Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************
Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 5: [Seeking Immortality in the Eastern Sea]
Volume 5 (Pinyin): [Dong Hai xun xian]
Chapter 84 (521): [The Phoenix Tree and Qilin Zhuang]
(84th of Volume 5)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
******************************
Wu Hongling stared at Li Weiyi's retreating figure, hesitated for a moment, then called out, "Li Weiyi, if you break through the Martial-Mystic Path's dead end at the Immortal Realm of the Wind Mansion and reach the Hundred Realms of Life Domain, send a letter to Shen Yi Mountain. This young lady will personally welcome you with a celebratory feast."
"With his current strength, if he manages to enter the Immortal Realm, the True Disciples of the great Ancient Sects and the Heavenly Emperor's Disciples of the Imperial Courts will face their greatest challenge on the Martial-Mystic Path," the Purple-Clad Woman murmured softly, her voice filled with admiration for Li Weiyi.
But her words ended in a wistful sigh, as she doubted the Wind Mansion could ever break through to Immortal Realm.
Li Weiyi strode away without the slightest ripple in his heart.
Wu Hongling valued his innate talent for the Martial-Mystic Path, knowing that if he reached the Immortal Realm, the vast world would open before him, his future shining with boundless glory. Hence, she extended an olive branch, expressing her desire for friendship.
If he failed to reach the Immortal Realm, he would become just another passerby in the eyes of the two women who had already attained it, barely worthy of a second glance.
Shortly after parting ways with Wu Hongling and the Purple-Clad Woman, Li Weiyi encountered the Hidden Lord and Yao Qingxuan.
One wore a metal mask, the other a smiling Buddha mask.
One was solemn, the other comical.
Yu'er, who was following Yao Qingxuan, lit up with joy at the sight of Li Weiyi, waving and shouting "Master!" from afar.
Li Weiyi's own spirits lifted considerably, his earlier anxiety easing as he hurried over.
"Hidden Lord, Master, how long have you been here?"
"We arrived while you were dispelling the Six Desires Talisman from Wu Hongling," Yao Qingxuan replied, her tone as cold and detached as ever.
"It was Prince Mingjiao's roar that drew us here. How exactly did he die?" The Hidden Lord's gaze turned grave, his concern evident.
Li Weiyi took Yu'er's hand as she approached and shared his suspicions.
The Hidden Lord scoffed: "That's likely the truth! Yao Qian has been scheming relentlessly to seize the destiny of a Young Heavenly Emperor. Now that he's obtained Prince Mingjiao's Dragon Tendon and Immortal Golden Pill, he might truly make a significant breakthrough."
"Could he actually forge the innate gifts of a Young Heavenly Emperor?" Li Weiyi asked.
The Hidden Lord shook his head: "Far from it. It's not that simple. But someone who can consistently advance is no small matter. Yang Shenjing climbed to his current heights step by step."
"Everyone in the Sui Sect has a relentless drive to climb to the top, by any means necessary," Yao Qingxuan remarked pointedly, "That's something we could truly learn from."
Her words were clearly directed at Yang Qingxi, the third-generation disciple of the Sui Sect.
Master Coffin's Stone Coffin floated three feet above the ground behind the Hidden Lord.
From within the coffin, the old man's voice echoed: "My greatest concern has always been you. Now that we're reunited, let's hurry to the center of the Dragon City Ruins. I sense a powerful life force there. A life treasure in this land of death - it's truly something to look forward to."
"Could it be the Life Spring?" the Hidden Lord asked.
"Highly likely."
Strands of Spiritual Qi seeped from the Stone Coffin, enveloping Li Weiyi and his three companions.
They vanished instantly, propelled toward the heart of Dragon City.
If they could claim the legendary Life Spring and plant it in the Ancestral Field, Master Coffin's cultivation would recover significantly.
Even he couldn't resist such a temptation.
With the Transcendent still absent, this was a rare opportunity.
As the Stone Coffin flew deeper into the ruins, iridescent rays of light pierced the sky and earth, bathing Li Weiyi's face and reflecting in his pupils.
