[Illusion Tree]

[State: Weakening Phase]

[Realm: Life and Death Dao Domain Realm]

[Age: 895 Epoch]

[Remaining Lifespan: 3 Epochs]

...

[Innate Great Divine Power: Thousand Illusion Eye]

[Innate Great Divine Power: Tree Heart Puppet]

.....

"Only three epochs of life left?" Zhao Xing's mind sank as he entered the Origin Space.

At this moment, the Illusion Tree was silent, and its leaves seemed a bit wilted.

At its roots, there was a palm-sized, light blue disc that glowed continuously.

It was the Water Element Life Contract!

Numerous silk threads extended from the contract, spreading throughout the Illusion Tree's body.

"In order to resist the Water Spirit Realm, the Illusion Tree has fought with all its strength, its origin constantly consumed, and I have exhausted it for a full hundred years."

"In this state, the Water Element Life Contract can take effect."

"Otherwise, it would be really difficult to deal with this old tree spirit."

Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Even in a weakened phase, the Illusion Tree had not lost its level and was still in the Life and Death Dao Domain Realm, which showed the strong vitality of tree-like life forms.

If it were flowers, bamboo, or other types, after a hundred years of the Water Spirit Realm's torment and being hit by the Water Element Life Contract, it may have already degraded in realm.

"Illusion Tree, now that you have been controlled by me, let's discuss terms." Zhao Xing said.

He now transplanted the Illusion Tree into the Origin Space, but it was extremely difficult to store it.

After all, a plant in the Life and Death Dao Domain Realm, the Illusion Tree itself was a great burden to it.

The way the Water Element Life Contract grasped the Illusion Tree was by proxy control, meaning Zhao Xing manipulated the Illusion Tree's body through the 'contract'.

But such control was not total; Zhao Xing could not command the Illusion Tree to use its great divine skills through the contract.

If it were a player, they would discover that the Water Element Life Contract could only command the current Illusion Tree to perform normal attacks; skills were completely unusable.

"What do you want to discuss?" The eye on the trunk of the Illusion Tree opened, revealing a human figure.

Its eyes were full of intense hatred.

The Illusion Tree hadn't expected that just after escaping one trap, it would fall into another pit of fire.

And was now controlled by such a humble human.

"Don't look at me like that." Zhao Xing said lightly, "You want to kill me, I want to control you; we all do it to survive."

"Survival of the fittest, survival of the suitable, law of the jungle, you should understand better than I do."

"At this point, there's no need to show such anger, it's a useless emotion. Might as well think carefully about what I'm going to say next."

The Illusion Tree calmed down; impotent rage was indeed pointless.

Zhao Xing began, "You help me, I help you."

"I provide you sustenance for survival, you protect me on the path."

"I mean when there's a need for you to fight, fight seriously."

Considering the Illusion Tree's pride, Zhao Xing avoided words like 'enslavement' or 'service', choosing instead 'protect the path'.

"Protect me on the path for five hundred thousand years, and I'll set you free."

"Five hundred thousand years is a short time for you, isn't it?"

"Too long." The Illusion Tree shook its head, "I can barely live for one epoch... ten thousand years, I'll protect you for ten thousand years."

Still lying... Zhao Xing sneered inwardly.

The Illusion Tree in the Life and Death Dao Domain Realm should be well aware of its lifespan.

It clearly had three epochs left and yet claimed it had less than one left.

"Seems like you don't know who I am." Zhao Xing said lightly.

"Who are you?" asked the Illusion Tree mockingly.

"I, Emperor Qingyu! A mighty one who's reincarnated a hundred times!"

Zhao Xing's aura changed, exuding a domineering aura that looked down upon the world.

"I once controlled a vast ancient country, dominating the entire Xuanling Star Domain!"

"I've discussed the Dao with countless Reincarnation Realm beings, even met Ancient Gods."

"Now it is my 101st reincarnation."

The leaves of the Illusion Tree trembled as if hearing an enormous joke.

Reincarnation Realm, Emperor Qingyu?

Reincarnated a hundred times? What nonsense!

Powerful beings who reincarnate over a hundred times are typically supreme beings in the Reincarnation Realm, those with hopes of achieving the Path of Enlightenment and becoming gods.

The Illusion Tree hung out with Preaching Scholars, not so easily fooled.

"You don't believe?" Zhao Xing said lightly, "I can tell at a glance that you've lived for 895 epochs and have three epochs of life left."

The leaves stopped trembling.

"The Divine Fire Turtle outside has lived for 993 epochs and has seven epochs left."

"Not every Divine Fire Turtle is as long-lived; the one in the Heavy Water River is so because it awakened the Innate Great Divine Power 'Thousand Epoch Turtle Essence'."

"You want to kill it; you want to gain its turtle essence to extend your life, am I right?"

The Illusion Tree couldn't laugh anymore.

The eyes on the trunk widened, as if in a daze.

He speaks of life and death in a word; seeing through him and the old turtle in a glance, how could a small Origin Realm accomplish this?

"Emperor Qingyu… is he truly a Reincarnation Realm mighty one?" The Illusion Tree started to believe a little.

Its grudge against Zhao Xing wasn't as high as before.

Respecting the strong; being caught by the Origin Realm was humiliating!

Being caught by a Reincarnation Realm, it's an opportunity!

If what this Emperor Qingyu said was true, letting him protect the path is a recognition!

If he works hard, could he not progress further in the future?

Even if he doesn't progress further, extending his life would be good, wouldn't it!

"Think it over." Zhao Xing said lightly, "Such an opportunity doesn't come often."

With that, Zhao Xing didn't wait for the Illusion Tree to respond and his mental projection disappeared from the Origin Space.

"Whether he believes it or not, he's powerless now anyway." Zhao Xing opened his eyes.

"If he doesn't believe, it doesn't matter, he can still be used as a fighting force for the Yin Yang Dao Domain Realm."