Outside Wuzhuang Temple, the sky suddenly churned violently as countless bolts of lightning erupted. Across both worlds of Yanzhu and Yuankang, thunderstorms raged everywhere. Heaven and Earth origin energy was squeezed into disarray, and even the sun, moon, and stars seemed to meet an invisible shove, displaced and drifting to either side.
This was the phenomenon of supreme figures from the Immortal Realm descending!
When Heavenly Monarch realm experts from the Immortal Realm arrived, their immense presence compressed the heavens and earth, repelling and expelling the origin energy of the world. While such an occurrence appeared harmless at first glance, the expelled origin energy would not return after those supreme figures departed, leaving the land desolate and plunging the world into a catastrophe of crop failure.
The merger of Yanzhu and Yuankang had formed a vastly larger world, yet compared to experts of the Heavenly Monarch realm, these two worlds were still far too minuscule.
When the first Heavenly Monarch of the Immortal Realm descended, a massive portion of the two worlds' origin energy was violently squeezed out.
As one Heavenly Monarch after another arrived, the displaced origin energy had already accounted for ninety-nine percent of the total energy within the combined world of Yanzhu and Yuankang.
Heavenly Venerables, Imperial Monarchs, Primordial Monarchs, the Eastern King, the Fire Heavenly Venerable, the Water Heavenly Venerable, the Wealth Heavenly Venerable, the Taisui Heavenly Venerable, and various titled Imperial Monarchs and Primordial Monarchs personally descended, arriving in this new realm.
The sky buckled under the immense weight. High above, the Immortal Realm appeared exceptionally clear, closer to the mortal realm than ever before—as though one could touch it simply by raising a hand!
Between the two worlds, there seemed to be no barrier left at all, appearing to have merged into a single whole.
Yet as the Heavenly Venerable, the Imperial Monarch, and the others walked into Wuzhuang Temple one after another, the suffocating oppression brought by these mighty beings dissipated, replaced by the complete exhaustion of the origin energy in the world of Yanzhu and Yuankang!
In a single instant, the entire new world seemed plunged into asphyxiation. Dead birds plummeted from the sky like rain, wild beasts perished across the plains, mountain forests swiftly withered, rivers ceased to flow, lakes ran dry, and countless dead fish floated belly-up upon the oceans, blanketing the surface of the sea entirely.
As for the mortals who perished as a result, they were beyond counting!
This cataclysm of dying spiritual energy destroyed the new world of Yanzhu and Yuankang, exterminating living beings across the land. Only a handful of sacred grounds that still harbored a trickle of origin energy managed to retain some semblance of vitality.
Yet by now, the mighty figures of the Immortal Realm had already stepped into Wuzhuang Temple. Not a single one of them paid the tragedy any mind.
Inside Wuzhuang Temple, the Imperial Monarch bore an expressionless face. Seeing the Heavenly Venerable approach, he bowed in greeting and asked, "Dao Brother, did your avatar meet its end as well?"
The Heavenly Venerable was tall and burly, carrying the demeanor of a heroic champion, though his expression was rather grim at the moment. "It was wounded by a petty scoundrel, and whether it lives or dies is unknown. The Ginseng Fruit Tree is of paramount importance; it is the spiritual root of heaven and earth from the Earth Immortal Realm and must never fall into the hands of contemptible rats."
"Indeed. That is why I had no choice but to come in person."
The Eastern King walked over, and the Heavenly Venerable and Imperial Monarch bowed to him in turn, saying, "Your Highness."
The Eastern King said, "No need for formalities, Dao Brothers. The Ginseng Fruit Tree is the spiritual root of heaven and earth of the Earth Immortal Realm. This precious tree concerns the destiny of the myriad heavens and worlds. For the peace and safety of all living beings, it must never be allowed to fall into wicked hands."
"Your Highness is truly benevolent, possessing a heart of boundless compassion."
A Primordial Monarch approached, sighing with emotion. "Alas, there are far too many rebels in the mortal world today. I hear that turmoil has erupted in the Netherworld, where the four devils—Dongyue, Cangwu, Beiyin, and Lunhui—have been awakened by someone, harboring treacherous ambitions to control the destiny of all living souls under heaven."
