Arrival of spring

"Phew, that was a handful. Mao Mao, who's next?" Yang Qing asked as he stretched his back, lazily sprawling in his seat in search of a comfortable position, not caring in the slightest how he looked in front of those present.

Mao Yunru raised an eyebrow at him, watching as he all but melted into his chair, looking seconds away from dozing off. Still, she proceeded as requested.

"The next cases are as follows: a three-way conflict between a sect, its core disciple, and a merchant organization demanding repayment of a massive debt; destruction of furniture at the Earthvine Restaurant by three Core Formation realm cultivators who refuse to pay for damages; and a lawsuit against the Falling Meteor Blacksmith Shop for selling a defective sky-rank sword to a rogue cultivator at the peak of the Core Formation realm.

Take your pick. Which one should we start with?" she asked, maintaining her usual diligence as a judicial assistant.

"Mmmh... the three-way case sounds like a headache. After dealing with the Green Fog Swamp Sect, I need something simple—not another tangled mess. Alright, decision made. Let's handle the Earthvine Restaurant versus the three rogue cultivators," Yang Qing said after a moment of thought, still lounging comfortably in his seat.

"Umm... Judge Yang Qing, there's still something we need your help with," Peng Zhen said awkwardly from the side.

Cheng Yuan looked puzzled, wondering what exactly Peng Zhen wanted to ask.

Could Peng be trying to get the number of duels he's supposed to fight increased? Cheng Yuan couldn't help but wonder—and the more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that he was right on the mark.

"What is it, Elder Peng Zhen?" Yang Qing groggily asked, eyes still closed.

"It's about the Tupelo tree. It's still in Inquisitor Feng Xin's custody, along with our treasures. I don't know if we'll be able to get them back. The treasures don't matter to me, but the tree.." Peng Zhen paused briefly, extending an anxious gaze Feng Xin's way before turning his attention back to Yang Qing.

"She's a treasured companion who's taken care of us since we were kids. I was hoping to have it returned. She's at a critical stage right now and needs constant monitoring and care from us," Peng Zhen said, unable to hide the worry in his voice.

He was concerned not just for the tree's well-being, but also about whether the Order would decide to confiscate it as an additional punishment for the sect.

"Oi, Peng, has it already started?" Cheng Yuan asked hurriedly.

"Yes, if it hasn't already, it's about to. But things don't look as optimistic as before. She used up a large reserve of energy just to keep me and Gui safe. With what's left, I don't know if she'll be able to pull through," Peng Zhen admitted, guilt evident on his face.

"Oh, I almost forgot about the tree. Feng Xin—" Yang Qing started, sitting up with a look of interest.

Before he could even call, Feng Xin was already making his way toward him.

"It's in here, along with their treasures," Feng Xin said as he approached. "Once you're done with them, there are also some matters I'd like your decision on—sooner rather than later."

By then, Yang Qing had already flashed over to where Cheng Yuan and Peng Zhen were standing. Meanwhile, Wen Chang was with Gui Bingwen, who took on the role of patiently explaining everything that had transpired and why they tricked her.

"What an interesting storage pouch… Looks like a high-grade monarch treasure. Hmm, a storage treasure with life-nurturing capabilities?" Yang Qing mused as he carefully examined it, his fascination evident—like a child with a new toy. "Feng Xin, you sure struck it big this time. Are you keeping it, or thinking of selling? If you decide to sell, the guys from the beast-taming division would definitely pay a hefty sum for it."

"I'm keeping it. It'll help keep ingredients fresher than a normal storage ring," Feng Xin replied.

Yang Qing nodded in understanding as he continued fiddling with the pouch. A moment later, the Tupelo tree materialized in the middle of them.

Peng Zhen and Gui Bingwen couldn't hide their guilt the moment they saw it, while Cheng Yuan's expression darkened, his fists clenching tightly.

The tree had shrunk considerably—it now stood at only 70 centimeters tall, with fewer than a hundred leaves. Most of its branches were bare. Even someone without any knowledge of botany could tell it was in poor condition.

Yang Qing tossed the leopard storage pouch back to Feng Xin before stepping forward. He ran his fingers through the sparse leaves, carefully examining the brittle branches and bark with meticulous attention.

He couldn't help but let out a sigh when he finished the examination.

Cheng Yuan and the others felt their hearts sink. That sigh may as well as have been a death sentence or some somber announcement. Their minds instantly assumed the worst. With how weathered the tree looked, how could they not?

"Let's just treat this as fate. It would be a shame to let something as unique as you disappear just like that. But I'm not doing this for free—if you start producing fruits, make sure to save me some," Yang Qing said, his expression quickly turning greedy by the end of his sentence.

Feng Xin's eyes lit up the moment he heard "fruits." He couldn't help but lick his lips, already imagining the taste. A variant tree like this was bound to produce something extraordinary. However, his excitement quickly turned into a frown.

Yang Qing was just like him—they both hated sharing, especially when it came to the good stuff. If he wanted even a scrap of those fruits, he'd have to trade something of equal value. And with them, it was never cultivation resources—it was always food.

"I'll have to use that," Feng Xin thought to himself, his expression turning reluctant.

