Tree core body refinement, star core resonance

In an unknown, tranquil Star Domain, within an inconspicuous wandering meteorite, Nightmare forcibly opened up a temporary Grotto-Heaven using a rule fragment.

Inside the Grotto-Heaven, Nightmare set up layers of Nirvana runes, completely isolating the internal and external aura. Su Wanqing sat cross-legged beside him, adjusting her breathing and digesting the insights gained from observing the previous battle and comprehending space, her aura becoming increasingly condensed.

Nightmare, meanwhile, immersed his mind into the internal space of the rule fragment. The world tree seedling had quieted down, its emerald branches and leaves gently swaying, exuding a refreshing life aura and harmonious Dao charm. It seemed not to reject the pure Nirvana Origin environment within the rule fragment space; instead, there was a strange sense of harmony.

During the battle, the purifying ripples spontaneously emitted by the world tree seedling and the subsequent energy feedback made Nightmare realize that this divine seedling had initially recognized him. But this was far from enough.

"System, analyze the current state of the world tree seedling and the best utilization plan," Nightmare communicated with his mind.

[Analyzing... world tree seedling (Growth Stage), stable condition, nascent spirituality, craves pure energy and high-level Law nourishment. Host Recognition: 35% (initial trust).]

[Optimal Utilization Plan (Symbiotic Mode):]

[1. Regularly provide pure energy (such as Nirvana Origin, Power of the Stars, high-grade life essence) and Law insights (shared through rule fragment).]

[2. A small amount of its sap or a fallen leaf can be taken (requires its voluntary giving); after refining, it can greatly enhance life Origin, repair Dao injuries, and strengthen the Divine Soul. Forcibly taking will reduce recognition and may harm its spirituality.]

[3. Its power can be used to comprehend complete Life Laws, the mysteries of world formation, and even assist in deducing Cultivation Techniques and refining Medicinal Pills.]

[4. Long-term symbiosis can subtly improve the Host's Aptitude, enhance Luck, and has a very small chance of acquiring 'World Blessing' (passive ability, may gain world will protection when in danger).]

[Warning: The growth of the world tree seedling requires a massive amount of resources, and its aura is extremely likely to attract powerful existences, so it must be carefully hidden.]

"Symbiosis? That suits me perfectly." Nightmare nodded slightly. Forcibly refining such a divine object of heaven and earth would harm heavenly harmony and might not unleash all its wondrous uses. Symbiosis and mutual benefit were the best choices.

He tried to contact the world tree seedling with his Divine Thought, conveying friendly and reciprocal intentions, and actively drew a trace of the purest Origin energy from his nirvana dao seed, slowly delivery past.

The world tree seedling's branches and leaves vibrated joyfully, like a thirsty traveler encountering a sweet spring, greedily absorbing that trace of Nirvana Origin. Although Nirvana represents an end, its Origin is one of the purest forms of energy, and it is also a tonic for the World Tree, which yearns to grow.

In return, a relatively large, unusually clear-patterned emerald leaf at the top of the seedling automatically detached, floating towards Nightmare's Divine Thought, while a faint Law insight, containing the true essence of life, flowed into his heart.

[Obtained: World Tree Leaf (Complete) x1. Contains vast life essence and fragments of Life Law.]

[Obtained: Life Law Insight (Elementary).]

Nightmare rejoiced. He carefully put the World Tree Leaf into the rule fragment space for preservation; this was a life-saving treasure at critical moments. And that insight into the Life Law happened to complement the Laws of necromancy and shadow he had previously devoured and refined, giving him a deeper understanding of the cycle of "life and death," making his nirvana dao seed seem a touch more complete.

"Senior Brother, are you alright?" Su Wanqing finished her meditation and looked over with concern. She saw that Nightmare's complexion seemed a little better than before.

"I'm fine, I've gained a little something." Nightmare smiled, took out the World Tree Leaf, gently split it in half, and handed one half to Su Wanqing, "This item is beneficial to your cultivation; refine it carefully."

Su Wanqing took the half-leaf, which flowed with vital light, and instantly felt the vast, ocean-like life energy within, shocked beyond words: "Senior Brother, this is too precious..."

"Take it if I give it to you," Nightmare said unequivocally, "Improve your strength as quickly as possible; the road ahead may be even more perilous."

Su Wanqing was touched and no longer refused, nodding solemnly. She carefully held the half-leaf in her palm and began to slowly absorb its energy. The Nine Aperture Exquisite Body was simply a perfect match for this life energy, and her aura began to grow at a visible speed.

