Chapter 16: Mysterious Eastern Tree
Zhang Ruochen stood at the edge of the Scroll World, gazing at the towering divine tree before him. The Sky-Connecting Divine Tree had grown even taller, its branches reaching into the heavens as if trying to pierce the very fabric of reality. Golden leaves rustled in an unseen wind, each one glowing with a soft, ethereal light.
"Master," Xiao Xiao's voice came from behind him. The little girl had grown considerably over the years, no longer the tiny child he had first met. She now stood at his shoulder, her eyes reflecting the wisdom of ages.
"The tree has absorbed enough divine energy," Zhang Ruochen said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "It's time to see what secrets it holds."
He raised his hand, and a surge of spiritual power flowed from his palm into the trunk of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree. The tree responded instantly, its branches swaying as if alive. Golden light erupted from its core, spreading outward like ripples in a pond.
Xiao Xiao stepped back, her eyes wide with wonder. "What's happening?"
"The tree is awakening," Zhang Ruochen replied, his gaze fixed on the transformation taking place before him. "It has been dormant for too long."
The ground beneath them trembled. Cracks appeared in the soil, spreading outward from the base of the tree. From these cracks, roots emerged—thick, golden roots that pulsed with an otherworldly energy. They twisted and turned, burrowing into the earth of the Scroll World, connecting the tree to the very foundation of this realm.
Then, something extraordinary happened.
The trunk of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree split open, revealing a hollow interior. From within this hollow, a soft, blue light emanated. Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes, sensing something familiar about this energy.
"It's... a space node," he murmured.
Xiao Xiao tilted her head. "A space node? Here?"
"Yes." Zhang Ruochen stepped forward, his robes brushing against the grass. "The tree has been hiding a passageway. A connection to somewhere else."
He reached out his hand, and the blue light responded, wrapping around his fingers like silk. A vision flashed before his eyes—a vast, endless forest, filled with trees that touched the sky. Mountains rose in the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist. Rivers of silver wound through the landscape, and in the center of it all stood a palace made of jade and gold.
"The Eastern Tree," Zhang Ruochen whispered, recognition dawning in his eyes. "This is the path to the Mysterious Eastern Tree."
Xiao Xiao gasped. "The legendary tree that connects the realms? I thought it was just a myth."
"No myth," Zhang Ruochen said, his voice firm. "It's real. And it's calling to me."
He turned to face her, his expression serious. "I need to go there. The answers I've been seeking—about the Immortal, about the Dark Great Triangle Star Domain, about everything—they might be found within that tree."
"But Master," Xiao Xiao protested, "it could be dangerous. We don't know what's waiting on the other side."
Zhang Ruochen smiled, a rare warmth touching his features. "Danger has never stopped me before. And besides, I won't be going alone."
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You'll stay here and guard the Scroll World. If anything happens, seal the passage. Don't let anyone follow me."
"Master..."
"No arguments." His tone left no room for discussion. "I trust you, Xiao Xiao. You're the only one I can rely on for this."
The little girl bit her lip, but nodded reluctantly. "Be careful, Master."
Zhang Ruochen turned back to the glowing portal within the tree. He took a deep breath, feeling the energy of the Mysterious Eastern Tree pulling at his soul. It was an invitation—a call that he could not ignore.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the light.
The world around him dissolved into a blur of colors and sounds. Time seemed to lose all meaning as he was pulled through the space node, his body twisting and turning in ways that defied physics. He felt the rules of space bending around him, the fabric of reality stretching thin.
Then, with a sudden jolt, he landed.
Zhang Ruochen opened his eyes and found himself standing in a forest unlike any he had ever seen. The trees here were massive, their trunks wider than entire cities. Their leaves were not green, but a deep, shimmering gold, casting everything in a warm, ethereal glow.
The air was thick with divine energy, so dense that it felt like breathing liquid. Every breath he took sent waves of power coursing through his meridians, strengthening his body and sharpening his mind.
"This place..." he murmured, looking around in awe. "It's like a paradise."
A voice echoed from the depths of the forest, ancient and powerful. "Welcome, Heir of Time and Space."
Zhang Ruochen tensed, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Who speaks?"
"I am the guardian of the Mysterious Eastern Tree," the voice replied. "I have been waiting for you, Zhang Ruochen."
A figure emerged from the shadows of the trees—a woman, tall and graceful, her skin pale as moonlight. Her eyes were like pools of liquid gold, and her hair flowed behind her like a river of silver. She wore robes made of leaves and vines, and in her hand, she held a staff carved from the wood of the Eastern Tree itself.
"You know my name," Zhang Ruochen said, his voice cautious.
"I know many things," the guardian replied, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I know of your journey, your struggles, and your destiny. I know that you carry the blood of the Immortal within you, and that you seek to break the chains that bind this universe."
Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed. "What do you want from me?"
"Nothing that you are not already willing to give," the guardian said. "The Mysterious Eastern Tree is the heart of all realms. It connects the Heavenly Court, the Hell Realm, and everything in between. But it has been wounded, poisoned by the darkness that spreads through the cosmos."
She raised her staff, pointing it at the sky. "Look."
Zhang Ruochen followed her gaze and saw it—a crack in the heavens, dark and jagged, like a wound that refused to heal. From this crack, a black mist seeped, tainting the golden leaves of the trees and corrupting the divine energy of the forest.
"The Dark Great Triangle Star Domain," Zhang Ruochen said, understanding dawning.
"Yes." The guardian nodded. "The Immovable Bright King Great Venerable and his forces have been spreading their influence, corrupting the roots of the Eastern Tree. If they succeed, the balance between the realms will be shattered, and chaos will reign."
She turned to face him, her golden eyes burning with intensity. "You are the only one who can stop them, Zhang Ruochen. The tree has chosen you. It has granted you its power, and now, it asks for your protection."
Zhang Ruochen was silent for a long moment, processing her words. Then, he spoke, his voice steady and resolute. "I will do what I must. But I need to know—what is the source of this corruption? Who is behind it?"
The guardian's expression darkened. "The one you know as the Immortal. But he is not alone. There are others—ancient beings who have slumbered for eons, waiting for the right moment to awaken. They call themselves the Ten Dark Powers, and they seek to plunge the universe into eternal darkness."
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But there is hope. Within the Mysterious Eastern Tree lies a seed—the seed of a new world. If you can find it and nurture it, you can create a realm free from the influence of the dark powers. A sanctuary for all who seek light."
Zhang Ruochen's eyes widened. "A new world?"
"Yes." The guardian smiled. "But finding the seed will not be easy. The tree is vast, and its depths are filled with dangers. You will face trials that test your strength, your will, and your heart."
She extended her hand, and a golden leaf floated down from the branches above, landing in her palm. She offered it to Zhang Ruochen.
"Take this. It will guide you through the tree and protect you from its darker aspects. But remember—the path you walk is yours alone. No one can walk it for you."
Zhang Ruochen took the leaf, feeling its warmth spread through his fingers. He looked at the guardian, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you."
"Do not thank me yet," the guardian said, her voice fading. "The journey has only just begun."
With those words, she dissolved into a shower of golden light, leaving Zhang Ruochen alone in the heart of the Mysterious Eastern Tree.
He looked down at the leaf in his hand, then up at the towering branches above. Somewhere within this vast, ancient tree, the seed of a new world awaited him.
And he would find it, no matter the cost.