Published: February 9, 2025
The entire space became oppressive due to the brief silence of the Yama Tree.
As Ye Zhongming had moved a little closer, he had to look up at the face that was constantly flashing various expressions.
“So this is what humans call intelligence?” The female face of the Yama Tree finally turned expressionless, and even the voice became faint like water.
Ye Zhongming did not speak, but he knew in his heart that this had little to do with intelligence; it was more about the accumulation of experiences from his past life, along with being an outsider who could think about the problem from different angles more easily.
Now, he was about twenty meters away from the main body of the Yama Tree.
“I just don’t understand, isn’t it better to eat all the humans here and turn them into energy for your evolution? Why seal off this city? Allowing more people in should align more with your interests, right?”
This was indeed a question in Ye Zhongming's mind. The actions of the Yama Tree would undoubtedly reduce its hunting targets, which did not seem to align with the fervent pursuit of evolution typical of mutated lifeforms.
“I only promised to answer you one question.”
Hearing this, Ye Zhongming shrugged. “Then you should tell me, what is the Life Brain?”
“Life Brain...”
The Yama Tree repeated the phrase, and then the massive trunk began to tremble. Ye Zhongming almost stepped back, fearing that this creature would take the opportunity to attack.
However, a moment later, something that looked like it was being dragged by four branches extending from the trunk caught his attention.
It was a milky-white organ, unclear in its material, with many irregular shallow grooves on it. Its oval shape indeed resembled a human brain.
“This is what you are referring to, isn’t it?” The Yama Tree rotated this basin-sized object as it asked.
Ye Zhongming wasn’t sure if the Life Brain circulating among the survivors of Linhai Underground City was this, but judging by the shape, it was highly probable.
So he nodded, “What is this?”
“My source.”
Ye Zhongming’s heart stirred.
He had heard some things about a source in his previous life, typically associated with special mutated lifeforms producing them within their bodies. For example, the Soul Pearl that Ye Zhongming had seen was a kind of source.
If this thing was indeed the source of the Yama Tree, could it be taken out casually? Ye Zhongming couldn't help but have some doubts.
Ye Zhongming's gaze revealed envy and longing as he took a few steps forward, saying, “Can I touch it?”
The human face of the Yama Tree finally broke into a smile. “Sure.”
Ye Zhongming extended his hand, reaching up as if wanting to touch it quickly.
However, the muscles in his body were already tense beneath his clothing.
Meanwhile, unseen to Ye Zhongming, dozens of U-shaped roots had silently emerged from the ground behind the Yama Tree's trunk and were slowly moving forward.
The two, or rather one person and one tree, had already realized during their previous dialogue that while they might exchange a few words, they could not coexist peacefully.
They represented opposing sides: the protector and the challenger.
Both sides understood each other's intentions but wanted to use their respective advantages to swiftly eliminate the other.
The Yama Tree controlled a city and was a true overlord.
Ye Zhongming had fought his way to stand before the Yama Tree, proving his qualification to challenge this overlord.
They were both probing each other's conditions, searching for the final blow.
Now, they had chosen the same moment.
The roots that had silently emerged from the ground lifted slightly backward once they reached the trunk, then suddenly surged out from both sides of the trunk, wildly stabbing toward Ye Zhongming.
At the same time, Ye Zhongming suddenly lunged forward, his palm slapping against the Yama Tree’s trunk.
“Ah!”
The Yama Tree's face let out a sharp scream as it felt a tremor-inducing aura emanating from this human's palm—something it had never felt since becoming the overlord of Linhai.