This Thing Really Packs a Punch

Three standard hours passed in a flash.

The figure of Moonlight Venerable reappeared silently, and this time, not only Moonlight Venerable, but also two figures exuding boundless majesty appeared on his left and right.

The five Venerable Lords in charge of opening the Supreme Sacred Tree Secret Realm have all gathered!

The hall fell silent.

After a brief silence, Moonlight Venerable and the other four lords exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

"The time has come." The Moonlight Venerable's voice clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable majesty, "The Sacred Tree Secret Realm, open!"

Before the words were finished, the five Venerable Lords raised their hands simultaneously.

Boom!

Five streams of light burst forth from their palms, intertwining and resonating in a mysterious and indescribable way.

Gold, silver, emerald green, azure blue, and dark red—five colors of light outlined a continuously rotating and expanding three-dimensional rune in the void.

At the center of the rune, space began to distort violently, as if a pair of invisible giant hands were tearing reality apart.

Soon, with a soft clicking sound, a huge vortex slowly formed beneath the temple dome.

The vortex was a deep emerald green, and an intensely rich life force and pure source energy surged forth like a flood bursting its banks, instantly engulfing the entire hall.

"Huh?"

Many prodigies subconsciously took a deep breath; merely being enveloped by this leaked aura, they felt their internal energy activity increase by several times.

"The entrance is stable. Those with the seal, enter in turn!" Moonlight Venerable shouted, his voice drowning out the deep rumble of the spatial vortex.

Without needing to be urged, the Star Domain level geniuses closest to the entrance were the first to set off.

Streaks of light flashed up and plunged into the emerald vortex without hesitation, their figures instantly swallowed up and vanished.

Their movements were swift and decisive, displaying the experience and ruthlessness of seasoned warriors.

Next is the Star Vortex level region.

Lin Yi exchanged a glance with the members of the Star Source Society and nodded to each other slightly.

Then, he stood up and took a step forward. His deep blue figure appeared in front of the spatial vortex. Several Star Vortex level geniuses who were about to enter subconsciously stepped aside to make way for the central path.

Lin Yi nodded slightly to them, then disappeared into the emerald light.

This time, the feeling of entering the secret realm was different from that of the Myriad Secret Realm. He did not have a violent sense of spatial tearing. Instead, it felt like passing through a layer of warm water film.

Then, the view suddenly opened up.

Lin Yi was suspended in an indescribable, strange space.

The first thing he felt was the surging source energy.

The energy concentration here is extremely pure and mild, and can be absorbed directly with almost no conversion required.

What's even more peculiar is that the air is filled with an ancient, vast, and vibrant atmosphere.

Even though he hadn't yet grasped the Life Law, he could clearly perceive that the entire space was immersed in an ocean of life.

Lin Yi didn't rush to act, but instead hovered in mid-air and looked around.

Just as Edith had described in the information she had sent earlier, this place was not a complete world.

It is more like an independent space bubble that exists in relation to the Sacred Tree.

Beneath his feet was no solid ground, only a gently rippling, emerald-green void.

What filled his entire field of vision were rows of "sky-high pillars".

Although called a pillar, it is actually an "aerial root".

Lin Yi could only see countless giant aerial roots hanging down from an extremely high, invisible place above, their lower ends disappearing into the emerald green void below, while their upper ends were hidden in the equally emerald green and hazy sky.

These aerial roots are covered with rugged bark patterns, with soft fluorescent light shimmering in the gaps, and in some places, moss or small crystal clusters that emit a faint glow grow.

A vast amount of life energy and source energy is continuously emanating from these air roots, filling the entire secret realm space.

"The Supreme Sacred Tree Secret Realm," Lin Yi murmured to himself, recalling the information from Edith's intelligence report.

The Sacred Tree Secret Realm can almost be seen as a miniature space suspended beside the Sacred Tree. The reason why it usually requires a minimum Star Core level to enter is simple: there is no ground here, and flight is the most basic ability. Stardust level can hardly move an inch here.

