47: Chapter 47 Ritual Dance, Purification of the Origin

Passing through the layered, seemingly boundless, dense canopy, the view suddenly opened up. The group arrived at the absolute summit of the World Tree, a colossal platform beyond imagination.

The platform was not artificially carved but naturally intertwined and coiled from countless incredibly thick branches that shimmered with a warm, jade-like luster, flat as a mirror. At the edge of the platform, clouds and mist swirled, as if they were standing on the other shore of the heavens. At the center of the platform was a huge and profound natural pattern, seemingly containing the mysteries of the world's inception, currently emitting a faint light that resonated with the Origin flowers in the hands of the four queens.

Here, the air was so pure that it was untainted by a single speck of dust, filled with vast and ancient vitality and the power of order, forming a stark contrast to the filthy, corrupted scene of the root cavern. Even the violently conflicting energy within Zhang Hao seemed to be slightly suppressed the moment they arrived here, becoming a little calmer.

"Place him in the center of the altar!" Queen Chaoyang pointed to the core of the profound pattern at the center of the platform.

Lin Wan carefully placed the still unconscious and chaotic-breathed Zhang Hao there. She could feel that the platform beneath her seemed to possess life, transmitting faint yet pure soothing power.

"Everyone, guard the four directions; do not let anything interfere with the ritual!" Queen Chaoyang ordered the others. Mo Li, Bai Zhi, and the others immediately dispersed to the edge of the platform, standing guard with solemn expressions.

Subsequently, the four queens nodded at each other, their eyes filled with determination and a sense of sacred mission. They walked step by step toward the four specific positions of the altar, corresponding to the East (Sun), West (Moon), South (Wind), and North (Water).

As they stood in their positions, a sudden change occurred!

The energy armaments on their bodies—the Sun-Splendor Light Armor, Moonshadow Leather Armor, Flowing-Wind Hunting Outfit, and Water-Mirror Dharma Robe—began to emit intense light, and their forms underwent a transformation! They became more intricate and magnificent, filled with a sacred and inviolable aura, as if they had transformed into ritual garments carrying the Origin power of their respective kingdoms!

Queen Chaoyang: The Sun-Splendor Light Armor transformed into a Sun-Splendor ritual gown flowing with molten gold patterns, and the sunlight crown she wore shone with immense brilliance, resembling a sun goddess walking in the Mortal realm.

Queen Yetan: The Moonshadow Leather Armor transformed into a Moonshadow ritual evening gown adorned with stars and dark moon gems, her temperament cold and aloof, like the only bright moon in the night sky.

Queen Zhufeng: The Flowing-Wind Hunting Outfit changed into a Flowing-Wind ritual dance dress that was light and elegant, seemingly woven from countless wisps of wind, full of the beauty of freedom and agility.

Queen Qinglian: The Water-Mirror Dharma Robe transformed into a Water-Mirror ritual holy robe that shimmered like liquid crystal, gentle and calm, as if it were an ocean encompassing all things.

They solemnly raised their respective Origin flowers—the flower of sunbeam, moonshadow flower, wind-whisper flower, and water-mirror flower. Under the reflection of the altar's light, the flowers seemed to awaken completely, emitting incredibly pure and surging Origin energy fluctuations.

The ritual began. There were no complex incantations, only the most fundamental dance and songs.

The four queens began to dance, stepping in ancient and mysterious patterns. Their dance was not to please Mortals, but to communicate and resonate at the deepest level with heaven and earth, and with the World Tree beneath their feet. The Dance of Sun-Splendor was fiery and full of vitality, the Dance of Moonshadow was cold and nourishing, the Dance of Flowing-Wind was free and endlessly transmitting, and the Dance of Water-Mirror was gentle and purified all things.

At the same time, ethereal and sacred songs were slowly chanted from their mouths. The singing seemed to resonate directly in the depths of the Soul, telling of the birth and prosperity of the world:

(The singing was melodious, as if traversing time and space) "All things are born anew, the sacred tree holds up the sky~ Sun essence and moon radiance, accompanied by clear breezes and flowing waters~ A hundred flowers bloom, spiritual charm naturally forms kingdoms~ Roots dig deep, drawing from the source of Chaos~ Branches and leaves stretch out, sheltering thousands of living beings~ The four seasons rotate, balance forever remains in the heart~ In our names, with the Origin as the guide~ Awaken the will of the sacred tree, cleanse all filth~"

Following their dance and songs, the Origin flowers in their hands shone brilliantly, transforming into four incredibly thick beams of energy that shot into the sky, then intertwined and merged above the altar, forming a huge, slowly rotating four-colored energy vortex—Sun-Gold, Moon-Silver, Wind-Cyan, and Water-Blue!

This energy vortex, which fused the four types of Origin power, emitted an indescribably grand, pure, and harmonious fluctuation. It was like a huge purification filter, triggering the torrent of order and life that the entire World Tree had accumulated over countless years!

"Hum—!" An invisible, gentle yet unstoppable purification ripple spread downward and outward from the altar like water waves! Wherever the ripple passed, the residual, stubborn traces of corruption between the trunks and leaves, like shadows illuminated by sunlight, quickly dissolved and faded, regaining a healthy emerald luster. The World Tree itself seemed to emit a comfortable hum, and the entire tree body trembled slightly, becoming more transparent and full of vitality.

Just as this purification ripple cleansed the entire World Tree and the four-colored energy vortex was operating at its limit, the space above Zhang Hao's body in the center of the altar twisted strangely. A point of emerald light appeared out of thin air, then rapidly expanded and solidified.

Lin Wan's pupils contracted sharply; she saw it! Within that light, a small figure about the size of a palm, composed entirely of pure emerald-like energy, with a vague form yet carrying an incomparably ancient and intimate aura, quietly emerged. It had a silhouette similar to an elf, surrounded by life ripples originating from the same source as the World Tree; it was none other than the newborn tree spirit that had sought their help deep in the root cavern—Airo!

At this moment, although Airo still appeared immature, its aura had solidified significantly; clearly, the World Tree's purification and the four queens' ritual had provided it with immense nourishment. Its pure eyes glanced at the unconscious Zhang Hao below, then looked toward the four dancing queens, and it gently raised its tiny palm.

The four queens seemed to sense something; their dance became more devout, and their songs more high-pitched. The four Origin light beams and the massive four-colored energy vortex in the sky separated a stream of ultimate purification energy—incomparably condensed, fusing all the qualities of Sun, Moon, Wind, and Water, and further purified by the emerald radiance emitted from the tree spirit Airo, representing the most fundamental will of the World Tree—which cascaded down like a galaxy from the Nine Heavens, precisely and gently pouring into Zhang Hao's body in the center of the altar!

This energy was no longer conflicting, but harmonious, inclusive, and the absolute power of purification containing the Foundation order of the entire world!

The moment the energy entered his body, Zhang Hao's tightly furrowed brows seemed to relax slightly, and the three forces within him that were originally clashing violently and tearing at each other finally showed a turning point under the intervention of this grand and gentle external force...