Chapter 1234: Life Tree

Chapter 1235: The Tree of Life

The Divine Organization was a step ahead, naming this ancient life-bearing land the Fifth Divine Star. This raised suspicions about whether there was a special meaning behind it—were there perhaps four other ancient stars?

No major power retreated; all rushed forward. The journey from the Tanmu Starfield to the Fifth Divine Star was long, with many dying en route. Now that they were about to see the Tree of Life, who would give up?

"This planet is not large; it seems to be nearing exhaustion, and its life fluctuations are very weak." Even upon closer approach, the waves on the life detector were very faint, leading to some disappointment; it was not a massive planet.

"It's covered in leaden clouds, obstructing vision and making it difficult to scan the ground." Everyone was surprised; how could ordinary clouds block the exploration of a cosmic mothership? Yet, this dark gray mist cut off all their sensors.

The planet was indeed very small, especially compared to the Eternal Main Star. Ye Fan stared at the large screen, observing the scanned data, and learned that the planet was similar in size to Earth, but its life aura was very weak.

A grayish mist enveloped the planet, making it appear desolate, and the true conditions on the ground were unknown. "Land and prepare for combat!"

The first cosmic mothership plunged into the mist, descending towards the ground, leaving a trail of silvery-gray light. Other organizations followed suit upon seeing this. Soon, exclamations of surprise turned to disappointment, outweighing any joy. It was a bleak planet, with withered trees rooted in highlands, massive mountains, and great ravines, their branches reaching skyward. There was almost no green to be seen; withered vegetation was everywhere, as if the entire planet had suffered a catastrophe and lost all vitality.

Ye Fan's expression changed. For a brief moment, he had the illusion that this ancient star was once very large but had withered and shrunk over time, becoming somewhat like Earth. "This is a star nearing the end of its life; its last vitality likely disappeared in the past few millennia," said the old mercenary, Huobai.

The lakes on the ground had dried up, many majestic mountains were no longer grand but rather lifeless, and old trees that had shed all their leaves looked ready to fall at any moment. There were also many cliff marks where waterfalls had ceased to flow.

This was disappointing. When a life-bearing land reached its end, what kind of divine tree could possibly remain? Most likely, it would have been taken away long ago.

"Hey, look quickly! There's still a bit of green life there." Inside Ye Fan's combat ship, a mercenary stared at a cliff on the screen where a faint green light flickered with slight life fluctuations.

The spaceship traced an elegant arc as it descended from the sky. On the cliff, old trees and ancient vines were entangled, all withered. Among the yellow grass, there was a medicinal herb with a dozen green leaves, releasing its last spiritual energy.

The hatch opened, and everyone stepped out one after another. "A half-human-tall old medicinal plant! This is... the Azure Qilin Orchid. To grow to this size, it must be at least fifty thousand years old—a small Medicine King!"

People sighed in amazement. It was a treasure herb, but unfortunately, due to changes in the world, it had also withered, sustaining itself on its original spiritual energy until now, losing all its value. The old mercenary Huobai dug open the surface and found a dried-up dragon vein underground. He nodded, realizing the old herb had survived by relying on it.

"What a pity, what a shame. We finally found a life-bearing star, but it was all for nothing," other mercenaries said, dejected. In the distance, spaceships flew by, heading towards another direction where new discoveries seemed to have been made. They also set off. Someone discovered a giant stele, broke through a restriction, and then an ancient architectural complex appeared.

Subsequently, people took action, and many abandoned cities emerged from their seals, standing on the ground. "As expected, there are signs of life; an indigenous population once lived here, but now it's unknown where they went."

People rushed into the cities and searched the buildings, but unfortunately, there were no useful artifacts; most items were left by mortals. "The cultivators on this planet likely moved their sect gates and other important structures entirely, making it difficult to find their heritage."

This was because, on those magnificent mountains and in the extraordinary valleys, there were clear traces of buildings that had been moved, seemingly lifted from the ground. "An entire clan migrated; where did they go?"