The rules for exploring the secret realm are also simple and straightforward: generally speaking, the higher you go, the purer the energy contained in the aerial roots, the higher the quality of the "Sacred Source Fruit" that grows on them, and the stronger the "Tree Spirit" that guards the Sacred Source Fruit.

However, the word "usually" needs to be questioned here.

Because tree spirits are not stationary guardians.

They also hunt and devour each other to become stronger.

Therefore, powerful tree spirits at higher levels are often attracted by energy fluctuations or prey from lower levels and move to those levels.

This means that even in the generally accepted lower-class areas, there is a possibility of encountering dangers far beyond what is expected.

What's more troublesome is that, according to the ancient records of the Spirit Race, the spatial bubble membrane of this secret realm does not seem to restrict the Tree Spirits' entry and exit.

Historically, there have even been records of divine tree spirits wandering in the secret realm.

Although the probability is extremely low, once encountered, it would be a catastrophic disaster for anyone entering below the Star Domain level.

"Risk and opportunity coexist; it has always been so." Lin Yi quickly calmed down and glanced around.

The location of the Sacred Tree Secret Realm was randomized upon entry, and there were no other prodigies around him, so Lin Yi did not rush to act.

He hovered in place, the two laws of space and time flowing slightly within his body, and his powerful soul perception spread outwards like mercury spilling onto the ground.

Although the environment of the secret realm was special and suppressed perception to some extent, his perfect-level control over the laws still allowed him to clearly grasp the general situation within a radius of tens of thousands of kilometers.

No trace of the prodigy has been found yet, but there are some faint life signs at the Star Core level, possibly tree spirits.

"Let's get to the upper levels first and quickly improve our strength."

Lin Yi made a decision quickly.

He didn't intend to waste time causing trouble for those weak tree spirits at the Star Core level.

Because the biggest weakness at present is the source energy realm.

Despite his perfected dual superior laws, which make him powerful enough to overwhelm ordinary Star Domain level cultivators and even contend with those newly entering the World Derivation level, his total source energy and recovery speed are ultimately his Achilles' heel.

The greatest advantage of the Sacred Tree Secret Realm is that it can "rapidly increase one's Source Energy Realm without any side effects."

Therefore, Lin Yi's goal was clear: first, to explore the activity area of tree spirits at the late stage to the peak of the Star Domain level, and then use the resources there to increase his source energy realm!

Once he reaches the Star Domain level, he can ensure that none of the other geniuses who entered with him can exert a cross-realm suppression on him at the source energy level. Only then can he more easily explore higher levels and compete for the most outstanding opportunities.

After all, human nature is unpredictable.

Edith's warning still echoed in my ears: it is the most foolish thing to entrust one's safety to others' fear of one's "potential." Only absolute strength is the true talisman.

Once he made up his mind, Lin Yi selected a giant aerial root that resembled a mountain range not far away.

The energy fluctuations on the surface of this aerial root are more restrained and robust compared to other aerial roots in the vicinity, making it clearly an excellent choice.

Then, Lin Yi moved, transforming into a faint, almost imperceptible stream of light, and began to fly upwards along the surface of the air root.

To conserve energy for unforeseen circumstances, Lin Yi did not use teleportation directly. Instead, he maintained a steady ascent while pushing his senses to the limit, remaining vigilant against potential threats that might suddenly appear from the folds of the air roots, holes, or above.

The scenery along the way flashed by rapidly.

The surface of the aerial roots is not static. Some areas are covered with glowing vines, while others are condensed with milky-white energy crystals. Occasionally, one can also see tiny creatures resembling insects or elemental spirits playing in the energy flow.

These are all creatures naturally nurtured in the secret realm, most of them harmless, but Lin Yi did not let his guard down at all.

The higher you go, the denser the surrounding energy and life force become, and the pressure gradually increases.

Some slowly floating orbs of light or mist began to appear in the void; they were composed of pure energy and were colorful.

After flying for nearly a standard hour, based on the altitude and energy level he had climbed, and combined with the information he had previously obtained, Lin Yi determined that he had entered what is commonly understood as a "Star Domain level tree spirit activity area."

