Dao-Seizing Ancient Tree, the Promise with Changle

Emperor Daye spoke sincerely, asking Chen Lingxi for advice.

Chen Lingxi's gaze was calm as a Divine Sense entered the Emperor Daye's Consciousness Sea.

Interspersed among them was a great deal of information. Emperor Daye stood on the scorching balcony, his black dragon robe fluttering slightly in the heat wave.

Suddenly, he slowly opened his eyes, Weaving Delusion Golden Eyes suddenly flickered.

"Is this the glimmer of hope you spoke of, fellow Daoist?" Emperor Daye inquired.

Chen Lingxi slowly, her eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Emperor Daye remained silent for a long time before staring directly at Chen Lingxi.

Chen Lingxi met that gaze without changing her expression. She simply took a deep breath, looked up at the Void, and said nothing more.

A long time passed.

Emperor Daye finally stood up and bowed to Chen Lingxi: "From beginning to end, I have wanted to escape this Weiji Grotto-Heaven, to escape that True Lord Furnace, but upon careful consideration..."

"The Weiji Grotto-Heaven... and even you and I, why must we suffer this calamity for no reason... all of this was summoned by that True Lord, and even by that Great Sage Luo Yuan. Since that's the case..."

Emperor Daye's eyes flashed, and his aura was scorching.

Chen Lingxi also bowed to Emperor Daye: "Fellow Daoist, we do not yet know whether this matter will succeed or not, but we must try no matter what."

Please wait for my message, fellow Daoist.

Emperor Daye thought for a moment, and then suddenly another Divine Sense entered Chen Lingxi brain.

Chen Lingxi frowned, bid farewell to Emperor Daye, turned around, and silently activated the azure clouds beneath his feet, transforming them into a streak of lightning before departing.

Emperor Daye gazed at the lightning bolt that disappeared into the sea of clouds, his black dragon robe fluttering in the scorching heat.

He also took a deep breath, and a seven-colored rainbow spread out beneath his feet, lifting his figure into the sky. He too stepped into the Void and left the Volcano Immortal Pivot.

Chen Lingxi stood calmly on the azure clouds, but her heart was churning like the sea of clouds beneath her feet.

"The Emperor Daye told me that the Void Turbulence above the complete Cauldron Vessel is about to completely dissipate?"

His mind was in turmoil, but he did not return to Inlaid Gold Mountain; instead, he went straight to Ancestral Mountain.

Within Emperor Daye Daye's Divine Sense lay the method to open the Ancestral Mountain. Chen Lingxi arrived at the Ancestral Mountain, condensed his Dao Origin, transformed it into a spiritual array, opened the Ancestral Mountain, and arrived at this Immortal Pivot.

Within the small world of Ancestral Mountain, the thick fog persisted. He hovered within it for only a moment before departing.

"And there are still the Storm Immortal Pivot and the Amber Immortal Pivot."

Chen Lingxi straight to the Storm Immortal Pivot and then to the Amber Immortal Pivot, completing all the tasks according to his plan before heading to the Heaven Gate Sea!

"We need to go see that complete Cauldron Vessel."

Chen Lingxi pondered for a moment, then continued onward until he reached the sky Heaven Gate Sea, where he sank back into the sea.

The sea was pitch black.

He had once come to this place from the perspective of Emperor Daye, within the Total Perception Divine Chamber.

At that time, Chen Lingxi's cultivation level was still shallow.

Today, he came again, and his cultivation level was different from before.

"Even in this deep sea where the complete Cauldron Vessel is hidden, there is still a restriction set up by Emperor Daye."

Chen Lingxi's mind raced as she stepped onto the surging sea, her body crackling with lightning, keeping the massive waves at bay by three feet.

A flash of lightning appeared in his eyes, and he plunged into the seabed, sinking all the way down until he finally arrived at that deep, silent ocean floor.

One could see the method of observing qi flowing in his eyes.

A majestic, concealed array constructed purely of pale golden Dao Origin appeared before his eyes.

At the core of that formation was a wisp of extremely pure Dao Origin, imbued with the unique aura of the Emperor Daye.

The aura was deep, ancient, and domineering, as if the emperor himself sat cross-legged at the bottom of the deep sea, personally guarding this place.

"This is the work of Emperor Daye. He has probably reached a state of perfection in the art of Emperor Daye."

Chen Lingxi with determination. "But I wonder if, with my current cultivation level, with my Thunder-Prison Heaven and Void-Return Sword Tower, I can break through this restriction."

That's what he was thinking.

Just then, the formation seemed to sense Chen Lingxi's arrival, and the originally seamless and ever-flowing concealment formation trembled slightly.

Immediately afterwards, as if sensing something, the countless wandering runes simultaneously lit up with a warm and bright golden light.

The light was not dazzling; rather, it carried a sense of respect, like a subject making way for a king.

"Um?"

