Chapter 1386
The Heavenly Tree: Cultivation Resources
The Old Ancestor of the Vast Ocean turned his gaze to Ye Yang and slowly spoke.
"Fellow Daoist, although you possess extraordinary strength, your cultivation has ultimately not reached the Mahayana realm, preventing you from unleashing the full power of the Immortal Array. Facing a truly formidable enemy, I fear... you alone will be unable to withstand the onslaught."
Ye Yang remained silent.
He himself was well aware of this.
Those monsters were no ordinary creatures; they seemed to be alien species born from the very origin of the world in the vast ocean. They appeared ordinary, but in reality, they were extremely powerful.
He appeared relaxed during the battle, but in reality, he had given it his all.
If it weren't for his profound mastery of array formations, coupled with the advantages of Longyuan and the Evil King...
It is impossible for the battle to end so quickly.
What the Old Ancestor Canghai said was exactly what he was most worried about.
"My days are numbered, and I can no longer protect you."
Ancestor Canghai sighed, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
"However, before you leave, I would like to ask you to wait here for a few more days."
"Please speak, senior."
"In my Canghai Realm, there is a secret place where a sacred tree, Jianmu, has grown since the ancient primordial era."
"Jianmu?"
Ye Yang's heart stirred.
He had heard of this name in some ancient books.
"good."
A hint of reminiscence appeared in the old ancestor's eyes.
"According to ancient legends, the Jianmu tree is a bridge connecting the three realms of heaven, earth, and man, and it is also imprinted with the laws and traces of the beginning of heaven and earth."
"Although the world changed drastically later and the path to heaven was cut off, the remnant roots of this Jianmu tree were fortunately preserved and became the foundation of my Canghai Realm."
"What you mean, senior, is..."
Ye Yang had a vague idea of what was going on.
"Your current realm is only one step away from the Mahayana stage, and you also have the inheritance of the Xuanwu Sacred Sect. What you lack is nothing more than an opportunity and an ultimate understanding of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth."
"I will use the remaining power of the vast ocean to send you to the base of the broken Jianmu tree. There, you may be able to come into contact with higher levels of the power of laws, comprehend the will of heaven, and break through to the Mahayana stage in one fell swoop."
"Only if you quickly break through to the Mahayana realm will my Canghai Realm... have a glimmer of hope."
Ye Yang took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Ancestor Canghai once again, his expression solemn and dignified.
"Thank you for your guidance, senior. I will certainly live up to your expectations!"
The illusory figure of the Old Ancestor of the Vast Ocean trembled slightly in the light and shadow.
He slowly raised his withered hand, and the last trace of the primordial Dao gathered at his fingertips.
The light was so faint as to be almost invisible, yet it stubbornly outlined a mysterious rune in the void.
"go with!"
The ancestor gave a low shout, and runes burst forth, transforming into a gate of light that hovered in front of Ye Yang.
Within the portal, the outline of a towering divine tree could be vaguely seen, its branches coiled like a dragon, its leaves sparkling like stars.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, the remaining strength of this old man... can only send you to the remnants of the Jianmu tree."
The voice of the Old Ancestor of the Vast Ocean grew weaker and weaker, and his figure became almost transparent.
“Yue Ji…she is familiar with the array formations and restrictions around Jianmu, so let her go with you.”
Yueji was startled and subconsciously looked at the ancestor.
The old man nodded slightly to her, his gaze carrying a profound meaning.
“Moon Princess, Fellow Daoist Ye has been kind to my Canghai Realm. You should serve him wholeheartedly and help him comprehend the Dao of Jianmu.”
Ye Yang's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not refuse.
He bowed deeply to the Ancestor of the Vast Ocean. "Senior, rest assured, this junior will do his utmost."
"well……"
The ancestor uttered two "good"s before his figure finally vanished completely, leaving only a long sigh echoing between heaven and earth.
Yueji took a deep breath, walked to Ye Yang's side, and clasped her hands in greeting.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, please."
The two stepped through the portal and were instantly transported to a strange space.
Jianmu (建木)!
Ye Yang's pupils contracted slightly; what he saw before him was a shock to his soul.
Even though it's just a remnant of the roots, this ancient divine tree still stands a thousand feet tall.
The tree trunk is like a piece of gold and jade, with naturally formed patterns of laws and principles imprinted on its surface, each containing the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.
Although the tree crown is incomplete, branches and leaves still hang down like a galaxy, sprinkling down points of light, like a dream.
What's even more unsettling is that these remaining roots of the Jianmu tree exude an ancient and weathered aura, as if they have existed here since the beginning of time.
"What a fine Jianmu tree!"
