In a chain’s shadow, Zhou Yuan’s eyes flickered indeterminately as he stared at the nearby fire-like ball of light. The consciousness that had reached out was sending a signal for help. Although the message was somewhat vague, it was not difficult for him to understand.

The Heavenly Fire Tree King was asking him to save it?

Has it gained awareness?

Although an existence like it had an endless life force and Genesis Qi, wasn’t it supposed to be very difficult for it to gain awareness?

Zhou Yuan’s eyes flickered in thought. Perhaps it had not gained a mind of its own but possessed unimaginable senses due to its innate ability to survive. Zhou Yuan’s five-foot Law Domain might be able to hide from the Nascent Source expert above, but it was unable to escape the Heavenly Fire Tree King’s detection.

Moreover, its instincts might be able to discern that Zhou Yuan could possibly save it...

You think too highly of me. Do you think that I’m a Law Domain expert? Zhou Yuan muttered in his heart but soon gritted his teeth. No matter what, he had to give it a try. Saving the Heavenly Fire Tree King was secondary, but he definitely needed to stop the alliance from using its power against the Tianyuan Region.

With his decision made, Zhou Yuan no longer hesitated. However, he did not move but instead used his Spirit senses to observe the Heavenly Fire Tree King’s surroundings. Space was warped around the tree and flowing with faint traces of Genesis Runes. It was evidently some kind of suppressing boundary.

The boundary was extremely formidable. Most importantly, there were traces of Saint Fire aura on the Genesis Runes in its core region. The Heavenly Fire Tree King was unable to escape because of this aura.

The aura was the power of a Saint expert.

The Saint Rune in Zhou Yuan’s eyes rotated, allowing him to clearly view the hidden ancient boundary surrounding the Heavenly Fire Tree King. After some careful consideration, he frowned deeply as he looked towards the stone platforms above, especially the one where the Nascent Source expert was seated.

These stone platforms were providing a steady stream of power to maintain the Saint Fire aura at the boundary’s core.

“Too troublesome…”

Zhou Yuan had a headache. To save the Heavenly Fire Tree King, he needed to fulfill two conditions. The first was to create a tiny hole in the Genesis Rune boundary around the tree to destroy its suppressive effect.

Although such a small hole was insignificant, the Heavenly Fire Tree King could capitalize on it. After all, Zhou Yuan could only create a small opening for it, and the rest would still depend on the tree.

With the Decoder Saint Rune’s help, it was not too difficult for him to open a tiny hole in the boundary. The problem lay with the Saint Fire aura. Even though it was extremely faint, it was still far too terrifying to someone like Zhou Yuan, making it very difficult for him to approach.

Once he fulfilled the first condition, there was still the second step: forcing the Nascent Source expert off the main stone platform. Once the expert left, the entire boundary would loosen, allowing the Heavenly Fire Tree King to break free.

These two conditions were as difficult as ascending the heavens. Zhou Yuan was merely at the initial Heavenly Sun stage, and he had relied on the five-foot Law Domain to appear here. Even with the five-foot Law Domain, he would be put in a perilous position if he dared to appear in front of a Nascent Source expert.

“I’ll take care of the first step first!” Zhou Yuan gritted his teeth. Spirit power stealthily flowed out from him and kept low as it approached the giant ball of light under the cover of the five-foot Law Domain.

However, when Zhou Yuan’s Spirit reached a certain point, the Saint Fire aura finally surged out.

Zhou Yuan’s Spirit immediately felt an indescribable burning sensation. The pain seemed to spread from within his Spirit itself, wanting to burn it from the inside out.

Zhou Yuan tightly clenched his jaw as he frantically circulated his Spirit power.

Tiny wisps of fire began to appear around the Spirit seated between his brows. The flames were exceedingly tiny, but they gave off an indescribable pressure. Under the fire, Zhou Yuan’s Spirit slowly began to dim.

His initial Transformative stage Spirit was about to combust just because he had approached some Saint Fire.

God damnit! Zhou Yuan cursed in his heart. The initial Transformative stage was too weak!

“What can I do?” Hundreds of ideas instantly flashed through his mind. In the end, he realized that temporarily retreating was the best option. If he could not withstand the Saint Fire aura’s burning power, saving the Heavenly Fire Tree King would be wishful thinking.

At this juncture, he had no choice but to take a step back and think of another plan.

With the decision made, Zhou Yuan did not dare to delay. A shadow squirmed as he began to retreat.

However, extremely pure energy suddenly surged towards him through the chain. Like a vine, the energy wrapped around the shadow...

This turn of events nearly made Zhou Yuan jump in fear. Was the Heavenly Fire Tree King trying to keep him here because it had sensed his intention to flee?!

Before he could react, he felt incomparably pure energy surge into his head.

The energy was so pure that it felt as if a celestial being had voluntarily revealed itself. It sprinkled onto Zhou Yuan’s dim Spirit, causing it to emit a mystical light.

Zhou Yuan then shockingly discovered that his Spirit, which had long stagnated at the initial Transformative stage, had slowly begun to swell.

“Is this the Heavenly Fire Tree King’s essence energy?”

Zhou Yuan’s heart trembled. The energy was extremely pure as if it had gone through countless eons of refinement. Moreover, the life energy contained within it refined both his Spirit and body.

The feeling intoxicated Zhou Yuan.

His Spirit glowed as his Spirit power grew at an astonishing rate.

It was the sign of an imminent breakthrough!

Zhou Yuan was not surprised by this. His Spirit had been stuck at the initial Transformative stage for a long time. Encountering such a blessed opportunity would naturally allow his Spirit to grow to the next level.

Fortunately for Zhou Yuan, he had the five-foot Law Domain, which he immediately used to conceal all undulations. Otherwise, the Nascent Source expert above him would have sensed something long ago.

The Spirit breakthrough ended extremely quickly. By the time the pure energy quietly withdrew, Zhou Yuan’s Spirit had already become bright and corporeal. The restlessly stirring and vigorous Spirit power was several times stronger than before!

The surroundings were reflected in Zhou Yuan’s heart as a sensation of clarity overcame him. He could observe even finer details now—a benefit brought by having a stronger Spirit.

This was the intermediate Transformative stage!

Unrestrainable joy filled Zhou Yuan’s heart. He had never imagined that he would receive such a blessing here, one that enabled his Spirit to ascend to the next level!

An intermediate Transformative stage Spirit could match the Heavenly Sun stage!

Zhou Yuan was dazed for a few seconds before he cast his gaze towards the flaming tree’s silhouette inside the giant light ball. He had not expected to receive such amazing benefits from the tree king. Hence, he bashfully coughed softly as he sent out a thought, Elder tree king, you are far too courteous...but if you still have anything else to give, don’t hold back so that I can begin risking my life to save you...