Mortals get a golden finger for immortal cultivation every year

Chapter 525 The Divine Tree Reaching the Heavens
It's a blue firefly that crawled out from under my feet.

Just as it was about to take a bite out of a big, thick leg, it was struck by a sword and sent flying into the ground. But even so, it was not killed.

"What is this thing? Do you know that my sword strike failed to kill it? This is truly..."

"These are called God-Devouring Worms. They only live inside the trunk of the Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree, gnawing at its trunk. They are so powerful that even gods struggle to kill them. With your meager abilities, you think you can kill them? That's wishful thinking. However, the god I'm referring to is merely the Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree. It's just a tree; it's normal that it can't kill these worms, but even so, it's not something you can destroy. The relic of the god we're looking for is the trunk of the Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree. This is our target. If we can obtain it, it will be a tremendous boon to the entire Kunlun Realm. But if we can't obtain it, we absolutely cannot let anyone else get it, otherwise, it will be a catastrophe for the entire Kunlun Realm. Do you understand? Now you have two choices: First, follow me into the space where the Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree is located; second, get as far away from me as possible and don't stay here, otherwise you might die at any moment, and even I might not be able to protect you."

Zhao Shuang's words sent chills down the spines of everyone present, as if struck by lightning. After some deliberation, however, Zhang Ruoji and Canglan Martial Saint ultimately chose to enter the space containing the Heavenly Connecting Divine Tree with Zhao Shuang. Zhang Ruoji's primary reason for choosing this path was his desire to obtain the tree's trunk. As for Canglan Martial Saint, he also wanted to obtain the Heavenly Connecting Divine Tree's trunk for the entire Kunlun Realm. Moreover, the trunk would be of immense benefit to him, given his fire attribute; the tree trunk would be of great assistance to him, and he naturally wouldn't pass up such an opportunity.

As for the others, they all chose to leave, because they couldn't even kill a single God-Devouring Insect, let alone find the Heaven-Connecting Divine Tree. Gu Songzi, a Saint King who had reached the 59th level of spiritual power, also chose to leave. After all, the trunk of the Heaven-Connecting Divine Tree was basically useless to him. He originally thought it was something else of the gods, but it turned out to be just a tree trunk. Moreover, he could see that the trunk was too dangerous. He was just a Saint King of spiritual power. Although his physical body had become a saint, it was still incomparable to the others. So it was better to leave as soon as possible.

Most importantly, he didn't want to compete with Zhao Shuang for the trunk of the Heavenly Tree. At the same time, he believed that if Zhao Shuang really got it, he could also get a part of it. In that case, there might be a slight chance that he could break through to the Great Saint of Spiritual Power.

Once he breaks through to the Great Saint of Spiritual Power, he can seek revenge against the leader of the Moon Worshiping Demon Cult. This is his greatest wish of the past few hundred years, and naturally, he must fulfill it.

"Oh, then you two will come with me. Remember to be very careful. Because even I may not be able to protect both of you."

After saying this, Zhao Shuang led the way and went deep into the palace.

As they ventured deeper into the palace, the azure mist ahead of them grew increasingly dense. With the appearance of this mist, Zhao Shuang, Zhang Ruoji, and Canglan Martial Saint all activated all their defensive capabilities, especially Canglan Martial Saint, whose body was enveloped in fiery feathers.

Each feather acted like a shield, protecting him from the attacks of the God-Devouring Insects within the azure mist. Fortunately, there weren't many of these insects; he had only encountered three to five along the way. Otherwise, it would have been a huge problem.

Because if there are too many God-Devouring Insects, let alone them, even a Great Sage might not be able to deal with them.

However, it's not just dangerous; there are also great surprises. For example, as they go deeper, innate sacred energy surges from the ground, and this innate sacred energy is much stronger than the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. If they could cultivate in such a place, it would be extremely beneficial to them, allowing them to cultivate much faster. Especially since their current physique is the innate chaotic body, it can be said that if they could cultivate in such a place, they would make great progress, if not by leaps and bounds.

