Immortal Clan: I have a Tree of Creation

Looking at the jade bottle and wooden box floating in front of him.

Zhou Yuanqing looked up at his master in a daze, his eyes filled with confusion.

"These are three 'Pulse Nourishing Pills,' which can gently nourish your damaged meridians, help you stabilize your foundation, and accelerate the refining of spiritual energy."

The jade bottle flew towards Zhou Yuanqing.

Su Wanqing's voice reached his ears clearly, carrying a hint of helpless concession:

"I will grant you permission... to make an exception this time."

An incredulous light flashed in Zhou Yuanqing's eyes.

"But not now," Su Wanqing added, her gaze sharp as lightning.

"Your foundation at the second level of Qi Refining is not yet stable. Even if I let you go back, what could you do?"

"In response to the snow disaster in Liang Kingdom, Qingchi has dispatched elders to assist the imperial court in quelling the disaster."

"This matter is of great importance and cannot be resolved by your mere cultivation."

Zhou Yuanqing was taken aback upon hearing this.

"I know you miss your family," Su Wanqing continued.

"But one should do everything within one's capabilities and not force things."

Her gaze fell on the antique sandalwood box.

"This 'Flowing Cloud Sword' is a mid-grade magic weapon, containing a trace of wind spirit. After refining it, it can be swiftly controlled, and can be used for both offense and defense. It is quite compatible with your wood spirit root."

The sandalwood box then floated towards Zhou Yuanqing.

"Qing'er, once you have refined this 'Flowing Cloud Sword' and are able to control it to cast the spell 'Green Vine Binding'."

"At that time, I will allow you to go down the mountain to visit your family and will give you this magic weapon to help protect you."

The conditions were stringent, and the timeframe was tight.

Zhou Yuanqing's dim eyes suddenly ignited with an unprecedented light.

The 'Flowing Cloud Sword' is a mid-grade magic weapon, priceless.

Such mid-grade magical artifacts require at least the fourth level of Qi Refining, which is equivalent to the mid-stage of Qi Refining cultivation, to be successfully refined.

The Master's meaning is very clear.

Once you break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, you will be allowed to descend the mountain ahead of schedule.

Zhou Yuanqing no longer hesitated and bowed again.

"Disciple Zhou Yuanqing thanks Master for his kindness."

After saying that, he carefully put away the jade bottle containing the elixir and solemnly picked up the sandalwood box containing the Flowing Cloud Sword with both hands.

Master is right. What good would it do to go back after only reaching the second level of Qi Refining?

Now that the sect elders have taken action, the snow disaster should surely be resolved.

Reaching the mid-stage of Qi Refining is difficult and far off, but at least a realistic goal has been established.

Zhou Yuanqing is not afraid of difficulties; he is sure he can do it.

Su Wanqing stared blankly at Xiao Qing'er's departing figure.

What surged within me was my former self, the scene of that naive little girl who had just set foot on Qingchi Mountain.

How similar it is now, then and now.

.....

The blizzard seemed to have buried all life under the thick ice and snow.

In the white, silent landscape of Jinyang Village, another ten days or so slowly passed.

After a period of rest, Shan'er's shoulder injury has basically recovered, and he has started practicing martial arts.

Although the Zhao family's behavior of coercing each family to hand over the land deeds was extremely despicable.

But the Zhao family did provide a considerable amount of grain and coal, which could be considered a good deed, giving each family more hope of survival.

That evening, the sky darkened earlier than usual, and a fierce wind tore at the windowpanes.

Zhou Chengnan is urging the children to memorize the ancient texts in the exercises.

The stove crackled and popped from time to time, the burning firewood bringing endless warmth.

"Ah—help!"

A heart-wrenching cry echoed throughout the village, shattering the twilight of the setting sun.

"The Li family... something happened to the Li family..."

"Good heavens, I saw it! A bear... a blind bear has entered the village!"

After the shouts came the barking and howling of dogs, which then turned into dying whimpers, and finally stopped abruptly.

Something happened.....

Everyone realized this.

After a long while, people gradually mustered up the courage to come out of the house.

"Grab your weapons!" A deep shout came from several nearby houses.

