ndescending tone. Especially when she bluntly pointed out that Song Jia "was previously inexperienced and still needed to accumulate experience in organizational work," this made even the 常務副部長 (Vice...This tree stood as tall as two stories, its trunk thick enough that it would take four adults stretching their arms to encompass it. Its branches stretched out in all directions, as if greedily reaching for every essence in the air. 。What's even more astonishing is that this strange tree, its entire body red, looks just like it was made of red candles. There isn't a single green leaf on it. 。This is the ancient Blood Tree of the Sima family! The Sima family has believed since an unknown generation that the Blood Tree brings prosperity and abundance to the family, but this is their faith. They come here every year to sacrifice to the Blood Tree. 。Before, the blood tree in the territory was just a small sapling. It was planted by Sima Zhongtian over ten years ago to consolidate his power in the territory. He had taken a branch from this ancient blood tree and grafted it. Unexpectedly, it was eventually uprooted by the Xiao family of Huating!

However, it doesn't matter. Now they have Xiao Yuan, who has Xiao Jingyu's blood, in their hands! It is the time for the blood tree to change its blood every twenty years. As long as they get Xiao Yuan's blood, the blood tree will definitely transform successfully, absorbing the spiritual energy of Kunlun Great Ruins, branching and growing luxuriantly, becoming extremely powerful. At the same time, the Sima family who worships the blood tree will surely prosper immensely, swallowing up powerful families like the Xiao family in Huating, the Liu family, and the Xiao family in Hangzhou, becoming the most powerful family on Chinese land!

Sima Zhongtian looked at this massive blood tree under the midday sun, his mood was unusually excited, and his facial muscles trembled involuntarily. 。His deputy, Ali, stepped forward: "Master Sima, the members of the Xiao family should be arriving soon." 。"Should we really blood this child What if we cut his veins and they find out during the hostage exchange" Sima Zhongtian looked at the blood tree and said, "What if they do The Xiao family has stabbed my son several times. It's only fair that I take some blood from their descendants, wouldn't you say Besides, didn't we travel thousands of miles to reach Kunlun Mountain for this blood sacrifice today Otherwise, would all our hard work climbing this plateau be a joke" Sima Zhongtian had already made up his mind. He would first drain Xiao Yuan's blood and offer it to the blood tree as a sacrifice, then use Xiao Yuan in exchange for his son, Sima Yue. 。This is the reason why Sima Zhongtian insisted that the Xiao family go to Kunlun! Ai Li immediately nodded and said, "Yes, the head of the Sima family is right!" 。< If that's the case, we have to start right away. Otherwise, when the Xiao family arrives, I'm afraid things will get out of hand.> 。Sima Zhongtian looked at the sun in the sky. The intense sunlight shone down, penetrating the thin air of the plateau and forming circles of haloes before his eyes. 。 Sima Zhongtian asked, "How long until twelve o'clock" Someone next to him immediately replied, "Half a minute." 。“Good, let’s begin!” Sima Zhongtian said.

Akuja behind him carried Xiao Yuan to the blood tree and only then did they discover a mouth had opened on the blood tree, lined with a golden beak, resembling the mouth of a large duck. 。"It's twelve o'clock!" someone shouted. 。Then, Sima Zhongtian turned to look at the child in Akujia's hands and said, "Begin!" The woman Akujia carried the still-sleeping Xiao Yuan to beside the blood tree. 。Sima Zhongtian also approached, reached out his hand, and someone next to him passed him a golden sword. 。 Sima Zhongtian instructed the people beside him: "This little thing might wake up later, you guys hold him tight and don't let him move around." 。 。"Akujia and the others all agreed, “Yes!”

Sima Zhongtian used his old hand to tightly grasp Xiao Yuanhun’s round, **, delicate little arm, and then cut a slash on the blood vessels at his wrist. " **Please note:** I left "**" as it is because I am unsure what character it represents in the original text. It could be a typo or a specific symbol that requires context for translation.。Instantly, blood spurted into the golden beak of the Blood Tree. 。Xiao Yuan was suddenly awakened by the pain, crying out loudly, waving his hands violently, and kicking his legs wildly. 。However, the people nearby were already prepared. 。Akuja clamped onto Xiao Yuan's arm with all his might, Ali gripped Xiao Yuan's legs tightly with his strong hands. 。Someone came up beside him and covered Xiao Yuan's mouth with a piece of cloth, preventing him from making a sound! Sima Zhongtian held Xiao Yuan's arm wound, which had been cut open, towards the golden muzzle. 。A toddler was held down by these adults, there was no way he could break free even if he had all the strength in the world!

Xiao Yuan's blood flowed through the golden mouth and into the maw of the Blood Tree. 。Then the mouth of the Blood Tree seemed to move, as if a dying man had suddenly sipped nectar. 。At that moment, Xiao Jingyu who was sitting in the car and driving up the mountain, suddenly felt a tightening in his body, his face paled. 。She said to Xiao Xing's side, "Dad, Xiao Yuan must have had an accident." 。Xiao Jingyu’s feeling was a kind of extraordinary connection between a mother and her child. 。The world we live in seems to be a material world of separation. However, humans originate from dust and return to dust. It is spirituality that allows dust to become living beings. Therefore, a certain kind of spirituality is the most magical and precious thing in the human world. Science has yet to provide a reasonable explanation for this. 。Xiao Xing shi was also infected by Xiao Jing yu's emotions, and he put his arm around her shoulder, saying: "Don't worry too much, we're almost at our destination." 。“We’ll be at Yin Yang Lake in five minutes,” the driver said.

