Chapter 260: The Golden Tree's Upgrade
After a moment, Mu En retracted his martial soul and opened his eyes, surprise flashing across his face.
"Elder Mu, what did the Golden Tree say?"
Elder Song, one of the senior members of the Sea God Pavilion, quickly asked upon seeing Mu En awaken.
After all, the Origin Heart was directly tied to the academy's future—no mistakes could be allowed.
"The Golden Tree requires the Origin Heart to evolve. Once it finishes, it will release its life source energy and benefit the entire Shrek Academy."
Mu En let out a quiet breath and relayed the message he had received from the Golden Tree's consciousness.
Everyone in the room frowned in thought.
The Golden Tree was the foundation of Shrek Academy. The academy's abundant cultivation environment was, to a large extent, thanks to its presence.
"For the Golden Tree to actively communicate like this, it must truly need the Origin Heart," Mu En murmured. "Its evolution could potentially strengthen the entirety of Shrek Academy. We cannot miss this opportunity."
"If we used the Origin Heart to boost one person's strength, it would benefit only one. But an evolution of the Golden Tree could bless Shrek Academy for at least ten thousand years."
After some thought, the elders of the Sea God Pavilion understood the gravity of the situation.
Following a brief discussion, Mu En made the final decision.
"In that case, let us use the Origin Heart to upgrade the Golden Tree."
There were no objections. Mu En immediately conveyed his decision to the Golden Tree through spiritual communication.
As soon as he did, the branch of the Golden Tree wrapped around the Origin Heart began to glow with dazzling brilliance.
The Origin Heart pulsed as though it possessed life, and under the tree's guidance, floated slowly toward the center of Sea God Island—toward the Golden Tree itself.
As it passed through the air, everything it touched was dyed gold. The rich aura of life filled the surroundings, tangible and vibrant, bringing a deep sense of vitality and comfort to everyone in the pavilion.
Mu En watched the golden stream of light with a solemn expression. "It seems fate always meant for the Origin Heart to return to the Golden Tree."
Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi exchanged glances. Though reluctant, they knew well that this was the right choice.
The Golden Tree was Shrek Academy's root, and its evolution would bring benefits that no individual advancement could ever match.
"Buzz—"
When the Origin Heart merged with the base of the Golden Tree, the entire trunk began to quake violently.
Patterns along its bark seemed to come alive, greedily absorbing the Origin Heart's energy.
The heart, once blood red, dimmed rapidly, its color fading into nothingness.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tree underwent breathtaking transformation.
Its already enormous trunk grew thicker and taller, its bark taking on a glossy texture that gleamed like forged gold.
Golden veins pulsed faintly along the surface.
Countless tender green shoots sprouted across its branches. Within moments, they turned into lush golden leaves, shimmering under the light.
Even more astonishing, glowing golden flowers began to bloom across the canopy.
These blossoms released a refreshing fragrance that filled the air, every breath of it containing incredibly pure life energy.
"This... this is..."
The elders of the Sea God Pavilion all rose to their feet, staring in shock.
They could feel the aura of life radiating from the tree, rising at a terrifying rate—vast, majestic, and all-encompassing, as though it could nurture the world itself.
A deafening boom followed as the center of the Golden Tree's canopy erupted in brilliant light that shot straight into the heavens.
The beam carried incomparably pure life essence, and as it pierced the clouds, the entire sky turned gold.
Moments later, the torrent of life power spread outward like a tide, flooding across Sea God Island.
Every student in the inner courtyard, deep in cultivation, immediately felt the warm, revitalizing energy wash over them. Doors flew open as disciples stepped out, gazing toward the Golden Tree in awe.
"What's happening? The Golden Tree is changing completely! My soul power circulation speed has increased severalfold under this aura."
"It must be an event the elders are overseeing."
As the golden light spread, many students realized with delight that their long-stagnant bottlenecks were beginning to loosen.
"All disciples, sit down immediately and absorb the Golden Tree's energy to enhance your strength!"
Mu En's spiritual voice echoed throughout the academy. His consciousness remained locked on the tree, and sensing its energy radiate across Shrek, he promptly instructed everyone to seize the chance.
Such an opportunity might never come again. It had to be used to push the academy's strength to new heights.
"This aura..."
By the Sea God Lake, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were cultivating when the tide of life energy rolled over them. Huo Yuhao immediately felt his spiritual sea refresh as if cleansed by a sacred spring.
His mental power flowed freely, and his soul power surged joyously within his body. Even the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion within him buzzed in excitement.
"What incredibly pure life energy!" exclaimed Huo Yuhao.
He could feel his body, soul power, and even his spirit being nourished and renewed.
Wang Dong's face lit with wonder. "This energy comes from the Golden Tree—it feels completely different now."
She instinctively released her Goddess of Light Butterfly martial soul, and dazzling golden light poured from her entire being as her soul power resonated with the tree's energy.
…
Soon, the life essence spread across all of Shrek Academy.
Every corner of the campus was bathed in gold. Teachers and students alike stood still in awe, immersed in the warm, empowering radiance.
Many lower-level students broke through bottlenecks on the spot, their soul ranks rising rapidly.
Even ancient plants on the grounds bloomed anew, granted fresh vitality by the overflowing life energy.
"It seems giving the Origin Heart to the Golden Tree was absolutely the right decision," Mu En said.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, he and the other elders felt the surge of soul power roaring through their bodies and the vigor returning to their once-weary forms.
Staring at the evolving Golden Tree, they could hardly contain their emotion.
(END CHAPTER)
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