Moreover, they can maximize the advantages of their physique.

This is especially true for the two individuals, one possessing the innate Five Elements Chaotic Physique and the other the innate Fire Phoenix Chaotic Physique. The Five Elements Chaotic Physique itself has a great affinity for the emerging innate wood-attribute holy energy, since wood is one of the five elements. The innate Fire Phoenix Chaotic Physique, on the other hand, is characterized by the mutual generation and assistance of fire and wood attributes.

It's safe to say that if the two of them were to cultivate here, the benefits they would gain would be unimaginable.

"Be careful, there are dozens of God-Devouring Insects ahead. If you're not careful, you might lose your lives."

After saying this, Zhao Shuang continued forward, ignoring the two people behind him. He knew very well that he couldn't just pay attention to them anymore; his first priority was to protect himself. If he couldn't even protect himself, he was doomed.

"How come there are so many God-Devouring Insects? We shouldn't have that much of an attraction."

The Martial Saint of Canglan asked again, full of confusion.

"Because you two are both born with a chaotic physique, and so am I, we are able to attract so many God-Devouring Insects. Chaotic energy flows within us, which is why they sensed it and came here. Therefore, you must try your best to conceal the aura of chaotic energy within your bodies, otherwise you may very well die without a burial place. Even if I wanted to save you then, I wouldn't be able to."

After giving the two a hint, Zhao Shuang said nothing more and continued forward, because he now needed to find the trunk of the Heavenly Tree.

Before long, they sensed a wood-attribute energy flow that was even higher than the innate wood spirit holy energy. It was the divine wood energy that could only be born from the legendary heavenly divine tree.

The appearance of this airflow meant they had found the trunk of the Heavenly Tree. Indeed, at the center of the azure mist stood an incomparably enormous divine tree, a single tree that was itself a world. However, what they could see were only branches; the entire trunk of the Heavenly Tree was impossible.

However, the leaves on the trunk of the Heavenly Tree have all withered and turned yellow, making it a lifeless tree trunk.

However, it still exudes an incredibly rich aura of divine wood, which is enough to prove how terrifying this towering divine tree is. It truly deserves to be compared to a god.

Upon seeing the Heavenly Tree, the Martial Saint of Canglan immediately bowed to it. Zhang Ruoji did the same, after all, the Heavenly Tree was the Mother Earth of the Kunlun Realm, and it was because of this Heavenly Tree that the Kunlun Realm was able to have so many living beings.

So bowing was nothing special. But Zhao Shuang walked towards the Heavenly Tree and saw its trunk.

The trunk of the Heavenly Tree is different from the trunks of other trees. It contains an incomparably powerful divine tree energy and divine tree rules. If it were made into a weapon, it would definitely be a sacred artifact.

It could even reach the level of a supreme artifact, but that's clearly not possible right now.

"It's best not to even think about taking it with you, or you'll suffer a terrible fate."

Just as Canglan Martial Saint got up and prepared to approach the trunk of the Heavenly Tree, he was stopped by Zhao Shuang's words. Just as he was confused and somewhat dissatisfied, Zhao Shuang directly slashed a sword qi at the trunk of the Heavenly Tree. Then, a rustling sound came from the trunk of the tree, and then hundreds of God-Devouring Insects appeared.

Seeing this, the Canglan Martial Saint turned pale, completely devoid of color. They could see that if so many Devouring God Insects were truly enraged, they would be devoured without a trace, utterly disappearing from the world.

"If you think you can still take this Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree now, then go ahead and do it; I will absolutely not stop you. If you don't have the ability, then hurry up and leave. Anyway, you already know what's here, and you've already gained quite a bit of benefit. Staying any longer will not do you any good. The trunk of this Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree has been occupied by the God-Devouring Insects. If you can't get rid of these God-Devouring Insects, it will be impossible to obtain the trunk of this Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree."

