Zatiel could only sigh after hearing the World Tree's words. He was now sure that The Sage, or more precisely, the King in Yellow, was still alive.
Someone with the power to threaten an existence at the World Tree's level would not die so easily.
By using the entity in the Final Purgatory's first layer, he may have wounded the King in Yellow severely and erased many of his clones and avatars from the timeline, but that was all.
Another thing that Zatiel was sure of was that the King in Yellow's true body was not in the Prima Universe, or else he would have appeared the moment the Neo-Demon captured the avatar and stopped its self-destruction.
A Middle World's Crystal Wall would not have stopped the King in Yellow. In the worst case, he would have destroyed the entire world to take care of Zatiel.
'No life form of the Eldritch Universe should be able to leave the Prima-Eldritch Universe Final Battlefield, especially someone with the King in Yellow's power. Things are starting to get out of hand.' Zatiel frowned but soon calmed down. While the threat of the Eldritch Universe grew a level due to the King in Yellow's actions, he could still handle them.
The Neo-Demon focused again on the World Tree, and he stared at the scars on the mighty entity's body.
"How are your wounds?"
Unlike previous times, the World Tree did not respond to Zatiel's question immediately.
"You have changed. There is sincerity and selfless concern in your words, something the Incarnation of Death and Destruction would have never shown."
The World Tree's words surprised Zatiel, but he smiled the next moment and nodded.
"You are right. I have changed. I no longer fight just for me."
The World Tree made another pause before answering the initial question.
"My wounds are stable. Thanks to you devouring the essence of their destructive energies, I was able to maintain my life. Unfortunately, I can not heal them and only temporarily stop them from growing worse."
"I wish I could have done better, but back then, healing was not my forte."
"Don't worry. You did more than enough. I suppose you have many things to do, so let's get to business."
Zatiel nodded, and two branches touched his head and chest. The next second, the Neo-Demon saw violet seals engraved in every cell of his body and every soul particle.
He understood the meaning of these seals and what would happen once he activated them. Deep down, he hoped he would not have to, but he knew the universe was not a kind place, and the good ones rarely enjoy happy endings.
The World Tree also understood what awaited him, but his will remained firm. He had accepted his destiny and had no regrets.
"I would usually grant all kinds of techniques and Beyond Prima Omega Arts to the Champions before sending them to search for lucky chances, but you have more of those than me. As for the Path to Rank 10, I know you are unwilling to take Universe Will's Path."
"What would be the point of reaching Rank 10 if I perish once the Epoch ends. Besides, my current path has the potential of allowing me to transcend Rank 9 and become a true Universal Existence, not a fake one like before."
The World Tree offered no insight into Zatiel's Path. His cultivation knowledge was boundless but could not compare with the man in front of him.
"Since we have finished, please send me to the Magi World."
The Neo-Demon frowned after seeing the World Tree did not take him out of the dimension.
"Is there anything else?" Zatiel's voice became cold. Even if the difference between their strength was immense, he did not show any sign of fear.
It was then that the World Tree's trunk opened, and a tiny seed that glowed with glorious golden light and had countless supreme laws engraved in it appeared.
Even someone like Zatiel was amazed by the seed. Peak Rank 9 Pills or Artifacts could not compare with its value.
"He is my progeny, my first and only son, born of the core of my soul and life force. I peered in the river of time and saw how you treated your people, so I would like to entrust him to you. However, if you decide to take him, you must promise never to use him as a weapon and make sure he remains without wisdom."
Zatiel was confused by the World Tree's last request. He had no problem protecting the seed and allowing him to live a peaceful life but did not understand the desire to stop him from forming wisdom.
The World Tree knew the question in Zatiel's mind and responded to it the next moment.
"I am the first tree born in the Prima Universe and have lived dozens of billions of years. After becoming aware of my existence, I slowly deciphered the mysteries of the universe and laws, guiding other life forms and giving birth to countless civilizations. However, once I reached the peak, I realized that my happiest memories were before developing my wisdom. Without a worry in the world, with the sun warming my body, the air moving my branches, and rain soaking my roots, that was paradise."
Zatiel could understand the meaning in the World Tree's words. Enjoying life without concerns and only peace was something that tempted even him.
"I will give him a home where he can grow in absolute tranquillity and give birth to his own descendants."
"Thank you, my friend. That is more than enough. If you ever happen to communicate with him, tell him his father loved him very much. That in all the years of my existence, the best choice I ever made was to have him."
Those words may seem simple, but they represent the core of the World Tree's feeling. A father's love did not need payment because their children being happy was the best reward.
The Neo-Demon's eyes showed some sadness when he heard those words. He knew that this would probably be the last time he spoke with the World Tree.
After seeing the Neo-Demon nod and store the seed in his Inner Law Dimension, the World Tree teleported the two away.
The next second, the World Tree returned to being alone in this great dimension. He would guide great geniuses to his abode until the hope of the Prima Universe called him.
When the time comes, he will shine one last time, like the true hero he was.
