To celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming New Year, I'll be running a promo: 40% OFF WITH CODE 97167. If you've wanted to check out the advanced chapters and Patreon exclusive novel, now's your chance! Promo ends on January 1st 2026 11:59pm AEDT!
---------------------
"So that's how it is."
When Chen Junting slowly awakened from deep meditation, he heard Electrolux's voice. But before he could speak, he felt a vast meaning swirling around his body.
"Master, what is this?"
Calmly settling his mind, he just touched it.
A bizarre assimilation power erupted from the vast meaning, actually climbing toward his spiritual power!
Seeing this, Chen Junting immediately focused his thoughts.
Slaughter Sword Intent unsheathed, carrying killing intent as it slashed down.
"What a strange vast meaning."
Even though he had isolated the vast meaning, the bizarre assimilation power still left Chen Junting with lingering fear.
"So you felt it."
After Electrolux's voice sounded again, his figure appeared in the sea of consciousness and came before Chen Junting.
"Master, this strange vast meaning—could it be that you obtained it from the Golden Ancient Tree?" Recalling the forest-like vast meaning he felt when first entering the Golden Ancient Tree, Chen Junting easily gave the most reasonable guess.
"You're correct."
Electrolux chuckled lightly. "During your nearly three months of deep meditation, this master had time to investigate this Golden Ancient Tree. Finally, I discovered that there's actually a seed inside this ancient tree."
A seed?
Hearing this word, Chen Junting's heart stirred as he recalled Ah Yin from the Legend of the Dragon King era. "A Blue Silver Emperor seed?"
"It is indeed of the same origin as those wild grasses on the roadside, but compared to them, it appears unattainably superior." Electrolux didn't question why Chen Junting knew about this, but continued to explain his discovery.
"The power of that seed is not only of the same origin as those Blue Silver Grasses, but is also of the same source as that Sea God's Light."
What does that mean?
For a moment, Chen Junting's eyes widened.
In other words, his assumption was wrong. This Blue Silver Emperor seed didn't come from Ah Yin, but from Tang San?!
To clarify the whole situation, Chen Junting hurriedly asked Electrolux further, "Master, did you sense any kind of soul or similar fluctuations within that seed?"
"No."
Electrolux's answer was straightforward, and he also saw through Chen Junting's thoughts. "You're asking this because you want to know if that seed will possess this Golden Ancient Tree, right?"
"Exactly as Master said."
"Then this master can tell you—it definitely will not, at least not now. Moreover, this seed is not only not trying to possess the tree, but is actually doing its utmost to help this Golden Ancient Tree become the life core."
Electrolux's words made Chen Junting's heart stir.
Golden Ancient Tree ≠ life core?
His thoughts raced rapidly. Indeed, he had been misled by fixed thinking at first, ignoring the essence of the Golden Ancient Tree.
The Golden Ancient Tree, also called the Golden Tree, originally was just a rare tree species with light power and rich life energy. Although I don't know how it later became Douluo Star's life core, I can only say that at first, it just had potential.
Now it seems everything is related to this seed.
Recalling that bizarre assimilation power from the forest-like vast meaning, Chen Junting suddenly understood. Seeing the sharp light flash in his eyes, Electrolux couldn't help but say happily.
"Figured it out?"
"I've figured it out."
Chen Junting nodded, understanding the trickery involved.
"Clever—'to take, one must first give.' Using the forest-like vast meaning of the Blue Silver Emperor seed to promote the Golden Ancient Tree's growth and evolution. By the time of harvest, not only will the Golden Ancient Tree's natural vigilance have dropped to its lowest point, but the tree will also have been subtly assimilated by the Blue Silver Emperor. This way, taking over the nest will be effortless, not even causing any ripples."
No wonder he's Tang God King.
After ten thousand days in the God Realm, he's mastered the art of schemes and conspiracies.
"Master, how useful is this seed to us?"
Seeing Chen Junting seemed somewhat tempted, Electrolux still maintained a smiling expression. "Its use is not small. First, it can help you comprehend the forest-like vast meaning. Most importantly, once this seed is completely severed from its connection to the Sea God and transplanted to the Undead Demiplane, it will cause the demiplane to undergo earth-shattering changes, possibly even advancing toward a true plane."
"Can't it be used against Tang San?"
Seeing Electrolux indicate this was impossible, Chen Junting couldn't help but feel a trace of disappointment amid his joy.
But fortunately, this seed had immense value.
After all, once the Undead Demiplane advanced to a plane, it would bring numerous benefits to him as the demiplane's master.
However, this seed couldn't be touched yet.
To move it, he needed to find the right opportunity.
...
"I've troubled you to wait for these three months."
Seeing Chen Junting about to bow, Mu En chuckled lightly, his withered hand gently supporting him to prevent excessive courtesy. "This old man has nothing to do all day anyway. Waiting for you here isn't much. Well, have you found your path?"
"To make the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect the number one sect under heaven."
"And... to become a god!"
Hearing this firm and confident tone, Mu En revealed understanding amid his surprise. "Indeed, your choices are the same."
"It's Xiao Tian, isn't it."
Mu En nodded slightly, momentarily lost in thought.
Recalling his own youthful vigor like this, to now being in his twilight years, his eyes filled with emotion.
Osmanthus wine tastes the same, but where are those who share the memory?
Coming back to his senses, "The path to godhood is difficult!"
"Difficult doesn't mean there's no path."
Recalling his path of formations, and Electrolux's help... the path of faith—he must venture down it no matter what!
Even if he fails, it's just returning to dust.
Moreover, he firmly believed he could definitely become a god! And he could even bring Xiao Tian, Wu Feng, and the others to the God Realm!
"Good! Then don't hesitate—walk down this path."
"Go now. I'm sure your little girlfriend has been waiting anxiously all this time." Facing Mu Lao's teasing, Chen Junting inwardly thought "you're also an old rascal" before bidding him farewell.
After leaving the Sea God Pavilion, he arrived at the shore of Sea God Island.
Chen Junting lightly tapped his right foot, and the Seven Killings Sword appeared beneath him. Then he soared on the sword, tearing through the white mist and racing away!
At the same time, by the Sea God Lake.
"Ning Tian, why don't we go back first."
Wu Feng, squatting down, was idly playing with the lake surface. Looking up at Ning Tian, her eyes revealed hope.
"Let's wait a bit longer."
Ning Tian shook her head, continuing to gaze into the distance.
Since completing her meditation in the Sea God Pavilion and returning to the outer court, she had spent two hours every day waiting for Chen Junting here.
In the end, she only waited for Bei Bei, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao.
From the three of them, she learned that Chen Junting had entered a second deep meditation. So Ning Tian fell into long waiting again, with Wu Feng accompanying her every day.
Just at this moment, Ning Tian suddenly saw a figure.
Flying on a sword—only one person in the academy could do this.
"Brother Junting is back!"
The joyful words had just fallen when Chen Junting had already arrived before Ning Tian, embracing her delicate body as she rushed into his arms.
A beauty in his arms, like a noble and elegant tulip, beautiful as delicate petals, making Chen Junting's heart race.
"Xiao Tian, I've kept you waiting."
Seeing the affectionate exchange between the two, the forgotten Wu Feng felt as if she had been force-fed dog food. But she was sensible enough to tiptoe away quietly, leaving Chen Junting and Ning Tian with their private space.
For a moment, the atmosphere around them became incredibly intimate.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)