Chapter 1461: Unexpected Change

Clearly, Dao Yi was well-prepared. To achieve today's outcome, he had begun planning decades ago, employing incredibly powerful methods.

A vast essence of the five elements cascaded down, turning the entire ancient star to dust. Under the immortal energy contained within the Ancient Heavenly Venerate's palace, it disintegrated into ash, and the entire world met its end.

This was no mere trace of essence; it was immensely vast, sweeping across everything like an ocean and engulfing every inch of space. Even the various armies that had fled from the Divine Domain earlier could not escape this catastrophe; they all exploded, turning into blood and bone.

This was an immense disaster. On a massive star, dozens, even hundreds, of races were completely annihilated. The number of casualties was immeasurable, making it truly the most severe tragedy.

This was a blood-stained starfield; the Divine Shore no longer existed, having been permanently erased from existence!

The Divine Domain remained, a solitary island floating in the boundless universe. It had not been destroyed, protected by the Emperor Artifact suppressing it.

Boom! The Myriad Dragon Bell, the Spirit Refining Pot, and other artifacts revived, struggling desperately to break through the vast immortal energy and rush over. Unfortunately, they failed, as this was the terrifying immortal energy from within an Ancient Heavenly Venerate.

Dao Yi had planned this long ago. He used the immeasurable immortal energy from within the Great Emperor to block the heroes, isolating the cosmos and countering the extreme ancient imperial weapons. He just needed a time window.

If he could hold them off for a moment, that would be success; he could then calmly seize the Ancient Tree of Life.

"This is bad!" Pang Bo and the others realized that Dao Yi was about to seize the ancient tree. The critical moment had arrived.

The only fortunate thing was that they had avoided the vast immortal energy. They had also ascended the ancient mountain and were not very far from Dao Yi, so there was still hope of catching up.

Ye Fan's eyes shone brightly. He transformed into a blazing streak of light, carrying everyone forward as fast as the wind and lightning. He pressed towards the peak of the sacred mountain, aiming to seize the treasured tree first.

Using heaven-deceiving formation patterns to conceal their aura, they moved silently, without a trace, and at an extremely high speed.

However, Dao Yi's spiritual perception was too keen. Although he couldn't see all of them clearly, he sensed powerful individuals approaching. Very decisively, he deployed a set of formation flags, planting them all around the mountain peak.

With a rumble, not only Ye Fan and his companions but even the Great Sages holding Emperor Artifacts in the distance trembled, sensing an extremely terrifying aura. This was an ancient imperial formation.

"Indeed, he brought this great killing weapon!" Ye Fan frowned.

"Dao Yi has been dormant for decades, preparing everything," Ji Haoyue said with a solemn expression. "He is determined to obtain the Ancient Tree of Life."

Ye Fan was very decisive. Taking advantage of the vast immortal energy cascading down, which isolated the Emperor Artifacts and the Great Sages, he acted decisively. He summoned the green copper cauldron and crashed it into the ancient formation flags.

This was an ancient imperial formation, albeit incomplete. However, it was still terrifyingly powerful, capable of causing immeasurable carnage and possessing immense power; otherwise, it wouldn't have killed so many ancestral kings in the Big Dipper.

"Boom!" A brilliant green light burst forth as the copper cauldron, pressed by an unparalleled force, finally revived, emitting wisps of immortal might that spread forward.

At this moment, Dao Yi turned around. He naturally recognized the green light at a glance, having encountered it before. Now meeting it again, he realized it was this same person coming to ambush him.

However, he remained calm, as if everything was under his control, just like before. With a rumble, vast formation patterns emerged, instantly shrouding the mountain.

He activated the ancient imperial formation patterns, allowing them to fully revive and block Ye Fan. Meanwhile, he rushed towards the ancient tree on the mountain peak.

Boom! Ye Fan used all his strength to urge the green copper cauldron forward. At the same time, he cast his Origin Art, drawing in the five-element immortal energy from heaven and earth, and the vast waves instantly swept over, impacting the formation.

Moreover, at this moment, Ji Ziyue also displayed her innate divine ability. Her Primeval Spirit Body was close to the origin, allowing her to draw upon all divine power and immortal energy, and she instantly activated the vast five-element energy to press down.

With the green copper cauldron in front and a massive amount of five-element immortal energy behind, the overwhelming force, like a heavenly blade, sliced open a path and surged into the formation.

Dao Yi's expression changed. The five-element immortal energy, which he had drawn from five extraterrestrial continents and prepared for this day for an unknown period, was now unexpectedly being used by someone else.

