NOVPUB"It hurts so much, my bones nearly fell apart."
Xu Nian woke up from his unconsciousness and rubbed his aching body.
He had been dragged into the bottom of this abyss by a tremendous force, ultimately crashing heavily onto its floor.
As Xu Nian was falling, he made a rough estimation.
The depth of this abyss was at least tens of thousands of zhang deep.
Adding his falling speed to the calculation.
Even his physical body found it somewhat hard to bear.
However, fortunately, as Xu Nian was falling, he timely summoned his Dragon Scale Armor.
It was this which offset a large portion of the force, saving Xu Nian from being crushed to pieces.
Even so, he was still severely injured.
His entire Scale Armor was shattered, and even his internal organs showed signs of damage.
"Could this be the bottom of the Endless Abyss?" Xu Nian looked around.
He discovered a huge ancient tree not far ahead of him.
Although the ancient tree was not tall, only about a hundred meters, its trunk was the thickest Xu Nian had ever seen among all trees.
The terrifyingly thick trunk had a diameter of about a kilometer.
However, the tree appeared to be withered.
Its once dense branches were almost devoid of green leaves.
Only on one branch still hung two pitiful green leaves, which seemed to be wilting as well.
The trunk was as shriveled as the skin of an old, aged man.
Xu Nian's brows furrowed slightly.
Because he discovered that, aside from this withered ancient tree, everything else was pitch-black.
There was no other object in sight.
Clearly, he had been bound and pulled down by the vines, and it was all the doing of this ancient tree.
What surprised Xu Nian, though,
was that he could not sense any of the terrible power of the Dark Abyss at this moment.
Logically, at the bottom of the Dark Abyss, he should be suffering from the assault of that terrifying power.
But from the fall until now, he hadn't felt the slightest bit of that dreadful force.
"What's going on here?" Xu Nian murmured in astonishment.
"Young man, you are now within the range of my domain, so naturally, you will not be in any danger, but if you step out beyond a hundred meters from me, that would be a different story," an aged voice suddenly sounded.
Xu Nian was startled.
He turned his head to look at the ancient and aged tree.
Correct, the voice came from that very tree.
Xu Nian walked toward the ancient tree,
and only then did he discover a face on the tree.
"Was it you who pulled me down just now?" Xu Nian asked warily.
This ancient tree had been here for at least tens of thousands of years.
"Yes, it was I who pulled you down here, but rest assured, I have no ill intentions toward you," the ancient tree spoke.
Its voice was old yet somewhat weak.
"You seem a bit weak?" Xu Nian ventured to ask.
"You have noticed. Indeed, my longevity is nearing its end; I fear I won't live much longer," the ancient tree responded.
Xu Nian's brows furrowed again.
Such a massive ancient tree, approaching the end of its life span.
No wonder all the leaves on its trunk had withered.
"But I see your Cultivation is not low; how can your longevity be nearing its end?" Xu Nian inquired.
"Alas, I actually reached the Peak of the Tribulation Crossing Stage thousands of years ago, but due to the conditions of this realm, and the restrictions placed on me by that Immortal back then, I am unable to leave this Dark Abyss and will ultimately exhaust all my life here," the withered tree said.
Xu Nian was taken aback.
A measure of sympathy for the withered tree welled up in his heart.
He had not expected that this was the reason for its plight, having run dry of lamp oil and water.
"Did you pull me down here because you want my help with something?" Xu Nian asked.
Since the old tree had pulled him down, there must be a purpose to it.
"Yes, I pulled you down here because I wanted your help. I detected the aura of a Divine Tree emanating from you," the ancient tree spoke.
"Divine Tree?" Xu Nian was surprised.
Then he remembered something.
Indeed, he had previously obtained a Seven-colored Bodhi Tree.
"I do have a Divine Tree, but it's just a sapling. What do you want me to do?" Xu Nian asked warily.
He was very aware of the preciousness of the Seven-colored Bodhi Tree.
If the ancient tree had designs on the Divine Tree, he would definitely not agree to it.
"Only a sapling? Alas, I had hoped to rely on the power of the Divine Tree to extend my lifespan, but it seems now that it is of no use," the ancient tree said with disappointment.
Xu Nian frowned slightly and his face took on a contemplative look.
With a thought, a Seven-colored Radiance appeared in his hands.
This was none other than a leaf from the Seven-colored Bodhi Tree.
"This is the Seven-colored Bodhi Tree, the legendary Divine Tree. You actually possess such a tree?" the ancient tree exclaimed, eyes widening in surprise.
"The life force of this Seven-colored Bodhi Tree is very strong. It should be able to add another ten years to your lifespan. In twelve years, I will come here and try to find a way to take you away," Xu Nian told the ancient tree.
Having said that, he immediately dispersed all the life essence from the leaf onto the ancient tree.
As the essence dispersed, the ancient tree seemed to regain some vitality.
"Thank you. I can feel it; some of the life force has returned," the ancient tree said gratefully.
"Don't thank me. If in twelve years, I can't take you away, all this will be for naught. So wait to thank me once I've saved you in twelve years," Xu Nian said with a smile.
In truth, he felt a bit of pity for the ancient tree.
That's why he couldn't help but lend his aid.
Now, seeing some vitality restored to the ancient tree,
His heart felt much more at ease too.
His power was inadequate for now.
He could not help the ancient tree break the seal.
He could only wait, and try again twelve years later.
"Thank you, human. The fact that you have been recognized by the Seven-colored Bodhi Tree shows that your potential is boundless. If you truly save me after twelve years, I can give you a great gift," the ancient tree said.
"A great gift?" Xu Nian asked curiously.
"Yes, it is related to the Immortal Treasure. I have mastered a secret of the Immortal Treasure that no one else knows. If you indeed save me after twelve years, I will share this secret with you," the ancient tree declared.
Xu Nian nodded his head.
Having dwelled here for so long, the ancient tree must know some secrets unknown to others.
Hence, Xu Nian wasn't surprised by its claim.
"Well, I will take my leave now," Xu Nian said. n𝚘𝚟pub.𝚌o𝚖
As he was about to depart,
"Human, let me send you off. With your current strength, you are not capable of withstanding the forces of the Dark Abyss," the ancient tree spoke up.
Xu Nian considered this and nodded.
Then, he saw a vine extend from the ancient tree,
surging with a faint green light.
This green light then enveloped Xu Nian.
"Hum!"
A force transferred, and Xu Nian was propelled outward, away from the abyss by the ancient tree.
The ancient tree watched Xu Nian leave, smiling faintly and said, "Human, do not let me down!"