Chen Lingxi an eyebrow, deeply surprised, but then he understood and bowed to the great formation.

"It seems that Emperor Daye knew I was coming here and therefore did not use the great formation to stop me."

"Emperor Daye probably also thought that it was the illusion of the Great Sage Luo Yuan River that made me aware that this place contained a complete Cauldron Vessel."

He pondered this in his heart.

The array barrier vanished silently before his eyes.

Without further hesitation, Chen Lingxi stepped into the passage.

Then he saw the complete Cauldron Vessel.

"Dao-Seizing Ancient Tree ..."

Chen Lingxi stood before the ancient tree, raised her head, and looked intently.

At this moment, the ancient aura emanating from this mysterious Cauldron Vessel became even more intense.

The ancient tree exuded a profound and ancient aura that was several times more intense than when he had seen it in the Total Perception Divine Chamber.

The entire ancient tree is like a divine artifact that has been sealed away for thousands of years, slowly awakening.

On the gnarled, dragon-like branches, the bronze leaves trembled gently, emanating an extremely pure Cauldron Vessel aura.

"Hmm? The Dao-Seizing Ancient Tree has borne fruit again!"

Chen Lingxi looked up at the highest point of the ancient tree.

But there, a brand new Dao-Seizing Fruit had grown, about the size of a fist, with a dark gold color all over it. The fruit was covered with mysterious patterns that were more complex and ancient than the previous one.

The fruit, like a star embedded in the tree crown, was slowly rotating.

"Moreover, the aura of Void Turbulence on this complete Cauldron Vessel is becoming increasingly faint. Precisely because of this, the ancient Daoist charm within this Cauldron Vessel is being activated more thoroughly and more turbulently."

Chen Lingxi pondered, knowing that this complete Cauldron Vessel was about to be created.

If we wait a little longer, this complete Cauldron Vessel will be completely cleansed of the traces of the Void Turbulence, see the light of day again, and reveal its whereabouts.

At that time, not only the Weiji Grotto-Heaven, but also the Quexing Xi Family members who use their great Divine Ability to spy on this world, and even the various forces in the distant Great Xuanzhuo Realm who are eyeing it with the Guiding Passage Formation, will all sense its existence immediately.

"Once the ownership of the Cauldron Vessel is determined, according to Daoist Shurong, the True Lord of the Quexing Xi Family will refine this realm."

Chen Lingxi felt an even greater sense of urgency, silently praying, "I hope this Weiji Grotto-Heaven can hold out until the next Thorough Awakening Completion."

He knew that his time was running out.

So he no longer hesitated.

He stepped forward, the lightning around him slowly receding, and reached out towards the Dao-Seizing Fruit hanging on the branch, gently plucking it!

But then he saw the Dao-Seizing Fruit seem to have a spirit of its own, falling off the branch and into his palm.

"It is exactly the same as the Dao-Seizing Fruit I obtained before."

Chen Lingxi put the Dao-Seizing Fruit into his Hongdong Bag and left, flying straight towards Yuan River Prefecture.

--

Yuan River Prefecture!

It was late at night.

Most of the shops on both sides of the long street had their doors and windows closed.

Chen Lingxi walked through the familiar streets and alleys, passing through several streets and alleys, and arrived at Mystic Wonder Abbey.

He pushed open the door and entered, passing through the courtyard and main hall constructed of illusions, and walked straight towards the side room in the backyard.

Inside the room, an oil lamp flickered. Its dim light fell on the simple wooden bed and on the young man lying on it.

Liu Changle was still fast asleep, his face peaceful and his breathing steady, like a young man lost in a beautiful dream who did not want to wake up.

"But I wonder if the other Dao Platform, Liu Changle, whose fortunes are declining day by day, has improved at all."

Chen Lingxi pondered in her heart.

The wind from outside the window occasionally blew in, causing the oil lamp flame to flicker and casting the two people's shadows on the wall, sometimes long, sometimes short, just like those old days when they depended on each other for survival in the Inverted Room.

"Changle is still asleep; that Liu Changle from the Great Profound Turbid Realm should not be dead."

"Perhaps this is the last time I will see Changle."

Chen Lingxi sighed and was about to leave.

But just then...

Whether by coincidence or because Liu Changle sensed something, Liu Changle woke up from his deep sleep.

Liu Changle's eyelids twitched slightly, then slowly opened.

He saw Chen Lingxi sitting on the edge of the bed, and was slightly taken aback at first, but then a sincere smile appeared on his angular face.

"Lingxi!" His voice was filled with joy. "You've come to see me again?"

Chen Lingxi smiled, reached out and patted Liu Changle on the shoulder, but didn't say anything.

Liu Changle, however, seemed oblivious to his unusual behavior.

He propped himself up on the bed, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and his gaze fell on Chen Lingxi. Suddenly, he paused slightly.

Perhaps they sensed the aura of profound depth emanating from Chen Lingxi, which was vastly different from when they last met.

