Chapter 523: Yunmengze's Great Secret

"Hmph, it seems you're not so foolish after all, old one. We're here for answers. The power of the Blood Demon Curse has wreaked havoc across the Three Thousand Dao States, and as the originators, you bear undeniable responsibility. How do you explain this?"

Long Kun spoke again, often acting as Xu Yang's spokesman now.

Yet, upon hearing his words, the great tree in front of them showed no sign of panic. It calmly replied, "Humans, you are unaware. We Reincarnation Ancient Trees are unique spirit species from the Divine Realm, serving as connection points between the continent's Soul Pillar Force and the unknown divine inheritances, guarded by Yunmeng Ze.

As for me, the one you refer to as the originator of the Blood Demon Curse, I am merely the connecting channel for the Nightmare Yama lineage in the Underworld. My duty is to transmit information between the divine orthodoxy of the Nightmare Asura lineage and their chosen Soul Pillar Force. The power of the Blood Demon Curse is an ability granted by the Nightmare Asura to the Soul Pillar Force; I have no right to stop it.

Even if you seek revenge, you should confront the Soul Pillar Force, not me."

Xu Yang sneered, "So you're trying to shirk responsibility? Then tell me, who is the Soul Pillar Force of the Nightmare Yama?"

"My apologies, that is not within my authority."

Everyone in Xu Yang's team felt as if they were being played.

"You're truly amusing! Not only are you shirking responsibility, but you're also making fools of us?"

Long Kun was about to charge forward and teach the tree a lesson, but to his surprise, the tree remained completely unfazed.

"In a sense, my existence symbolizes the Nightmare Yama lineage of the Underworld on this continent. If you harm me, you will undoubtedly face the endless wrath of the Nightmare Yama lineage."

*Clang!*

The instant the tree finished speaking, Xu Yang's gaze momentarily flickered. A silver gleam then flashed past his cold face. The sharp sword moved like lightning, and in mere moments, the Reincarnation Ancient Tree before him was severed at its trunk.

"You!!"

The central pupil of the tree instantly cracked with a vein of blood, which then rapidly expanded. Xu Yang had completely extinguished the life force of the entire tree, and the symbol of the Nightmare Yama lineage on the continent collapsed.

"Xu Yang! Your actions show utter disregard for Yunmeng Ze! We, Yunmeng Ze, are responsible for linking the higher unknown realms with the continent. By cutting down the Reincarnation Ancient Tree without explanation right in front of me, you are desecrating the power of the Nightmare Yama lineage!"

Zhimeng's voice still sounded ethereal, but her tone clearly carried a sense of reproach towards Xu Yang.

However, Xu Yang's only reply to everyone was a cold statement: "I'll be right here, waiting for that Soul Pillar Force to appear. And of course, anyone from the Nightmare Yama lineage who seeks an explanation."

This was Xu Yang's stance!

If he dared to kill, he naturally dared to face the consequences.

The reason he decisively eliminated the Reincarnation Ancient Tree was ultimately due to the other party's arrogant demeanor and inherent divine superiority, which Xu Yang deeply detested.

After this battle, Xu Yang's desire to confront the Divine Race and seek justice for humanity seemed to intensify within him.

"Ah, hahaha, our boss is enraged! That so-called Yama clan is in for a rough time! But Miss Zhimeng, there are so many trees here; are they all Soul Pillar Force connection points for other unknown divine inheritances that have descended upon the continent?"

Zhimeng nodded gravely. "That's correct."

"My goodness... I never imagined there were so many branching forces within the Divine Race! They're all cultivating their own Soul Pillar Forces on the continent; their ambition is truly immense! From the looks of it, the conflict ten thousand years ago must also have been related to these forces from the Divine Realm?"

Zhimeng sighed helplessly. "Actually, Yunmeng Ze acts as a sanctuary for these divine forces' contact points precisely to prevent the Dragon and Qilin lineages from completely dominating the continent. With these branching divine forces involved, the continent's order can remain more stable, preventing a one-sided takeover and complete monopoly by any single lineage.

Over the years, numerous opportunities for deification have descended from the Divine Realm onto the continent, but very few have reached us, likely having been seized by the Dragon and Qilin Mountain. Therefore, the other divine lineages originally created Soul Pillar Forces to bypass the blockade of the Dragon and Qilin Mountain lineage, also with our continent's welfare in mind.

However, who could have known that ten thousand years ago, various cultivation forces that gathered from all directions, upon learning that these ancient trees contained clues related to divine power, began to launch greedy raids and attacks against them, infuriating some divine domain forces and leading to the annihilation of all those ambitious sects.

Among them was the Nightmare Yama lineage, which fostered the power of the Blood Demon Curse. The Blood Demon Curse first descended upon Nightmare at that time. Subsequently, other lineages joined the fray, but they were no match for those few divine forces and were utterly wiped out.

The three survivors were then chosen as Soul Pillar Forces, bound to protect this secret forever with Yunmeng Ze."

After the Zhimeng Goddess finished speaking, Xu Yang and the others finally gained some understanding of the events from that era.

Ling Yao, deep in thought, suddenly asked, "May I ask, Senior Zhimeng, are the divine inheritances corresponding to these ancient trees all from within the Divine Realm? If so, can we find their respective Soul Pillar Forces to establish a connection with these ancient trees and thereby enter the Divine Realm through this channel?"

The Zhimeng Goddess chuckled softly. "First, you must understand a misconception: there are many divine-level inheritances, but not all are within the Divine Realm. The Dragon Race, Qilin Race, Angels, Demons, and even the Underworld—all fall under the category of divine-level inheritances. However, they each possess their own independent inherited territories, residing in different dimensional spaces.

Our continent is directly under the jurisdiction and protection of the Divine Realm. However, now, with the Dragon and Qilin Races—forces that outwardly flatter the Divine Realm's dominion but secretly harbor growing ambitions—they have begun to defy the Divine Realm by covertly plundering resources and opportunities for deification that rightfully belong to our continent. This is the manifestation of our most severe current class conflict."

Long Kun nodded thoughtfully. "So, our enemies are the hostile divine forces coveting our continent's resources and fortune, not every inheritance within the entire divine domain."

Zhimeng nodded. "Exactly. Currently, the Angel Race is the most loyal partner and protector of the Divine Realm's dynasty and us. Demons, the Dragon Race, and the Qilin Race are all our enemies. The Underworld is unique; most of its inhabitants maintain neutrality, but opportunistic and wavering inheritances like the Nightmare Yama are not uncommon."