Chen Mo looked at the scene before him, momentarily stunned.

In the dense forest was a wide open space, at the center of which stood an ancient tree.

The trunk was majestic, with sprawling branches and layers of dense foliage that nearly obscured half the sky.

The roots were intertwined and deeply embedded into the earth like claws, pulsing rhythmically as if extracting something, while white mist continuously erupted from the cracks in the bark.

"So the wood attribute aura I sensed was actually from the Creation Ancient Tree?"

"Such a wondrous item is hardly seen in a thousand years, and to date there has been only one known in the entire Jiu Zhou. Unexpectedly, I find it here in the Secret Realm."

Chen Mo suddenly came back to his senses.

Back then, when he accompanied the Demon Suppression Department to the Northern Territory on official duties, they were ambushed by demons. He and Lin Jingzhu almost got swallowed by the ancient tree, but due to the misfortune, not only did they emerge unscathed, they also obtained the Creation Golden Branch.

This became an important trump card in his battles against formidable enemies.

Without the Vitality Essence's support, he couldn't have defeated Shi Yun in the Martial Arts Examination, and naturally wouldn't have come this far.

Chen Mo's figure flickered, moving closer to examine it thoroughly.

This tree was somewhat different from the one he had seen before, not only slightly smaller, but the mist it emitted was not as suppressive.

Sunlight poured through the canopy, casting a strikingly vibrant green hue.

The branch was translucent, like jade, shimmering with faint light among the layers of branches.

Meanwhile, the Golden Branch reacted more intensely, swaying restlessly in his Dantian, seemingly becoming exceptionally excited.

The Creation Ancient Tree itself is a wondrous creation of the world, and what treasures it can nurture depends mainly on the environment and laws of this realm.

The ancient tree in Jiu Zhou, its lifeblood spirit was the Golden Branch, because it absorbed the Earth Veins Dragon Qi, and besides the Vitality Essence, it carried the power of creation, allowing it to root in the Dantian and coexist with the Dragon Qi.

The Jade Branch before him was formed purely from Innate Jia Wood Qi.

Although it is ranked slightly lower than the Golden Branch, it undoubtedly remains top-tier Immortal Material, perfectly suitable for refining Golden Core!

"But this Immortal Material seems yet to fully take shape. I can't possibly wait here indefinitely." Chen Mo stroked his chin, pondering quietly.

Whoosh—

The wind howled.

Yu Hongyin and An Mengni landed in rapid succession.

Seeing the towering ancient tree before them, the two couldn't help but be stunned.

With their keen eyes, they immediately recognized the object.

"This is... the Creation Ancient Tree?!"

"Unexpectedly, to encounter such a rarity here!"

"With the existence of the Ancient Strange Beast Baxia and the Creation Ancient Tree, could this Secret Realm truly be..."

An Mengni's eyes sparkled, her thoughts a mystery.

Chen Mo was still pondering how to acquire this Immortal Material. Picking it before it fully formed would likely affect its quality, thus reducing the success rate of alchemy.

"Though the two ancient trees differ slightly, they are essentially similar. Why not try ripening it with Vitality Essence?"

With this thought, he reached out and pressed against the trunk, tentatively injecting a wisp of vitality.

Strands of green light meandered up the trunk's veins, merging into the Jade Branch, its color deepening to a richer green, appearing more solid.

"It's effective, after all!"

Chen Mo's face brightened with joy, increasing his efforts as endless Essence poured in like a river.

The other three saw what he was doing and did not disturb him, quietly standing by as protectors.

Rustle—

Then, distant branches and leaves swayed like rolling waves.

Zhu Shuang's expression hardened, turning his head to look, he spoke in a deep voice, "Someone's coming."

As his words fell, four figures emerged from the forest, landing on the open ground. Three among them wore brocade martial robes, tall and strong, exuding a fierce aura even from afar.

Leading the group was a slender man with a blade-like face, pale and beardless, with hollow cheeks and a sinister gaze resembling a venomous snake.

Noticing the ancient tree, as imposing as a pillar of heaven, Wanqi Kai's expression shifted with excitement, his eyes brimming with thrill, "I've said the vitality here is intense, surely there's an extraordinary treasure emerging, and it's Innate Jia Wood essence!"

"A single wood reaching the heavens, evergreen for ages, obtaining this supreme treasure will surely elevate my realm further!"

"Ha ha ha, looks like my luck is truly splendid!"

Step—

Wanqi Kai had just taken a step when three figures blocked his path.

Yu Hongyin, fingers forming a spell, Yin Yang Qi surged around her, coldly spoke, "We discovered this opportunity first. If you're wise, leave swiftly, lest you make a mistake!"

Zhu Shuang said nothing, slowly drawing the long knife from his waist.

And An Mengni revealed her magic artifact, seemingly frail, yet wielding a pair of hefty gold and silver maces.

"A mere Third Grade Martial Cultivator, two Fourth Rank novices, dare to confront me?" Wanqi Kai stood with hands behind his back, casting a disdainful glance at Yu Hongyin, "If I'm not mistaken, you're from the Netherworld Sect? Even if your master were here, they wouldn't dare speak to me this way!"

Yu Hongyin frowned at his words, a chill gripping her heart.

Knowing her identity and still confidently speaking such words likely heralds a First Grade Great Power!

Yet even so, she did not retreat. It was apparent that this Immortal Material held immense importance for Chen Mo; it couldn't be lost, even if delaying for a while was beneficial!

Wanqi Kai raised his eyes towards Chen Mo, with interest, "You are the Sky Scale Guard Thousand Households recently stirring up trouble in the Capital City? Even before I entered the Secret Realm, I was aware of you. At such a young age, you've already stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, indeed impressive. No wonder you managed to topple Prince Yu Mansion."