"Deal"
The agreement had finally been reached. Three World Tree seeds... A best World Tree blessing. And in exchange, Tony would never enter the World Tree again after leaving this place.
Although the spirit felt she had suffered a tremendous loss during the negotiation, at least the troublesome fellow before her had finally stopped demanding more.
"The blessing and seeds will be given according to our agreement. However, you must wait until the final trial concludes and the inheritor is officially selected." The world tree spirit spoke with a serious look.
Tony nodded immediately. The spirit blinked in surprise. That was too easy. Far too easy. She had expected at least ten minutes of bargaining for another reward for the wait. Yet Tony merely nodded.
"Actually, I’m getting a little bored standing around here. Since I already completed the trials, why not let me watch the remaining competitors?" The spirit frowned.
Tony continued speaking before she could refuse. "I’m curious. Very curious. After all, I know many participants and leading people are my close ones. Even among ladies, one of them is my wife. Another one is my past wife who wants to kill me. It would be entertaining."
The spirit immediately shook her head. "No."
Tony sighed dramatically. "What a pity."
The spirit remained firm. "The final trial is private."
Tony looked disappointed. "Such a shame... Then perhaps I should think of another reward instead for the wait."
The World Tree Spirit nearly exploded. "NO!" she shouted instantly.
Tony blinked innocently and said. "Seems like there is no deal!"
The spirit immediately realized her mistake. The spirit cursed herself internally. After a long silence, she finally released a defeated sigh. "Fine."
Tony immediately straightened. "Really?"
The spirit pointed at him. "You will only watch... You cannot interfere."
Tony nodded rapidly. "Of course."
The spirit reluctantly snapped her fingers. The surrounding void trembled.
Two enormous circular projections immediately appeared before them. They resembled giant mirrors suspended in the darkness. Their surfaces rippled like water before stabilizing.
Tony’s eyes widened slightly as the scenes became clear. The projection on the left revealed Lily Frost. The projection on the right revealed Emma Stone.
Tony immediately moved closer with interest. Yet what surprised him wasn’t the appearance of Lily or Emma. It was the appearance of himself. He existed inside both trials. Different situations. Different circumstances. Different outcomes. Yet Tony Clark stood at the center of both nightmares.
The World Tree Spirit quietly observed him as she also surprised to see Tony present in both trails of other participants. "These two qualified for inner trail. Others still stuck at second-trial."
Tony continued to stare in silence.
The world tree spirit continued. "Trial of Inner Curse reveals the deepest attachments and deepest fears hidden within a person’s heart. Every participant receives a different nightmare."
Tony nodded slowly while staring at the screens. The more he watched, the more serious his expression became.
Inside Lily’s trial, the world resembled a ruined battlefield. Countless corpses covered the ground. At the center of the battlefield stood Lily Frost. Her clothes were stained with blood. Her breathing was uneven. Her spear trembled slightly inside her grip.
Opposite her stood an ancient warrior whose aura alone seemed capable of splitting mountains. His armor looked ancient. His face remained hidden beneath a bronze helmet. Yet his cultivation clearly surpassed anything Lily could resist.
Behind Lily stood her family. Her father. Her mother. Her relatives. Every important person in her life. They were bound in chains. Powerless. Helpless. One slash from the ancient warrior would kill them all. Then Tony noticed another figure. Himself!
Tony Clark stood on the opposite side. Bound. Injured. Covered in blood... Yet still alive!
The ancient warrior slowly raised his weapon and pointed it toward Lily. His voice echoed throughout the battlefield like thunder.
"Choose One life. Your lover... Or your bloodline. Choose." The warrior spoke with an indifferent look.
The battlefield fell silent. Lily’s face turned pale. Her grip tightened around her spear. Her lips trembled slightly. The ancient warrior remained unmoving. "Choose." His voice echoed once more. "Save Tony Clark." His blade pointed toward Tony. "Or save your family." His blade pointed toward her parents. "You may save only one."
Tony quietly stared at the scene. But the spirit quietly stared at Tony.
Then Tony’s gaze slowly shifted toward the second projection.
Inside Emma Stone’s nightmare, the situation was entirely different. The Clark Family Manor stood before her.
Emma stood at the entrance with a blood-covered sword in her hand. Her cultivation towered over everyone present. Around her stood countless enemies of the Clark Family. The Imperial Family. Rival clans. Powerful factions. Every enemy imaginable had gathered before the manor.
Meanwhile the Clark Family members stood behind a defensive formation. Fear filled their faces. Desperation filled their eyes. Then Tony noticed himself again.
This version of Tony stood directly before the manor gates. Alone. A sword rested in his hand. Behind him stood every member of the Clark Family. Before him stood Emma Stone!
Emma slowly raised her sword. The edge gleamed with killing intent.
"What do you want?" Tony asked while staring into her eyes.
"Stop acting innocent! It’s time you pay for your sins!" She roared and moved towards Tony.
"You may have your revenge... Kill me and spare the Clark family. This is the offer i am paying for my sins." Tony said with a serious look.
She laughed mockingly. "I want all the lives of Clark family. Your life won’t be enough!"
Tony who is watching the projection was in utter shock. He never expected Emma to bore such hatred in her heart. Unlike him, she was real and acting her own will in the projection.
The World Tree Spirit folded her arms quietly with curiosity.
Tony stared at both projections. One screen showed Lily choosing between her family and Tony.
The other screen showed Emma choosing between revenge and Mercy.
Two women... Two nightmares... Two impossible choices. And at the center of both nightmares stood the same man.
Tony Clark.
The spirit glanced toward him. For once, even Tony wasn’t smiling.
The darkness surrounding them remained silent while the two projections continued displaying the frozen moments before the choice.
Then the ancient warrior within Lily’s nightmare slowly took a step forward. At the exact same moment, Emma’s grip tightened around her sword.