Before the world tree spirit, both Tony and Emma stood with serious faces.
Emma had entered the trial believing that her hatred was absolute. She had entered believing that revenge was the only thing left in her heart. Yet when the moment finally arrived, she had lowered her sword. Even now she could not fully understand why.
Before she could continue thinking about it, the World Tree Spirit suddenly stepped forward and spoke in a calm voice. "Congratulations. You have successfully passed the final trial. According to the rules established by the World Tree, you are now the inheritor of this generation."
Emma’s entire body froze. She stared at the spirit for several seconds before finally speaking. "What did you say?"
The spirit calmly repeated herself. "You have become the inheritor."
Emma’s eyes widened in disbelief. The inheritance? She had actually obtained the inheritance? The first thought that appeared inside her mind was not joy but confusion. Her gaze immediately shifted toward Tony, who was standing nearby with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face.
"What about him?" she asked directly. "Didn’t he pass before me?"
The spirit opened her mouth as if to explain, but before she could speak, Tony suddenly interrupted with a helpless sigh. "I sacrificed it for you."
The inheritance spirit immediately became silent.
Emma stared at him in shock.
Even Tony could feel the spirit looking at him as though she wanted to throw him out of the World Tree immediately. Yet his expression remained perfectly calm.
Emma blinked several times before asking slowly, "You... why?"
Tony shrugged casually. "I sacrificed it for you."
The spirit almost choked. She naturally knew the truth. Tony was twisting reality so shamelessly that even she felt embarrassed listening to him. Unfortunately she also doesn’t want to reveal the true reason why Tony could not receive the inheritance.
After a long moment of hesitation, the spirit finally nodded awkwardly. "In a manner of speaking... yes."
Emma’s expression became even more complicated. "What do you mean in a manner of speaking?" she asked while staring at the spirit.
Tony immediately answered before the spirit could dig herself deeper into trouble. "It means exactly what you think it means." He slowly looked away and sighed dramatically. "Life is unfair. Sometimes a great man must make sacrifices for the happiness of others."
The World Tree Spirit almost lost control of her expression.
Emma continued staring at him suspiciously. "Why?" she asked. "Why would you do that?"
Tony remained silent for a moment before speaking in a much calmer tone. "Didn’t I steal the Yin Flower?"
Emma immediately became stiff.
Tony continued. "You suffered because of that matter. Whether intentional or not, I benefited while you paid the price. Consider this my compensation."
Emma’s expression changed again. She wanted to argue. She wanted to call him a liar. Yet the spirit had not denied his words.
Tony slowly folded his arms and looked toward the distance. "From now on, I owe nothing to you."
For the first time since arriving, Emma genuinely didn’t know how to respond. She had expected many things from Tony Clark. Arrogance. Shamelessness. Mockery. Excuses. She had not expected this.
The World Tree Spirit quickly decided it was safer to leave before Tony created even more problems.
"The inheritance transfer process requires some time. Please remain here until I finish the remaining procedures." After speaking those words, she disappeared immediately without giving either of them a chance to continue.
The moment the spirit vanished, the inheritance space became awkwardly quiet.
Emma remained standing there while trying to process everything she had just heard.
Unfortunately Tony had no intention of allowing silence to survive. "So..." he began while smiling.
Emma immediately frowned. "What?"
Tony looked at her thoughtfully before asking, "Wife, are you still angry?"
Emma’s eye twitched. "Don’t call me wife."
Tony nodded seriously. "Future wife then."
Emma clenched her fists. "Tony Clark."
Tony smiled brightly. "See? You even say my full name affectionately."
Emma took a deep breath. She genuinely felt that talking to him was more exhausting than fighting the final trial.
Tony seemed completely oblivious to her suffering. "Honestly, I was surprised."
"About what?"
"You really hate me that much?" Tony asked while staring into her eyes.
Emma almost laughed. "Are you seriously asking that question?"
Tony nodded. "Of course. I offered to help cure your condition. I saved your life more than once. I even gave away an inheritance."
Emma immediately interrupted. "Stop repeating that!"
Tony looked genuinely shocked. "Why? It’s true."
Emma suddenly understood why the spirit had run away so quickly. If she stayed here much longer, she might genuinely attack him.
"Don’t misunderstand anything," she said while staring directly into his eyes. "I haven’t forgiven you. Also, I haven’t forgotten anything... And I still intend to take revenge someday."
Instead of becoming worried, Tony actually laughed. "There she is... For a moment I was worried the trial changed you. Don’t worry, one day you will feel regret for seeking revenge against me."
***
Meanwhile, far away inside the second trial chambers, the World Tree Spirit silently watched the remaining competitors.
One after another they completed their Heavenly Rank techniques. Leo Clark was among the first to succeed. Kevin Ten followed shortly afterward, once again demonstrating monstrous talent with sword-related arts.
The Bald Monk also completed his technique while muttering scriptures and looking as peaceful as ever. Prince Jamie and several imperial disciples soon followed. Numerous geniuses from powerful families achieved Minor Success one after another.
Even Elsa eventually completed the trial after struggling far longer than she expected. Her face remained dark throughout the entire process. The humiliation Tony had inflicted upon her during the first trial still burned inside her heart.
Finally the spirit appeared before all of them. Excitement immediately erupted. "Where is the final trial?" one disciple asked. "When do we enter?" another shouted. "Who inherited the World Tree?" someone else demanded.
The spirit calmly raised her hand and silenced everyone. "The inheritance competition has ended."
The crowd froze.
Elsa immediately stepped forward. "What do you mean ended?" she demanded.
The spirit remained indifferent. "An inheritor has already been selected."
The words struck the crowd like lightning.
Elsa’s face became ugly instantly. "Impossible!" she shouted. "How can someone already finish?"
The spirit ignored her outburst. "The inheritance belongs to another. However, those who completed the second trial will still receive the blessing of the World Tree."
Emerald light descended from above. One after another the disciples accepted the blessing. Excitement soon replaced disappointment for most of them. After all, this blessing was their original goal. It would help them cross beyond Grandmaster and step toward the Lord Warrior stage.
Yet Elsa remained furious throughout the entire process. She wanted more than a blessing. She wanted the inheritance. She wanted the secrets hidden within the World Tree. Most importantly, she wanted the seeds.
Unfortunately all of it had slipped beyond her reach. When the blessing ended, the spirit waved her hand and the entire trial realm began dissolving.
"Your participation has ended. Return."
Before Elsa could protest further, the scenery distorted around everyone.
The disciples vanished one after another. Leo disappeared. Kevin disappeared. Jamie disappeared. The Bald Monk disappeared. Finally Elsa herself disappeared with an expression filled with frustration and unwillingness.
The World Tree Spirit quietly watched the empty realm afterward and released a long sigh. For the first time in countless years, she felt more exhausted dealing with one troublesome disciple than managing an entire generation of competitors.
-
Tq