The radiant glow emanated from a towering Divine Tree, its crown soaring skyward, adorned with leaves as resplendent as phoenix feathers.
.....
Deep within the Dragon City Ruins, a deathly mist permeated the air.
All life had been extinguished, leaving behind only decay and ruin.
Crumbling walls, collapsed mountains, and a web of fissures crisscrossing the earth silently testified to the cataclysmic battle that had once raged here.
A massive crater, nearly a mile in diameter, lay at the heart of the densest deathly mist.
Strangely, at the bottom of the crater, a spring of water bubbled forth.
The mist rising from the spring nourished the surrounding vegetation, causing vibrant Essence Herbs to flourish in a riot of crimson and violet hues.
Amidst this profusion of life, even Immortal Herbs appeared unremarkable.
Even a Transcendent being would have been overwhelmed by this sight.
Yet Qilin Zhuang, seated cross-legged beside the spring, remained unnervingly calm.
In his human form, his nose was sharply defined, his gaze eternally piercing. His bare upper body revealed a magnificent physique, radiating masculine power.
Even with his inner strength restrained, any cultivator approaching him would feel an immense pressure.
But this godlike physique bore a network of shocking, bloodstained fissures.
Like cracks in porcelain, they threatened to shatter his entire being with the slightest touch.
These were sword wounds inflicted months ago during the Lingxiao Life Realm Battle, cleaved by Zen Hai Guanwu's Void Sword.
He had been critically injured, nearly following in the footsteps of Lord Lan and Azure Phoenix, almost severing the foundation of his Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor status. It was Flying Phoenix who had shown him a path, urging him to return to the East Sea and seek Dragon City.
Flying Phoenix had told him that Yu Jia, in her time, had likely discovered the legendary Dragon City, allowing her to attain Immortal Ascension.
If he wished to heal his wounds and reach the level of the Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor, this might be his only path.
The emergence of the Ancient Immortal Dragon Remains had led Qilin Zhuang to the Yu Jia Abyss, and ultimately to Dragon City - a place even Flying Phoenix had failed to find.
The Life Spring before him would undoubtedly aid in healing his wounds.
Alas, Dragon City had been exposed.
Though only junior cultivators had descended so far, the Transcendent powers would inevitably follow soon.
"Tap, tap!"
Luansheng Linyou, his silver hair flowing like water, descended into the massive crater, his footsteps echoing as he approached Qilin Zhuang from behind.
"Father, the Immortal Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators outside are gradually eroding the Formation Scriptures and attacking the Phoenix Tree Mirage. They'll break through within an hour at most."
"Excellent. Just enough time to replenish some Blood Qi before we leave. The Blood Qi of those Great Immortal cultivators will suffice."
Qilin Zhuang stood up, his body shimmering with golden light as Dragon Armor materialized, concealing his injuries and enhancing his majestic presence with an aura of unyielding authority.
The Zen Hai Guanwu had slain the Flying Dragon long ago because it devoured humans, consuming at least an entire province in a single meal.
Qilin Zhuang found this particularly intriguing.
With Qilin Zhuang leading the way and Luansheng Linyou following closely behind, they strode out of the pit.
"How's your Immortal Body cultivation progressing?" Qilin Zhuang asked.
"My cultivation level is still a limiting factor," Luansheng Linyou replied, "I remain just short of achieving the Immortal Body. Perhaps I need to reach the Ninth Heaven to succeed."
"You've gathered ample Immortal Dragon Qi, Immortal Dao Scriptures, and Dragon Soul Origin Light. Your path ahead will be smoother and faster than anyone else's. However, the hope of becoming the Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor remains a mere sliver."
"In the Dao Seed Realm, you compete for a sliver of hope; in the Immortal Realm, for a tenth; and only in the Other Shore Realm can you contend for thirty percent. You must stay ahead in every realm to maintain any chance. The slightest complacency will send you plummeting."
Qilin Zhuang continued, "Once you reach the Immortal Realm, venture out on your own. Fight the True Disciples and Heavenly Emperor's Disciples to seize that tenth of hope."
