Reborn as a Demonic Tree

Ashlock wakes in the courtyard of a demonic sect... as a tree. A tree that eats people. An odd start to a new life. Almost as strange as the humans flying through the skies on flaming swords and challenging the heavens. After all, this is a world where humans could chase the goal of immortality through the art of cultivation. But Ashlock is merely a sapling in a desolate courtyard, left alone with his thoughts and unable to speak to those passing him by. Unless he does something about it.

Rising from the ashes, Ashlock fully accepts his new reality as a tree. However, he is still surrounded by an antagonistic demonic sect that is too big a threat to face by himself. With no way to run, he must stand his ground and fight. But not alone. It's time for him to gather dependable allies and form his own sect. But a sect is more than the sum of its people. Not only must he gather talented individuals, but he will also need to build a place he can proudly call home in this crazy world.

With the conclusion of the alchemy tournament sparking the flames of a civil war between two of the most powerful families in the Blood Lotus Sect, Ashlock and his sect find themselves swept up in the conflict.

Ashlock is now half a step into the Nascent Soul Realm. With the long-spanning battle against Nox drawing to a close and the ex-merchant turning over a new leaf, Ashlock and his sect are on the cusp of becoming a regional powerhouse feared by all. However, before they can dominate the world stage, Ashlock must first form an Inner World to complete his ascension. Ten thousand credits and a variety of Star Cores cannot be sourced locally, so Ashlock must spread his roots to neighboring cities and rival sects.

Ashlock's ascension to the Nascent Soul Realm attracts all the wrong attention. It turns out a spirit tree calling down the wrath of heavens and forming an Inner World is quite the spectacle, so Vincent Nightrose—an ancient threat that has loomed over Ashlock and his sect for far too long—awakens and deems Stella Crestfallen's bloodline ripe for harvesting.

There is a newborn evil god—and his name is Ashlock. While technically true, it's a reputation he desperately wishes to change. But with prophecies citing his involvement in the destruction of the world and fanatic members of his cult being a little too good at evil marketing, he has to run with it. After all, he has bigger problems to face. Vincent Nightrose has fully awakened, and the looming Beast Tide is rumored to contain Monarch Realm-level beasts.

In the wake of the Blood Lotus Sect's utter defeat, its previous territories, cities, and noble families are left without a leader. While chaos runs rampant throughout the lands as cultivators decide whether they should bow to their new ruler or flee, Ashlock is unable to give his all to putting out the fires as trouble brews at home.