Chapter 1488: Preaching Under the Tree

At his words, both Concubine Yan and Divine Emperor Lang Xuan were filled with mixed emotions, speechless for a moment.

Only Shi Qiluo cheered enthusiastically, clapping and shouting praise, deeply moved, tears glistening in his eyes. "Exactly," he said, "we are all one family! A family should stick together, united against hardships!"

Primordial Mother was originally an Ancient God of Destruction, so Shi Qiluo, as her reincarnated form, uttering such words did not come as a surprise to Heaven Venerate Xiao.

"Wasn't Brother Dao exiled by Heaven Venerate Yue?" Lunar Lady asked. "You disappeared for six years. In these six years, you've missed many major events."

Heaven Venerate Xiao couldn't help but sigh with emotion. In just six years, he had missed several major events that reshaped the world. The world was changing too quickly. In the past, he could seclude himself for more than six years without worry, waking to find the world still much the same.

But now, in these mere six years, there had been a conflict between the Heaven Venerates of the Primordial Realm, the complete opening of the Ancestral Court, the Heavenly Alliance Conference, the opening of the back of the Ancestral Court, the establishment of the Beast Realm with Dragon Han as its master, the birth of the Taiji Ancient Gods, the death of Heaven Duke, Heaven Venerate Hong's demise, Xuan Du being carved up by various powers, and the emergence of Ancestral Court Jade Capital City—all major events!

In previous eras, even tens of thousands of years might not see a single one of these major events, yet now they had all occurred within a mere six years, making it dizzying to keep track.

The pace of this era was so fast that even a few years of seclusion could leave one far behind the times!

"I encountered many incredible things in the chaotic space, and had my own strange experiences," Heaven Venerate Xiao said, recalling his past few years. "As a result, my cultivation and the refinement of my Dao heart have greatly advanced."

Heaven Venerate Xiao recalled his past few years, sighing with emotion: "If someone were to chronicle my experiences over these past few years, they could probably write an epic masterpiece. My experiences during these years were so mysterious and bizarre that even now, recalling them, I find them incredible."

He had Primordial Wood protecting his body, allowing him to preserve himself in the chaotic space and explore its secrets.

There, he saw relics of past universes, ruin after ruin, fragment after fragment of the Great Overarching Heaven, as well as magnificent and majestic Dao trees, embodying different Dao rules.

More importantly, he encountered a wondrous phenomenon there: tiny universes, one after another, were born, grew, flourished, then withered and were destroyed within that chaotic space.

The speed of this birth and destruction was unimaginable to outsiders.

When Heaven Venerate Xiao witnessed this scene, the shock he felt was incomparable.

He saw that these small universes even contained life, Ancient Gods, and beings like himself. They had their grievances and passions, their loves and hates, but their lifespans were incredibly short.

Without Heaven Venerate Xiao even noticing, they lived out their brief lives.

Even more terrifyingly, Heaven Venerate Xiao also saw enlightened beings within these tiny universes, but when their universes were destroyed, even these enlightened beings were helpless and could only perish with the destruction of these small universes.

Everything was like a dream or an illusion, ceasing to exist upon destruction.

He then suddenly had a terrifying thought.

As Heaven Venerate Xiao looked around, seeing universes of all sizes born, growing, and perishing like bubbles in this chaotic space, the terrifying thought in his mind grew stronger and became uncontrollable.

"This is the testing ground of a terrifying existence!" he thought. "He uses these small universes to try and find a way to remain undestroyed even if the universe perishes!"

He searched everywhere, trying to find this terrifying existence, but he traveled for six years and still couldn't find the end of the chaotic space.

All he saw along the way were bizarre and fantastical sights, sights that language couldn't describe, which only further convinced him that it was indeed the testing ground of an unimaginably terrifying existence!

He experienced many dangers, narrowly escaping death multiple times. He didn't know if that existence had already died, but his thirst for the unknown compelled him to continue exploring.

It wasn't until Heaven Duke died, and the sorrow of the Heavenly Dao permeated that chaotic space, that he suddenly came to his senses and sought a way out.

After he left, he realized that six years had already passed. At that time, Ancestral Court Jade Capital City was just breaking free from its seal, with surging light breaking through the Ancestral Court's barriers.

In his mind, Ancestral Court Jade Capital City was a place comparable to the chaotic space, one of the two great mysteries in this universe, drawing him to it.

Having experienced all this, Heaven Venerate Xiao had an immeasurable improvement in his Dao heart, and the benefits he gained were not limited to that.

Concubine Yan, Divine Emperor Lang Xuan, Shi Qiluo, and the Taiji Ancient Gods looked at him, all sensing that his demeanor was now different from before, but where exactly the difference lay was beyond their conjecture.

