The dantian of Zi Lin Ling became a realm of two colors.
On the left was the purple chaotic vital energy, and on the right was the green vital energy of life.
The two remained locked in a stalemate, neither giving way.
"Alas!"
The ancient voice let out a sigh.
Following this, the purple chaotic vital energy and the green vital energy within Zi Lin Ling's dantian began to spin rapidly.
A colossal energy storm, centered on her dantian, swept through her limbs and bones.
Zi Lin Ling felt her body tremble, and her cultivation broke through once more, advancing to the late stage of the Spirit Gathering Realm.
However, immense energy continued to flow within her body.
Moments later, with another "bang" from within her body, the aura of the peak Spirit Gathering Realm surged forth.
Concurrently, her Sea of Consciousness expanded again, becoming a vast ocean of divine sense spanning five mu.
And as her Sea of Consciousness broke through, the fourth page of the "Emperor's Pharmacy Canon" also unfurled.
The words "Herbal Cultivation" emanated a potent life force, and a voice like a booming bell resonated once more.
"Vegetation, sown into the earth..."
"The origin of plants is the beginning of life! Herein, vitality is revealed..."
"With the power of the source, foster the blood of life; with the blood of life, manifest the actions of things..."
"The methods of herbal cultivation differ slightly, nurtured by the source, received by the qi..."
...
The voice carried a peculiar rhythm, allowing Zi Lin Ling, who already possessed an exceptional memory, to effortlessly etch every word of this obscure ancient text into her mind.
A fragrance diffused from Zi Lin Ling's body, and the leaves of the Tree of Life rustled wildly.
It was excitement!
Simultaneously, a solid barrier reappeared within Zi Lin Ling's dantian.
"Alas!"
Zi Lin Ling sighed, "As expected! I knew breaking through each major realm would be harder for me than for others." Suda Novel Network
Indeed, this solid barrier was the realm above the peak of the Spirit Gathering Realm.
She had almost lost half her life trying to break through the peak of the Qi Induction Realm!
Truly a life of hardship.
Just as Zi Lin Ling was about to guide the energy to strike the barrier above the peak, she found that the energy had dissipated.
What was happening?
Zi Lin Ling once again sank her soul force into her dantian and discovered that her dantian had transformed again.
The previously distinct chaotic purple energy and vital energy of life were now connected head-to-tail, forming an yin-yang fish pattern of purple and green.
The heart-shaped box had now transformed into an ancient green token, occupying one of the fish's eyes alongside the Purple Void Token.
The small tender sprout had grown about two inches taller, and the purple and green on its colorful stem were even more radiant.
Zi Lin Ling finally understood. Her dantian was a complete anomaly, an unpredictable one at that.
While others formed a vortex when breaking through the Qi Induction Realm, she had a tender sprout; when others broke through the Spirit Gathering Realm, they formed a Xuan Dan, but she still had the sprout...
Therefore, though she was surprised this time, she was more so calm.
After all, having experienced strange occurrences, she had become accustomed to them.
Zi Lin Ling opened her eyes but was stung by the intense sunlight.
She instinctively shielded her eyes with her hand, closing them and pondering: What's going on? The bottom of the lake shouldn't be so bright.
"You're awake?"
Ye Ling Yuan's clear, cool voice sounded beside her ear.
"This beast told you, Sister Xiang Xiang would be fine!"
Bai Ze's somewhat irritating voice also chimed in.
Zi Lin Ling adjusted to the light and slowly opened her eyes again.
Only then did she realize that the previous barrier had vanished, and the lake's water had dried up.
And she was sitting at the bottom of the now-dry lake, with a large green tree beside her.
Zi Lin Ling recognized it as the Tree of Life.
What was happening?
Why had the lake dried up?
The voice of the Tree of Life immediately sounded in her mind.
"The Life Lake was originally derived from the Life Spring Eye. Now that the Life Spring Eye has been taken by you, the lake has naturally dried up."
Its voice carried a hint of sadness and desolation.
Zi Lin Ling blinked in surprise.
She had clearly not expected such a result.
"Then what about you?"
The Tree of Life let out a scoff and said, "As for me, I still need to guard the Peach Blossom Realm for my master and wait for my master's return."
"Will she return?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not! But it doesn't matter whether she returns or not, I will always wait."
This time, the Tree of Life's voice was somewhat ethereal.
Zi Lin Ling's heart ached suddenly, a sensation like being pricked by a needle.
"How about you come with me? I have a spatial artifact that can contain living things."
She was referring to the Goddess's Palace.
"No, if I leave, what about the Peach Blossom Realm? Now that there's no Life Deity to help conceal its aura, they will discover this place sooner or later."
The Tree of Life paused, then continued, "Now that my master is not here, I must help my master guard the Peach Blossom Realm and absolutely not allow them to run rampant here."
Zi Lin Ling frowned. The Tree of Life had mentioned "they" more than once.
Curiously, she asked, "Who are they?"
"They are those who covet the Life Spring Eye, including my master's friends and her enemies."
A trace of indignation and sharpness entered the Tree of Life's voice.
Enemies?
And friends?
Zi Lin Ling could imagine the intricate schemes and deceptions involved, and she could also imagine how disappointed and saddened the Life God must have been back then.
If they were enemies, it would at least be out in the open, and as adversaries, one would only need to fight.
But friends?
When you turn your back on these people without any defense, believing you can entrust your life to them, what happens then?
They will stab you in the back when you are most vulnerable, taking your life.
That feeling of betrayal must be incredibly painful.
Zi Lin Ling sighed and said, "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Help me?"
The Tree of Life blinked and said, "Help me guard the Life Spring Eye. It was bought with my master's life and is related to all life in the world. It must never fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives."
Zi Lin Ling nodded and said, "Since I have taken possession of the Life Spring Eye, I will naturally bear the responsibility. Is there anything else?"
"No!"
The Tree of Life's voice returned to its usual calm.
Silence fell between the person and the tree.
Zi Lin Ling wanted to take the Tree of Life with her, but the Tree of Life had found its own path.
Some beliefs, some obsessions, some affections, cannot be changed.
At that moment, a voice appeared in Zi Lin Ling's mind.
Her eyes lit up, and she said, "You are staying here solely to guard the Peach Blossom Realm, aren't you?"
The Tree of Life was startled and said, "Beyond that, there is nothing else."
"Then, if I can take the entire Peach Blossom Realm with me, would you like to come?"