The World Tree stood like a pillar supporting the heavens, its roots delving deep into the earth, its crown reaching into the sky.
“This is as far as I can take you,” the fighter pilot said. “The World Tree is home to many powerful, ferocious birds. Getting too close will provoke their pack attacks.”
Qin Han Chu walked to the hatch. “Open the hatch.”
“Aren’t you going to land? We’re thousands of meters in the air…”
The fighter pilot had only received orders to deliver Qin Han Chu here and had no idea of his identity. Even a Grandmaster wouldn't dare to jump from such a height without landing gear, and Qin Han Chu wasn't equipped with any.
“Just do as I say,” Qin Han Chu replied.
Hearing this, the pilot opened the hatch. As soon as it was open, Qin Han Chu leaped out.
The pilot watched in shock as Qin Han Chu plummeted downwards like a stone. He closed the hatch and then turned to watch Qin Han Chu’s descent.
Only when he was several hundred meters from the ground did an invisible force of energy manifest around Qin Han Chu. With the intervention of this energy, Qin Han Chu, who had been falling rapidly, suddenly descended towards the ground as if he were a feather.
The pilot was utterly astonished. This feat alone suggested a late-stage Grandmaster, or perhaps even higher.
After landing, Qin Han Chu quickly made his way toward the World Tree. Although he was close, it would still take him three days on foot.
Roars…
The roars of ferocious beasts occasionally echoed through the jungle, sending chills down one’s spine. Qin Han Chu dodged the beasts, trying to avoid direct confrontation. According to Lord Ta and the others, the World Tree was like the lair of these beasts. The canopy was the territory of the fierce birds, while the area below the World Tree belonged to the beasts. The closer he got to the World Tree, the more numerous and powerful the beasts became. In terms of sheer numbers of strong individuals, humanity was no match for the beasts. Fortunately, these powerful beasts did not wish to leave the vicinity of the World Tree, which was why humanity could live peacefully at their outpost.
On the second night, Qin Han Chu rested in a crevice of a cliff. From his vantage point, he could clearly see the World Tree. In the darkness, it emanated a purple glow, with streaks of light appearing to move within it. As he drew closer to the World Tree, Qin Han Chu's sense of the Divine Seal grew stronger. He believed that if he could touch the World Tree, he would be able to sense the exact location of the Divine Seal.
Hiss…
In the middle of the night, Qin Han Chu’s eyes snapped open. He sensed a beast approaching. Judging by the hissing sound, he suspected it was a giant snake. The crevice was well-hidden, and the snake should not be able to find him.
Rustle…
At that moment, many rocks tumbled down from the top of the cliff. Qin Han Chu looked up and saw a colossal snake head appear in his vision. The snake’s head was as large as an ox’s, and its body was as thick as a water bucket. It was lifting its head towards the sky, seemingly in cultivation.
“This creature’s strength should be comparable to a Martial Emperor, perhaps even reaching the level of a Martial God.”
Even though the giant snake was directly above him, Qin Han Chu remained calm. There were tens of meters separating them, and as long as Qin Han Chu made no noise, the snake wouldn’t detect him. The snake was cultivating, and Qin Han Chu closed his eyes to do the same.
Time passed, and the sky gradually brightened. Just then, the giant snake turned its head and departed. Even though it was daylight, Qin Han Chu did not immediately set off. He had now reached the base of the World Tree and could even see its branches. The sheer number of beasts was overwhelming, and their distribution was incredibly dense. The early morning was when most beasts returned to their dens, and moving now would be like walking into a trap.
At nine in the morning, Qin Han Chu finally returned to the ground. Concealing his presence, he silently approached the World Tree. By the afternoon, Qin Han Chu had arrived beside the World Tree, unharmed. The trunk of the World Tree was like a mountain; Qin Han Chu standing before it was like an ant. Seizing the moment when no beasts were nearby, he placed his hand on the trunk. The instant his palm touched the bark, an image flashed into Qin Han Chu’s memory. He saw his Divine Seal within the trunk of the World Tree! The Divine Seal was on the verge of merging with the World Tree, and if they fused, the World Tree might develop a new consciousness. Once a new consciousness emerged, it would be almost impossible for Qin Han Chu to reclaim the Divine Seal! Qin Han Chu tried to communicate with the Divine Seal, but he currently had no connection to it. Under these circumstances, he had only one way to retrieve the Divine Seal: destroy the World Tree. Qin Han Chu attempted to slash the World Tree with his saber, but the strike left only a shallow mark, as insignificant as a tickle. Now, his options were to use heavy weaponry for demolition or to rapidly advance his cultivation to the Spirit Realm. Once he attained spiritual awareness, Qin Han Chu could refine the Divine Seal using his spiritual sense.
Hiss…
As Qin Han Chu pondered, the familiar hissing sound reached him again. Qin Han Chu turned his head and saw the giant snake from the previous night staring at him from a distance!
“What a coincidence!” Qin Han Chu murmured to himself.
Roar…
The giant snake did not consider it a coincidence. It opened its massive maw and roared at Qin Han Chu. Qin Han Chu gripped his saber and dashed away. He did not want to fight the giant snake at the base of the World Tree. If a battle erupted, it would inevitably awaken other beasts. If other beasts joined the fray, even with Qin Han Chu’s power, escaping unscathed would be difficult.
Roar!
Seeing Qin Han Chu flee, the giant snake rapidly pursued him. Qin Han Chu no longer needed to conceal himself; he ran and leaped with all his might.
Crash…
The giant snake roared as it chased, smashing through everything in its path. Trees and rocks were reduced to fragments by its passage.
Roar roar…
The immense noise caused by the giant snake alerted more and more beasts. Upon spotting Qin Han Chu, they all gave chase. In the eyes of the beasts, Qin Han Chu was an anomaly. They intended to kill him before engaging in their own territorial disputes. Although Qin Han Chu was fast, these beasts were equally swift.
Whoosh…
At that moment, a fierce bird suddenly swooped down from the sky towards Qin Han Chu. Qin Han Chu’s mind raced, and he suddenly dodged to the side. As Qin Han Chu evaded, the bird’s sharp talons missed. Just as it was about to ascend back into the air, Qin Han Chu leaped onto its back.