The Dao Comprehension Tea Tree: The Dispute Begins

Seeing that everyone had mostly recovered, Yuan Zhexian said, "All right, our business here is done. Prepare to head for the core of the secret realm." The Yuan Clan members and the Yu Clan's divine child prepared to put away the Dao Comprehension Tea leaves and set out with him. But then Yuan Zhexian noticed that the leaves were still glowing green. That made no sense. The Dao Comprehension Tea leaves should have returned to normal once they left the place that nourished them.

The Yuan Clan then used the power of their Double Pupils to examine the Dao Comprehension Tea leaves, but found nothing wrong with them. Yuan Zhexian looked at the island in the middle of the lake again. With the power of his Double Pupils, he noticed specks of green light radiating from around it. Only Yuan Zhexian, relying on his Double Pupils, could have noticed them.

What's this? Yuan Zhexian followed the island down with his gaze to the lakebed. An ancient tree of moderate size stood there, giving off a green glow. Yuan Zhexian told the others to wait on the shore, then flashed down to the lakebed and appeared beside the tree.

Seeing the powerful force of the Great Dao emanating from the ancient tree, Yuan Zhexian exclaimed, "This is... a Dao Comprehension Tea Tree!" Legend had it that countless peerless natural treasures had been born in the Heaven-Opening Era, and every one of them could stir up a war of blood and carnage. The Dao Comprehension Tea Tree ranked among the very finest of those legendary, peerless treasures. I actually encountered a peerless treasure that was nothing more than an elusive, insubstantial legend! Yuan Zhexian broke into a delighted smile. He had been worried that there wouldn't be enough Dao Comprehension Tea leaves, but now he had nothing to worry about. With the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree, he would have an inexhaustible supply of leaves, and the power of the Great Dao contained within the tree was even stronger. Sitting beneath it allowed one to comprehend the Great Dao more quickly, and drinking a cup of Dao Comprehension Tea while doing so would multiply one's power of comprehension.

Without wasting time, Yuan Zhexian waved a hand at the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree. It turned into a streak of green light and entered his spatial ring, and he left the lakebed. With a flash of golden light, he appeared before the others once more. Yuan Ruochu asked, "Divine child, did you find anything?" Yuan Zhexian smiled at them. "Yes, and it's an earth-shattering discovery, a peerless opportunity."

"What opportunity, divine child?" everyone asked curiously.

"The Dao Comprehension Tea Tree!"

"Whew..." Everyone drew in a breath and held it, their eyes widening. After all, the Dao Comprehension Tea Tree was countless times more precious than its leaves, a legendary peerless treasure. The divine child had actually encountered such an opportunity. Those people from earlier could never have imagined that a Dao Comprehension Tea Tree lay beneath the lake. Had they known, they would have fought for the legendary treasure even at the cost of their lives.

"All right, none of you need to worry about there not being enough Dao Comprehension Tea leaves anymore. There's plenty for everyone now. Let's go! We've been delayed for a while. Let's set out for the inheritance grounds."

The core area was already awash in blood and carnage. Blood and severed limbs littered the ground, and corpses lay everywhere. It had become a purgatory on earth. Greed was a desire in everyone's heart. For the sake of the Power-Fusing Essence Blood, even close friends and family could draw swords against one another.

Ever since the True Dragon Clan's dragon son escaped Yuan Zhexian's "Hand of the Azure Heaven," he had gone to a secluded place to heal and recuperate. Once he had mostly recovered, he hurried out to search for the Power-Fusing Essence Blood. As soon as he emerged from hiding, he saw a group surrounding and attacking a peerless prodigy. The prodigy's clothes were in tatters, and wounds covered his body. Clearly, he couldn't withstand so many opponents. One of his attackers said, "Du Ke, hand over the Power-Fusing Essence Blood, and we'll spare your life and let you leave. Half a day ago, your cultivation was only at the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, but now you're at the third stage of the Dao Body Realm. That means the Power-Fusing Essence Blood has the miraculous effect of increasing cultivation. A natural treasure like that isn't something you can possess. Hand it over."

The peerless prodigy named Du Ke had no other choice. He said, "If I force out the Power-Fusing Essence Blood, my cultivation will fall too. If you can compensate me with some sacred pills and spirit medicines, I'll force it out immediately, without a single complaint."

After hearing their conversation, the True Dragon Clan's dragon son had a general idea of what the Power-Fusing Essence Blood did. He flashed in front of the peerless prodigy and thrust out his right fist, blowing him apart. Then he said, "An ant like you wants sacred pills and spirit medicines? Are you worthy?" With the prodigy's death, a crimson drop of Power-Fusing Essence Blood appeared in the air. Seeing it, the others prepared to rush forward and fight for it. But the True Dragon Clan's dragon son's presence surged, and a terrifying current of air erupted from his body. One person in the crowd pointed at him and said, "That's... that's Ao Xu, the True Dragon Clan's dragon son!" Everyone trembled at those words. He was a taboo monstrous genius, and his strength was terrifying beyond measure. They couldn't possibly stand against him. They immediately abandoned any desire to fight for the blood and fled.

