Chapter Seventy-Two: The Grand Competition – The Summoning of the Free Wanderer

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Natan was eager to go treasure hunting in the ruins and wanted to make the exchange with Wood right away. Wood said, “Let’s make it clear first—this Fearless One is only lent to you. It will guarantee your safety in the ruins, but as soon as you leave, I’ll take it back.”

Natan didn’t mind. “As long as the other ten mechanical golems you give me have decent combat abilities, that’s enough.”

Wood nodded and hurriedly contacted Zigue.

“Combat robots? I have plenty here, but don’t you already have Fearless One from the Silicon-based Plane? That thing’s better than countless robots on my end,” Zigue said in surprise.

Wood replied, “They’re not for me—I’m trading them for something. It’s complicated, just send them over. I’ll pay you in energy crystals or reward points later!”

Zigue snickered. “Energy crystals and reward points, we’ll talk about that when you need them. But you owe me a favor for this!” As she spoke, she casually sent over ten robots. “You’re really lucky. My family just made about ten improved models. All are equipped with high-energy oscillation blades and particle pulse guns—powerful stuff. As for the market price… never mind, it’s useless to you anyway!”

“In that case, why not send me a few more? I’m planning to set up a base here, so extra combat robots would help!” Wood said offhandedly.

“A few more?” Zigue exclaimed. “You think these are cabbages? Do you know how much they cost? Each one is three million star coins—enough to buy a small spacecraft!”

Yet despite her words, Zigue still sent over two more robots.

“Beep… The other party is transmitting combat robots, science-fiction items, equipped with sci-fi battle gear. Energy consumption: energy crystals; standby mode consumes 1 energy point per minute, battle mode consumes 10 energy points per second. Accept?”

Wood accepted two robots for himself and had the system send the remaining ten directly to Natan, since transporting large items like these consumed a significant amount of energy points—smaller items weren’t so costly.

Natan was very satisfied with these improved battle robots. After a brief test, he transmitted the Seed of the Tree Giant, along with two porcelain bottles.

“These are spatial items. One contains Pure Solid Earth, the other Abyssal Water. Before planting the Tree Giant, dig a deep pit, pour these two into the soil, then drop in the seed. Oh, and before planting, you must recognize the seed as your master with a drop of blood, otherwise, once it grows wild, it won’t obey you!”

Wood took the Seed of the Tree Giant. It resembled a large green walnut, about the size of a watermelon, emitting a faint light. Its uneven surface was studded with small thorns, somewhat resembling the skin of a pineapple.

The system displayed: Seed of the Tree Giant, magical item, requires blood recognition, creates a small forest within a specified area. Trees in this forest can manifest as seven-meter-tall treefolk with low intelligence, possessing surveillance, warning, defense, and attack capabilities.

Seeing that blood recognition was needed, Wood casually bit his middle finger and dripped a drop of golden blood onto the seed. Unexpectedly…

“Beep… Seed of the Tree Giant catalyzed by immortal blood, abnormal evolution begins. Evolution Function 1: Spiritual link established between the Seed and the Plane Agent; all intelligent plants will regard Amu as a friendly entity. Function 2: Trees in the resulting forest can become ten meters tall, with human-level intelligence and double attack power. Function 3: Summon Treefolk. In any wooded area, Amu has a certain chance to summon treefolk to fight alongside him.”

Little Dingdang’s electronic voice brought Wood great surprise. The first function’s value was unknown, but the second would greatly enhance base defenses. The third was most crucial—summoning treefolk to fight! He recalled in “The Lord of the Rings,” justice’s side once enlisted treefolk, whose might was truly extraordinary!

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While Wood was quietly rejoicing, Little Dingdang’s voice sounded again: “Xiayaozi from the Immortal Cultivation Plane requests communication!”

“Huh…” Wood was puzzled. Wasn’t it said that closed cultivation in the Immortal Plane could last months or years? Why had his master emerged so soon?

“Sigh… I had no choice but to come out,” Xiayaozi said with resignation. “My sect’s grand competition is held every fifty years. The head has issued a golden decree: all accomplished disciples must gather at Chaotian Peak. First, to build connections with other sects, and second, to observe each other’s arts and prepare themselves.”

“Chaotian Peak? Where is that?” Wood asked. “I know little of the Immortal Plane. Why not just have the system bring me there when you arrive?”

“It’s not that simple. Before going to Chaotian Peak, you need approval from our sect leader. Besides, I haven’t reported to the founder to grant you a Taoist name—let’s settle that together this time.”

