Wizard: Starting With the Knights Breathing Method Chapter 2828: 577: Earth Mother Qi and Mortal Circle!

"Indeed, this is the divine tree... Even though I haven't laid eyes on it myself, I believe it could be a descendant of the Origin Divine Tree. Perhaps it's what's left of the 'Cherry Blossom Divine Tree'."

"Sakura Ancestor..."

Levi recalled how the Heavenly Will had once journeyed to the 'Cherry Blossom Ancestor World'. Might this hidden underground realm have formed from the colliding fragments of that ancient Cherry Blossom Ancestor World?

It appeared that Sakura Ancestor had perished eons ago, spanning countless tens or even hundreds of thousands of years, but the divine tree's body rendered its nine-thousand-zhang remains nearly eternal.

Gazing upon such a grand being reduced to a fossil, Levi felt an inexplicable sigh escape him as he suggested, "Let's explore the area; you might uncover something valuable too."

"Sure, after such a vast stretch of time in death, the Divine Tree Power has surely faded away. Yet this corpse alone qualifies as a ten-level earth element Divine Artifact. Integrating it into your tenth-circle wizard tower would make it far superior to any of the Strange Woods you've gathered. It's absolutely among the finest supreme treasures." Mana explained.

With that said, the pair started scouring the underground world.

Levi summoned the Rainbow Sword Master, commanding, "Employ your Sword Qi to slice through every vein within a thousand miles surrounding the massive tree."

The Rainbow Sword Master accepted the directive and promptly began the task with utmost diligence.

"Levi, hurry over here—I've found something!"

Upon reaching her, Levi saw Mana facing off against a deer-shaped being roughly a zhang in height, its body adorned with patterns like cherry blossoms, all in a soft pink hue. Atop the deer's head grew two bunches that mimicked cherry blossom branches serving as antlers, radiating a potent life force while displaying a strange phenomenon of brief blooming and visions of life and death.

Despite its modest size, the deer projected the presence of a level 8 late-stage entity, carrying a hint of sacredness reminiscent of a Mountain God from ancient faiths.

"This... this must be the Sakura Beast."

Levi identified it at once.

Among the four essentials for Elena's progression in the Candle Dragon Bloodline was a bloodline crystal infused with Sakura Beast lineage. Tales described this being as drawn to spots harboring the World Tree, and now that pull stood confirmed. Furthermore, the aura from those branch-like antlers matched precisely that of the fallen Cherry Blossom Ancestor Tree.

Levi inquired:

"Mana, could the Sakura Ancestor actually still be alive in some way?"

Mana responded:

"It's truly gone, but those antlers do hold Divine Tree Power. I reckon the Sakura Beast accidentally took in the Original Root that Sakura Ancestor left behind, channeling this energy... Certain World Trees employ such tactics for rebirth."

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Should this persist, eventually the Sakura Beast's entire form will harden into wood under the lingering Divine Tree Power from Sakura Ancestor. A fresh Cherry Blossom Divine Tree would then erupt from within, utilizing the beast's body for reincarnation and hastening the World Tree's early development; it could emerge at level 8 or 9, unlike my gradual ascent."

"You're right... The myths paint such romantic, enchanting pictures; yet truth proves brutal. I'd imagined a peaceful, mutual bond between the Sakura Beast and Cherry Blossom Divine Tree. In reality, it's ruthless parasitism and consumption, sigh."

"Truth be told, the legends aren't completely off— this Sakura Beast, as a fabled entity, was likely birthed by the Cherry Blossom Divine Tree through its 'Creation' ability... Put simply, no Cherry Blossom Divine Tree means no Sakura Beast."

"I recall you mentioning your current lack of 'Creation' power, so why not free this Sakura Beast and draw out the Divine Tree Power from its antlers?"

"Would that even work?"

"Why wouldn't it... work?"

Mana wavered, her essence differing from Levi's after all. Though over these years, she'd grown rather 'wicked' from his ongoing sway.

"The old must yield to the fresh; rather than squandering effort on this reincarnation, better to fuel your own rise. Spreading power thin like that—how could it ever rival the Giant World?!" Levi proclaimed boldly, then added with a grin: "Besides, look at this adorable little deer; could you really bear to see it perish?"

Meeting the Sakura Beast's innocent gaze, Mana abruptly saw the logic in it.

"Fine, I'll attempt to converse with it. But what if it refuses?"

The Sakura Beast couldn't utter human words; it existed as a purpose-built lifeform, its very cycle of birth and breeding geared toward one day enabling the Cherry Blossom Divine Tree to 'revive' via its form.

As Mana engaged with the Sakura Beast, Levi drew the entire colossal tree—roots, foundation, and underlying mineral veins—into the Eternal Star Abyss. Now that he'd attained legendary rank, the upgrade components for Eternal Star Abyss were fully assembled.

What a boon!

This Ninth Layer truly brimmed with invaluable divine artifacts on par with Legendary Artifacts; the haul from this expedition was enormous.

Such thoughts led Levi to fondly stroke the hound.

"Well done, well done—worthy of commendation."

A grin tugged at his lips, impossible to hide.

This stirred unease in Jin. Unless it unearthed a treasure rivaling this ten-level Divine Item, it risked losing its cherished spot...

"Zee zee zee." (Squeaking sound)

Jin scrambled up to Levi’s shoulder, prodding them onward—it had only just begun, with half a year remaining, plenty of time to outpace that wretched dog!

Meanwhile, after prolonged exchange with the Sakura Beast, Levi observed patiently, knowing the creature held further value as essence for Elena’s bloodline.

With that, Elena would command two potent elixirs from the Blood Tribulation Masters' lore, bound to quicken her path and propel her to level 8 far sooner.

"We've reached an agreement—let's bring the little deer along."