Yang Qing quickly caught on to Feng Xin's shift in emotion, his lips tugging into a small knowing smile. "Hmm… Seems like Feng Xin has something worth trading," he mused, his eyes gleaming. "His harvest from the Green Fog Region must have been bountiful if he has something that can match its fruit, not to mention it has traces of the Imperial Pearl Tree."

An Imperial pearl tree was so rare and valuable that even rank one organizations would shed all pretense and go to war for it. The traces on the tupelo tree before him were faint, but even that was enough to guarantee it would reach the domain rank given enough time. Who knew what its worth would be by then?

"Hehehe… Feng Xin, I'll make sure to bleed you dry of everything you've got. Just you wait," Yang Qing thought, throwing a sideways glance at Feng Xin like a wolf eyeing a fat lamb.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he refocused. Now, let's get started before things get even more perilous than they already are.

"Drop of the Resplendence of Spring."

Yang Qing's voice echoed through the room like an edict, carrying an undeniable weight. The instant his words fell, an overwhelming surge of energy burst from his body. However, rather than spreading chaotically, it remained tightly contained, focused within a few centimeters of his right hand, which was pointed toward the crown of the Tupelo tree.

A kaleidoscope of colors shimmered at his fingertip as his hair deepened into a rich green. Sounds filled the room—birds chirping, insects buzzing, animals moving freely, water flowing, earth shifting, wind rustling, flowers blooming, and plants thriving. The origin of these natural harmonies was clear: the light radiating from his index finger.

The glowing colors—orange, yellow, blue, and green—merged into one, all enveloped by a deep purple aura that bound them together. The lights coalesced into a palm-sized orb, which then shrank, compressing further and further until it became no larger than a droplet of water. With each contraction, the energy Yang Qing exuded grew more intense, his robes billowing as the very air around him trembled.

At last, the light condensed into a single green droplet tinged with faint traces of purple. It hovered for a breath before falling onto the withered Tupelo tree. Though small, the droplet seemed to contain an entire world within it.

The moment it made contact, it was as if spring had arrived in an instant. Leaves sprouted at an astonishing pace, unfolding faster than the eye could follow. Not only did they return in full, but they grew larger, more defined, and more vibrant than before. The tree's lost luster returned, brighter and gentler, radiating a warmth that hadn't been there before.

Phantasms of blackbirds, skylarks, robins, and tree swallows materialized, circling the tree in joyful song. Flowers blossomed, their petals unfurling in harmony with the melodies of the birds, while bees buzzed through the air, drawn by the newfound vitality.

Even those watching—Yi Jie and the rest—felt the effects. A soothing warmth spread through their bodies, restoring their strength, while a refreshing clarity washed over their minds as their spirits were rejuvenated.

CRACK!

The bark of the Tupelo tree shattered like glass, splintering apart to reveal a new layer beneath—a smooth, pristine white bark that gleamed as if capable of reflecting sunlight. Within minutes, the tree that had been on the brink of death now stood tall, vibrant, and full of life.

"Don't forget my fruits. You have more than enough energy reserves now to pass your trial," Yang Qing reminded, waving his right hand. Instantly, the phantasms vanished, and the room returned to normal.

The Tupelo tree rustled its branches in response, a silent acknowledgment of his words.

Cheng Yuan and the others remained frozen in shock, struggling to process what they had just witnessed. Their gratitude was immeasurable, yet an unsettling dread settled deep within them. That overwhelming power that Yang Qing showed, both awed and terrified them.

A golden glow radiated from the Tupelo tree before shrinking into a concentrated flash of yellow light that shot toward Cheng Yuan. As the light settled, it transformed into a delicate yellow leaf, which affixed itself to his robe.

"Convenient. Now we won't have to worry about how you'll safely transport the tree back to your sect," Yang Qing remarked.

"Feng Xin, transfer their treasures into this storage ring. Elder Peng Zhen, you'll bring it back when you come for your duel."

He suddenly paused, tapping his forehead as if remembering something. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the blue-grade cultivation art."

Reaching into his storage ring, he retrieved a smooth gray jade, holding it up for all to see.

Peng Zhen instantly recognized the jade as a one-time-use transmission jade. The moment he inserted his spiritual sense into it, a flood of information surged into his mind—the complete details of the blue-grade cultivation art.

Its name was the Brilliant Ray Fist Technique.

Though primarily a fist technique, it encompassed much more. Incorporated within were movement techniques, palm techniques, and even body and spirit refinement methods, making it a comprehensive cultivation art. Mastery of the technique was divided into five major levels, each exponentially more profound than the last. At its peak, one's fists would move as fast as light, carrying enough force to obliterate everything within a ten thousand-mile radius.

Peng Zhen couldn't help but marvel at its intricacy and sheer complexity. Even without prior experience with blue-grade cultivation arts, and being unable to tell its tier, he instinctively knew how precious it was. Just its ability to combine different techniques alone already made it extremely valuable.

Stepping forward, he bowed even deeper than before.

Yang Qing merely smiled in response. "Practice it well." Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he shooed them out of the courtroom.

As the others turned to leave, Mao Yunru lingered for a moment, her gaze fixed on Yang Qing. Something about his actions throughout this case had been… off. It was uncharacteristic of him, and despite thinking hard on it, she couldn't quite figure out why.