But he didn't ask any further questions, he just grinned.

"Lingxi, I am so glad you came to see me."

He paused, then sighed, "Perhaps soon we won't be able to see each other again."

Chen Lingxi was somewhat surprised and asked, "Why is that?"

Liu Changle said softly, "I had a dream, a very, very long dream."

"I dreamt that I was standing atop Sun-Watching Peak, with a surging sea of clouds below and three great suns above."

"But soon, the sea of clouds dissipated."

I saw Yellow Leap Peak's men, I saw those once-arrogant rivals, and I also saw...

He paused, his voice suddenly lowering. "I saw my fellow disciples. They're all fleeing. My junior disciple Cheng's Qi Sea is shattered, my junior disciple Zhu is being specifically demanded by name by someone on the Dragon-Transformation Immortal Ranking, and my sect leader hasn't emerged from seclusion; he's probably already gone."

He closed his eyes, his voice growing softer and softer. "I wanted to protect them, but I was too weak. My Dao Platform is shattered, my Profound Root is withered, and even standing there is a struggle."

Chen Lingxi listened quietly, a slight glint of lightning flashing in her eyes, but she didn't interrupt.

Liu Changle remained silent for a moment, then suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Chen Lingxi.

The hazy and dazed look in those eyes was gone; instead, a strange light shone through.

"Then, the scene of the Great Xuanzhuo Realm in the dream shattered,"

"I dreamt again of a Long River rolling in, and I saw myself no longer myself, saw everything in the world being submerged by the river, and saw my own flesh and blood dissolve, turning into a drop of river water."

Liu Changle gave a wry smile as he finished speaking.

He turned his head, looking out the window at the courtyard shrouded in night, at the old locust trees rustling in the wind, and said softly, "I don't think it was a dream."

Chen Lingxi remained silent, her breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

He knew that what Liu Changle was talking about was not a dream.

He also knew what that Long River meant, and what it meant to "become a drop of river water."

"Whether it is the awakening of the Great Sage Sage's incarnation, the descent of the Great Sage's true form, or even the refinement of this Weiji Grotto-Heaven by the Quexing Xi Family True Lord, Liu Changle will disappear, just like the many beings in this Weiji Grotto-Heaven."

Just like me and Emperor Daye."

Chen Lingxi remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, as if afraid of disturbing the last bit of warmth remaining in the room.

There will always be partings in this world. Changle, perhaps one day we will never see each other again.

Therefore, I have come today to say goodbye to you.

Upon hearing this, Liu Changle was slightly taken aback at first, but then grinned.

He suddenly raised his hand and said in a serious tone, "Lingxi, don't say such discouraging things."

I know your cultivation has improved greatly again, and you have many good days ahead of you.

Perhaps those dreams don't mean anything. One day, when you can go to the Great Xuanzhuo Realm, after I recover from my injuries and have mastered the great Divine Ability in those dreams, I will take you to see the Sun-Watching Peak. The sea of clouds there is far more beautiful than the snow scenery of Yuan River Prefecture."

Looking at him like this, Chen Lingxi couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle. The gloom that had been building up in her heart for so long was somewhat dispelled by this smile.

He nodded slightly, following his lead.

When Liu Changle saw Chen Lingxi nod, his smile grew even brighter.

But that smile didn't last long.

Liu Changle seemed to suddenly remember something, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

He suddenly said out of the blue, "Lingxi, in this Cave Heaven, neither of us has any brothers or relatives."

We were both slaves in the Inverted Room, but I had long considered you my brother.

But in another world, I still have many people I care about...

He paused slightly as he finished speaking, a hint of pleading flashing in his deep eyes.

"If one day you are able to go to that vast world, to the territory of the Dragon-Offering Sect, I would appreciate it if you could take care of [Sun-Watching Peak] for me."

Chen Lingxi was startled.

Then there was a long silence.

So he lowered his head and thought about it, and realized that his future was bleak.

"I have struggled for so long in this Weiji Grotto-Heaven, rising from a dying medicine slave to the Dao Foundation Realm. It seems glorious, but in reality, I am merely eking out a living between the True Lord and the Great Sage."

The shadow of the World-Refining Furnace always loomed over his head, while the avatar of the Great Sage Luo Yuan slept deep within the Ancestral Mountain. If either of these two behemoths were to move a finger, he would be shattered to pieces and his soul would be scattered.

How could he dare make such a promise when he couldn't even find a way to survive himself?

But when he looked up and met Liu Changle's eyes, he found himself nodding solemnly in agreement, almost as if possessed.

He said, "Okay."

If that day ever comes, I will go to that Sun-Watching Peak and take care of them for you."

Upon hearing this, Liu Changle seemed relieved.

He grinned, reached out and patted Chen Lingxi's shoulder heavily, saying with a smile, "Then it's a deal."

"You can't take it back."

"No, it won't."