Reincarnated as a Ginkgo Tree: I Create an Eternal Divine Kingdom - Chapter 164

Wutong Island was located within the Crescent Archipelago of the Taiwei Ocean.

The Crescent Archipelago was composed of over ten thousand islands, its shape resembling a giant crescent that stretched over thirty thousand miles. Wutong Island was just one of these islands.

As the battle between the humans and the Phoenix raged, various thoughts and intents crossed through the void over the other islands.

“A large number of human experts have finally arrived,” said a massive brown lizard.

This creature was a Modo Giant Lizard, a species unique to the Crescent Archipelago. As the chieftain of the Modo Giant Lizards and the ruler of the Modo Forbidden Zone, its power was terrifying.

“With the greed of the human race, it is not surprising that they flock here upon learning of a Phoenix,” laughed a brightly feathered Elysian Bird. “Fortunately, that Phoenix was foolish enough not to conceal its presence during its breakthrough, drawing the attention of the world.”

“Let’s watch them tear each other apart, and then we can strike,” sneered a massive rhino.

Humans believe themselves to be at the top of the food chain, unaware that the era has changed.

As the humans say, ‘While the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind.’

Now, they were the orioles lurking in the shadows.

On Wutong Island, three hours had unknowingly passed since the battle began.

Despite the Phoenix’s incredible combat prowess, it could no longer hold out under the relentless attacks of tens of thousands of human cultivators.

Suddenly, with a mournful cry, it fell from the sky to the ground.

A hush fell over the area.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the Phoenix.

“You humans think yourselves clever, but do you recall your own saying, ‘When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman gains?’” the Phoenix said coldly.

“Phoenix, what do you mean by this?” a powerful human cultivator asked.

This powerful cultivator was Elder McKinley from the Haori Alliance.

McKinley was covered in wounds, as were many of the powerful humans present. The ground was also littered with hundreds of corpses.

Hundreds of bodies did not mean only hundreds had died. Many had been reduced to ashes in the fierce battle.

Over eight thousand had died in total, a testament to the Phoenix’s might.

Suddenly, terrifying presences began to appear.

Gigantic lizards, immense rhinos, and massive Elysian Birds—one after another, these colossal beings emerged.

Each of these figures was a ruler-level existence.

Only then did the human cultivators realize they had severely underestimated the power of the creatures in the ocean. The strength of the Crescent Archipelago alone rivaled that of a top-tier nation.

“Master, we should retreat,” Su Yao decisively suggested.

The situation had grown far too complicated, and even with her strength, it would be challenging to ensure her own safety.

Primer Minister Liang was not one to hesitate. He looked toward the distant battlefield, where Pavilion Master Zhu and Elder Fang were still locked in combat with the Phoenix.

“Su Yao, others can be sacrificed, but not you. You are the future of our empire,” Minister Liang stated. “Let’s go. I’ll escort you out.”

Without delay, Minister Liang led a hundred elite soldiers and escorted Su Yao away.

After flying for over twenty miles, He Liangyue suddenly cried out, “Master Liang, Commander Su, look over there. Are those people from the Ancient Tomb Empire?”

“Huh?”

Minister Liang and Su Yao turned to look in the direction He Liangyue pointed.

Immediately, they saw a group of people stealthily slipping out from a volcano behind the Phoenix.

Ordinarily, the Phoenix resided within the volcano. There must be something crucial hidden there.

Upon spotting the Ancient Tomb Empire’s group, Minister Liang and Su Yao’s eyes widened.

At the center of the group was a woman holding a baby girl that appeared human.

However, the baby was undoubtedly not human, as she had been taken from within the Phoenix’s volcano. A normal human infant could not survive inside a volcano.

Moreover, the infant emitted a strong fragrance, like the scent of osmanthus flowers.

“What is the origin of this baby, and why is she in the Phoenix’s volcano?” Minister Liang wondered in astonishment.

“The people of the Ancient Tomb Empire are certainly adept at sneaky tactics,” He Liangyue remarked. “No powerful cultivators dared enter the Phoenix’s lair, yet they managed to sneak into the forbidden area and even steal a baby.”

However, the people of the Ancient Tomb Empire had clearly underestimated the Phoenix’s perception abilities.

In an instant, the Phoenix seemed to realize the baby had been stolen. It turned its gaze towards the group from the Ancient Tomb Empire and let out an angry screech.

This immediately drew the attention of all the other humans and monsters on the battlefield.

“That baby is unusual.”

“Why does the Phoenix care so much about her?”

“Could she be some kind of ultimate treasure?”

The humans and monsters were all amazed, but their focus differed.

The monster rulers of the Crescent Archipelago primarily targeted the Phoenix. For them, destroying the Phoenix and obtaining its blood was more important than seizing a treasure. Monsters were not usually enamored with material wealth.

The humans, however, were different. Their attention immediately shifted from the Phoenix to the baby.

“I couldn’t understand why the Phoenix did not hide its presence during the breakthrough.”

“It must have been concealing a greater secret. Now it seems this baby is that secret.”

“This isn’t a human baby but a mysterious treasure or a miraculous elixir.”

“I lean towards the miraculous elixir theory because she gives off an intense floral fragrance that refreshes the spirit.”

“In ancient times, it is said that the Ginseng Fruit appeared like a human infant, and consuming it would grant instant immortality.”

The human cultivators were ecstatic.

The mention of “instant immortality” sent them into a frenzy.

No matter how precious the Phoenix’s fortune might be, it could not grant instant immortality. However, if this baby were indeed the Ginseng Fruit or something similar, it could provide exactly that.

This was the ultimate temptation, impossible to resist for anyone with ambition.

The people of the Ancient Tomb Empire panicked instantly.

At that moment, Su Yao suddenly called out to them, “Join forces with Great Xia. You will receive thirty percent of the gains, and we will take seventy percent. What do you say?”

The Ancient Tomb Empire’s people were immediately tempted.

If Su Yao had proposed an even split or demanded a greater share, they would not have believed her. But offering thirty percent showed genuine sincerity and suggested that Great Xia truly wanted to cooperate.

And Great Xia was undeniably powerful. An alliance with them might allow the Ancient Tomb Empire to secure the spoils.

“Agreed, we’ll cooperate,” the Grand Elder of the Ancient Tomb Empire responded decisively.

Both Pavilion Master Zhu and Elder Fang glanced approvingly at Su Yao. Her offer had instantly given Great Xia the upper hand.

Minister Liang, however, was worried. He had wanted to get Su Yao out of this dangerous situation. Now, her decision might bring immense benefit to Great Xia, but it also dragged her deeper into a perilous position.

“Let’s move,” said Pavilion Master Zhu.

Minister Liang could only sigh in resignation. He knew there was no changing the situation now.

Afterward, Great Xia and the Ancient Tomb Empire joined forces, combining their fleets into one.

The cultivators of the other nations quickly gave up on the Phoenix and pursued the combined fleets of Great Xia and the Ancient Tomb Empire.

As time passed, the osmanthus fragrance emanating from the baby grew stronger. Even the sea monsters around the area became agitated.

This scent had a deadly allure for humans.

The cultivators were now more convinced than ever that the baby was the Ginseng Fruit.