Chen Tian, led by Mu Yuanqing, arrived at the heart of the mountain range. Within this core of the Wood Spirit Mountain, a city materialized before Chen Tian's eyes. He was initially stunned, amazed that someone could construct a city within a mountain, something he had never witnessed before.
However, considering it was the Wood Spirit tribe and observing the city's style, he found it unsurprising. The Wood Spirits possessed the power of wood spirits and could control trees, vines, and plants. Any plant of the wood element could be manipulated. The entire city was formed from interwoven wood and vines, yet its sturdiness was comparable to, if not superior to, normal city walls.
Mu Yuanqing and Chen Tian approached the city gates. The entire gate was composed of emerald vines and converged tree trunks. As the massive doors slowly parted, Mu Yuanqing made a gesture, respectfully saying, "Young Master, this way please."
Chen Tian didn't refuse. The other had been calling him "Young Master" all the way here. Chen Tian had explained he wasn't from this world, but for some reason, they persisted in calling him Young Master, leaving him feeling helpless. He could only resign himself to it.
Seeing Chen Tian step through the gate, Mu Yuanqing followed closely and, with a wave of his left hand, the gates sealed shut with a resounding thud. Chen Tian observed the city's interior. All the buildings were constructed from vines and tree trunks. These were the dwellings of the Wood Spirits. Originally, the Wood Spirits did not require houses to live in, but after witnessing human lifestyles, they silently adopted some of their customs, thus changing their way of life.
In the beginning, the Wood Spirits only needed to rest on tree trunks and vines for survival. Due to the relentless capture by humans, the Wood Spirits were forced to build a suitable living environment to protect themselves. They learned from human lifestyles and constructed this city. Because of this, the Wood Spirits are now much less vulnerable to human predation.
Numerous Wood Spirits watched Mu Yuanqing and Chen Tian, their murmurs spreading. After all, Mu Yuanqing was the tribe leader. How could he bring a human into their sanctuary? Wasn't that inviting a wolf into the sheepfold?
The Wood Spirits' peaceful existence was thanks to the protection of this city, built by the most powerful members of the tribe. Even powerful humans might not be able to breach its defenses. The Wood Spirits lived a relatively stable life now, though their numbers were far fewer than before. At the time of their capture by humans, they had faced a crisis of extinction. Now, their population was less than a third of their peak.
The Wood Spirits controlled the power of life, and their procreation far surpassed other races. Within three years, the entire Wood Spirit tribe would regain its former glory. Chen Tian looked at the Wood Spirits around him, his expression shifting. Finally, he sighed, "Prosperity inevitably leads to decline. It's no wonder the Wood Spirits have become this way."
Of course, these words were only audible to Chen Tian, spoken very softly. Mu Yuanqing stopped walking. Chen Tian looked ahead. Mu Yuanqing's hands emitted a green light that pulsed and flashed. The door of a house before Chen Tian opened, revealing a cyan vortex in its center. Mu Yuanqing said, "Young Master, please enter for a talk."
Chen Tian knew the other had no ill intentions and stepped into the vortex with Mu Yuanqing. The door closed. All the Wood Spirit disciples who witnessed this were astonished. Who exactly was this human? To be treated with such regard by the tribe leader! Even when the Supreme Elder arrived, the tribe leader had never opened this passage.
Within the cyan vortex, on a path above the tunnel, Chen Tian and Mu Yuanqing walked. A beam of light appeared before Chen Tian. The two passed through the tunnel, and a beautiful landscape unfolded before Chen Tian's eyes: a vast ocean, verdant trees, majestic mountains, and a cascading waterfall. At this moment, it resembled a paradise.
Chen Tian spoke calmly, "As expected of Elder Mu, to have carved out a space of your own."
"You flatter me, Young Master. This way, please."
Mu Yuanqing gestured towards a nearby pavilion, and they both sat down. Chen Tian asked blankly, "Elder Mu, why do you call me Young Master? I've already told you I am not a native of this world and have no connection to your Wood Spirit tribe or this entire world."
"Heh, Young Master, please hold your questions. Let this old man tell you a story first."
There was once a continent that was the third greatest in all the myriad worlds. In this universe, it was a realm that cultivators aspired to. This continent was the current world. Thousands of years ago, a great figure arrived in this world, someone who commanded the submission of the three realms' rulers and even the Heavenly Dao. This being descended upon this world and sought out the Divine Battle tribe. The Divine Battle tribe naturally welcomed him, as even the Heavenly Dao had ordered it, so how could they dare to be negligent?
The being came to the Divine Battle tribe to have his offspring learn the Divine Eye ability of the Divine Battle tribe. The then-leader of the Divine Battle tribe agreed. Learning the Divine Eye power required time; even with the most efficient methods used by the Divine Battle tribe, it would take three days.
That being left his offspring with the Divine Battle tribe and resided there. Days passed like this. On the third day, the offspring inherited the Divine Eye, and at the same time, the nightmare for this continent began.
