Chapter 1465: Unexpected Turn
Clearly, Dao Yi had prepared thoroughly. To achieve today’s result, he had begun scheming decades ago, his methods reaching the heavens.
Boundless quintessential qi of the five elements cascaded down, reducing the entire ancient star to powder. Under the immortal qi contained within the ancient Heavenly Venerable’s Dao palace, everything turned to ash, and the whole world reached its end.
This was no mere wisp of qi—it was vast beyond measure, like an ocean covering the sky and earth, drowning every inch of space. Even the various armies of the Divine Domain that had fled earlier could not escape this calamity; they all exploded into blood and bone.
This was a catastrophe of immense proportions. On a single colossal star, dozens or even hundreds of clans were completely annihilated. The population lost was incalculable, making this one of the most severe tragedies imaginable.
This was a blood-drenched starry sky. The Divine Shore no longer existed, forever erased from heaven and earth!
The Divine Domain remained, a solitary island floating in the boundless universe, preserved only because an Imperial Artifact suppressed it, preventing its destruction for now.
Rumble!
The Ten Thousand Dragon Bell, the Soul-Refining Gourd, and others revived, exerting their utmost to resist, trying to break through the vast immortal qi to charge forward. But they failed—this was the immortal qi from within the ancient Heavenly Venerable’s body, terrifying beyond measure.
Dao Yi had calculated everything. He used the boundless immortal qi from within the Great Emperor’s body to block the various heroes, severing the cosmos and opposing the Extreme Imperial Ancient Emperor Weapons. He only needed a window of time.
Blocking them for a short while would be enough for success, allowing him to calmly seize the Ancient Tree of Life.
“This is bad!” Pang Bo and the others knew that Dao Yi was about to take the ancient tree. The critical moment had arrived.
The only blessing was that they had avoided the vast immortal qi and had also ascended the ancient mountain. They were not too far from Dao Yi, still having hope of catching up.
Ye Fan’s eyes blazed with light. He transformed into a streak of blazing radiance, wrapping everyone up and charging forward, chasing wind and lightning, pressing toward the peak of the sacred mountain, hoping to seize the precious tree first.
They used the Heaven-Deceiving Array to conceal their aura, moving silently and swiftly.
However, Dao Yi’s spiritual perception was too sharp. Though he could not see them clearly, he sensed powerful beings approaching. With great decisiveness, he sacrificed a set of array flags, planting them all around the mountain peak.
With a rumble, not only Ye Fan and his group but even the Great Sages holding Imperial Artifacts in the distance trembled, sensing an extremely fearsome aura. This was an Ancient Emperor Formation.
“As expected, he brought this great killing weapon!” Ye Fan frowned.
“Dao Yi has been dormant for decades, preparing everything. He is determined to obtain the Ancient Tree of Life,” Ji Haoyue said solemnly.
Ye Fan was decisive. Taking advantage of the moment when the vast immortal qi was falling, cutting off the several Imperial Artifacts and the Great Sages, he acted without hesitation. He sacrificed the Green Copper Cauldron, ramming it into the gaps between the ancient array flags.
This was an Ancient Emperor Formation, though incomplete, it was still supremely terrifying, capable of causing boundless slaughter and possessing immense power. Otherwise, it would not have slain so many Ancestral Kings from the Big Dipper.
“Boom!”
Green light blazed. The copper cauldron was pressed by an unparalleled force, finally reviving, emitting wisps of immortal might that spread outward.
At this moment, Dao Yi turned back. He naturally recognized this green light at a glance—he had dealt with it back then. Meeting it again now, he knew it was the same person coming to ambush him.
However, he remained calm, as always, as if everything was under control. With a rumble, vast array patterns emerged, instantly enveloping the mountain body.
He activated the Ancient Emperor Formation patterns, making them fully revive to block Ye Fan, while he himself headed toward the ancient tree at the peak.
Rumble!
Ye Fan used all his strength to drive the Green Copper closer. At the same time, he employed Source Art, drawing upon the immortal qi of the five elements in heaven and earth. The vast waves instantly surged over, impacting the formation.
Moreover, at this moment, Ji Ziyue also unleashed her innate divine ability. Her Primordial Spirit Body was close to the source, allowing her to channel all divine power and immortal qi, immediately driving the vast qi of the five elements to press down.
The Green Copper Cauldron led the way, followed by the sea-like immortal qi of the five elements. It was unstoppable, like a heavenly blade cutting open a gap, charging into the formation.
