623 Just One Step Away! (1/2)

The giant tree listened quietly to Sect Lord Xu, the man who had once fought him for a chance at attaining a breakthrough on the moon. The gears in his head began to spin furiously as he continued to reveal nothing on his face, maintaining a polite, deferential appearance. He cupped his fists and bowed deeply.

”I thank Sect Lord Xu for your advice!” Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please clickfor visiting.

Sect Lord Xu, who had risen to the Nascent Soul realm, eyed the giant tree with a deep, meaningful look. He didn't say more. He walked ahead, towards Wang Baole's palace.

The giant tree followed hastily. As the other new arrivals scattered, the giant tree followed Sect Lord Xu to the fourth grand palace on the main peak.

The heavy Spirit Qi in the air, the presence of dozens of Nascent Souls, the Soul Conduit realm presence exerted by Mie Liezi and the other two Grand Supreme Elders, and the array formation enveloping both heaven and earth—everything made the giant tree shake in his boots. His heart grew increasingly heavier.

It worsened when they arrived before the fourth palace, and the giant tree saw Wang Baole's towering statue in front of the palace. It was a shocking sight. He could feel power emanating from the palace itself. His breathing quickened. What made things worse was the look of deference and respect on Sect Lord Xu's face as he stood at the entrance and bowed deeply at the shut gates. This was someone who had reached the Nascent Soul realm and could easily crush him.

”Xu Yunkun greets the Grand Supreme Elder. I have brought Fellow Daoist Osmanthus, as you instructed.”

A flood of emotions threatened to pull him under as he watched the scene unfold before him. He had prepared himself mentally, but seeing a Nascent Soul realm cultivator treating Wang Baole with such deference still made his breathing quicken uncontrollably. His heart raced. He lowered his head instinctively as he cupped his fists as well and said bitterly.

”Osmanthus Moon greets the Grand Supreme Elder.”

The halls descended into silence after their greeting. A long moment passed. Then, Wang Baole's voice rang out, slow and calm.

”You may enter.”

Sect Lord Xu knew that he shouldn't be present during this meeting. Upon hearing Wang Baole's words, he bowed again and left without sparing the giant tree a single glance.

The giant tree began panicking and sighing at the same time. He dragged his feet for some time before gritting his teeth and stepping towards the palace. He pushed the doors open. Wang Baole's figure, back turned towards him, appeared in his view as soon as he stepped inside.

”Osmanthus Moon greets the Grand Supreme Elder!” Sighing inwardly, the giant tree lowered his head deferentially, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply.

The grand hall of the palace was extremely lavish. Besides the enormous chair placed at the end of the hall, its two sides were lined with seven to eight chairs as well. Nine statues were positioned around the hall. They looked like guards and exuded the power of an array formation. It terrified the giant tree.

Wang Baole had his back towards the giant tree. He stood next to the chair at the end of the hall, gazing at a statue in front of him. He appeared not to have heard the giant tree's greeting. It was as if the statue in front of him contained a secret that required his detailed study.

Time passed slowly, and Wang Baole seemed to show no signs of turning around. He appeared to only have eyes for the statue. The silence was torture for the giant tree. He was wrought with anxiety. The palace's looming aura enveloped him, and his nervousness grew as he stood bitterly, waiting.

Everything was made worse by… the familiarity of the scene unfolding before him… When Wang Baole had first arrived on Mars, he had summoned him to his office. Then, he had done the same to Wang Baole, to take him down a notch.

This was Wang Baole repaying the favor. The giant tree was powerless to stop him and could only wait silently. The palace doors gradually slid shut, and silence descended. The heavy Spirit Qi in the air led to the formation of Spirit Fog in the hall.

In the fog, Wang Baole gave off an aura of mystery. The giant tree's unease grew. Fifteen minutes passed. As the giant tree's fear and anxiety reached their peak, Wang Baole's voice finally rang out raspily in the hall.

”Fellow Daoist Osmanthus…” Wang Baole rose slowly to his feet as he spoke.

”We meet again!”

Those words sounded familiar. The giant tree grimaced. His head remained lowered as he found himself at a loss for words.