Li Chen entered the second layer of the Little Secret Realm, where he encountered powerful beasts that had been driven away by his heavenly tribulation, benefiting other cultivators. He then approached an ancient tree, attempting to persuade it to leave its barren existence and venture into the wider world with him, warning of an impending war. After initial silence, the tree agreed to Li Chen's offer, eager to experience change and thrill.
"I... I wish to give it a try!"
Once the ancient tree's voice faded, Li Chen sensed the surrounding essence of heaven and earth rapidly contracting. It felt as though the world itself was taking a deep breath, pulling all the surrounding essence towards the ancient tree. Initially, the tree appeared rather ordinary, its extraordinary nature only discernible by the dense concentration of world essence around it. In a normal forest, it would likely go unnoticed.
However, as the vital energy and essence flowed into its form, a brilliant, gentle light began to emanate from the ancient tree. This radiant glow seemed to trigger a profound metamorphosis, transforming it from a simple tree into a majestic entity that exuded an aura of eternal existence.
The unfolding spectacle caused the surrounding cultivators to feel a sense of awe, their breaths catching in their throats. They surmised this ancient tree must be a Supreme Treasure, capable of generating such a potent domain of vital energy. Yet, as more essence poured in, they understood its power vastly exceeded their initial estimations.
"What kind of being is this?" Whispers of speculation spread among them. There was no doubt about its immense power, not just in its function but also in the aura that seemed capable of distorting space itself after absorbing the surrounding essence. It was a formidable existence on its own.
Consider that its mere aura could previously overwhelm experts in the Soul Realm. Now, infused with the world's essence, all that terrifying power was contained within. Its current might was immeasurable.
It was certain that the ancient tree's strength had surpassed everyone's wildest expectations.
A slight smile touched Li Chen's lips as he gently placed his hand upon the ancient tree. His gaze remained serene, unfazed by its overwhelming aura. For him, the more potent the tree, the better. He truly needed such a powerful entity by his side.
"It is... the Eternal World Tree!"
Finally, the Primordial Heavy Water revealed its answer to Li Chen. As the ancient tree contained its aura, the Water, amidst the overwhelming presence, had discerned its true identity.
The Eternal World Tree! Renowned as an indestructible, eternal being, the oldest entity in the vast starry universe, and one of the Seven Divine Trees!
The starry universe's origin predates verification, yet at its genesis, amidst the primordial chaos, the Nine Great Treasures were already formed. As artifacts, they inherently lacked life and could exist eternally, gradually developing spiritual intelligence over eons. However, the Seven Divine Trees were different.
From their very inception, they possessed the essence of 'life.' While their exact birth times remain unclear and vary, their ancient origins are undeniable, dating back to the earliest eras. They could be considered the oldest living beings in this entire starry universe.
And now, the indestructible Eternal World Tree stood before Li Chen.
"You ask me to follow, but do you have a place where I can take root? I cannot transform, you cannot expect me to walk with my roots, can you?" The voice of the Eternal World Tree resonated slowly.
"Rest assured, I have a place where you can take root," Li Chen replied, a subtle smile gracing his lips. With a sweep of his hand, the Great Dao of Space-Time enveloped the area, blurring the vision of the surrounding cultivators. In their bewildered eyes, Li Chen and the Eternal World Tree simply vanished.
Though the oppressive pressure dissipated, no one dared to act rashly. Recalling the recent tribulation, they understood Li Chen was not someone to be provoked. Offending such a being in this place could easily lead to death.
A sense of frustrated curiosity stirred within many cultivators. They yearned to know what had transpired but were unwilling to risk angering Li Chen without cause.
Meanwhile, Li Chen paid them no mind. As he had veiled the world with his Great Dao of Space-Time, he had directly opened his Minor World Space.
"This... This is..."
Even the Eternal World Tree, which remained unmoved during Li Chen's two tribulations that shattered heavenly tribulation clouds, was utterly astonished when Li Chen tore open space.
"A brand-new world?!"
The Eternal World Tree voiced its disbelief.
This was unlike the customary minor worlds.
Conventionally, minor worlds are dependent, tethered to the Main World or Great Realms, subsisting parasitically and drawing sustenance from the laws and nourishment of these larger realms in a rather lowly fashion.
However, Li Chen's minor world exhibited no such dependencies; it existed in complete autonomy.
What's more, the Eternal World Tree detected a subtle chaotic aura emanating from this world, which, while not vast, seemed.
It resembled the very beginning of chaos, the genesis of all existence!
This wasn't merely a minor world; it was the embryonic form of a true, complete world!
"This... How could this be..." Even the Eternal World Tree found itself momentarily speechless, its shock profound.
"This place – suitable for you to take root, what do you think?" Li Chen gestured towards his minor world, a light smile gracing his features.
"Good... Very good!" The Eternal World Tree readily agreed, its excitement palpable.
To root itself within the nascent form of a world like this meant it could absorb the Great Dao's aura from the inception of chaos, potentially achieving ultimate metamorphosis one day.
Li Chen chuckled, "For one of the Seven Divine Trees, aren't you showing a bit too much enthusiasm?"
"Not enthusiastic at all!" the Eternal World Tree replied with utmost seriousness. "I have lived for countless eons, witnessing numerous ancient entities. Yet, regarding an embryonic world form like yours, I have only encountered it twice prior; you are the third existence to possess such a phenomenon."
"Oh? There are two others?" Li Chen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Could you perhaps share what kind of existences they are?"
"If they were any other beings with world embryonic forms, I would not dare to utter their names. But as it happens, these two are individuals I am acquainted with," the Eternal World Tree stated gravely.
"One is Jianmu Wood, the other is... the World Tree!"
