Chapter 562: The Chaos Tree

Chapter 562: The Chaos Tree

In the Fragment World of Star Tears, Lin Yuan returned to his true self, his heart and mind filled with joy.

His mission to the Myriad Dao Pavilion was almost complete.

He had also found a way to spread the word about the various evolutionary paths of martial arts.

With the help of the Myriad Dao Pavilion, it was predicted that the numerous side paths of the martial arts evolution would quickly spread across the void domains.

The speed and breadth of its spread far exceeded that within the universe.

"I bet the number of side paths that the Martial Arts Evolution has branched out into has startled the Eye of Myriad Laws," Lin Yuan thought to himself. The Martial Arts Evolution was a path that he had forged by traversing different dimensional worlds of varying dimensions.

Its exposition and encapsulation of the essence of power and rules far surpassed that of other evolutionary paths at the same level.

This was the reason why the Martial Arts Evolution, despite being at the Dao Manifestation Realm, was able to forge so many side paths.

Traveling through different dimensions was something that even a thirteenth-stage being might not be able to achieve. Even the great Time Lifeform was still in the exploration phase when it came to other dimensions.

Lin Yuan, with the Gate of Myriad Worlds, could easily travel back and forth between dimensions, and this was the key reason why he was able to forge the Martial Arts Evolution path.

"But that Eye of Myriad Laws is probably truly related to the thirteenth stage," Lin Yuan thought to himself.

During his conversation with the Eye of Myriad Laws, Lin Yuan had also been secretly observing his interlocutor.

Although it was far from comparable to the majestic presence of the projection of the Gate of Myriad Worlds, it still surpassed that of a typical Chaos Grand Sage.

"It's a pity that it's still a bit too high of a realm for me, and I didn't gain any insights from it," Lin Yuan thought with some regret. If he had been speaking to the true body of the Eye of Myriad Laws instead of a projection, he might have gained more insights that could have benefited him.

Interacting with just a projection, coupled with the vast difference in their levels, had not yielded any harvest for Lin Yuan.

"Hmm?"

"Has my incarnation successfully arrived at the Myriad Phenomena Void Domain?"

Lin Yuan's heart stirred as he looked in a certain direction.

The first time he had explored the Chaos Void, he had obtained numerous treasures left behind by a peak Dominator, Cang Weiyang. This could be considered Lin Yuan's "first pot of gold."

Cang Weiyang had not made any demands of Lin Yuan; he had only hoped that Lin Yuan would have the opportunity to visit the Myriad Phenomena Void Domain and take on a member of the Stone Clan as a disciple.

With Lin Yuan's current strength, this would be an easy task, so he had sent an incarnation to the Myriad Phenomena Void Domain in advance.

Myriad Phenomena Void Domain.

In the void where chaos energy drifted, a figure took shape—it was Lin Yuan.

"I've finally arrived," Lin Yuan said with a smile.

The Myriad Phenomena Void Domain and the void domain where the Ancient Clarity Continent was located were not particularly far apart.

They were adjacent void domains.

Even so, it had taken Lin Yuan almost a decade to travel from his departure point to his destination.

It must be known that Lin Yuan's insight into time and space had already reached the eighth level, and his speed of travel was no slower than that of a Chaos Honored One.

Many newly advanced Chaos Honored Ones had not yet reached the eighth level of insight into time and space, and their travel speed was even slower than Lin Yuan's.

"No wonder they say that even Chaos Grand Sages and Exalted Grand Sages can't hope to traverse every corner of the Chaos Void," Lin Yuan shook his head slightly, feeling a sense of emotion.

The Chaos Void was indeed vast beyond measure.

"Stone Clan."

Lin Yuan looked around, orienting himself.

The information that Cang Weiyang had provided naturally included detailed information about the Myriad Phenomena Void Domain and the Stone Clan.

Just as the Chaos Void gave birth to countless universes, it also nurtured innumerable lifeforms and clans.

These lifeforms ranged from the powerful to the weak, and the Stone Clan was considered a relatively weaker clan, dwelling within a secret realm.

A secret realm was a hidden space naturally formed within the Chaos Void, and in terms of safety, it was definitely not as secure as a universe.

However, for the Stone Clan, it was an excellent place, at least allowing the entire clan to live quietly within it.

Of course, such a 'secret realm' meant that cultivation resources were extremely scarce, and this was why Cang Weiyang had left the secret realm to venture out on his own.

Relying solely on this 'secret realm', it would be impossible to cultivate a peak Dominator.

