Chapter 1413: Life's Source

For an independent small world to thrive indefinitely, the most crucial condition is to possess a continuous source of life energy, such as the Life Ancient Tree, which can endlessly generate life essence.

This ensures the proliferation of countless life forms. Any excess life essence is then absorbed by powerful cultivators, integrating it into their bodies.

This creates a virtuous cycle for the civilization of the small world: the longer a cultivator lives, the stronger they become, and the continuous emergence of new life forms accelerates the overall development of the civilization.

However, if this engine, which generates the source of life force, ceases to function, the small world will face a singular predicament.

The limited life force will be continuously concentrated within the few top-tier powerhouses, and the constantly growing population of the world will dwindle.

Perhaps within a single grand epoch, far less than ten thousand years, the population of this small world will become exceedingly rare. All life essence will be controlled by a handful of the most exceptional cultivators, bringing the civilization's development to a complete halt.

Although Xu Yang was not from the Yingzhou Continent, he had, nonetheless, fought within this small world for centuries.

Furthermore, the Yingzhou Continent was a relatively successful small world personally created by the Sword Immortal. Xu Yang would absolutely not accept a situation where his current battle directly destroyed the future developmental impetus of the Yingzhou Continent.

To him, such an outcome was indistinguishable from defeat, and even if it came at the cost of the Star Empress's life, it would not be worth it.

Because of these concerns, Xu Yang's subsequent performance in this battle was severely restricted.

After repeatedly suppressing his own power, Xu Yang wanted to quickly find a sufficiently powerful cultivation method to attack the still unrestrained Star Empress.

"What now, folks? The situation seems dire. How should we handle this?"

At that very moment, the Artifact Spirit of the Ice Emperor Pagoda reappeared, meeting with Tu Tian's Sword Soul once again. The two old companions convened.

The two seemed unhurried and calm, standing behind Xu Yang with folded arms, apparently not intending to offer assistance.

The reason was simple: in the current situation, even if both main artifacts intervened simultaneously, they could not fundamentally change Xu Yang's current stance.

If both main artifacts unleashed their full power, the space within the ancient tree would inevitably collapse in a very short time.

This was a situation Xu Yang would not permit. Thus, the two artifact spirits could only stand by, watching silently from behind Xu Yang as their master navigated the predicament.

"Boy, what are you standing there for? Are you just going to let me devour all the surrounding elemental energy, or are you arrogant enough to face me at my peak?"

The Star Empress seemed somewhat perplexed by Xu Yang's approach.

Seeing the young man standing calmly a hundred meters in front of her, without any cultivation technique active or any movement, left the Star Empress utterly bewildered.

Just then, Xu Yang made a move that confused everyone even more: he completely ceased his attacks on the Star Empress.

Evidently, after an internal struggle, he had finally made this decision.

Even if it meant facing the Star Empress at her peak, he would not destroy the physical form of this ancient tree, which had endured millions of years of change. Xu Yang's level of comprehension was truly unparalleled.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this decision that, after entering a meditative state, a luminous old man, glowing entirely white, appeared without warning in the empty, dark mental space surrounding Xu Yang.

This old man was, in fact, the materialized soul of the Life Ancient Tree. He appeared kind and benevolent, approaching Xu Yang with a smile.

"Young man, you are indeed someone blessed with great destiny. It seems all the shortcomings of the Grand World civilization system will be rectified through you."

The old man's sudden words left Xu Yang utterly bewildered.

"Venerable Senior, why do you say that? Let me guess, you must be the materialized soul of the Life Ancient Tree, right?"

The old man, glowing with white light, nodded with a smile.

"You should have already learned from the Star Empress that the place connected behind this is the entrance to the Heavenly Path of Moonless Heaven.

This means that as long as you defeat the Star Empress and end the catastrophe of the Yingzhou Continent, you can open the sole passage to the Moonless Heaven secret realm from this location and meet the Sword Immortal, the God of Creation, whom you have longed to see.

In fact, this was a trial left by the Sword Immortal for the chosen one of later generations, destined to carry the world's great destiny. Only the person who can make the entire world see the moon again will be qualified to meet the Sword Immortal, Yun Wangji, and receive his final entrustment to save the Grand World civilization."

Upon hearing the old man's words, Xu Yang vaguely gained a clearer conceptual blueprint regarding the forbidden information the God of Angels had previously entrusted to him.

He also understood that Yun Wangji's profound concealment was, in fact, a test for him. "Venerable Senior, please guide me. What should I do next to preserve your physical body?"

The old man smiled and shook his head. "Having such thoughts means you have already passed my trial.

In truth, this physical form of mine is merely a witness to centuries of historical changes.

It is an insignificant existence in the world, but to truly propel the continued development of the Yingzhou Continent's civilization, the Seed of Life originally within me is the paramount key.

Your next step is not to continue protecting my damaged body, but to reclaim that Seed of Life from the Star Empress and plant it deep within your sea of consciousness.

Soon, this physical form of mine can cultivate a brand-new Life Ancient Tree within your sea of consciousness. At that time, I will be able to continue fulfilling my unique role for the Yingzhou Continent through your body.

Furthermore, you and I will enter a symbiotic state, and my Seed of Life will provide you with an endless supply of life force essence.

The remaining portion will be transmitted through your body to every corner of the Yingzhou Continent, nurturing even more new life."

Without a doubt, if the old man's proposal was viewed as a transaction, Xu Yang would undeniably be the greatest beneficiary.