Chapter 192: Imperial Decree (Part 8)

Su Chen opened his Myriad Laws Heavenly Eye. Countless veins crisscrossed the immortal leaf, resembling booming great paths.
"The rumors of the Jade Pool Holy Land's connection to a transcendent being don't seem to be false."
The immortal leaf was extraordinary, unlike anything found in this world, containing heaven-defying fortune.
All the prodigies displayed their unique methods: some used supernatural powers, some manifested cultivation techniques, some recounted their own paths to enlightenment in dazzling detail, and some struck various poses, forging their own unique paths.
"It's the immortal leaf! The immortal leaf has moved!"
Someone exclaimed in surprise.
The once tranquil fairy leaf suddenly stirred, floating into the air and pointing in one direction. There sat an extraordinary man, golden lotuses blooming from the ground and flowers raining down from the sky. Someone recognized him, exclaiming in surprise, "It's him! The invincible one who once fought alone against the prodigies of all races, the number one of his era, who has remained sealed away until now, all for the opportunity before the great era begins!"
The man sensed the fairy leaf flying towards him, and the surrounding phenomena became even more astonishing. However, after circling above his head once, the fairy leaf unexpectedly turned and headed in another direction. This sudden change left everyone astonished. It seemed the invincible prodigy had been 'played' by the fairy leaf; even the astonishing phenomena ceased.
The fairy leaf landed in the hand of a handsome young man, seemingly excited. It actually began to dance, a scene that left everyone speechless.
"This... the fairy leaf has become a spirit!"
However... this is a fairy leaf left over from the distant mythical era; its becoming a spirit isn't surprising.
Su Chen was speechless. This fairy leaf was truly mischievous.
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi smiled, "As expected, it chose you, Young Master Ye."
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi seemed to have anticipated this outcome and was not surprised.
While the many prodigies present felt some regret, they were not unconvinced. Su Chen's easy defeat of the successor of the Heaven-Slaying Sect had already won them over, and this result was not unexpected. Only the prodigy who had been toyed with stood frozen in place; time and space seemed to freeze, and the strange phenomenon ceased to move.
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi slowly rose and said, "Young Master Ye has gained the approval of the Immortal Leaf, so he is naturally qualified to obtain the opportunity for divine medicine. I would like to invite Young Master Ye and Chi Yao to go together."
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi invited Su Chen to the depths of the Yaochi Holy Land. Su Chen did not refuse; he was also very curious about the legendary Immortal Tree of the Yaochi Holy Land.
Deep within the Yaochi Holy Land, Su Chen sensed many terrifying auras, like the rising and falling of a sea of ​​clouds. The fact that the Yaochi Holy Land had remained unbroken and undecayed since the Mythical Era meant that its foundation was certainly not as simple as it appeared.
Deep within, Su Chen saw an endless galaxy hanging from a tree, the entire world seemingly fading into its silhouette.
"This is the legendary Immortal Tree of my Yaochi Holy Land,"
the Yaochi Holy Maiden introduced, without any intention of concealing it.
"This tree seems... not of this era, rooted in the ages, truly astonishing!"
Su Chen exclaimed in admiration.
Nine-colored light emanated from the Yaochi Holy Maiden, ethereal and otherworldly, like a goddess descended from heaven. She removed the veil from her face, revealing her peerless beauty, and smiled, saying, "Young Master Ye must be curious about just how amazing the fruit of the Immortal Tree is."
Su Chen nodded, looking at the Holy Maiden of Yaochi. At this moment, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi was indistinct, seemingly about to merge with the immortal tree.
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi said, "Actually, I am the transformed fruit of the immortal tree."
The legendary immortal tree fruit, an opportunity comparable to divine medicine, was actually the Holy Maiden of Yaochi!
Su Chen was very surprised. No wonder he couldn't see through the Holy Maiden of Yaochi's background; he hadn't expected her to be a transformed fruit of the immortal tree.
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi continued, "As long as Young Master Ye eats me, he will receive the fortune bestowed by the immortal tree, becoming invincible in the world."
Su Chen: "......."
No wonder the fortune of the Yaochi Holy Land was so mysterious.
Su Chen gazed at the seemingly timeless immortal tree and asked, "This isn't as simple as it seems. What price will I have to pay to consume you?"
The fruit of the immortal tree actually belonged to the current Holy Maiden of the Yaochi Holy Land. Su Chen didn't believe the Yaochi Holy Land would be so kind as to let a complete stranger consume their Holy Maiden. He knew that with an immortal tree fruit of such origin, while it might not be enough to become an Emperor, breaking through to the Quasi-Emperor level would be effortless.
The Yaochi Holy Maiden smiled, "Young Master Ye is intelligent, but the price you pay is insignificant compared to the benefits you gain. Whether Young Master Ye becomes an Emperor or not, your Dao after death will return to the immortal tree, becoming its nourishment."
Su Chen sighed, "It seems your Yaochi Holy Land has grand ambitions."
Using the Dao traces of past human powerhouses and even Great Emperors as nourishment... what kind of monster would this create? If that immortal tree were to transform into a living being, it might break the curse that no one has been able to transcend since the mythical era!
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi looked at Su Chen with her clear eyes and said, "Young Master Ye, if you consume Chi Yao, you will surely undergo a transformation, advancing further and becoming an Emperor in this era."
Su Chen said, "I refuse."
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi was taken aback, puzzled, "Why? Doesn't Young Master Ye want to become an Emperor?"
Su Chen shook his head: "Of course I want to become an Emperor; that's my goal. But Fairy Yaochi, you've made a mistake."
"Even without the opportunities of the Yaochi Holy Land, I would still become an Emperor, not because of the opportunities of the Yaochi Holy Land."
"Therefore, I refuse."
Su Chen's tone was calm.
However, the Holy Maiden of Yaochi sensed a firm, unwavering belief, convincing her that this young man before her would undoubtedly become an unparalleled Emperor, revered by all races!
For Su Chen...
This deal...
What a joke!
He possessed the supreme treasure, the Book of Reversal of Fate, and the ability to reincarnate was his greatest secret. After death, his own Dao would return to the Immortal Tree? Wouldn't it be better to refine his corpse and use it again in the next life?
However, what surprised Su Chen was that the secret of the Immortal Tree reminded him of the Forbidden Zone of the Ancient Tomb, the curse of the Bronze Immortal Palace—after death, the body would return to the Forbidden Zone of the Ancient Tomb, achieving immortality.
Perhaps there was a connection between the two, but these were things he couldn't explore at his current level.
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi's beautiful eyes shone with extraordinary light. Throughout the ages, few would refuse the opportunity of the Immortal Tree. Those who aspired to become Emperors wouldn't give up any chance to grow stronger; others might act out of pity. However, the young man before her was certain he would become an Emperor, and he genuinely rejected the opportunity of the Immortal Tree—a rare occurrence throughout history.
The Holy Maiden of Yaochi was extremely curious.
"The Immortal Tree can only choose one person in a single lifetime. In this lifetime, Chi Yao has already chosen Young Master Ye; she is Young Master Ye's possession. If Young Master Ye changes his mind, he can consume Chi Yao at any time."
The Holy Goddess of Yaochi spoke with a serious expression.