Growth!
Crazy growth!
The Ancient Tree, originally about thirty meters tall, underwent a transformation once again.
The Ancient Tree that was once thirty meters grew to a full fifty meters before finally coming to a halt.
At the same time.
After stepping into the middle grade of the first tier, Gu Qingyang felt that the power he commanded now was almost double that before his breakthrough.
If it were his current self facing that first-tier upper-grade Fierce Beast again, he could resolve it without much effort.
Then.
Gu Qingyang settled his mind and looked at his current attributes.
...
Name: Gu Qingyang
Essence: Ancient Tree
Lifespan: 10/1500
Rank: First-tier middle grade (80/2000)
Innate Divine Techniques: Death Root (first tier), Vigorous Growth (first tier), Spiritual Energy Affinity (first tier), Ancient Tree Talent (first tier)
...
"The lifespan is already fifteen hundred years!"
Seeing his lifespan, Gu Qingyang couldn't help but sigh to himself.
Indeed.
The lifespan of trees cannot be compared to other creatures.
Just being at the first-tier middle grade can live for fifteen hundred years. If I continue to break through, not to say immortal, but living for tens of thousands of years seems quite feasible.
However.
Although lifespan has increased, the breakthrough to the next tier has also become much more difficult.
"Two thousand Evolution Values to break through to the first-tier upper grade; the Ancient Tree Talent is truly a double-edged sword. If not for its influence, my breakthrough would be much easier!"
Gu Qingyang felt a bit helpless.
Two thousand Evolution Values is not a small number.
Even if it meant devouring first-tier upper-grade Fierce Beasts, it would take ten of them to meet the evolution requirement.
However.
The Ancient Tree Talent isn't completely useless.
From the battle with the Giant Ape Fierce Beast, it could be seen that although Gu Qingyang was a first-tier lower grade, he could still fight and kill a first-tier upper-grade Fierce Beast, showing his solid foundation.
Now that he has broken through to the first-tier middle grade, slaying a first-tier upper-grade Fierce Beast is even easier. The only question is whether he can fight a second-tier Fierce Beast.
"The Innate Divine Techniques haven't changed much; it seems that for a divine technique to evolve, there must be a major breakthrough!"
Seeing that the Innate Divine Techniques hadn't evolved, Gu Qingyang felt a tinge of regret but wasn't overly concerned.
Now, he has somewhat figured out a pattern.
A minor breakthrough within a tier does not bring about significant changes; only breaking through to the next tier will yield substantial evolutions.
Now.
Gu Qingyang stepped into the first-tier middle grade. The Ancient Tree's body rose to fifty meters, but compared to other trees over a hundred meters, it still seems quite small.
However, it is worth mentioning that Gu Qingyang hasn't seen any other Ancient Tree with the same situation as himself.
This shows.
Not every Ancient Tree is capable of cultivation; he is indeed an exception.
Furthermore.
Upon reaching the first-tier middle grade, the roots and stems of the Ancient Tree can now extend to a region of three hundred meters. Any Fierce Beast stepping into this area gets hunted by Gu Qingyang.
Moreover, he can sense any disturbances immediately.
This.
Undeniably greatly enhances Gu Qingyang's survival ability.
...
Time passed.
Seasons changed from spring to summer and back.
On the bare ground stood a sixty-meter tall Ancient Tree, its canopy-like branches and leaves hanging down, yet no birds perched on it.
Occasionally, a Fierce Beast stepped into this realm, only to be pierced and slain by the sudden roots, then its entire body dragged underground and forcibly devoured.
"Devoured a first-tier upper-grade Fierce Beast and gained two hundred Evolution Values!"
...
Name: Gu Qingyang
Essence: Ancient Tree
Lifespan: 15/2000
Rank: First-tier upper grade (4300/5000)
Innate Divine Techniques: Death Root (first tier), Vigorous Growth (first tier), Spiritual Energy Affinity (first tier), Ancient Tree Talent (first tier)
...
"Five years!"
Gu Qingyang glanced at his attributes and realized that five years had passed unknowingly.
Since becoming an Ancient Tree, his sense of time has increasingly dulled; five years seem to pass in the blink of an eye.
In the span of five years.
Gu Qingyang continuously devoured Fierce Beasts and refined the Sun and Moon Essence while diligently absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, steadily enhancing his strength.
Three years ago.
Gu Qingyang managed to break the limits, advancing from the first-tier middle grade directly to the first-tier upper grade.
The breakthrough in rank extended his lifespan to two thousand years, but the Evolution Value required for further breakthrough surged to five thousand points.
In terms of strength, there was also significant improvement.
A year ago.
A first-tier perfect Fierce Beast entered the Ancient Tree's domain, only to be swiftly subdued by Gu Qingyang's thunderous action. Six months ago, a second-tier lower-grade Fierce Beast stepped in and met the same fate.
It can be said.
Although Gu Qingyang is still a first-tier upper grade, he can face a second-tier lower-grade Fierce Beast without any problem.
The advantage of the Ancient Tree Talent has become increasingly evident.
Being able to slay a second-tier lower-grade Fierce Beast at the first-tier upper grade shows a strong potential to kill a second-tier middle-grade Fierce Beast upon reaching first-tier perfection.
Now.
With five years of accumulation, Gu Qingyang is only seven hundred points away from first-tier perfection.
However—
It takes five thousand Evolution Values to advance from first-tier upper grade to first-tier perfection, so stepping into second-tier lower grade will require even more.
"With my current strength, I should be considered one of the strong ones in the mountains. After all, despite not stepping into the second tier, my true strength is not inferior to the second tier."
Gu Qingyang mused to himself.
Over the past decade, he has encountered quite a few Fierce Beasts.
When he was at the zero tier, those Fierce Beasts seemed immensely powerful, but looking back now, they weren't as formidable as expected.
Reaching the second tier is nearly the pinnacle.
Like the Golden Feathered Divine Eagle, in fifteen years, Gu Qingyang has only seen one.
As can be seen.
A Fierce Beast that reaches the second tier is indeed strong.
As long as he doesn't encounter a Fierce Beast of the Golden Feathered Divine Eagle's caliber, maintaining a low profile for growth shouldn't be a problem.
Of course.
Gu Qingyang didn't truly let his guard down.
The existence of a Golden Feathered Divine Eagle shows that there are always fierce beasts in the mountains threatening him.
The last time the Golden Feathered Divine Eagle appeared, it ignored him. In Gu Qingyang's view, it was likely because he was too weak.
If the Golden Feathered Divine Eagle appears again, it might be drawn by the Spiritual Power within him, causing it to target him like other Fierce Beasts.
To prevent such a situation, Gu Qingyang dares not to slack off.
As Gu Qingyang's mind calmed, the situation beyond six hundred meters came under his perception.
First-tier upper grade.
Roots spread over a circumference of six hundred meters.
There used to be many Ancient Trees within six hundred meters of Gu Qingyang.
Unfortunately.
His battle with the second-tier lower-grade Fierce Beast caused collateral damage to the other Ancient Trees, destroying them completely.
As a result, only Gu Qingyang remains as the lone survivor within the spread of his roots.