And the Enlightenment Tea Tree was also affected in that battle."

His voice was deep, carrying a hint of desolation, as his gaze fell upon the black wooden box.

"This piece in my hands was fortunately brought back from a chaotic forbidden land back then."

"This object is too precious, Master. I'm afraid I can't bear it..."

Gu Xianlin's voice was dry.

He was too aware of the value of this leaf.

If this object were taken out, it would undoubtedly drive countless Nine Tribulation Heavenly Venerables mad.

Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate shook his head.

"No matter how precious a treasure, if not used at the critical moment, it's no different from scrap iron."

"Initially, I planned to use this object to break through when attempting the Nine Tribulations Realm in the future. But now it seems, this supreme treasure has a different purpose."

"Your father-emperor rose from obscurity for merely tens of millions of years, yet has already stepped into the Nine Tribulations, overpowering Taixu Divine Master, and resisting Immortal Killing Intent.

Such talent, such potential, is unprecedented."

"Perhaps, he is the last hope for the Human Clan in this era."

Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate's voice carried a heavy sense of mission.

"Three hundred billion years later, Emperor Ziwei will face the Tribulation of Transcendence. If he succeeds, the Heavenly Emperor transcends, and our Human Clan will usher in an unparalleled golden age. But if he fails..."

He didn't finish.

But Gu Xianlin understood.

If Emperor Ziwei falls, the Human Clan will lose its greatest pillar.

Then, the immortals of the Evil God Clan will surely come out in force, bathing the Human Clan's territories in blood.

And by that time—

Few will stand up to carry the flag for the Human Clan.

"This leaf from the Enlightenment Tea Tree is wasted in my hands but in your father-emperor's hands, perhaps it can produce another top-tier powerhouse for our Human Clan."

Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate's eyes flashed with expectation.

Gu Xianlin fell silent.

Holding the black wooden box in his hands, he felt that this small box was as heavy as billions of stars.

Inside, it carried not just a leaf.

But also his master's expectations and hope for the future of the Human Clan.

After a long while.

He took a deep breath and deeply bowed to Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate: "Disciple thanks the master on behalf of father-emperor!"

This bow was heartfelt.

Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate waved his hand, his expression returning to calmness.

"Go, quickly return this item to the Mystic Sky Immortal Dynasty, and hand it over to your father-emperor."

"Disciple understands!"

Gu Xianlin solemnly agreed, carefully placing the black wooden box into his bosom.

Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate closed his eyes.

Gu Xianlin paid his respects once more and turned to leave the Immortal Palace.

After he departed, the Immortal Palace returned to silence.

Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate still sat cross-legged on his cushion. After a long time, he slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the endless chaos outside the hall, whispering to himself.

"Gu Qingfeng, do not let me down."

"Perhaps the Human Clan's last spark of hope truly rests upon you."

Three hundred billion years later, as Emperor Ziwei faces the Tribulation of Transcendence, that time will be when the great calamity of the Human Clan erupts.

If Emperor Ziwei falls, and the Human Clan does not have other immortals to stand forth and carry the flag, the situation will be dire indeed.

However—

Though the Human Clan currently possesses several immortals, there are not many who are capable of carrying the flag.

Even now, Gu Qingfeng has risen in defiance, unfolding as an unparalleled genius for the Human Clan, perhaps key to breaking the stalemate.

Though he has yet to truly step into the Immortal Realm, until the last moment, none can say for sure.

After all, for such demons, anything is possible.

More importantly.

Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate vaguely suspects that the Mystic Sky Immortal Emperor may very well be the destiny of this era.

Each era will have its Child of Destiny.

Every great calamity brings forth a destiny, granting the Human Clan a slim hope.

Once, Emperor Ziwei was such.

Now, looking across the entire Human Clan, in the eyes of Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate, Gu Qingfeng has a high probability of being the Child of Destiny.

After all, having come so far in tens of millions of years shows his extraordinary nature.

Ultimately—

The voice echoed in the empty Immortal Palace and then faded into invisibility.

…

On the other side.

Gu Xianlin stepped into the Mystic Sky Immortal Realm, immediately seeking an audience with Gu Qingfeng.

"Your son salutes the father-emperor!"

Gu Xianlin bowed respectfully.

Gu Qingfeng cast his gaze upon his fourth son, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"The peak of Third Tribulation is just a step away from the Fourth Tribulation. It seems that in these years at the Mountain and Sea Sacred Land, you have not been lax."

