The black and red energy torrent engulfed Lin Chen and Xiaobai, like the primordial chaos at the beginning of heaven and earth.
In this isolated exotic void, time seemed to have lost its meaning.
Perhaps it was a moment, perhaps ten thousand years.
Lin Chen felt his consciousness shattering and restructuring continuously.
Every shattering brought excruciating pain, and with each reconstruction, his soul became a bit tougher.
He could clearly sense that beside him, Xiaobai was undergoing an unprecedented transformation.
It was a leap in the level of life, a transcendence from the mundane to the divine.
"Crack... crack..."
At this moment, Xiaobai's originally massive body was encased in a giant black-gold cocoon, covered with dense ancient runes, the embodiment of Divine and Demonic Power.
Inside this cocoon, Xiaobai's aura was rising at an astonishing speed!
Level 97...
Level 98...
Level 99...
Pinnacle!
Just at the onset of energy infusion, Xiaobai effortlessly broke through barriers that countless Spirit Beasts couldn't touch in their lifetime, reaching the semi-divine realm directly.
Yet, this was not the end, it was merely the beginning.
The Demon Bull offered its final soul and power, aiming for something beyond a mere semi-god.
"Roar——!!!"
From within the cocoon came Xiaobai's painful yet eager howl.
It was impacting that legendary threshold, the Celestial Chasm between humans and immortals, beasts and gods!
That is...
Immortal Venerable Realm!
Rumble——
The entire tomb of the Divine and Demonic shook, and countless massive dormant bones seemed to sense the birth of a new king, emitting a faint resonance.
Finally, at a certain critical point.
"Bang——!!!"
The black-gold cocoon exploded thunderously!
A terrifying pillar of light indescribably soared into the sky, piercing through the canopy of this exotic realm, as if declaring the arrival of a new god to all worlds.
After the light faded, a figure emerged slowly, causing heaven and earth to lose their color.
That was Xiaobai, yet no longer the Xiaobai from before.
Its figure had not become larger; instead, it condensed to about five meters, appearing extremely sleek.
Its fur was no longer black and white but merged into a deep chaotic gray, each strand crystalline, as if flowing with the brilliance of the galaxy.
Its four hooves were stepping on black demonic fire and golden divine lightning, the original horns were gone, replaced by a pair of primordial Divine and Demonic Horns spiraling towards the sky, inscribed with the patterns of the Great Path, just a glance made one feel their soul being drawn in.
And in the center of its forehead, an eye had opened.
That was a golden-red Divine and Demonic Eye, left eye life, right eye death, the forehead eye establishing the universe's balance!
An aura, towering above all beings and capable of subduing the rules of heaven and earth, emanated from it without reserve.
Immortal Venerable Realm!
In one step, ascend to Immortal Venerable!
This was not just a level increase, but a sublimation of essential life essence.
Lin Chen stood beside Xiaobai, feeling this power, overwhelmed by shock.
At this moment, an obscure and domineering flow of information gushed into Lin Chen's mind.
[Taichu Qingqi Beast]
[Immortal Beast]
[Level: 100]
Lin Chen swallowed hard.
It's here.
Xiaobai had finally reached the legendary Immortal Beast Level.
Looking further down.
[Skill 1: Iron Horn Impact (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 2: Soul-Calming Hoof (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 3: Barbaric Bloodline (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 4: Eternal Damnation Demon Horn (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 5: Demon Bull Appearance (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 6: Divine Demonic Rampage (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 7: Divine Demonic Gaze (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 8: True Form of Taotie (Divine Enlightenment)]
[Skill 9: Divine Demonic Step (Divine Enlightenment)]
Lin Chen saw this, his pupils suddenly constricted, because below there was yet another new skill:
[Immortal Technique: Great Wilderness Unity]
Could this be Mr. Niu's ultimate skill?
Lin Chen pondered, calling for the Demon Bull, but to no avail, its voice no longer appeared.
This caused Lin Chen a pang of worry, could the Demon Bull have disappeared from this world?
"Moo."
Just then, Xiaobai lowered its head, gently nudging Lin Chen, telling him that the Demon Bull hasn't disappeared, perhaps merely in temporarily slumber.
Hearing this, Lin Chen was overjoyed, but the next moment he snapped back to reality.
By now, who knows how much time had passed, and whether the Tree Ancestor had yet set off for Fallen God Mountain.
"First, find Bai Ling."
...
Outside, Spirit Academy.
Time flew like a fleeting horse, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
During this month, the whole Cangling Ancient Country seemed peaceful on the surface, yet a potent undercurrent churned beneath.
The doors on the side of the Celestial Capital were tightly shut, with no news coming out.
Meanwhile, at Spirit Academy, the atmosphere also grew exceedingly heavy.
Today was the appointed day to head to Fallen God Mountain.
On the main peak of Spirit Academy, the autumn wind was bleak, sweeping up the fluttering leaves.
The Tree Ancestor, dressed in plain cyan, stood by the cliff, posture straight as a pine, gazing toward the far north.
There lay the direction of Fallen God Mountain, the ultimate battlefield determining the fate of the Human Race.
Behind him, the Great Elder hunched over, his face even more furrowed within this month.
"Tree Ancestor..."
The Great Elder's voice was hoarse, laden with deep worry:
"Has the time... come?"
The Tree Ancestor did not turn, only nodded slightly, his tone as calm as discussing today's weather:
"Yes, it's time to set out."
The Great Elder opened his mouth, seemingly with a thousand words to say, wanting to caution the Tree Ancestor to be careful and ask about the odds of victory, but at his lips, there remained only a hefty sigh.
He knew, this battle is unavoidable.
The entry ticket is at the Immortal Venerable Level.
This meant, within the whole Spirit Academy and even the entire Human Race, only the Tree Ancestor could answer the call now.
This was a war for "gods," where mortals weren't even qualified to watch.
"Tree Ancestor, with this journey... what are your chances?"
The Great Elder, unable to bear it, asked the most concerning question.
After a pause, the Tree Ancestor finally spoke, his voice low and grave:
"For this battle, I do not yet know.
"If I cannot return... or if the Divine Race has a backup plan for Spirit Academy..."
"Remember, no matter the cost, even if it means sacrificing the entire Spirit Academy, you must..."
"Ensure Lin Chen's growth!"
"He is the variable, the hope, the only living eye in this dead-end game."
"As long as he remains, the spark of the Human Race will not extinguish!"
The Great Elder, watching the Tree Ancestor's gaze akin to entrusting an orphan, felt immensely grief-stricken but could only heavily nod.
The Tree Ancestor smiled reassuringly, no longer lingering, his form transformed into a brilliant green arc, instantly slicing through the sky, vanishing into the heavens.
At that moment, behind him, everyone in Spirit Academy knelt on the ground, shouting in unison:
"Respectfully send off the Tree Ancestor!"
