Chapter 723: Earth Sovereign!
"So this is my barrier to the Earth Sovereign stage?" Xiao Ze murmured, feeling the base of the Origin Tree expand. His heart filled with joy.
The cultivation path of the Origin Tree was entirely distinct from the one in the Great Thousand World. Unlike Mu Chen, who filled his Sovereign Sea to its limits and forcibly shattered it to create countless miniature seas, Xiao Ze didn't possess a Sovereign Sea at all.
Instead, his path relied on the continuous growth of the Origin Tree. As its diameter expanded, the golden leaves formed from the primordial flames on its branches glowed with a brilliant starlight. The energy from the stars that Xiao Ze had previously absorbed was now reflected on these leaves.
The radiant golden leaves shimmered, each seeming to hold the essence of a star ready to be born. Nurturing such a transformation required an immense amount of energy, which manifested in the massive influx of spiritual energy surrounding Xiao Ze.
The energy was so concentrated it crystallized into liquid form. Yet, even the liquified energy seemed insufficient; it was swallowed into Xiao Ze's body as if into an endless abyss, leaving not a ripple behind.
Below, Mandala observed the scene with a furrowed brow.
"He's reached the critical stage of his breakthrough," she muttered, watching Xiao Ze's frenzied absorption. "The energy he's drawing is beyond what the Azure Flame Lotus can gather. I have to intervene."
With a flash, Mandala stepped outside the azure glow radiating from the flame talisman. Her slender fingers pressed downward, and an aura of dominance rippled outwards.
"Spiritual Energy Convergence!"
Under Mandala's command, the azure light spread further, drawing in the spiritual energy from tens of thousands of feet of the magma sea. Her Sovereign level control over energy made it appear as if the world itself bent to her will.
With Mandala's assistance, the Azure Flame Lotus was able to pull energy at an even faster rate, barely keeping up with Xiao Ze's insatiable demand.
"This boy..." Mandala muttered, exasperated yet impressed. "He's not even an Earth Sovereign yet, but his absorption capacity surpasses most Sovereigns. If any ordinary ninth grade Sovereign dared absorb this much energy, their body would have exploded within seconds."
Her eyes flickered with uncertainty. "Could it be that even this entire magma sea won't be enough for him?"
Time passed as Xiao Ze continued to refine the influx of spiritual energy, while Mandala's expression turned increasingly resigned.
Her earlier worry proved prophetic the once vast magma sea was rapidly depleting. As its spiritual energy dissipated, the fiery lake began to cool. Without its spiritual essence or the support of natural ley lines, the magma solidified, its surface hardening into dark, craggy rock.
Seeing Xiao Ze still devouring energy without pause, Mandala's lips twitched in frustration. Clenching her teeth, she finally made a decision.
"If you don't make me a Sovereign level pill after this, see how I deal with you!" she grumbled, withdrawing the perfect grade Ling Shen Liquid she had painstakingly refined earlier.
With a flick of her wrist, the golden elixir soared into the lotus's glowing field.
Boom!
The Azure Flame Lotus pulsed, guiding the Ling Shen Liquid toward Xiao Ze's head. The golden liquid dissolved into a radiant light, pouring its boundless energy down onto him.
From his meditative state, Xiao Ze sensed the overwhelming influx of power and felt a surge of gratitude. Ling Shen Liquid was immensely valuable, especially at perfect grade. For Mandala to sacrifice it for his breakthrough spoke volumes, and he silently vowed to repay her generosity.
With the Ling Shen Liquid enhancing his efforts, Xiao Ze finally overcame the final barrier.
The growth of the Origin Tree's diameter began to stabilize. Each leaf, gleaming with starlight, pulsed brighter, merging into a dazzling golden glow. Billions of radiant sparks converged into a single beam of pure golden light, shining upon Xiao Ze.
A profound transformation rippled through his soul as the light enveloped him.
In his mind, clarity dawned. The transformation of the starry leaves mirrored the process of breaking the Sovereign Sea into countless miniature seas. The starry leaves and their celestial light now extended through his Origin Space, forming a cosmic network.
The Origin Tree stood as the central axis of his inner world, its branches and leaves resembling a universe in miniature.
His body underwent a metamorphosis as the process completed. When the golden light dimmed, Xiao Ze opened his eyes, now shimmering with a profound power. Within his gaze, thunder rumbled and worlds seemed to birth and collapse.
Unconsciously, a surge of spiritual pressure radiated from Xiao Ze, shaking the surrounding world. The hardened magma beneath him cracked like a spider's web, the fissures spreading for miles. Even this unintentional release of his power was enough to alter the terrain.
Xiao Ze exhaled, feeling the immense strength coursing through his being. He realized that even without spiritual energy, the raw power of his physique alone now surpassed his pre breakthrough self.
Turning to Mandala, Xiao Ze clasped his hands in gratitude.
"Mandala, thank you. Without your help, I wouldn't have reached the Earth Sovereign stage."
Mandala gave a faint smile, though she rolled her eyes. "Just remember your promise to make me a Sovereign pill, and we'll call it even."
She paused, then added, "Besides, you've only succeeded halfway. The real challenge is still ahead."
Xiao Ze nodded solemnly. He was well aware this was just the beginning. To truly become an Earth Sovereign, he still needed to pass the Spirit Tribulation and transform his Sovereign Body into a Sovereign Avatar.
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