Reincarnated as a Ginkgo Tree: I Create an Eternal Divine Kingdom - Chapter 116

Whoosh!

Twenty thousand years of lifespan vanished.

Su Mu’s Heart of Faith instantly advanced from the fifth-tier to the sixth-tier.

At that moment, Su Mu felt a significant change. His spiritual connection with those who possessed the Heart of Faith grew even stronger. He faintly sensed that with one more step, his power could be channeled into the Heart of Faith holders in some way.

This realization excited Su Mu. Perhaps he had indeed found a solution.

Without hesitation, Su Mu decided to enhance the Heart of Faith once more.

In an instant, fifty thousand more years of lifespan disappeared.

The Heart of Faith advanced from the sixth-tier to the seventh-tier.

Boom!

The Heart of Faith underwent a complete transformation.

Su Mu felt as though his world was spinning, and then he found himself seemingly standing in a vast starry sky. In this space, there was a central star, glowing like a sun.

Su Mu’s consciousness was centered on this “sun,” radiating outwards. At the same time, he noticed five other stars in this sky, each connected to the “sun.”

Su Mu immediately understood that these five stars represented the five Heart of Faiths he possessed. His followers who had the Heart of Faith numbered exactly five.

Su Mu clearly sensed that his will and power could now descend upon these five Heart of Faiths. Only those with the Heart of Faith would allow his presence to manifest within them. If someone’s faith was not pure, their instincts would repel his will and power, preventing his descent.

In Taikang City, Prime Minister Liang stood respectfully outside a solemn palace.

“It seems that the young girl from your Heaven and Earth Pavilion is quite impressive,” came a calm voice from within the palace.

“Your Majesty, Su Yao is indeed exceptional,” Prime Minister Liang responded. “She is highly talented and has a steady temperament. Since joining the Heaven and Earth Pavilion six months ago, she has never acted out of line.”

“But I heard she comes from the former Su Family Village, now Su City,” the Great Xia Emperor said. “Su City is right next to the Misty Forbidden Zone. Are you sure she poses no problem?”

Prime Minister Liang answered seriously, “Before she joined the Heaven and Earth Pavilion, I conducted a thorough investigation. She did indeed come from Su Family Village, and was first discovered in Nanling City when her cultivation was still in its early stages. If she were problematic, her cultivation wouldn’t have been so low at that time. As for Su City being enveloped by the Misty Forbidden Zone, that cannot be held against Su City. After all, even Nanjing City couldn’t withstand the Misty Forbidden Zone. What chance did Su City have? Besides, we have detected no trace of demonic energy in her. All the techniques she has practiced are those of the Great Xia, and she has benefited solely from the resources of our empire.”

“Very well, in that case, take her along on this trip to the spiritual land,” the Great Xia Emperor commanded.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Prime Minister Liang replied.

After leaving the palace, Prime Minister Liang returned to the Heaven and Earth Pavilion’s estate in the capital. Wasting no time, he headed straight for Su Yao’s courtyard.

“Pavilion Master,” Su Yao greeted him as she stood up from her cultivation.

Prime Minister Liang smiled warmly. “Su Yao, prepare yourself. Tomorrow, you will accompany me on a journey.”

Although he trusted Su Yao, Prime Minister Liang did not reveal the specifics of the mission. Su Yao, however, had a sense of what was happening, though she did not show it. She simply bowed respectfully. “Yes, Pavilion Master.”

Seeing that she asked no questions, Prime Minister Liang was even more satisfied. What he admired most about Su Yao was her composure. In the Heaven and Earth Pavilion, there were a few others her age with comparable talent, but none had her level of poise. This was why he chose Su Yao for this mission. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Liang was not one to easily trust others. He gave Su Yao a deep look but said nothing more.

That night, a message arrived in Su Yao’s courtyard, transmitted via a spiritual talisman.

Su Yao’s heart stirred as she received the message, surprised to find it came from Su City.

“Su Mo?” Su Yao was puzzled. The sender, named Su Mo, was a secondary core member of the Su family. While not part of the innermost circle, Su Mo was still important, serving under the Su Family’s leader, Su Yan.

“Miss, flee Taikang City at once, do not delay,” the message from Su Mo read. “Many in the family have been captured by the Empire and may reveal information about you. Taikang City is very dangerous.”

Su Yao raised an eyebrow. Su Mo’s message was highly suspicious. It lacked specific details, and if Su Yao had any guilty conscience, she might easily panic and flee. Since Su Mo was a significant family member, his words could easily shake her resolve.

