On the Sun Star.
Tongtian studied the towering tree before him, his expression filled with surprise.
He had thought that, given the Sun Star's temperature, there should not have been any spiritual objects upon it.
Yet, a giant tree stood at its center!
However, calling it a tree did not seem quite right, for it far exceeded the ordinary trees of the Primordial World in height, standing at least several thousand zhang tall.
Most importantly, it possessed only branches and no leaves whatsoever.
Any plant spirit should have contained abundant spiritual essence and life force.
Yet this peculiar tree was surrounded by Solar True Fire and did not contain the slightest trace of vitality.
Rather than a tree, it could at most be called a piece of wood.
"Solar True Fire coils around it. For it to survive upon the Sun Star, it must be extraordinary."
Tongtian pondered inwardly for a moment, and a gleam suddenly flashed through his eyes.
"Could it be the Fusang Tree, a Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Root?"
"Several thousand zhang tall, with a fire spiritual body."
"It is said that Fusang Fruits even grow upon its branches."
Muttering to himself, Tongtian swept his gaze over every part of the Fusang Tree.
Unfortunately, he did not spot a single Fusang Fruit.
However, if he remembered correctly, the Fusang Tree's branches possessed other marvelous uses as well.
As part of a Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Root, they were naturally supreme materials for artifact refinement.
He could save them for refining spiritual treasures in the future!
Thus, without hesitation, Tongtian summoned the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda. In an instant, immense power surged forth and directly drew the Fusang Tree into the small pagoda.
Inside the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda.
Ao Li, who had been sitting cross-legged and recovering from her injuries, sensed the Linglong Pagoda being activated. She initially thought Tongtian intended to release her.
Who would have thought that a withered tree several thousand zhang high would suddenly appear before her?
Her expression immediately turned shocked.
Could Tongtian have found another Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Root?
Yet this withered tree appeared utterly devoid of vitality and spiritual essence. It did not even resemble a Houtian Spiritual Root!
Ao Li wanted to inspect it more closely. Based on what she knew of Tongtian—
If this withered tree had been ordinary, Tongtian would never have stored it within the Linglong Pagoda.
But the moment she drew somewhat closer, Ao Li suddenly felt a searing pain.
Only then did she realize that clusters of incomparably scorching golden flames covered the withered tree.
These golden flames were exceedingly dangerous!
She instantly stopped walking and did not dare approach any farther.
True Dragons possessed the ability to control water, yet when facing such terrifying flames, Ao Li could only keep her distance.
She even had a premonition that if those flames touched her—
She would likely be reduced to ashes.
"Where exactly did that guy find such a bizarre spiritual root?"
"Could these flames be the true fire of the Sun Star?"
Ao Li's beautiful eyes flickered. She knew Tongtian was heading for the Sun Star and the Taiyin Star.
A withered tree burning with flames like this could clearly only exist upon the Sun Star.
It had to be said that this fellow's fortune was truly profound.
No matter where he went, he always encountered unexpected gains!
"The Dragon Clan offended such an existence. I only hope it will not lead to overly grave consequences."
Ao Li sighed softly. Even now, she remained worried about the Dragon Clan.
After all, she was the Dragon Clan's eldest princess!
She wondered whether her father had emerged from seclusion. Once he learned that she had been abducted, he definitely would not spare Tongtian.
What choice would she make then?
After storing the thousand-zhang Fusang Tree in the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda, Tongtian discovered that this was not the Fusang Tree's entire body.
More than half of it remained rooted within the Sun Star's core.
At most, he had just severed it at the waist.
Clearly, it was simply impossible to uproot it completely and take the whole thing away.
Unless he possessed the strength to shake the entire Sun Star, which would likely require the cultivation of a Primordial Golden Immortal.
"Forget it!"
"If this spiritual root remains on the Sun Star, it will sooner or later have a chance to flourish anew."
"Taking it all away would instead cut off its chance to continue growing."
Tongtian's eyes flickered, but he did not dwell on the matter.
He was now near the Sun Star's core. If he wished to temper his body with Solar True Fire, this was undoubtedly the best location.
As for venturing deeper, Tongtian had no such intention whatsoever.
Even with the Northern Mysterious Control Water Flag protecting him, he could not reach the depths of the Sun Star's core.
The source Solar True Fire within was simply not something he could withstand at present, much less use to temper his body.
That would be no different from courting death.
After choosing a fairly suitable spot, Tongtian immediately sat cross-legged on the ground and controlled the Northern Mysterious Control Water Flag to withdraw part of its power.
At once, terrifying Solar True Fire spread over Tongtian's body.
The burning pain engulfed his entire body, causing Tongtian to sweat profusely. He could only grit his teeth and endure while operating the Nine Revolutions Primordial Skill with all his might.
He absorbed the power brought by the Solar True Fire with every ounce of his strength.
