Clearly, Dao Yi had prepared thoroughly. To bring about this day’s outcome, he had begun planning decades ago — his methods reaching to the heavens.

The vast five-element life essence descended in torrents. The entire ancient star was reduced to powder — turned to flying ash beneath the immortal energy nurtured within the Ancient Heavenly Venerable’s Dao Palace. The entire world had reached its end.

This was not a mere trickle of life essence — it was boundlessly vast, like an ocean that blotted out the sky and covered the earth, drowning every inch of space. Even the various armies that had escaped the Divine Domain earlier were unable to avoid this catastrophe. Every one of them was shattered and reduced to blood and bone.

This was an enormous catastrophe. On one great ancient star, dozens upon hundreds of clans were wiped out. How many lives perished was impossible to calculate — a tragedy of the gravest magnitude imaginable.

This was a blood-drenched sky. The Immortal Shore of the Divine no longer existed — forever struck from the rolls of heaven and earth.

The Divine Domain still stood, like a lone island floating in the boundless universe — only because several imperial weapons were suppressing it there did it temporarily escape destruction.

BOOM!

The Ten-Thousand Dragon Bell, the Divine Refinement Cauldron and the others fully awakened, fighting with all their might against the raging torrent of immortal energy, attempting to blast through and break free — but they could not succeed. This was immortal energy from within an Ancient Heavenly Venerable’s body, extraordinarily terrifying.

Dao Yi had calculated everything in advance: using the boundless immortal energy within the Great Emperor’s body to block the assembled heroes, severing the heavens — holding back extreme-path ancient emperor weapons. He needed only a gap in time.

To hold them off for even a moment would be success. He could then calmly take the Ancient Tree of Life for himself.

“This is bad!” Pang Bo and the others understood — Dao Yi was going to take the ancient tree. The critical moment had arrived.

The one fortunate thing was that they had avoided the vast torrent of immortal energy and had also ascended the ancient mountain. They were not an unreachable distance from Dao Yi — there was still hope of getting there in time.

Ye Fan’s eyes blazed with light. He transformed into a streak of blazing radiance, sweeping up the others and charging forward — swift as a chasing wind, matching a lightning bolt — pressing toward the absolute peak of the sacred mountain, seeking to seize the precious tree a step ahead.

They had concealed themselves within the Heaven-Deceiving Formation, silent and traceless, moving with extreme speed.

However, Dao Yi’s spiritual perception was far too acute. Although he could not see them clearly, he sensed that a powerful being was closing in. With great decisiveness, he took out a collection of formation banners and planted them throughout the mountain peaks all around.

With a thunderous boom — not only Ye Fan’s group but even the Great Sages in the far distance wielding imperial weapons gave a shudder, sensing a most terrifying energy — this was an Ancient Emperor’s formation.

“As I suspected — he brought this great killing weapon with him!” Ye Fan furrowed his brow.

“Dao Yi has been lying dormant for decades, with everything prepared. He is absolutely set on obtaining the Ancient Tree of Life,” Ji Haoyue said with a grave expression.

Ye Fan was decisive. Taking advantage of the vast immortal energy now descending and cutting off the imperial weapons and the Great Sages, he acted without hesitation — calling forth the green bronze cauldron and ramming it into the space between the ancient formation banners.

This was an Ancient Emperor’s formation. Though incomplete, it was still incomparably terrifying — capable of unleashing boundless catastrophic killing, possessing great power. Otherwise, it would not have slain so many Ancestor Kings of the Northern Dipper.

“BOOM!”

Green light blazed magnificently. The bronze cauldron was pressed by an incomparable force, and at last it awakened — strands of immortal might emanated from it, spreading outward in all directions.

At this moment, Dao Yi turned around. He recognized this green light at a glance — they had crossed paths once before in the past, and now they met again. He realized that once more it was this person delivering him a blow from behind.

However, he was completely calm — as always, as though everything was within his control. With a thunderous boom, formation patterns appeared and instantly enveloped the mountain in their entirety.

He activated the Ancient Emperor’s formation patterns and brought them to full awakening, to block Ye Fan — while he himself rushed toward the ancient tree at the mountain peak.

BOOM!

Ye Fan used every ounce of his strength, driving the green bronze cauldron forward. Simultaneously, he deployed his source arts to stir the five-element immortal energy in heaven and earth — that vast turbulence instantly swept over and crashed against the formation.

Moreover, in that moment, Ji Ziyue also deployed her innate divine ability. As an Elemental Spiritual Body, she was close to the fundamental source and capable of stirring any divine power or immortal energy. On the spot, she channeled the surging five-element energy and drove it forward with overwhelming pressure.

The green bronze cauldron in the vanguard, a flood of five-element immortal energy at its back — like a great blade from the heavens, they split open a gap and charged into the formation.

Dao Yi’s expression changed. The five-element immortal energy had been drawn from the five great continents of the outer domain. He had not known how long he had prepared for this day — only to have it borrowed and turned against him by someone else.

