Published: January 10, 2025
The qilin prince was intoxicated by the feeling of being surrounded by stars, feeling quite elated.
In the crowd, only Qin Chen remained indifferent, simply staring at the other party.
The aura of blending with the heavens and earth emanating from the other person made him frown.
At that moment, a sudden invisible wave descended, and the entire Stone Platform was instantly enveloped in countless rays of light.
"That is..."
Everyone turned their heads.
"The Dark Fruit is about to mature," someone shouted, and immediately, everyone who had been surrounding the qilin prince shifted their gaze to the Dark Divine Tree, as if the qilin prince had lost all appeal in an instant.
After all, what could be more important than one's own power?
Qin Chen also turned to look.
In front of him, a brilliant light soared into the sky, and all ninety-nine fruits on the ancient tree began to sway in unison, releasing a rich and intoxicating fragrance that was refreshing and made one's pores open up with comfort.
The powerful aura of rules emanated, as if this place had become the core of the universe.
At this moment, the dark power within Qin Chen surged violently, as if sensing a force that was about to activate it.
Moreover, on the surrounding Stone Platform, the swirling prohibition patterns surged, and in an instant, various powers of rules soared into the sky, creating an astonishing spectacle.
This scene made the central Dark Divine Tree appear even more celestial and sacred.
"Imperial envoy, the Dark Sacred Fruit is about to mature. Quickly, if we harvest it at the first opportunity, we will have the advantage. Otherwise, if we do not harvest it within an hour, the Dark Fruits will wither, and all their essence will flow back, being absorbed cleanly by the Dark Divine Tree, leaving nothing for outsiders," the subordinate who had not spoken until now hurriedly explained.
"Is there such a thing?" Qin Chen was surprised.
"It is true. Although this subordinate has never absorbed the Dark Sacred Fruit, this fruit is nourished by the essence of countless clans from the Black Jade Continent, with its nutrients derived from the blood of many beings from the ten thousand clans. That is why it possesses the origin of this universe," the subordinate explained.
"However, this origin cannot be preserved for long. It will dissipate into the heavens and earth, and thus, before the prohibition on this Stone Platform dissipates, it will combine with the Dark Divine Tree to absorb the remaining unharvested Dark Fruits and reintegrate them into the Dark Divine Tree, accelerating the time for the next fruit to mature."
Qin Chen frowned, "It is nourished by blood?"
"It is indeed. Otherwise, how could the Dark Divine Tree contain the origin of this land? It absorbs the blood of countless beings from the Black Jade Continent, and their blood contains the origin of this universe, allowing the Dark Sacred Fruit to have such rich essence," the subordinate conveyed.
"This is also the reason why the Great Masters have kidnapped countless beings from across the universe and kept them alive here."
Qin Chen's expression darkened.
The Dark Clan was far too ruthless.
The beings from the ten thousand clans on this continent were merely livestock for them, akin to domestic animals.
"The imperial envoy need not take this to heart. Although the Dark Divine Tree is nourished by the blood of the ten thousand clans, it only absorbs the essence of these insignificant beings, not their actual blood," the subordinate reassured. "After all, the imperial envoy holds a noble status. How could the blood of these lowly creatures tarnish your illustrious lineage?"
At that moment, amidst the subordinate's explanation, the arena was filled with the roars of many prodigies. No one was paying attention to the qilin prince anymore; they were all channeling their powers to attract the Dark Divine Tree. In an instant, innumerable rules soared into the sky, and the dark aura was palpable.
"Hmph, these guys," the qilin prince frowned as he saw the prodigies who had previously flattered him turn away in disregard.