Zhao Shuang's reminder was like a bowl of cold water, immediately waking the two of them up. However, Canglan Martial Saint still said somewhat unwillingly.

"So you can't find a way to get rid of these bugs either? With your abilities, it shouldn't be that difficult, right?"

"First, I am not a god, I cannot do this; second, I have no reason to help you with this; third, keeping this here is only beneficial to the entire Kunlun Realm, and there is no harm in it. Now is not the time to take it away. Taking it away now might seem to be of great benefit to the entire Kunlun Realm, but in reality, it will bring no benefit at all. On the contrary, it will bring an unimaginable disaster to the entire Kunlun Realm. This disaster will be so great that even the gods cannot stop it. Therefore, it is better to leave the trunk of this Heaven-Reaching Divine Tree here. Don't think about taking it away. For the entire Kunlun Realm, it will be a disaster, not a blessing. So you should think carefully."

After saying this, Zhao Shuang turned around and left without looking back, completely ignoring Zhang Ruoji and Canglan Wusheng who were still standing there in a daze.

"Do you think he's telling the truth? Does he really not want the trunk of this towering tree? He was so enthusiastic just now, like he wouldn't give up until he got it, so why has he changed like this now?"

Watching Zhao Shuang's figure disappear into the mist, Canglan Martial Saint turned to Zhang Ruoji and asked him. He now believed that Zhang Ruoji was in cahoots with him, even though Zhang Ruoji's identity was rather special.

"My brother wouldn't lie, and he wouldn't stoop to deceiving us. If he wanted it, do you think the two of us could stop him? So all we can do is trust him. Let's stop trying to take the trunk of the Heavenly Tree. If we do, it could bring disaster, and we might both lose our lives. So let's just go back now. As for the Heavenly Tree, leaving it here is indeed a good choice. At least with the protection of these God-Devouring Insects, it can be guaranteed that the Heavenly Tree won't be harmed for a short time. Although these insects will keep gnawing at the trunk, in a way, it's a form of protection for it. Without these God-Devouring Insects, perhaps the trunk of the Heavenly Tree would have been taken long ago."

Zhang Ruoji's answer infuriated Canglan Wusheng, yet he had no choice but to agree with Zhang Ruoji's statement.

Because he knew very well that what Zhang Ruoji said was true, and there was nothing false about it. These insects were both a destructive force and a protective measure against the trunk of the Heavenly Tree, preventing it from being taken away by people who wanted to obtain the trunk.

And these people include them.

“I think he should have a way, but we just can’t use it because the two of us are here. Maybe he can’t find a way and will go back to think of one. In any case, we must report the trunk of this Heavenly Tree to the imperial court. We absolutely cannot let anyone else get it, no one.”

Canglan Martial Saint originally wanted to say "Her Majesty the Empress," but when he thought of the relationship between Her Majesty the Empress and Zhang Ruoji, he simply shut his mouth and stopped mentioning the words "Her Majesty the Empress."

Because he knew very well that if he mentioned those four words, he would likely get beaten up by Zhang Ruoji.

He was well aware that he was no match for Zhang Ruoji anymore.

This was also what troubled him greatly. He couldn't beat his older brother, and he couldn't beat his younger brother either. How could he, with his pride and arrogance, accept this? But even if he didn't accept it, what could he do? There was absolutely nothing he could do.

And so, the three of them left this space with their own thoughts, and as they left, the space returned to silence, while the trunk of the Heavenly Tree continued to be ravaged by insects.

Before long, they returned to the palace and met Gu Songzi and the others. Their first question was about the harvest.
"We gained nothing. The trunk of the Heavenly Tree is protected by the God-Devouring Worms, so we can't do anything about it."

"You've all probably read about how ferocious those insects are in ancient books, so I won't go into too much detail. In short, you don't need to think about it anymore. We should head back now. Judging by the time, the Empress should be breaking through to the realm of gods soon. And there are still many things to resolve."

(End of this chapter)