Cultivating with Symbiosis Panel-Chapter 646 - 365: When the Dust Settles (Part 2)

So even Jianmu, which supplies it with power, does not know that it has been "corrupted" by bugs and is on the verge of decay.

The fruits rot from within; the outside may still look smooth and clean, but the inside has long since turned into a polluted black liquid.

"I always feel that this is something the Gnostic School deliberately did, just to steal some power for themselves from yours."

Li Ye meticulously sensed and separated the roots while chatting idly with Ancestor Jianmu. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Jianmu: "..."

I am a tree, but I’m not just a tree!

He resignedly said, "The worlds I protect are too numerous, and I can’t interfere in their developments too much, else it would extinguish the possibilities of miracles happening.

The guy you met before, Li Xun, was chosen from a small world, and it was the Compassionate Medicine King who personally descended to create miracles.

This shows that even in relatively barren lands, brilliant flowers can still bloom."

This is indeed true.

After all, the more Jianmu divides his consciousness to intervene in the world, the less his humanity remains.

Moreover, there are worlds that even want to shield themselves from the interference of the Four Seasons Sect, by mimicking an ancient powerful being to cut down Jianmu, achieving a kind of separation from the heavens.

Even if he wants to intervene, he’s powerless.

"So are you supplying power, and letting the Celestial Dao distribute it? Can’t you detect abnormal power flows?"

Li Ye had already picked out a small light ribbon formed by the root symbols and naturally sent it to Jianmu while still asking questions.

"Not exactly." Jianmu transformed and grabbed that ribbon to examine carefully before answering, "Apart from the Great Thousand Worlds, all world origins are finite, which is why small worlds are less likely to produce geniuses.

Geniuses have already exhausted all the celestial essence; if they cannot help the world ascend, they are actually a loss.

Generally speaking, when such geniuses appear, the world is immensely chaotic or beyond salvation, grasping for one final hope.

Hmm... This thing is really interesting."

He had seen some things the Gnostic School crafted before, but they seldom troubled the Four Seasons Sect, so he hadn’t seen such mythological roots pulled out on site.

But he indeed was well-informed.

He knew that mythology in the lower realm could derive various treasures, which correspondingly exist in the upper realm—logically, the Gnostic School’s actions are akin to secretly nibbling from their power; they should’ve been severely battered, yet no immortal has punished them thus far.

This is indeed problematic.

Before, it was rather unclear, but now he understood the underlying reason just by observing...

He didn’t elaborate.

Instead, he shifted topics, recounting what Li Ye reported to the Sect Leader, with specific instructions:

"Miao Du always has ideas and her plans, so don’t even think of sneaking into that pesky Qingguang Realm, not even as an avatar."

After explaining briefly, fearing clarity issues might spark Li Ye’s curiosity, he directly shared about Qingguang Realm:

"In that world, there are no cultivators, only beings blessed by deities, who become priests controlling the world’s development strictly, forcing it into... primitive times."

"Thus, even after developing for over a hundred thousand years, that world remains desolate, filled with various monsters, demon beasts, and even wild gods and ghost immortals."

"The mortals living there strictly follow the rhythm of sunrise and sunset—not out of desire, but because the night belongs to the deities’ domain, into which they cannot tread."

"If cultivators enter that world, even as avatars, they’d stand out like beacons in the dark."

"Miao Du is well aware of this, so we suspect she’s up to something, should you meddle directly, and if it disrupts her plans, it’d be troublesome.

But no need to worry, should she truly face danger, I will intervene and bring her back safely.

We, disciples of the Four Seasons Sect, absolutely cannot be bullied."

Towards the end, Ancestor Jianmu’s tone grew more assured, seemingly unconcerned even if facing deities birthed alongside this starry sky over hundreds of thousands of years, likening retrieving people from them to catching lice.

Li Ye listened, grinning widely.

He hastened to extract the last bit of root and chuckled, "You’re still formidable indeed, truly a stable anchor!"

He casually expressed this.

But when Jianmu heard the phrase stable anchor, his face twitched sharply: "Where did you hear about this? Did the Gnostic School contrive it; how dare they provoke that existence..."

Oh?!

Li Ye instantly perked up.

Since now there was no one to verify, with his status and prestige, even stating something awkward wouldn’t prompt elders to delve deep.

So he asked directly: "Did you also know? Tell me more, I’m genuinely curious about that powerhouse!"

Intentionally not mentioning a precise name to see what unexpected surprises might unfold.

Yet Ancestor Jianmu’s expression changed several times.

Then he shook his head, saying, "Impossible, they absolutely wouldn’t dare create myths involving the Great Sage Equalling Heaven. That powerhouse is highly proficient in both Buddhist and Daoist paths and tutored by that holy land; should they dare.

These stones would’ve long birthed monkeys to shatter them with bones and flesh."

Saying this.

He abruptly departed.

This left Li Ye, who initially planned to indulge in gossip and hear some secrets, feeling quite helpless, hence he summoned his Divine Sense, withdrew the remaining roots into his avatar.

He had other issues to tackle.

They’ve been fighting for quite some time.

The emperor’s sons should have arrived by now.

Thus, he swiftly departed, but still ensured the remaining Gnostic School cultivators were sent to the sect, letting the Matriarch carefully interrogate them.

Of course, the cultivator nearly turned to ashes, Li Ye retained him, being instrumental, worst case, he’d be sent mining in a new world.

Once he finished everything and stepped out of the underground palace.

The magical duels in the sky had mostly ended.

Wei Qingye, already bearing numerous wounds, had sustained even more nearly penetrating injuries, yet his spirits were unusually high and uplifted.

Sword Cultivators, after all.

At times exceedingly fragile, yet other times, their fighting spirit surpassing, ignoring missing limbs or organs, able to battle to the death.

Even when seeing Li Ye emerging, he grinned, showing white teeth: "Well done, Brother Li, found me a great opponent. Next time, remember to call me for such fun!"

Saying this.

He shut his eyes, falling straight down.

Li Ye: "..."

He got so startled he almost jumped up, quickly using the Lotus Lamp to support him, carefully inspecting to ensure no fatal injuries, mere exhaustion-induced unconsciousness, finally heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank you."

Patting Wei Qingye’s only unharmed sword-wielding arm, then he sent him into his Jianmu, only the realm bearing all his vitality could swiftly heal a Sword Cultivator.

After Wei Qingye was gone.

His expression instantly darkened, swiftly approaching the panting emperor amidst the ruins beside the palace wall, barely breathing, more inhaling than exhaling.

He said condescendingly:

"I won’t let you die."

"You clearly enjoyed the Four Seasons Sect’s grace yet chose to do such things, breaching my bottom line."

"I will make you watch your descendants kneel before me, as you transform your ancestors’ millennia of foundation into ruins."

The emperor, initially believing he could finally perish, widened his eyes, only to see a seed drop upon him. That seed upon landing rapidly grew dense roots and tender branches.

Wrapping him entirely.

Then his view, elevated with the growing tree, became immobile absolutely.