Chapter 210: Future Little Brother, Triumphant Return to Taichu

"And for me," Zhou Chen paused, "I already have my own path of cultivation. Although this seed is precious, it is not the most suitable choice for me. My Dao is something the World Tree Seed is not worthy of."

…

This was, of course, half-truth and half-lie.

The World Tree Seed was a supreme treasure to anyone, but since he already had the heart of the world tree—though Zhou Chen didn't say this aloud—the seed's utility was indeed limited for him.

At most, it was a harmless flex.

Zhou Chen looked at Han Li sincerely: "More importantly, I believe in your future. Brother Han, you are a friend who is always worth entrusting. In your hands, this seed will surely bloom with the most dazzling brilliance."

"The reason I didn't give it to you immediately was that I wasn't sure if it was real; it was just a feeling. I was afraid of wasting your one Opportunity to select a treasure."

Han Li's eyes grew a bit moist.

Having roamed the cultivation world for many years, he had seen too much intrigue and deception; examples of people turning against each other for a bit of profit were everywhere.

And now, Zhou Chen was actually giving him a supreme treasure of this level, even wasting his own chance to choose a treasure for it.

How great this was!

How deep the sentiment and righteousness!

"Big Brother Zhou, I don't know what to say…"

Han Li's voice choked.

A massive surge of emotion struck him like a tidal wave.

He no longer declined and took the seed with slightly trembling hands.

The moment the seed touched his hand, a warm power transmitted through him; his very Soul cheered and leaped, as if finding a long-lost other half.

"As expected!"

Surprise welled up in Han Li's heart, and at the same time, his gratitude toward Zhou Chen deepened.

If Zhou Chen hadn't given it to him, he would never have known he had such a deep resonance with this seed.

Han Li took a deep look at Zhou Chen, then suddenly took a step back, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.

"Brother Han, you are…"

"Big Brother Zhou, please accept my bow!"

Han Li said as he was about to kneel, but he was pulled back by Zhou Chen.

"You mustn't! We are brothers, why do this?"

"No!"

Han Li broke free from Zhou Chen's hand, retreated several steps, and suddenly let out a long cry to the sky: "Heavenly Dao above!"

Boom!

Thunder suddenly roared in the clear night sky, and dark clouds gathered as if the heavens and earth were responding to his call.

Zhou Chen's expression changed slightly; he hadn't expected Han Li to be so solemn.

"Disciple Han Li, today I have been granted a supreme Opportunity by Big Brother Zhou Chen!"

Han Li's voice resounded through the world, every word containing his determination.

"This kindness is like being reborn! Han Li has no way to repay it!"

"Today I swear a Heavenly Dao oath: In this life, I am willing to follow Brother Zhou Chen, never to betray him, and serve as his vanguard!"

"If Brother Zhou encounters danger, Han Li will surely risk his life to save him! If Brother Zhou reaches the Peak, Han Li is willing to be the trailblazer!"

"If I violate this oath, may heaven and earth forsake me, my Divine Soul be extinguished, and I never be reborn for all eternity!"

Rumble!

Thunder exploded in the sky, and a thick power of laws descended from above, directly imprinting itself deep within Han Li's Soul.

Witnessed by the Heavenly Dao, the oath was established!

From this moment on, Han Li's fate was tightly bound to Zhou Chen's.

If he violated the oath, the rules of the Heavenly Dao would directly erase him.

This was the most solemn and unbreakable oath!

Zhou Chen was both moved and pleasantly surprised.

He was moved by Han Li's sentiment, and surprised that his investment had yielded a return far beyond expectations.

A future powerhouse who had sworn a Heavenly Dao oath—this value far exceeded a World Tree Seed!

"Brother Han, you mustn't, please get up!"

Zhou Chen stepped forward to help Han Li up: "Why make such a heavy oath? I believe in your character."

"No, this is of my own free will."

Han Li's eyes were full of determination: "Brother Zhou's kindness, Han Li will never forget! From now on, your enemies are my enemies!"

"Good!"

Zhou Chen heavily patted Han Li's shoulder and said: "Then we shall fight side by side and climb to the Peak of the Great Dao together!"

"Climb to the Peak of the Great Dao together!"

The two looked at each other and laughed. At this moment, their relationship had sublimated from ordinary friends to brothers of life and death.

One was willing to give away a World Tree Seed, and the other was willing to swear a Heavenly Dao oath to follow.

This friendship was higher than the heavens and deeper than the sea!

Zhou Chen made a solemn declaration in his heart; he was also serious.

The next morning, Zhou Chen went to the residence of Miao Dandan and Lin Xueer.

"Leaving?"

Miao Dandan looked at Zhou Chen, a flash of reluctance in her eyes.

"Yes, it's time to return to the Taichu Holy Land."

Zhou Chen nodded and said: "This trip to the Tai Xu Secret Realm has yielded great gains. I need to return to report and digest them for a while."

Lin Xueer said softly: "It's all thanks to your care along the way, otherwise we wouldn't have had such a big harvest."

"Saying that makes us sound like strangers."

Zhou Chen smiled.

Miao Dandan suddenly took a step forward and took out a communication jade pendant from her storage ring: "Master, this is the communication jade pendant of our Black Abyss Holy Land. Take it. If you need anything in the future, you can contact me anytime."

Lin Xueer also took out a snowflake-shaped jade talisman: "This is the tracking talisman of the Frost Moon Holy Land. No matter where you are, you can find me."

Seeing the intentions of the two beauties, Zhou Chen felt a warmth in his heart.

"Good, I'll take them. Once I've handled the affairs of the Holy Land, I'll come find you."

"It's a deal."

The two women said in unison.

After saying goodbye, Zhou Chen and Han Li arrived at the city gate.

The flying ship of the Taichu Holy Land was ready, its massive hull covered in defensive Formations, emitting a faint spiritual light.

"Saint Zhou, please board the ship."

The Elder responsible for receiving them said respectfully.

The moment they boarded the flying ship, the Cultivators gathered near the city gate all cast complex looks—a mixture of awe, envy, and jealousy.

"That's Zhou Chen, the peerless Prodigy who slew the Quasi-Emperor Evil Spirit!"

"I heard he obtained a Purple emperor seal; his future is limitless!"

"The Taichu Holy Land really found a treasure this time."

The flying ship slowly rose and flew toward the Taichu Holy Land.

A few days later, Taichu Holy Land.

When the flying ship appeared on the horizon, the entire Sect was in an uproar.

At the mountain gate, there was a sea of people, with flags fluttering.

The Supreme Elder of the Taichu Holy Land personally led all the Elders and thousands of Core Disciples in a line to welcome them. The scene was so grand it was comparable to welcoming the return of an Emperor.

"Welcome back Saint Zhou Chen in triumph!"

"Welcome back the hero of the Holy Land!"

The earth-shaking shouts resounded through the clouds, making the entire mountain range tremble.

Zhou Chen stepped off the flying ship, and Dao Xuan, the Supreme Elder of the Taichu Holy Land, immediately came forward, his voice trembling with excitement: "Good! Good! Good! Zhou Chen, you have performed an unparalleled contribution for the Holy Land!"

"The Supreme Elder overpraises me; this is what a Disciple should do."

Zhou Chen said modestly.

"No need to be modest! Come, everyone is waiting for you in the Discussion Hall!"

Inside the Discussion Hall, the atmosphere was heated to the extreme.

To Zhou Chen's surprise, not only were all the Elders present, but even several Old Ancestors who had been in seclusion for years had come out.

Each of these Old Ancestors had an unfathomable aura, the weakest being a Quasi-Emperor, and the white-haired old man at the head even carried a hint of imperial aura.