Chapter 682: Chapter 468: Hao Yan in Seclusion

This ancient tree, once lush and majestic, now looks in terrible condition. Its trunk, as thick as a dragon vein, is wrapped in strands of viscous, ink-like evil qi that exude an ominous aura.

This evil qi, like maggots on a bone, continuously devours the grand Essence Yuan of the Ancestor Blood Parasol, causing its branches and leaves to wither and its divine radiance to dim.

Chu Zheng’s expression remained calm, without a hint of hesitation, as he raised his hand gently towards the Divine Wood tormented by evil qi.

A stream of clear light flowed from his fingertips, crossing space and time, landing precisely on the heart of the Ancestor Blood Parasol.

Hiss—

In an instant, the persistent evil qi entwining the tree trunk began to surge under the cleansing of this clear light.

In the blink of an eye, the pitch-black evil qi was expelled at a visibly rapid pace, dispersing and transforming into wisps of green smoke that faded into the void.

The once dim tree of the Ancestor Blood Parasol immediately glowed with a warm and resilient golden-red divine light again. Though its branches and leaves did not immediately flourish, the vitality that wiped away the chronic illness had already begun to re-emerge.

With Chu Zheng’s current power, removing the evil qi for Wu Tong was no more than a flick of his hand.

Seeing this, the Erosion Sun Rain, who followed Chu Zheng, stepped forward and explained softly:

“This Ancestor Blood Parasol, you personally ordered not to harm its roots back then. Therefore, when cleansing the Chaos Sea, we adhered to this command and never touched it, leaving it intact.”

A slight ripple emerged in Chu Zheng’s calm demeanor as his gaze slowly swept over the gigantic tree, which nearly stretched across the Chaos Boundary.

Why?

A faint trace of hesitation flickered deep in Chu Zheng’s eyes.

Zheng Chu… That self who has disappeared in the river of time, why did he specifically issue an edict to protect this Ancestor Blood Parasol that had no direct connection to the conflicts among various Taoist Orthodoxy?

Could it be that it is entangled in some causality that warrants such solemnity?

This thought flashed through his Sea of Consciousness like lightning, but he did not dwell on it, cutting off the distraction in an instant.

Past events and all sorts of entangled causes and effects had long become ashes in the cycle of time.

Zheng Chu was Zheng Chu, Chu Zheng is Chu Zheng. At this moment, pursuing the reasons buried by time had no meaning for him, who was about to step into the Supreme Domain.

All the answers, all the causes and effects, he would have unlimited time to slowly sort through and clarify once he truly ascends to the Ancestral Realm.

As his mind tempered and thoughts returned to tranquility, a silhouette quietly emerged from the depths of the crimson-gold crown of the tree, which obscured the sky.

The newcomer wore a long robe of precious green, with a color as gentle as the new leaves of early spring, yet its texture shimmered with an immortal glow. Though appearing to be around twenty years old, his appearance was remarkably elegant and almost translucent, with lush green long hair that seemed to capture the purest Wood Spirit Essences of heaven and earth.

He stood serenely in the void, his aura seamlessly blending with the Ancestor Blood Parasol behind him.

Wu Tong’s gaze crossed the sparse starlight in the Chaos Sea, settling on Chu Zheng, who was guarded at the core by Erosion Sun Rain and other Ancient Ancestors. His eyes were clear and calm, carrying an unmistakable sense of gratitude.

He bowed slightly in Chu Zheng’s direction, then stood firmly without any intention of approaching for casual conversation.

Their statuses had undergone a tremendous reversal compared to when they first met, and there was no need for needless words now.

Chu Zheng maintained his usual expression, slowly raising his hand to return the bow towards Wu Tong’s direction. Their gazes met momentarily, neither speaking a word.

Soon, Chu Zheng’s gaze moved past Wu Tong, landing on a towering silver-gray hall in the distance, which exhaled the mighty power of space and time.

For now, quickly enhancing cultivation is the right path.

With his thoughts set, without further distractions, Chu Zheng shifted slightly as he prepared to traverse the void and enter the magnificent hall forged from Space-Time Fragments when a sudden ripple emanated from the void beside him.

Buzz—

The space rippled like water waves, and a fierce aura tore through the silence of the Chaos Sea.

An Ancient Ancestor clad in simple battle armor, radiating an aura of iron and blood, stepped out from the newly lit space channel, appearing beside Chu Zheng like a peerless Divine Weapon drawn from its sheath.

“Su Lingyun, pays respect to the Ancestral Dao!”

The newcomer bowed. With a valiant and firm appearance, though nearing fifty, his eyes were as sharp as cold stars, exuding a piercingly intense aura.

After the bow, he looked solemnly and spoke in a voice as resonant as clashing metal:

“Reporting to the Ancestral Dao, the Immortal Alliance Moonlight, acting for the Immortal Ancestor Feng Ting, sent a message inviting his brother Hao Yan for a face-to-face meeting. Hao Yan did not dare to act alone and has informed us of this matter.”

Su Lingyun paused, the chill in his eyes almost tangible, his killing intent bone-chilling, as he continued:

“Feng Ting’s intentions are treacherous. Based on this message, I deduce that he likely intends to use Hao Yan as a lead to secretly connect with several other Ancient Ancestors in the Universe who are still observing, intending to act against you during your retreat, his mind deserves to be condemned!”

“Hao Yan?” Chu Zheng raised an eyebrow slightly, a frown crossing his brow, not with worry, but with a trace of inquiry: “The elder brother of the Moonlight Immortal Ancestor?”

This name was somewhat unfamiliar to him.

The Vast Universe, vast and boundless, contains as many as twenty beings in the Ancestral Realm. Of these, twelve have already aligned with him, but the remaining eight maintain ambiguous attitudes. Over these months, they have not clearly stated their positions but neither have they interfered in his previous conflict with the Martial Hall.