"This must have happened within the last few tens of thousands of years." "This planet still has faint life fluctuations, and some dragon veins underground should not have completely withered."

Not long after, violent explosions echoed from a distance. A mothership was sunk, emitting dazzling light, and many spaceships rushed towards the location. "A magnificent altar has been discovered, on which tender sprouts of the Tree of Life are enshrined, brimming with essence!"

The Holy Light Mercenary Group summoned their mercenaries to gather there, hoping to get a share of the spoils. Ye Fan, Huobai, Dao Yi, and others quickly hurried over. It was discovered by the Fan Clan. They unveiled a sealed banner, revealing a mountain-like altar constructed from black crystals, grand in scale.

At the very center of the altar were numerous offerings, such as several glowing white sacred bones, some dried bloodstains, and scattered magical artifacts. The most conspicuous item was a jade plate in the center, elevated and emanating an astonishing life aura.

Inside the pristine white jade plate was a foot-long tender branch with a dozen glistening green buds, surrounded by essence. However, it was sealed by the jade plate, preventing any leakage.

"The Ancient Tree of Life!" Those who arrived exclaimed, realizing the previous battle had erupted because of this. "These are the most tender divine sprouts of the Ancient Tree of Life, its very essence."

Some rushed forward, only to find that the sacred bones on the altar, the dried blood in the grooves, and the other magical artifacts all emitted light, sweeping them away. "The altar has powerful restrictions. Do not attack by force; carefully break them."

Forces from all sides moved together, attempting to dismantle the ancient altar. The tender branch of the Tree of Life had appeared; this was undoubtedly a divine-grade treasure medicine, capable of bringing the dead back to life and regenerating flesh and bone, and it also contained fragments of the Great Dao.

Ye Fan frowned. He did not rush forward, instead observing from a distance. The old mercenary Huobai also muttered to himself, standing at the back of the crowd.

The Divine Organization arrived. Their black mothership loomed overhead, casting a dazzling beam of light that partially dismantled the restriction.

"The Divine Tree of Life! Heavens, they really found this immortal medicine!" Suddenly, exclamations came from afar. Motherships were fighting, and powerful cultivators flew through the air, clashing fiercely, all disappearing into a mountain range.

Simultaneously, dust billowed from the altar, which was broken by the combined efforts of everyone. Amidst the chaos, the tender sprouts of the Tree of Life were seized by an unknown party.

Deep within the mountain range a hundred miles away, brilliant multicolored light surged into the sky, visible even from a great distance. Many people turned and rushed towards it. Compared to the true Ancient Tree of Life, a small tender sprout was insignificant.

Along the mere hundred-mile journey, many bled. To reduce competition, they secretly attacked each other; even the Divine Organization was covertly assaulted, and one of their cosmic motherships suffered damage.

Amidst the chaos, people surged into the mountain range, leaving behind numerous corpses and bloodstains. The value of an immortal divine tree was enough to move even Great Emperors, let alone these individuals.

"Ah!" Screams echoed repeatedly; dozens, even hundreds, lost their lives, yet they could not approach the miraculous tree. There was a terrifying world-shocking formation here.

Majestic mountains and magnificent peaks—this should have been a treasure land brimming with immortal qi, possessing the aura of soaring immortals and flying emperors. Unfortunately, it was now barren. Many old trees were completely dry and mostly fallen on the ground, crumbling instantly if stepped upon. Yet, deep within this mountain range, green light surged, and an immortal tree was rooted in the central woodland.

For a tree, it was very short, no more than 1.2 meters tall. Yet its trunk was vigorous, its old bark cracked in many places, resembling a coiled dragon lying dormant here. Its leaves shimmered with green light, like immortal rainbows dancing, shrouded in a hazy glow, appearing incomparably wondrous and inviting. And from this place, resonant Dao sounds rumbled around the ancient tree, as if emanating the primal sounds of creation itself.

"It really is the Ancient Tree of Life! Unbelievable... it was actually left behind!" Everyone was agitated; many couldn't help but roar towards the sky. This was simply an immense divine blessing, an unimaginable stroke of great fortune.