He flew upwards for nearly ten more minutes, estimating that the tree spirit's strength should be close to the late stage of the Star Domain level, before slowing down and finally stopping on a relatively flat platform area on the surface of the air roots.

This is it.

Lin Yi placed his feet on the rough and tough gnarled part of the tree trunk, then concealed his aura, and the Veil of Delusion quietly activated, minimizing his presence.

At the same time, his soul perception, like the most sophisticated radar, began to carefully scan every detail around him, with himself at the center.

The surface of the aerial roots is crisscrossed with grooves, forming natural caves, fissures, and platforms.

In locations with particularly concentrated energy, crystals or unusual plants often condense and emit an alluring luster.

Lin Yi was not tempted by the immediate benefits. He silently memorized the location in his mind, and then moved laterally between the parallel air roots, like a most experienced hunter searching for prey in the mountains.

Or rather, a treasure guarded by the prey.

About half a standard hour later, Lin Yi noticed something unusual.

Nine thousand kilometers to the left, in a recessed area partially obscured by several giant luminous mosses, energy fluctuations exhibit a regular "inhalation and exhalation" phenomenon.

That wasn't natural dissipation; it was more like some kind of organism breathing, or absorbing something.

Lin Yi's gaze narrowed slightly, and his figure silently merged into the space. In the next instant, he appeared hundreds of meters above the sunken area, using a protruding crystal cluster to conceal himself and looking down.

At the bottom of the depression, near the aerial roots, grows a small tree, only half a person's height, with a bright green and translucent body.

The sapling has sparse branches and leaves, but at the top it supports a fruit that is only the size of a fist, but is golden green all over and has a liquid sheen flowing on its surface!

The inside of this fruit seemed to contain countless tiny stars that were constantly being created and destroyed, radiating a powerful and pure energy fluctuation and a rich aura of the Life Law.

Lin Yi's eyes lit up immediately.

Sacred Source Fruit!

Moreover, judging from its color, energy concentration, and the degree of manifestation of its laws, it is by no means a low-grade product.

According to Edith's intelligence, this is a treasure that only a late-stage Star Domain level Tree Spirit would be qualified to possess.

Thinking of this, Lin Yi turned his gaze to the figure entrenched beside the Sacred Source Fruit.

It was a strange creature about three meters tall, its body made entirely of dark brown material covered with wood grain, with long limbs and tree-knot-like protrusions growing at its joints.

Its head resembled an ancient wooden carving, lacking facial features, with only two recessed holes from which two flames of bluish-green soul flickered.

More importantly, one of its "hands" was gently hovering above the Sacred Source Fruit, and streams of visible golden-green energy were flowing from the Sacred Source Fruit, passing through its hand and merging into its body.

Tree Spirit!

Lin Yi immediately recognized the creature's identity, and at the same time, he also discerned the tree spirit's strength.

Star Domain level perfection.

However, at this moment, the tree spirit was immersed in absorbing the energy of the Sacred Source Fruit, its movements were slow, and its perception of the outside world seemed to be at its lowest.

"Just as recorded."

Lin Yi recalled the description in the intelligence report.

Tree spirits rarely pick and consume Sacred Source Fruit directly, because they are quite intelligent and understand that leaving the Sacred Source Fruit on the tree root is equivalent to having a "source energy pool" from which energy can be continuously drawn.

As long as we don't exhaust the resources, we can benefit in the long run.

While directly harvesting may yield a significant amount of energy at once, it severs a long-term foundation.

For tree spirits with long lifespans and slow cultivation, the former is clearly a better choice.

But this is precisely what gives newcomers an opportunity.

The practitioners had limited time and wanted immediate results.

The sole purpose is to harvest, consume, and enhance one's strength.

"A tree spirit at the peak of the Star Domain level. Perfect for verifying what we've learned."

Lin Yi's heart stirred, and his figure suddenly vanished.

Then, he stepped forward in front of the tree spirit, a faint chaotic light flashing in his eyes, temporarily freezing the tree spirit in place.

