Chapter 1489 Preternaturally Intelligent
"I've already partnered with Xuanyun Group, and the collaboration is going exceptionally well. Huanghai Group is Xuanyun Group's biggest competitor. Once Huanghai Group is finished, it will definitely be absorbed by Xuanyun Group like a whirlwind. After this wave, Xuanyun Group's strength will probably be comparable to the Su family in the capital back in the day."
Su Yunxi exclaimed in admiration.
It took the Su family in the capital such a long time to become one of the Nine Gates of the capital, yet Xuanyun Group had achieved this accumulation in such a short period, a truly remarkable feat in financial history.
Chen Xuan, however, smiled faintly.
Xuanyun Group's strength already surpassed that of the original Xuanyun Group. If it could also absorb Huanghai Group, its strength would likely be comparable to the middle three gates.
However, he didn't elaborate further, merely reminding Su Yunxi to remember to cooperate with Xuanyun Group.
"By the way, Yunxi, has the Ge family been causing trouble for us?" Chen Xuan asked.
Upon hearing this, Su Yunxi's expression immediately darkened. "The Ge family has gone mad recently. They've been aggressively cornering our Vermilion Bird lineage in the business world. If it weren't for Xuanyun Group's support, our Vermilion Bird lineage would truly struggle to overcome this hurdle."
"It seems it's time to deal with the Ge family!"
Chen Xuan's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them.
He immediately decided to visit Xuanyun Group tomorrow to discuss dealing with the Ge family with Jiang Ning.
Returning to his bedroom, Chen Xuan sat cross-legged and extended his spiritual sense inward.
He meticulously examined every inch of his flesh and blood, but after a long while, he found no abnormalities. In fact, he felt much stronger than a master of the Divine Realm. What exactly was consuming so much energy?
He closed his eyes and concentrated on sensing the changes within his body.
Suddenly, his brows furrowed.
"As expected, there's a place consuming immense energy!"
Chen Xuan's spiritual sense followed the sensation, quickly arriving at his dantian.
"Could it be that the dantian needs to consume a massive amount of energy?"
His spiritual sense immediately probed into the dantian, following the feeling.
Along the way, he could sense vast amounts of energy converging into the depths of the dantian, incredibly powerful, like a vast, deep ocean.
Could it be the World Tree consuming such immense energy?
He had to admit, it was quite possible.
As expected, Chen Xuan arrived at the perimeter of the World Tree. All the energy was pouring into the World Tree, and the World Tree shamelessly devoured that power.
"You are truly shameless! You occupy my dantian, preventing me from manifesting a Nascent Soul, and now you're making me work for you? Have you no shame?"
Seeing this, Chen Xuan became furious.
This World Tree only knew how to take. He was deeply displeased.
The World Tree seemed to understand Chen Xuan's words, its trunk shaking vigorously, as if to say: It's your honor to let me reside in your dantian!
"Honor? Have some shame! Is your face thicker than a city wall's corner plus tiles?"
Chen Xuan cursed, "I'm telling you, from today onwards, you're cut off from supplies!"
Chen Xuan had sensed the flow of this power, and with his abilities, he could completely sever the connection.
The World Tree shook again, but this time, the amplitude was much larger: I have helped you! You can't just cross the river and demolish the bridge!
"You say you've helped me? Wait! How can I understand what you're saying?"
Chen Xuan suddenly froze.
He realized he could understand the World Tree's words and comprehend its meaning, with no communication barrier.
What did this mean?
Could it be that this thing possessed intelligence?
World Tree: You and I are one, more precisely, I am your Nascent Soul, so of course you can understand me.
Chen Xuan couldn't help but exclaim, "Damn it, my Nascent Soul is a tree!"
World Tree: What's wrong with being a tree? I am the World Tree! Judging by your words, you seem to look down on me?
"I do look down on you, so what?"
Chen Xuan was filled with indignation.
According to his understanding, the Nascent Soul was extremely important. Setting aside other abilities, the Nascent Soul was equivalent to a second life for a Nascent Soul cultivator!
But here you are, a tree!
What's the point of playing this game?
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the World Tree become both wronged and angry, as if Chen Xuan's words had hurt its pride.
Chen Xuan suddenly became curious. This World Tree could actually display human emotions. Such intelligence was not something ordinary things possessed.
World Tree: Let me tell you, if it weren't for me, you would have been burned to death by the karmic fire long ago!
"Burned to death by karmic fire? What are you talking about!" Chen Xuan was disbelieving.
As the words left his mouth, Chen Xuan seemed to recall something and suddenly said, "You mean, the karmic fire of Daoist Fahua was something I could ignore because of you?"
World Tree: What do you think? Do you really believe that with your mere Nascent Soul realm strength, you could ignore the karmic fire? To tell you the truth, that karmic fire is heavenly fire, containing the will of the Great Dao. Even if you were in the Nascent Soul realm, you couldn't resist it.
Good heavens!
If that were the case, wouldn't Chen Xuan have benefited from misfortune?
"Are you telling the truth?" Chen Xuan quickly pressed.
World Tree: Of course it's true! Otherwise, why would I need to consume so much energy?
Chen Xuan said, "So, whenever you use your power, the consumption is very large."
World Tree: Of course.
Chen Xuan suddenly sneered, "I see that most of the energy you absorb is for your own growth, and only a very small portion is used to resist the karmic fire, right?"
World Tree: ...
Hearing the World Tree fall silent, Chen Xuan knew he had guessed correctly.
His words were not baseless; he had concrete evidence. He could feel that most of the absorbed power had become nourishment for the World Tree's growth.
"Why are you not speaking? Are you feeling guilty?"
World Tree: What is there to feel guilty about? You are correct, I did use most of the power as nourishment. But without nourishment, how can I gain stronger power? Now I am also your Nascent Soul, and this way I can protect you.
"That does make some sense."
Suddenly, Chen Xuan found the World Tree's words quite reasonable.
World Tree: Then you should diligently help me find energy.
Chen Xuan suddenly realized, "No, things are definitely not that simple!"
He pondered for a moment, secretly astonished.
Good heavens, he was almost tricked by this fellow. This guy's intelligence was even greater than that of an ordinary person.
The World Tree thought it had fooled Chen Xuan: Chen Xuan, as long as you supply me with energy, I will protect you completely. Hurry up and go.
Chen Xuan sneered, "You occupy my territory and rely on my energy to survive. Isn't protecting me what you should be doing?"
Just as the World Tree was about to transmit a message, Chen Xuan spoke, "If you don't do as I say, I'll cut off your energy supply."
World Tree: I am the World Tree! The World Tree that creates new worlds!
"But you survive in my dantian, and you've occupied my Nascent Soul, leaving me without a normal Nascent Soul."
Chen Xuan now strongly disliked this abnormal cultivation, always giving him a sense of insecurity.
The World Tree finally softened its tone: We are one now. How about this: you find energy for me, and I help you grow stronger. What do you say?