There were many corpses on the ground, and large patches of bloodstains. Clearly, a struggle had just occurred, and no one could approach; they could only observe from a distance.

There was a stone stele here, and members of the Divine Organization appeared, carefully studying it, along with people from other major powers who also stepped forward. It recorded some secrets. This ancient land dried up, forcing them to migrate as an entire clan. During their journey, a severe internal conflict erupted, followed by an attack from terrifying cosmic creatures, nearly wiping them out. An old Saint desperately broke through the encirclement, bringing the Ancient Tree of Life back to its homeland.

Beside the stone stele were traces of Dao transformation, with only a glowing white bone remaining. The old Saint had long since passed away, many years ago. "So that's how it is. The people from this ancient land of life were killed in space, likely wiped out as a clan."

"Were the tender sprouts on the altar offered by him, to pray for Heaven's protection for his clansmen?" Many suddenly understood, their expressions fluctuating between gloom and uncertainty. Their hearts were anxious, but they had no way to approach.

There was actually a Great Saint-level formation here. Several Saints had charged at it, all retreating with severe injuries, while others died outright. "This is a Great Saint formation. Even a powerful expert of the same level might not be able to break through it, unless they are wearing divine mecha; otherwise, entry is impossible."

The group first rejoiced, then fell into despair. The ancient parchment scrolls of the Xutuo Clan proved true; they had finally found this ancient star, but the outcome was this. Even if they destroyed this ancient star, this mountain range would remain. The frustration of guarding a treasure mountain without being able to obtain the divine tree left them extremely unwilling to give up.

The Divine Organization was also helpless. Four of their members had arrived, but none were Great Saints. Their eyes flickered, their gazes uncertain. "The legendary immortal divine tree, which disappeared for countless ages, has reappeared, yet we cannot obtain it." Everyone felt as if a small worm was gnawing at their hearts.

"Return to the Eternal Main Star and invite experts highly skilled in Dao patterns! We don't believe this place can't be opened!" Finally, after dozens, even hundreds, of attempts and leaving a trail of corpses, some major clans set off, rushing towards the Eternal Starfield.

They raced against time, all wanting to be the first to return to the Eternal Main Star, seize the initiative, and have their clan elders invite powerful figures to dismantle the area and claim the immortal medicine.

Great Saint Yan Qi of the Fire Qilin Cave led Ancestral Kings to blockade the Eternal Main Star. Their repeated attacks failed to break through the protection of the Ancient Emperor's Grand Dao, leading to a bloody price paid in vain. "A stargate has opened there, and the Ancient Emperor's Grand Dao has sealed this star, preventing even them from breaking in. Hmm, several more groups have appeared; capture them all."

Those returning from the Fifth Divine Star were immediately detected and instantly captured by Ancestral Kings descending from the sky, their faces turning pale. "Great Saint, we've discovered astonishing news!" a Saint from Fire Qilin Cave almost trembled as he whispered to Great Saint Yan Qi.

"Lord Nine Phoenix King, something huge has happened! In the distant starry sky... there's an immortal medicine!" On the other side, someone reported to the leader of Blood Phoenix Mountain. At the same time, King Lin Tian and other ancient Saints also learned of it, and each was profoundly shocked. They personally interrogated the captives and peered into their Sea of Consciousness, all left astonished.

"It really is an immortal medicine sprout! This is... the Ancient Tree of Life!" Great Saint Yan Qi could not remain calm. Numerous cultivators returning from the Fifth Divine Star to seek aid had all been captured. One of them had, amidst the chaos at the altar, seized a single sprout. Although only fingernail-sized, it was enveloped in immortal qi, and at that moment, it illuminated the faces of Yan Qi and Huo Qilin.

"We must obtain this immortal divine tree! Every immortal medicine contains secrets that even Primeval Emperors would be obsessed with!" Yan Qi stared at the sprout in his palm, quickly making a decision.