Chapter 676: The Tree Ancestor

Dao Xu.

Gu Sen, accompanied by four Divine Clan Divine Kings, stood outside the forbidden array set up by Ding Huan.

"Divine Lord, this forbidden array feels familiar." Kai Yi Divine King's voice was dull.

The other Divine Kings all turned to Gu Sen.

Gu Sen's expression was grim.

"It's not just familiar—it was arranged by the same person…"

Gu Sen fell silent; this forbidden array looked unmistakably like the work of the same hand that had crafted the protective array of the Great Star Wasteland.

But upon deeper thought, it seemed impossible.

The Great Star Wasteland's array was a Level Seven Divine Array, and the craftsmanship was incomparably superior to this one.

This was merely a Level Three Divine Array; in both rank and Dao resonance, it was several tiers inferior to the Level Seven array.

If someone could elevate their array art to this level in such a short time, not even Gu Sen would believe it.

If the cultivator who crafted the Great Star Wasteland's slaughter array had arranged this protective array—even casually—it would be far more advanced.

"Break through this protective array first." Gu Sen spoke, then punched forward.

No other Divine Kings needed to act; Gu Sen's single punch tore open the protective array.

Immediately, the scarred ground was revealed.

Gu Sen rushed in and stopped beside a pit, reaching down to pick up a fragment of splintered wood.

"It's the Tree Ancestor—undoubtedly the Tree Ancestor." Gu Sen's voice trembled as he clutched the wood fragment.

This fragment carried the Tree Ancestor's aura—he could sense it.

The Tree Ancestor was truly trapped here.

Not only was Gu Sen stirred.

The other four Divine Kings with Gu Sen were equally agitated.

News of the Tree Ancestor meant the Divine Clan would soon reclaim control of this universe, becoming the sole race in this realm.

In ancient times, the Divine Realm belonged to the Divine Clan—what were humans?

It was because of the Divine Clan that the Divine Realm existed, and the very title "Divine" came into being.

Humans were merely latecomers.

With news of the Tree Ancestor, their pace quickened.

Soon they halted before a stone courtyard, its interior pitch black—divine sense could not penetrate at all.

"I've heard of this place. Legend says over ten thousand humans entered, yet only dozens escaped."

One of the Divine Kings behind Gu Sen spoke with caution.

Among the humans who entered, there were two Divine Kings.

One of them was from the Divine Clan, but he refused to associate with his own kind—a lone-wolf Divine Clan Divine King.

Gu Sen snorted coldly: "If our Divine Clan's Tree Ancestor is here, no matter how many humans die, they deserve it. We are descendants of the Divine Clan—what is there to fear? Come, follow me inside."

With that, Gu Sen stepped through the courtyard gate first.

Seeing Gu Sen enter, the other Divine Kings followed.

The moment they entered, a vortex of force swept them away; when they landed, they found themselves in an open space.

Unlike Ding Huan and the others, who had been scattered to different locations upon arrival, they now stood together.

The dark attribute space was gone.

Before them loomed a hazy, massive array.

The group could barely make out the scene within the array.

It seemed a colossal tree grew there, its roots exposed, covered in countless scars.

Gu Sen immediately confirmed: this was unquestionably the Tree Ancestor. Though he could not fathom why the Tree Ancestor was here, or why his body radiated dark law energy, it did not diminish his fervent reverence.

"Divine Clan Gu Sen pays homage to the Tree Ancestor."

Gu Sen knelt; the other Divine Kings behind him hurriedly dropped to their knees, respectfully addressing the Tree Ancestor.

"Hmph!"

A cold, hoarse, aged voice echoed: "Is this how you respond to your ancestor's call? I've summoned you for countless years—why only now?"

Gu Sen spoke in trembling fear: "Because Dao Xu is human territory. To enter Dao Xu, we had to eradicate the humans and seize this land.

Over the years, the humans' strength has not been much weaker than ours. We've worked tirelessly, but… but…"

The aged voice spoke again: "Since you've arrived here, I assume you've slaughtered the humans who seized Dao Xu?"

Gu Sen's voice grew even more fearful: "Forgive me, Tree Ancestor. According to our plan, we had completely annihilated all human cultivators in the Upper Divine Lands.

But at the critical moment, the humans produced a Union God Ancestor. This Union God Ancestor was immensely powerful—he established a law-based slaughter array targeting Divine Clan cultivators.

That array was terrifying—it could distinguish between humans and Divine Clan cultivators, and it slaughtered only us. Faced with such an array, we dared not fight further and sought peace…"

"The humans produced a Union God Ancestor?" The Tree Ancestor frowned in thought—how was this possible?

When this world was shattered in ancient times, Union God status could not have been achieved—how could a Union God Ancestor now appear?

And to have constructed a law-based slaughter array specifically targeting Divine Clan disciples? That was even more impossible.

The cosmic laws were incomplete—how could such a law-based array be constructed?

Could it be…

The Tree Ancestor suddenly grew terrified.

He recalled a primordial great technique of the cosmos—the Great Gene Technique, one of the Three Thousand Great Dao. The Great Gene Technique was unquestionably the supreme law-based slaughter technique.

No—it should be said that law-based slaughter techniques were merely a branch of the Great Gene Technique.

