Chapter 192

Chapter 192: The Jianmu Divine Tree, The Path to Immortality

It was overwhelmingly massive, seemingly filling both heaven and earth, its height unfathomable.

Even from a great distance, its branches, leaves, and canopy remained invisible.

"This… could this be…" Ye Xu’s pupils contracted, his voice thick with excitement. "The Jianmu divine tree of legend, connecting the heavens above and the earth below?"

The ancient tree stood like a celestial pillar stabilizing the sea. Where it existed, for tens of millions of miles around, all was calm and undisturbed, without a single ripple.

Both Great Emperor Ziwei and Ye Xu stared, utterly dumbfounded.

"How can there be a tree within the Chaotic Sea?"

Following Ye Xu and his companion, Emperor Venerable Yama and Emperor Venerable Mi Luo also saw the divine tree.

"Legend states the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest connects the Immortal Realm and this lower realm. If this tree is the Jianmu divine tree, then everything makes perfect sense," Su Miao Zhen stated calmly.

"The path to immortality…"

Various Emperor Venerables trembled with exhilaration.

The Jianmu divine tree, born at the dawn of creation alongside the Ziwei Spirit Root, was one of the primordial Spirit Roots of heaven and earth.

However, since the creation of the heavens, the Jianmu divine tree had vanished without a trace.

Later, a legend arose that the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest connected both realms.

The source of it all was the Jianmu divine tree.

The Jianmu divine tree was the key to ascending to the Immortal Realm.

"The legend is true!"

One stooped Emperor Venerable wept tears of joy down his weathered cheeks. "The Jianmu divine tree connects heaven and earth! Our hope of attaining immortality is within reach!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let us ascend the Jianmu divine tree swiftly and enter the Immortal Realm!"

Another Emperor Venerable declared.

Everyone was consumed with impatience.

The Dao King and Su Miao Zhen, however, remained impassive. They had no intention of entering the Immortal Realm via the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest.

They sought to ascend to the Immortal Realm with dignity and honor, not as mere trespassers.

"Hurry over!"

Emperor Venerable Miao Fa took the lead, traversing the Chaotic Sea as he charged towards the Jianmu divine tree.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

One Emperor Venerable or Great Emperor after another flew forth, unable to contain their eagerness.

"Let us observe first."

Ye Xu was in no rush. He, the Dao King, Su Miao Zhen, and the others deliberately stayed behind, proceeding towards the Jianmu divine tree at a measured pace.

Emperor Venerable Yama suppressed the turmoil in his heart. Though he was one of those who most desired to enter the Immortal Realm, he kept his composure despite the Jianmu divine tree being right before them.

Such mental fortitude was truly commendable.

Only upon approaching could one truly appreciate the majestic splendor and grandeur of the Jianmu divine tree.

The tree’s immense body spread roots stretching hundreds of thousands of miles, delving deep into the Chaotic Sea and ceaselessly absorbing nourishment to sustain the Jianmu divine tree.

It resembled a Heavenly Pillar leading to the Immortal Realm.

Ye Xu observed the Jianmu divine tree, discerning upon its trunk marvelous textures closely resembling the golden tadpole divine pattern, all embodying the profound mysteries of heaven and earth.

Some individuals were already scrambling onto the Jianmu divine tree, charging toward the clouds.

"Husband, shall we ascend?" the Vice Palace Master of Empress Nuwa Palace asked, her brows tightly knit. The Palace Master of Empress Nuwa Palace was gravely injured; competing for entry into the Immortal Realm would likely be as difficult as reaching for the heavens.

"Our entire lives have been devoted to attaining immortality. Now that the chance is here, we cannot give up," the Palace Master of Empress Nuwa Palace declared resolutely. "Even if it means death, we must strive."

"We shall ascend too."

As the group stepped onto the Jianmu divine tree, a strange force enveloped them. Their cultivation levels became restrained, as if they had been reduced to mortals.

"Transcending mortality to ascend…"

Su Miao Zhen murmured.

Legend held another path: to ascend to immortality via the Jianmu divine tree, one must first shed mortal form. Only by entering the Immortal Realm as a true mortal could one succeed.

Now it seemed "transcending mortality" did not mean becoming a mortal, but rather having the vast majority of one’s cultivation suppressed by the Jianmu divine tree, temporarily becoming mortal.

