmatched combat power and Golden Fruit production could elevate any subordinate.

Yet none of this mattered.

The Dongfang clan couldn’t align with Mu Lin.

They’d burned that bridge forever.

The stronger Mu Lin grew and the more benefits he offered, the deeper their regret and discomfort became.

This explained why the Dongfang clan members in the room wore expressions like they’d just attended their mothers’ funerals, faces pale as ash.

One furious member even smashed his fist against a table.

“???”

This spectacle bewildered the Yang Family Leader.

He couldn’t fathom why the Dongfang clan would resent Mu Lin’s success when the two parties had maintained good relations and shared vital resources.

As he puzzled over this, his son burst into the room and whispered startling news.

The revelation left the Yang Family Leader gaping.

“Sacrificed His Excellency Mu Lin’s master? Have they gone mad?”

“How could they dare?!”

The bombshell news froze the Yang Family Leader momentarily. Upon recovering, he shot to his feet and bolted out of the Dongfang clan’s mountain gate.

The Golden Fruit had become every powerful clan’s obsession.

Those aligned with Mu Lin enjoyed respect and privilege, while his enemies faced universal shunning – equivalent to abandoning all hope of obtaining the divine fruit.

“Move!”

The Yang Family Leader practically dragged his kin from the Dongfang compound. When someone questioned their hasty retreat, he snapped to attention.

“Right! We can’t just leave.”

“We must erase any connection to the Dongfang clan!”

Channeling his energy, he unleashed devastating attacks upon the Dongfang territory.

“Crash!”

Three minutes of bombardment reduced buildings to rubble before he finally withdrew.

“Bastards!”

Dongfang clan members shook with rage, recalling the Yang leader’s previous courtesy contrasting with this sudden violence. The bitter realization of losing access to the Golden Fruit twisted like a knife.

“Why did we ever choose Dongfang Ya as the Vessel?!”

Though physically distant, Mu Lin sensed the Dongfang clan’s regret curling his lips upward. His grand spectacle served more than petty vengeance – it advanced his gene ascension plan to transform humanity into Golden Folk, securing his legacy as their Mother Goddess and Ancestor in civilization’s annals.

Resource gathering formed his secondary objective. Though most mortal treasures meant little to True Lords or Deities, Mu Lin’s recent ascension left him hungry for Mystic Spirit Realm’s wonders. The Chu family’s Five Organs Nurturing Spirit Tree particularly intrigued him – its five-century cycles produced fruits brimming with elemental energy.

“My Five Qi Returning to Origin breakthrough lies here,” he murmured, already planning how to enhance the Five Organs Fruit with his powers of life.