People in the Imperial Music Bureau: The Storytelling Demon Child Nezha

"No! I will definitely save her!" Li Qiye gripped the Blade of Severance, golden flames burning fiercely. "My protection may come at the cost of sacrifice, but I will never back down!" The flames dispelled the black mist, and Li Qiye's figure reappeared before the ancient tree.

At the same time, Xuan Ying, Xuan Xing, and Xuan Yue also passed the test.

The statue nodded in satisfaction: "You have passed the test."

But before you take the leaves, I must tell you a secret—the power of the Tree of Life comes at a price; for every leaf used, a portion of the user's life force will be lost.

The statue's words struck Li Qiye's heart like a heavy hammer.

He gazed at the sleeping Su Yuqing, then at the ancient tree of life radiating a mysterious light, and fell silent. Taking a leaf to save her meant sacrificing his own life force; not taking it, Su Yuqing might never awaken.

Chapter 263 Buys Us Time

Xuan Ying said softly, "Li Qiye, there's no need to rush into a decision. Perhaps there are other ways."

Li Qiye shook his head: "From the moment I embarked on the journey to find the ancient tree, I was fully prepared."

Su Yuqing spared no effort to protect the world, even exhausting her bloodline power. How could I back down? He walked towards the ancient tree and reached out to touch a leaf that emitted a soft light.

The leaf gently drifted down and landed in his palm.

Li Qiye immediately felt a surge of power flowing into his body. At the same time, his life core felt a sharp pain, as if something was being pulled out.

But without hesitation, he returned to Su Yuqing's side and placed the leaf on her chest.

The leaves of the ancient tree of life transformed into specks of light, merging into Su Yuqing's body.

Her pale face gradually regained color, and her tightly closed eyes slowly opened. "Li Qiye..." her voice was weak, "Have I been asleep for a long time?"

Li Qiye revealed a long-lost smile: "Not long, it's just the time it takes for me to travel across mountains and rivers and find a way to save you."

However, before everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, the chains at the base of the ancient tree suddenly emitted a piercing scraping sound.

The black chains began to crack, and a powerful dark force surged from the ground.

The statue's voice grew urgent: "Oh no! The seal has broken! The dark creatures are about to awaken!"

Su Yuqing's crimson vines instantly returned to their full strength, wrapping around her arms.

She stood up, her eyes resolute: "It seems we have a new battle ahead."

The dark power materialized, and dozens of enormous monsters appeared before the crowd.

These monsters are covered in sharp spikes and spew corrosive venom from their mouths. With each step they take, they corrode deep pits into the ground.

Li Qiye wielded the Boundary-Severing Blade, the golden blade colliding with the monster's attack: "Xuanying, you guys protect the ancient tree, Su Yuqing and I will go and hold off these monsters!"

Su Yuqing's crimson vines transformed into countless crimson whips, lashing out at the monster.

The incantations on the vines worked in tandem with Li Qiye's purifying power, causing monsters to roar in pain wherever they went.

However, there were too many monsters, and they would split into more smaller monsters after being attacked, so the situation gradually became unfavorable.

Just then, Li Qiye's star ring suddenly burst forth with a dazzling light.

The phantom of the first tomb keeper reappeared, holding an ancient key in his hand.

The phantom tossed the key to Li Qiye, its voice echoing in the air: "This is the key to unlocking the core of the ancient tree. Only by unleashing the true power of the ancient tree can these dark creatures be completely destroyed."

Li Qiye caught the ancient key, its surface engraved with patterns that shared the same origin as the ancient tree of life. It was warm to the touch, as if life was pulsating within it.

He looked at Su Yuqing, their eyes met, and they nodded at the same time.

"Xuanying! Lead Xuanxing and Xuanyue to continue guarding the outer perimeter and buy us time!" Li Qiye shouted 923, while inserting the key into the groove at the root of the ancient tree.

The moment the key was inserted, the ancient tree trembled violently, and the patterns on its trunk lit up, forming a golden beam of light that shot straight into the sky.

The dark creatures seemed to sense the threat and abandoned their attack, instead rushing towards the ancient tree.

Su Yuqing's crimson vines transformed into a crimson barrier, blocking the monster's advance.

The vines clashed with the monster's spikes, producing a piercing sound, and crimson runes flashed continuously, scorching the monster's body.