For reasons unknown, that being's offspring vanished from the Divine Battle tribe on the third day. The being was enraged, as it was his only bloodline. In his fury, the being confronted the Heavenly Dao, and the Divine Battle tribe faced immense peril.
However, neither the Heavenly Dao nor the being could locate the offspring. Ultimately, the being directly erased this Heavenly Dao, laid down a seal and a curse, sealing the entire world and cursing the Divine Battle tribe. The entire world, due to the Divine Battle tribe, fell into decline.
The original third world was removed from the ranks of worlds and drifted endlessly through the universe. This seal prevented the beings within the world from leaving, trapping them here.
At that time, the being declared, 'Only the bloodline of that individual can break the seal. If they wish to return to the apex of the myriad worlds, they must find that offspring, and the entire world must submit, for them to regain their original position.'
The story concluded there. Mu Yuanqing looked at Chen Tian. Chen Tian seemed to understand something and then asked suspiciously, "So, you believe I am that being's offspring?"
"Impossible. My parents were ordinary mortals, and I have no special qualities. How can you be so sure I am that being's offspring?"
Mu Yuanqing stroked his cane with confidence, "The fact that you, Young Master, can use the Divine Eye power is the proof. Only the Divine Battle tribe can wield the Divine Eye power, and this ability is never passed down. When using the Divine Eye power, one's eyes turn silver-white, and they reveal information about the target."
"Earlier, when Young Master observed my information, your eyes turned silver-white. This old man would not mistake it."
Chen Tian touched his forehead. The Divine Eye power? But his Divine Eye ability came from a game, a skill he created in the game. How could it be the Divine Eye of the Divine Battle tribe? Wasn't this too much of a coincidence? The ability and the color were the same. Was he being misunderstood?
Chen Tian said helplessly, "Alright, I have no way to refute it."
Chen Tian didn't know how to explain. He decided to let them think what they wanted. Chen Tian was here for a purpose. He placed his hands on the table, and an item appeared. Upon seeing it, Mu Yuanqing's eyes widened with fear. Chen Tian calmly said, "Elder Mu, I require that item of your Wood Spirit tribe. I don't think I need to elaborate. Seeing this, you'll understand my purpose."
"Alas! Young Master, the Wood Spirit Mirror is indeed within the Wood Spirit tribe. However, due to the item's immense importance and the passage of thousands of years without the prophecy coming true, the item has been sealed within the trial space and used to nurture the Wood Spirit tribe's disciples. If you wish to obtain the Wood Spirit Mirror, you must complete the trial."
Chen Tian's expression remained unperturbed. He then said, "No matter. It's just a trial. Elder Mu, please arrange it as soon as possible. Time is short, and I still need to find other items. Otherwise, this world will perish."
"Very well, Young Master. I will immediately contact the other elders to open the trial space. By the way, Young Master, if you are looking for the Golden Sky Pillar, you will need to go to the Divine Battle tribe. That item has been kept by the Divine Battle tribe for generations. However, this is the center of the Eastern Domain, and it will take three months to reach the Divine Battle tribe."
"Originally, the Divine Battle tribe was the dominant force in the center of the Eastern Domain. Later, after that incident, they were hated by all beings in the world. To atone for this world, the Divine Battle tribe voluntarily withdrew from the great stage of the Eastern Domain."
Chen Tian nodded, indicating he understood. Mu Yuanqing's figure vanished from the pavilion. He was going to find the other elders to open the trial space in advance. After all, if that being broke the seal and appeared, the entire world would be destroyed. This was not the time for idle talk.
Chen Tian looked at the surrounding scenery, finding it quite pleasant. He formed his hands into a rectangle, and with a click, the scene before him was photographed and stored in his game album. In his consciousness, a voice spoke, "System, come out and explain to me why the Divine Eye skill and the Divine Battle tribe's Divine Eye are identical?"
"Ding! Player's authority is insufficient. Cannot disclose. Please level up, and the truth will be revealed."
The game system's voice disappeared. Chen Tian's consciousness returned. He tapped his fingers on the table, seemingly lost in thought.
Could it be that this world was connected to him?
Or perhaps it was connected to the God Realm? No, that's not right. The God Realm's plane was above this world. It shouldn't be related to the God Realm. But why was the game skill identical to the Divine Battle tribe's Divine Eye ability?
Chen Tian fell into deep thought. He couldn't figure out the reason. He didn't consider the aspect of a contract, as only three worlds were involved in that back then.
"No, that's not right. How did this world enter the game world, and when did it enter the land of the God Realm?"
Chen Tian suddenly thought of something. His thoughts opened up. He constantly reviewed and calculated in his mind. Countless images appeared. He eliminated impossible scenarios and retained possible ones. His mind raced through memories. Through deduction, many images and memories were discarded.
These memories echoed in Chen Tian's mind. When he opened his eyes, he let out a sigh of relief. A smile played on his lips. "So, that was where the accident occurred back then."