Dao Yi's pressure doubled. He could barely stand on the mountain, needing to expend immense energy to resist because the faint green light of the green copper cauldron was flowing, with wisps faintly penetrating the defenses.

If not for the ancient imperial formation, he would surely have been reduced to ash.

Ye Fan stepped forward, guiding the green copper cauldron. Like a single blade, he sliced into the ancient formation, pushing forward step by step.

Meanwhile, Dao Yi also stepped forward, heading towards the mountain peak. His goal was naturally the Ancient Tree of Life, and he was getting closer and closer.

However, both of them were under immense pressure and trembling. One was subjected to the might of the ancient imperial formation, while the other was oppressed by the green cauldron; both were suffering greatly.

Although they both had protective cauldrons and formations, they still felt their bodies were about to collapse. They were all struggling to move forward, resulting in a stalemate.

In terms of distance, Dao Yi was closer to the ancient tree and might obtain it first. However, if Ye Fan broke through, even if he arrived later, he could directly suppress and kill Dao Yi with the green cauldron.

At this critical moment, both sides were doing their utmost, accelerating their actions. Enduring bone-scraping pain, they used their respective cauldrons and formations for protection, struggling to move forward.

Ye Fan also felt a sense of urgency because behind them were Emperor Artifacts. Once the vast immortal energy disappeared, those individuals would appear immediately and attack, and Ye Fan and his companions would bear the brunt of the assault.

Crack! Relying on his powerful golden-blood physique, Ye Fan forcefully took large strides. Using the green copper cauldron to clear the way and causing cracks in the formation, he advanced a considerable distance.

Dao Yi frowned; the situation was very unfavorable. If Ye Fan got in, he might suffer a bitter defeat, suppressed and killed by a single cauldron strike. After all, he wasn't wearing the Dao Tribulation Golden Immortal Robe, nor was he protected by an Emperor Artifact.

Most importantly, the ancient imperial formation was even more incomplete than last time, its power not wild enough. It might truly not be able to hold out.

"Good!" Behind them, the Dragon Horse rubbed his fists, ready to contend for the Ancient Tree of Life.

Ye Fan's body swayed; the pressure he endured was immense. Only he could do this; if anyone else advanced with the cauldron in this manner, their physical body would surely collapse.

Dao Yi's body suffered even more because the green mist permeated and surged in. Some of the formation flags were trembling, almost breaking; he was also about to collapse.

"It's you again," Dao Yi said, staring at Ye Fan. The heaven-deceiving formation patterns had already dimmed, their material was insufficient, and the dao traces had disappeared.

"It's you again!" Ye Fan retorted, the same words carrying vastly different meanings and underlying emotional fluctuations.

"There's a fifty-fifty chance," Pang Bo sighed softly from behind. "Although the Ancient Tree of Life is good, both of these individuals are taking immense risks. If something went wrong, their spirits could be extinguished."

Ye Fan remained relatively calm. He had an immortal medicine on him, so he didn't value this too much. Dao Yi, however, was different; he had schemed for decades and invested considerable effort. If Ye Fan snatched it midway, he would truly vomit blood.

Now, both had hope of success, but clearly, the scales of victory might tip towards Ye Fan. Once he broke through, he could use the cauldron to suppress and kill Dao Yi.

Crack! Suddenly, the mountain peak cracked as the sealing power broke. Any ancient medicine was sentient and had its own will, capable of flying into the sky and burrowing into the earth, which was why they had to be sealed.

Now, the sacred medicinal field where the Ancient Tree of Life was rooted split apart. The old tree gained its freedom, actually breaking free from the soil like a person.

Its roots were thick, with two of them like powerful legs, stout and strong, supporting it on the ground. Then, it... lifted its feet and ran!

Everyone was stunned. The Dragon Horse let out loud shouts, wishing he could rush over and swallow the ancient tree whole.

Ultimately, the Ancient Tree of Life moved away from Ye Fan's direction, rushing directly towards Dao Yi, voluntarily delivering itself to him.

The Dragon Horse, Pang Bo, and the others felt an urge to curse. This old tree had run away at the critical moment, throwing itself into Dao Yi's arms and recognizing him.

Dao Yi smiled. His face was radiant, looking transcendent and refined. He retreated step by step, moving away from Ye Fan's position, and the pressure on him immediately lessened.