"Li Qiye, hurry! I can't hold on much longer!" Su Yuqing gritted her teeth and persevered, her Heavenly Evil Bloodline power surging wildly, but facing the endless stream of monsters, her power was also being rapidly depleted.

Chapter 264 Complete Sealing

Li Qiye placed his hands on the ancient tree, mobilizing the power of his life core and star ring, and channeling it into the key.

A rumbling sound came from the core of the ancient tree, and a hidden door slowly opened.

Inside the hidden door, a tree core emitting a soft light floats within, its surface swirling with a power that intertwines light and chaos.

Just as Li Qiye was about to touch the tree core, a black figure suddenly appeared from the void and grabbed his wrist.

It was that mysterious black-robed figure who had appeared in the Ghost Tower! "Don't even think about awakening the ancient tree!" the black-robed figure's voice was hoarse and filled with resentment. "This power should have belonged to us!"

Upon seeing this, Su Yuqing unleashed her crimson vines like arrows released from a bow, shooting towards the man in black.

The man in black robes waved his sleeve to shake off the vines, and with his other hand, he condensed a black energy ball, which he then smashed towards the ancient tree.

Li Qiye struggled to break free from the black-robed man's restraints, and the Blade of Severance, imbued with purifying power, slashed at him.

The battle intensified, and Xuan Ying and the others' defensive line in the distance began to crumble.

Xuanxing's scepter has developed cracks, and Xuanyue's light has dimmed.

Meanwhile, the core of the ancient tree began to pulsate erratically, as if it might explode at any moment.

"Su Yuqing, let's go together!" Li Qiye shouted. The two of them simultaneously poured their power into the ancient tree, and the crimson and golden light converged at the tree's core.

The tree core burst forth with intense light, and within that light, the ancient tree's roots began to spread, entangling all the dark creatures.

Seeing the situation was dire, the man in black tried to flee. Li Qiye used the power of the ancient tree to teleport in front of him, pressing the Blade of Severance against his throat: "Tell me, what is your ultimate goal?"

The man in black robes sneered, "You think you can stop the darkness by eliminating us? The real crisis has only just begun..." Before he finished speaking, his body turned into black mist and vanished.

The light from the ancient tree completely purified all the dark creatures, and the entire Tianxu City returned to peace.

But Li Qiye knew that the man in black robes was not lying, and an even greater conspiracy was waiting for them in the shadows.

As the dark creatures were destroyed, the light emanating from the Tree of Life gradually softened.

Li Qiye and Su Yuqing leaned wearily against the ancient tree, their strength almost completely exhausted, but their eyes shone with unwavering determination.

Xuan Ying and the others arrived. Looking at the ancient tree that had regained its vitality, Xuan Xing said with emotion, "After going through so many hardships, it was finally not in vain."

Su Yuqing gently stroked the blood-red vines that had regained their vibrant green color, then suddenly frowned: "Have you noticed that the dark aura in the air seems to be even stronger?"

Li Qiye stood up, and the Star Ring emitted a warning buzzing sound once again.

He looked into the distance and saw a huge black rift appear in the sky, from which an evil aura poured out. "The man in black robes is right, the real crisis has only just begun."

At this moment, ancient characters appeared on the trunk of the ancient tree: "The source of darkness comes from the 'Eternal Night Abyss' deep within chaos. Only by gathering the three ancient artifacts—the Scepter of Light, the Codex of Chaos, and the Heart of Life—can the Abyss be completely sealed."

Xuan Ying's expression turned solemn: "The Scepter of Light is in the hands of Empress Huaiqing, the Chaos Codex is missing, and the Heart of Life..." He looked at the Ancient Tree of Life, "Could it be the core of this ancient tree?"

Li Qiye gripped the Blade of Severance: "No matter how difficult it is, we must find the divine artifact and seal the Abyss of Eternal Night (I promised)." He turned to Su Yuqing, "This time, are you willing to come with me?"

Su Yuqing smiled, crimson vines wrapping around her arm: "Of course, we're the best partners."

When everyone returned to the ground, Empress Huaiqing already knew the news.

Holding the Scepter of Light, her expression solemn, she said, "I sense the movement of dark forces. It seems a great battle is inevitable. I entrust this Scepter of Light to you."

The moment Li Qiye received the scepter, he felt a warm power surge into his body.

Chapter 265 Searching for the Codex of Chaos and the Heart of Life

As the sun set, the group embarked on their journey to find the Codex of Chaos and the Heart of Life.