Dao Yi’s expression changed. The immortal qi of the five elements had been drawn from the five continents outside the domain, prepared for this day over who knows how long. Now, it was being borrowed against him.
Dao Yi’s pressure multiplied. He could not stand firm on this mountain; he had to expend tremendous effort to resist, because the hazy green light of the Green Copper Cauldron was flowing, faintly seeping in in wisps.
If not for the Ancient Emperor Formation, he would surely have been reduced to ashes.
Ye Fan stepped forward, riding the Green Copper Cauldron like a single blade cutting into the ancient formation, advancing step by step.
Meanwhile, Dao Yi also moved toward the mountain peak. His target was naturally the Ancient Tree of Life, and he was getting closer.
But both of them were under immense pressure. Both were trembling—one under the might of the Ancient Emperor Formation, the other under the oppression of the Green Cauldron. Neither was having an easy time.
Though they had protective cauldrons and formations, they still felt as if their bodies were about to collapse. They were both struggling to move forward, locked 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, though arriving later, he could directly use the Green Cauldron to suppress and kill him.
At this critical moment, both sides were doing their utmost, accelerating their actions, enduring the bone-gnawing pain, using their respective cauldrons and formations to protect themselves as they advanced with difficulty.
Ye Fan also felt a sense of urgency, because behind them were still the Imperial Artifacts. Once the vast immortal qi disappeared, those people would appear instantly and attack, and they would bear the brunt.
Crack!
Relying on his powerful golden-blooded body, Ye Fan forced himself to take large strides, using the Green Copper to clear the way, causing cracks in the formation. He advanced a considerable distance.
Dao Yi frowned. The situation was very unfavorable. If Ye Fan entered, he might meet his end, suppressed and killed by the cauldron. After all, the Dao Calamity Golden Immortal Robe was not on him; he had no Imperial Artifact to protect himself.
Most importantly, the Ancient Emperor Formation was even more incomplete than last time, its power insufficiently wild. It might truly be unable to hold.
“Good!” Behind him, the Dragon Horse was raring to go, ready to fight for the Ancient Tree of Life.
Ye Fan’s body swayed. The pressure he bore was immense. If it were anyone else advancing together with the cauldron like this, their physical body would surely collapse.
Dao Yi’s body fared even worse, because the green haze spread, turning into a mist of light surging in. Some array flags trembled, nearly breaking. He too could barely endure.
“It’s you again.” Dao Yi stared at Ye Fan. The Heaven-Deceiving Array had already dimmed; the materials were insufficient, and the Dao marks had vanished.
“It’s you again!” Ye Fan retorted, using the same words, but the meaning was vastly different, and the underlying emotional fluctuations were not the same either.
“A fifty-fifty chance,” Pang Bo sighed from behind. The Ancient Tree of Life was good, but both of them were taking extreme risks. One misstep and they would be annihilated.
Ye Fan was relatively calm. He had an Immortality Pill on him, so he did not value this too highly. Dao Yi, on the other hand, had schemed for decades, expending much effort. If Ye Fan snatched it away halfway, he would truly spit blood.
At this point, both had hope of success, but the scales of victory might tip toward Ye Fan. Once he broke through, he could use the cauldron to suppress and kill Dao Yi.
Crack!
Suddenly, the mountain peak split. The sealing power was breaking. Every ancient medicine was sentient, possessing a will, able to fly through the sky and escape the earth. Thus, it had to be sealed.
Now, the sacred medicine field where the Ancient Tree of Life was rooted cracked apart. The old tree was freed, and like a human, it directly pulled itself out of the soil.
Its roots were thick, two of them resembling legs, sturdy and strong, supporting it on the ground. Then, it… lifted its feet and ran!
Everyone was dumbfounded. The Dragon Horse howled, wishing it could charge over and swallow the ancient tree in one gulp.
In the end, the Ancient Tree of Life moved away from Ye Fan’s direction, charging straight toward Dao Yi, delivering itself to him.
The Dragon Horse, Pang Bo, and the others all felt a urge to curse. This old tree had run away on its own at the critical moment, throwing itself into Dao Yi’s arms, acknowledging him.
Dao Yi smiled, his face radiant, looking transcendent and refined. He stepped back, moving away from Ye Fan’s position, and the pressure on him immediately lessened.
