There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Is Chapter 257 likely to be released smoothly?

The flying boat broke through the clouds and traversed the land, and seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

After that, the sea was calm and the scenery outside the flying boat was the same. After looking at it for a long time, they lost interest. So Liu Shuang'er and the others sat in meditation in the boat.

But on the morning of the eighth day, the scenery below suddenly changed. Instead of rolling hills and crisscrossing waters, there was an endless expanse of lush, vibrant green!

A strange boundary line appeared on the horizon ahead.

On one side, there are only ordinary mountains and rivers, while on the other side, there is an endless sea of ​​forests and a continuous stretch of strange plants, and the spiritual energy turns into a warm and refreshing one, with the fragrance of grass and trees.

Feeling a sense of peace, Chen Qing walked to the bow of the boat, leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, instantly feeling refreshed and at ease.

"The spiritual energy here is much denser than in other places!"

"The territory of the Azure Wood Spirit Kingdom is just ahead."

Liu Shuang'er walked to the bow of the boat and stood side by side with Chen Qing. She took a deep breath and said with a look of contentment, "Every time I come here, I feel cleansed in body and mind. This place is worlds apart from Nanbin."

Chen Qing glanced down at the lush greenery below, which stood out starkly from the rest of the area, and asked, "You all said that the predecessor of the Azure Wood Spirit Kingdom was a dynasty that ruled over the entire Eastern Spirit Continent. So, is this place now a sect or a kingdom?"

"Young Master Chen, you may not know this, but my Qingmu Spirit Kingdom is both a sect and a kingdom." A clear voice came from the side: "Our ancestors were once the Mude Dynasty. Later, the dynasty changed, and our ancestors decisively let go, taking the core inheritance with them and retreating into seclusion. At the same time, they also guarded a part of the territory. Later, they were recognized by all parties and became one of the thirty-three superior sects, becoming a fiefdom. They even left behind a trace of the dynasty's dragon aura! There are five main branches within the territory, each with its own mountain gate. Therefore, the country can be divided into five major factions."

"Oh?" Chen Qing looked at her. "Which faction does Your Highness belong to?"

Mu Qingling smiled slightly, a reserved smile: "To be honest, Young Master Chen, Qingling's bloodline originates from the Ancestral Emperor Qingmu. Our lineage is considered the common master of the five lineages and is revered by them."

As they spoke, the flying boat had already penetrated deep into the heart of the Azure Wood Spirit Kingdom.

Chen Qingyou looked around and saw a variety of wonderful sights. There were vines like jade bridges spanning a thousand-foot mountain stream; there were springs flowing among the branches and leaves, turning into waterfalls; and there were vast seas of flowers that swayed in the wind, scattering shimmering light, like a dream.

"What a wonderful fairyland of wood!" Chen Qing exclaimed.

Mu Qingling smiled and said, "These are not just scenic views, but also a wondrous array of heaven and earth set up by our ancestors. It operates by harnessing the power of the mountains, rivers, and wood spirits, defending against powerful enemies on the outside and containing vitality within. Even if the Fifth Prince is unwilling, he cannot extend his reach into the Green Wood Spirit Kingdom here."

The maid Qingluo also breathed a sigh of relief, and then exclaimed, "The journey was surprisingly peaceful afterwards. I was quite worried at first, but now it seems that it was all a false alarm. Those demons and monsters were all intimidated by Headmaster Chen's formidable reputation!"

Mu Qingling nodded upon hearing this, and then bowed solemnly to Chen Qing: "Thank you for your protection, Young Master Chen. I thought the journey home would be fraught with difficulties and I would have to go through several fierce battles. I didn't even dare to sleep soundly. I never expected it to be so smooth."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shuang'er raised an eyebrow and teased, "Judging from your tone, you seem somewhat disappointed? Perhaps you still want to see a few heroic rescues to make the journey more exciting?"

Mu Qingling retorted, "You're just making fun of me! It's a blessing that you returned safely. I just feel that I haven't repaid Young Master Chen enough for the favor I owe him."

"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, why rush?" Liu Shuang'er chuckled.

