Patriarch Hua: "..."
They finally gave up on their temper, forced themselves to calm down, and squeezed out a smile.
"I didn't mean anything else, I was just curious!"
They didn't dare show Song Wanníng even a hint of attitude. Right now, the entire Cao Mu Clan was counting on her!
"Hehe."
Song Wanníng smiled politely, then took out the red blood lotus.
"The blood fiend energy did come from it, but at the core, it acted out of fear. It just wanted to protect itself. It's got nothing to do with any curse. Everything that happened was just a coincidence."
The Bodhi Tree Spirit had mentioned this from the start. After all, it had the same temperament.
From the moment it was born, it had been alone, helpless, and naturally timid.
"So that's how it is!"
Patriarch Hua sighed. The forbidden ground of the Hua Clan had been sealed off for so long because of the blood fiend, but who would've thought it was all because the blood lotus was scared?
It was both frustrating and funny.
Yet for some reason, they felt a wave of relief. Now that the blood lotus was found, the Hua Clan and Cao Mu Clan could finally stop suffering. Honestly, this was the best outcome possible.
They glanced at the tiny lotus, which didn't look the least bit malicious, and their tone softened.
"Since the blood fiend's been dealt with, let's find a way to break the curse right away, shall we?"
At this point, they didn't care about anything else. All they wanted was to lift the curse, return to the Cao Mu Clan, and fulfill the ancestors' long-cherished wish.
"Alright."
Song Wanníng didn't waste words. She first placed the red lotus inside her internal world, letting it keep the Bodhi Tree Spirit company. Then she followed Patriarch Hua out of the forbidden ground.
Without the blood fiend energy, the towering trees behind them finally stretched their branches freely again.
When she stepped once more into that hidden paradise, her gaze shifted subtly.
Looking at the countless trees, flowers, and herbs, a deep sense of responsibility welled up in her heart. If the curse could really be broken, then this world's ecosystem would become far more vibrant. In a way, she was helping heal the world that had once been torn apart by scars.
"Bodhi Tree Spirit, what should we do now?"
She summoned the Bodhi Tree Spirit out. The air stilled around them, every breeze waiting for its answer.
The Bodhi Tree Spirit looked nervous but still mustered the courage to explain the method. When it finished, Song Wanníng fell silent.
Her eyes darkened slightly as she turned to Patriarch Hua with a grave expression.
"What's wrong?" Patriarch Hua's heart skipped a beat. They quickly said, "Whatever you need, just say it! I'll do it!"
Their tone was anxious, desperate even. Whatever Song Wanníng wanted, they'd give it.
But she shook her head. "To break the curse, Patriarch Hua, you'll have to take part personally."
As she recalled the Bodhi Tree Spirit's words, sympathy flickered in her eyes.
Patriarch Hua felt uneasy under her gaze, their tone faltering. "What do you mean, Song Daoyou?"
"Have you ever seen the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder or the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder?"
Those two thunders were the ones she could currently command.
But to Patriarch Hua, her words struck like lightning. "I… I haven't. What are you trying to say?"
A bad feeling crept into their heart.
It couldn't be what they were thinking, right?
"According to the Bodhi Tree Spirit, the Cao Mu Clan is bound by a curse from the evil race. You're no longer acknowledged or protected by the Heavenly Dao. So to break the curse, we need to summon divine thunder to strike it away.
You'll have to reclaim the Cao Mu Clan's true identity, face the divine thunder head-on, and let it destroy the curse."
Song Wanníng finished speaking and said no more. For Patriarch Hua, this was an unimaginable challenge.
Beast race already feared heavenly thunder, but for plant spirits like the Cao Mu Clan, that fear ran to the very depths of the soul.
And now, they had to face the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder...
That was practically suicide.
One chance in ten thousand to live, just to earn a single hope of breaking the curse. How could anyone weigh that cost easily?
The wind whispered softly through the trees as Patriarch Hua stood among them, figure lonely and still.
Song Wanníng's words echoed over and over in their mind.
The curse could only be erased by divine thunder.
But how many bolts would it take? Would it really break the curse? And if it did, would they even survive?
At that moment, they truly hesitated. Even though the Hua Clan and Cao Mu Clan were separate now, both still lived in peace.
And they, Patriarch Hua, held power and respect, living a life of comfort and pride.
Who wasn't selfish? They were no exception.
For a brief moment, they really wanted to give up. But then, faint cries filled their mind—pleas from the trees around them.
The voices were filled with sorrow and despair.
Patriarch Hua remembered the regretful death of the previous patriarch, and their heart burned with unwillingness. Hope was right here. If they gave it up out of fear, they'd never forgive themselves. So why not take the gamble?
They steeled themselves, building courage little by little.
After a full incense stick's time, they finally nodded.
"Song Daoyou, don't hold back. Do it with everything you've got!"
Their voice was bold, but deep down, they were trembling.
After all, this was divine thunder!
In all their life, they'd only ever seen tribulation lightning, never divine thunder itself.
"Don't worry, Patriarch Hua. Your courage honors the Cao Mu Clan. I'll give it my all to break this curse for your people!"
Song Wanníng smiled, sincere admiration flickering in her heart. Still, she didn't rush. She first prepared several pills to stabilize her spiritual and mental strength, ensuring nothing would disrupt her thunder summoning.
Hearing that, Patriarch Hua relaxed a little and personally led her to a special resting chamber. They even brought her many rare spirit herbs and medicines for her use.
Then suddenly, something occurred to them.
"Song Daoyou, could I borrow the Bodhi Tree Spirit for a bit? My junior's condition is critical. I'd like the Bodhi Tree Spirit to take a look and see if there's a way to help."
Even as they said it, embarrassment colored their tone. They'd already asked so much from her, and now they were asking again.
But Song Wanníng didn't mind at all. She smiled warmly and sent a few of her little companions to accompany the Bodhi Tree Spirit to Patriarch Hua.
Then she turned back to the pile of herbs before her, satisfaction lighting her face.
...
"You said you'd take care of Song Wanníng. Why hasn't there been any movement yet?"
Gong Ye brushed the powder off his hands, his eyes cold.
"Don't blame me. Song Wanníng's been holed up in Hua Clan territory this whole time. What am I supposed to do?"
Li Qingya looked just as annoyed. It had been so long, yet Song Wanníng still hadn't come out.
Was she planning to stay there forever?
If that was the case, then the wait would be endless!
Gong Ye saw her impatience and smirked. "That powder you gave me works great, but I'm almost out. So, are you giving me more, or will you just tell me the formula?"