NOVEL ONLINE FREE CHAPTER 259
Chapter 259: The Corpse God's Revelation
As the most valued collaborator of the Giant and Insect Clans, the Blood Flesh Mother Tree was well aware of the Corpse God's existence. He was the progenitor of the Undead Clan, one of the three most powerful deities in the world today.
Although the Undead Clan boasted numerous members, for some reason, deities were rare among them, with only five in existence.
Four of these deities possessed ordinary strength, but the Corpse God was a being of enigmatic power, single-handedly upholding the might of an entire super-large clan.
"But in truth, I don't pursue power; I pursue knowledge," Zero's voice echoed through the dimly lit corridor, a gentle tone belying his fearsome reputation.
"I originated from a generation of tribulation transcenders hundreds of thousands of years ago. But I didn't enter the Black Mist Zone as a human. I came here as an Undead."
He paused, a smile in his voice. "Oh, and before becoming an undead, I was a scientist."
The Mother Tree let out an awkward chuckle.
Zero continued, undeterred. "Perhaps due to my background, I've never been particularly interested in extraordinary powers. Compared to raw power, I prefer to study the essence of things, to analyze extraordinary abilities scientifically, and to understand their true nature."
He gestured, and a cluster of Origin Power materialized in his hand, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
"For example, according to my research, the essence of Origin Power is an incredibly small, special substance, even smaller than quarks."
"However, it can combine with cells, allowing them to grow at an accelerated rate, become super strong, and undergo extraordinary evolution, thus giving rise to various superpowers."
"In short, there's no need to dwell on the details," Zero concluded. "If you're interested, you can delve into the relevant research papers. There's a wealth of knowledge on this subject."
"And here..."
They had reached a hidden chamber deep underground.
The Mother Tree's gaze swept across the room, taking in the various experimental equipment and bizarre materials scattered about.
"This is a secret research facility I built before ascending to godhood," Zero explained with a smile.
The Mother Tree observed its surroundings. The facility wasn't particularly large, and though it contained numerous objects, several distinct areas could be discerned.
The living quarters, research area, and cultivation space were all crammed together.
The most striking feature of the research area was a massive glass jar positioned in the center. Thirty meters long and over twenty meters in diameter, it stood like a colossal pillar. Inside, a purplish-black liquid churned, hinting at something submerged within its depths.
Zero offered no further explanation.
He led the Mother Tree deeper into the facility, his voice echoing through the dimly lit corridors.
"Research in the Black Mist Zone faces significant challenges."
"The path of superhumans and the path of technology are fundamentally different. When one gains strength, it inevitably suppresses the other."
He paused, his voice taking on a thoughtful tone.
"Think of ancient China versus modern China."
In ancient times, with limited technology, martial arts and similar disciplines flourished. Though not strictly considered extraordinary, martial arts shared a common goal with the path of the extraordinary—unlocking human potential.
However, the advent of firearms in the modern world relegated martial arts to the sidelines.
Similarly, in the Black Mist Zone, where extraordinary powers reigned supreme, technological advancement had stagnated.
"For any researcher," Zero continued, "the word 'deity' represents an insurmountable obstacle."
The deities of the Black Mist Zone were beings of unimaginable power and eternal life, watching over the world from their lofty perches.
Every researcher dreamed of creating the ultimate weapon, one that could rival the might of the gods.
In this regard, Zero and Emperor Flame Heart shared a common goal.
Flame Heart Yanxin had sought alternative powers to challenge the deities, hoping to find a way to save his clan.
Zero's research also aimed to uncover a different path to power, one that could match the gods. His motivation stemmed from a curiosity about the unknown and a desire to prove his own abilities and talents, even though he himself had already ascended to godhood.
"This place was born from that ambition," Zero revealed, gesturing towards the surrounding laboratory. "It's a project I established before becoming a deity."
He looked at the Mother Tree with a knowing smile. "Do you know what the main research focus was here?"
The Mother Tree shook its head, its ignorance understandable.
Zero sighed and shook his head. "It seems you don't like to use your brain... No matter."
His tone shifted, a hint of pride entering his voice. "This facility was dedicated to studying the most famous legend in the Hundred Thousand Mountains."
"The legend of the Beast King."
The tale of the Beast King was well-known in the region surrounding the mountains.
According to ancient lore, the Black Mist Zone was once the domain of exotic beasts, the true rulers of the land.
But everything changed when the Supreme God began selecting individuals for the Tribulation.
The Tribulation Transcenders clashed with the exotic beasts in a war that spanned generations. Ultimately, the Beast King, along with the surviving beasts, retreated into the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
"This legend is quite vague, especially for those who seek the truth," Zero remarked, his voice thoughtful.
"It doesn't mention the extent of the Beast King's power."
"Quasi-divine level? No, that's unlikely. It battled alongside the exotic beasts against the tribulation transcenders for generations. This implies there must have been at least dozens of deities among the transcenders."
"But to call it a deity? That's also improbable. There has never been a recorded instance of an exotic beast achieving godhood."
"Therefore, I'm curious about the Beast King's true strength. I wonder if it was a unique creature that possessed power comparable to deities, even without ascending to godhood."
"That's why I found this..."
Zero abruptly stopped, his gaze fixed on something ahead.
He knocked on the wall in front of him, and it slid open, revealing a hidden safe.
Zero walked to the safe, entered the password, and opened the shockingly thick door. Inside, he retrieved a brocade box.
He opened it.
A single, golden hair strand lay within, visible to both Zero and the Mother Tree.
The Mother Tree's metaphorical breath quickened. It could vaguely sense a minuscule but incredibly potent energy emanating from the strand.
Upon closer inspection, the power within the hair strand wasn't far from the fleeting majesty Zero had displayed earlier, but their essences were completely different.
"The Beast King is long dead," Zero explained, his voice somber.
"However, its body did not decay."
"Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the Beast King's remains. I only found this strand of hair, shed in the core region of the Hundred Thousand Mountains."
Zero smiled at the Mother Tree, whose single eye was now filled with an insatiable greed.
"Do you want it?"
Before the Mother Tree could respond, Zero thrust the brocade box into its branches.
"Whether you want it or not, I'm giving it to you."
"Because this," he said, his voice ringing with a hint of mystery, "is the gift and opportunity I mentioned earlier."
End of Chapter 259