Nightmare, on the other hand, directly swallowed the other half of the leaf. The rule fragment guided the immense life essence within it to wash over his limbs and bones, nourishing the subtle wear and tear from the previous battle, while simultaneously comprehending the Life Law it contained.

A moment later, both opened their eyes, feeling refreshed and invigorated, their cultivation having advanced. Su Wanqing even directly broke through to Late-Stage Soul Transformation, an astonishing speed.

"Senior Brother, where are we going next?" Su Wanqing asked. After the perilous Void Realm treasure hunt, she had absolute trust in Nightmare.

Nightmare's rule fragment swept across the endless Void Realm, and the coordinates the System had previously scanned appeared in his mind.

The Ancient Cultivator Sword Tomb with Sword Intent remnants? The Artifact Refining Holy Land rich in metallic energy? Or the spatially chaotic area, suspected to be near other worlds?

After a brief deliberation, he made a decision.

"To the north. That spatially chaotic area." Nightmare's gaze looked into the depths of the star sea, "The threat from the Imperial Dynasty and the Shadow Clan is temporarily resolved, but the root cause has not been eliminated. The Tianxuan Realm's Laws are incomplete, making it not a place for long-term stay. We need to find a way to leave, or... a broader stage."

That area was suspected to be near other worlds, and perhaps clues could be found there. Moreover, places of spatial chaos were often accompanied by opportunities and challenges, perfectly suited for him to explore now that his strength had increased.

"Okay." Su Wanqing naturally had no objection.

Nightmare activated the rule fragment, once again initiating the Void Beacon, locking onto the coordinates of the spatially chaotic area in the north. This time, he injected more energy to ensure the stability of the transmission through the chaotic space.

The silver-gray spatial gate slowly formed, but the scene behind it was not as stable as before; instead, it was bizarre and colorful, filled with distorted spatial cracks and energy turbulence.

"Stay close to me." Nightmare took Su Wanqing's hand, and with the rule fragment protecting his body, he stepped into it.

The process of spatial traversal was indeed more turbulent and dangerous than before, with hidden spatial blades and energy storms constantly attacking, but Nightmare preemptively judged them with the rule fragment and forcefully crushed them with his Annihilation Domain.

After an unknown period, a huge suction force and intense spatial fluctuations came from ahead.

Buzz!

The two were flung out of the spatial aisle, and the scene before their eyes changed once again.

This was no longer a tranquil starry sky, but an incredibly chaotic and violent airspace!

Giant, colorful spatial storms roared and swept like dragons in the distance! Countless meteor belts of varying sizes collided and shattered wildly at irregular speeds! Further away, one could even see fragments of shattered continents and stellar remnants floating in gravitational turbulence! The Laws here were extremely chaotic, and Spiritual Qi was sparse and violent, completely unsuitable for ordinary living beings to survive.

"What a chaotic place..." Su Wanqing felt the violent energy around her, frowning slightly.

Nightmare fully deployed his rule fragment, carefully sensing this chaotic airspace. The powerful analytical ability of the rule fragment was significantly interfered with here, but it could still capture some patterns.

[Detecting multiple unstable spatial nodes! Some nodes connect to unknown areas!]

[Detecting high-intensity energy turbulence, the source is suspected to be dead stars formed by the collapse of multiple stars in their late stages!]

[Warning: Detecting hidden spatial traps and Void Realm undercurrents, please proceed with caution.]

Just as Nightmare was carefully sensing the environment, deep within the rule fragment, the nirvana dao seed, which was already deeply fused with him, suddenly trembled slightly, transmitting a desire and resonance!

Almost simultaneously, the System's prompt sounded:

[Beep! rule fragment senses strong resonance! Resonance source direction: Southeast, thirty million li away, the core of a star on the verge of complete annihilation! Highly condensed 'nirvana star core' is suspected to exist!]

nirvana star core? And not the relatively calm nirvana star core he had absorbed before, but a star core formed from the core of a dying star, containing the ultimate mysteries of destruction and rebirth?

Nightmare's eyes instantly burst forth with brilliant light!

This was a supreme treasure, no less valuable than the world tree seedling, and perfectly aligned with his Great Dao of Annihilation! If he could absorb it, his nirvana dao seed would undoubtedly undergo a qualitative leap! He might even break through to Late Stage Hedao in one fell swoop!

"Change target! To the southeast!" Nightmare did not hesitate, pulling Su Wanqing along, with the rule fragment protecting his body, he transformed into a gray-black stream of light, speeding towards the direction of the resonance, braving the violent energy turbulence and spatial cracks!

A new opportunity was right before his eyes!