Chen Qing didn't pay much attention to what the two were saying. He was just looking at the spectacular scenery outside when he suddenly felt the pseudo-mysterious gate in his dantian tremble slightly, and it resonated faintly with something in front of him!

"Ok?"

He looked up and saw a giant tree in the center of a majestic mountain range in the far distance. Its trunk was as thick as a mountain, and its canopy was lush, as if it supported the sky above and exuded a surging life force!
Looking at the towering tree, Chen Qing judged based on his experience: "That must be the headquarters of the Azure Wood Spirit Kingdom, right?"

Mu Qingling followed his gaze, her eyes filled with reverence: "Young Master Chen has a keen eye, but that was the site of the former imperial city, not the current headquarters. This is the 'Ancient Ancestral Spirit Tree,' which carries a trace of the bloodline of the ancient Jianmu tree. When the Qingmu Dynasty unified Dongling, this tree suppressed the dynasty's fortune, and the imperial city was built beneath it. After the dynasty collapsed, the imperial city turned into ruins, leaving only this tree evergreen."

She paused, then her tone softened: "However, the ancient ancestral tree is surrounded by spiritual energy and possesses a natural Daoist charm, which is of great benefit to us cultivators. The flying boat will pass by it soon. According to the hospitality etiquette of our country, you may personally experience the baptism of the ancestral spirit, which can be considered as a small token of my appreciation."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing nodded and said, "Then I will look forward to it."

At the same time, he thought to himself: The journey has been safe and smooth. Now that we have entered their country, it seems that we have landed safely.

The news of Mu Qingling's flying boat entering the country was immediately reported to the core of the Qingmu Spirit Kingdom, in the Qingmu Holy Temple.

Inside the hall, spiritual energy was like mist.

The current ruler of Aoki sat high above, frowning as he looked at the people before him.

To his left was a group of people led by a gaunt old man dressed in a wisteria robe.

The old man had sharp eyes; he was Mu Tengxin, the Grand Elder of the Vine Clan among the five major factions.

At this moment, his face was ashen, and he said loudly, "This is utter nonsense! Qingling's escape not only offends the Fifth Prince, but also puts my Qingmu Ling Kingdom in the fire! The Nanyan delegation arrived yesterday and presented a letter of state with strong wording, questioning whether our country treats the alliance as a joke! Do you know what this means?"

Before anyone could answer, Mu Tengxin continued, "This means we may lose Nan Yan as a powerful ally, and lose the opportunity to seize the initiative in the upcoming Golden Age with the help of the Fifth Prince! It also means we may miss the only chance in the prophecy to reverse the fate of the Qingmu Kingdom and delay the withering of the ancestral tree!"

Opposite him, a woman in a long emerald green dress, still charming, snorted coldly. She was Elder Mu Ye Rou of the Leaf Vein.

"Elder Tengxin, why are you spreading such alarmist rumors?" Mu Yerou said sarcastically. "That prophecy is so mysterious, it only says that Qingling will bring changes, but it never explicitly states that these changes will involve her marrying that ambitious Fifth Prince! The Fire element is about to die out, and the Metal element is just beginning to rise. The Southern Yan Dynasty is struggling to survive, with fierce internal strife. It is still unknown whether the Fifth Prince can survive the struggle for the throne. To entrust the fate of the nation to this person is incredibly unwise! In my opinion, Qingling's ability to break free from her constraints is precisely in accordance with the opportune time!"

A burly elder from the root lineage behind Mu Tengxin immediately retorted: "Elder Ye Rou speaks so lightly! If we don't consolidate our power through marriage, are we supposed to just sit back and wait for the ancestral tree to decline? The Fifth Prince of Yan Kingdom is a man of great talent and ambition, determined to reform from the top down and transform the element of fire into the element of metal. If he succeeds, he will be a wise ruler who will continue the dynasty's legacy! By aligning ourselves with him, we can take advantage of his momentum and, before our lifespans run out, secure another foundation for our descendants! This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity!"

