The edge of the Heavenly Demon Star-Breaking Sword scraped across the bark, sending up a dazzling shower of sparks, but Qian Fan suddenly stopped, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. Fine runes had appeared on the ancient tree before him. Those dark-gold patterns raced along the cracks in its trunk like vines come alive, weaving a complex, mysterious star chart across its bark in the blink of an eye.
Qian Fan's pupils contracted-this was no ordinary ancient tree. The star chart on its bark matched the patterns of laws he had spent the past six months deducing perfectly! "I finally found you! 'Cause and Effect'!" Qian Fan could not help crying out in a low voice, excitement gleaming in his eyes. He had waited far too long for this day.
Almost instantly, Qian Fan became a blur, shooting toward the crown like an arrow loosed from a bow. The Heavenly Demon Star-Breaking Sword in his hand blazed with a deep-blue light. With a piercing sword cry, he slashed at the heart of the star chart with all his strength, determined to cleave open this hidden secret.
Yet the trunk did not split as he had expected. The instant his blade touched the runes, the entire forest began to quake violently. Dark clouds churned overhead amid flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, and countless dark-red bolts struck down, illuminating Qian Fan's stunned face.
"Insolent brat! Who gave you the courage to accept the Great Dao's legacy?!" An immensely powerful force descended in an instant, completely dismantling Qian Fan's attack. An invisible force then bound him tightly, leaving him unable to move.
Qian Fan's heart tightened. This force was so powerful that he could barely breathe. He looked up and saw a black-robed figure appear out of thin air before