Unfortunately, Su Mo was not privy to the fact that Su Yao and Su Yan possessed the Heart of Faith, allowing them to communicate directly with Su Mu regardless of distance. This communication was akin to the most devout believers conversing with their deity.

Although Su Yao felt a bit tense after reading Su Mo’s message, knowing she was indeed a hidden agent of the Misty Forbidden Zone within the Great Xia, she had committed many deeds that could not see the light of day. First, she attempted to send a message to her family.

Outside, Prime Minister Liang, hidden in the shadows, signaled to his subordinates, who intercepted Su Yao’s outgoing message using secret methods. When Su Yao received no response from her family, her anxiety grew, suspecting something had indeed gone wrong.

But instead of panicking, she immediately reached out to Su Mu, asking him to check with Su Yan if there was any trouble within the family. Su Mu, receiving Su Yao’s plea, didn’t need to ask Su Yan. He knew that many Su family members were currently training in the Misty Forbidden Zone’s underground world. If there had been any trouble, he would have known.

He directly responded to Su Yao: “Someone is testing you.”

Su Yao instantly understood. She replied to Su Mo: “Su Mo, I tried contacting the family but received no reply. However, the Su family has never betrayed the Great Xia. Even though Su City is now under the control of the Misty Forbidden Zone, our loyalty remains with the Great Xia. If the Empire decides to arrest me because of this, then it’s just unfortunate. But the Su family would never flee. Running away would only make it harder to clear our name.”

Naturally, this message was also intercepted by Prime Minister Liang’s men. After reading it, Prime Minister Liang was silent for a moment before a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He had judged Su Yao correctly. It seemed that Su Yao was indeed trustworthy, and he could safely take her to the Great Xia’s spiritual land.

Prime Minister Liang turned to his subordinate and instructed, “Make sure that Su Yao has no reason to harbor any resentment towards the Heaven and Earth Pavilion.”

If Su Yao were to learn that this test of her loyalty was his doing, it could leave a deep scar in her heart. This was something Prime Minister Liang could not allow. His subordinate understood immediately.

In Su City, a young man paced nervously, anxiety clear on his face. This young man was Su Mo. Three months earlier, agents from the Heaven and Earth Pavilion had approached him, attempting to buy him off with great promises. Despite the temptation, Su Mo initially refused. However, his gambling habits had left him deeply in debt. Over the past six months, during the construction of Su City, he had embezzled funds to pay off his debts, only to be caught by the Heaven and Earth Pavilion. This left him with no choice but to accept their offer.

Earlier, he had sent a message to Su Yao on behalf of the Heaven and Earth Pavilion, and they promised to extract him from Su City afterward. He was conflicted, feeling both regretful about leaving the Su family and relieved to escape the guilt that had plagued him.

Whoosh!

Half an hour later, a figure appeared before Su Mo.

“You’re here to take me away?” Su Mo asked, his face lighting up.

The figure was a hunchbacked man wearing the emblem of the Heaven and Earth Pavilion.

“Indeed, it’s time for your journey to end,” the man grinned.

“Journey to end?” Su Mo’s face paled as he realized something was wrong.

But the hunchbacked man moved swiftly, slitting Su Mo’s throat before he could react.

Thud!

Su Mo’s body collapsed to the ground. The hunchbacked man left as quietly as he had arrived. Soon after, Su family members discovered the scene.

Not long after, Su Yan arrived. Su Mo had held a significant position within the Su family. Su Yan, sensing something was amiss, immediately reported the incident to Su Mu, fearing that Su Yao might be in danger.

Su Yao soon learned of the event through Su Mu’s mental communication.

“Su Mo is dead?” Su Yao fell into brief silence. She instantly understood that the Heaven and Earth Pavilion had silenced Su Mo. Although Su Mo had betrayed the Su family and deserved death, he was still a member of the family. It was not the Heaven and Earth Pavilion’s place to kill him.

A cold light flickered in Su Yao’s eyes. She would remember this grievance.

The next day, Prime Minister Liang visited Su Yao’s courtyard again.

“Pavilion Master,” Su Yao greeted him with a troubled expression. “Last night, a Su family member, Su Mo, sent me a message claiming that some of my family members had been captured by the Empire.”

“Hmm?” Prime Minister Liang feigned ignorance. “The Empire hasn’t detained any Su family members recently. Don’t worry, Su Yao. Although Su City is now under the Misty Forbidden Zone’s control, we understand the circumstances and won’t hold it against you or your family.”

Hearing this, Su Yao appeared to relax, then asked in confusion, “Then why did Su Mo do this?”