On the willow branch, there hung a fruit.
The fruit was the size of a fist, dark green in color, resembling an apricot but slightly larger, somewhat like a fusion of an apple and an apricot.
The next moment, the fruit fell automatically, landing in Su Mu's hand.
Holding it in his palm, he could feel the fruit's weight, at least a hundred pounds, and he also sensed a pure and immense energy from it.
He took a big bite; it was easy to tear into.
The flesh was tender, and as it entered his mouth, a rich exotic fragrance filled his nostrils, then the flesh transformed into a pure energy that spread throughout Su Mu's body via his esophagus.
Feeling the strange transformation, Su Mu swiftly devoured the fruit in a few bites.
He then sat down cross-legged, controlling his spiritual power to continuously navigate through the powerful force rampaging through his body.
Suddenly, Su Mu abruptly opened his eyes, with specks of Immortal Light nurturing in his pupils.
The power of his Divine Sense began to uncontrollably soar!
With his Divine Sense activated, he could perceive everything within a two-kilometer radius, doubling compared to before!
Yes, you read it right, after doubling, it was only two kilometers!
.....
Originally, when he fully opened his Divine Sense, he could only perceive things within a one-kilometer range.
For some reason, even though Su Mu's cultivation reached the Half-Step Divinity Transformation Realm, his Divine Sense could only perceive one kilometer, which was very frustrating for him at the time.
Is the Divinity Transformation Realm really this weak?
Isn't it said that when the Divine Sense of the Divinity Transformation Realm is activated, it radiates a million kilometers, able to perceive everything in a million-kilometer range?
But for him, when activated, it could only perceive a one-kilometer range along this river!!
He even doubted whether he was cultivating a Fake Immortal.
Now that he ate this Spirit Fruit, he could distinctly feel the power of his Divine Sense increase by dozens of times, yet the actual perception range only expanded to two kilometers.
Oh well, whatever, no need to dwell on it. This river is peculiar, once I accumulate enough Favor Points and refine this river, I will be able to leave this strange broken place.
....
"Any more?"
"How about another one?"
Su Mu asked the willow tree.
He could sense that this willow tree had intelligence, otherwise, it wouldn't make such a series of actions.
The willow branches swayed, as if indicating there were no more.
Well, having a Treasure Tree isn't bad; not only does it provide Spirit Fruit to eat, but it also offers shade for an afternoon nap.
Su Mu picked up a hoe and a sickle in front of the stone house, donned a bamboo hat, rolled up his pants, and began to patrol.
....
At this moment, in a certain Spirit Realm.
"Greetings to Han Celestial Venerable."
"Greetings to Han Celestial Venerable."
Inside the great hall of Cyan Yuan Palace, a dozen powerful Great Power Cultivators knelt before the dignified man seated on the throne.
The man on the throne wore a Purple Gold Python Robe, his brows etched with authority, just by sitting there, a hint of Daoist charm gathered around him.
No one in the hall dared to meet his gaze.
"Rise."
With the fall of the dignified man's words, those great power experts slowly stood up.
"I understand your intentions."
"Now that the Spirit Realm's situation has stabilized, I will return the territories that originally belonged to you in the Spirit Realm."
Upon hearing this, the dozen great power experts exchanged glances, somewhat in disbelief.
After unifying the Spirit Realm, Han Celestial Venerable became the only one in the Tribulation Crossing Stage, revered as Celestial Venerable by the world.
These twelve people were once the supreme beings of the Spirit Realm, ruling over regions, second only to one, above tens of thousands. Later, when Han Celestial Venerable established the position of Celestial Venerable, they chose to submit to preserve their lives.
Today, they came specifically to celebrate Han Celestial Venerable's birthday.
But unexpectedly, why did Han Celestial Venerable utter such words?
If Han Celestial Venerable returns the territories of these twelve to them, wouldn't that equate to dividing the Spirit Realm he unified by himself?
"Han Celestial Venerable, you must be joking."
"We have long submitted, it's been a millennium already, we have no disloyalty, and hope Celestial Venerable withdraws his command!"
After saying that, the twelve fell to their knees again in fear and trepidation.
They thought Han Celestial Venerable was deliberately testing them and hurriedly expressed their loyalty.
In fact, after following for a thousand years, they were genuinely sincere in following Han Celestial Venerable.
.....
Seeing this, Han Xiaopao chuckled lightly, "You misunderstood, I'm not testing you."
"Soon, I will leave the Spirit Realm."
"You've been with me for a thousand years, most of your descendants are my disciples, returning the Spirit Realm to you gives me peace of mind."
Upon hearing this,
The twelve raised their heads, stunned, having realized something.
"Could it be... the Immortal Venerable is ascending?!"
They knew very well that Celestial Venerable had reached the peak of this realm, a thousand years ago he had become invincible in the Spirit Realm at the Tribulation Crossing Stage.
"Perhaps."
In fact, Han Xiaopao wasn't sure if he could successfully ascend. Post-tribulation crossing for a thousand years, he hesitated to take that step.
His cautious nature and desire for stability made him ponder for a long time, accumulating and settling for a long time.
After a thousand years of accumulation, he felt he could attempt that step; if he succeeded in crossing the tribulation, he could ascend to the Upper Realm.
He knew even though he was invincible in this realm, he felt he had only traversed a small stretch of the long road of cultivation.
If he remained here, his limits might be fixed.
He wanted to pursue that supreme peak, thus he had to leave this realm for a higher world.
Like a frog in a well, if it doesn't escape the well, it will only ever see limited skies, and the insects on withered branches will never discover the vastness and beauty of the world.
Therefore, he made up his mind to depart.
But before leaving, he had to stabilize the Spirit Realm, providing peace of mind to cross the tribulation, peace of mind to ascend.
"Congratulations, Celestial Venerable! Ascending to the Upper Realm!"
The twelve sincerely congratulated.
"Your congratulations are premature."
"No, we believe Celestial Venerable will undoubtedly succeed in the tribulation and ascend to the Upper Realm!"
....
Hearing these words, Han Xiaopao merely smiled, saying, "If one day you find me no longer here,"
"Just follow my instructions and take over the territories you once governed."
"Maintain peace in the Spirit Realm."
After speaking, the twelve responded in unison, "We will not let down Celestial Venerable's trust!"
"Walk with me."
Saying this, Han Xiaopao walked out of the great hall, with the other twelve following behind.
The next moment, Han Xiaopao arrived at the edge of a cliff.
He sat alone at the cliff's edge, silently gazing at the distant clouds, eyes in contemplation.
The twelve following, also remained silent, waiting quietly.
Han Xiaopao watched the clouds rise slowly from the mountain crevices, his thoughts drifting away from his body, beginning to reminisce.
A long, long time ago, so long he could hardly remember....
Before he came to this world, he encountered a mysterious man on a river, with whom he signed a contract.
Due to the passage of time, he could not quite recall the man's appearance anymore.
But he remembered clearly that he owed him ten treasures.
Yet after so long, there was no sign of him, and he wondered whether it had all been a dream from long ago.
He retracted his thoughts, stood up, and turning to the twelve, he said solemnly:
"The words I'm about to speak, you must remember by heart."