“Um, Master, can I not go? One more or less in Taixumen won’t make a difference!” Wood thought to himself that he was planning to build his own power on Earth—so many things awaited him, why wade into this mess?

Xiayaozi snapped, “You really don’t know what’s good for you! The Chaotian Peak competition happens only once every fifty years. Not only is it a chance to prove your cultivation, but also to exchange rare pills, flying swords, arrays, and more with fellow cultivators. Many would kill for this opportunity! If you hadn’t reached the liquid true essence stage, I wouldn’t bother calling you!”

“Yes, thank you for arranging this, Master. I’ll prepare and come at once!” Wood said hurriedly. Then he called over Mu Siyu and handed her the porcelain bottles containing Pure Solid Earth and Abyssal Water. “After Li Yun and the others have fenced off that open space, find someone to dig a pit ten meters deep and three meters across in the middle, pour these in, then drop in this seed. Also, get Li Yun to transplant some tall trees nearby.”

Mu Siyu didn’t know what this was, so Wood explained the origin and function of the Seed of the Tree Giant, trusting her intelligence to make the best arrangements.

“If Li Yun asks, just say I’ve returned to my sect. As for when I’ll be back, say about a month. Let him proceed with the plan, and tell him I hope that when I return, that patch of land will no longer be barren.”

Mu Siyu agreed immediately. She then saw a ripple appear before her as Wood vanished, understanding he’d gone to another plane.

A gentle breeze caressed his face; birdsong and floral fragrance greeted him. This was Wood’s first sensation upon crossing planes. Looking around, he saw mountains, streams, lush greenery—just like the place Xiayaozi had brought him to before. However, this time Wood noticed something: when he entered the Fantasy Plane, he’d received a prompt—no mission arranged, maximum stay one month, minimum fifteen days between visits, overstay would result in forced deportation and a fifty percent penalty to reward points.

But both times he’d entered the Immortal Plane, there was no such prompt. How strange.

“Hey, kid, why are you daydreaming?” Xiayaozi’s voice rang out.

“Master, do you have a time limit when you visit other planes?” Wood asked.

“Of course. Without limits, Plane Agents would have fought each other to death by now. If I went to the Fantasy Plane and the other Agent wasn’t powerful, I could just kill him and take his fortune.” Xiayaozi mused, “Why do you ask? Don’t you have restrictions on some plane?”

Wood nodded.

Xiayaozi was surprised. “Which plane? Does that mean you could just rob and kill at will?”

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Wood gave a wry smile. “I wouldn’t dare mess with people from this plane.”

Xiayaozi frowned. “What are you afraid of? You have me!”

Wood chuckled, and Xiayaozi suddenly felt a bad premonition. “Wait… Is it my plane?”

Wood gave a thumbs-up. “You’re quick on the uptake, Master!”

…Xiayaozi was speechless. After a long pause, he muttered, “This is odd. Is it because of our master-disciple bond? Is the system really that intelligent?”

A thought struck Wood, and he asked, “Little Dingdang, why am I not time-limited in the Immortal Plane?”

“Beep… Query complete. Amu possesses the power of immortal cultivation. The system identifies Amu as an Immortal, thus not subject to this plane’s restrictions.”

Oh… So that was the reason. Both understood at once. The system was, after all, just a machine. It could only judge one’s identity based on their cultivation path. In other words, if Wood cultivated in the Fantasy Plane’s style, he could probably become a national archmage there.

Wood worried, “Does that mean I might not be able to return to the Basic Material Plane?”

Little Dingdang replied, “This system is based in the Basic Material Plane. No matter what power Amu cultivates, you may always return.”

Only then was Wood reassured.

Suddenly, Xiayaozi’s eyes glinted as he looked Wood up and down.

Wood felt uneasy and quickly said, “Master, I swear I have no devious intentions toward you—you don’t have to look at me like that!”

Xiayaozi shook his head and frowned. “Wood, have you had some sort of encounter recently? Your state… I can’t quite see through it. You’re clearly still at the liquid true essence stage, yet I sense you can faintly connect with the world’s energies. That shouldn’t be possible.”

Wood nodded. “Master, I was just about to ask you about this.” He then recounted everything he had experienced in the ancient tomb.

“The Primordial Heaven Mirror? Golden Flood Dragon Shears? And a Wu Zhou?” Xiayaozi was astonished. “Wood, your luck is truly extraordinary!”