From what they could see before them, this tree had an enormous crown with at least several hundred spirit artifacts hanging on it—some broken, some exquisite, clearly not belonging to the same group of people.

What kind of danger could have caused so many people to be annihilated?

“Should we just forget about it then?” Tian Fangfang asked tentatively: “There are only a few of us. Isn’t it a bit rash to just go in like this?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Mendong spoke up, saying: “That’s not right.”

Zanxing: “What’s not right?”

The small child pressed his lips together, looking at the tree’s trunk—more precisely, he was looking at the tree’s roots, at his own feet. Mendong said in a low voice: “My Celestial Spirit Aperture senses that there are spiritual fruits rich in spiritual energy here, but…” he murmured: “They’re underground.”

Underground?

The Serpent Witch had said that a Sacred Tree grew in the treasure land, bearing fruit on the tree. Naturally, trees grew above ground; what grew underground were sweet potatoes.

“Junior brother, you’re not mistaken, are you?” Meng Ying asked.

“No.” Mendong was very certain, pointing underground: “Right here, underground.”

This made things difficult. Regardless of above or below ground, to find the Sacred Tree’s fruit, they had to approach this tree. But in front of this tree was a seal left by someone unknown. Once the seal was broken, there might be unknown dangers.

“Master Uncle…” Tian Fangfang asked: “Are we going in or not?”

“We’ve already come this far, how can we not go in?” Mendong had always been concerned about Gu Baiying’s spiritual meridian issue, fearing everyone would retreat: “As long as we break the seal and find a way to get underground, I’m certain we can find the Sacred Tree fruit. If we don’t go now, what if someone else picks the fruit?”

“I also agree with junior brother.” Meng Ying nodded: “Seventh Master Uncle’s spiritual meridians can’t be delayed any longer. It’s better to make plans early.”

“I agree, too.” Mu Cengxiao followed: “For cultivators, if we lack the courage to face difficulties head-on, we lose our Dao heart.”

Tian Fangfang looked around, gritted his teeth: “Wealth comes from risk—let’s go for it!”

With so many people taking a stance, Zanxing couldn’t be contrary either, only saying, “I’m fine with it.”

The remaining Gu Baiying looked at that tree. He didn’t particularly care and wasn’t too worried, but now he had a group of juniors following behind him, including a child with quite low cultivation. He couldn’t help but think more carefully. However, unable to withstand the urging from the others around him, he could only reluctantly agree: “Since that’s the case, I’ll break the seal first. You all follow behind me, and if anything goes wrong, immediately retreat.”

Everyone agreed.

This seal was left by some unknown senior, containing quite high yuanli. The person who sealed this place must have been a great master. Gu Baiying gripped his Embroidered Bone Spear and walked to the giant tree, suddenly thrusting the spear into the seal. In an instant, countless fierce winds swept across the ground, blowing everyone sideways.

The seal’s power was weakening. That invisible barrier was slowly dispersing, becoming thin. Before long, it would disappear.

Just then, Zanxing felt a pain in her chest. Inside the Xiaoyuan Pearl that had been dormant for so long, the originally spark-sized flame suddenly burst into flames. The sealed area within the giant tree seemed to have some fatal attraction for her, making her unable to resist wanting to get closer.

This feeling came fiercely and irresistibly. At the same time, suffocation firmly seized all her senses. Zanxing couldn’t help but bend over in pain.

“Junior sister?” Meng Ying was the first to notice something was wrong with her, quickly supporting her: “Why has your face turned so pale?”

Zanxing couldn’t answer her.

Seeing this, Gu Baiying suddenly withdrew his Embroidered Bone Spear, turned, and rushed to Zanxing: “What’s wrong with you?”

“Could it be because when we were in Wufan City before, junior sister’s yuanli was affected?” Mu Cengxiao said, “Just now, when the seal was opened, the yuanli here fluctuated. Junior sister can’t handle such huge fluctuations right now, which is why she’s like this.”

Mendong was alarmed: “Then…”

Gu Baiying interrupted him: “Yang Zanxing is more important. Let’s not worry about the seal for now.”

Everyone helped Zanxing to rest under the cliff wall, not far from the tree.

Strangely, the farther they were from that tree, the lighter the uncomfortable feeling became. Although she was still somewhat weak, it wasn’t as painful as just now. Zanxing could barely catch her breath.

“How do you feel now?” Gu Baiying asked.

“I’m fine,” Zanxing leaned against the cliff wall, looking toward that tree: “Master Uncle, I feel that tree… isn’t right.”

The Xiaoyuan Pearl remained still in most situations. True, this treasure had now become a demonic object, but in past days, this pearl always helped Zanxing escape danger at crucial moments. Now, before the seal was even completely opened, the Xiaoyuan Pearl had such a strong reaction, showing that whatever was inside was not simple.

Hearing this, Gu Baiying’s gaze paused: “What did you discover?”

“I don’t know,” Zanxing shook her head: “I just feel uneasy. The closer I get to that tree, the more my yuanli becomes uncontrollable.”

“Should we continue?” Tian Fangfang asked carefully.

The seal had been half-opened before stopping. Looking at Zanxing’s condition now, she didn’t seem like she could bounce back immediately.

“You rest here first,” Gu Baiying pondered for a moment. “I’ll look around to see if I can make any other discoveries. Meng Ying,” he instructed, “Take good care of Yang Zanxing.”

Mu Cengxiao said, “Master Uncle, let me go with you.”

“No need.” Gu Baiying picked up his Embroidered Bone Spear: “If there is danger, you wouldn’t be a match for it either.”

Zanxing thought to herself, That’s not necessarily true, After all, Mu Cengxiao was someone protected by the Heavenly Dao.

Gu Baiying left alone, while the others waited for him under the cliff wall. Zanxing gazed at that tree from afar. For some reason, the uneasy feeling in her heart grew stronger, always feeling that under this tree, there seemed to be something extremely dangerous.

She hoped it was just her imagination.

Gu Baiying was gone for a long time. When he returned, Zanxing had already fallen asleep.

Seeing him return, Meng Ying asked: “Master Uncle, did you discover anything?”

Gu Baiying shook his head: “The valley bottom is all snow, nothing but this tree. No traces of people found.”

It seemed that to find the Sacred Tree fruit, they still had to work with this seal.

He glanced at the sleeping Zanxing. Meng Ying explained in a low voice: “Junior sister had yuanli fluctuations just now and consumed quite a bit of energy. I had her rest for a while.”

Gu Baiying nodded, saying: “I’ll go guard in front of the seal in case of any accidents. When Zanxing wakes up, we’ll discuss what to do next.”

Meng Ying naturally had no objections.

Gu Baiying walked to the giant tree’s seal and sat down, sticking his Embroidered Bone Spear in the snow beside him. His red robes fell into the snow, particularly vibrant.

Mendong thought for a moment, then ran over and sat down beside Gu Baiying.

Snow was still falling. Gu Baiying asked: “What are you doing out here?” while forming a rain-avoiding incantation over his head.