Walking Meat Tree

Ren Zu’s third son Northern Dark Ice Soul, revived by unexpected Gu, wanders, meets his sister Desolate Ancient Moon, and gives her a new meaning in life. Guided by wisdom Gu, the two travel to the blue sea seeking a life gem to revive their father. Desolate Ancient Moon sacrifices herself there, becoming a damaged life gem. Carrying it toward his father, Northern Dark Ice Soul finds the Door of Life and Death holds two routes, both thick with suffering Gu, passable only through courage Gu, which Ren Zu already holds. Northern Dark Ice Soul has no way in, and no choice but to keep wandering. ^{ch. 722}

He crosses mountains and streams, flees beasts, and starves through bitter cold, guilty over his sister’s death and afraid his father’s soul could give out in Luo Po Valley while he is gone. As the sky above him fades from purple to black, he wanders into black heaven, one of the immemorial nine heavens. It is a place of total darkness, yet it holds large numbers of life forms. Lost and flustered, he trips and falls many times. ^{ch. 722}

A single lump of fire is the only light in black heaven. It is a Gu that names itself fire. Hearing that Northern Dark Ice Soul’s brother is the famous Verdant Great Sun of reputation Gu, fire Gu agrees to help, but asks for food first, since it is starving. Fed branches, it grows from fist sized to basin sized, and after a load of rocks its teeth weaken and it asks for easier food. It agrees to travel with him, lighting his way. ^{ch. 722}

Fire Gu keeps growing until countless trees, beasts and insects come rushing toward its light, begging to live under it before dream realms reach them. Northern Dark Ice Soul runs until exhausted, and fire Gu, telling him the pursuers are its food, asks to be thrown toward them. The first it meets are walking meat trees, their branches like octopus tentacles of meat, and it burns them to ash and cooked flesh. The smell draws him in, and he eats a piece, finding it delicious. ^{ch. 722}