Chapter 41: The Botanic Academy, Blue Silver Forest?
"System? Are you there?" Qi Tian called out.
No matter how many times he shouted, the so-called "idiot system" refused to respond. Whether it was feeling guilty or simply lacking any form of intelligence, he couldn't tell.
He sighed. "Forget it. When the cart reaches the mountain, there'll always be a road. So what if I've returned to the past? So what if this is a parallel world?"
"I'll act according to my own heart. As long as I don't regret it, that's enough," Qi Tian thought firmly.
His reason for possessing Bibi Dong and the others was twofold. First, he wanted the system's rewards — to borrow their talents and accelerate his cultivation.
Second, he wished to change the tragic fates he couldn't bear to see repeated.
Now, he had succeeded in changing at least one thing — Liu Erlong's family was whole again. That alone made it worthwhile.
"Let's keep moving."
Having sorted out his thoughts, Qi Tian felt his heart lighten. He continued northeast without hesitation.
A few days later, within the Silves Kingdom.
To the south of Silves City, near the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, lay a lush expanse of woodland. Hidden here was one of the top fifteen academies within the Heaven Dou Empire — the Botanic Academy, the very place Qi Tian sought.
At his current level — only Rank 12 — he couldn't yet enroll as a student. However, the cultivation environment here was perfectly suited for him.
"What rich vitality… This place is a natural paradise for plants!"
The small town surrounding the academy enjoyed a mild climate — humid but never stifling. Both humans and plants would find this environment delightful.
While passing through the nearby woods, Qi Tian even spotted several harmless plant-type soul beasts wandering freely.
Within the Botanic Academy itself, there were numerous mutated plants cultivated by the faculty — used by students to simulate and refine plant-based soul skills.
"This place is perfect," Qi Tian said with satisfaction.
The environment was extremely compatible with his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, and he immediately took a liking to it.
Having made up his mind, Qi Tian wasted no time. He rented a small residence in the academy town to settle down and focus on cultivation.
Time passed swiftly — nearly two and a half years.
On this particular day, deep within a forest not far from the Botanic Academy, Qi Tian sat cross-legged amid a sea of Blue Silver Grass, immersed in cultivation.
"I did it!" he exclaimed in delight.
He had successfully merged his soul presence with the surrounding Blue Silver Grass soul beasts, becoming one with them in both spirit and essence.
This was the first time he had ever achieved such harmony. Previously, he could only establish a weak mental connection with ordinary Blue Silver Grass.
Just then, he sensed countless blue motes of light drifting toward the forest's depths. From that same direction came a mysterious aura — a primal essence — resonating through the Blue Silver Grass soul beasts and into Qi Tian's own martial soul.
As he absorbed that essence, comprehension dawned within him, and his martial soul began to transform.
The core of his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul grew stronger. If his martial soul had once been comparable to a hundred-year-old soul beast, it was now evolving toward the level of a thousand-year species.
This was a bloodline awakening — a leap in life force itself.
With this breakthrough, even without the system or the Mysterious Heaven Skill, he wouldn't end up like Yu Xiaogang — stuck at Rank 29 forever.
Qi Tian focused completely, embracing the flood of primal energy and enlightenment radiating from the forest's heart.
After some time, his spiritual sense detected the nearby Blue Silver Grass soul beasts trembling — as if they were… cheering.
"King! King! King!"
They were mere ten- or hundred-year soul beasts, too simple-minded for speech, yet their emotions were clear: excitement, worship, and reverence.
"King? Could it be… that deep within this forest, there's a Blue Silver King?" Qi Tian muttered in wonder.
"This forest… could it be the Blue Silver Forest — the homeland of the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin?"
If his guess was correct, then that surge of primal energy earlier must have been a gift from the Blue Silver King to its kin — a blessing bestowed upon every Blue Silver Grass in the forest.
That essence carried the power of evolution — enabling ordinary Blue Silver Grass to transform into soul beasts, and lesser-ranked ones to evolve into hundred-year, thousand-year, or even ten-thousand-year species.
