Chapter 2072: No One Succeeded?
Chapter 2072: Chapter 2072: No One Succeeded?
The staircase winds downwards, deep into the belly of the mountain.
The further down they went, the more distinct the pure and ancient aura became, subtly opposing the pervasive evil aura around them. After descending about a hundred yards, the path suddenly opened up into a massive natural cavern.
In the center of the cavern, there wasn’t the towering tree they’d imagined, only a peculiar little tree about three feet high, jade-like in its entirety, with branches and leaves appearing a pale golden color, rooted in a huge pale jadeite stone.
The little tree seemed unremarkable, yet there was a subtle flow of light between its branches and leaves, and the aura it emitted invigorated the spirits of those near, reducing the oppressive feeling and the encroaching evil aura around them somewhat.
"Is this... the Heavenly Jade Treasure Tree?" Ba Xiyue was somewhat incredulous; it looked more like a delicate bonsai.
The sect leader respectfully saluted, with awe in his eyes: "Indeed. Though it appears young, it has existed for countless millennia."
"Just this little thing?" Chu Ran sneered first, scrutinizing the jade tree that was no more than three feet high, full of disdain, "I thought it was some earth-shattering divine item, turns out it’s a bonsai. Sect leader, you aren’t clutching at straws in desperation by using a legend to fool us, are you?"
The Heavenly Jade Sect Leader’s face turned red, unable to retort, he could only mutter softly: "The Ancestral Master’s notes do record it this way... Perhaps a special opportunity is needed to activate it."
"Opportunity?" Chu Ran sneered, stepping forward, "I intend to see exactly what this damn tree is capable of!"
Without further words, he strode directly to three feet before the Heavenly Jade Treasure Tree.
The aura of the Heavenly Reverse Burning Flame rose from within him, crimson flames coiling around his body, carrying an oppressive and scorching intent, attempting to subdue and communicate with the treasure tree through sheer force.
Xu Yeming sneered nearby: "Trying to suppress a spiritual item that no one has been able to control for so many years with brute force, that second young master must have gotten hit in the head by Senior Han at the time?"
He then turned to Han Shouyi to confirm: "Is that right, Senior Han?"
Ye Qiubai and the others shook their heads helplessly; this Junior Brother Xu... truly had a sharp tongue.
Han Shouyi laughed aloud: "Little junior brother, your friend is really entertaining!"
Sure enough, the Heavenly Jade Treasure Tree showed no reaction.
The pale golden branches didn’t even flicker with light; it was as if Chu Ran’s aura that could melt gold and iron was merely a gentle breeze.
Chu Ran furrowed his brow, a flash of malice in his eyes, and he reached directly towards the trunk of the treasure tree: "Stop pretending to be mysterious!"
"No!" the sect leader exclaimed in shock.
Just as Chu Ran’s finger was about to touch the tree’s body, the surface of the treasure tree suddenly rippled with a very faint golden wave.
"Boom!"
Chu Ran seemed struck hard, flying backwards, crashing into the cavern wall, his surrounding flames instantly dispersed, uttering a muffled groan, with a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
He crawled up in a mess, his face ashen, eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
A gray-clothed elder hurriedly approached to check, sighing and shaking his head: "Second Young Master, this item seems to possess a spirit, rejecting forcible seizure."
Chu Ran clenched his fists, eyes full of defiance.
Seeing this, Ba Xiyue stepped forward.
After taking a deep breath, unlike Chu Ran, she restrained her aura, releasing the orthodox dragon qi and pure immortal essence of the Banan Royal Family, trying to resonate with a gentle and noble aura.
The pale golden emperor’s qi meandered, full of majesty and grandeur.
The treasure tree stood silently, with a subtle flow of light between its branches and leaves, showing no intention of acceptance.
Ba Xiyue persisted for a while, eventually ceasing her efforts, shaking her head, eyes showing undisguised disappointment.
"Let me try," Qin Zhao stepped forward, a three-foot-long blade hung by his side, and with his fingers as a sword, a pure and sharp sword intent emerged from his body.
The treasure tree’s light seemed to brighten for a moment, but then returned to its previous state, showing no further reaction.