Dao Yi felt his pressure multiply. He could no longer hold his footing on the mountain — it demanded an enormous expenditure of energy to resist, because the faint green radiance of the green bronze cauldron was flowing and seeping through in slender wisps, gradually permeating inward.

Were it not for the Ancient Emperor’s formation, he would certainly have been reduced to tribulation ash.

Ye Fan stepped forward, driving the green bronze cauldron as if it were a single blade — cleaving into the ancient formation, advancing step by step.

And Dao Yi too stepped forward, moving toward the mountain summit. His target was naturally the Ancient Tree of Life — growing ever closer.

But both of them were under enormous pressure, and both were trembling. One bore the oppression of the Ancient Emperor’s formation, the other the suppression of the green cauldron. Neither was comfortable.

Though both had the protection of their respective cauldron and formation, they still had the feeling that their bodies were on the verge of shattering — like bones being scraped. They both advanced with great difficulty, somewhat at a standstill.

In terms of distance, Dao Yi was closer to the ancient tree — perhaps he would reach it first. But if Ye Fan broke through, though arriving later, he could directly use the green cauldron to suppress and kill Dao Yi.

At this critical juncture, both sides were doing everything they could, accelerating their advance — enduring a pain like the scraping of bones — using their respective cauldron and formation as shields, forging ahead with agonizing steps.

Ye Fan too felt a sense of urgency, for behind them, imperial weapons still loomed. The moment the vast torrent of immortal energy dissipated, those people would appear at the very first instant — attacking and killing — and they would bear the brunt of it.

Crack!

Ye Fan, relying on his formidable golden flesh and blood body, forcibly lengthened his stride — using the green bronze cauldron to open a path, causing the formation to crack — and advanced a great distance.

Dao Yi’s brow furrowed. The situation was unfavorable. If Ye Fan broke in, he might meet his end here — suppressed and killed by the cauldron in a single stroke. After all, the Dao-Tribulation Gold divine garment was not on his person, and he had no imperial weapon for protection.

Most critically, the Ancient Emperor’s formation was even more incomplete than last time — its power insufficient to be truly wild and unrestrained. It might genuinely be unable to hold.

“Excellent!” Long Ma rubbed his hooves together eagerly from behind, ready to compete for the Ancient Tree of Life.

Ye Fan’s body swayed. The pressure he bore was too great. Only he could continue advancing alongside the cauldron in this way — anyone else would have had their physical body collapse entirely.

Dao Yi’s body suffered even more — the hazy green radiance was flowing and seeping in, forming misty wisps of light that penetrated inward. Some of the formation banners were shaking, nearly snapping. He too was on the verge of not being able to hold on.

“It’s you again.” Dao Yi stared at Ye Fan. The Heaven-Deceiving Formation had long since dimmed — the materials were inferior, the Dao-traces gone.

“It’s you again!” Ye Fan returned the words. The same sentence — yet with a very different meaning, and very different undercurrents of emotion.

“It could go either way.” Pang Bo gave a quiet sigh from behind. The Ancient Tree of Life was precious — but these two men had both taken on enormous risk. One misstep and either of them might have their spirit extinguished.

Ye Fan was relatively calm — he had an immortal medicine on his person, so he did not place excessive importance on this. Dao Yi was different. He had plotted for decades, expending no small amount of effort. If Ye Fan seized it from him halfway, he truly would spit blood.

Now, both of them had a chance at success — but the scales of victory appeared to be tilting toward Ye Fan. Once he broke through, he could use the cauldron to suppress and kill Dao Yi right then and there.

Crack!

Suddenly, the mountain peak cracked and split — the sealing power was breaking open. Every ancient medicine possesses spiritual awareness and its own will, capable of taking flight or diving into the earth. Hence it must be sealed to be kept in place.

Now, the sacred medicine field in which the Ancient Tree of Life had taken root split in four directions. The ancient tree broke free — and like a person, it directly pulled itself out of the soil.

Its root tendrils were thick and enormous. Two of them, resembling a pair of legs, were powerful and sturdy. They pressed against the ground — and then it… picked up its roots and ran.

Everyone stared in stupefaction. Long Ma let out a howl of indignation, wishing he could charge forward and swallow the ancient tree whole.

In the end, the Ancient Tree of Life moved away from the direction of Ye Fan — charging directly toward Dao Yi, delivering itself into his arms of its own accord.

Long Ma and Pang Bo and the others all had an irresistible urge to curse. The ancient tree had run off on its own at the critical moment, throwing itself at Dao Yi — recognizing him.

Dao Yi smiled — his entire face radiant. He looked transcendent and otherworldly, step by step retreating, moving away from Ye Fan’s position. The pressure on him eased gradually.

“I was born beneath the Ancient Tree of Life. In its time it belonged to my father. Comparing the two of us, it would naturally choose me.” Dao Yi’s teeth gleamed and glittered brilliantly. His entire bearing was supremely unrestrained. He laughed softly and waved at Ye Fan, slowly retreating farther and farther — and only then, with a thunderous crack, retracted the Ancient Emperor’s formation.