Ye Yang murmured to himself, he could feel that he was indeed only a hair's breadth away from the Great Ascension Realm.
Tsukihime said softly.
“Young Master Ye, the Dao of Jianmu is profound and requires quiet contemplation to comprehend. I can protect you from the sidelines. If you have any instructions, Yueji will be at your service.”
Ye Yang nodded and was about to step onto the platform when he suddenly stopped. He frowned, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.
"Young Master Ye?"
Tsukihime noticed his unusual behavior.
Something's not right...
Ye Yang spoke in a low voice, his divine sense quietly spreading out and enveloping the surroundings.
"Beneath this Jianmu tree, besides the remaining aura of the Canghai Ancestor, there is another... Mahayana aura."
Yueji's expression changed slightly.
"Mahayana? Impossible! The Ancestor never mentioned that there were other people here!"
A cold glint flashed in Ye Yang's eyes.
"This aura... is very unfamiliar and very subtle. If it weren't for the fact that my cultivation technique, the Immortal Fixation Technique, makes me extremely sensitive to auras, I probably wouldn't have been able to detect it."
The two exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious.
Ye Yang said slowly.
"I'm afraid even Ancestor Canghai is unaware of this person's existence. This hidden Mahayana Ancestor, it's unknown whether he's an enemy or a friend."
"Then we..."
Tsukihime hesitated.
"Since we're here, let's make the best of it."
Ye Yang took a deep breath.
"The Jianmu tree is a rare sight. If we retreat out of fear, how can our Dao heart be at peace? We must be even more careful."
He strode forward, each step firm and powerful, his consciousness always locked on that faint, almost imperceptible aura.
Yueji followed closely behind, a jade sword already subtly appearing in her hand as she warily scanned her surroundings.
Beneath the Jianmu tree, atop the Daotai platform.
Ye Yang sat cross-legged, with the Dragon Abyss Sword held horizontally in front of his knees and the Evil King Blade hanging at his side, ready to be drawn at any moment.
He closed his eyes and began to comprehend the Daoist essence of the Jianmu tree, but half of his mind was focused on guarding against that unfamiliar aura.
Time passed in silence.
The branches and leaves of the Jianmu tree swayed gently, scattering starlight, and Dao patterns flowed on the trunk, exuding a mysterious aura.
Ye Yang gradually became immersed in it. He could feel that his understanding of the laws of heaven and earth was deepening, and he was getting closer and closer to the Great Ascension Realm.
However, that unfamiliar aura persisted.
It lurked in the shadows, like a venomous snake, cold and powerful. Ye Yang could sense that the other party was also observing him, but made no move.
If the enemy doesn't move, I won't move either.
Ye Yang knew that breaking through to the Mahayana stage was the priority at this moment. He forcibly suppressed his vigilance and focused all his attention on the Daoist essence of the Jianmu tree.
Yueji, however, was not so relaxed. She stood at the edge of the platform, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. The pressure from that Mahayana aura was immense, as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on her heart.
"Who is it...?"
She was secretly alarmed.
"Besides the Ancestor, is there a second Mahayana cultivator in the Canghai Realm? Why have I never heard of him before?"
At that moment, a sudden change occurred!
The branches and leaves of the Jianmu tree suddenly shook violently, and the scattered starlight became disordered. The Mahayana aura hidden in the shadows suddenly became sharp, like a sleeping beast awakening!
Ye Yang's eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"I finally couldn't hold back anymore!"
The Dragon Abyss Sword was instantly drawn, transforming into a streak of azure sword light that protected him.
The Evil King Blade flew up simultaneously, its black blade light flickering, ready to strike at any moment.
Yue Ji reacted extremely quickly, her silver short sword transforming into a streak of light to protect Ye Yang's side.
"Young Master Ye, be careful!"
"Unauthorized trespassing on the forbidden area of Jianmu means death."
"Since you are living in seclusion here, why not show yourself? Hiding your head and revealing your tail is not the way of a cultivator."
"presumptuous!"
The figure moved suddenly and vanished from the spot in an instant.
Ye Yang's pupils contracted sharply. Such speed!
He had no time to think, and the Dragon Abyss Sword was instantly swung out, transforming into thousands of sword shadows to protect his body.
"Ding!"
A clang of metal rang out, sparks flying everywhere.
Ye Yang felt a tremendous force coming from him, and he was shaken back several steps, his hands going numb.
A branch of a Jianmu tree drifted by in the wind.
The branches are like swords, incredibly sharp!
"So strong!"
Ye Yang was shocked.
With just a single branch, he could be driven away.
This strength is truly worthy of a Mahayana cultivator!
A flicker of despair flashed in Tsukihime's eyes. (End of Chapter)