The Imperial Monarch remarked with grave concern, "The Three Realms Tide is upon us, and demons dance in wild abandon. Yet the Supreme pays no heed to worldly affairs, and chaos is gradually emerging. How can the world be governed without the Supreme?"
The Heavenly Venerable sighed, "And there are villains scheming to take control of the Heavenly Dao world, seeking to master the fate of all cultivators under heaven."
The Eastern King let out a sigh as well. "I have also heard that the demonic path is reviving, throwing the world into disarray, and certain deceased demon gods of antiquity have even returned to life. These treacherous vassals and seditious rebels wish for nothing more than total chaos. It is truly a misfortune for the common people."
"Indeed," everyone agreed, murmuring their laments.
"If this Ginseng Fruit Tree cannot be secured by the Immortal Court, who knows how many will rebel in the future, and how many will declare themselves kings."
Strung out in loose succession, they traversed the Five Sacred Immortal Mountains and made their way toward Yujing Immortal City.
Inside the bodhimanda of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, Xu Ying cast a wary glance at Lan Suying, thinking, *This Old Six Su's real name is actually Lan Suying. Seeing that I cultivated ten cave-heavens, he tested me repeatedly, trying to see if I would summon the Taiyi Cave Abyss. He is definitely the current Immortal Emperor Supreme, just waiting to harvest me like leeks!*
Keeping his composure, Xu Ying sent a voice transmission to the Divine Mother: "Old Six might be the Immortal Emperor Supreme. We cannot divine him any further."
The Divine Mother hesitated before replying, "Immortal Master, I don't believe Old Six is the Supreme. If he were the Immortal Emperor Supreme, I would never have been able to divine his origins at all, let alone uncover his true name."
Xu Ying's heart stirred. He stole another glance at Lan Suying and calculated secretly, *If he isn't the Supreme, then once I unleash the Landscape Heaven-Measuring Ruler, striking him down should be practically guaranteed.*
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the Divine Mother's voice rang out in panic: "Immortal Master, I can no longer divine any information about him... He has noticed me! He has begun divining my origins! Heh, daring to flaunt divination before me, how ignorant of the heavens... Oh no! He has traced my background! He's tracing back to my master... Wait, he's tracing all the way back to my patriarch! Fairy Gushe, hurry and help me sever karma!"
Before the Divine Mother could even finish speaking, eight generations of her ancestors had already been stripped bare by Lan Suying, turning her face the color of dirt.
Fairy Gushe rushed over to sever the karmic links, but the moment she laid hands on them, she felt as though she were a young maiden stripped bare, completely exposed to another's sight.
"Terrible! I've been caught too!" Fairy Gushe cried out in horror.
Yuan Tiangang shouted, "Fairy, do not panic, I shall assist you!"
A moment later, Yuan Tiangang collapsed to the ground, his eyes hollow, his heart like dead ashes as he muttered, "I suppose... I have no secrets left..."
Seeing this, Xu Ying felt his hair stand on end, instantly abandoning any thought of ambushing Lan Suying.
The three great divine calculators of Penglai had been routed in mere moments; any notion he had of launching a sneak attack against Lan Suying had probably already been divined by her as well.
*If he is the Immortal Emperor Supreme, then in order to obtain the Taiyi Cave Abyss, not only will he refrain from harming me, but he will also guide my cultivation so that I summon the Taiyi Cave Abyss as soon as possible. Before I summon it, he will even ward off disasters for me and never let anyone take my life.*
At this thought, Xu Ying relaxed, only now finding the time to take in his surroundings.
What they had entered was the bodhimanda of the Ginseng Fruit Tree. The tree itself had not yet entered the mortal reality, but its bodhimanda had already pressed into Wuzhuang Temple's Yujing City, resulting in a collision between the bodhimanda and the real world.
This collision generated terrifying pulses of Dao light, forming a natural shield around the Ginseng Fruit Tree!