Looking at the Power-Fusing Essence Blood before him, the True Dragon Clan's dragon son muttered, "My luck really isn't bad. I found Power-Fusing Essence Blood as soon as I recovered. Yuan Zhexian, once my cultivation has increased, I'll have my revenge." He waved a hand, creating a barrier around himself, then sat cross-legged and began fusing with the Power-Fusing Essence Blood.

About an hour later, golden light flared from the True Dragon Clan's dragon son, and a powerful force radiated from his body. He opened his eyes. His cultivation, formerly at the peak of the Dao Body Realm, had advanced to the first stage of the Samsara Realm. Seeing that he had reached the Samsara Realm, he said viciously, "Yuan Zhexian, the inheritance grounds will be where you meet your end." Just then, his communication stone suddenly lit up. He took it out and found messages from the divine children of the Mystic Sect, the Heavenly Cang Clan, and the Golden-Winged Peng Clan. They had all obtained Power-Fusing Essence Blood and broken through to the Samsara Realm. They were heading to the Tianxuan and Taixuan divine children, where another drop of Power-Fusing Essence Blood had reportedly appeared. Several exceptionally powerful people on the opposing side were fighting for it as well. They were hurrying over immediately and wanted him to come help. Seeing that their side already had half the Power-Fusing Essence Blood, the True Dragon Clan's dragon son decided they couldn't let anyone else take the remaining drops. He immediately flew over.

In a vast expanse within the core secret realm, the Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child and the Tianxuan and Taixuan holy sons stared fixedly at a crimson drop of Power-Fusing Essence Blood a short distance ahead, wanting to approach and claim it. But three people stood opposite them as well: Dao Wudao, the Dao child of the Highest Purity Sect; Jian Wushuang, the sword child of the Sword Sect; and Zhang Yuheng, the divine child of the mythical Zhang Lineage, along with disciples from their clans and sects.

Facing the three of them already put the Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child and his two companions under immense pressure, to say nothing of the more than thirty clan and sect disciples behind them. But for now, they could only hold the Highest Purity Sect's Dao child and his two companions off, keeping them away from the Power-Fusing Essence Blood.

The Sword Sect's sword child said, "If you still won't get out of the way, don't blame us for killing you here today." His presence surged, and terrifying Sword Qi appeared around him as he prepared to attack. Suddenly, several figures descended from the sky. They were the divine children of the Mystic Sect, Heavenly Cang Clan, Golden-Winged Peng Clan, and Heaven-Overturning Barbarian Bull Clan. Seeing the four arrive, the other three slowly breathed a sigh of relief. The Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child said arrogantly, "We were no match for you before, but who's going to die now?" Then he said to the four newcomers, "Finish this quickly, before anything unexpected happens. Attack!" His hands transformed into sharp claws as he charged the Highest Purity Sect's Dao child and his companions.

Seeing the Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child attack him, the Highest Purity Sect's Dao child unleashed a surge of innate Qi that erupted in a powerful white light. The tiger divine child crossed his claws before his chest to block it, then staggered back several hundred meters. Seeing this, the Mystic Sect's divine child immediately rushed forward, only to be stopped by the Sword Sect's sword child as soon as he drew near. The sword child looked at him and said, "I've heard you're strong. I'd like to see for myself." Looking at the supremely confident sword child, the Mystic Sect's divine child said, "Unfortunately, you're not qualified to stand against me." The presence of his Samsara Realm cultivation poured forth. Terrifying mystic Qi of heaven and earth instantly gathered in his right hand, and he swept it toward the sword child, sending a beam of dark light at him. The sword child didn't dare underestimate the terrifying beam and immediately sent a powerful sword beam at it. The two collided, producing a violent explosion, and the sword child staggered back dozens of steps. He stared at the Mystic Sect's divine child in shock. "The Samsara Realm?" The divine child stood perfectly still and sneered. "That's right. I've advanced to the Samsara Realm. Do you still think you're qualified to stand against me?"

"So what if you're in the Samsara Realm? How will I know whether I can if I don't try?" The Heaven-Defying Emperor Sword appeared in the Sword Sect's sword child's hand, and its terrifying emperor's might filled the entire space. Terrifying Sword Qi gathered along the blade, and he shouted at the Mystic Sect's divine child, "Sword-Drawing Heaven-Slaying Art!" He swung the emperor sword, sending a terrifying white sword beam toward his opponent. Seeing that this was a Great Emperor technique unleashed by an emperor weapon, the Mystic Sect's divine child no longer underestimated it. His eyes flashed, mysterious patterns appearing within them, and a black light of destruction shot from his eyes straight at the Sword-Drawing Heaven-Slaying Art.

Boom...

