The Imperial Zi family resided in the northwest corner of Eastern City.
Because it was on the diagonal from Yue Lai Inn, it took Zi Lin Ling a full half an hour before she stood outside the Zi family mansion.
One had to admit, for the Imperial Zi family to be counted among the Four Great Families of the Azure Dragon Empire, their strength and heritage were not to be underestimated.
Looking at the gate before her, which was twice as luxurious as that of the Tian Qi Zi family, Zi Lin Ling couldn't help but exclaim, "So rich!"
"Well, since you're so rich, losing one Soul Nurturing Wood shouldn't be a big deal!"
That's right, the important and thrilling task she was about to undertake tonight was to steal... *cough cough cough*, to "admire" the Soul Nurturing Wood.
Zi Lin Ling circled the Zi family mansion and finally found an inconspicuous corner from which she climbed over.
But after getting inside, she was a bit dumbfounded.
Because the Imperial Zi family mansion was too vast, and despite having the route drawn for her by Ye Ling Yuan, she got lost several times.
Firstly, the layout of the courtyards in the Zi family were similar, making it easy to get disoriented.
Secondly, the Zi family mansion had a maze within, and one could easily get lost.
And Zi Lin Ling, being in a dragon's den and a tiger's lair, dared not use her divine sense excessively.
She wandered for a long time and realized she was lost again.
Damn it!
The people in charge of the Zi family were truly perverse, setting up so many formations within their own home. Weren't they afraid of getting their own people lost?
"Forget it, I'll have to ask Elder Du to come out."
Zi Lin Ling called out, "Elder Du, I need your help!"
Elder Du's soul appeared haughtily.
"Little girl, the taste of formations isn't pleasant, is it?"
Zi Lin Ling nodded and said, "Elder Du, don't be so proud. If I get any more lost, it'll be dawn soon!"
Elder Du stroked his beard, pointed in a direction, and said, "Go this way!"
Zi Lin Ling advanced as instructed.
There was no other way, as her talent in formations was mediocre.
Elder Du would have liked to teach her without reservation, but upon seeing the densely packed calculation process, she felt her head swell.
One had to know that the path of formations was inseparable from Qimen Dunjia, requiring constant calculation of the correct direction.
Zi Lin Ling, however, preferred a more straightforward approach. Like the Soaring Dragon Steps, where each landing point was fixed. As long as you remembered the landing points, you could move quickly.
Under Elder Du's guidance, Zi Lin Ling took a few steps left, then a few steps right, advanced a few steps, and retreated a few steps. In no time, she emerged from the maze formation.
She couldn't help but feel fortunate that the Zi family, for fear of accidentally harming their own people, had not made it a deadly formation.
Otherwise, with her earlier reckless dashing, even if she hadn't lost her life, she would have been exhausted.
After passing through the maze, Zi Lin Ling finally entered the inner part of the Zi family mansion.
In the deepest part of the Zi family, a large tree stood tall, emitting a strong soul fluctuation.
Zi Lin Ling was overjoyed and rushed directly towards the Soul Nurturing Wood.
But when she got close, she realized there was another barrier around the Soul Nurturing Wood.
This barrier did not completely envelop the Soul Nurturing Wood; at least the crown of the tree was outside the barrier. From Su Dan Fiction Network.
This was why Zi Lin Ling could sense the soul fluctuation from afar.
It turned out that the purpose of this barrier was merely a cage to imprison the Soul Nurturing Wood, not to target anyone who came here.
This was because the Zi family still needed to make money by picking branches from the Soul Nurturing Wood!
And the task of picking branches was only done by servants.
Therefore, this barrier could not be completely sealed.
Otherwise, not only would the servants be unable to get close, but the Soul Nurturing Wood itself would slowly wither due to lack of spiritual energy.
And this, conveniently, provided Zi Lin Ling with an opportunity.
She came to the outside of the barrier, took out a Bodhi Guiding Pill, and threw it onto the tree crown.
Of course, while throwing it, she used a bit of clever force, causing the Bodhi Guiding Pill to turn into powder above the tree crown.
Bodhi trees possessed spiritual essence inherently.
And the Bodhi Guiding Pill, refined from their sap, also possessed spiritual essence.
This spiritual essence, when manifested in humans, was enlightenment.
But when manifested in other trees, there was only one application: "Spirit Awakening!"
Soon, the spiritual essence of the Soul Nurturing Wood tree was awakened from its slumber.
"Little girl, did you awaken me?"
Zi Lin Ling nodded and said, "Yes!"
The Soul Nurturing Wood tree asked, "Why did you awaken me?"
Zi Lin Ling replied, "Senior, are you truly willing to be a tool for others to make money?"
The Soul Nurturing Wood tree seemed to sigh, "What use is unwillingness? They captured me when I was at my weakest during my lightning tribulation and trapped my roots with formations. So, even if I wanted to leave, I am powerless."
Zi Lin Ling smiled and said, "Senior, if I can save you, are you willing to come with me?"
The Soul Nurturing Wood tree let out a string of kind laughter, "Child, you cannot save me. The formation below is something even Saint King realm powerhouses are helpless against."
Zi Lin Ling smiled mysteriously and said, "Senior, if I break this seal, will you come with me?"
The Soul Nurturing Wood tree was slightly surprised, "Can you truly break the seal?"
Zi Lin Ling nodded and said, "This seal may be incredibly strong for others, but for me, it's a piece of cake."
The Soul Nurturing Wood tree pondered for a moment and said, "If you can truly save me, I will pledge allegiance to you."
"Deal!"
Zi Lin Ling agreed and said, "Then, senior, prepare yourself. I am about to make my move!"
As she spoke, a black bead appeared in her hand.
This bead was precisely the Heaven and Earth Demonic Bead.
The last time, after emerging from the forbidden grounds of the Flowing Cloud Sect, Zi Lin Ling had discovered another function of the Heaven and Earth Demonic Bead: ignoring barriers!
With the Heaven and Earth Demonic Bead unleashed, it instantly erupted with energy, carrying Zi Lin Ling into the barrier.
Then, Zi Lin Ling put away the Heaven and Earth Demonic Bead and took out a surgical knife.
The surgical knife glowed with immense spiritual power, and she instantly slashed it towards a spot on the ground.
"Boom!"
A loud noise echoed, and dust flew everywhere, but the ground was not split open.
The people of the Zi family were awakened by the roar, and several figures streaked towards this direction.
However, because this place was far from their living quarters, it would take ten breaths of time.
Zi Lin Ling frowned. The energy she had just used was equivalent to the full power attack of a peak Saint King realm expert, yet it had not caused significant damage to the ground, indicating how hard it was.
"Little girl, I told you long ago that even Saint King realm powerhouses are helpless against the seal here. You won't be able to break it! Hurry and leave before they get here!"
The Soul Nurturing Wood tree's voice was filled with urgency.
Regardless, Zi Lin Ling had alerted the Zi family people precisely because she was trying to save it, so it was necessary to remind Zi Lin Ling.
Zi Lin Ling seemed not to hear, and once again raised the surgical knife in her hand.