290: Rooted in the Ancient Cang'e Tree

High in the sky, the sunlight was brilliant.

A massive flying vessel pierced through the clouds, advancing rapidly at high altitude.

Xiao Shi stood on the deck of the flying vessel, gazing into the distance while pondering his next course of action.

According to Xiang Zizhen's words,

The mission to rescue the members of the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect still required waiting for a suitable opportunity.

The exact time was unknown,

But it should be in the near future.

Therefore,

Xiao Shi decided to return to Tian Dou Province first to settle the Red Tiger Sect.

With Xiang Zizhen giving him the green light, Xiao Shi no longer had to stay in Prison City all the time and was relatively free.

"Evacuating with the Red Tiger Sect won't be difficult; Xiang Zizhen will arrange everything uniformly..."

Xiao Shi knew this.

It wasn't just him who had people from the Crimson Tiger Lineage behind him.

The other members also had people from the other three lineages behind them.

Regardless of whether their mission succeeded or failed, they would all transfer from Star Luo Province to the Imperial Domain together.

"Before the mission begins, I need to increase my strength to the maximum extent..."

"At the very least, I must have the means to handle this operation."

Although other powerful experts would participate in this mission besides the few members they usually met in the Dream World,

The actual rescue would be carried out by them.

If his own strength wasn't sufficient... he might very well lose his life.

After all, the place where these members of the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect were imprisoned was bound to be a dragon's pool or a tiger's den.

"If I can raise my cultivation to the Life Soul stage before the mission, my pressure should be much lighter..."

"But if I do that, I won't have time to research the Life Soul."

Xiao Shi shook his head.

If he pushed for the Life Soul stage now, he could only form an ordinary Life Soul.

It wouldn't be the kind of Life Soul he had previously envisioned, which could provide connections and help for the subsequent Martial Soul Realm.

This made it difficult for him to make a Breakthrough in his Realm and cultivation in the short term.

He had to slow down at the Soul Consciousness Stage.

"It seems I can only increase my strength while keeping my Realm and cultivation unchanged..."

Xiao Shi pondered in his heart.

For ordinary people,

When their Realm and cultivation cannot be raised, the enhancement they can obtain is inevitably very limited.

But for Xiao Shi,

There were many aspects he could strengthen.

First was his Physical Body!

As a Body Refining cultivator, Xiao Shi had never slackened in his Physical Body cultivation.

However, once his Physical Body reached the Martial Soul Realm, enhancing it further required constant deepening of Bloodline Profound Truths through combat.

Before this,

He only possessed the first level of Bloodline Profound Truth.

But the previous battles in the illusory world had already allowed him to vaguely touch upon the second level of Bloodline Profound Truth.

Once he mastered the second level of Bloodline Profound Truth, his Physical Body strength would be equivalent to reaching the second stage of the Martial Soul Realm.

Xiao Shi felt that if he could engage in a large number of battles and comprehend the third level of Bloodline Profound Truth before the mission,

His Physical Body strength could reach a level comparable to the Life Soul stage.

Besides enhancing his Physical Body,

Xiao Shi could also consider strengthening himself through items.

If he could obtain one or two powerful items before the mission, these items would also become important aids in increasing his strength.

Although Xiao Shi couldn't guarantee that items with great effects would definitely drop,

He could use these items to exchange for powerful treasures in the Myriad Treasure Pagoda!

"And then there's... the Flame Moon I formed with Yin Flame in the illusory world!"

"If I can combine the Flame Moon with my Soul Consciousness, perhaps I can raise my Soul Consciousness to an even higher level!"

"I can also further enhance and strengthen my weapon techniques!"

After summarizing everything,

Xiao Shi identified several directions for improvement.

First was the Physical Body; it would be best to comprehend the third level of Bloodline Profound Truth to reach a level comparable to the Life Soul stage.

Second were items, which would depend on whether there were suitable targets and opportunities for kills.

Third was the combination of the Flame Moon and Soul Consciousness.

Fourth were weapon techniques. Although Xiao Shi had already comprehended saber techniques of the Martial Soul Realm, he had not yet fused them with his previous three weapon techniques. Only when these four weapon techniques were successfully fused could they unleash their greatest power.

Fifth was Formations. With Xiao Shi's talent in Formations, if he dedicated time to research, he might be able to set up some Formations for support.

Sixth, before the mission, it would be best to refine powerful Medicinal Pills using the eternal realm-following alchemy furnace!

Seventh was the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree. If he could carry the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree with him, Xiao Shi felt his safety would be basically guaranteed.

