The sixth trait of Xuanhuang Immortal City was—Chaos!!
The fusion of the Chaos trait with the Palace Treasure Tree directly caused it to transform into a World Tree—a tree capable of nurturing worlds. Upon each leaf of the tree lay the trait of chaos, like countless unopened miniature chaotic worlds. Of course, to call them "worlds" now was premature; within them gathered only wisps of primal chaos, not yet abundant, with origins still weak.
Yet, they carried the potential to evolve into complete heavens and earth.
Although the Chaos World Tree could root itself into the endless void, even into the boundless chaos itself, drawing in chaotic qi, that power was not limitless. The energy it absorbed had to sustain not only Xuanhuang Immortal City but also the operation of countless Cloud Realms, before being distributed among innumerable leaves. The share allotted to each leaf was pitifully small. To reach the point of opening even a cave-heaven within a leaf would require a very long time.
Though decades had passed since Great Yi rose to an Immortal Court, the leaves of the Palace Treasure Tree had only birthed chaotic spaces.
Still, years of accumulation had not been in vain. Each leaf-world now contained a certain measure of chaotic origin.
"Master, with the current accumulation of the Palace Treasure Tree, the foundation isn't enough to open heavens and earth. Even if forced open, the future would be affected. Each leaf might only give birth to a few li of space."
Fairy Ruyi shook her head.
There were simply too many leaves—so many it was staggering. Dividing the origin equally meant none could accumulate sufficient depth.
"Mm, that was within expectation. By rights, it should take at least ten thousand years before attempting to open a world. But this time, I acquired a treasure that can hasten the process, compensating for the lack of foundation, and allow the Palace Treasure Tree to fully exert its function."
Yi Tianxing nodded calmly.
To open worlds now was indeed premature, but not without solution. Normally, the opening of a world was counted in millennia—ten thousand years at least, often much longer. Such things could not be rushed.
"Master, what treasure is it?"
Fairy Ruyi asked curiously.
"Look!!"
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly. With a wave, a Dragon-Suppressing Pillar appeared before them. Coiled upon it was a dark-red demonic dragon, its body bound tightly by chains, sealed and imprisoned.
"This is… an Ancestral Vein!!"
Fairy Ruyi's eyes lit up as she recognized it.
It was indeed one of the most precious treasures between heaven and earth—an Ancestral Vein, the very root that could allow a dynasty to rise as an Immortal Court. And this one stretched over sixty thousand zhang—already halfway to the peak of its kind.
"Master, you mean to…"
Surprise flashed in her eyes as she guessed his intent.
"Correct. I intend to fuse this Demon-Blood Ancestral Vein into the Palace Treasure Tree, let it absorb and refine the essence, strengthen its origin, and quickly reach the threshold of world-opening. Then, the worlds born within will lack neither foundation nor potential."
Yi Tianxing nodded firmly.
"But… the price is too great! A single Ancestral Vein's value is immeasurable—it could raise an entire Immortal Court. Even if we kept it, it would serve as the deepest foundation for our future ascension to the Heavenly Court."
Fairy Ruyi was utterly shaken.
Outside, countless dynasties fought desperately to find even a trace of an Ancestral Vein, dreaming of cultivating one of their own. Yet, none had succeeded. The rarity of such a treasure was beyond question. If Great Yi were to announce its sale, dynasties from every corner of the Eternal World would swarm like moths to flame, willing to pay any price.
To use one to nourish the World Tree? That was enough to draw curses from all corners—wanton waste!
But Yi Tianxing knew—only by investing it here could it bring the greatest return.
Step ahead, step always ahead.
Time waited for none.
With the fusion of the Eternal and Nightmare Worlds ever approaching, no one knew how long remained. Every step was a race against time.
One Ancestral Vein—he could afford to spend.
For this was laying down the everlasting foundation of Great Yi. Any price was worth it.
"No need to worry. Aside from the transformed True Dragon Ancestral Vein, we still have the twelve Zodiac Spirit Veins—eleven of which remain. Guided by the True Dragon Vein, the others have far greater chances of evolving into Ancestral Veins themselves, once given the right resources. The heavenly treasures required for their ascension are already being prepared. Soon, they'll be delivered. When the time comes, Great Yi will not lack Ancestral Veins."
Yi Tianxing explained slowly.
This Demon-Blood Ancestral Vein, to him, was not essential. Great Yi's best foundation was for its Ancestral Veins to be transformed from its Zodiac Spirit Veins—their origins aligned, perfectly resonant, free of rejection. That would bring immeasurable benefit.
Moreover, this vein was plundered from Yongye. Who knew what hidden hands might be embedded within it? To keep it was to risk future calamity.
Better to let the Palace Treasure Tree devour and refine it completely, erase every trace, and turn its essence into pure growth.
Even disposal required skill.
"Excellent!"
Fairy Ruyi's eyes shone. "With this, the Tree's leaves will surge in origin. When they open worlds, each will be no less than a hundred li across—a true Cave Heaven. Complete in law and origin, strong in potential, capable of growth. In time, they'll expand endlessly."
Such was the power of an Ancestral Vein. Its energy was vast beyond measure—the very foundation supporting continents of heaven.
"Good. Then let's proceed. Devour it. Let the World Tree begin birthing worlds. Conceal the process well—let none outside be disturbed." Yi Tianxing commanded.
"Rest assured, Master—leave it to Ruyi."
Fairy Ruyi's confidence gleamed.
With a wave, the Dragon-Suppressing Pillar was moved into the Eternal Divine Furnace. Chains shattered as the Demon-Blood Ancestral Vein was released. Yet the moment it gained freedom, it felt an invisible might descend, suppressing it utterly. It dared not stir. Any movement would mean instant doom.
Boom!!
In truth, move or not, its fate was sealed. A force irresistible crashed down, and the Ancestral Vein let out a mournful scream as its colossal body exploded into countless small demonic dragons—each carrying a shard of the Ancestral Vein's essence.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Outside, they might have fled in all directions. But within the Eternal Divine Furnace, escape was impossible.
Roots appeared from the void—roots of the Palace Treasure Tree. They pierced the little dragons like divine weapons, drawing out torrents of essence in a frenzy of devouring. The miniature dragons shrank visibly as their origin was drained.
Within Xuanhuang City, energy poured into the Palace Treasure Tree. Its trunk and leaves surged with strength. The chaotic spaces within the leaves boiled violently, infused with immense energy.
Suddenly, one miniature dragon manifested within a chaotic leaf-space. It detonated, tearing the chaos apart. Fire, water, wind, and earth tumbled forth. Heaven and earth unfurled.
From its explosion, smaller spiritual veins took form, merging into the newborn land.
Seeds of plants and trees fell like rain. Grasslands sprouted, forests rose, mountains and rivers appeared. Though only a hundred li across—a Cave Heaven—it was complete in its laws.
"A shattered Ancestral Vein, reborn as innate spirit veins, merged into a newborn heaven and earth, sowing life and vitality. Though each vein is small—not even ten zhang long—they're enough to sustain the Cave Heaven's cycle, breathing qi of heaven and earth, nurturing growth. This Demon-Blood Ancestral Vein has died well—its worth not wasted."
Yi Tianxing's divine sense observed the transformation within the Palace Treasure Tree and nodded with satisfaction.
This was precisely why he had chosen to use the Ancestral Vein here.
Even shattered, its essence was supreme. It could birth new worlds, with its fragments becoming countless innate veins. Bound inseparably to the newborn heavens, their grade as innate veins remained intact. Unlike outside, where a broken Ancestral Vein would plummet in value, here its potential endured.