“Damn it all — the best-laid plans of mice and men. At the last moment, the ancient tree broke its own seal and ran off on its own!” Long Ma cursed.

The ancient tree had run off on its own initiative, making its own choice of master. This unexpected development left everyone speechless for a very long time.

One unforeseen incident. One coincidence. And the outcome was completely transformed.

Ye Fan thought to give chase, but at that very moment he heard the Holy Emperor’s son’s roar of fury from another direction — and in that area, an extreme-path divine might appeared to be in violent eruption, imperial weapons in collision.

His expression changed immediately. He turned and left, heading toward that direction.

At the same time, Dao Yi gave a long cry and waved his formation banners — clearly with some connection to the outer domain — and the overwhelming torrent of immortal energy instantly vanished. Then he flashed, tore open the clear void, and fled from this place.

Ye Fan cast a hurried glance back and caught only a barely visible glimmer of golden light disappearing into the spatial rift — which gave him pause, leaving a trace of puzzlement on his face.

Ye Fan did not dwell on it. He immediately re-laid the Heaven-Deceiving Formation to conceal himself and Pang Bo and the others, and went to aid the Holy Emperor’s son. At this moment it was clearly visible — the monkey had used the Battle Saint Staff to pin down one of the killing swords.

“We must help Brother Monkey get it into his hands — that is an immortal sword!” Everyone cried out, charging forward at full speed.

The Ten-Thousand Dragon Bell shook and the Divine Refinement Cauldron trembled slightly. The two Great Sages driving them were furious to the extreme — when the immortal energy had dissipated, the Ancient Tree of Life had vanished without a trace, making them so angry they wanted to spit blood.

Now, seeing the monkey pin down one of the immortal swords, their eyes went cold with killing intent. They charged forward together — as did the Great Sage wearing the Dao Yi Golden divine garment, seizing the moment of chaos to press in.

This was a terrifying melee. The monkey was incensed, his hair standing on end — facing all these Great Sages with cold, hard eyes.

In a peaceful expanse of starry sky, Dao Yi appeared. This time, having obtained the Ancient Tree of Life, his purpose had been fulfilled. He was completely at ease — here to wait for his escort.

Half a quarter of an hour later, a barely visible golden pinpoint of light emerged from a spatial rift and transformed into a streak of blazing radiance charging in from the distance, arriving in the blink of an eye.

He was an elder of medium build — white-haired, white-bearded, his expression serene, his face full of excitement and laughter. Even from a great distance he was laughing heartily and said: “Imperial Son, you have finally achieved your wish and recovered the Ancient Tree of Life.”

Dao Yi relaxed. This was his protector — a Great Sage. Though at this moment he emanated no powerful fluctuations, Dao Yi understood deeply how unfathomable this figure was.

Dao Yi noticed that the elder was not wearing the Dao Yi divine garment, and couldn’t help asking about it.

“I feared that too violent a fluctuation might allow others to track me.” The old man’s face was wreathed in smiles.

Dao Yi nodded. “This time, we have finally achieved a great success.”

“Imperial Son, might you allow this old one a look at the Ancient Tree of Life? After so many years, I have truly dreamed of seeing the precious tree return.” The old man said emotionally.

Dao Yi smiled lightly and took out the precious tree. All over, it was lush and jade-green, shimmering with divine radiance. Boundless life essence surged magnificently, transforming the surrounding starry space into hallowed immortal soil — luminous and flowing, supremely tranquil.

Suddenly, a shocking change occurred. The old man struck — so sudden, so completely without warning. A must-kill blow, directed at Dao Yi — and at the same time, a hand shot out and seized the Ancient Tree of Life, intent on taking it away.

Formidable as Dao Yi was, he had not anticipated such a thing. He staggered backward, dodging rapidly — but was still struck. He coughed up great mouthfuls of blood, badly injured.

However, he had ultimately kept his grip on the trunk and roots of the Ancient Tree of Life and had not released it. And in that first moment, he deployed the Ancient Emperor’s formation to attempt to trap and kill the assailant.

With a sharp crack — the “protector” was extremely decisive. He snapped off the upper crown of the Ancient Tree of Life — more than half of it — pierced a hole through the void, became a golden pinpoint of light, and vanished — silently and without a trace.

Dao Yi’s face turned iron-grey. He wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth and stood motionless for a long time, not speaking. A whole tree that had been completely intact — after all his scheming, finally in his hands — had been robbed of half by someone right before his eyes. The feud from this was immense. The one fortunate thing was that the root portion remained with him — it could be replanted, and in a few thousand years it could be restored.

In another expanse of territory, the starry sky was still. A spatial rift appeared. A monkey — scratching his ear and rubbing his cheek — emerged carrying half of an Ancient Tree of Life on his back…