After the thunderous crash, a dazzling light burst forth, shining in every direction before fading away. The Sword Sect's sword child clutched his chest with one hand, a trickle of blood running from the corner of his mouth. The Mystic Sect's divine child, however, had merely retreated a dozen or so steps and was otherwise unharmed. Looking at the injured sword child, he said, "Though you have a powerful emperor weapon and emperor technique, your cultivation only lets you bring out about twenty percent of their power. Without Samsara Realm cultivation, you're absolutely no match for me." The sword child said nothing, silently watching him. He knew that without Samsara Realm cultivation, he absolutely could not withstand the Mystic Sect's divine child.

Meanwhile, the Highest Purity Sect's Dao child and the Zhang Lineage's divine child had faced the Heavenly Cang and Golden-Winged Peng divine children. Unfortunately, like the Sword Sect's sword child, they hadn't lasted long before their opponents injured them. The Mystic Sect's divine child then flashed into the middle of the battlefield and said to the Sword Sect's sword child, the Highest Purity Sect's Dao child, and the Zhang Lineage's divine child, "Leave. You're no match for us, and the True Dragon Clan's dragon son will be here soon. Do you think you still have a chance of winning? Leave now, or you'll die here."

"We can't let them go," the Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child said.

The Mystic Sect's divine child waved a hand, cutting him off.

The Sword Sect's sword child saw that the situation was beyond saving. He turned to the others and said, "It seems this thing isn't destined to be ours. Let's go." With that, he led everyone away.

The Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child was quite displeased as he watched them leave. The Mystic Sect's divine child said, "We have only one enemy. Now isn't the time to make new ones. Besides, killing them would cost us something too. Don't forget, they're close to being taboo prodigies themselves. We don't know what trump cards they have. It's safer to let them leave. Our only goal is the Power-Fusing Essence Blood."

He then said to the Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child, "Brother Tiger, apart from us, your cultivation is currently the highest. Fuse with this drop of Power-Fusing Essence Blood and quickly advance to the Samsara Realm. Once the True Dragon Clan's dragon son arrives, we'll go to the inheritance grounds and settle the score with Yuan Zhexian and his people."

The Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child wasted no more words. He immediately sat cross-legged and fused with the drop of Power-Fusing Essence Blood. During that time, the True Dragon Clan's dragon son arrived. After learning what had happened, he said to everyone, "We now have six drops of Power-Fusing Essence Blood and six Samsara Realm experts. We'll definitely kill Yuan Zhexian this time." Everyone nodded at once. Ever since Yuan Zhexian defeated them, he had been like a nightmare in their hearts. If they couldn't kill him, it might affect their Dao hearts in the future. At that moment, the Dark Nether White Tiger Clan's divine child finished fusing with the blood, and his cultivation reached the first stage of the Samsara Realm. Without further discussion, everyone immediately headed for the inheritance gate.

The inheritance grounds were a beautiful paradise, with mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests all displaying the beauty of the place. Yuan Zhexian and his companions had arrived early. Looking at the scenery, they all grew cheerful, chatting and laughing as they waited for the people who had fused with the Power-Fusing Essence Blood to arrive.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." Eight figures descended. Seeing the True Dragon Clan's dragon son and his seven companions arrive, Yuan Zhexian lay on the grass and waved lazily. "You're too slow, leeks. We've been waiting half a day for you."

The True Dragon Clan's dragon son looked at the lazy Yuan Zhexian, anger flaring within him. "What, you obtained the remaining two drops of Power-Fusing Essence Blood that quickly?"

"The remaining two drops of Power-Fusing Essence Blood? Does that mean you got six?" Yuan Zhexian said flatly.

"That's right. We now have six Samsara Realm experts. Prepare to die."

"Cultivate your mother's horse, wait a moment. You have six drops, and on our side only Brother Ruochu obtained one. Where's the last drop of Power-Fusing Essence Blood?" Yuan Zhexian said, puzzled.

"What? You only have one drop? Then how are we supposed to open the inheritance?" the True Dragon Clan's dragon son said anxiously.

"I thought you had seven drops of Power-Fusing Essence Blood. Looks like I was wrong. You really are trash—you couldn't even gather them all." Even now, Yuan Zhexian didn't forget to mock the eight of them.

"You... you... you..." Yuan Zhexian's words sent the True Dragon Clan's dragon son and his seven companions into a furious rage.

Yuan Ruochu, standing beside Yuan Zhexian, said softly to him, "Divine child, should we attack? How about we kill these eight first?" Yuan Zhexian waved a hand. "We still don't know where the last drop of Power-Fusing Essence Blood is. If whoever obtained it arrived here early and hid, then saw us kill these eight and refused to show themselves, we'd be in trouble. We wouldn't be able to complete the inheritance."

As Yuan Zhexian spoke, he seemed to remember something and immediately activated his communication stone.

Elsewhere, a lean man with the look of a shrewd merchant saw his communication stone light up and said, "I'm Safety King. My inside information is the most reliable. Which boss is looking for me?"