Yang Shao sighed and also stepped forward.
He formed a seal with his hands, his body emanating pure immortal light, yet the outcome was no different, the treasure tree remained motionless.
Even Qin Zhao and Yang Shao failed?
Everyone present looked at each other.
Everyone present were supposed to be the elite among the young generation of the Fuyao Realm...
The sect leader of the Heavenly Seal Sect smiled bitterly; no wonder their sect hadn’t produced anyone who could resonate with the Heavenly Jade Treasure Tree for so many years...
After all, even these people had failed!
Chu Ran waved his hand, snorted coldly: "Just forget it, let’s go back and think about how to break formations,"
Han Shouyi glanced at Chu Ran, then toward Ning Chenxin and said: "Little junior brother, you go try."
Meanwhile, Yang Shao also said to Ye Qiubai: "Won’t you go try? Your chances of success should be greater than ours."
"Ha." Hearing this, Chu Ran sneered, "Them? We failed, so who in the Fuyao Realm can succeed?"
Yang Shao looked at Chu Ran, displeased: "Chu Ran, are you genuinely ignorant or pretending to be? After all the battles, you still underestimate Brother Ye and the others?"
With repeated sarcasm, Yang Shao grew increasingly fed up with Chu Ran.
He also harbored questions in his heart.
As the second young master of a top aristocratic family, directly from the lineage, once dazzling like the sun, he had now changed in temperament to such an exaggerated degree.
Moreover... even if he had fallen into decadence, shouldn’t his original family teachings still persist?
In a family like the Chu Family, not only was there substantial progress in talent and cultivation, etiquette was of utmost importance.
Chu Ran crossed his arms, sneering: "Even if their talent isn’t bad, if even we couldn’t achieve it, could they? Could their talent really surpass ours?"
Ba Xiyue and the others like Jiang Yi silently agreed with Chu Ran.
Even with high talent, compared to others, it wouldn’t be much higher.
Yang Shao couldn’t help but also have doubts.
At this moment.
Han Shouyi dug at his ear and said: "Why are you chattering on? Little junior brother, go give them an example."
Ning Chenxin nodded and stepped forward.
Ye Qiubai, Hong Ying, and Xu Yeming also moved forward as one, "Time is tight, let’s do it together."
Ye Qiubai did not release any sharp sword intent; he simply stood quietly in front of the treasure tree, closing his eyes.
The aura around him was retracted to the extreme, only the pure heart of Sword Dao in his soul, forged through countless life-and-death experiences and cutting through endless illusions, was clear as a mirror, reflecting his true self.
No contention, no desire, only sincerity towards the sword.
The treasure tree’s branches seemed to tremble ever so slightly.
Everyone raised their eyebrows slightly.
Could there be a chance?
Qin Zhao shook his head and said: "Let’s wait and see."
At the time, Qin Zhao also stirred a little commotion in the Heavenly Jade Treasure Tree, then... nothing happened thereafter.
Hong Ying did not exhibit the emperor’s intent of domineering majesty but rather restrained all external aura.
The pale golden light on the branches of the treasure tree quietly brightened a bit.
Xu Yeming was the same, not releasing any aura to forcibly suppress the Heavenly Jade Treasure Tree, only the Great Wilderness Beast Heart beat slowly, and its sound was like thunder, audible to everyone present!
Ning Chenxin, with unhurried steps, walked to the front of the treasure tree.
Without reciting any Dao Law, nor urging righteousness, he simply watched this ancient little tree silently, his gaze clear, holding the understanding of the true path of heaven and earth, the compassion for the suffering of all beings, and steadfast adherence to his ideology.
Yet, apart from that brief tremor, the Heavenly Jade Treasure Tree showed no further movement.
"Alas."
Finally, after a tea’s worth of time, Ba Xiyue sighed, breaking the silence.
Chu Ran spread his hands, ready to walk out, "Let’s try forcibly breaking the formation."
Right after his words.
Buzz——!
The Three-foot Jade Tree suddenly erupted with an incomparably dazzling golden divine light!
The light was not blinding, yet it was filled with immense, pure aura, instantly permeating the entire cavern, even piercing through the rock walls, faintly illuminating the bloody exterior!