Zhang Yuan collected the entire pool of five-colored water into the [Three Calamities Gourd].
Then Zhang Yuan turned his gaze toward the Earthcore Treasure Lotus Tree.
Deprived of the five-colored pool water it depended on, the Earthcore Treasure Lotus Tree did not wither. Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures at this level could survive for a long time even without a suitable environment.
Zhang Yuan jumped into the now-empty pool. After a moment's consideration, he took an axe out of his Purple Mansion.
The axe was no ordinary weapon, but a Pre-Heaven Spirit Treasure he had plundered. It was perfect for chopping down a tree.
First, Zhang Yuan used the axe to chop free the Red Crystal Heart in the pool and stored it in his Purple Mansion. Then he rose into the air with Skyflight, reached the junction between the Earthcore Treasure Lotus Tree's trunk and crown, and severed the green-lotus-like crown with a single stroke, storing that in his Purple Mansion as well.
The Earthcore Treasure Lotus Tree's two most precious components were the earthcore that served as its roots and the Treasure Lotus that served as its crown. With those two in hand, he effectively had eighty percent of the tree.
Although the remaining trunk was also a superior Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, its effects were comparatively ordinary. Besides, it was too large to fit inside his Purple Mansion. Stripping off some bark and wood would suffice.
After securing the earthcore and Treasure Lotus, Zhang Yuan stripped off another large chunk of the trunk, then returned to Xie Jingxin's side. Looking at the wreckage before him, he nodded in satisfaction.
Just then, he heard Xie Jingxin speak beside him.
"Isn't what we're doing a little wrong?" Xie Jingxin asked hesitantly.
She had cut down the native Flood