Under the scorching Solar True Fire, the smell of burning soon filled the air. Tongtian's body was burned open in many places, exposing stark white bones.
His skin, flesh, and hair had all been burned into nothingness.
The Daoist robe on his body had completely turned to ash.
This robe had been formed from the clear qi when he took shape. It had been extraordinarily remarkable in itself, comparable to an Acquired Spiritual Treasure.
Yet beneath the terrifying blaze of the Solar True Fire, it had been completely reduced to ashes, without even a fragment remaining.
This gave Tongtian an even deeper understanding of just how terrifying the Solar True Fire was.
Fortunately, his physical body was no longer what it had once been. Otherwise, he likely would not even have had the opportunity to use Solar True Fire to temper his body.
Deep, bone-piercing burning pain continuously surged from countless places in his body.
Tongtian forcibly endured the pain. While steadying his mind, he also did not forget to operate both the Nine Revolutions Profound Skill and the Nine Revolutions Primordial Skill.
With both techniques unleashed at full force, he could refine the power of the Solar True Fire more quickly and use it to strengthen his physical body.
However, body tempering was destined to be a task that required vast amounts of time.
Thus, Tongtian remained immersed in pain and joy alike.
The pain was undeniable. His body possessed powerful regenerative abilities, yet the newly grown flesh and surging blood qi were easily burned away by the Solar True Fire.
Only his countless bare bones could endure the relentless forging of the Solar True Fire.
The joy naturally came from being able to feel his physical body constantly growing stronger.
Caught between these two sensations of suffering and delight, Tongtian had already lost all sense of time.
He did not know how long had passed. Just as Tongtian was growing dazed and muddle-headed, a notification sounded beside his ears.
You endured the scorching of Solar True Fire day and night, gaining profound insight into its mysteries. You have successfully mastered the great divine ability: Solar True Fire!
The voice struck like thunder, instantly jolting Tongtian awake as though enlightenment had been poured into his mind.
Then came overwhelming joy.
He had actually mastered the Solar True Fire? Did that not mean he could now control it?
With a thought, he reached his hand forward. A ball of Solar True Fire immediately curled obediently within his palm.
This discovery filled Tongtian with delight. Now, he could store the Solar True Fire and use it to temper his physical body whenever and wherever he wished.
Buzz!
Forming a hand seal with one hand, he summoned the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda once more.
Tongtian cleared out an entire level within it and drew all the Solar True Fire before him inside.
For a time, vast amounts of Solar True Fire poured continuously into the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda like rushing rivers.
The Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda possessed a total of nine levels.
Each level contained its own universe, encompassing an incomparably vast greater world!
Nine levels meant nine greater worlds!
A single greater world contained three thousand middle worlds, while each middle world contained three thousand lesser worlds.
Thus, the space within was boundless and immeasurable.
Tongtian intended to reserve this entire level solely for storing Solar True Fire!
Not only did he want the blazing Solar True Fire burning across the Sun Star, but he had also set his sights upon the source Solar True Fire located within the Sun Star's core.
That was the most terrifying power in the entire Sun Star!
Although his present body could not withstand it, he could save it for future use.
"Absorb!"
Tongtian continuously poured his vast mana into the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda, and the yellow mystic qi above it transformed into a ceaselessly spinning vortex.
Endless Solar True Fire was swallowed in mighty torrents.
Tongtian then controlled the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda and advanced deeper inside.
The pure golden source Solar True Fire was immediately swallowed into the pagoda as well.
When Tongtian had devoured all the Solar True Fire before him, the entire Sun Star dimmed somewhat.
It could be said that nearly one-tenth of the Sun Star's source flames had been extracted by Tongtian.
This greatly satisfied Tongtian, and he put away the Heavenly Yellow Linglong Pagoda once more.
It seemed his journey to the Sun Star was about to end perfectly.
Just as Tongtian was preparing to leave, his divine sense suddenly detected faint traces of spiritual essence ahead.
His expression changed in surprise.
What was going on?
Could a treasure be hidden deep within the Sun Star's core?
Had he not mastered the Solar True Fire, he definitely would not have dared venture deeper.
But now that he had mastered the Solar True Fire, he could greatly resist the threat posed by the source Solar True Fire. Coupled with the Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Northern Mysterious Control Water Flag, continuing deeper would not pose a problem.
Thus, Tongtian immediately unleashed the Northern Mysterious Control Water Flag's power. Water covered his body once more before he stepped deeper inside.
Since the nearby source Solar True Fire had already been completely swept away—
Although the residual temperature remained terrifying, it posed no pressure at all to Tongtian.
As he continued inward, he soon saw the treasure radiating spiritual essence. It was a smooth, round spiritual pearl, fiery red throughout.
This fiery red pearl floated quietly in the void, completely ignoring the Solar True Fire still blazing around it.
Tongtian examined it carefully and soon guessed the pearl's origins.