Now that they stood beneath the tree, the Dao light could no longer threaten them.
Even so, the Ginseng Fruit Tree radiated an imposing Dao might, with dreadful power coiled among its branches and leaves. Xu Ying could distinctly feel that if he so much as reached out his hand to pluck a Dao fruit, he would likely suffer a devastating blow!
This Dao tree stood there like an unfathomable Supreme, possessing supreme majesty that deterred anyone from making any reckless moves!
Xu Ying steadied his mind and shifted his gaze away.
Looking outward, he let out a soft exclamation of surprise. What met his eyes was not Wuzhuang Temple at all, but the myriad heavens and worlds, floating like solitary islands across an ocean.
The various worlds took on forms resembling black tortoises, dragons and phoenixes, or golden roosters—a myriad of extraordinary shapes, as though they were naturally formed Dao manifestations.
As for Wuzhuang Temple, it had completely vanished from sight.
*Sitting beneath this Dao tree, one can comprehend the profound Dao mysteries of the myriad heavens and worlds, surely gaining great supernatural powers of shocking might!*
At this thought, Xu Ying felt a sudden pang in his heart, remembering Yuan Weiyang's Yuan Dao Heavens Induction. Her art also sensed the forms of the myriad heavens and worlds, transforming them into Dao manifestations and visualizing them as various gods and demons housed within the apertures of the physical body.
That young woman's brilliance was in no way inferior to his own.
Feeling dejected, he quickly rallied his spirits and began contemplating his next move.
Lan Suying noticed Xu Ying's emotional shift. Although a divine calculator, she could not divine Xu Ying's innermost thoughts, nor did she know the struggle in his heart.
The Ginseng Fruit Tree was about to fully manifest in the mortal reality. At the same time, Xu Ying sensed a group of exceptionally powerful beings entering Wuzhuang Temple, who would arrive before long—no doubt the true bodies of the Imperial Monarch, the Heavenly Venerables, and the others descending into the lower realm.
Among them might even be the owner of the Landscape Heaven-Measuring Ruler, Emperor Changsheng!
*Even if I can pluck a Ginseng Dao fruit and consume it, I'm afraid I still won't be able to match the Imperial Monarch and the rest. If nothing else, I won't even be able to get past Emperor Changsheng.*
Xu Ying frowned slightly and quietly glanced up toward his canopy.
A patch of Dao light suffused the canopy; it was the bodhimanda of the Ginseng Fruit Tree invading the space within, severing the path inside.
That route of escape was now useless.
Lan Suying looked up at the Dao fruits upon the Ginseng Fruit Tree and said with a smile, "Celestial Venerable Xu, if you wish to pluck the Dao fruits, why not invite our Daoist friends Qingfeng and Mingyue out?"
Xu Ying's eyelids twitched. The only one who knew that Qingfeng and Mingyue had fallen into his hands was the Eastern King.
The Eastern King naturally would not have told Lan Suying, which meant Lan Suying had breached the Divine Mother's defenses and divined the two boys' whereabouts!
*This time, the Divine Mother suffered an absolute, utter defeat. Even raising the canopy couldn't block this person's divine calculations!*
Xu Ying invited the two young Daoist boys out of the Yingzhou Cave Abyss, thinking, *Then again, it is only natural. After all, the Supreme was someone who dared to plot against both the Dao Ancestor and the Demon Ancestor back then, and he could even divine my existence six hundred thousand years later. Heh, such computational power...*
A sense of helplessness washed over him.
The Daoist boy Qingfeng was nervous to the extreme. He, too, sensed that this Lan Suying was unimaginably formidable, possessing peerless divine calculation, and feared that he had no secrets left before him.
Only Mingyue remained completely oblivious.
Lan Suying smiled and said, "There are only thirty Dao fruits upon this Dao tree, a rather limited quantity. To pluck them requires specific hand seals, mental arts, and immortal artifacts; otherwise, one cannot even touch them."
Xu Ying immediately turned a displeased gaze onto Qingfeng, saying, "Daoist Friend Qingfeng, you weren't very honest, leaving out quite a few details."
