Secluded Cultivation

Even for Zhao Shi and Mu Qin, not to mention the well-traveled Hermione, this was a novel experience. In the blink of an eye, the tiny distance before them had transformed into an entirely different world.

Looking out, the sky seemed much closer. Vast grasslands stretched around them, while a sprawling forest lay in the distance. Within that forest, a towering giant tree rose straight into the clouds.

Zhao Shi, Mu Qin, and Hermione looked up at the Sacred Tree, their eyes filled with shock. Its enormous emerald canopy resembled a sea of leaves that blocked out the sky and sun, covering nearly half the secret realm.

"Xiao Xuan, th-this is..."

Zhao Shi asked haltingly. He considered himself widely traveled and far from ignorant, yet before the Sacred Tree, he found that even racking his brains, he could not find words to describe its immense height and grandeur.

Zhao Xuan looked at the Sacred Tree, his eyes flickering with emotion.

"This is the Sacred Tree, the master of this secret realm. As long as it exists, the secret realm exists. Once it dies, this realm will perish with it."

Zhao Shi and Mu Qin nodded somewhat blankly, their hearts still churning. Yet on second thought, Zhao Xuan had not fared much better when he first saw the Sacred Tree.

However, after her shock subsided, the girl beside them hesitantly asked, "Zhao Xuan, why do I feel like this Sacred Tree is..."

"Hm?"

Hearing the tone in her voice, Zhao Xuan raised his brows and could not help glancing at her again. He had not expected her to notice something so quickly upon their first meeting.

Under the girl's startled gaze, Zhao Xuan smiled faintly. Looking toward the Sacred Tree, he said with a sigh, "You're not wrong. The Sacred Tree