Whoosh.

Soon.

Lin Yuan appeared before the secret realm of the Stone Clan.

This secret realm was hidden deep within the layers of time and space, making it extremely difficult to detect.

However, with Lin Yuan's insight into time and space, it was not a problem at all, especially with the detailed coordinates left by Cang Weiyang.

Whoosh.

Lin Yuan took a step forward and entered the secret realm directly.

The various barriers outside the secret realm were as flimsy as paper to Lin Yuan.

"I'll make this quick," Lin Yuan decided.

He planned to choose a member of the Stone Clan at random, take them on as a disciple, and bring them back to human civilization.

As for how high this disciple would eventually rise, it would depend on their own fortune.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yuan appeared in the sky, looking down at the secret realm below.

The secret realm where the Stone Clan resided was only a few hundred light-years in diameter, which was considered 'narrow', and Lin Yuan could see through it at a glance.

This was quite normal, as the Stone Clan was not a powerful clan, and the strongest among them was only at the Dao Manifestation Realm. Naturally, the secret realm they occupied was not going to be very impressive.

If it were an incredibly vast secret realm, how could the Stone Clan have occupied it?

"There's not a single member of the Stone Clan here," Lin Yuan observed as he looked down.

The secret realm below was empty, and some areas even had deep pits, giving it a sense of ruin.

"According to Senior Cang Weiyang's intelligence, the Stone Clan had a population of over ten billion, although most of them were only at the fourth or fifth stage of power," Lin Yuan furrowed his brows slightly. "Where have they all gone now?"

In fact, it wasn't that there wasn't a single Stone Clan member left.

In the central region of the secret realm, where the cultivation environment was the most favorable, there were several auras at the Dao Manifestation Realm level.

"It looks like something unexpected has happened," Lin Yuan thought.

Lin Yuan's expression turned pensive, and then his figure vanished from the spot.

In the center of the secret realm, within a massive structure, four majestic figures sat cross-legged. These four figures exuded the aura of the Dao Manifestation Realm, and they casually chatted with each other.

"Hahahaha, who knows what bad luck that Stone Clan brought upon themselves, offending the Nine Mysteries Honored One. In the end, their entire clan was taken away," said one of the majestic figures with ram horns.

If not for this turn of events, these four wouldn't have been able to monopolize this secret realm.

The Stone Clan wasn't particularly strong, but they had nearly ten Dao Manifestation Realm experts, including one at the peak of this realm.

Normally, with the Stone Clan's capabilities, defending this secret realm would have been an easy task, and these four wouldn't have been able to invade it.

"The Stone Clan... how did they offend the Nine Mysteries Honored One? And why did the Nine Mysteries Honored One personally order their entire clan to be taken away?" asked another Dao Manifestation Realm figure, slightly perplexed.

The Nine Mysteries Honored One was a Chaos Realm expert, and in the eyes of such a being, the Stone Clan was but a speck of dust, not even worth a second glance.

"We're not sure. It's said that a member of the Stone Clan who ventured outside had some sort of conflict with the Nine Mysteries Honored One," replied the third Dao Manifestation Realm figure. He wasn't certain either, merely repeating what he had heard.

The order given by a Honored One to take away the entire Stone Clan had caused quite a stir in the surrounding areas.

"Regardless of the reason, it ultimately benefited the four of us. This secret realm has now fallen into our hands," said the fourth Dao Manifestation Realm figure. This secret realm was like a heaven-sent blessing to them.

With the Stone Clan gone and the various arrays within the realm still usable, these four only needed to make some slight modifications to become the masters of this place.

Just as the four majestic figures continued their conversation...

Suddenly, they felt the surroundings shift, and a hazy light enveloped the space-time around them.

Previously, they could sense the fluctuations of the outside world, but now they were completely cut off, as if they were enclosed in a separate space.

"Is this... a space-time domain?" The four majestic figures' hearts trembled.

A space-time domain was a domain condensed from the pure understanding of space-time rules.

Normally, one would need to reach at least the peak of the seventh level of insight into space-time to condense a space-time domain.

Within a space-time domain, one was like an isolated entity, completely cut off from the outside world. Unless one had a similar or higher understanding of space-time rules, escaping was extremely difficult.

These four majestic figures only had a barely adequate understanding of space-time, reaching the sixth level. When they realized they were enveloped by a space-time domain, they didn't dare to make any sudden movements. Instead, they stood there trembling, not daring to move a muscle.