Qingfeng had proposed that Xu Ying protect the two brothers as they entered the Ginseng Fruit Tree's bodhimanda, agreeing that Qingfeng would help him enter, after which each would pluck the fruits according to their own ability.
Yet Lan Suying revealed that plucking them required unique immortal artifacts, hand seals, and mental arts. Clearly, this young boy possessed a crafty mind full of wicked tricks and had never intended to let Xu Ying obtain any Dao fruits in the first place.
Qingfeng stammered, "These are the Dao fruits of our Wuzhuang Temple, and there weren't many to begin with."
Lan Suying said, "In that case, we shall trouble Daoist Friend Qingfeng to help pluck a few."
Qingfeng hesitated.
Lan Suying walked over to Mingyue with a smile on his face.
Seeing this, Qingfeng knew Lan Suying was threatening his junior brother's life. Not daring to play any more tricks, he gritted his teeth and retrieved a treasure specifically crafted for harvesting the Dao fruits—a golden ruyi scepter.
He activated the artifact. The moment it took flight, the Dao might of the Ginseng Fruit Tree erupted, like a supreme sovereign whose majesty brooked no offense!
The Landscape Heaven-Measuring Ruler in Xu Ying's grasp trembled violently under the provocation of this terrifying Dao might, appearing eager to take flight and clash against the tree.
Yet the golden ruyi seemed completely oblivious to the terror of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, passing through the Dao might without disturbing the tree's power in the slightest.
With a gentle tap of the treasure, a Dao fruit fell from the branches.
Qingfeng hurriedly called out, "Catch it with a bodhimanda! Never catch it with anything else! This Dao fruit cannot touch metal, wood, water, fire, or earth!"
Hearing this, Xu Ying immediately deployed his Ruyi Great Luo Heaven. The Dao fruit fell squarely into his bodhimanda, wafting an intoxicating fragrance that instantly whetted one's appetite.
Activating the artifact again, Qingfeng knocked down three more Dao fruits. He kept one for himself, gave one to Mingyue, and handed one to Lan Suying.
Lan Suying smiled. "I want two."
Qingfeng flared with anger. "Taking more is useless! Consuming one is enough to refine one's own Dao fruit; eating more won't produce a second one! Our Dao fruits were damaged by the Landscape Heaven-Measuring Ruler, which is why my junior brother and I must take another!"
Lan Suying replied, "I am asking for another on behalf of someone else."
Suppressing his fury, Qingfeng wielded the treasure and knocked down another Dao fruit.
Xu Ying hastily chimed in, "Junior Brother Qingfeng, I would also like to ask for a few on behalf of several close friends. I probably need... another four!"
Qingfeng could bear it no longer and snapped, "Why do you need so many?"
Lan Suying's eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "Naturally, he is preparing them for his parents, isn't that right?"
"Thank you for the reminder, Sixth Young Master." Xu Ying corrected himself on the spot. "I need five now."
Lan Suying's face darkened slightly, and he sneered, "So Celestial Venerable Xu hadn't even thought of honoring his mother just now. And here I thought Celestial Venerable Xu was a filial son."
Xu Ying felt somewhat guilty. Earlier, he had only thought of asking for one each on behalf of the big bell, Lord Qi, Lord Jin, and Xu Jing. Only upon hearing Lan Suying's words did he remember to ask for one for his mother, who remained trapped in the Immortal Realm.
*I wonder how Mother is doing?* he wondered with deep concern.
Seeing that Qingfeng was still hesitating, Lan Suying snorted coldly. "Qingfeng, do you really think you two brothers can still protect these Dao fruits? It is not too late for you to knock them down now; wait a moment longer, and not a single fruit on this tree will belong to you!"
The moment his words fell, a deafening boom echoed as the Imperial Monarch took the lead, forcibly breaching the bodhimanda of the Ginseng Fruit Tree and charging in!
Behind the Imperial Monarch, the various other Heavenly Monarchs poured into the bodhimanda one after another, surging straight toward the Ginseng Fruit Tree!
Chapter 523