698 Remnant from the Faded Pas (1/2)
Meng Qi has no reservations in allowing the Supreme-wisdom Tree to absorb the mysterious gigantic tree. There have not been any vast repercussions when he had let the Supreme-wisdom Tree to do the same during his exploration in the Shard of the domain of the Celestial Court, the Southern Heavenly Door, although they had triggered the change of Snake Dang when their interests conflicted. Then again, he had done it so at the hint of the Dominator of the Samsara of the Six Realms. And now, he was at first confident that his sworn brother, Gao Lan, the Evil Master and the Dharma King Dushi knew nothing of the truth about the gigantic tree. The sight of the tree withering before them would, at most, pique their interest to find out more while it would be hard for them to detect his presence and his involvement.
Given the considerable clamor and upheaval ravaging every level of the heavenly domain, it would be impossible for anyone not to notice that the tumultuous quake happening now was because of the gigantic tree dying.
Meng Qi was sure that the violent shocks were started by his hand when the Supreme-wisdom Tree began ingesting the energies of the mysterious giant tree, more so when the tremors did not stop but instead grew stronger as the Supreme-wisdom Tree feasted more and more on the vitality of the withering tree.
”The upper three levels of the domain of the Ninth Heaven are different to the entrance of the domain of the Southern Heavenly Door? Will the bloody Tree cause the fall of the entire level of this heavenly domain?” Meng Qi dreaded with horror. He would have been drenched with the sweat of fear if he had not an active control of his own body. Keeping a low profile seemed to be an impossible feat for him for trouble looked to follow him everywhere.
A line of verse stood out in his mind suddenly, ”You are one who attracts interest and attention, glowing like a firefly in the dark wherever you wander. You cannot run away from it; you cannot hide from it!”
”Boom!”
A translucent piece of white jade rubble fell and hit his shoulder, triggering his protection enchantment to show itself, glowing in gold faintly.
”The last attempt which was fruitful have caused my miscalculation!” Meng Qi screamed within himself. He tugged hard at the Supreme-wisdom Tree, trying to separate the Tree from the bark of the mysterious gigantic tree. But not even his strength could move the Tree even an inch as he could only curse in vain through his gritted teeth.
There was nothing he could do save to lament his brashness,
”Even experience can prove to be a hindrance sometimes!”
The extensiveness of his experience and the similar parameters of the situation helped him in making quick decisions. Thus the common belief that one should never underestimate any experienced member of the Jianghu. But changes occur daily. No experience will help if one has replied fully on experience and not fully comprehending the entirety of an actual situation.
Meng Qi had not felt any mistake about his hastiness in leaving suddenly from Gao Lan. There was hardly time for him to truly ascertain Gao Lan's condition at the time for he could have been dead if things had turned out poorly. But Meng Qi should have predicted of triggering the destructive tremors that shook the entire domain. The gigantic tree had reached deep into every corner of the domain including the Peach Garden, the Monster-slaying Stage, and even the Fairy-banishing Pool. He should have known that draining the life of the tree would inevitably cause such upheavals, but the hubris of his experiences blinded him.
”I will remember this lesson forever!” Meng Qi bewailed with regret. He could not leave behind the Supreme-wisdom Tree, watching helplessly as it continued its ferocious ingurgitation of the vitality of the giant tree. But he felt an unknown presence with the sudden tingling sensation from his senses and looked to his side.
From the thick of the mists, he saw the Animated Peach peering to him, shining in vivid red like blood. The veins lining the surface of its flesh gave off an eerie and yet intriguing appearance.
”Come here.” Meng Qi called to it in a low voice.
The Animated Peach slunk swiftly out of his sight.
”Boom!”
Energies in the form of dark fumes flowed ceaselessly into the Supreme-wisdom Tree. Meng Qi could now see cracks appearing on the clouds of solid substance around him; the vast tree was nearing its end.
Meng Qi covered his forehead his with palm and waited patiently.
”Boom!”
The Three-life Temple shook violently, the foundations of its structure beginning to give way. Down in the Ashram Hall, Gao Lan and the others could faintly detect the disturbances above.
”Is this the name of an ancient legendary entity? This Yang Jian of the Jade Virtual Palace?” Despite being well-learned in lore, Gao Lan had never heard about the name of this ancient entity which attained the Realm of Legends.
Han Guang seemed to be pondering behind his mask, not showing any visible display of emotions.
”Boom!”
The solid white clouds began to crumble and fall. Meng Qi waited until the last bits of the gigantic tree's roots reduced to nothing but mush. The Supreme-wisdom Tree fell into a peaceful slumber after its colossal meal.
With a quick glance, Meng Qi found the lumps on Tree had grown into thin arms with two other branches protruding from its trunk. Seven green leaves were growing from the Tree which looked ordinary despite its unrevealed mystics.
”Boom!”
Meng Qi staggered to regain his steadiness as another rumble shook the ground. He quickly stowed away the Supreme-wisdom Tree and left the collapsing area.
”Boom!”
Cui Qinghe and his company watched as the twirling vortex caved in and disintegrated. The way up to the upper levels was gone.
His eyes quivered. Quietly, he spoke, ”Back to the lowest level. There are still items that our enemies have not taken with them.”
They have misjudged about the situation within, allowing themselves trapped by the protective barriers defending the domain and has spent much of their valuable time. Additionally, their unfamiliarity with the geography of the domain of the Ninth Heaven has led them into a wild goose chase.
The vast quake continued shattering the levels of the heavenly domain to kingdom come. Meng Qi summoned the powers of the Eight Nine Mysteries discipline, slithering his way to safety amidst the rain of falling debris. It was fortunate that the Hall of Tomorrow had long collapsed. He was able to prevent himself from getting injured for there was no falling rubble from Hall and the solid clouds that formed the Hall's foundations.
At length, the quake stopped, and everything returned to silence with only clouds of dust lingering about.
Back in the Ashram Hall, Han Guang and the others have tried all they could. But they have done nothing that could damage both the huge bronze door and the ordinary-looking stone stele.
”Let us explore elsewhere, lest the rest who come in after us have all the bounties instead.” The Dharma King Dushi croaked in his hollow voice.