The Original Purpose

"I once pored over ancient records at the Tianpeng Merchant Association, among which were accounts of the World Tree. In ancient times, the World Tree still existed between heaven and earth. It was said to connect multiple realms. However, this tree was actually a tree of death; any living being that approached it would be drained dry. The devouring effect of these stairs came precisely from this ability of the World Tree," Xi Ying explained swiftly.

"The World Tree has such an ability? But the piece of bark and the section of trunk I obtained were nothing like this." Yuan Ming frowned in puzzlement.

"That is because the bark and trunk you obtained had already lost their vitality. These stairs were originally dead objects as well, but someone used restrictions to awaken their vitality." Xi Ying struck directly at the heart of the matter.

Yuan Ming slowly nodded, suddenly enlightened.

He recalled that as the World Tree bark atop his Undying Tree expanded, his roots' absorbing power had also grown increasingly formidable. It seemed this was the reason as well.

"So that's it. To block the World Tree's devouring power, would another piece of World Tree bark do the trick?" Yuan Ming suddenly thought of something and asked.

Xi Ying nodded slightly and said with certainty, "Correct. This truly is a unique method that only you can use."

With a thought from Yuan Ming, the Undying Tree in his dantian immediately answered the summons and began to tremble violently.

His legs were gradually covered by a faint azure glow. Those legs of flesh and blood slowly transformed beneath the azure light into the form of the World Tree.

The instant this transformation was complete, Yuan Ming felt the weight beneath his feet suddenly lessen. The terrifying suction that had nearly