They emerged from the massive pit.
At the edge of the massive pit, a shimmering, iridescent Mirage Shadow in the shape of a tree trunk rose like a luminous curtain.
From a distance, the Phoenix Tree Mirage appeared to ascend from the pit's rim, leading one to speculate that the true Phoenix Tree had once grown here before being excavated.
"Greetings, Venerable Zang!"
Outside the pit, a dozen of the most powerful experts from Dragon Sect, Night City, and the Three Islands knelt in unison, offering their respects.
"Rise," Qilin Zhuang commanded, "Gather all the Essence Herb here and prepare to depart. This harvest has been immense; your cultivation will undoubtedly advance significantly."
Qilin Zhuang gazed into the distance, observing figures from various factions - Great Immortal cultivators - hurrying through the ruins.
They unleashed Dao Techniques to obliterate ancient Formation Scriptures etched into the ground, or attacked the Phoenix Tree Mirage with Spiritual Artifacts, ceaselessly striking down its phoenix feather-shaped leaves.
They remained completely oblivious to the fact that this was merely a Mirage Shadow, not the true Phoenix Tree.
"Come, all of you," Qilin Zhuang murmured, "Become my Blood Qi, and help me heal my wounds."
He refrained from immediately seizing the Life Spring and Phoenix Tree Mirage, preferring to let his prey draw closer before ensnaring them all in one fell swoop. His primary target was the Great Immortal cultivators of the Lingxiao Human Clan.
This was his chance to devour this generation, ensuring that no Transcendent would emerge from the Human Clan for centuries to come.
...
"It's too magnificent - it's practically a Divine Tree!" the Hidden Lord exclaimed, gazing at the approaching Phoenix Tree.
Li Weiyi, though equally awestruck, remained composed, having witnessed the Fusang Divine Tree before.
The Stone Coffin halted several dozen miles from the Phoenix Tree, descended to the ground, and materialized from its cloaked state.
They had no choice.
The area was saturated with the overwhelming auras of Immortal Realm powerhouses, their domains enveloping every direction, making continued concealment impossible.
The Phoenix Tree's crown of branches and leaves stretched far above them, its canopy towering high above the ground.
"Boom!"
Several leaves, struck down by Spiritual Artifacts, cascaded like brilliant phoenix feathers.
Unlike the leaves from the Phoenix Tree Mirage that had appeared over the sea earlier, these fallen leaves were massive, tangible, and imbued with far greater body refinement power.
Even the Giants of the Immortal Realm coveted them.
From within the Stone Coffin, Master Coffin's voice echoed, "They don't seem entirely real either! But they are indeed rare treasures condensed from the Phoenix Tree's essence. Gather some and absorb them into your Ancestral Fields."
Master Coffin prepared to fly directly beneath the Phoenix Tree, swiftly retrieve the treasures within, and immediately retreat.
Suddenly, an overwhelmingly powerful aura surged toward them, striking like lightning at Li Weiyi.
A hand reached out to seize him.
The attack was too swift, and the attacker's Spiritual Qi surged like a divine cloud, pressing down on the group and immobilizing them.
"Boom!"
A luminous barrier erupted from the Stone Coffin, blasting the attacker back a hundred zhang.
The figure staggered backward repeatedly before finally regaining his footing.
Hidden Lord, Yao Qingxuan, and Li Weiyi finally reacted, recognizing the figure standing a hundred zhang away. They were stunned to see it was... Yang Shenjing, Sect Leader of the Sui Sect!
The situation had been perilous.
Had Master Coffin not intervened, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Yang Shenjing's face twisted with disbelief as he flexed his numb and aching wrist, his gaze fixed on the Stone Coffin hovering three feet above the ground.
"The Jiu Li Hidden Sect possesses such a formidable expert?"
"Swish! Swish!'
Elder Qin and the Ancient Hidden Lord, who had been collecting Phoenix Tree leaves nearby, arrived instantly, positioning themselves opposite Yang Shenjing as if facing a formidable enemy.
_______________________
END OF CHAPTER
Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
*************************************