Chapter 1: The Great Elm Tree Meets Calamity, and the Young Boy Begins to Forge His Foundation
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Why is Dayushu Village called Dayushu Village?
Naturally, it’s because of the massive elm tree in the village.
This ancient elm tree is so thick that it takes four people to encircle it. Towering over ten zhang (over 30 meters) high, its hanging branches and lush canopy resemble a grand parasol, majestic and awe-inspiring.
In times of famine, when food was scarce, its seeds, leaves, and even bark were all used as food, saving countless villagers’ lives.
But now, this very elm tree was going to be chopped down.
An old Taoist claimed that the elm tree had become a yao—a spirit creature!
He insisted that the severe drought plaguing all of Annan County was caused by this elm spirit, and only by cutting it down could the drought be ended.
But without the Great Elm Tree, would Dayushu Village still be Dayushu Village?
“You little brat, do you want to die!? How dare you stop me from eliminating a demon?”
A fierce shout rang out.
A dozen soldiers, each holding massive iron saws, surrounded the tree, ready to cut it down.
The surrounding villagers looked on with pity in their eyes, but none dared to step forward.
Only one young boy, around thirteen or fourteen years old, stood in front of the tree, arms stretched wide and back pressed against its trunk, using his frail body to shield the elm tree from harm!
The commander pointed at the boy and barked, “If you don’t move, I’ll saw you down along with the tree!”
“You can’t hurt the elm tree! It saved all our lives! It’s not a monster!”
The boy’s eyes were filled with determination, his youthful voice firm and unwavering.
“Whether it’s a demon or not is not for you to decide.”
A slightly aged voice came from behind.
An old Taoist, clad in a brown robe, with white hair and beard and an indifferent expression, stepped forward. Waving his horsetail whisk, he said:
“Today is the eleventh Great Forbidden Day. All monsters hide during this time. It is the perfect day to destroy them. If we wait until the hour of Shen (3 to 5 p.m.), the demon will return to its true spirit form, and you will all die!”
The soldiers and their commander all trembled at his words.
But the commander still had a conscience and didn’t want to harm the boy along with the tree. He shouted at the villagers:
“You! Drag this little troublemaker away! Or you’ll all be punished!”
A burly man rushed out from the crowd and shouted while running, “Xiao Xian! What are you doing! Move aside, quickly! Don’t block the officials from slaying the demon!”
“Uncle San! The Great Elm Tree isn’t a demon! It’s not! It saved everyone in our village!”
The boy named Xiao Xian cried out, but he was no match for the man’s strength. Even though he clung tightly to the elm tree, he was forcibly dragged away.
“Ah! Third Uncle! Let me go! Let me go!! Ah!! Zhang Old Pig, let me go!!”
“You brat! The Immortal and the officials already said it’s a demon! Why are you being so stubborn? Do you want to die early!? You blockhead! Huh? Did you just call me by my nickname!?”
Xiao Xian’s desperate cries and the man’s scolding quickly faded into the distance.
The commander’s eyes narrowed. He waved his hand and ordered, “Cut it!”
Sixteen soldiers split into two groups. Each team carried long iron saws—over ten feet in length—ready and in position.
At the commander’s signal, they began to saw the tree.
Ziii! Ziii!
A screech like grinding metal pierced the air, so sharp and harsh that the surrounding villagers turned pale and instinctively covered their ears, stepping back.
The soldiers also stopped instantly, their faces drained of color.
With such a sound, they wouldn’t just fail to cut down the tree—if they kept going, the soundwaves would kill them first!
“Demonic beast!”
The old Taoist’s eyes flashed with cold light. He took a single step—and floated over ten zhang through the air!
Everyone stood stunned.
This man was definitely an immortal!
“Today is a day of great prohibition. Heaven and earth are purging demons. No matter how strong your Dao cultivation, if only your body remains while your spirit hides from heavenly thunder—daring to flaunt power in such a state—you deserve to perish! This is my chance. Seal!”
He chanted under his breath and pressed his hand forward!
A bronze Eight Trigram mirror suddenly slammed against the elm tree. A flash of light gleamed, and the massive tree trembled violently—then fell still once more.
“Cut again.”
The old Taoist’s expression remained cold and indifferent.
The sixteen soldiers looked at one another, then took a deep breath, lifted the saws again, and resumed cutting.
Huff, huff—
This time, the sound of iron biting into wood was normal again.
“Blood! Blood!”
Suddenly, the tree began to shake violently. From the fresh saw cut, scarlet blood gushed out—as if they were sawing through the flesh of a living being!
The villagers’ scalps went numb. Terror-stricken, they all fled backward.
“It really is a demon!”
The commander felt a chill run down his spine and shouted, “Keep sawing! Saw it to death! SAW IT TO DEATH!!”
“NOOOO!!”
A sharp cry rang out again.
Somehow, Xiao Xian had broken free from Zhang Old Pig’s grasp and rushed back!
Seeing the tree bleeding and everyone sawing it down, his heart was shattered. Without hesitation, he dashed toward the elm tree!
“How dare you! Stop him!”
The commander barked once more.
Several villagers ran up and restrained Xiao Xian again.
“Ahhh!! Ahhh!!”
Xiao Xian struggled like mad, biting and clawing, tears streaming down his face, like a desperate, cornered beast.