Unfortunately, the intelligence of these plant-type soul beasts was low, so few could comprehend or harness that gift fully.
In the end, Qi Tian was the one who reaped the greatest benefit, as his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul evolved yet again under that divine blessing.
"If this really is the Blue Silver Forest," he murmured, "then maybe… I can try communicating with the Blue Silver King."
With that thought, Qi Tian immediately sat cross-legged again, closing his eyes and entering a meditative state. He expanded his spiritual power, letting it flow outward through his Blue Silver Domain.
If he missed this opportunity, the Blue Silver King might soon return to slumber — and then it would be nearly impossible to make contact again.
Qi Tian released his spiritual sense into the forest, imitating the aura fluctuations of the surrounding Blue Silver Grass soul beasts, hoping to attract the king's attention.
Moments later, a powerful spiritual presence stirred from the depths of the forest.
"Young one, your progress is impressive. You've already developed remarkable intelligence for your kind."
A deep, ancient consciousness was transmitted directly into Qi Tian's mind.
Recognizing the contact, Qi Tian used the same telepathic communication technique he once employed while possessing Bibi Dong's body, replying through spiritual waves.
"Are you the Blue Silver King? I know something about the Blue Silver Emperor!"
He played his trump card without hesitation.
As expected, the spiritual presence in the distance suddenly fluctuated violently, the energy pulsing with surprise and agitation.
"What did you say? You know of the Emperor? Is that true?"
After a brief pause, the voice came again, filled with urgency.
"Quickly, come to me! Come to the heart of the forest!"
Qi Tian's eyes widened slightly. "So it really is the Blue Silver King…"
Following the guidance of that majestic aura, Qi Tian ventured deeper into the forest.
The deeper he went, the more ancient and primeval the forest became. Towering trees blotted out the sky, and the dense foliage radiated an overwhelming vitality. It felt more like a sacred jungle from ancient times than a mere forest of grass-type soul beasts.
Without the Blue Silver King's spiritual guidance, Qi Tian knew he would have easily gotten lost — or worse, fallen prey to the countless plant-type soul beasts lurking within. It was no wonder he had previously confined his training to the forest's outskirts.
But now, as he advanced, those very soul beasts quietly moved aside, parting to open a path before him.
After what felt like hours, Qi Tian finally reached the deepest part of the forest — and there, before him, stood an enormous ancient tree.
Its thick trunk bore the faint outline of a human face, aged and dignified. As Qi Tian approached, the face slowly stirred, ancient eyes opening with a deep, tranquil glow.
"A human soul master?" the aged voice rumbled. "You truly claim to know something about the Blue Silver Emperor?"
Qi Tian nodded. "Yes. The Blue Silver Emperor sacrificed herself… for a human soul master."
The Blue Silver King fell silent for a long time. Then, a sigh — heavy and sorrowful—echoed through the forest.
"So that's why I can no longer sense her presence… She has truly fallen, then…"
Its primal aura rippled faintly, and Qi Tian could feel the sorrow within it. The King's own essence had the power to evolve other Blue Silver Grass soul beasts, just as the Emperor's presence had once guided and strengthened him.
Without the Emperor's guidance, breaking through the hundred-thousand-year limit and ascending to the rank of Emperor would be many times more difficult.
But Qi Tian wasn't about to let despair linger.
"Blue Silver King, there's no need to grieve," he said firmly. "The Blue Silver Emperor left behind a seed — a chance for rebirth!"
The Blue Silver King trembled, its ancient voice rising with sudden hope.
"What? The Emperor isn't truly gone? Of course — with her power, how could anyone possibly kill her?"
Its tone grew emotional, filled with reverence and longing.
"Child, do you know where the Emperor is now? Has her resurrection encountered obstacles?"
Qi Tian exhaled softly, relieved. It seemed the Blue Silver King still held deep respect — and affection — for the Blue Silver Emperor.
He nodded solemnly. "You're right. The Blue Silver Emperor is indeed facing some… difficulties in her revival."
—
End of Chapter