Previously, leaving the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree in Tian Dou Province was partly to ensure the safety of the Red Tiger Sect and partly because it was difficult for Xiao Shi to take it away.

Now that he was about to take the Red Tiger Sect away,

There was naturally no need to leave the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree in Tian Dou Province.

After Xiao Shi returned this time, he could research how to take the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree with him.

And so,

After several days of travel,

Xiao Shi successfully returned to Tian Dou Province.

When he left last time, he thought it might be a long time before he returned to Tian Dou Province, never expecting... it would be so soon.

He had returned to Tian Dou Province once again.

However, unlike before he left... when he departed, the Abbot of Lei Miao Temple and the Sect Leader of Ji Huo Sect in Tian Dou Province were both opponents he couldn't contend with.

But with his return to Tian Dou Province this time,

No one in the entire province would be able to pose a threat to him anymore.

On the day he returned to Tian Dou Province,

Xiao Shi went directly to Tree Shadow City.

The current Rapid Shadow Palace, while not the strongest power in Tian Dou Province, was standing very firmly.

The entire Rapid Shadow Palace was still divided into the East Palace and the West Palace.

Usually, the two sides did not interfere with each other.

But once they encountered a crisis, both sides would immediately join forces to confront the external enemy.

After returning,

Xiao Shi immediately summoned Guo Chengdao.

Guo Chengdao hadn't expected Xiao Shi to return so quickly and was very delighted about it.

However, Xiao Shi had a solemn expression.

He felt it was necessary to tell the other party about the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect.

After all, he was about to take them to the Imperial Domain.

It was necessary to let Guo Chengdao, as the Sect Master of the Red Tiger Sect, know about this first.

Immediately,

Xiao Shi told Guo Chengdao about the matters related to the Four Symbols Divine Martial Sect.

Guo Chengdao was greatly shocked by this.

He had been in the Red Tiger Sect for much longer than Xiao Shi, but he never knew that the Red Tiger Sect had such a terrifying origin behind it!

"This matter is of great importance; it must not be leaked before we leave Tian Dou Province!"

Xiao Shi warned in a deep voice.

Guo Chengdao nodded.

Although this matter would certainly have to be told to the other members of the Red Tiger Sect, he knew now was not the right time.

After all, if the news leaked now... the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Next, I will take you to Star Luo Province. You'd better think of a suitable reason to inform the Disciples in the Sect. This must be kept hidden; it's best not to attract the attention of outsiders."

Xiao Shi solemnly instructed.

"Understood!"

Guo Chengdao's expression was serious, knowing the gravity of the situation.

Fortunately, although their Red Tiger Sect controlled the entire East Palace of the Rapid Shadow Palace, they were behind the scenes.

On the surface, the ones controlling the Rapid Shadow Palace were still the two Elders who had defected from the Rapid Shadow Palace back then.

At the same time, the Red Tiger Sect had always followed the strategy of low-key development, so very few people in Tian Dou Province even knew of the Red Tiger Sect's existence.

Now, even if the Red Tiger Sect left Tian Dou Province quietly,

It wouldn't attract the notice of the various powers in Tian Dou Province.

After leaving the arrangements for the evacuation to Guo Chengdao,

Xiao Shi directly entered the interior of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

He began to ponder the problem of how to take the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree away.

Regarding this,

He first woke the fragmented consciousness in the black coffin and asked if there was a way to take the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree away.

"To take the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree away, you must provide it with 'soil' that can bring nutrients."

"The reason the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree cannot be taken away now is that it has always been in a poor state."

"If you take it away rashly, it might make its condition even worse. At that time... the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree might even face the situation of withering to death."

"If there are sufficient nutrients for the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree to take root in..."

"Then it can naturally be taken away."

The fragmented consciousness in the black coffin said.

Xiao Shi understood in his heart.

He realized that the 'soil' the other party mentioned didn't necessarily have to be soil in the literal sense.

It was more of a general term for something that could provide nutrients to the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

"Then if I let the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree take root on your black coffin, can you provide it with sufficient nutrients?"

Xiao Shi asked on a sudden whim.

"...Are you a devil?"

The fragmented consciousness in the black coffin said irritably.

"Right now, my state isn't much better than the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree's. I also need nutrients for recovery. If you plant it on my black coffin, I'll be sucked dry by it immediately. How will I recover then?"

Xiao Shi thought about it and felt it made a lot of sense.

"In other words..."

"I need a treasure that can provide nutrients to the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree and allow it to continuously absorb them!"

He carefully recalled the many treasures he currently had on him.

