Chapter 2380: Ancient City (1)
Chapter 2380: Ancient City (1)
Standing before the World Tree, Yun Lintian felt much closer than the last time he met it. He gently patted the tree trunk, and the World Tree rustled in acknowledgment.
Beside him, Lin Yitong looked at the tree with reverence. This was her second time here, and she still felt its majestic aura. Perhaps being raised by the True Wood Spirit Clan made her instinctively worship the World Tree.
Meanwhile, Ning Yue stared at the World Tree without blinking. At this moment, she felt as though she was one with it, as if they shared the same origin.
Lin Yitong noticed this and encouraged her, "Go ahead. The sprout in your body must have originated from the World Tree."
Ning Yue took a deep breath and approached the World Tree.
The World Tree rustled joyfully, as if welcoming her home.
Ning Yue arrived in front of the tree and gently reached out to touch it.
Buzz-
Suddenly, a gentle green light burst from the World Tree, enveloping the entire space.
Under Yun Lintian's puzzled gaze, the World Tree extended its branches to wrap around Ning Yue like a mother hugging her daughter.
Ning Yue suddenly felt the loneliness that the World Tree had endured. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gently leaned against the tree.
"I'm here, Mother," she said softly and closed her eyes.
Yun Lintian and Lin Yitong exchanged surprised glances. Even though they knew that Ning Yue was related to the World Tree, they were still surprised by their interaction.
"How did Senior Yao get the branch of the World Tree?" Yun Lintian murmured to himself. According to Madame Leisure's speculation, the sprout inside Ning Yue's body came from the one Yao Xi brought back in the past. Her maidservant had escaped the catastrophe and disappeared from the world.
Later, fate brought Yun Lintian and Ning Yue together. However, Yun Lintian had been unable to trace Ning Yue's background after many years. It was as if she had appeared out of nowhere.
Lin Yitong had also investigated this matter, but she had found nothing. The trail had gone cold, and there was no way to investigate further.
A while later, Ning Yue turned to Yun Lintian and said, "Brother, I want to stay here."
Yun Lintian was slightly surprised and nodded. "It's fine to stay here, but you must return if a threat appears."
"Don't worry, I'm strong now," Ning Yue said, smiling brightly and flexing her thin bicep. Yun Lintian laughed. "Where did you learn that from?"
"Hehe," Ning Yue giggled happily.
"I'll stay here with her. There are also other senior dragons here, so you can be at ease," Lin Yitong said calmly.
"Many thanks, Seniors," Yun Lintian said gratefully to everyone present.
After exchanging a few words with everyone, Yun Lintian stepped into the Gate of Beyond Heaven and headed directly to the Ancient Battlefield.
***
"So, this is the Central Region." Standing on the Cloud Dragon Ark, Nantian Fengyu gazed at the breathtaking scenery of the Great Expanse's Central Region. Various stars emitted ethereal light, and profound arks cruised everywhere. It was the busiest route she had ever
seen.
Yun Lintian remained silent, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, searching for a direction. The environment here was entirely different from any place he had been before. It was countless times better than the Celestial Realm. It was no wonder it could accommodate so many True Gods.
"This place is indeed different," Yun Lintian muttered, his eyes reflecting the swirling nebulae outside. "The density of divine energy is astonishing."
Nantian Fengyu, her hair dancing in the wind generated by the ark's passage, nodded in agreement. "It feels like the entire world's energy is concentrated here." She took a deep breath, savoring the potent air. "No wonder so many experts gather in the Central Region." Yun Lintian looked at the star chart, tracing the route to the Xia Ancient City, the gateway to the Ancient Battlefield.
"According to the chart, the Xia Ancient City lies within the territory of the Xia Dynasty, one of the most powerful forces in the Central Region," Yun Lintian explained to Nantian Fengyu. "We'll need to be cautious when we arrive."
Nantian Fengyu, never one to shy away from a challenge, grinned. "Powerful forces? Sounds exciting! I'm eager to see what this Xia Dynasty is all about."
As they journeyed deeper into the Central Region, the traffic of divine arks increased. Majestic vessels of all shapes and sizes, some resembling mythical creatures, others gleaming with intricate formations, filled the space lanes. Occasionally, they would pass by colossal celestial bodies, their surfaces teeming with life and bustling cities.
After several days of travel, a magnificent sight emerged in the distance. A colossal city, seemingly carved from a single piece of jade, floated amidst a sea of stars. Its walls, adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of ancient battles and mythical beasts, stretched for thousands of miles, encircling a sprawling metropolis that pulsed with life.
This was the Xia Ancient City, the capital of the Xia Dynasty and the entrance to the Ancient Battlefield.
"Impressive," Nantian Fengyu breathed, her eyes wide with awe. "It's like an entire world contained within a city."
This was the first time she had seen such a massive city, one that occupied more than half of its star realm.
Equally impressed, Yun Lintian steered the Cloud Dragon Ark toward one of the city's many gates. As they approached, two guards clad in gleaming armor emerged, their expressions
stern and alert.
"Halt! State your purpose and identity!" one of the guards boomed, his voice resonating with divine power.
Yun Lintian stepped forward, cupping his fists respectfully. "Greetings, esteemed guards. We are cultivators from the Eastern Region, seeking to enter the Ancient Battlefield."
The guards scrutinized them with sharp eyes, their divine senses sweeping over Yun Lintian and Nantian Fengyu.
"Cultivators from the Eastern Region?" one guard questioned, his tone skeptical. "The Ancient Battlefield is a perilous place, not for the faint of heart. Are you sure you are
prepared?"
"We are aware of the dangers," Yun Lintian replied calmly. "There's no improvement without
risk."
The guards exchanged glances, then one of them nodded. "Very well. You may enter. But be warned, the Xia Dynasty holds no responsibility for any harm that may befall you within the Ancient Battlefield."
With a wave of their hands, the gates swung open, revealing the bustling streets of the Xia Ancient City. The Cloud Dragon Ark sailed through, entering a world of towering buildings, vibrant markets, and a diverse population of cultivators from all corners of the Great
Expanse...