"I was born under the Ancient Tree of Life," Dao Yi said. "It belonged to my father back then. Comparing the two, it was bound to choose me." Dao Yi's teeth gleamed, and his expression was detached. He chuckled softly, waved at Ye Fan, and slowly retreated until he was far away. Only then did he loudly withdraw the ancient imperial formation.

"Damn it, man proposes, God disposes! This old tree finally broke its seal and ran off by itself!" the Dragon Horse cursed.

The ancient tree ran off on its own, making its own choice of master. This unexpected turn of events left everyone dumbfounded and speechless for a long time.

An accident, a coincidence, and the outcome was completely different.

Ye Fan wanted to pursue it, but at that moment, he heard the Sacred Prince's roar. In that area, extreme divine might seemed to be erupting, and Emperor Artifacts were clashing.

His expression immediately changed. He turned and left, rushing towards that direction.

At the same time, Dao Yi let out a long cry and waved his formation flags, evidently connected to an external domain. The vast immortal energy that had covered everything immediately vanished. Then, he flashed, tearing open the clear void, and escaped from that place.

Ye Fan took a quick glance. He only saw a tiny, imperceptible golden light vanish with the void hole, which made him pause, showing a hint of doubt.

Ye Fan didn't think much further. He immediately re-deployed the heaven-deceiving formation patterns, concealing himself and Pang Bo's group, and went to assist the Sacred Prince. At this moment, they could clearly see the monkey holding a killing sword in place with his Battle Rod!

"We must help Brother Monkey get his hands on it! That's an immortal sword!" the group all exclaimed, rushing forward quickly.

The Myriad Dragon Bell shook, and the Spirit Refining Pot trembled slightly. The Great Sages who wielded them were furious; when the immortal energy disappeared, the Ancient Tree of Life was nowhere to be seen, making them so angry they felt like vomiting blood.

At this moment, seeing the monkey holding an immortal sword in place, they all stared with cold eyes and charged forward together to kill. The Great Sage wearing the Dao Derivation Golden Immortal Robe also pressed closer amid the chaos.

This was a terrifying melee. The monkey was so enraged his hair bristled, and he glared fiercely at these Great Sages.

Under a tranquil star-filled sky, Dao Yi appeared. This time, he had obtained the Ancient Tree of Life and fulfilled his wish. He was completely relaxed, waiting for his people here.

A short while later, a tiny, imperceptible golden light emerged from a void hole. It then transformed into a blazing light, rushing from a distance and arriving in the blink of an eye.

This was an elderly man of medium build, with white hair and a white beard, and a peaceful expression. With a look of excitement and a smile on his face, he laughed heartily from a distance, saying, "Imperial Son, you have finally achieved your wish and retrieved the Ancient Tree of Life."

Dao Yi felt relieved at the sight. This was his Dao Protector, a Great Sage. Although there were no powerful fluctuations at the moment, Dao Yi knew he was unfathomable.

Seeing that he wasn't wearing the Dao Derivation Immortal Robe, Dao Yi couldn't help but ask.

"I was afraid the fluctuations would be too intense and others would track me down," the old man said, his face brimming with smiles.

Dao Yi nodded and said, "This time, the great task is finally accomplished."

"Imperial Son, may this old man take a look at the Ancient Tree of Life?" the old man said excitedly. "After all these years, I've truly dreamed of the treasured tree returning."

Dao Yi chuckled softly and took out the treasured tree. It was lush green, shimmering with divine radiance, and endless life essence surged from it, turning this starfield into immortal land. It was vibrant with flowing light and exceptionally serene.

Suddenly, a shocking turn of events occurred. The old man made his move so suddenly that it caught everyone off guard, launching a killing blow at Dao Yi. He also seized the Ancient Tree of Life, attempting to snatch it away.

Even one as powerful as Dao Yi had not expected such a thing to happen. He recoiled and quickly dodged, but was still hit, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood and suffering severe injuries.

However, he ultimately held onto the trunk and roots of the Ancient Tree of Life, refusing to let go. Moreover, he immediately activated the ancient imperial formation, intending to trap and kill his assailant.

With a crack, the "Dao Protector" was very decisive. He snapped off more than half of the Ancient Tree of Life's canopy, shattered the void, and transformed into a golden speck of light that vanished silently and without a trace!

Dao Yi's face was ashen. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood there for a long time without speaking. Half of the Ancient Tree of Life had been snatched away, but the only fortunate thing was that the roots remained with him, allowing it to be replanted and fully recover after several millennia.

In another region, the starfield was tranquil. A void hole appeared, and a monkey, scratching his ears and cheeks, emerged, carrying half of the Ancient Tree of Life...