He was immediately overjoyed.
It could even ignore the power of Solar True Fire. This pearl was very likely the Fire Spirit Pearl, a High-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!
Though it was merely a High-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, it was one of the Innate Five Elemental Pearls.
It contained pure natural elemental power!
"This is a fine treasure indeed!"
"If I can gather all the Innate Five Elemental Pearls, their power will even surpass that of ordinary Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures!"
"I cannot possibly let such a treasure slip away."
Tongtian looked delighted. He immediately exerted his mana, and the Fire Spirit Pearl flew into his palm.
As he looked at the smooth Fire Spirit Pearl, Tongtian found it more pleasing the longer he looked.
Who would have thought that such a special spiritual treasure would exist deep within the Sun Star's core?
Even Dijun and Taiyi, who had been born upon the Sun Star, likely had not realized that a treasure was hidden in its depths.
Otherwise, the two of them would certainly not have departed so decisively.
Of course, that was for the best. It had benefited him for nothing!
Not only had he successfully tempered his body, but he had also gained an unexpected reward.
After putting away the Fire Spirit Pearl, there were no other treasures left upon the Sun Star, and Tongtian prepared to depart directly.
The Sun Star's opportunities were already in his grasp.
His next step was to search for the Taiyin Star!
Unlike the Sun Star, the Taiyin Star did not blaze with boundless light or overflow with endless heat waves.
Yet finding its location was likewise a simple matter.
He only needed to fly toward the place that was cold, silent, and suffused with a blue glow.
The major stars in the Outer Starry Skies were generally quite easy to locate.
One only needed to know certain characteristics of that star, then search according to those traits.
The Taiyin Star belonged to yin and had been formed from Pangu's right eye.
Tongtian flew through the Outer Starry Skies for ten years before finally seeing this enormous and beautiful star.
Without hesitation, he immediately set foot upon the Taiyin Star.
The entire Taiyin Star was likewise filled with desolation. Its greatest difference from the Sun Star was the bone-chilling cold that permeated it!
It was a coldness that seeped deep into one's bones.
Even with Tongtian's immensely powerful physical body, his blood qi could not boil beneath such temperatures.
Seeing this, Tongtian directly activated the drop of Pangu's heart's blood within his body.
In an instant, vast surging vitality spread outward from him without end.
His entire body brimmed with immense power.
He could now stroll freely across the Taiyin Star.
After heading toward the center for a while, Tongtian raised an eyebrow slightly. There were also two Innate Great Beings on the Taiyin Star—the so-called Xihe and Changxi, the two Taiyin goddesses!
Yet he had been on the Taiyin Star for quite some time and had not encountered either of them.
At that moment, a sturdy, towering tree appeared ahead, drawing Tongtian's attention.
Growing at the very core of the Taiyin Star, it was undoubtedly the Innate Moon Laurel Tree!
Its branches were densely covered in moon laurels. From afar, a faint blue glow flickered around it, making it particularly eye-catching.
This Innate Moon Laurel Tree was no ordinary object. It was an Innate Ultimate Water Spiritual Root!
It was also known as the Taiyin Laurel Tree!
Born from the lunar yin, it complemented the enormous celestial body that was the Taiyin Star.
Therefore, no matter how badly it was damaged, as long as the Taiyin Star remained, it could draw upon an endless supply of power to restore itself.
Likewise, if the Taiyin Star were utterly destroyed, the Innate Moon Laurel Tree would wither away and perish along with it!
"This spiritual root, like the Fusang Tree on the Sun Star, is a supreme-grade spiritual root that can be used for artifact refinement!"
"According to legend, Changxi married Dijun, the Demon Emperor, and gave birth to ten children—the Ten Golden Crows."
"Later, when the ten suns appeared in the sky, the great witch Houyi shot down nine of them."
Tongtian's thoughts drifted afar.
The Chang'e of myth and legend was connected to this Demon Empress!
It was said that because Houyi had killed her sons, Changxi harbored deep resentment. She simply descended to the mortal world and transformed into Chang'e, directly bewitching Houyi.
To follow Chang'e's footsteps, Houyi came to the Taiyin Star as well. This was Chang'e's flight to the moon!
After arriving on the Taiyin Star, Changxi used the Taiyin Star's power to completely seal Houyi's memories.
Chang'e was also afflicted by a curse. As long as this Innate Moon Laurel Tree did not fall, the two of them would be unable to meet as they wished.
Having lost his memories, Houyi simply became Wu Gang and, guided by instinct, spent year after year chopping at the moon laurel tree on the Taiyin Star.
All of it was so that he could see Chang'e once more.
Of course, those were merely stories from legend.
They might not have truly happened in the Primordial World, and how could the dignified Demon Empress personally go after a great witch of the Witch Race?
Even transforming into his wife to deceive him.
Could Dijun really tolerate being cuckolded like that?
Before you continue