"Not an ordinary tree; let's call it—the World Tree."
The Great Sage walked to a corner of the room and rummaged through an inconspicuous box, from which he retrieved a tiny tree branch only the length of a palm.
Tang Yu felt a familiar aura emanating from this small branch.
Much like the Great Sage who was a candle in the wind.
Most of this small branch had turned as black as ink; the power of the world—or perhaps, the downgraded Domain Power—was very weak, hardly effective at all.
Seemingly aware of Tang Yu's confusion, the Great Sage explained, "This little snippet of the World Tree branch was contaminated, something I picked up from the battlefield back then."
He continued, "The Aino Kingdom was once prosperous because it relied on the World Tree."
Tang Yu had originally thought that the Aino Kingdom vastly outshone other countries because it occupied the fertile center of the continent.
Now it seemed that the World Tree was the key to the kingdom's everlasting endurance.
Had it been given more time to develop, the Aino Kingdom might have evolved into a highly developed and prosperous civilization, perhaps not as advanced as the original Origin Star but at least capable of venturing beyond the planet.
'However, given the resource distribution and the concentration of Source Qi before the Black Tide erupted on this continent, the level of the planet was already not low. With the addition of a mysterious World Tree, perhaps it could be classified as an advanced planet?'
'Is the planet's World Origin strong, therefore despite the Black Tide having erupted and lasted fifty-eight years, the world has not yet been completely devoured?'
Tang Yu's mind teemed with these speculations.
He didn't ask but continued waiting for the Great Sage to narrate.
"The World Tree thrives on civilization; the more prosperous the civilization, the faster the World Tree grows. The present Royal Family, also known as the Guardian Clan, has protected the World Tree generation after generation.
You should know that there are many fallen branches of the World Tree scattered about. These branches actively fell from the World Tree and were then gifted to the nobility within the country by the Royal Family, and some were deliberately scattered... There should be some of these World Tree branches in your country as well."
Not waiting for Tang Yu to answer, the Great Sage paused for breath and continued:
"An array set up with a World Tree branch as its core can collect 'Human Qi.' For the nobility, using the array can fend off powerful enemies; for the World Tree, it can absorb more nutrients of civilization...
Humans help the World Tree grow, and the World Tree, in turn, nourishes humans—it was supposed to be a mutual relationship, but..."
He shifted the topic:
"When the black disaster fell from the sky, devouring the whole world, since you come from another country, you would know that outside the Royal Capital, most areas have turned into barren wastelands devoid of any life, with the Source Power gradually thinning, no longer producing any valuable mineral resources."
Tang Yu nodded slightly, "The world's barriers are full of holes, and the Origin is weak, only the Royal Capital, along with a few surviving cities on the continent, have not been eroded. This is because firstly, there are survivors, and secondly, if I'm not mistaken, it's because of the World Tree branches.
Because of the presence of the World's power, all the Life Spirit Light in the cities was condensed into a single force, preventing the erosion by the Black Tide.
Yet, whether it's due to the sharp decrease in population or the damage to the World Tree branches, it's a fatal blow to the remaining cities."
He had also come to this speculation after integrating much information.
At the beginning, Tang Yu thought that the Alien Race still adopted the most common rearing pattern, allowing these cities to exist.
there might be rearing.
But ordinary cities aren't enough, whether it's holding on or being wiped out by the Black Tide, the Alien Race behind the scenes probably doesn't care.
The real rearing ground is only one—the Royal Capital!
"Because of the existence of the World Tree, so has the hidden manipulator corralled the entire Royal Capital?"
The Great Sage was astonished.
He had only spoken a few words when this young successor guessed nearly everything correctly.
Perhaps it wasn't just guessing.
Their ability to travel from other realms, through the vast wilderness to the Royal Capital, and finding him, the once Great Sage, all indicated that they were no ordinary people.
Be it in strength or in means.
"You are the true controllers behind Entertainment City, coming from a city named Green Shadow?"
The Great Sage quickly caught on.
Tang Yu nodded noncommittally.
Naturally, they came from Green Shadow City, only it wasn't in this world.
"Actually, over thirty years ago, we suffered a defeat, countless Transcendents fell, and in that battle, I was severely injured beyond recovery. Originally, there were a few old friends who were also injured, but over the years, they couldn't hold on and have passed away one after another.
Even His Majesty the King…"
"Was controlled?" Tang Yu curiously asked.
The Great Sage furrowed his brows, feeling a stifled frustration in his chest.
He had laid out so much groundwork and was just about to get to the critical part, yet it was preempted!
It was only because of his over a thousand years of cultivation that he managed not to show it.
"Yes, he was controlled, seemingly in the mind. Initially, they could maintain their own will in certain aspects, but gradually, the level of control deepened, and now, they have probably become mere puppets of the hidden forces behind the scenes."
"I'm going off-topic. Thirty years ago, we were defeated, and the hidden forces began to corrupt the entire world. Initially, it wouldn't have taken long, especially since the wilderness was already largely desolate, but because of the presence of the World Tree…
With the power of the hidden forces, they might have directly destroyed the World Tree, but if they wanted to corrupt the World Origin, they needed to get past the World Tree first, they had to erode the World Tree."
"The World Tree actually possesses incredibly unimaginable powers," the Great Sage said with a sigh, shaking his head, "but, flourishing because of the Kingdom of Aino, the World Tree also declined due to the Kingdom of Aino.
That is why the forces behind the scenes bred the populace of the Royal Capital, providing the World Tree with contaminated 'nourishment' to speed up the erosion process.
Perhaps in your eyes, 'nourishment' is an intangible, imperceptible entity, how could it contaminate? However…"
"Through sacrifice? Or perhaps by holding a grand ceremony? It seems that there will soon be a major festival in the Royal Capital."
Tang Yu casually said.
This was a common tactic of the Alien Race; he was quite familiar with it.
The Great Sage's wrinkled face twitched.
You know all this already, what use am I, the Great Sage, any longer?
Now, he only had his profound knowledge to offer.
Can someone not explain things happily anymore!
With a sense of helplessness, he continued, "Correct, such ceremonies have been conducted many times, and indeed, sacrificing the bloodline of the Guardian Clan can also accelerate the process of devouring the World Tree."
"And now, according to my old and limited estimation, time… is running out."
"Once the World Tree is completely eroded, the continent of Aino will also cease to exist."
Having said this, the Great Sage looked at him earnestly.
His gaze was intense.
Tang Yu couldn't take it anymore.
He definitely wouldn't choose an over a thousand-year-old old man… ugh, spit, spit!