Their figures gradually faded into the distance, but their belief in protecting the light burned eternally in their hearts like an eternal flame.

Li Qiye and his group traveled along the ancient road. On the desolate land, withered yellow grass trembled in the wind, as if telling of the impending crisis.

The star ring occasionally emitted a faint vibration, as if sensing the presence of some mysterious power.

“According to ancient records, the Chaos Codex once appeared in the Tianyan Mountains.” Xuan Ying looked through a tattered book, his brows furrowed. “But the mountains are treacherous and covered with ancient restrictions, so it was no easy task.”

Li Qiye gripped the Blade of the Boundary tightly, his gaze resolute: "No matter how difficult it is, we must go. The Chaos Codex is the key to sealing the Eternal Night Abyss."

The group traveled day and night and finally arrived at the foot of the Tianyan Mountains.

Looking into the distance, the mountains are shrouded in mist and clouds, with strange lights flashing from time to time, giving people a mysterious and unpredictable feeling.

As soon as they stepped into the mountain range, a powerful pressure swept over them, making it difficult for them to breathe.

"Be careful, this is an ancient protective barrier," Xuan Ying shouted a warning.

Li Qiye mobilized the power of the Star Ring, golden light swirling around him as he attempted to break through the restriction.

However, the restriction remained unmoved, instead provoking an even stronger counterattack.

Just as everyone was in trouble, Su Yuqing's blood-red vines suddenly trembled violently, and the incantations on the vines flickered with an eerie light.

“Perhaps my Heavenly Evil bloodline can resonate with the restriction,” Su Yuqing said, placing her hand on the restriction.

In an instant, the crimson light and the power of the restriction merged, tearing a crack in the restriction.

"Hurry up!" Li Qiye grabbed Su Yuqing's hand and led everyone quickly through the crevice.

After passing through the barrier, the group arrived at a mysterious valley.

In the valley, ancient stone tablets stand in rows, covered with obscure and difficult-to-understand runes.

Li Qiye approached a stone tablet and examined it closely. Suddenly, he noticed that the runes on the stone tablet were somewhat similar to the patterns on the star ring.

"These runes seem to be guiding me to something," Li Qiye murmured to himself.

He searched the valley following the guidance of the runes.

Finally, in front of a secluded cave, the runes stopped flashing.

The cave was pitch black, with faint, low roars emanating from within.

“There’s probably a powerful guardian beast inside,” Xuanxing said warily, gripping his scepter tightly.

Without hesitation, Li Qiye stepped into the cave. The Blade of Severance emitted a dazzling light, illuminating the path ahead.

They hadn't gone far when a huge black shadow pounced from the darkness.

It was a colossal beast covered in black scales, spewing forth raging fire that melted rocks wherever it went.

"Watch out for its flames!" Li Qiye shouted, swinging his Boundary-Severing Blade to meet it.

The golden light blade collided with the flames, unleashing a burst of intense light.

Su Yuqing's crimson vines transformed into countless long whips, lashing out at the giant beast.

However, the beast's defenses were astonishing; the vines that lashed out at it only left shallow marks.

The behemoth roared, its body began to swell, and the flames became even more intense.

Li Qiye felt the pressure increase dramatically, and his life core was running wildly within his body, trying to find the giant beast's weakness.

Suddenly, he noticed that the scales on the giant beast's belly were relatively thin; that might be the opening.

Chapter 266 Ancient Tree of Life

"Su Yuqing, distract it, I'll find an opportunity to attack its abdomen!" Li Qiye shouted.

Su Yuqing understood immediately, and the crimson vines transformed into a giant blood net, enveloping the giant beast.

Enraged, the giant beast unleashed all its flames at Su Yuqing.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Li Qiye circled around to the back of the giant beast, and with the powerful purification force gathered in his Blade of Severance, he fiercely stabbed it into the beast's abdomen.

The giant beast let out a painful howl, and blood gushed out.

It struggled for a few moments, then finally collapsed to the ground, turning into a wisp of black smoke and dissipating.

After defeating the giant beast, the group continued deeper into the cave.

Deep inside the cave, on a stone platform, lay an ancient book that emitted a faint blue light.

"Could this be the Codex of Chaos?" Xuan Yue exclaimed excitedly.

Li Qiye stepped forward and was about to pick up the ancient book when it suddenly floated in the air, and countless characters flew out of the book, swirling around Li Qiye.

Li Qiye felt a sharp pain in his head as a flood of information rushed into his mind.