"If there's a senior present, please give us your instructions, and we four brothers will definitely obey," the ram-horned figure immediately shouted.

To condense a space-time domain with insight into the seventh level of space-time rules was a feat achievable only by peak Grand Dominion Realm experts. Such a being could easily kill them if it wanted to, so why wait until now?

"Tell me, what happened to the Stone Clan?" Lin Yuan's voice echoed from all directions, reaching the ears of the four majestic figures.

"The Stone Clan..." The four majestic figures trembled again.

A Grand Dominion Realm peak expert was specifically inquiring about the Stone Clan. Could it be that this expert had some connection to the clan?

Although the Stone Clan was taken away by the Nine Mysteries Honored One, these four had taken over the secret realm on their own initiative.

"Senior, the Nine Mysteries Honored One ordered the Stone Clan to be taken away, and we had nothing to do with it," the ram-horned figure quickly explained, fearing that this mysterious expert would implicate them.

"The Nine Mysteries Honored One?" Lin Yuan's expression remained unchanged.

The Nine Mysteries Honored One was one of the newly ascended Chaos Realm experts in the Myriad Phenomena Cosmos, which was located right next to Lin Yuan's cosmos. The two were very close, and Lin Yuan had heard about the major events that had occurred in the Myriad Phenomena Cosmos over the last few dozen universe eras, including the emergence of this new Honored One.

"Why did the Nine Mysteries Honored One want to take away the entire Stone Clan?" Lin Yuan asked directly.

In fact, he had already been secretly listening to the conversation of these four Dao Manifestation Realm figures.

"We don't know," the ram-horned figure said, steeling himself. "Outside rumors say that a member of the Stone Clan who ventured out had a conflict with the Nine Mysteries Honored One."

The ram-horned figure and the other three immediately spilled everything they knew.

Trapped within the space-time domain, none of them dared to lie or hide anything.

In just a moment...

Lin Yuan learned everything that had transpired.

"A member of the Stone Clan who ventured outside offended the Nine Mysteries Honored One, and then the Nine Mysteries Honored One ordered the entire Stone Clan to be taken away?" Lin Yuan felt that there was a big problem with this.

With the Nine Mysteries Honored One's strength, if a mere Stone Clan member offended or angered him, he could erase them with a single thought.

As for taking away the entire Stone Clan?

What was the point of that?

In Lin Yuan's opinion, this action was extremely unnecessary and completely pointless.

Unless there was a deeper purpose.

Enveloped by the hazy light of space-time...

The four Dao Manifestation Realm figures were extremely nervous.

They had revealed everything they knew, and whether they could continue living depended on the mood of the powerful expert.

"Give up your resistance. I'm going to 'soul search' you to confirm the truth," Lin Yuan said as he prepared to soul search these four Dao Manifestation Realm beings.

Although he was certain that these four hadn't lied based on his perception, it was always best to make a final confirmation.

"Yes."

The four Dao Manifestation Realm figures nodded.

At this point, they had no choice but to cooperate.

Even if Lin Yuan decided to kill them after the soul search, they had no way to resist.

A buzzing sound echoed, and soon, Lin Yuan completed the 'Soul Search'.

The information he obtained was basically the same as what the four Dao Manifestation Realm beings had said.

"The Nine Mysteries Honored One?" Lin Yuan murmured as he casually stored the four unconscious Dao Manifestation Realm lives into his internal universe.

Before he fully understood the reason behind the Nine Mysteries Honored One's treatment of the Stone Clan, he did not want the news of his arrival to spread.

Therefore, these four Dao Manifestation Realm lives would continue to slumber within Lin Yuan's internal universe.

Nine Mysteries Secret Realm

This was the secret realm of the Nine Mysteries Honored One, its size unknown compared to the Stone Clan's secret realm.

Not every Honored One would open up a Chaos Continent. The Nine Mysteries Honored One had only become one a dozen universe eras ago and was considered a newly ascended Honored One. Opening up a Chaos Continent required an immense amount of effort.

The Nine Mysteries Honored One did not yet have that foundation.

Highest Point of the Secret Realm

In the grand hall at the highest point of the secret realm, three Grand Dominion Realm experts bowed respectfully to a skinny, cold-faced old man sitting on a treasure seat.

As a Chaos Realm expert, the Nine Mysteries Honored One naturally had a large number of followers. Many Grand Dominion Realm experts were stuck at the peak of the Grand Dominion Realm and couldn't take that final step. At this point, guidance from a Honored One was extremely important.

