Chapter 89: God-Slaying System (2)

Chapter 89: God-Slaying System (2)

It is exceedingly difficult to unravel the multitudes of Formations that overlap each other and share many functions in order to understand their purpose and operation. However, the more I observe this grove, the more I become aware of its overall purpose.

The cherry tree at the center of the grove seems to act as an energy source of some sort or a transformation mechanism of input energies. The artificial sun, itself, is the only exception as it is entirely powered by the demonic willow trees.

The purpose of the willow trees does not appear to only be to suppress this central cherry tree, but also something else that appears to be missing.

When I turn my [Critical Analysis] towards the cherry tree, a sub-routine helpfully informs me of its identity in a very unhelpful manner.

[ ??? - Demon Tree of the First Thorn ]

It doesnt estimate a Grade or category just a name. At least it returns something, which the other trees and objects in the area do not provide. At the very least, I hoped the artificial sun would return a context, but it may as well not exist in the eyes of my [Critical Analysis]. I likely have to upgrade the talent before I can obtain more information.

What is extremely clear is that there is a distinction between demon and demonic and that in the process of suppressing this demon tree, the willows have somehow become demonic themselves.

This clue leads me to believe that this grove is inducing demonization or somehow beckoning demonic beasts to itself. Lan Xiaohui even mentioned once that this Forbidden Ancestral Hunting Ground had to become the way it is because of the extreme presence of demonic creatures, now only suitable for producing awakened heavenly treasures.

This process that induces the awakening of heavenly treasures a demonic awakening, most likely could potentially be traced back to the existence of this tree.

There are still many mysteries surrounding the awe-inspiring layering of Formations that would take years if not decades of careful study just to begin to understand it.

In terms of my initial goals to cultivate here and improve the overall understanding of my Dao of Arrays I regrettably have to concede that this will not be possible at the current time.

Despite the incredibly thick Qi in the area, it is very possible that any prolonged exposure to the environment will inevitably lead to a state of death this is because of the central formation that is behind the overall purpose of this grove.

Then there is the sound of crashing, like shattering glass, and specks of glittering dust fall from the sky.

I do not mind these cascading errors and faults I am inducing in the neighboring Formations ideally, I would like to erase all of them to create an environment that is suitable for cultivation; it does not concern me if they fail.

Luckily, even the Immortal Slaying Formation appears to be weakening, and the field of suppression that it has been exerting upon us slowly begins to wane. Even the luster of the artificial sun, despite it being completely dependent on the willow trees, becomes more violent though I am not certain if this is because of what I am doing or a coincidence.

My focus is entirely on the operation of the Formation that governs the input of Artifact Souls the reverse process of the more mainstream functions to destroy those souls. Perhaps this function is an unintended consequence of the primary function, or it is an unintended feature.

It takes some work, but I manage to connect my sea of consciousness to the input of the Formation and I mentally form a bridge between the Devoured Worlds Sphere and the altar.

My plan is simple: I will gain access to the Formation's inner mechanisms by providing the context of my Devoured Worlds Sphere to act as a dummy Artifact Soul; it should qualify for that job. Of course, I don't intend to create an Artifact Soul, I just want to gain access to the Formation.

With satisfaction, I open my aperture and as I am about to operate my [World Eater] talent to breathe in the Qi of the area and simultaneously devour all the power sources connected to this Formation, something entirely unexpected happens.

The ground beneath us suddenly shifts and I simultaneously realize three things: First, there is no Formation present here that in any way disrupts the mind. Second, the reason why the rocks appear so uniform, sharp, and as dense as metal is because they are not stones they are scales. We are not standing on top of terra firma; we are standing on the corpse of an ancient dead snake. Lastly, the snake may not be entirely dead.

In the vast darkness of my inner vessel the abyss in which my sea of consciousness exists a pair of malevolent, red eyes open and I immediately feel a powerful presence suppress my consciousness and begin to unravel the outer layers of my mind.

It sings to me, not in words or sound, but in images and meaning itself.

The image of a burning cherry tree appears in my mind, with countless people impaled on its branches; I see a halo around the tree that has grown so tall that it challenges the edicts of Heaven itself. I see a snake wrapped around the trunk of the tree, spanning the entire height of the tree.

Submit. Obey. Submit. Obey. Submit. Obey. Subm