Li Yi looked at the emerald green apple tree on the mountaintop in the distance, hesitated briefly, but ultimately made a decision. He did not turn around to leave this secret realm but resolutely walked forward.
"If it really doesn’t work out, use the cross-realm device to force open the cross-border gate and leave here. Although doing this might deplete the energy of the Seven-Colored Stone, at least it’s a method."
He had this backup plan, which gave him the confidence to act.
Before the gate disappeared, Li Yi didn’t forget to leave a message for Sun Fei outside the gate: "If I don’t come back, you just return to the building via the original way. At least you can ensure you won’t die. If you still want to leave this Dark World, then keep walking forward along the path."
He gave Sun Fei two choices, letting him make the decision himself.
He continued to walk a few more steps.
The gate behind him completely disappeared.
Li Yi was thoroughly trapped alone in this secret realm, but he didn’t panic; instead, he walked boldly toward the Golden Apple on the mountaintop.
Whether it was due to the golden mouse pelt he wore, he didn’t encounter any danger along the way. The surroundings were barren rocks with no sign of monsters, only the occasional sound of the gale howling through the valley.
However, when he reached halfway up the mountain, Li Yi couldn’t help but notice a continuous stream of colorful light emanating from the nearby valley.
Li Yi’s silver eyes gazed over, revealing a look of surprise.
The valley was unexpectedly filled with colorful gemstones of various sizes, piling up in the river at the center. Some gemstones emitted magical power, quietly floating in mid-air. It was clear that these gemstones were extraordinarily valuable.
"A Gem Valley?" Even as an outsider like Li Yi, he couldn’t help feeling a bit dizzy.
Fortunately, he was quite wealthy and was a Cultivator, so these worldly things couldn’t tempt him.
But if a team of adventurers entered here, it’s estimated they would immediately rush to the Gem Valley, wildly snatching up those precious gemstones, as these gems could be taken back to the building to be sold to shops for a large amount of Gold Coin and wealth. Some gemstones with Magic Power could also be embedded in weapons or Armor, providing great strength.
Li Yi continued moving forward.
He didn’t use Gang Qi nor Mana, because some instinct told him that showing strength here might break a certain balance, bringing disaster.
Moreover, he was disguised as a large mouse using the golden mouse pelt.
If his actions were too aggressive, it could lead to a failure in disguise.
He approached the Golden Apple Tree, and at this moment, he noticed something peculiar about the rocks beneath his feet. Flat rocks showed regular patterns, spreading all around, resembling the scales of some creature.
This discovery made Li Yi’s heart sink.
If these really were the scales of a creature, then how large might this creature be?
Luckily, his arrival hadn’t disturbed anything here, nor did any movement come from below. It seemed this creature was asleep, not awakened.
"Must quickly take the Golden Apple and then leave here." Li Yi felt slightly uneasy, so he immediately quickened his pace.
Without encountering any obstacles or dangers, he surprisingly reached the Golden Apple Tree alone, but he didn’t rush to pick the Golden Apple. Instead, he examined the tree, wanting to understand how it grew on this barren mountaintop.
He made a discovery along the roots.
The roots of this Golden Apple Tree were somewhat sinister, rooted deeply in the rocks, and the roots were grotesque like blood vessels, faintly pulsating. These veins converged to form the trunk, at the end of which were the Golden Apples.
However, in Li Yi’s view.
These so-called Golden Apples seemed more like some creature’s essence condensed in the shape of a Golden Apple rather than real fruit.
"A total of thirteen Golden Apples." Li Yi then counted the Golden Apples, which wasn’t a very auspicious number.
But since he had come, these thirteen Golden Apples should be taken, as he might not have another chance to come here again.
As soon as the thought arose.
Li Yi immediately reached out, attempting to pick a Golden Apple, but it remained unmoving on the tree. With his strength, he couldn’t shake it.
He then increased his power.
The Golden Apple remained unmoved.
"Can’t pick it?" Li Yi’s face darkened. Then he extended a finger, focused silver Gang Qi upon it, and then sliced at the branch holding a Golden Apple.
Gang Qi shattered, unable to even sever a branch.
The resilience of the Golden Apple Tree exceeded Li Yi’s expectations.
"Young man, you cannot take the Golden Apples by mere force. This is no ordinary tree, but a tree personally planted by a Divine, birthed at the opening of the world. It is the most precious treasure on earth." Suddenly, at this moment, an elderly voice interrupted. A human face bizarrely emerged from the trunk of the Golden Apple Tree.
This face appeared like an old man, who began to speak.
Evidently, Li Yi’s previous actions had awakened it.
"Evil object?" Li Yi’s gaze shifted slightly.