"Innovation? Reform?" The Flower Clan Elder beside Mu Yerou laughed. "To shake the foundation of a nation is no easy task! One wrong move and you'll be playing with fire and getting burned! Our Qingmu Spirit Kingdom is inherited from the Mude Dynasty, and its foundation lies in continuous growth, not in opportunism! Why can't the variable in the prophecy be applied to the Mingxia Mountain Sect Leader who protected Qingling's return? I've heard that this young man is a top-tier Golden Core cultivator with astonishing supernatural powers. His appearance this time can be described as a resounding success. He suppressed Master Gongzhen of the Heavenly Mystery Martial Arts Hall with a flick of his wrist. Such a person is willing to risk his life for Qingling. The affection between them is self-evident! Isn't this another kind of variable?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Tengxin shook his head and sighed, "There are at least fifteen, if not twenty, top-tier Golden Core cultivators in Dongling Continent. Moreover, such figures have not been uncommon throughout history. How can they be compared to the princes of dynasties who possess tens of thousands of miles of land and are expected to inherit the throne? They are like fireflies compared to the bright moon!"

The two sides were locked in a fierce standoff, neither willing to yield, but the root of this dispute lay in a prophecy.

Several years ago, in the Azure Wood Spirit Kingdom, the Grand Elder Mu Xuangan, who was in seclusion for many years but could communicate with the ancestral spirits, sacrificed his lifespan to glimpse a glimpse of heavenly secrets and left behind a prophecy: "The Azure Phoenix comes from the west, carrying wood south; change will come of its own accord, and the fate of the nation may shift."

After careful consideration by all the common people in the kingdom, it was basically determined that the "Azure Phoenix" referred to Mu Qingling, and some believed that the phrase "flying south with a piece of wood in its beak" referred to a marriage alliance with the Southern Yan Dynasty. It was because of this prophecy that the voices in Qingmuling Kingdom advocating for a marriage alliance overwhelmed all opposition.

Now that Mu Qingling has returned from her arranged marriage, it has naturally caused many people to be both shocked and angry.
"enough."

Just as the two sides were arguing fiercely, Mu Changchun, the ruler of Qingmu Kingdom, who was sitting on the Pan Gen Throne, spoke up.

His gaze swept over the crowd below, and he said calmly, "Things have come to this point, arguing is pointless. Qingling has already sent me a message. She promised to help that Sect Leader Chen Qing on the condition that he open the entrance to the Two Realms Mountain and allow him to enter."

"what?!"

When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked!

Even Mu Yerou's expression changed slightly.

Mu Tengxin suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty! The entrance to the Two Realms Mountain is one of the foundations of the Qingmu Kingdom! In recent years, the entrance has become increasingly unstable. If it weren't for the fortunate opportunity when that favored one used his own destiny as a guide to barely stabilize the passage, no one would be able to enter at all! What virtue or ability does Chen Qing have to enjoy the fruits of others' labor?"

The elder in charge of guarding the entrance stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Elder Tengxin is absolutely right. The entrance is only initially stable, and it is riddled with spatial rifts and chaotic in its laws. It still needs to be nurtured and consolidated with the spiritual energy of the ancestral wood. Allowing outsiders to enter at this time, not to mention whether it will cause the passage to collapse, would be a huge loss if it interfered with the chosen one who is seeking opportunities in the mountains!"

The "favored one" he mentioned was a young cultivator who had come to the Qingmu Spirit Kingdom by chance a few months ago. His destiny was special, and he could resonate with the Two Realms Mountain, helping to stabilize the entrance to the Two Realms Mountain. He is now being treated as an honored guest in the country.

After some investigation, everyone was astonished to find that this person's luck was so great and his cultivation progress was so rapid that he seemed to have the aura of a chosen one of heaven. Therefore, all the forces in the country wanted to befriend him.

Mu Yerou pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, the sect leader of Mingxia Mountain has indeed rendered meritorious service in protecting Qingling, and his strength is extraordinary. He may be able to become an aid. However, the relationship between the Two Realms Mountain is of great importance, and the entrance has just been settled. It is indeed not advisable to act rashly. Could we discuss with Chen Qing to postpone the matter for a while? Or could we find another way to repay him?"

