Chapter 639 - 646: The Solution

The Flower Clan Leader: "..."

He helplessly reined in his temper, suppressed his inner fury, and forced a smile.

"I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just curious!"

He didn’t dare show Song Wanning the slightest bit of attitude. The entire Plant and Tree Clan was counting on her now!

"Heh."

Song Wanning returned a polite laugh before taking out the Red Blood Lotus.

"The Blood Evil was indeed its doing, but ultimately, it was just scared and acting in self-defense."

"It has nothing to do with the curse. Everything was just a coincidence."

The Bodhi Tree Spirit had mentioned this possibility from the beginning. After all, it had a similar personality itself.

It had been all alone since its birth, with no one to rely on, so it was naturally timid.

"So that’s how it is!"

The Flower Clan Leader sighed. The Flower Clan’s forbidden land had been off-limits because of the Blood Evil, and it turned out to be all because the Blood Lotus was scared!

It was... both infuriating and laughable.

But for some reason, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

As long as this Blood Lotus existed, the Plant and Tree Clan here was doomed to suffer. Its capture was the best possible outcome!

He glanced at the Blood Lotus. It truly didn’t seem to have any ill intentions. His tone softened once more.

"Since the Blood Evil is dealt with, shouldn’t we immediately figure out how to handle the curse?"

At this point, he wanted nothing more than to break the curse, rejoin the Plant and Tree Clan, and fulfill his ancestors’ wishes.

"Alright!"

Song Wanning didn’t mince words. She first placed the Blood Lotus in her inner world to keep the Bodhi Tree Spirit company, then followed the Flower Clan Leader out of the forbidden land.

With the Blood Evil gone, the great trees behind them finally stretched out their branches...

When they returned to the secluded paradise, the look in Song Wanning’s eyes had changed.

Gazing at the countless trees and flowers, a sense of responsibility washed over her.

If she could truly break the curse, the world’s biodiversity would flourish.

All of this was part of healing this once-scarred world!

"Bodhi Tree Spirit, tell me what we should do now."

She called out the Bodhi Tree Spirit.

Even the wind seemed to fall silent as everything awaited its words.

The Bodhi Tree Spirit was a bit nervous, but it summoned its courage and told Song Wanning the method.

After she finished listening, Song Wanning’s gaze grew heavy for a moment.

She turned to the Flower Clan Leader, her expression extremely grave.

"What is it?"

The Flower Clan Leader’s heart sank. "Whatever you require, just ask!" he said hurriedly. "I’ll do anything!"

His expression was desperate.

’Whatever Song Wanning wants, I’ll give it to her!’

But Song Wanning simply shook her head. "To break the curse, your participation is required, Clan Leader."

Recalling the Bodhi Tree Spirit’s words, a flicker of pity entered her eyes.

The Flower Clan Leader felt his hair stand on end under her gaze, and his tone lost some of its conviction.

"What do you mean, Song Dao You?"

"Have you ever witnessed the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder or the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder, Clan Leader?"

These were the two types of Divine Thunder she had currently mastered and could call upon.

But to the Flower Clan Leader, her words were a bolt from the blue.

"I... I haven’t. What do you mean by that?"

The Flower Clan Leader’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably as a dreadful premonition surfaced in his mind.

’It couldn’t be what I’m thinking, could it?’

"According to the Bodhi Tree Spirit, the Plant and Tree Clan is under the curse of an evil race, and as such, is not acknowledged or protected by the Heavenly Dao."

"Therefore, to break the curse, we must summon Divine Thunder to strike it down."

"You, Clan Leader, must reclaim your identity as one of the Plant and Tree Clan, withstand the Divine Thunder, and have the curse forcibly blasted away..."

Song Wanning said no more. For the Flower Clan Leader, this was a monumental challenge.

The Demon Race already feared Heavenly Thunder, but this was even more true for spirits of wood and flower, whose terror of it was soul-deep.

Now, the Flower Clan Leader had to face the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder...

It was practically a death sentence.

A near-certain death, all for the slim possibility of breaking the curse.

Whether the price was worth it was a calculation only he could make.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. The Flower Clan Leader stood among the countless trees, his figure a study in desolation.

He stood stunned, Song Wanning’s words echoing endlessly in his mind.

’The curse can only be destroyed by Divine Thunder.’

’How many bolts would it take?’

’Would it even truly destroy the curse in the end?’

’And after the curse is broken... will I die?’

In that moment, he truly wavered.

The Flower Clan and the Plant and Tree Clan were separate now, but at least they were all still alive and well.

And he was the exalted Flower Clan Leader, who had lived a prosperous and contented life.

’Who isn’t selfish?’

’I’m no different.’

For a fleeting moment, he truly wanted to give up.

But just then, he thought he could hear the pleas of the surrounding trees.

Their voices were mournful, desperate.

The Flower Clan Leader then remembered the look of regret on the previous Clan Leader’s face as he passed away. In the end, his heart still swelled with defiance.

’Hope is right here in front of me. If I give up now out of fear, I’ll surely be consumed by regret later.’

’I might as well take the gamble!’

The Flower Clan Leader spent the next while steeling himself, and finally, after about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he agreed.

"Song Dao You, don’t hold back. Use your most powerful attacks!"

Though his words were bold, deep down, he was terrified.

’That’s Divine Thunder we’re talking about!!’

’In his entire life, he had only ever witnessed an ordinary Heavenly Tribulation for advancement. When had he ever had to deal with Divine Thunder?’

"Rest assured, Clan Leader. Seeing your noble sacrifice, I too will do everything in my power to break the curse for the Plant and Tree Clan!"

Song Wanning smiled.

She felt a great deal of admiration for the Flower Clan Leader.

But she didn’t rush to begin. First, she needed to prepare some Elixir Pills to prevent her Spiritual Power and spiritual power from being depleted, which could affect the summoning of the Divine Thunder and cause the ritual to fail.

Hearing this, the Flower Clan Leader breathed a momentary sigh of relief. He led Song Wanning to a private resting chamber and had many precious Spirit Grass and Spiritual Medicines sent over for her to use as she wished.

But a sudden thought struck him, and he asked, "Song Dao You, might I borrow the Bodhi Tree Spirit for a moment?"

"A junior of my clan is on their last legs. I was hoping the Bodhi Tree Spirit could see if there’s anything that can be done to help them..."

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but feel he was being rather shameless.

It felt like he was constantly making demands of Song Wanning, always seeking her help.

But Song Wanning was magnanimous and didn’t mind in the slightest. She had a few of her little companions escort the Bodhi Tree Spirit with him.

Meanwhile, she faced the pile of Medicinal Herbs with a satisfied smile.

...

"You said you would take care of Song Wanning. Why haven’t I heard anything?"

Gong Ye casually brushed the medicinal powder from his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"You can’t blame me for that. Song Wanning has been staying in the Flower Clan’s territory this whole time. What can I do?"

Li Qingya was also frustrated. ’It’s been so long, and Song Wanning still hasn’t emerged,’ she thought.

’Is she planning to take up permanent residence in the Flower Clan?’

’If that’s the case, I’ll have to wait far too long!’

Gong Ye sensed her impatience and abruptly changed the subject. "The powder you gave me is very useful, but I’ve nearly run out. So, are you going to give me more, or will you just tell me the refinement method?"