Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

After their meal, Chen Qinghe and Chen Qingmeng managed to leave their clan smoothly. However, all the hunting equipment they had prepared was confiscated, and they left with a wooden cart loaded with tens of catties of grain. 

Chen Qinghe walked in front while Chen Qingmeng followed behind, the two pushing the cart toward the village the clan chief had mentioned. Although the grain was a bit heavy, both were Body-refining martial artists, so the weight posed no problem.

"Brother Qingyu of the clan can hunt, so why can’t I? I'm also at the middle stage of Body refinement! Maybe I can break through while hunting! Don’t you think so, Qingmeng?" Chen Qinghe grumbled as he pulled the cart.

"Actually, I think delivering grain is also good—it’s all for the clan's contribution," Chen Qingmeng replied indifferently, causing Chen Qinghe to stop, momentarily stunned.

"But hunting seems more interesting."

"Exactly, exactly!"

After all, they were still young. The novelty of the environment outside the clan soon lifted their spirits. 

Walking along a fairly flat path, Chen Qinghe glanced at the surroundings, then asked, "Qingmeng, what do you want to do in the future?"

"One day, I want to be as powerful as Brother Qingyu!" Chen Qingmeng answered without hesitation.

"And after you become as powerful as Brother Qingyu, then what?"

Chen Qingmeng's face turned thoughtful, but he quickly replied, "Of course, I'll protect the clan and make it stronger! I’ll hunt two beasts a day, eat one, and raise the other! That way, the clan will never worry about food again!" 

He licked his lips unconsciously, his gaze filled with visions of feasting on wild beasts.

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Chen Qinghe sighed, a helpless look crossing his youthful face.

"And you, Qinghe? What do you want to do in the future?" Chen Qingmeng asked.

"I want to be as powerful as Brother Qingyu too! Then, I want to go beyond Chaotic Burial Mountain! My grandfather says the outside world is vast, with powerful people and many places to see. I want to experience it all," Chen Qinghe said, gazing at the mountains with a hint of longing. 

"Qingmeng, why don’t you come with me? I’ve heard there are all kinds of delicious foods outside!"

A spark of curiosity flickered in Chen Qingmeng's eyes, but he soon shook his head. 

"No, my grandfather says the outside world is dangerous. It’s better to stay in the clan."

Chen Qinghe didn’t look disappointed; instead, he smiled. 

"Alright, then I’ll bring back some delicious food for you! I bet you’ve never had anything like it."

"Deal!" Qingmeng grinned, and together they imagined the beautiful future ahead as the setting sun cast long shadows over them. Before long, they spotted their destination.

The village was exceedingly simple, surrounded by a half-height, crooked stone wall with gaps every few metres—a poor defence against anything but wandering animals. 

Inside, roughly ten small houses of wood and straw formed the village, their roofs a patchwork of uneven, weathered straw.

Seeing the village at last, the two of them sighed with relief, slowing their pace as they approached the entrance. The journey from the clan to the village had been long; though the load wasn’t too heavy, pushing it for such a distance had been exhausting.

"Stone Village!" Chen Qingmeng read aloud from a wooden board above the village entrance. Yet, when he reached the second character, he scratched his head and looked at Chen Qinghe. 

"Qinghe, how do you read the middle character?"

Chen Qinghe looked up, staring for a long time before shaking his head. 

"Doesn’t matter; let’s just call it Stone Village. Let’s finish our work quickly and head back before it gets dark."

Noting the sky’s deepening hue, Chen Qingmeng nodded hurriedly. They should have arrived sooner, but they had lingered on the road, distracted by their games and laughter. The village seemed empty, and in their eagerness to finish, they pushed the cart into the village and quickly arrived at the door of one of the homes.

Ding ding ding!

"Villagers, open up! We’re here to deliver food! Open the door quickly!" Chen Qinghe shouted, rapping on the wooden door. 

The old, poorly made door creaked ominously, and, to their surprise, collapsed inward under the force of his knock. Chen Qinghe’s hand froze midair, his face shifting as he realized he’d broken the door.

Having recently advanced to the middle stage of Body Tempering, Chen Qinghe hadn’t yet mastered his strength. Embarrassed, he peered into the dim room beyond the fallen door. Inside, an old man and a young girl cowered in a corner, their eyes wide with fear.

Chen Qinghe forced a friendly smile. "You’re home! We’re here to deliver food. Take it—quickly!" 

He flashed what he hoped was a reassuring grin, though the darkness of the room cast his figure in shadow, making his smile appear almost menacing.

At that moment, Chen Qingmeng’s voice chimed in from behind. 

"Haha, found someone at last!" His words broke the tense silence in the room.

"Spare us, sir! Please, we have nothing of value here!" The old man threw himself protectively in front of his granddaughter, pleading. "Please, let us go."

“Grandpa, I’m scared!” the little girl whimpered, clutching her grandfather’s robe.

Chen Qinghe’s smile faltered, while Chen Qingmeng, who had been unloading the grain from the cart, scratched his head in bewilderment. They had never encountered such a reaction before.

"Beast! Stop right there! Our Stone Village isn’t so easily bullied!" A shout cut through the confusion as a dozen villagers emerged from nearby houses, holding farming tools as makeshift weapons. Men and women stood together, their faces a mix of fear and determination, though their anxious eyes betrayed the panic lurking beneath.