Chapter 145: Meeting Between Life and Death, An Endless Cycle

Suddenly, the black jar above their heads seemed to be empowered by some mysterious force. It began to pursue the World Tree at a terrifying speed. The World Tree, already depleted of its inner energy, had been using what little remained solely for its flight. However, with all the True Immortals burning their own vital essence to fuel the chase, the giant jar was nearly upon it. The World Tree was in imminent danger.

The black jar exerted a formidable gravitational pull; even before it caught up, the force was so immense that it forced the World Tree to slow down. The World Tree struggled violently, its branches thrashing against the surrounding air, twisting and contorting as if in agony. The chains formed by the mysterious yellow gas glowed intensely, with golden runes leaping from their surfaces as they fought desperately against the binding.

Yet, it was to no avail. This was a vessel powered by the heart's blood of ten True Immortals; currently, nothing could shake it even in the slightest. Even the World Tree had no hope of breaking free. Under the crushing pressure, the World Tree was rendered almost powerless.

At this moment, the chase reached the skies above Southern Yi. Countless cultivators on the ground looked up and witnessed the scene, passing the news to one another in panic.

"What is that? It looks like a tree!"
"I feel as if the energy emanating from that tree is of the same origin as my own!"
"Could that be the legendary World Tree? The World Tree of our Tianwu Realm?"
"Didn't it always live in the Mist Sea? Why is it here? And what is that behind it? A black jar?"
"The World Tree is actually being chased by a jar?"
"That jar is clearly no ordinary object, especially since it seems intent on swallowing the World Tree!"

Cultivators below cried out in alarm. "We cannot let the World Tree be captured! If it is destroyed, the Tianwu Realm will become a desolate wasteland, and we will all perish!"

Though frantic, the cultivators on the ground were helpless, forced to watch as the black jar prepared to claim its prize. The World Tree had ground to a halt in the sky, its movement completely obstructed. Southern Yi was right before it, yet it could not advance. The black jar expanded, blotting out the sky.

***

In Zhu Xiaoyuan’s courtyard, the Flat Peach Tree began to sway its branches. With a gentle shake, a surge of energy erupted from between its boughs. A green mist shimmered, vanishing from the courtyard in an instant and reappearing on the outskirts of Southern Yi.

The massive black jar hovered, having already swallowed most of the World Tree, leaving only its roots exposed. But even that was not to last. Just then, streams of green energy manifested around the black jar. The energy coalesced into a long whip, radiating a profound sense of vitality.

With a thunderous boom, the whip descended. The black jar was struck squarely by the green energy! A deafening explosion echoed through the air, and before the eyes of the onlookers, the black jar shattered into dust that drifted away. The terrifying shockwave of the blast rippled outward, traveling to the very edges of the horizon.

The World Tree, freed from the jar's grasp, returned to the sky. It seemed to rejoice like a child, and with no further obstacles, it shot toward Southern Yi like a shooting star, without a moment's hesitation.

High above, the group of True Immortals in black robes turned pale, each of them coughing up mouthfuls of blood.

"No! Don't!" Shen Bing shook his head, his eyes filled with panic.

"Ah!"

Screams rang out one after another. The True Immortals, who had been full of vitality moments ago, were reduced to mists of blood that vanished into the air. Gritting his teeth, Shen Bing desperately sacrificed a piece of jade in his final moments. He crushed it, and before he could even scream, he vanished from the spot, leaving only a thin veil of blood lingering in the air. A faint, broken soul flickered in the sky, unseen by any, before disappearing in a blink.

***

In the small mountain village, at the Duyi Leisure Courtyard, Zhu Xiaoyuan lay on his recliner beneath the Flat Peach Tree, looking relaxed. For the past few days, the weather in Southern Yi had been chaotic and strange.

Now, the sky was clear, and all signs of bad weather had vanished. It was late, nearing twilight.

"It feels like I haven't been out to paint the sunset in a while. The weather is truly lovely today... Huanyue, Ruofeng, come with me for a walk and some sketching!"

Zhu Xiaoyuan rose to gather his things. Huanyue and Ruofeng were ecstatic at being called. They hadn't left the house in a long time, as they dared not venture out while the Tianwu Realm was plagued by disasters. But today was different—not only were they going out, but they were accompanying their master. They were sure to gain much from this trip. The others watched with burning envy, but there was nothing they could do but watch them leave with Zhu Xiaoyuan.

Huanyue brought the easel, and Ruofeng carefully carried her zither. The three left the courtyard and headed toward the Nanling Mountains.

The mountains, which had previously collapsed into ruin, were now unexpectedly vibrant with spring. New grass sprouted in lush green carpets, and towering trees stood tall, suffused with the breath of life. A rabbit darted through the trees with incredible speed.

Zhu Xiaoyuan blinked. It hadn't been many days since he last stepped out, yet the Nanling Mountains had undergone such a transformation. *Tsk tsk,* he mused, *so much change in just a few days.*

"All things pass like a white horse galloping past a crevice; life and death interweave in an endless cycle..." Zhu Xiaoyuan murmured to himself as he walked, observing the scenery.

Hearing his words, Huanyue and Ruofeng fell into deep contemplation.

*To Master,* they thought, *the changes of heaven and earth and the cycle of life and death occur within a single thought.*

"The seas change into mulberry fields in the blink of an eye," Ruofeng whispered to herself.

"Life and death interweave, an endless cycle. The Nanling Mountains collapsed, and life fell silent, only to bloom anew..."