"No need, I don't know exactly what's inside yet, so I'll just take a look," Unit One said. "But we should still be prepared, just in case there's danger in there..."
I nodded, packed some food and seasonings into my backpack, and left with Unit One.
Unit One led the way, looking preoccupied, but I didn't ask any questions.
We advanced at our own pace for nearly two hours before Unit One finally couldn't hold back: "Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"
"If you want to tell me, you will," I said indifferently. "Right now, I have only two goals. The first is to increase my strength as quickly as possible!"
"As for the other, it's to find a way to get rid of Vixi!"
Unit One paused. "Vixi's existence is actually quite a miraculous thing. Because I've been in that place for a long time, I know more about it..."
"Hm?" I glanced at Unit One. "Continue."
"Vixi has a company that has been around for a very long time, possibly for centuries. However, it has always been low-key. Moreover, I've heard rumors that Vixi... has actually been alive for many years..." Unit One spoke slowly.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It is said that this guy previously participated in an experiment where the human body was frozen. However, Vixi wasn't frozen..." Unit One said, his expression serious, "but rather, through a special method, his muscles and blood were kept alive..."
"And his consciousness?" I asked.
"No consciousness... It's hard to explain to you, but at that time, Vixi was in a state of suspended animation. That is to say, his body was effectively dead, but it was kept alive and vital with medication!" Unit One looked at me. "It requires a lot of money, but even so, that company continued to support Vixi..."
"And now?"
"Now, Vixi is awake." Unit One smiled. "In a sense, this is also a medical miracle. If we calculate based on the time his body died, he should have lived for several hundred years..."
Hearing this, various thoughts immediately flooded my mind.
Given the current situation, it's basically certain that Vixi's company had been planning everything concerning the Tree of Life for a very long time.
It wasn't until I accidentally entered and gathered three people that the path back was opened.
At this moment, a bold idea suddenly struck me.
The Shepherd had said that all cultivators had been wiped out.
So... could Vixi have survived through this method?
Seeing my serious expression, Unit One smiled. "But this isn't a very important secret. At least, it doesn't hold much significance for you right now..."
"I understand that," I said. "How much longer will it take?"
"At our current speed, about ten minutes..." Unit One replied, then looked at me again. "The power you possess..."
"The power of the Shepherd God... You have it too..."
"I want to know why it's so potent," Unit One asked.
"It's very simple," I said, looking at Unit One. "Because I can cultivate..."
"Cultivate?" Unit One's eyes lit up, then he seemed to realize something, gave a self-deprecating smile, and lowered his head. "That is indeed good news..."
"If there's a chance, I can teach you, but..." I originally wanted to find a suitable reason, but I couldn't think of one for a moment.
"I understand," Unit One said, looking at me. "I understand what you mean, so there's no need to say more..."
I nodded, not dwelling on the topic any longer.
About ten minutes later, Unit One suddenly stopped. "It's around here, but I can't seem to find the exact location..."
"Then let's look around," I said, and closed my eyes. An invisible force spread out from my body in all directions.
At that moment, I clearly felt a power within my range of perception that felt incredibly familiar!
"It really exists!" An unstoppable smile appeared on my face, and I stood up abruptly. "Let's go!"
Unit One looked at me, then quickly jogged over.
Soon, I arrived at the base of a stone wall, not too high, about one story tall.
Various weeds grew densely at its base.
I looked around carefully, my brows furrowed.
"Is there a problem?" Unit One asked, looking at me.
"There seem to be signs of something moving..." I said.
Unit One paused. "Impossible... Even if there is, it's probably just some wild animals..."