NOVEL ONLINE FREE CHAPTER 260
Chapter 260: The Pact
The Mother Tree was utterly bewildered, its single eye wide with confusion.
Zero's actions had caught it completely off guard.
"For me? A gift? An opportunity?!" It gestured towards itself, then at the box clutched in its branches, its voice incredulous.
Zero nodded, a playful smile on his lips. "Yes, this is the opportunity I'm offering you. What's wrong? Don't you want it?"
He reached out, feigning an attempt to retrieve the box. "If you don't want it, I'll take it back."
The Mother Tree recoiled, clutching the box protectively. "I want it! I want it!"
Realizing it had been teased, the Mother Tree fell silent, its gaze fixed on Zero.
After a long pause, it finally spoke, its voice laced with suspicion. "You're aware of my abilities, aren't you?"
Zero nodded. "I am. You have the ability to replicate the characteristics of a creature infinitely, given sufficient energy and its DNA."
"It's a very powerful and terrifying ability," he added, his tone neutral.
The Mother Tree shook the box again, its voice low. "So, you're not unaware of the consequences of this falling into my hands, are you?"
Zero's smile widened. "Do you think I am or am not?"
The question left the Mother Tree speechless.
After a long moment, it gritted its teeth and spoke, its voice firm. "So, what do you want from me?"
It lowered its gaze, looking at the box and the Beast King's hair within. Then, it took a deep breath and made a bold declaration.
"If it's such a valuable gift, I'm willing to betray the Giant Clan and the Insect Clan and cooperate with you!"
The Insect Clan and the Giant Clan were well aware of the Mother Tree's capabilities.
Both clans were cautious of the Mother Tree's potential, and they had never provided it with the genetic samples of Origin Realm experts.
But now, the Corpse God had presented it with such a valuable gift...
Surely, such generosity implied a deep friendship!
However, to the Mother Tree's surprise, Zero shook his head.
"I don't need to collaborate with you," he said, his voice firm. "And I don't want to disrupt the current situation."
"You can accept this gift with peace of mind. I said it was a gift, and there's no need for any compensation."
"As for what you do with it, what plans or arrangements you make after receiving it, that's entirely up to you. It has nothing to do with me."
Zero raised an eyebrow. "Do you understand?"
The Mother Tree was speechless.
Finally, Zero dismissed it. "Now, you can go back and enjoy your gift."
As the Mother Tree stumbled out of the research institute, Zero shook his head.
With a thought, he withdrew the consciousness he had projected onto Esek.
Esek appeared momentarily confused, then quickly regained his composure.
"It seems the ancestor used my body again," he muttered to himself.
"Although I don't know what transpired, but..."
"Yes, let's focus on the task at hand."
He walked towards the massive jar in the experimental area.
Reaching out, he touched its surface.
Esek's body shimmered, becoming translucent and ethereal. It slowly seeped through the glass, merging with the purplish-black liquid within the jar.
Submerged in the churning fluid, Esek closed his eyes, a sense of anticipation filling his being.
Corpse God Territory
The main city of the Undead Clan, and the dwelling place of the Corpse God himself, was a sprawling metropolis. Professionals claimed it was one of the largest cities in the entire Black Mist Zone, perhaps even surpassing the Eternal Clan's capital in size.
The city was divided into hundreds of districts, each with its own unique architectural style, reflecting the diverse preferences of its inhabitants.
But one structure remained constant, an eternal symbol of the Corpse God's dominion.
The Sky City, a magnificent floating fortress, hovered high above the Corpse God Territory, its presence a constant reminder of the deity's watchful gaze.
At this moment, within the Sky City, thirty thousand meters above the ground, the Corpse God sat engaged in a game of chess with a visitor.
He had a calm and gentle demeanor, his skin slightly pale, and his face bore the distinctive bloodline patterns of his long-extinct race, markings shaped like delicate flowers.
The Corpse God no longer identified with his original race; he embraced his identity as the progenitor of the Undead Clan.
His opponent was a robust, elderly man, his face etched with wrinkles but his body radiating an aura of immense strength.
He wore a loose black robe, but his broad shoulders and back strained against the fabric, hinting at the power contained within.
Most striking of all was the old man's hair.
His hair was the iconic silver-white of the Aeonians.
He was, indeed, from the Eternal Clan.
And he was a god of that clan.
His name was Yuan.
"Enough, enough," Yuan said, his voice gruff but good-natured. "I'm not playing anymore. I admit, when it comes to using the brain, I can't compete with you researchers."
His large hand swept across the chessboard, reducing all the pieces to dust.
Zero merely shook his head slightly. With a wave of his hand, refreshments materialized on the chessboard.
"Your favorite, Dao Yuan Tea."
He poured a cup for Yuan, but the god ignored it.
Instead, he peered at Zero through the rising steam, his gaze piercing.
"I've been wanting to ask you a question for a while now," Yuan finally said, his voice low.
"Ask away," Zero replied gently.
"What exactly is that Blood Flesh Mother Tree?"
"It's a mutant. Do you really need to ask me?"
Yuan shook his head at Zero's dismissive response. "As a Subverter, of course I know it's a mutant."
"The question is," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "where did this mutant come from, and why does it exist?"
"Everything has an origin, a foundation..."
"This mutant, the Blood Flesh Mother Tree, must have one too."
Zero leisurely sipped his Dao Yuan Tea, savoring the rich flavor that danced on his tongue. He let out a contented sigh.
Putting down his teacup, Zero replied with a cryptic smile. "Is foundation truly that important?"
Yuan paused, then echoed the sentiment. "Indeed, it's not always crucial."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "It's just that... that Blood Flesh Mother Tree bears a striking resemblance to your handiwork."
"Whether it's its life form or the gift you just bestowed upon it... Though there's no concrete evidence, I can't shake the feeling that it has something to do with you."
Zero's smile remained enigmatic. "Yes, it's somewhat related to me. So what?"
His nonchalant tone made Yuan sigh. "It's just curiosity, that's all..."
People had their secrets.
Gods, with their endless lifespans, had even more.
Even if Zero admitted his connection to the Blood Flesh Mother Tree, what could Yuan do about it? Pressing further would only create animosity.
As fellow Subverters, Yuan understood Zero far better than most.
The Corpse God was not to be trifled with.
He, too, picked up his teacup and took a sip, then decisively changed the subject. "Over in Archean City, the research subject of the Flame Clan has escaped and is now hiding in Morro City. I've taken measures to conceal it. At the very least, that old geezer from the Sky Monitoring Bureau won't be able to find it or see through my deception. As for how far that little thing can grow, it's up to its own luck."
"But I do find this dream system quite intriguing."
"It's worth keeping an eye on."
Zero nodded slightly, his gaze distant, as if his thoughts were already elsewhere.
Yuan shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"If you're not in the mood for conversation, then so be it."
"I'll visit you again soon."
As Yuan rose to leave, Zero finally spoke.
"Soon..."
"What did you say?" Yuan asked, turning back.
"I said, it will be soon," Zero repeated, his voice resonating with an otherworldly power. "Our purpose, yours and mine as Subverters, will soon be fulfilled."
Yuan's expression turned serious.
"In this era," Zero continued, "whether it's success or failure, the outcome will soon be determined."
End of Chapter 260