Mu Changchun pondered for a moment and said, "The person is about to arrive, so we can no longer discuss this slowly. As for the matter of the Two Realms Mountain, we will decide on it after I have a face-to-face talk with that Sect Leader Chen."

the other side.

The flying boat carrying Chen Qing and the others was slowly hovering beneath the enormous canopy of the Ancestral Spirit Tree, which resembled the vast sky. The surrounding wood-elemental spiritual energy was swirling and misty, refreshing the mind and body.

Chen Qing took a deep breath and felt his spirits lift, and his internal organs felt light and unobstructed!

"How is it?" Mu Qingling looked pleased with herself and smiled at Chen Qingqian. "Sect Leader Chen, please calm your mind. The Ancestral Spirit Baptism of my Qingmu Spirit Kingdom uses a secret method to draw upon the essence of the ancestral wood, cleansing the body and nourishing the soul. It is of great benefit to cultivation. Ordinary guests do not have this honor."

After saying that, she made a hand gesture with her hands and chanted incantations.

Instantly, thousands of emerald green branches hanging down from all directions moved without wind, radiating bursts of verdant vitality. Streams of blue light, like ribbons, descended and coiled around Chen Qing, attempting to envelop him.

A surge of rich Yi Wood essence followed!

However, the moment the essence of Yi Wood touched Chen Qing's body!
"Buzz!"

Within Chen Qing's dantian, the pseudo-mysterious female seemed to be drawn by the same source of power, and it opened a small gap on its own!
In a daze, he seemed to feel as if he had transformed into a door that reached the sky and stood upright, but in front of him stood a tree that reached the heavens!

As the illusion dissipated, a vast and powerful spiritual energy, far purer and more boundless than the essence of the ancestral tree, erupted from his body and surged back towards the ancestral tree!

"Hoohoo!"

A strong wind is blowing!
The spiritual energy around Chen Qing shone like light, transforming into streaks of light that flowed backward, entangling the branches!

"Buzz!"

The resonant sounds came from all directions!
"What?!" Mu Qingling's face paled. Her hand seals were interrupted, and the surging torrent of spiritual energy shook her to her core, making her almost lose her balance.

Chen Qing, who was supposed to passively receive the baptism, has now become the source of spiritual energy!
A surge of azure light erupted from his body, like a gushing spring of life. The spiritual energy surging from the false gate flowed like the Yangtze River, vast and mighty, nourishing the ancestral tree!

"Rumble--"

The ancient ancestral tree, towering like a mountain, emitted a deep yet joyful roar!

The branches on the tree trunk, which were originally somewhat dull and even withered, turned lush and vibrant green at a speed visible to the naked eye, exuding a strong vitality!
Countless new buds sprouted and tender leaves unfurled, and the already massive canopy expanded outward once more. Rays of auspicious light burst forth from between the branches and leaves, illuminating half the sky!

This earth-shattering phenomenon immediately alarmed everyone inside the Green Wood Temple.

"Something has happened to Zumu!" King Mu Changchun suddenly stood up, his face full of surprise and doubt.

"Such boundless vitality..." Elder Mu Tengxin couldn't care less about arguing. He exchanged glances with Mu Yerou and the others, and they all saw the shock in each other's eyes.

"Quickly! Go to the Ancestral Tree! The Ancestral Tree is our foundation; it cannot be lost!"

As they spoke, the group transformed into streaks of light and sped away.

At this moment, beneath the ancestral tree, another strange change occurs!

Nourished by the pseudo-spiritual energy within Chen Qing's body, the Ancestral Spirit Tree seemed to be infused with boundless vitality. The entire giant tree began to vibrate, its branches swaying in the wind, and a torrent of Yi Wood essence burst forth from it, so dense that it transformed into a tangible blue torrent, frantically pouring into Chen Qing!

Because the essence was so vast, it instantly overwhelmed the airship's protective array!

"boom!"

In a blinding flash of blue light, the Azure Wood Flying Boat exploded and shattered!

Wood chips flew everywhere, and spiritual energy swirled wildly!
(End of this chapter)