Heaven Venerate Xiao becoming their leader was tacitly accepted by them.

At this time, the World Tree sapling was growing stronger, shaking and growing once each day. Some among the sacred land's inhabitants observed the Dao patterns of the World Tree, some studied the leaf patterns, while Xu Sheng Hua and Lan Yu Tian sat beneath the tree, seeking enlightenment, attempting to comprehend the profound principles hidden within the World Tree.

The revival of this World Tree kept everyone busy and fulfilled, though occasionally someone would remember and say, "Wei Sui Feng and Shu Jun still haven't returned."

However, they would then forget about it and continue with their own tasks.

Xu Sheng Hua and Lan Yu Tian would occasionally wake from their enlightenment and exchange their insights. Lan Yu Tian said, "The Great Dao contained within this World Tree is truly profound and abstruse; it's difficult to fully grasp it all at once. If one could completely comprehend it, they might just achieve Dao enlightenment!"

Xu Sheng Hua said, "I've noticed some Great Daos that don't seem to belong to our era. Such Dao rules don't exist in our time. Could they be Great Daos from the previous cosmic epoch?"

Both had many unanswered questions.

Why would the World Tree bear the imprints of the Great Dao from previous universes? What connection was there between the World Tree and the Dao trees of enlightened beings?

Were there still divisions of realms after achieving Dao enlightenment?

Was the path to enlightenment only through the Dao Realm?

Even these two, with the highest talents and aptitudes in a million years, were at a loss.

"Where has Cult Master Qin gone?" Xu Sheng Hua asked, remembering Qin Mu. "With his help, things might proceed faster."

Lan Yu Tian pursed his lips and said, "My brother's over there."

Xu Sheng Hua quickly looked, only to see Qin Mu at the other end of the World Tree sapling, unfurling his Divine Treasure domain and spreading it out.

The Ancestral Court within his domain was currently spread beneath the World Tree sapling's roots. Heavenly Palaces surrounded the sapling, with numerous primordial spirits seated within them, standing on the Nine Prisons Platform, activating Dao arts and divine abilities, attempting to imprint them onto the World Tree sapling.

Xu Sheng Hua stared blankly, stammering, "What is he doing?"

"He's probably trying to refine the World Tree and turn it into his own treasure," Lan Yu Tian said, though he seemed unsure. "Right now, the World Tree is still a sapling, which is the most suitable time for refining. If it grows any taller, his domain won't be able to encompass it. So refining it now is the most effortless and most likely to succeed."

Xu Sheng Hua looked over, only to see that although Qin Mu's Spirit Embryo Divine Treasure domain was spread out to its maximum extent, the World Tree's canopy still reached the dome of his domain's sky, suggesting that with just one more growth spurt, it could break through the dome of his domain!

Even so, Qin Mu stubbornly continued to attempt to refine the sapling.

Besides attempting to imprint his Great Dao onto the World Tree, he was also trying to sacrifice his spirit embryo into the tree's body. Even after failing repeatedly and being rejected by the World Tree, he showed no discouragement.

Xu Sheng Hua was dumbfounded.

Just then, a woman carrying a small bucket passed by. That woman, Grand Pure, was quite caustic. She shook her head and sneered, "Foolish roe deer, trying to shake a tree with an ant – overestimating your capabilities." After saying that, she shook her head and walked away.

Xu Sheng Hua and Lan Yu Tian watched her walk away, then each retracted their gaze.

"Do you think Cult Master will succeed?" Xu Sheng Hua asked.

Lan Yu Tian shook his head. "How would I know? But the World Tree has never been cut down before, has it? Perhaps in its sapling stage, it really can be refined. But refining this tree, as Grand Pure said, is a bit like an ant trying to shake a tree root..."

Both shook their heads in unison, not very optimistic.

"Has Cult Master returned the Dao tree leaf he borrowed from Grand Pure?" Xu Sheng Hua asked.

Lan Yu Tian shook his head. "No, he hasn't. Brother has never mentioned it, as if he's forgotten. Grand Pure hasn't mentioned it either, as if she's also forgotten."

Xu Sheng Hua thought for a moment and said, "This means Grand Pure still hopes Cult Master can refine the World Tree. She just doesn't say it aloud, and still makes a couple of mocking remarks."

"Heaven Venerate Mu's stubbornness truly resembles that of a foolish roe deer," Emperor Ming's voice drifted over.

Emperor Ming's appearance was now somewhat different from before. Previously, he was a soul, but now he possessed a physical body. However, this body was a bit strange, with woody textures on it.

This was Qin Mu's painstaking effort. He had asked Grand Pure to cut a small piece of bark from a World Tree branch and used it to reconstruct a body for Emperor Ming, then used dew from the leaves as his blood.

