Seeds scattered from the Primordial Tree are called Primordial Tree seeds.
A single Primordial Tree can only bear one seed.
Once a Primordial Tree seed grows into a mature tree, each of its branches can form a Great Dao.
The person who obtains a Primordial Tree seed essentially gains control over three thousand small worlds.
However, for a Primordial Tree seed to sprout, the original Primordial Tree must die first.
If the original Primordial Tree dies, it means the three thousand small worlds collapse and cease to exist.
Only then will the new seed sprout and nurture new worlds.
Now, the small world Feng Qingran was currently in, though incomplete, still existed perfectly.
Logically speaking, it was absolutely impossible for a Primordial Tree seed to appear here.
Even more impossible would be for such a seed to sprout.
A dark glint flashed in Feng Qingran’s eyes. Fortunately, she had been to the Ten Directions Domain.
Otherwise, she might have actually been fooled by Feng Ci into going there.
A single leaf of the Primordial Tree contains a world, and the power within just one of its leaves can tear through the void.
So if a Primordial Tree seed really had sprouted, people like Xiao Hongyu and the others definitely would have sensed it!
Why would they be waiting around for her to go pull up a sapling…
Moreover, the conditions for a Primordial Tree seed to sprout were extremely harsh actually, let me rephrase that: they were incredibly demanding.
Just the energy needed for it to grow a single root hair could drain an entire small world dry.
“Feng Ci, why did you suddenly bring this up?” Feng Qingran’s tone was serious, her eyes deep and thoughtful.
Feng Ci replied gravely, “Woman, I really did sense a trace of the seed’s presence, which is why I asked you to go. I didn’t mean you any harm.”
Matters concerning the Primordial Tree seed involved three thousand small worlds.
Even if it was just a possible illusion, it couldn’t be ignored.
“Woman, I can’t explain why others can’t sense the seed’s presence. And I certainly can’t explain why it would be sprouting.”
“But one thing is true: the seed really is calling out to me for help.” Feng Ci’s attitude was sincere.
Feng Ci also understood that given Feng Qingran’s cultivation level, going to pull out that sapling would be like walking to her death.
But compared to the seed falling into the hands of some unknown person, he would much rather it ended up with Feng Qingran.
At the very least, Feng Qingran understood right from wrong and had a proper moral compass.
Even if she became the master of the Primordial Tree, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for the three thousand small worlds.
“Feng Ci, you’re not from this small world, are you?” Feng Qingran’s crystal-like eyes seemed to hold galaxies and universes within them.
“No, I’m not,” Feng Ci admitted.
“Alright then.” A flash of light passed through Feng Qingran’s almond-shaped eyes. “Feng Ci, when I pull up the sapling, will its presence leak out?”
Feng Ci was taken aback by her question for a moment, then replied:
“It’s… hard to say. So you have to be incredibly fast, precise, and decisive. Also, you might want to find a way beforehand to divert everyone’s attention.”
——————
In the heart of the treacherous area, there was a black hole several zhang wide at its center.
The hole was bottomless, and the cold, sinister energy emanating from it sent chills down everyone’s spines.
Not far from the black hole, a group of people had gathered to discuss their strategy.
Among them was an elder past fifty who looked to be only about fifty or sixty. He shook his head and sighed, speaking in a grave tone.
“Sect Master Xiao, this poison is extremely aggressive. If we want to neutralize it quickly, I’m afraid we can’t use conventional methods.”
“What kind of unconventional method?” Xiao Qingfeng of the Fire Cloud Sect was the first to speak.
“A secret technique: transference.” The elder’s eyes showed a hint of caution.
The others didn’t interrupt, signaling for the elder to continue.
“This so-called transference involves transferring the poison onto another person. That person also needs to meet certain requirements…”
The various sect leaders exchanged glances, all falling silent.
A life for a life. Though it seemed simple on the surface, the karmic consequences would likely be very difficult to resolve.
“Are there any other methods?” Xiao Hongyu’s expression was serious and composed.
“Given the current condition of those venerable ones, I’m afraid other methods would take too long…” the elder said hesitantly.
Rong Zhuofan from the Beast Taming Sect spoke up in his rough voice, “I disagree with transference! Think of another method, or I’ll push you down that hole!”
Of course, Rong Zhuofan wanted to save the members of the Beast Taming Sect too.
But the method of exchanging one life for another went against the fundamental principles of cultivation.
The elder said helplessly, “Just analyzing the components of this poison alone—none of which we’ve ever seen before—would take at least six months.”
“Developing an antidote would take even longer, and that’s not even considering finding the medicinal ingredients…” The elder’s demeanor was humble, and his tone clearly showed his reluctance.
He was regretting getting involved in this mess.
Xiao Qingfeng’s cold eyes grew dark. Over a dozen members of their Fire Cloud Sect were poisoned, including three at the Divine Transformation stage.
While they could possibly overlook the Foundation Establishment disciples, they absolutely had to save those at the Divine Transformation stage!
The cost of cultivating a Divine Transformation cultivator was too high; he couldn’t afford to lose them.
Xiao Hongyu was also deep in thought. The Heavenly Sword Sect had as many as seven Divine Transformation cultivators poisoned. Abandoning them all would be like cutting off a piece of his own flesh.
Baili Xuanqing was even more distressed. His Xuan Yun Sect only had five Divine Transformation cultivators in total, and now all of them were poisoned…
“Why aren’t the three of you saying anything?” Rong Zhuofan looked at the three sect leaders, each wearing different expressions.
“Sect Master Rong, none of the Beast Taming Sect’s injured are at the Divine Transformation stage, are they?” Xiao Qingfeng asked with a mocking tone.
“I would have sent Divine Transformation cultivators down there, but you all wouldn’t let me. You insisted I use them to guard the entrance instead,” Rong Zhuofan said sarcastically.
These people all knew perfectly well that the Beast Taming Sect had the fewest Divine Transformation cultivators, only three.
Two of them had to stay behind to guard their sect.
So within this core area, Rong Zhuofan was the only one representing the Beast Taming Sect.
Previously, the Beast Taming Sect had a few cultivators at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage present.
But they had all been poisoned and evacuated.
He was now afraid that the other three sects might gang up on him.
Fortunately, members of the noble families had entered, so he didn’t have to worry about being surrounded and killed anymore.
