Chapter 0646: Queen of Jīngjué

Of course, given the young sapling's current state, condensing the Water of Life was not only slow but also extremely time-consuming. More importantly, what it produced still fell short of the legendary Water of Life—it could only be considered Immortal Dew of Life, a lower-tier treasure. Still, a single drop of it rivaled top-tier elixirs and divine medicines.

That aside, as time passed, the innate divine root of the Ruomu Tree would eventually cause a fundamental transformation in the entire Dantian Life Aperture.

Clatter—!!

The two leaves on the Kunlun Divine Tree gently trembled. A subtle Daoist resonance naturally spread from them. From the surface of a leaf, an emerald-green droplet silently emerged. As soon as it formed, it emitted a powerful aura of life.

"Immortal Dew of Life!"

Yi Tianxing recognized it at once—this drop was the life essence condensed by the Kunlun Divine Tree. Once formed, however, the Immortal Dew didn't remain in the Dantian Life Aperture. It mysteriously vanished, only to reappear in the Yongquan Life Aperture.

There, it transformed into a mist of green vapor and seamlessly merged with the aperture.

In that instant, the spring within the Yongquan Aperture visibly refined itself, becoming solid in form. Its origin power surged dramatically. In the Divine Sea, his Natal Star shone with brilliance and rapidly expanded. Within just a few breaths, a second mirror-moon projection appeared in the Divine Sea—it signified that the Yongquan Aperture had reached the Mirror-Moon Realm.

This change wasn't something Yi Tianxing had to consciously control; it was a natural feedback from the Kunlun Divine Tree—a transformation brought about effortlessly.

It was truly astonishing.

The spring in the Yongquan Aperture had now completely formed. Around it, a spiritual pond emerged, with spiritual spring water constantly gushing from the spring. This water contained highly refined spiritual energy, almost equivalent to top-tier elixirs. Drinking it could increase cultivation and replenish magical power.

It could also be used to nourish spiritual herbs and plants, making it the ideal irrigation fluid.

Of course, this was still only ordinary spiritual spring water, not any kind of special evolved form. That kind of transformation would require a fundamental evolution of the aperture or the fulfillment of unique conditions.

Still, even as it was, the combination of the Dantian and Yongquan Life Apertures created a perfect symbiosis—a match made in heaven. In fact, they naturally resonated with one another, as if drawn together by fate.

This resonance became even stronger as both reached the Mirror-Moon Realm, forming an increasingly profound link in the Divine Sea.

If one were to observe closely, one would see that the Mirror-Moon projections didn't merely reflect the Natal Star, but also the internal landscapes of each Life Aperture.

For example, the Dantian projection in the Divine Sea now vividly displayed a vast spiritual field, filled with all sorts of spiritual herbs, plants, grains—and even the Kunlun Divine Tree. The visual was striking and mystical.

Once fused into a Life Diagram, this would mark the fusion of Mirror-Moon Projections, and a merging of the Life Apertures' powers.

Yi Tianxing knew he could already construct a Life Diagram using the Dantian and Yongquan Apertures—creating a so-called Immortal Garden Life Diagram—and break through to the Life Diagram Realm.

However, he chose not to.

Based on records from various ancient cultivation manuals, when breaking through to the Life Diagram Realm, it was best to use one's core Life Aperture to construct a core Life Diagram. This was because such a breakthrough would trigger a Heavenly Tribulation, a trial imposed by the heavens.

If one failed to overcome it, the Life Diagram would collapse, and one's origin would suffer massive damage. But if one succeeded, the reward would be a once-in-a-lifetime boon.

Choosing to ascend with the Immortal Garden Life Diagram might waste this singular opportunity.

Rumble—!!

While Yi Tianxing was still immersed in the changes occurring inside him, the moment he finished collecting the Kunlun Divine Tree, the platform beneath him began to shake violently. From the edges, it started crumbling piece by piece, breaking apart and falling into a bottomless abyss.

All this happened in the blink of an eye.

From harvesting the tree, to the inner transformations, to the collapse of the platform—just a few breaths had passed.

The tremors brought Yi Tianxing back to full alert.

Realizing the platform was collapsing, he reacted instantly, rushing back along the path he came.

"Run! This disturbance will definitely alert the Ghost Cavern Clan!"

Yi Tianxing knew that the changes here couldn't be hidden. They would undoubtedly attract the attention of the Ghost Cavern Clan's powerhouses.

Perhaps even… the Queen of Jīngjué herself!

Amidst the golden desert, vast expanses of sand stretched endlessly. Yellow sand blanketed the world like a curtain from sky to earth. In this sea of desolation, oases were the brightest crowns, the most precious jewels.

And among them, Camelback Oasis was the most dazzling.

Its shape, resembling a camel's two humps, earned it the name. In the desert, camels are the ships of life and hope—and this oasis became a beacon of survival.

Explorers estimated that the oasis could support billions of lifeforms, its size akin to a massive continent. Rivers, mountains, plains—everything existed in abundance.

At its heart stood an ancient city nestled at the base of a towering mountain riddled with countless caverns. Periodically, eerie wails echoed from the depths of those caves—ghostly cries that chilled the soul.

This mountain was a forbidden zone, the sacred land of the Ghost Cavern Clan—mysterious and feared.

At the mountain's foot lay the Ancient City of Jīngjué.

The city bustled with life. Hawkers shouted on every street. But military patrols also roamed, their cold, fierce gazes warning of the consequences of disobedience. They didn't hesitate to arrest citizens on the slightest pretext.

At the city's core stood a grand palace—once the city lord's mansion, now transformed.

Though she bore the title of "Queen," the Queen of Jīngjué did not bother with royal ceremony. In this city, she was the sovereign.

The palace's architecture exuded an exotic, ancient aura. Wall murals depicted ghosts and gods, with black serpents as sacred totems.

Guards in armor patrolled every corner, their aura of elite warriors palpable and intimidating. No commoner dared approach lightly.

To the people, the palace was a forbidden zone.

Even among her personal guards, the Queen inspired fear and awe.

At this moment, in the rear garden of the palace...

A woman in flowing garments with a distinct Western Region flair stood within a lakeside pavilion, casting fish feed into the water. This was none other than the Queen of Jīngjué.

Her aura was impossible for ordinary women to possess—the commanding presence of a ruler.

The exotic dress hugged her form, accentuating every curve. A thin veil covered her face, obscuring her features. But the most striking thing about her was her eyes.

Those eyes... were extraordinary.

Their irises were jet black—shining, deep, mysterious—as if harboring a hidden tunnel to the underworld. Anyone who met her gaze felt their soul being pulled in, devoured. It was terrifying.

Rumors in Jīngjué said her eyes could communicate with ghosts and gods, allowing her to sacrifice souls to gain divine powers.

No one knew the truth.

All that was certain was: anyone who witnessed her power firsthand was already dead.

Suddenly, a flicker of rage and surprise crossed her face. Her dark eyes flashed with fury and killing intent.

Boom!

She struck a pavilion pillar with a bare hand—it instantly shattered, collapsing the roof into the lake.

"Damn it! Someone dared break into the Ghost Cavern… and took my Kunlun Divine Tree?!"

"That damned thief! How dare they covet my treasure? I'll make sure they die horribly!"**

Her expression turned stormy. Her heart felt like it was about to explode.

The Kunlun Divine Tree—a treasure she regarded as a lifeline—was stolen.

To her, it was like someone had just grabbed her bare flesh.

"Guards! Mobilize at once! Surround every exit of the Ghost Cavern!"

"Whoever dares emerge—kill them on sight!"