Currently, this body was inconvenient to move, and Emperor Ming constantly worried whether he would sprout roots and grow, as he always felt signs of budding.

Qin Mu had created two bodies in total: one for Emperor Ming's use, while the purpose of the other was not stated.

He had already sent people to the site of Emperor Ming's demise to search for his flesh and blood. Once found, he could use the powerful creation ability of Emperor Ming's flesh and blood to transform this wooden body into a flesh-and-blood one.

A fully resurrected Emperor Ming would undoubtedly possess a physical body stronger than ever before!

Emperor Ming moved his feet with difficulty, walked over to the two, and bowed respectfully. "Heaven Venerate Yu," he said, "you previously mentioned sensing a realm at the Heavenly Sea. Have you established this Heavenly Sea realm? I have been resurrected and need to cultivate from scratch, otherwise I cannot control this body."

Lan Yu Tian said, "The Heavenly Sea realm is both a Dao heart realm and a magic power realm; I also call it the Heavenly Heart realm. I established this realm not long ago. However, my Dao path differs from the current Divine Treasure Heavenly Palace cultivation system. I have integrated the Four Heavenly Gates, Jade Pool and Jade Stage, God-Slaying Platform, Nine Prisons Platform, and Heavenly Sea all into the Ancestral Court realm. There is no Heavenly Palace realm as a separate entity."

Emperor Ming humbly sought guidance, "May I ask, Heaven Venerate, if these were to be integrated into the Heavenly Palace realm, how should one cultivate?"

Lan Yu Tian thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I will try to integrate these realms into the Heavenly Palace and explain them to you. Daoist Friend Hua, Granny Si, Daoist Friend Wen Yuan, Crown Prince You Ming, and Daoist Friend Xu are all experts in the Heavenly Palace realm, and their assistance will be needed. As for the Jade Stage, God-Slaying Platform, and Nine Prisons Platform realms, my brother has the deepest understanding. If I explain anything incorrectly, I will need to ask them to correct me."

His divine sense fluctuated, summoning everyone.

Emperor Ming stammered, "Hua Xuan Xiu and Wen Yuan are also experts?"

He looked at the two little ones, Hua Xuan Xiu and Wen Yuan, with some disbelief.

Hua Xuan Xiu, acting like an old sage, looked at him with considerable pride.

Everyone arrived, and Qin Mu also dispatched a primordial spirit to descend. Everyone then elucidated the mysteries of the various Heavenly Palace realms, and everyone in the sacred land gathered around, listening intently.

By the second day, the World Tree shook again and grew once more, finally piercing a large hole through Qin Mu's Divine Treasure domain.

Qin Mu was helpless, but he persistently continued to try and refine the divine tree.

The area beneath the World Tree was bustling with activity, as the various Heavenly Palace realms were explained by everyone, greatly benefiting and enlightening all who listened.

After listening to everyone's explanations, Lan Yu Tian then attempted to combine the Four Heavenly Gates, Jade Pool and Jade Stage, God-Slaying Platform, and other realms with the Heavenly Palace realm, explaining them one by one, linking these realms together.

Under the World Tree, Dao rhythms lingered and Dao sounds echoed around it. Surprisingly, Dao flowers descended from the tree, captivating everyone.

These Dao flowers dissolved upon touching the ground, ceasing to exist, but everyone took the opportunity to comprehend many things.

This gathering under the World Tree was, for those present, merely a grand exchange, but for future generations, its significance would be no less than that of the Jade Pool Grand Assembly held a million years ago!

Among those beneath the World Tree, apart from Qin Mu and Lan Yu Tian, the others were not well-known, yet in the future, they would be revered as Heaven Venerates!

The realms they pioneered would also influence future generations!

However, at this moment, for those beneath the tree, this was merely an ordinary Dao discussion, and they did not consider its deeper implications and significance.

Just then, Qin Mu's aura suddenly surged, and his Divine Treasure domain expanded once more, encompassing the World Tree sapling within his domain once again.

He had suddenly gained a new realm, the Heavenly Sea realm. This realm was situated between the Jade Pool and the God-Slaying Platform, greatly increasing his cultivation. A Heavenly Sea appeared in each of his Heavenly Palaces, and a Heavenly Sea also appeared in his Ancestral Court, connected to the Heavenly River!

The Ancestral Court, Heavenly Sea, Xuan Du, You Du, Yuan Du, and the myriad of heavens and realms, as well as each Heavenly Palace, were all linked together by means of the Heavenly River, giving his cultivation and strength a tremendous leap!

Upon witnessing this scene, Blind, Mute, Granny Si, and others were greatly pleased, and praised in unison, "Muzi is truly remarkable! After gnawing on us, he's finally started gnawing on his own brother!"