X-Dragon Era

Upon hearing the old pine's words, Xin Yun and the others suddenly realized. Actually, the old pine didn't mind them occupying this place. To the old pine, they were like small insects living under the tree. As long as they didn't nibble on its roots, the old fellow would absolutely not interfere. This world was originally ownerless, and this place was not the old pine's territory.

Without any hesitation, Xin Yun nodded and said with a smile, "That's no problem at all. We will definitely not touch your roots, and we'll even find a way to help you repair the roots that those guys damaged!"

"Mmm, mmm, mmm..." Hearing Xin Yun's words, the old pine joyfully said, "That would be truly wonderful, thank you so much. You have no idea how much pain my roots have been in these past days. If they can be healed, that would just be fantastic."

At this, the old pine paused slightly before continuing, "Additionally, I hope you can plug up that Fire Eye. The flame temperature is too high, and there is already not enough water here. Adding the roasting flames really makes it unbearable. If possible, I hope you can help me, find a way to suppress that flame."

Upon hearing the old pine's words, Xin Yun immediately understood. The old pine was referring to the hundreds of meters high flame spewing from the Fire Eye right in the center of this cave realm. The Fire Eye was right underneath the old pine, which must have been especially uncomfortable for it.

In thought, Xin Yun readily agreed. Even if the old pine hadn't mentioned it, Xin Yun would have isolated the Fire Eye regardless, otherwise, how would they mine the Red Spirit Copper? One couldn't get close without being turned to ashes.

Seeing Xin Yun agree, the old pine was overjoyed and gratefully said, "That really is too kind of you. As a token of my gratitude, I will extend my roots here to replenish the area with abundant oxygen, as well as the condensed nature's spiritual energy, turning this place into a paradise suitable for ordinary people to live in!"

Faced with such an offer, how could Xin Yun possibly refuse? He readily accepted, and afterward... through their conversation, Xin Yun learned many things.

This Giant Pine had an extraordinary background. According to itself, it existed even before the creation of the heavens and the earth. If what it said was true, then the situation was astounding—it was actually an Innate Spirit Root!

At first glance, Innate Spirit Roots seem plentiful, giving an impression that they are everywhere. Yet, in truth, even if you searched the entire world, the number of existing Innate Spirit Roots wouldn't exceed the digits on both hands!

Green Lotus, Peach Tree of Immortality, Ginseng Fruit, Huang Zhongli, Green Willow, Bitter Bamboo, Gourd, Bodhi, Pseudosolar, Five-Needle Pine. These are the so-called Top Ten Innate Spirit Roots. Just picking one out, each is renowned and equal in origin to Pangu, existing in the same era.

However, although their origins are extraordinary, among the Top Ten Innate Spirit Roots, not many have managed to survive. The most tragic was the Gourd; first, its gourds were plucked clean, and then even the vines were taken by Nuwa to create the Human Race. After absorbing the virtue of creation, it was refined into the Demon-Binding Rope, becoming a Spiritual Treasure.

Those with fortunate destinies include the Ginseng Fruit Tree, which later transformed into the Ancestor of Earth Immortals—Zhenyuan Great Immortal. But the reason for its survival was because it possessed the earthly scriptures, governed the realm of earth immortals, and was the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, Protecting of the Human Race, and thus it endured through countless calamities. Otherwise, with the Ginseng Fruit's wonderful uses, it would no doubt have been taken away long ago.

The Peach Tree's fate was more average. Although it survived, it became a Vassal of the Heavenly Court. While it had life, it lost its freedom. Apart from this, nearly all the Innate Spirit Roots had died out, at most two or three barely survived by fluke, whose whereabouts are unknown.

Xin Yun was somewhat aware of the old pine's fate—one of its branches was taken by Laozi to make the Supreme Bamboo Cane, while the trunk and roots were taken by Manjushri the Heavenly Honored One to create the impressive Dragon-Escaping Stake. Branch, trunk, roots—all were taken, which naturally meant the old pine could not survive.

Initially, Xin Yun had thought about luring this fellow into joining the Dragon Gate, but after learning its true identity, he no longer dared to do so. Xin Yun did not believe he could withstand Laozi.

Xin Yun knew that Laozi's purpose for coming here was the same as Zhun Ti's—the main trunk of an Innate Spirit Root, when refined, would surely be an Innate Spiritual Treasure. The power of the Supreme Bamboo Cane was by no means inferior to that of the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree.

In appearance, the Five-Needle Pine resembled Huangshan's Welcoming Guests Pine, with a trunk standing on the cliff and one main branch stretching out like a dragon's head, several times longer than the trunk itself.

The Supreme Bamboo Cane, in fact, was a dragon-headed cane. Normally, it could be held in hand, but when it came to fighting, one could simply use the cane to strike, as the martial generals of the Yang family liked to do.

It can be said, every part of an Innate Spirit Root is a treasure. Even Xin Yun could not help but be secretly tempted. If he wished, he could now end this old pine's life, and then take its branches, trunk, and roots to refine treasures. Supreme Bamboo Cane and Dragon-Escaping Stake, those were indeed notable Spiritual Treasures!

But for the moment, Xin Yun was unable to act. This cave realm could not do without the old pine. Without its supply of oxygen and its condensing of nature's spiritual energy, this cave realm's environment would be too appalling—an enclosed space, combined with the raging flames from the earth's core, was like a hell on earth.

The current problem was that Xin Yun needed the limitless Red Spirit Copper here to refine the Heaven and Earth Seal. The so-called Heaven and Earth Seal was in fact the Kongtong Seal, just an enhanced version of the canonical seal. It was no longer appropriate to call it the Kongtong Seal; only Heaven and Earth Seal could convey its fierceness!