At the same time, his right palm, covered with a radiance that distorted light and concepts, gently imprinted itself on the core of the tree spirit's chest, where the most intense soul fire resided.

Spacetime Bubble Implosion.

In order not to affect the Sacred Source Fruit that was so close at hand, Lin Yi immediately used a killing move.

This move didn't release any external energy; all its destructive power was confined within a temporarily created, spacetime-unstable microbubble inside the tree spirit's body.

The tree spirit, which was happily absorbing energy, didn't have time to react. The next second, its incredibly tough body, like a weathered sand sculpture, silently turned into energy dust shimmering with blue light from the inside out, and scattered away.

In the end, only a bluish-brown crystal remained, falling to the ground with a "thud".

But Lin Yi completely ignored that thing; his attention was entirely focused on the golden-green Sacred Source Fruit.

The Sacred Source Fruit still radiated an alluring glow, and thanks to his deliberate protection, it remained unaffected by the battle that had just taken place.

Lin Yi stepped forward and extended his hand.

The moment your fingers touch the fruit, a warm and powerful vitality flows up your arm, invigorating your spirit.

Without hesitation, he picked the Sacred Source Fruit.

The moment the fruit left the sapling, the once-glossy tree quickly dimmed and withered, eventually turning into a wisp of ashes that dissipated into the dense, energetic air.

Lin Yi scanned the area with his soul sense and, after confirming that there was no threat, immediately sat down cross-legged and put the Sacred Source Fruit into his mouth in the recessed area.

The fruit melts in your mouth, transforming into a warm and pure energy that surges into your limbs and bones instantly, without even needing to be swallowed. Some of it even rushes straight to your brain, bringing a sense of coolness and clarity to your soul.

The sheer magnitude of this energy far exceeded Lin Yi's expectations.

It did not violently impact his meridians, but rather, like the gentlest and purest spring water, it automatically merged into the already opened stellar vortex within his body, and spontaneously converged towards the core of the stellar vortex.

There was no need for Lin Yi to deliberately guide it; the spacetime laws that had already formed a perfect cycle within his body operated spontaneously, like the most efficient furnace, rapidly converting and absorbing this pure Life Source Energy.

Lin Yi introspected on himself.

After emerging from the Myriad Secret Realm, with the aid of various treasures, he successfully condensed the second star vortex.

Within the third star vortex, 187 brilliant Star Core, condensed from pure source energy and orbiting along specific paths, are suspended.

At this moment, with the infusion of the Sacred Source Fruit's energy, the Third Star Sphere seemed to be infused with boundless power.

Buzz.

The third star vortex trembled slightly, emitting a profound resonance.

With the pure energy of the Sacred Source Fruit, the new Star Core is lighting up at a visible rate.

The 188th Star Core is complete!

The 189th one.

The 200th one.

The speed is getting faster and faster!

The light condensed in the Star Core merged into one, illuminating almost the entire interior of the third star spiral.

The number of Star Core increased rapidly: 300, 500, 700.

Lin Yi could clearly feel the surge in his total source energy, as well as the simultaneous improvement in his body and soul's control over energy.

This enhancement was incredibly solid, without any sense of superficiality, as if these Star Core cores were meant to exist there, but were simply awakened prematurely by the energy of the Sacred Source Fruit.

Soon, the 999th Star Core lit up brilliantly on the edge of the orbit of the third star.

Buzz!

The third star vortex suddenly trembled, its internal space subtly expanding by one ring. The orbits of all 999 Star Core became even more mysterious and complex, their energies intertwined, forming a more stable whole.

Star Vortex level Tier 3, achieved!

However, less than half of the energy from the Sacred Source Fruit had been consumed.

The remaining boundless energy, after the third star vortex reached its perfect saturation, surged smoothly into the void of the Source Sea.

Lin Yi had an idea and immediately began to guide him.

Boom!

A roar, like the first explosion of the universe, resounded within Lin Yi's body.

A slightly smaller, brand-new miniature star-shaped prototype instantly took shape, supported by the energy of the Sacred Source Fruit.

