plumnovel Chapter 70 The Birth of the Spiritual Embryo
Chapter 70 The Birth of the Spiritual Embryo
Xuan Yao raised his hand and released a stream of gentle, jade-like pure energy, which transformed into two auspicious clouds that lifted Ancestor Yan Heng and the group of Yan Yuan cultivators, and asked in a gentle voice:
"Fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formalities."
"I just heard that villain from the Purple Mansion mention that there is a naturally grown ancestral tree here."
"I wonder what the origin of this tree is, and what its connection is with your Yan Yuan clan?"
When Ancestor Yanheng received this gentle and refreshing energy, he felt as if his withered and damaged meridians had been blessed with rain after a long drought, and his aged face finally regained some color.
He dared not conceal anything, and quickly lowered his head, answering respectfully:
"Great Immortal, this tree is an innate spiritual root that was born from the first wisp of Yin and Yang water and fire essence intertwined in the world at the beginning of the creation of this Fire Swamp, and was nurtured over countless eons."
"Since our birth, the Yan Yuan clan has always relied on the ancestral tree to reproduce and cultivate."
"Our people are born with a wisp of water and fire Dao patterns in their bodies, which is precisely because they have been enlightened by the innate Qi energy emitted by the ancestral tree over the years."
"It can be said that without this ancestral tree, there would be no Yan Yuan clan."
The old man pointed to the radiant light in the center of the tree trunk, a mixture of fervor and awe in his eyes.
"As for the innate spiritual embryo deep within the tree's heart, it began to gestate as early as the time of the Dragon-Han Calamity."
"It is only because of the changing nature of heaven and earth that this fetus has not absorbed enough yin and yang creation, which is why it has not taken shape and has remained in the form of a placenta."
"Our people have guarded this place for generations, not to forcibly possess this spiritual embryo."
"Instead, we know that once it is born, it will surely be the innate bearer of the Great Dao of Fire and Water, and also the divine guardian of our Yan Yuan clan in the dark."
At this point, Ancestor Yanheng's expression suddenly darkened.
He turned his head and glanced at the swamp, which was ravaged and filled with chaotic spiritual energy by the iron stakes that had locked the veins. Then he looked back at the Taoist priest in the green robe who had a calm expression but unfathomable strength.
The old man took a deep breath, as if he had made a tremendous decision, and said through gritted teeth:
"Today, the Great Immortal saved the lives of 300,000 people of my Yan Yuan clan. We have no way to repay such a life-saving grace."
"If the Great Immortal takes a fancy to this primordial ancestral tree and the spiritual embryo within it, feel free to take it."
"My Yan Yuan clan only asks to leave a way to survive in this world, and dares not have any more extravagant hopes."
Upon hearing Yan Heng's words, the faces of the dozens of Golden Immortals and Profound Immortals of the Yan Yuan Clan behind him all flashed with an extremely painful struggle and reluctance.
In the end, they all lowered their heads, and no one stood up to refute them.
Over the years, they have long been terrified by the domineering methods of Zifuzhou.
In this primordial world where the strong prey on the weak, if a small tribe has no powerful backer, such innate spiritual roots are not a blessing to the tribe, but rather a death warrant that could bring about the annihilation of the entire clan at any time.
Xuan Yao watched them quietly.
In the void, the rings of pure and auspicious energy descending from the Zhenxin Ruyi slowly circulated, appearing exceptionally peaceful.
After a moment, he gently shook his head.
"Fellow Daoist, if I were to forcibly seize this ancestral tree and its spiritual embryo at this moment, how would I be any different from the Crimson Fiend True Man whom I just slew?"
Upon hearing this, Ancestor Yanheng was stunned and stood there in place.
Xuan Yao slowly walked to the surface of the great swamp, looked at the ancient tree that was half red and half blue, and then said:
"Since this tree shares the same origin as your Yan Yuan clan and carries the fate of your clan, I, this humble Taoist, would naturally not do such a thing as destroying the foundation of others and draining the pond to catch all the fish."
"Although True Immortal Chi Li is dead today, the momentum of the Purple Mansion Continent Immortal Court is at its zenith."
"If Emperor Donghua knew that one of his Taiyi Golden Immortals had perished here, he would send someone to settle accounts sooner or later."
"If your clan remains in the Fire Swamp, even with the protection of the ancestral tree's innate restrictions, you will absolutely not be able to stop the Taiyi cultivators, or even the Daluo Golden Immortals, sent by the Purple Mansion Continent next time."
These words were like a bucket of icy, bone-chilling black water, slamming into the heart of Ancestor Yan Heng, instantly turning his somewhat relieved face deathly pale.
He was so focused on being thankful for surviving the ordeal that he overlooked the most crucial layer of cause and effect.
The people of Zifuzhou have always been protective of their own and domineering.