With his vision, he naturally saw through Gu Xianlin's cultivation at a glance.

Gu Xianlin respectfully said, "This son dares not be lax."

Gu Qingfeng nodded slightly and asked, "Suddenly returning today, is there a reason?"

Gu Xianlin took a deep breath, his expression becoming solemn.

He took out the black wooden box from his bosom and offered it with both hands: "This son has returned firstly because I haven't seen Father Emperor for a long time and miss you in my heart, and secondly, under Master Venerate's command, to present this item to Father Emperor."

Gu Qingfeng's gaze fell on the black wooden box.

At first glance, the box seemed ordinary.

But when he focused and examined it carefully, his pupils slightly contracted.

The surface of the box, which appeared simple and black, was actually composed of countless intricately subtle Dao symbols. These symbols were not etched by human hands but naturally generated, each corresponding to a fundamental Dao rule.

Even more terrifying was the existence of the box itself seemed to faintly resonate with the Netherworld Path within him.

Know this, Gu Qingfeng's current Netherworld Path had reached the Nine Tribulation level, surpassing ordinary Dao. Something that could resonate with it is nothing ordinary!

"What is inside this box?"

Gu Qingfeng's voice carried a hint of gravity.

Gu Xianlin carefully said, word by word, "Reporting to Father Emperor, what is stored within this box are the Enlightenment Tea Tree Leaves."

"Boom—"

In an instant, centered around Gu Qingfeng, the Dao rules throughout the entire Imperial Garden were shaken!

The shock wasn't intentionally released by him, rather the mere mention of the Enlightenment Tea Tree contained a certain supreme Dao Rhythm, causing the heavens and earth to resonate.

For the first time, genuine astonishment appeared in Gu Qingfeng's eyes.

He summoned with a gesture, causing the black wooden box to fall into his palm.

As the box entered his hand, it was warm and smooth, with an unusual texture. The intricate Dao symbols on the box, upon contacting his palm, began to spontaneously flow, emitting a hazy starlight.

Gu Qingfeng did not hesitate, gently tapped the lid with his fingertip.

"Click."

A soft sound.

The lid slowly opened.

"Buzz—"

There was no imagined divine radiance surging to the sky, nor were there any extraordinary phenomena.

Only a small leaf, no larger than a palm, quietly lay inside the box.

The leaf exhibited a chaotic hue, sometimes dull gray, sometimes transparent, sometimes flowing with rainbow colors.

On the leaf surface, three thousand tiny patterns naturally grew, each pattern seeming like a surging river of the Great Tao, containing infinite mysteries.

And around the leaf, the void naturally evolved—

One leaf was a complete universe of the Tao.

Gu Qingfeng gazed upon this leaf for a full ten breaths before slowly closing the box lid.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil within his heart, and looked at Gu Xianlin: "Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate truly gifted this item to me?"

Gu Xianlin nodded heavily: "Master Venerate personally said so, undeniably true. Master Venerate also expressed that the gift to Father Emperor today is hoped for the Father Emperor to strive for a chance of survival for the Human Clan."

Gu Qingfeng fell silent.

He lowered his head, staring at the black wooden box in his hands, his eyes complex.

Enlightenment Tea Tree Leaves!

The value of such a Supreme Treasure, he understood better than anyone.

And Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate, unexpectedly, gifted such a Supreme Treasure to him without hesitation.

Such a favor was too weighty.

So weighty that even Gu Qingfeng felt a trace of pressure.

For a long time.

"Mountain and Sea Heavenly Venerate..."

Gu Qingfeng softly uttered this name, then slightly nodded towards the direction of the Mountain and Sea Sacred Land.

This was a promise.

A promise heavy as chaos, yet without need for words.

"This item, I accept it."

Gu Qingfeng looked at Gu Xianlin, his voice calm, yet imbued with unprecedented determination: "Go back and tell your Master Venerate, this chance for the Human Clan, I take it."

Gu Xianlin's entire body shook, his eyes bursting with brilliant light.

He deeply bowed once again:

"This son obeys!"

Gu Qingfeng waved his hand:

"Go. Cultivate well, do not fail your Master's expectations."

"Yes!"

Gu Xianlin respectfully withdrew.

Once more, silence returned to the Imperial Garden.

Gu Qingfeng stood alone beneath an ancient tree, holding the black wooden box, his gaze profound as an abyss.

For a long time.

He softly murmured, his voice dissipating slowly amidst the immortal mist.

"Enlightenment Tea Tree—"

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