Immediately following this was a new wave of Star Core condensation frenzy!

The first one, the second one, the tenth one, the hundredth one.

The energy of the Sacred Source Fruit is like an inexhaustible Spring, supporting this crazy "star-making" movement.

The number of Star Core within the fourth stellar spiral is increasing at an astonishing rate.

200 or 300.

It wasn't until the 387th stable and brilliant Star Core condensed within the fourth star vortex that the mighty, warm torrent of energy was finally completely exhausted.

Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes and gently exhaled a breath of stale air. This breath actually carried a faint golden-green luster and dissipated into the dense air of the secret realm after flying several meters away.

He carefully sensed the changes within his body.

Star Vortex level, fourth tier, 387 Star Core!

One fruit not only perfected the third star spiral, but also directly opened up the fourth star spiral, pushing it to the level of 387 cores.

"This thing is really powerful. Just one pill was enough to advance me from the early stage of the Star Vortex realm to the mid stage."

Even with Lin Yi's resolute will, his heart was stirred at this moment.

He knew that the Sacred Source Fruit was a good thing, Edith's information also emphasized its great help in rapidly improving one's Source Energy Realm.

But I didn't expect it to be this strong.

"However, the information Edith provided didn't indicate that the Sacred Source Fruit's potency was this strong, which is probably related to its height at which it grows." Lin Yi quickly calmed down. "The tree spirit guarding it is at the peak of the Star Domain level; ordinary Star Vortex level geniuses can't do anything to it."

Lin Yi savored the taste of the Sacred Source Fruit and immediately recalled the feeling he had when absorbing it earlier. Besides the abundant source energy, he also experienced a cool, clear, and soul-nourishing sensation.

"By the way, insights into the laws."

Lin Yi immediately calmed his mind and carefully sensed his level of understanding of the Life Law.

Although he had previously decided to make the Life Law his third goal for enlightenment, he had not yet had the chance to formally begin studying it. Therefore, his understanding of the Life Law was extremely superficial, not even reaching the level of entry-level comprehension, and his level of understanding was probably less than 0.001%.

At this moment, however, he could clearly "touch" the vast rhythm of Life Law in the surrounding space.

Although it still cannot be mobilized or utilized, its presence has become very distinct.

The previously obscure and difficult-to-understand life patterns and the profound mysteries of energy flow seem to have become a little clearer at this moment.

"It's improved!" Lin Yi confirmed in his heart. "Although it's still far from the beginner level, it's definitely much clearer than before."

With his precise grasp of the levels of understanding of the laws, he quickly estimated and arrived at a rough value.

"It increased my comprehension by approximately 0.1%." A glint flashed in Lin Yi's eyes.

0.1% sounds insignificant.

However, for the "Life Law," one of the higher laws, the fact that a single fruit can increase comprehension by 0.1% is already extremely exaggerated.

The value of this Sacred Source Fruit was greater than he had imagined.

It not only provides a massive amount of pure energy, but also contains a trace of the precious origin of the Life Law!

"It seems that this Sacred Tree Secret Realm truly lives up to its supreme reputation. No wonder all the geniuses of the Spirit Race choose to cultivate the Life Element; it turns out they have such a treasure to fall back on."

Lin Yi inwardly envied the Spirit Race's resources for a moment, then stood up.

At this moment, his aura was even more profound and restrained, but the oppressive force he exuded was much stronger than before.

He then took the bluish-brown tree spirit core from the ground into his hand.

The core is warm to the touch, with flowing wood grain inside, containing a strong sense of life and the rules of wood, clearly indicating that it is a good material.

"This is good; it would suit Ellie quite well."

As Lin Yi pondered this, he casually put it into his storage space.

Then, he raised his head, his gaze following the enormous, towering root of air to the higher, hazy, emerald-green area where the energy surged even more.

"If the Sacred Source Fruit is this potent at this location, what about the ones higher up?"

Lin Yi stared silently for a moment, then forcibly suppressed the impulse in his heart. With a flash, his dark blue figure transformed into a stream of light once more, continuing to search to the side.