“I was born under the Ancient Tree of Life. Back then, it belonged to my father. Comparing the two, it would naturally choose me.” Dao Yi’s teeth gleamed crystal clear, his expression aloof. He chuckled lightly, waved at Ye Fan, and slowly retreated until he was far away, then with a rumble, he withdrew the Ancient Emperor Formation.
“Damn it! Man proposes, heaven disposes. This old tree finally broke the seal and ran off on its own!” the Dragon Horse cursed.
The ancient tree had fled on its own, making its own choice of master. This unexpected turn left everyone stunned, speechless for a long time.
An accident, a coincidence, and the result was completely different.
Ye Fan wanted to pursue, but at that moment, he heard the Holy Prince’s furious roar. In that area, there seemed to be an eruption of Extreme Dao divine might, with Imperial Artifacts clashing.
He immediately changed color, turned around, and rushed toward that direction.
At the same time, Dao Yi let out a long cry, waving his array flags. Clearly, he was in contact with the outside domain. The vast immortal qi pouring down from the sky instantly disappeared. Then, with a flash, he tore open the clear void and fled from this place.
Ye Fan caught a fleeting glimpse, seeing only a barely visible golden light vanishing with the void hole. This startled him, leaving him with a trace of doubt.
Ye Fan did not dwell on it. He immediately set up the Heaven-Deceiving Array again, concealing himself, Pang Bo, and the others, and went to aid the Holy Prince. At this moment, he could clearly see the monkey using the Battle Staff to pin down a killing sword!
“We must help Brother Monkey obtain it! This is an immortal sword!” The group all shouted, rushing forward swiftly.
The Ten Thousand Dragon Bell shook, the Soul-Refining Gourd trembled, driving the Great Sages on their side into a rage. When the immortal qi disappeared, the Ancient Tree of Life was already gone, making them so angry they spat blood.
Now, seeing the monkey pin down an immortal sword, their eyes turned cold. They all charged forward together to kill, while the Great Sage wearing the Dao Yan Golden Immortal Robe also took advantage of the chaos to press in.
This was a terrible melee. The monkey was furious, glaring coldly at these Great Sages.
Under a patch of tranquil starry sky, Dao Yi appeared. This time, he had obtained the Ancient Tree of Life, fulfilling his wish. He was completely relaxed, waiting here for his people.
Half an hour later, a barely visible golden light emerged from a void hole, then transformed into a blazing radiance charging from afar, arriving in the blink of an eye.
This was an old man of medium build, with white hair and beard, a peaceful expression, full of excitement and smiles. Even from a distance, he laughed heartily, saying, “Imperial Son, you have finally achieved your wish and recovered the Ancient Tree of Life.”
Dao Yi looked at the current situation and relaxed. This was his Dao Protector, a Great Sage. Though there was no powerful fluctuation now, he knew well that this man was unfathomably deep.
Dao Yi noticed that he was not wearing the Dao Yan Immortal Robe and could not help but ask.
“I was afraid the fluctuations would be too intense and others would track us,” the old man said, his face brimming with smiles.
Dao Yi nodded and said, “This time, we have finally succeeded.”
“Imperial Son, may this old man take a look at the Ancient Tree of Life? After so many years, I have dreamed of seeing the precious tree return,” the old man said excitedly.
Dao Yi chuckled and took out the precious tree. The entire tree was emerald green, shimmering with divine radiance, endless life essence surging forth, turning this stretch of starry sky into an immortal land, flowing with light and color, exceptionally peaceful.
Suddenly, a shocking change occurred. The old man struck out, so sudden that it was impossible to guard against. A lethal blow aimed at Dao Yi, and at the same time, he grabbed the Ancient Tree of Life, trying to snatch it away.
Even someone as strong as Dao Yi had not anticipated this. He retreated, dodging quickly, but he was still hit, coughing up blood, suffering severe injury.
However, he managed to hold onto the trunk and roots of the Ancient Tree of Life, not letting go. Moreover, he immediately sacrificed the Ancient Emperor Formation to trap and kill.
With a crack, the “Dao Protector” was very decisive. He broke off most of the tree crown of the Ancient Tree of Life, shattered the void, transformed into a golden speck of light, and disappeared without a trace!
Dao Yi’s face turned ashen. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood there in silence for a long time. The entire Ancient Tree of Life had been half-stolen by someone. The only blessing was that the roots were in his hands, which could be replanted, and after several thousand years, it could recover.
In another region, the starry sky was tranquil. A void hole appeared, and a monkey, scratching its ears and cheeks, walked out carrying half an Ancient Tree of Life on its shoulder... (To be continued)