Xiao Yuan’s arm, pressed against the golden mouth of the Blood Tree, trembled as the tree drank his blood. The entire tree blazed with a brilliant light, and something seemed to be emerging from its trunk. 。Those beside him couldn't help but fear, as a tree was undergoing such a strange transformation. 。。A red carpet has already been laid over there. 。 Sima Zhongtian knelt on both knees on the red carpet, raised his hands above his head, and then prostrated himself, bowing to the blood tree. 。The blood tree continued to redden, new, even brighter crimson branches extending from the tips. The outer red bark instantly withered and fell away. Though slow, the progress was visible to the eye. 。 Sima Zhongtian knelt down three times in succession, sighing: "The Blood Tree has finally transformed! A new Blood Tree is about to be born!" This also means that the Sima family will be even more powerful in the future!

Xiao Yuan's small body was constantly being drained of blood. At first, the small body could still struggle continuously >>> 。His cries were muffled by the cloth stuffed in his mouth, his body held down with force. With every drop of blood that escaped, his strength waned until, though he still struggled, he was left nearly lifeless and at death's door. 。At this time, the woman Akuja said: "Master Sima, this little fellow is probably not going to make it. 。" Sima Zhongtian originally wanted to give Xueshu more of Xiao Yuan's blood. This little guy was Xiao Jingyu's son, and his blood was indeed very useful for Xueshu's transformation. The more blood Xueshu had, the faster it would transform!

However, Sima Zhongtian was also worried that Xiao Yuan would bleed too much and die. He would need this little guy later to exchange for his own son! Sima Zhongtian had no choice but to say: "Okay, that's all for now. " 。“ Sima Zhongtian had a different plan in mind. When the time came to exchange hostages, he would seize the opportunity and might be able to control everyone from the Xiao family, thus arresting Xiao Jingyu.” 。Once successful, Xiao Jingyu's blood will be more effective for the Blood Tree's transformation. 。Thus, Sima Zhongtian instructed his men to guard the blood tree which was slowly transforming. He had A Ku Jia carry Xiao Yuan out, and the group walked out through the opening at the top of the high wall. 。At this moment, two SUVs leaped onto the levee of YinYang Lake from below. The dust kicked up by their vehicles was quickly blown away by the wind on YinYang Lake!

When Xiao Zheng and his companions' car reached the levee, they were stopped by fully armed assault soldiers. 。Xiao Rongrong, Xiao Zheng, and Ren Yongle escorted Sima Yue off the car. Those in the following car, including Xiao Xingshi, Xiao Jingyu, and Tao Fang, also got off. 。 Sima Yue, although his wounds had been disinfected and bandaged after being stabbed in the legs, still felt excruciating pain when he walked. His knees involuntarily drew together, causing him to walk with a limp. He was far from the stately bearing of a high-ranking official. 。Seeing his son like this, Sima Zhongtian was extremely angry. On one hand, he hated Xiao Rongrong for torturing his good son like this. On the other hand, he also hated that his son wasn't tough enough. This pain made him unable to stand straight, bringing shame to Sima Zhongtian!

Sima Zhongtian temporarily suppressed the anger in his heart and thought, "I'll deal with you guys later!" When Sima Zhongtian saw Xiao Rongrong, Xiao Xing shi, and others approaching, he laughed loudly: "You're finally here. How are the sights I arranged for you along the way" Xiao Rongrong said, "Sima Zhongtian, old turtle, I have no time to waste with you! I want to see my grandson safe and sound, or I won't give you your son alive!"

However, Sima Zhongtian didn't answer Xiao Rongrong. Instead, he turned to Xiao Xing shi and said, "Xing shi brother, look, I sincerely want to be your in-law..." 。"Look, what kind of in-laws have you found for yourself! He's a total brute. He starts cursing the moment he opens his mouth. Aren't you embarrassed" Xiao Xing shi knew Sima Zhongtian was cunning and deceitful. All this was just to ruin his mood. 。Xiao Xingshi simply said calmly, "Brother Sima, my brother-in-law's words may be a bit rough, but he is sincere. That's something you can't compare to, Brother Sima." 。We've been friends for many years, and I think today's matter shouldn't escalate any further. 。"You still do as my in-laws said! Let's see that Xiao Yuan is alright, then we'll give your son back to you. How about it"

At this moment, Xiao Jingyu was worried about his son's safety. He immediately saw a woman in red holding a child in her arms. Judging from the clothes, it should be Xiao Yuan. 。She couldn't help but walk toward the other person. 。"Don't come any closer!" Sima Zhongtian's men raised their guns and shouted at Xiao Jingyu. 。Xiao Jingyu had to stop her steps, Xiao Zheng quickly came to Xiao Jingyu's side and stood in front of her, shouting at the other party: "Don't point your gun at us!"

Sima Zhongtian smiled and said: "What, are you afraid seeing a gun" There was a hint of pride on his face. 。Xiao Rongrong's hand held only a dagger, pointed at Sima Yue's back. He shouted loudly: "Sima Zhongtian, old turtle, you made your men hold guns >>> 。Let me ask you a question, are these firearms your family's own, or the army's Having your family privately stash guns under public scrutiny is a crime, and using state-owned firearms for personal matters is also a crime! Sima Zhongtian, are you so bold that you don't want to work within the system anymore"

Sima Zhongtian smiled and said: "Who would know Planes can't even fly here, besides us, who else would know As for you people, I don't worry at all, you'll tell." 。You kidnapped my son yourselves and stabbed him with a knife. He is a deputy provincial official, I'm sure you are very clear about the consequences you will face!ing was quite worried and said, "After the forced landing incident at Yinzhou Airport this time, I don't know when it will be possible to resume direct flights." 。Xiao Zheng glanced out the window. Be...