Despite the World Tree’s every plea, Li Xiaotian merely sneered, his gaze cold.
Soon, Li Xiaotian reached the main trunk of the World Tree. As a human, he appeared minuscule before it. Even a small crevice on the main trunk was as vast as a mountain range, stretching endlessly.
"It's him, Li Xiaotian, he's appeared again!"
At this moment, many trial-takers had already spotted Li Xiaotian, exclaiming in surprise and watching from afar.
"He's truly audacious. After just killing Tian Ming and Dou Yan, he shows up again. Does he intend to challenge other powerhouses? Mo Tian of the Demon Race, or Shen Ming of the God Race?"
"Hush, quiet. If you want to die, don't drag us down. Aren't you afraid he'll blast you to death with a single punch if you discuss him like this?"
Countless trial-takers chattered amongst themselves, their eyes filled with shock. They felt Li Xiaotian’s appearance at this time was a provocation to powerhouses of Mo Tian's caliber.
It was well-known that after Li Xiaotian slew Tian Ming of the Netherworld Race and Dou Yan of the Dou Qi world, some powerhouses had vowed to fight Li Xiaotian to the death.
And now, the man had appeared. If those adversarial powerhouses showed up, Li Xiaotian might well be besieged.
Just as Li Xiaotian appeared, within a small world filled with sacred light on the World Tree, a silhouette flickered. Shen Ming, clad in white, instantly absorbed all the sacred light, plunging the small world into darkness.
Immediately after, two divine lights pierced through heaven and earth, as if looking from the world to beyond it, towards Li Xiaotian beside the World Tree's main trunk.
"It's time to end this!"
Shen Ming whispered, stepping forward. He appeared in a void of the World Tree, his gaze fixed on Li Xiaotian.
Though tens of thousands of kilometers separated them, Li Xiaotian sensed him and subconsciously looked over.
"Heh heh."
Li Xiaotian let out a soft chuckle. Shen Ming had appeared, but it wasn’t enough!
"Boom!"
Following this, Li Xiaotian moved. Devouring black holes suddenly materialized around him, and then he pressed his hand against the World Tree's main trunk.
A terrifying devouring force erupted. Starting from Li Xiaotian's hand, the World Tree’s main trunk began to decay and spread outwards.
"Damn it, Li Xiaotian, do you truly want an unending feud with me? If my true form is exposed, I will kill you first, and you will surely die then."
The World Tree’s voice roared in Li Xiaotian’s mind, sounding rather like a cornered beast.
However, Li Xiaotian paid it no mind. Instead, he fully unleashed his devouring power, intent on forcing the World Tree to reveal itself. Its life force was formidable, but when its life was threatened, Li Xiaotian didn’t believe the World Tree could feign ignorance any longer.
"What is he doing?"
Seeing Li Xiaotian’s unusual actions, many trial-takers were puzzled. Simultaneously, they were shocked and marveled at the power of Li Xiaotian’s Devouring Dao. They could see Li Xiaotian was absorbing the World Tree’s life force, but they couldn’t comprehend his objective.
"Strange, what exactly is he trying to achieve? To openly devour the World Tree’s life force like this, is he injured?"
"No, do you think he’s found the condition for passing?"
"The World Tree’s life force is inexhaustible, even more formidable than a high-level expert’s. This kind of consumption seems useless."
Countless trial-takers speculated, unable to fathom Li Xiaotian's purpose. Even Shen Ming, who was about to make a move, paused, narrowing his eyes as he watched Li Xiaotian, lost in thought.
Concurrently, in a certain part of the World Tree, an incredibly dense demonic energy suddenly appeared, accompanied by incessant whispers within the energy, causing an inexplicable chill in one's body and mind.
Following this, footsteps echoed, and a figure resembling a demon god gradually emerged from the demonic energy.
"Li Xiaotian, you’ve finally appeared."
Mo Tian murmured, looking at Li Xiaotian with a gaze filled with cold indifference.
Li Xiaotian also sensed him, glancing over without responding, continuing to absorb the World Tree’s life force.
At this moment, the World Tree continued to roar in Li Xiaotian's mind, offering countless conditions for him to cease. Yet, Li Xiaotian ignored them all.
Meanwhile, more and more trial-takers appeared. Upon seeing Shen Ming and Mo Tian among them, they couldn't help but exclaim.
These two terrifying existences had both shown up. What did Li Xiaotian intend to do? Was he planning to challenge both Mo Tian and Shen Ming simultaneously?
Was he insane?
Similarly, Mo Tian did not attack immediately. Instead, his eyes were filled with confusion as he looked at Li Xiaotian, unable to comprehend his actions. Logically, Li Xiaotian should be fleeing.
"What is going on? Does this Li Xiaotian truly intend to challenge Mo Tian and Shen Ming at the same time?"
"Impossible, right? Is he still this arrogant at this juncture? I believe either Mo Tian or Shen Ming could easily crush him."
"If I were Li Xiaotian, I would do everything in my power to conceal myself. I wouldn't be foolish enough to expose myself. Even if I were accidentally exposed, I would flee immediately, not giving my enemies a chance to surround and kill me."
"Heh, that’s because you are not Li Xiaotian, but someone insignificant whom Li Xiaotian could kill with a single punch."
...
Many trial-takers were bewildered, their discussions filled with various conjectures. They did not leave, a gut feeling telling them an earth-shattering confrontation was imminent, and they did not want to miss it.
But at this moment, Shen Ming, on the other side,’s eyes blazed with brilliant golden light. A vast and mighty spiritual fluctuation suddenly surged out, transforming into invisible ripples that rushed towards Li Xiaotian.
This spiritual ripple was extremely powerful, imbued with destructive energy.
"What exactly do you want? Are you trying to borrow the World Tree’s power to counterattack?" Shen Ming murmured, attempting to probe Li Xiaotian.
Li Xiaotian’s brow furrowed. He detected Shen Ming’s spiritual fluctuation but did not retaliate. Instead, he focused on absorbing the World Tree’s life force.
"Buzz!"
The World Tree shimmered with flowing colors, like the instinctive struggle of a living being.
"Li Xiaotian, stop. I am willing to have an honest conversation with you. What do you want? I will give you anything within my power."
The World Tree continued to persuade. It truly did not wish to be exposed or face the siege of so many trial-takers.
The commotion Li Xiaotian was creating had already become immense, with all trial-takers emerging. Thus, the World Tree felt a sense of crisis; it was afraid. dafengnovel.com
"You should know, although your Devouring Dao is heaven-defying, at your current speed, you cannot inflict much damage on me. You... are dead!"
The World Tree suddenly roared in fury. In an instant, the entire World Tree trembled, its countless branches and leaves swaying as if unable to bear some terrifying power and collapsing.
"Crack. Crack. Crack."
Simultaneously, fine cracks appeared on the World Tree’s main trunk, especially at the spot where Li Xiaotian's palm was pressed. At this moment, it turned to dust.