Chapter 986 - The Golden Tree’s Trial
A faint smile spread across Daniel’s bluish face. “I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time.”
Han Wu looked at Daniel’s lifeless face, and a chill ran down his spine. Why is he waiting for me? Is he trying to steal the Golden Rune?
Han Wu’s expression turned serious. His main reason for coming to the White Soul Civilization was the Golden Rune. If Daniel intended to steal it, that grudge would run deep.
Daniel continued, “Your strength has grown quickly.”
Han Wu glanced at Daniel’s pale, lifeless face again and replied casually, “Not bad. Strong enough to beat you to death.”
Daniel let out a cold laugh. “Beat me to death? I’m already dead. How can I die again?”
“Who knows? I happen to have some experience grinding bones to dust. Wanna give it a go?” Han Wu’s voice carried an unmistakable warning.
Daniel smiled and stepped aside. “The Golden Tree is right ahead. I hope you can pass its trial.”
Han Wu grew even more wary. Daniel clearly wanted to steal the Golden Rune but wouldn’t take the trial himself. Instead, he planned to let someone else do the work before swooping in to reap the rewards.
Despicable, Han Wu thought. With his current strength, he wasn’t afraid of Daniel openly trying to steal it. Fire posed a deadly threat to the undead, and dragon fire was even more devastating. If Daniel really attacked, Han Wu would gladly incinerate him with dragon fire and use his ash as fertilizer for the Golden Tree.
Ignoring Daniel, Han Wu walked forward and finally beheld the Golden Tree in its entirety. Standing before it felt like facing a wall of gold. Compared to the Golden Tree, Han Wu felt impossibly small.
The Golden Will sensed the Golden Rune Han Wu carried and immediately understood why he had come. “Outsider, are you willing to pay the price required to fully unseal the Golden Rune?”
The Golden Will’s majesty was enough to shake Han Wu despite his Microcosm strength. Still, he answered without an ounce of hesitation, “Yes!”
The Golden Tree swayed, and countless golden leaves drifted down.
“Then you must pass a trial to receive the Golden Tree’s gift,” the Golden Will said.
Endless golden leaves assembled before Han Wu, forming more than a dozen portraits. Each one depicted a different figure. Han Wu didn’t recognize most of them, but one familiar face stood out among the rest: Lingray.
If these follow a pattern, then these figures formed by the golden leaves are very likely the kings of the White Soul Civilization throughout its history!
As Han Wu considered the possibility, the Golden Will explained, “Before you are the portraits of every past owner of the Golden Rune. Defeat the projection of any one of them, and you will receive a branch from the Golden Tree that will fully unseal the Golden Rune.”
Meanwhile, the Desolation Manifestation had already started gathering information on each Golden Rune owner. The list included the First King, the Crescent Moon Goddess, the Star Shattering General, the Final King, and many others. Every one of them had a brilliant track record. Any of them could have risen to lead a civilization.
Han Wu’s gaze settled on the Final King, Lingray. From what the Desolation Manifestation had uncovered, Lingray was unquestionably the strongest of all the Golden Rune owners. Choosing him meant choosing the hardest path.
After a brief moment of thought, Han Wu selected the Final King. His reasoning was simple. Daniel was waiting outside. If he could learn Lingray’s fighting style now, dealing with Daniel and the Final King’s corpse would be much easier later.
Han Wu confirmed his choice to the Golden Will, much to its surprise. It had expected him to pick the weakest opponent, the Crescent Moon Goddess. Even so, the choice raised the Golden Will’s opinion of Han Wu. Having the courage to challenge the strongest was a quality a true warrior should have.
“As you wish!” the Golden Will declared.
Endless golden leaves swirled, and from within the cascading leaves, Lingray’s figure appeared. Han Wu knew this was only a replica. Although a gap separated it from the real Final King Lingray, the pressure it radiated was alarming.
Before it even shifted into a Form, while still in his Initial State, the replica had already reached the Microcosm rank. If it shifted into any of its Forms, wouldn’t its power jump straight to the Subcosm rank?
Han Wu’s eyes filled with caution. Lingray, however, let out a hearty laugh. “Kid, how many years has it been since I died?”
Han Wu’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected the replica to possess intelligence.
“I’m not sure, but it’s probably been decades. Maybe a century,” Han Wu replied.
The replica’s smile turned faintly bitter, then he asked, “I didn’t realize so much time had passed. Has anyone stronger than me appeared out there?”
He had named himself the Final King precisely to proclaim his supremacy and declare himself the ultimate king among all kings. Naturally, he desperately wanted to know whether anyone had surpassed him.
“I’m not sure about that, either. There’s an undead out there occupying your corpse, though. He may be stronger than you were when you were alive,” Han Wu answered honestly.
Lingray immediately flew into a rage. He had once ruled the White Soul Civilization. Even though he had been dead for years, the thought of someone taking over his body still infuriated him.
Han Wu took in his anger and spoke up right away. “How about you tell me the weaknesses of your fighting style? Once I get out there, I’ll teach that undead squatting in your corpse a good lesson.”
He added, “By the way, that undead calls himself Daniel. He says you defeated him before.”
“Daniel?” Lingray thought for a moment. “I have no memory of him!”
Han Wu almost wanted to observe a minute’s silence for Daniel, who had been consumed by hatred day and night after his defeat. He had plotted and schemed to obtain Lingray’s corpse. In the end, the Final King didn’t even remember him. If Daniel had been there, Han Wu suspected that Lingray’s remark would have shattered him completely.
“Forget about this Daniel. Since you’ve chosen me, I have to show you what I’m made of. It’s been many years since my last fight, and my sword has been thirsting for battle. Are you ready, kid?” Lingray asked as he assumed his stance.
A black sword materialized in his hand. As he channeled his power, black energy surged from it like flames reaching toward the sky.
Seeing that sword, Han Wu paused briefly. This fella pulled out his ultimate weapon right from the start. Then I can’t afford to look weak either.
“Fire Dragon Spirit!” Han Wu called out.
A Rank 9 fire greatsword appeared in his hand. The greatsword radiated powerful Dragon Fear, and a complete Flame Jurisdiction was embedded within it. Despite being Rank 9, its true power had already surpassed its rank.
Lingray’s eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of Han Wu’s weapon. He had been dead for so many years, yet he still had the chance to fight against such a magnificent weapon. The feeling was simply incredible!