Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 953 - 409: The Mysterious Sapling

This realm exists in a state of profound tranquility.

A gentle breeze rustles the small, central tree, its sound resonating throughout the entire world with remarkable clarity.

Ning Qi and the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm maintain a distance of ten miles.

As Ning Qi attempts to advance, an intricate barrier, far more complex than the one encountered at the portal's entrance, materializes and obstructs his progress.

He surmises that a key is likely required for its activation, and the challenge this time appears to significantly exceed the previous one.

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will remains positioned behind him, its gaze fixed on Ning Qi with lingering suspicion.

Having just passed through the will, Ning Qi's true nature was only thencomprehended upon physical contact.

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will was astonished to realize Ning Qi represented the will of the very micro-world over which it presided...

Yet, this revelation is inwardly rejected—how could such a possibility exist?

After all, a will originating from a micro-world ought to be identical to its own existence.

Even as a World Will, its volition is intrinsically bound by the world's confines, trapped within its boundaries and unable to depart.

Therefore, how could Ning Qi possibly be the manifestation of its micro-world's will?

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will is consumed by doubt and internal conflict, adamantly convinced that this scenario is impossible.

Ahead, Ning Qi refrains from further attempts to advance, instead fixing his intense gaze upon the small tree at the world's core.

This location is identified as the nexus of the world, the ultimate enigma of the Mountain and Sea Realm.

All hidden truths are contained within the ten-mile radius encompassing this central area.

With a subtle gesture, Ning Qi senses the remnant leaf clasped between his fingers begin to sway with increasing frequency and vigor, emitting a palpable pull that requires no conscious effort to perceive.

Ning Qi immediately ascertains that this remnant leaf originates from the small tree situated ten miles distant.

This small tree appears frail, displaying a duality of half yellowed foliage and half vibrant green leaves.

It embodies both the resilience of life and the signs of decay, a singular entity combining flourishing growth and withering decline, presenting a strikingly contradictory and eerie spectacle.

It remains indeterminate whether this state portends a rebirth or an inevitable demise; all remains shrouded in uncertainty.

The verdant half of the tree is oriented towards Ning Qi and his companions, while the yellowed side faces the opposite direction.

Observing the green portion from his vantage point, Ning Qi notes the unique individuality of each leaf, which undergoes continuous transformation.

Ning Qi discerns foliage resembling that of willow, palm, elm, and phoenix trees—common arboreal species—as well as leaves from various Spirit Trees, and even the leaves of flowers and grasses, alongside creeping vines...

Each leaf radiates its own distinct luminescence, appearing transparent and crystalline, akin to jewel-shaped ornaments, pulsating with potent magical energy.

Gazing through the green leaves towards the yellowed expanse.

That side, conversely, reveals a starkly contrasting aspect, entirely ochre-hued, composed exclusively of a uniform leaf type.

These leaves bear an uncanny resemblance to the remnant leaf held within Ning Qi’s hand, lacking any discernible tree species or distinctive characteristics.

However, what further astonishes Ning Qi is the presence of a significant missing branch from the yellowed half of the tree, leaving a substantial void and imparting an peculiar, incomplete beauty to the diminutive structure.

Through the intermediary of the small tree, Ning Qi perceives the world beyond and realizes that the entire realm mirrors the tree's current condition.

Upon initial entry into this world, it presented an image of perpetual sunshine, carpeted with lush green grass and adorned with abundant blossoms, exuding an aura of vibrant vitality.

Yet, upon reaching this profound location and gaining a true perspective through the ten-mile radius, Ning Qi apprehends the world’s underlying reality.

The opposing hemisphere of the world is devoid of sunlight, its ground barren of green grass and obscured by thick clouds, with the earth succumbing to a yellowing decay, extending even into vast tracts of scorched land.

A stir of confusion arises within Ning Qi, questioning the reason behind this world's manifestation of such starkly divergent scenes.

Is the tree the sole catalyst for this phenomenon, or is an external influence at play?

Upon closer examination of the small tree, located within the core ten-mile radius, its height does not exceed half a meter, occupying a minuscule area.

The remainder of the region is clearly demarcated into two distinct halves.

High in the heavens, a faint, nebulous presence is discernible, affixed to the celestial dome.

From this entity, energy continuously emanates, primarily cascading downward to nourish the central small tree, while the residual flow disperses to both opposing sides.

The small tree sways gently in the breeze, appearing to sustain its existence solely through this continuous infusion of energy.

Ning Qi directs his gaze towards the Mountain and Sea Realm Will positioned behind him.

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will moves to his side, gesturing towards the cloud-like entity suspended in the sky, and declares, "That is my true will."

Beside him, the projection of the Mountain and Sea Realm Will let out a wry chuckle. "Certainly not," he replied.

He then sat down, appearing utterly defenseless as he gazed upon his true self within the projection. A bitter smile touched his lips. "With only those two, I wouldn't have been sealed. However, if that small tree is included, the situation changes entirely."

Ning Qi showed a hint of surprise.

"What sort of tree is it? Has it always been in this condition?" he inquired.

"Impossible!" The Mountain and Sea Realm Will suddenly gritted his teeth, voicing his resentment. "It is only through the continuous infusion of energy from my true self that it manages to sustain its current state."

Ning Qi was left even more bewildered by this revelation.