"What about it? Did that kid agree to talk?" The Nine Mysteries Honored One asked coldly.

"We put him in the Sin Pool, with endless sins assaulting his mind and soul, subjecting him to near-limitless torture. But..."

The three Grand Dominion Realm experts glanced at each other before lowering their voices and continuing, "That kid still refuses to speak."

"He won't speak?" The Nine Mysteries Honored One frowned.

The 'kid' they were referring to was Cang Yulong, from the Stone Clan.

Over half a universe era ago, the Nine Mysteries Honored One had been wandering through the Chaos Void when he discovered a distorted space-time zone. Within, he vaguely saw a mysterious space.

The Nine Mysteries Honored One immediately realized that this mysterious space had a very significant origin and was most likely left behind by a Chaos Realm peak or even a Grand Saint level expert.

Thus, he spent half a universe era trying to break through the space-time barrier outside the mysterious space and enter it.

The Nine Mysteries Honored One paid a huge price and even used up his favors as a Honored One, finally barely managing to get close to the mysterious space.

However, just at that critical moment, a figure appeared within the mysterious space.

This figure had obviously entered through another means of transportation.

Before the Nine Mysteries Honored One could do anything, the figure within the mysterious space caused it to vanish in an instant.

After spending half a universe era's worth of time, favors, effort, and energy, someone else had reaped the rewards?

The anger in the Nine Mysteries Honored One's heart was unimaginable.

Later, the Nine Mysteries Honored One spent thousands of years using the causal connection formed from his brief contact with the figure to finally lock onto and control him.

That figure was Cang Yulong.

After capturing Cang Yulong, the Nine Mysteries Honored One intended to directly 'soul search' him to find out about the mysterious space.

However, he discovered that Cang Yulong's sea of consciousness was protected by a mysterious power.

While he could forcibly break through the protection with a 'soul search', it would cause Cang Yulong's mental consciousness to collapse.

Therefore...

If the Nine Mysteries Honored One wanted to know about the mysterious space, he could only get Cang Yulong to speak willingly.

Naturally, Cang Yulong refused, so the Nine Mysteries Honored One subjected him to endless torture.

This Nine Mysteries Secret Realm was a natural secret realm nurtured by the Chaos Void, and within it was a wonder called the Sin Pool, which contained endless sins. Any life that came into contact with even a drop of the pool's water would suffer unimaginable torment.

Up till now, the Nine Mysteries Honored One had not found a more effective means of torture, so he directly immersed Cang Yulong in it.

But unfortunately...

It hadn't been effective so far.

"Does that kid know that his entire clan is in my hands?" The Nine Mysteries Honored One asked.

Initially, he did not know Cang Yulong's origins.

But after repeated investigations, the only thing the Nine Mysteries Honored One couldn't forcefully probe was the sea of consciousness protected by mysterious powers. As for the rest, the physical body, and so on, were all laid bare.

By comparing the physical features, the Nine Mysteries Honored One discovered that Cang Yulong was from the Stone Clan, so he ordered for all the Stone Clan members to be captured.

"We've told him."

The three Grand Dominion Realm experts nodded.

"Tell that kid that for every day he doesn't speak, I will slaughter 100 million Stone Clan members and immerse their souls in the Sin Pool as well."

The Nine Mysteries Honored One's face was cold and cruel.

"Yes."

The hearts of the three Grand Dominion Realm experts trembled. They knew the terror of the Sin Pool, and to be honest, it was already unimaginable that Cang Yulong had endured it for so long.

Watching the three Grand Dominion Realm experts leave, the Nine Mysteries Honored One's eyes once again landed on the mysterious space.

Even though he had only caught a fleeting glimpse, the Nine Mysteries Honored One had vaguely seen a colossal tree supporting the heavens and the earth standing in the center of the mysterious space.

As the tree swayed, endless chaos energy swirled around it.

"Chaos Tree."

A hint of desire flashed in the eyes of the Nine Mysteries Honored One.

If the World Tree was an eleventh-stage top-grade treasure...

Then the Chaos Tree was a twelfth-stage top-grade treasure.

And a twelfth-stage top-grade treasure corresponded to a Grand Saint level treasure.

Planting a Chaos Tree in one's internal universe would definitely stabilize it to a large extent, and the Nine Mysteries Honored One would be able to reach the Chaos Realm peak in the shortest time possible.

And this was just one use of the Chaos Tree; as a twelfth-stage top-grade treasure, its wonders were innumerable.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end