Aksai stored the corrupted druid’s body in his storage ring.
He then glanced at the demon tree, which had started to shrink in size and presence.
After the corrupted druid’s death, the tree seemed to have lost its life force. It would have attacked Aksai and others after the druid’s death if it weren’t for the soul-based treasure Aksai had used.
This treasure not only affected the druid but also the demon tree due to their connection. The demon tree had limited consciousness to begin with. As such, when it was subjected to the Blood Soul Lamp’s effects through the corrupted druid, it lost all of its consciousness.
‘I need to create a distraction for my escape,’ Aksai thought to himself as he looked at the martial artists and then at the demon tree.
Swoosh. Zoom. Chop.
Aksai held his Flying Lian Sword and sent out a potent flying slash towards the tree trunk. The slash was strong enough to chop half the trunk, causing the tree to start falling toward the martial artists and lifeless tree devils.
Aksai stored the bodies of the two demon tree guardians for research. He then watched as the martial artists fled from the city square, seeing the giant tree with countless branches about to fall on them.
Crash!
With a loud noise, the demon tree fell, crushing various structures and abandoned buildings in the city square. The martial artists who wanted to meet Aksai for various reasons were forced to distance themselves from him. They still held some fear when they looked at the demon tree.
‘Hm? This looks interesting,’ Aksai thought as he spotted a demon tree seed in the middle of the chopped trunk.
With Light Steps, he quickly approached the seed, stored it in his ring, and bolted in the opposite direction of the martial artists, away from Serenity Peak.
Aksai had no immediate plans to return to Serenity Peak.
He had revealed many of his trump cards during the process, attracting a lot of attention. He didn’t want a group of Argent Body Realm martial artists chasing after him right after he had ended the nightmare for Serenity Peak.
As such, it was better for him if he were to fade from people’s memories for the time being.
As for Zinnia and the others?
Aksai had already given them plenty of wealth and resources before starting the all-out war.
He had also ensured that most of those loyal to him survived the Devil’s Den war. This was the extent of his abilities without jeopardizing his own interests.
Aksai expected Zinnia and the others to survive and prosper on their own merits post-war. If there was a chance, he could meet them again. Until then, he could only wish them well in his heart.
After all, he had his own problems to take care of. Bigger problems that might kill him in a few years if he didn’t do anything soon.
***
Shamrock Peak, Emerald Cove, Cultivation World Dadangar
Shamrock Sanctuary – Aksai’s Palace
A few weeks later.
Aksai sat cross-legged on the floor in the center of a spacious hall specifically designed for his Spirit cultivation practices. The ground beneath him was illuminated with various Essence Equations arranged in a circular format.
These Essence Equations were part of the large Yantra based on the Stellar Greenwood Tantra. An essence-gathering Array Formation had been superimposed on the Yantra, creating an ideal environment for Aksai to cultivate in.
Compared to regular lands, cultivating on a Spirit Vein island was always a better choice for any Spirit cultivator. On regular days, Aksai would have appreciated the benefits the Emerald Cove brought to his daily Spirit cultivation practices.
However, this was not one of those days.
The Spirit farmer was digesting a few pills he had consumed a few minutes ago while practicing Stellar Greenwood Tantra.
[ Vital Qi Restoration Pill’s effects have been digested. Obtained mildly rejuvenating effects for the user’s lifespan. Current estimated lifespan: 7 years, 4 months, and 14 days.]
[ Life Essence Rejuvenation Elixir’s effects have been digested. Obtained mildly rejuvenating effects for the user’s lifespan. Current estimated lifespan: 7 years, 4 months, and 16 days.]
[ Eternal Qi Renewal Pill’s effects have been digested. Obtained mildly rejuvenating effects for the user’s lifespan. Current estimated lifespan: 7 years, 4 months, and 19 days.]
[….]
[….]
[….]
[ Estimated total increment in the user’s lifespan: 8 days and 13 hours ]
[ The user is suggested to find more potent Lifeforce-nourishing elixirs to get rid of the druid’s curse ]
“How… could it be like this? I could only recover around a week’s worth of my lost lifespan. Why do I feel cheated all of a sudden?”
Aksai had an ugly expression on his face as he looked at the results of his efforts in concocting various elixirs for himself using the precious resources of his Everwood farm.
“No. Wait, Aksai Everwood. There’s still hope.”
Aksai calmed himself down because there was nobody to do that for him.
He took out a glass vial containing the processed primer liquid from his storage ring. He shook the vial lightly, watching the liquid swirl within it as numerous thoughts raced through his mind.
The last few weeks had been very productive. Probably because Aksai felt that his a** was on fire and he needed to do something about the druid’s curse.
He had already extracted the bloodline from the corrupted druid’s corpse. After the extraction, he found many impurities within it.
Through years of bloodline experimentation, Aksai had developed significant expertise in refining the original bloodline and making it more potent.
Aksai used various methods at his disposal to refine the dead druid’s bloodline, making it reach its full potential. He then paired the refined bloodline with the primer liquid obtained beforehand, finally completing the puzzle he had been working on for years.
“This… this is my last hope. Otherwise, I’d have to take some desperate gambles, which I’m not really good at.”
With stoic expressions on his face, Aksai pondered. He then looked at the primer liquid within the glass vial before he decided to make up his mind.
“Well, there’s only one way to find out if it works or not,” Aksai thought, determination flashing in his eyes.
After ensuring he was in a perfect state and completely isolated from any interference, he uncorked the glass vial with conviction.
He then brought the vial to his lips and emptied its contents down his throat.