It seemed there was no treasure that could withstand the absorption of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

Given the size of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree, the nutrients it required must be substantial.

It wasn't just any random treasure that could provide enough nutrients.

Even the only Martial Demon Grade item Xiao Shi currently possessed might not be able to withstand the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree's absorption.

"Actually, it doesn't necessarily have to be a treasure; you could also have it take root on yourself."

The fragmented consciousness in the black coffin suggested.

"Are you a devil?"

"Wouldn't I be sucked dry in a matter of minutes?"

Xiao Shi felt this suggestion was quite unreliable.

However, this reminded him that he could perhaps have the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree take root on the Evil Energy User!

He just didn't know if the Evil Energy User, as a Corpse, could provide sufficient nutrients to the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

"Not necessarily."

The fragmented consciousness in the black coffin dismissed the possibility of Xiao Shi being sucked dry.

"I can feel that your Bloodline is very special; perhaps it can sustain the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree."

"Bloodline?"

Xiao Shi was startled.

After he had fused the Dong Kui Bloodline, Red Tiger Bloodline, and Vajra Bloodline, in terms of Bloodline rankings, he had already reached second place, second only to the first-ranked Martial Emperor Bloodline.

In terms of Bloodline, his Bloodline was indeed very powerful.

"You mean..."

"Bloodline can provide enough nutrients to the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree?"

Xiao Shi asked.

"Correct."

"Bloodline can not only provide nutrients to the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree, but it is also the best kind of nutrient. If you use Bloodline to nurture the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree, over time, it might even form new abilities and changes in the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree."

The fragmented consciousness in the black coffin said.

"What impact will it have on me?"

What Xiao Shi was most worried about now was that once he had the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree take root on him, he would be sucked dry by it directly.

Even if he wasn't sucked dry,

If it led to a decrease in his strength, that would also be a loss not worth the gain.

Before the rescue mission began,

He could only increase his strength; he couldn't let his strength drop.

"If your Bloodline is powerful enough, there won't be any significant impact."

"This is actually a good thing for you."

"Because once you have the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree take root on yourself, you can freely use the power of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree."

"This will greatly enhance your strength."

Xiao Shi nodded.

The Azure Calamity Ancient Tree was indeed very attractive to him.

And in terms of Bloodline,

His Bloodline was second only to the Martial Emperor Bloodline.

He didn't have to worry at all about his Bloodline being insufficient to support the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

Since having the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree take root on himself would provide the greatest enhancement,

Xiao Shi naturally had nothing to hesitate about.

However, before rooting the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree to himself, Xiao Shi needed to settle the entire Tree Shadow City first.

After all, the current Tree Shadow City was located on the branches of the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree.

If he rooted the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree to himself now, it would inevitably cause significant damage to Tree Shadow City.

Since they were going to evacuate secretly,

Xiao Shi didn't want to cause too much of a commotion and attract the attention of other powers.

He decided to let the East Palace of the Rapid Shadow Palace return to Five Shadow City.

Let the Rapid Shadow Palace maintain its original integrity.

At the same time,

Xiao Shi summoned Cheng Tianhao that day.

He told Cheng Tianhao about their preparations to evacuate.

"Before I leave, I will give the entire Rapid Shadow Palace to you."

Xiao Shi said.

He couldn't take Cheng Tianhao with him this time.

After all, only people from the Crimson Tiger Lineage could go to the Imperial Domain.

Cheng Tianhao was not of the Crimson Tiger Lineage.

Even if he could follow them out of Tian Dou Province, he wouldn't be able to enter the Imperial Domain then.

As his most capable subordinate,

Xiao Shi naturally wouldn't treat Cheng Tianhao poorly.

He planned to have Cheng Tianhao take over the entire Rapid Shadow Palace.

The current Rapid Shadow Palace was actually already under Xiao Shi's control, so it wouldn't be difficult to support Cheng Tianhao into a leadership position.

However, he still preferred to have Cheng Tianhao control the Rapid Shadow Palace from behind the scenes.

Rather than appearing on the surface.

To ensure to a greater extent that the Rapid Shadow Palace could survive safely in Tian Dou Province in the future,

Xiao Shi felt it was also necessary to eliminate the Abbot of Lei Miao Temple and the Sect Leader of Ji Huo Sect.

To ensure that no one in Tian Dou Province could threaten the Rapid Shadow Palace.

After all, after he left this time, he would take the Azure Calamity Ancient Tree with him and wouldn't be able to leave any powerful protection for Cheng Tianhao.

He could only sweep away everything for him before leaving.