Chapter 106: Chapter 106

As long as the true energy keeps being infused, this Mysterious Spirit Tree can continue to grow within one’s body. At its ultimate state, its branches cover every meridian, and its spiritual treasure fruits fill every spiritual cavity!

In theory, as long as there is enough spiritual energy, one can advance all the way to the Sixth Great Realm.

After that, all it takes is one transformation of the spirit tree to increase one’s realm by a level again. However, the transformation requires massive resources and the ability to seize the essence of other spirit trees and divine woods in the world, which is extremely difficult in itself.

Even so, it’s much easier than it is for ordinary cultivators.

This thing can be considered one of the top-ranked chance treasures within the Eight Desolates!

Owen Bertram was even a little tempted himself at first glance. It didn’t seem to be inferior to his brother. But after some careful research, he found some minor "problems" with this treasure.

The Mysterious Spirit Tree has a terrifying demand for spiritual energy.

With a little calculation, Owen found that in the First Great Realm, relying on one’s own cultivation, one could barely provide enough spiritual energy for the Mysterious Spirit Tree.

After advancing to the Second Level, even if they cultivated the top tier practices, with a life-and-death struggle, they couldn’t provide enough spiritual energy for the tree to grow, so they must introduce "external spiritual energy."

Once there is insufficient spiritual energy, no significant harm can be seen in the short term, at most slowing down the progress of cultivation. But over time, the Mysterious Spirit Tree will draw power from the cultivator itself to supplement itself.

Also, once the Mysterious Mechanism Seed is planted in the body, it becomes inseparable from the cultivator. Its roots will pierce the soul, making it impossible to peel off.

In simpler terms, this thing appears to be a powerful auxiliary tool, but it is essentially a vampire. Once its supply is insufficient, it will consume its owner!

In the early stages, one’s own cultivation can supply it, and in the middle stages, plundering others can sustain it. But in the later stages... even if one’s entire energy is used to plunder spiritual energy, one might not be able to satisfy its appetite.

So who is the real master if one plants this thing? Who controls whom? Essentially, it’s a parasite.

Owen originally wanted to plant it in his sister, but after understanding its mysteries, decided to give up on it.

Even if this thing is potentially a deep pit... probably 99% of cultivators in this world can’t resist the temptation.

Even for himself, if it weren’t for having his brother, he might have wanted to take a chance.

"I can’t use it myself - but it can be used to harm others."

He carefully stored away the Mysterious Mechanism Seed and was in a good mood. In one night, he went from the Ignition Acupoint Level to the Fire Vein Level! He patted the wooden bottle, encouraging Little Loach, "In the future, when you eat, you can be bolder. We need to dare to explore and try new things, and we can take bigger steps."

How many Tire-2 Demon Beasts had he eaten in the rogue river lately? There wasn’t much benefit. Last time he ate a Tire-3 Demonic Beast, the Giant Crocodile, and this time an exotic plant, both of which brought significant progress!

That night, Owen slept soundly, while Little Loach tossed and turned in the wooden bottle, feeling cramped and ill-suited to its temperament.

In the morning, Vanessa Thoughts of Shadow came out of the Taoist temple. At this time, the government official of County Town should have already delivered breakfast, so she went to collect it herself.

There are seven or eight people in the Taoist temple. Although Owen is her subordinate, Vanessa is the one who picks up the food every day.

It couldn’t be helped; the government officials were more willing to interact with Vanessa and still had some fear of people coming from the Extinct Village.Vanessa Thoughts of Shadow didn’t have any pretense and took on the responsibility willingly.

However, today, when she came out, she saw several government officials and a group of Horizon Captains standing nearby.

"Hmm?" Vanessa was puzzled. A Jade Communication Talisman suddenly flew out of her arms, and Cersei Bertram’s voice sounded: "Don’t be afraid, Vanessa. Our Devin Family is not easy to bully."

The group of Horizon Captains approached, with the Head of Inner Doctrine leading them. He held a unique token in his left hand and pressed his waist saber with his right hand. He spoke solemnly, "Head of Inner Doctrine, Vanessa Thoughts of Shadow, Trial Training General Bertram, Internal Canon Interrogation!"

Vanessa frowned, and a sense of danger rose in her heart.

The Internal Canon was an organization within the Horizon Bureau, specifically for investigating their own people. If most people of the Wood Dynasty feared the Horizon Bureau, then those within the Horizon Bureau feared the Internal Canon the most.

The Head of Inner Doctrine raised his hand: "Lead the way!"

Vanessa remained calm, quickly thinking in her heart, why had the people from the Internal Canon come?

She walked ahead while the group of people from the Internal Canon followed behind. She glanced sideways at the Head of Inner Doctrine, who said: "Miss Vanessa, don’t worry too much. We, from the Internal Canon, are just following procedures. You’re from the Devin Family, without solid evidence, who can do anything to you?"

Vanessa felt slightly relieved, but she didn’t dare to fully trust the other party.

The Internal Canon’s reputation had never been good.

Ava Bertram was sucking her fingers, eagerly looking at the entrance of the small courtyard, waiting for Clara to bring food back.

Owen Bertram helplessly pulled Verna’s hand out of her mouth for the fourth time - in no time, she would unconsciously put it back in.

Vanessa Thoughts of Shadow appeared at the door. Ava Bertram cheered and jumped up: "Dinner time!"

But Vanessa had no food container in her hand, and a row of black-faced military officers followed her. Verna was frightened, and Vanessa gently stroked her head, feeling endless pity in her heart. She knew very well how terrifying a punishment it was for this girl not to eat a meal.

Owen Bertram also looked at Vanessa in confusion. Vanessa lowered her head and said, "The people from the Internal Canon have come to investigate us..."

Owen Bertram laughed in anger, "Investigate us? For what? Although I already knew that the Horizon Bureau was completely corrupt, the fact that they launched an internal investigation against two major contributors was beyond my understanding."

The Head of Inner Doctrine showed the token to Owen Bertram and said, "We’re just following the rules. After all, it’s related to the Magic Wave, and the government office has to be cautious."

He magically took out a candy man from his Brocade Pouch and handed it to Ava Bertram with a smile, "You haven’t had dinner yet, right? This is for you."

Ava Bertram’s eyes lit up. She drooled but still looked at her elder brother. Owen Bertram sighed and nodded his head, and Ava Bertram immediately took it with both hands, happily saying, "Thank you, uncle!"

The Head of Inner Doctrine was caught off guard by the title "uncle". His face twitched three times and said to Vanessa Thoughts of Shadow and Owen Bertram, "Well, let’s get started."

A few rooms were cleared out in the Taoist temple. The Head of Inner Doctrine first interrogated Vanessa, with Owen Bertram waiting in another room. Two military officers outside guarded them with Howling of the Wolf.

Owen Bertram clicked his tongue in admiration, thinking that the Internal Canon was really something else - each of the six military officers that the Head of Inner Doctrine brought had a piece of the Wolf’s Howl!

In less than half a shichen (2 hours), the interrogation of Vanessa Thoughts of Shadow ended, and the Head of Inner Doctrine entered Owen Bertram’s room.

Vanessa was not restricted in her freedom. When she came out, she saw Ava Bertram had already licked her candy man clean and had made a large basket of popcorn. While eating, she started a fire and cooked a pot of various wild vegetables that were just picked and mixed with some food from the Taoist temple.

Vanessa originally had a heavy heart, but for some reason, when she saw the girl, her worries vanished like smoke, and she couldn’t help but reveal a sunny smile.