Chi Li is dead, and they will definitely investigate to the end.
At that time, without the protection of a powerful figure, the Yan Yuan clan will still face the danger of annihilation.
Seeing that the time was right, Xuan Yao lightly flicked his long sleeves and revealed his true purpose:
"My Taoist name is Xuan Yao. I am the head of the female immortals of Xikunlun, a direct disciple of the Queen Mother of the West, and the master of the Qinghei Mountain Taoist temple in the West."
"If your Yan Yuan clan is willing, you may become a disciple of this humble Daoist Qinghei Mountain."
"I can use my great power to relocate this primordial ancestral tree, along with your entire clan, to Qinghei Mountain."
"As long as you abide by the rules I have established, I can guarantee that you will be protected by the fortune of Xikunlun and will not be subject to the retribution of Zifuzhou."
Upon hearing this, Ancestor Yanheng trembled violently.
Those six eyes, as black as ink, were filled with horror and ecstasy.
The name of Xikunlun is known to all the races of the primordial world.
Compared to the celestial soldiers and generals of Zifu Continent who are unreasonable and expand everywhere, the Xikunlun lineage has always been noble and low-key, rarely interfering in the conflicts of the prehistoric world, and often protecting the small clans that have attached themselves to the past.
If, through Xuan Yao's introduction, the entire clan's fortune could be tied to Xi Kunlun, it would be an incredible stroke of luck, turning misfortune into blessing.
Yan Heng remained silent for a moment, then turned to look at the dozens of clan cultivators behind him.
Everyone looked at each other.
Although it's hard to leave one's homeland, compared to the tragedy of extermination and the extinction of one's clan, even a fool would know which choice to make: to go to the sacred land of Xikunlun for cultivation.
In an instant, the fear in everyone's eyes vanished, replaced by burning anticipation.
Finally, Ancestor Yanheng knelt down on the water's surface once more, his forehead slamming down heavily, and proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Your Excellency's grace is boundless!"
"I, Yan Heng, today on behalf of the 300,000 people of the Yan Yuan clan, swear that I am willing to lead the entire clan to join the Qinghei Mountain sect and serve our master as our lord."
"From this day forward, generation after generation shall abide by the rules of Qinghei Mountain, guard the primordial ancestral tree, and never waver!"
"If I break this oath, may the true spirits of my entire Yan Yuan clan be annihilated!"
The vow was made, but the ways of Heaven are unpredictable.
A thread of cause and effect descended, completely locking in the fate of both sides.
Seeing this, Xuan Yao nodded slightly and solemnly set forth the rules:
"Now that you have become a disciple of my Qinghei Mountain sect, I, this humble Taoist, will also establish some rules."
"This primordial ancestral tree will still be under the daily care of your Yan Yuan clan, and clan members can still use the water and fire essence under the tree for cultivation."
"My Qingheishan only draws upon the Dao of Water and Fire within the great formation for cultivation; it will never damage your foundation, nor will it take away the bloodline of your people."
Upon hearing this, the deepest worry in Yan Heng's heart completely dissipated, and a smile of relief finally appeared on his face.
However, just as the Yan Yuan clan was completely won over and the fortunes of the two sides merged,
A sudden change occurred.
But then, at the center of the ancient tree, the primordial placenta, which had been dormant and pulsating, suddenly emitted an unparalleled five-colored divine light.
Rumble.
The entire Fiery Abyss was now ablaze with the sounds of water and fire.
The flames rising from the water's surface and the mysterious water flowing through it no longer repelled each other at this moment. Instead, they formed extremely mysterious yin-yang water-fire ripples around the roots of the ancient tree.
From the depths of that divine light, an extremely pure yet vast wisp of innate divine consciousness, like a newborn infant, slowly extended out with instinctive attachment and joy.
Without leaning to one side or the other, it probed directly at Xuan Yao, who stood in the void.
Xuan Yao's heart skipped a beat.
In that instant, the Southern Bright Fire Seal within his body and the essence of Ren Water brought by the Peach Blossom Branch spontaneously generated heat without warning.
Within the Purple Mansion's sea of consciousness, the Yin-Yang Water and Fire Guardian General spontaneously manifested a grand phantom image.
The god's eyes, one clear blue and the other crimson, reflected the innate placenta within the tree's heart.
In the darkness, it seems that an ancient and noble cause and effect is rapidly taking shape between the two forces.
When Ancestor Yanheng saw this scene, he was even more stunned.
Then, an uncontrollable look of ecstasy spread across his face, and he said to Xuan Yao in a trembling voice:
"My lord!"
"The spiritual embryo has been conceived since ancient times, and even I cannot communicate with it."
"Today, the lord has slain the villain and settled the karma. This spiritual embryo must have sensed the purest Yin-Yang, Water and Fire Dao energy within the lord's body."
"Its... opportunity to be born has arrived!"