"Dao King, didn’t you boast of being the world’s number one, seeking to fly ascendant to the Immortal Realm with dignity? Why follow us now?" Emperor Venerable Yama sneered.

"Naturally, I wish to witness the Jianmu divine tree’s magnificence," Dao King replied lightly. "Rest easy, Daoist friend Yama, I shan’t contend with you."

"Hall Master’s Elder, this is your opportunity too."

Dao King turned to the Hall Master’s Elder. "This may well be the only chance in your lifetime."

The Hall Master’s Elder shuddered.

The second elder of the Taihao Heavenly Sect remained silent.

"The Dao upon the Jianmu divine tree is not singular," Great Emperor Ziwei stated, stepping onto a branch and contemplating its divine patterns.

"The patterns differ on every branch."

"Naturally so."

Emperor Venerable Mi Luo remarked, "The Jianmu divine tree was born at heaven and earth’s dawn, one of the Spirit Roots of heaven and earth. The entire cosmos holds no more than nine such Spirit Roots."

"The Master of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest… their origins are truly unfathomable, capable of commanding the Jianmu divine tree."

"Dear friends, do you suppose this senior truly perished?"

"Do not speak rashly."

Emperor Venerable Yama’s eyelid twitched in alarm as he hastily intervened.

The carp leaping the dragon gate, the Immortal Realm’s ascension lay within grasp; he brooked no complications.

Emperor Venerable Mi Luo glanced at him with a trace of scorn.

Ye Xu showed no concern.

During their discourse on the Dao with Duobao Daoist, he and Ye Xu had speculated about the identity of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest’s master.

Counting the masters throughout antiquity, aside from the Innate Divine Beings, they numbered but a handful.

Yet lacking concrete proof, neither dared affirm it.

"Duobao Daoist was deeply cunning," Ye Xu thought. "He probably guessed the identity of the Master of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest. Who knew if that old fellow would use the Jianmu divine tree to return to the Immortal Realm?"

Huff! Huff!

As time dragged on, the Emperor Venerables and Great Emperors panted exhaustedly. They looked up and saw the end still impossibly distant, utterly invisible.

"How much longer until we reach the top?" one Great Emperor grumbled.

"You want a shortcut to attaining immortality, yet can’t tolerate this little hardship?" an Emperor Venerable scolded harshly.

"This disciple admits his mistake."

That Great Emperor immediately apologized.

"Damn it!"

Emperor Venerable Zi Zai plopped down on his rear. "If my cultivation weren’t suppressed, I’d somersault straight to the top—right into the Immortal Realm!"

"It’s fucking tiring!"

"Daoist friend Zi Zai, you should keep your boasting within reason," Emperor Venerable Miao Fa mocked. "The Jianmu divine tree spans heaven and earth, stretching millions of miles. Even a true immortal wouldn’t dare exaggerate like that. Who gave you such audacity?"

Emperor Venerable Zi Zai chuckled awkwardly.

White-browed Buddha and the others pressed onward.

Their speed increased steadily as they gradually entered the cloud layer. Mist coiled around them, making directions hard to distinguish.

"Soon…"

Emperor Venerable Yama couldn’t contain his excitement.

"Someone’s up ahead!"

An Emperor Venerable cried out in shock then.

"Could it be a true immortal from the Immortal Realm?"

Everyone gasped in disbelief. After all, the Jianmu divine tree linked to the Immortal Realm, so an immortal descending wasn’t impossible.

"Not a true immortal—it’s that mysterious figure."

Divine light shimmered in the eyes of the Palace Master of the Holy Mother Palace as she discerned the person’s face.

He had a gleaming bald head and wore a Daoist robe.

It was unmistakably Duobao Daoist.

On the Jianmu divine tree, even Duobao Daoist couldn’t conceal his form and had to reveal himself.

"This man truly is elusive, slipping onto the Jianmu divine tree without a sound," Su Miao Zhen murmured, gazing intently.

"This time, you can’t hide."

Dao King sneered coldly.

The Jianmu divine tree suppressed everyone’s cultivation—no one escaped it.

He’d killed Withered Wood Daoist, so sparing Duobao Daoist was out of the question.

If the chance arose, he’d strike without hesitation.

Duobao Daoist walked at the forefront, his expression serene.

"The Jianmu divine tree really is in the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest…"

He sighed deeply, his face conflicted.

By now, he was completely certain who the Master of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest was.