"I want world tree seeds!" Tony broke the pot.
The facial expression of spirit changed drastically after hearing his request.
The World Tree Spirit stared at Tony Clark as though she had just encountered the most unreasonable creature in existence. Her beautiful face was filled with disbelief, frustration, and a hint of genuine anger.
Throughout countless years she had guided geniuses through the World Tree trials. Some requested powerful cultivation techniques. Some requested divine weapons. Some requested ancient inheritances. Some even requested rare alchemy formulas capable of changing the fate of entire clans. Yet never, not once in all those years, had someone request the children of the World Tree itself.
The more she thought about it, the more outrageous it sounded.
Meanwhile Tony stood opposite her with his arms folded and an expression that suggested he was the reasonable one in the conversation.
"Do you even know what you are asking for?" the spirit asked with a serious expression. Unlike before, there was no trace of amusement in her voice. She was genuinely furious now.
Tony merely shrugged. "Of course I know what I am asking for. You are ready to hand over all those treasures, techniques, pills, weapons, and inheritances. Why not just give me some World Tree seeds? I won’t ask for the inheritance anymore, and I definitely won’t complain about the fact that you kept the truth hidden until the very end."
The spirit immediately pointed at him. "Stop your nonsense. You came here seeking the blessing of the World Tree, and now you are asking for its seeds. How cruel can you possibly be? You came seeking the blessing of the Mother and ended up asking for her children. Do you understand how absurd that sounds?" Her voice echoed throughout the void.
Tony, however, immediately burst into laughter. "Stop comparing the World Tree to human logic. Human beings need months just to produce a single child. The World Tree isn’t a human. Every cycle it produces countless seeds throughout the world. Some drift into oceans. Some drift across mountains. Some disappear into forgotten lands. Just giving me a few seeds isn’t some great sacrifice."
Tony then pointed toward himself confidently. "More importantly, giving me seeds means helping the World Tree expand into places where it might never reach otherwise. You should actually be thanking me. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more generous I sound. Instead of demanding ancient inheritances or supreme treasures, I’m practically volunteering to help spread the influence of the World Tree."
The spirit became completely speechless. She genuinely did not know how to answer. Logically speaking, some of Tony’s words made sense.
The World Tree truly produced vast numbers of seeds throughout its lifespan. Yet logic was not the problem. The problem was that the World Tree was not merely a plant. It was a living existence. A living being with emotions, memories, and feelings. Every seed mattered.
The stranger part was that the World Tree had never shown hostility toward Tony despite knowing exactly who he was. He was the thief who had absorbed the Primordial Energy originally intended for future seeds.
By all logic, the World Tree should have rejected him immediately. Yet it never did. The reason was equally absurd. After absorbing that Primordial Energy, Tony had become connected to the World Tree in a way no ordinary human could ever achieve. A portion of the World Tree’s essence now existed within him. The World Tree could not completely reject him anymore. That fact alone made the spirit’s headache even worse.
"Why are you silent?" Tony asked impatiently. "Just give me the seeds and the blessing. I’ll leave immediately. You won’t have to look at me ever again."
The spirit looked as though she wanted to throw him out personally. "No. I cannot give the World Tree seeds. Those are completely different from treasures. Pick something else. A weapon. A cultivation technique. A divine pill. Any rank. Any value. I won’t refuse."
Tony immediately shook his head. "Not interested."
The spirit frowned. "What?"
Tony looked completely serious. "I said I’m not interested. I only want the seeds. If you can’t give them, that’s your problem. You were the one who promised compensation. As a spirit governing the trials, you are obligated to fulfill a reasonable request."
The spirit almost exploded. "Reasonable? You call this reasonable?"
Tony nodded without hesitation. "Very reasonable."
For several moments neither side spoke. Then suddenly the spirit vanished.
Tony looked around in confusion. "Did she run away?"
Eventually Tony sat down cross-legged. "Amazing. Truly amazing. The mighty World Tree Spirit fled from a negotiation." He shook his head dramatically. "Pathetic."
***
Meanwhile, inside the second trial chamber, Lily Frost and Emma Stone simultaneously completed their Heavenly Rank martial techniques.
The floating scrolls dissolved into countless particles of light while both women opened their eyes. Minor Success had been achieved. The requirement had been fulfilled.
Golden light gathered nearby as the World Tree Spirit appeared before them. Lily and Emma immediately noticed each other.
Emma crossed her arms while Lily narrowed her eyes. Before either could speak, Emma looked toward the spirit. "Has Tony Clark already completed the third trial?" she asked directly. Lily immediately focused on the spirit as well. Clearly she wanted the answer just as much.
The spirit stared at them for several moments before replying carefully. "I cannot reveal information regarding other participants."
Emma frowned. Lily looked disappointed. The spirit continued. "All I can say is that opportunities still exist. Therefore, focus on yourselves instead of others."
Both women remained unconvinced. Yet before either could continue questioning her, the spirit waved her hand. The scenery immediately distorted. The final trial began forming around them. The Trial of Inner Curse awaited.
Neither Lily nor Emma had time to ask another question before the spirit disappeared once more.
When she finally returned to Tony’s location, a considerable amount of time had already passed.
Tony immediately stood up. "Finally. I was beginning to think you died."
The spirit completely ignored the comment. Her expression was unusually complicated. "I consulted the World Tree itself. The World Tree is willing to give you seeds."
Tony immediately smiled. "See? I told you it was reasonable."
The spirit’s expression darkened. "Don’t celebrate yet. There is a condition. After leaving this place, you must never enter the World Tree again."
Tony immediately became suspicious. ’How could he enter the World Tree again after leaving The possibility sounded absurd. Unless..."
A strange thought suddenly appeared in his mind. Could it be because of the Primordial Energy he absorbed? Could that energy somehow allow him to enter the World Tree in the future?
The spirit refused to elaborate further. "Do you agree or not?"
Tony thought for several moments. Eventually he shrugged. "Fine. I agree... I want one hundred seeds."
The spirit nearly choked. "What?"
"One hundred."
The spirit stared at him in disbelief. "Stop your nonsense."
Tony frowned. "What nonsense?"
"I can give you one seed."
Tony looked offended. "Do I look like a beggar to you?"
The spirit’s eye twitched. "One."
Tony immediately shook his head. "At least ten."
"No."
"Ten."
"No."
"Nine."
"No."
"Eight."
"No."
"Seven."
"No."
"Six."
"No."
Tony narrowed his eyes. "Five. Final offer."
The spirit looked ready to explode. "One. Final answer."
Tony folded his arms stubbornly. "Five... that’s my bottom line."
The spirit’s patience finally snapped. "Keep talking and I will send you out with nothing."
Tony immediately grinned. "If you do that, I can always come back later."
The spirit froze. A complicated expression appeared on her face.
Tony instantly noticed it... His smile widened.
The spirit regretted everything. After several moments she finally clenched her teeth.
"Three... Final answer. If you ask for more, I will personally throw you out."
Tony immediately raised his thumb. "Deal."
The spirit stared at him and sighed in relief.
"Now regarding the blessing, I want the best of the best. Pour as much energy as possible into me. Push my cultivation as far as it can safely go." Tony said like he is asking cheese!
The spirit looked at him seriously. "This isn’t a game. Too much energy will destabilize your foundation. If that happens, you will become weaker despite reaching a higher realm."
Tony waved his hand. "Then do whatever gives me maximum martial energy and push my cultivation to possible limit!"
-
TQ @ShadowEvolver @DaoistBgMio for the Ice Cola. Thank you so much for the support.
-PeterPan ;-)