In ancient times, the branches of the Great Gene Technique were no fewer than those of the Great Cause-and-Effect Technique or the Great Destiny Technique.

But the universe has undergone countless cycles; even if the Great Gene Art ever existed, it would have long been erased—how could it reappear?

Seeing the Tree Ancestor sink into thought, Gu Sen assumed the Tree Ancestor doubted his words and explained again:

"A Divine Union Ancestor from the human race has indeed appeared—this was confirmed by a Divine King of the human race himself, who even met that Divine Union Ancestor."

"In truth, though I never saw this Divine Union Ancestor myself, I witnessed his methods—he warned me then, and the pressure of his aura was enough to overwhelm even a Divine King."

"We were only able to enter here thanks to a friendly agreement, and because they harbor some fear of us—otherwise we could not have managed it."

Pressure? That never existed.

But Gu Sen believed the human race's emergence of a Divine Union Ancestor was no lie, so he slightly exaggerated his words to make the Tree Ancestor believe him.

The original text is reading!

"Good."

The Tree Ancestor spoke two words and fell silent again.

An entire hour passed before the Tree Ancestor slowly spoke:

"Go out and find two things for me. First, seek a Dark-element Divine Spirit Vein—the higher its rank, the better. Second, seek a Wood-element Divine Spirit Vein—the higher its rank, the better."

"If you can find Wood Origin Crystals—or even Wood Origin Pearls—bring them back. If you can deliver these, I will take the human race's Divine Union Ancestor and guarantee he will be reduced to ashes."

"Yes, Dao Ancestor, rest assured—I will handle this." Gu Sen immediately pledged.

Dark-element Divine Spirit Veins are extremely hard to find—even impossible.

But Wood-element Divine Spirit Veins—he was certain he could find them, for such veins were hidden within the Great Star Wasteland Range.

As for Wood Origin Crystals, they too existed within the Great Star Wasteland Range, though searching for them would be troublesome.

"Hmm. If you cannot find these, bring me plenty of Fortune Stones instead—it will suffice." The Tree Ancestor added again.

"Your disciple humbly remembers." Gu Sen and the others bowed deeply.

"There is another important matter. Look at this person—if you find him, capture him alive and bring him here."

"For he possesses something I need—part of my true body was forcibly severed by this man."

As the Tree Ancestor spoke, an image appeared before Gu Sen and the others.

"Tree Ancestor, is this person powerful?"

"Not powerful—he's merely a nobody. It was merely that circumstances were unfavorable to me then."

"Remember: do not engage the human race now. Maintain peace with them for several years—once I emerge, I will exterminate them all at once."

"Yes."

…

Even Yuan Qing had not expected that the Divine Clan's several Divine Kings would truly follow through—they left the Dao Ruins after only a month.

This eased Yuan Qing's mind, and he personally went to greet them.

Gu Sen had no desire to remain in the Dao Ruins Street—he needed to return immediately to search for the Dark-element Divine Spirit Vein, the Wood-element Divine Spirit Vein, and the Wood Origin Crystals.

Just as he prepared to take his leave, he saw Ding Huan's wanted poster.

Ding Huan's wanted poster was displayed prominently at the ticketing spot in the Dao Ruins Plaza.

It bore not only Ding Huan's true face but also several of his disguised appearances.

"What crime did this Ding Huan commit?" Gu Sen stared at the poster, his heart surging with excitement.

He had never imagined he would find the person the Tree Ancestor sought so easily.

This man—was his name Ding Huan?

The Tree Ancestor's wounds were inflicted by this man—if he captured him and delivered him to the Tree Ancestor…

"Oh, you mean him? His name is Ding Huan. He previously disguised himself and came to Dao Ruins Street, where he and a cultivator named Mo Changcan jointly robbed over a hundred shops and killed two Divine Kings of the Dao Ruins Guild."

"Now the entire Divine Realm is hunting these two."

Yuan Qing spoke casually, uninterested—he only wanted Gu Sen to return to the Divine Clan quickly and not stir trouble on human territory.

"Ding Huan killed a Divine King?" Gu Sen was stunned.

"No—only because that Divine King was already severely wounded."

So that was it. Gu Sen exhaled in relief, his face showing hesitation.

Yuan Qing could no longer pretend ignorance: "Divine King Wanyan, do you have something to say?"

Gu Sen hesitated, then said: "Actually, I know this Ding Huan. Years ago, he infiltrated our Divine Clan and stole our sacred treasure—we have been searching for him ever since."

"I have an impolite request—could I ask for Divine King Tianqin's assistance?"

Yuan Qing knew what Gu Sen wanted to say and could only reply: "Divine King Wanyan, speak plainly. Our two clans have always been harmonious and mutually supportive."

"I wish to find this man—please lend me your aid, Divine King Tianqin." Gu Sen bowed deeply, giving Yuan Qing full respect.

Yuan Qing laughed heartily: "Rest assured—if we locate Ding Huan, I will inform you immediately."

"Thank you so much." Gu Sen bowed repeatedly before departing.

Once the Divine Clan's Divine Kings had left, Yuan Qing's expression turned dark: "Come with me to Liyin Divine Valley—I truly want to see how much this Xian Wushang is worth, daring to protect Ding Huan."

Had he not been waiting for Gu Sen and the others, he would have gone to Liyin Divine Valley long ago—why wait until today?

(End of Chapter)