Soon, the scattered torches struggled to light up in the blizzard, their dim yellow glow torn and teetering in the wind.

—It's Li San's house at the west end of the village.

The thatched roof was torn open with a huge gap.

A cold wind, carrying with it the strong stench of wild animals and the fresh smell of blood, swept over us.

Li San was huddled in the corner of the room, his cotton-padded coat torn to shreds, his arms ripped open, and blood staining the snow beneath him.

His wife, holding their terrified child, huddled in a corner, trembling like a leaf.

In the courtyard, Li San's two big yellow guard dogs had long since disappeared, leaving only a few huge, messy paw prints and a patch of glaring dark red on the snow, winding their way towards the dark mountains and forests outside the village.

"Damn beast..." someone spat.

"It's a black bear, it's a bear!" Li San's wife cried out, trembling.

"It snatched Big Yellow and tried to pounce on people. If it weren't for everyone's torches lighting up quickly..." Li San's voice was hoarse, his face filled with the fear of surviving a disaster.

The black bear wasn't satisfied even after taking away two large dogs.

—It's starving, it's going to eat people!

The crowd chattered amongst themselves, the torchlight flickering in the wind, illuminating their worried faces.

"Even the bears on the mountain have come down. Those beasts have no food to survive the winter, so they're probably eyeing us."

"What should I do...?"

Anshan has its own ecosystem, and wild animals rarely leave their territory.

Black bears are the tyrants of the mountains, and they should be hibernating now. Who would have thought that a black bear would come down from the mountain?

There's only one possibility: these bears haven't found enough food, and they're starving.

Amidst the commotion, Zhou Chengnan stood at the edge of the crowd, his voice low and menacing: "Everyone, hurry back!"

"The bears came down the mountain today only because they were scared away by our torches. Those beasts are starving, and they will probably come back."

"Everyone, close the doors and windows tightly, and barricade them with something! Don't let them break in!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"You're right, those beasts will definitely come back..."

Everyone worked together to move the stones and help Li San build up another room in his house, providing an extra layer of protection.

In the freezing cold and with snow everywhere, this was all the villagers could do to help.

The rest... is up to fate.

Zhou Chengnan quickly returned home.

They used two thick wooden stakes to firmly prop up the door and sealed all the windows with stones.

He repeatedly told the children, "A black bear has entered the village. You all need to sleep well and not make a sound."

The wind howled and the snow fell even heavier overnight.

The next day, as dawn broke, the earth was shrouded in a gray haze.

Then the screams of agony rang out again.

This time, the voice was closer.

"Awooo..." The bear's roar shook the snow, causing it to fall in a flurry.

—It's not far from the Zhou family's house.

The Liu family are wealthy pig farmers in the village.

When the blizzard struck, the pigs were doomed, but the Liu family turned misfortune into good fortune. Thanks to the dozen or so pigs they raised, they were at least able to have enough to eat and drink.

But now, the smell of cured meat in Liu's cellar is nothing short of a feast for the starving black bear.

"Dad! Uncle Liu's house..." Zhou Yuanshan listened intently through the crack in the door for a moment, his face turning deathly pale. "There are several bears! They're banging on the door!"

Through the cracks in the window, several huge black figures could be vaguely seen rampaging within the Liu family's courtyard walls.

The agonizing screams of the Liu family men, mixed with the shrieks of the women and children, echoed through Jinyang Village.

The doors and windows of the surrounding houses were tightly shut, and no more torches were lit in the snow.

There were seven or eight black bears there. Who has the ability to rescue people?

Unless the Zhao family sends out all their guards, no one can stand a chance against these black bears.

"Father..." Zhou Yuanyi tugged at his father's hand.

"Father, aren't we going to save them?"

The eldest son, Zhou Yuanshan, and the second son, Zhou Yuanyu, also looked at their father.

The teachings from the school teacher, the martial arts master, and my father's daily instruction.

Children are taught to punish evil and promote good, and to help others. But now, in this life-or-death situation, what the children see is indifference, with no one offering a helping hand.

A strange light flashed in Zhou Chengnan's eyes.