Awakening The Only SSS-Rank Class! Now Even Dragons Obey Me Chapter 797: Gifts From the Cursed Tree

The formerly verdant and beautiful forest was now utterly flattened and silent, resembling a desolate mountain range. There were no animal sounds, no gentle breezes, not even the chirping of insects. The entire zone, post-Walterk's confrontation, had transformed into a desolate world, a territory nature itself shunned.

The ground was fractured for kilometers, mountains had crumbled, and trees had been reduced to ash.

And deep within that immense devastation, the dark and golden roots of the accursed tree had enrobed the land like ancient serpents. Some stretched for vast distances, others burrowed into fissures in the earth, and a few slithered slowly across the surface... as if a living entity were drawing breath.

Yet, at the heart of this profound stillness, Daniel sat beneath the tree, his eyes shut, bathed in the brilliant radiance emanating from the fruit. The fruit itself had undergone a transformation from its prior state.

Previously a small, translucent orb, it had now swelled to nearly the size of a human head. Golden veins pulsed subtly within it, and at regular intervals, a deep thrum emanated from its core.

Pulse.

Pulse.

Pulse.

And with each beat, something within Daniel resonated in response. It was a sensation akin to harmony between two distinct beings, as if the tree and Daniel were exchanging silent communications.

The massive roots surrounding him shifted languidly, not in aggression, but as a creature instinctively reacting to his presence. In that heavy silence, Daniel's consciousness drifted into his inner realm.

A boundless expanse unfolded, adorned with drifting threads of eternal power, and fragmented yet reforming laws flowed like unseen rivers through the void. At the center of this internal landscape floated a half-formed core, resembling a fractured sun.

Varying shades of black and gold light swirled across its surface, but periodically, it developed new fissures. Its luminescence would dim, only to re-ignite moments later. It was clearly unstable, exhibiting signs of malfunction or perhaps a fundamental deficiency.

Daniel observed it with quiet contemplation. He had finally achieved his objective. The connection between the fallen god's bloodline and his own inherent race had been established. The conduit was formed, the energy transfer mechanism was functional, the laws had been stabilized, and the evolutionary framework was nearly complete.

However, the core remained non-operational. Something was still absent. Daniel silently extended his hand within his inner world. Wisps of eternal power coiled around his fingers, and at that precise moment, another crack appeared on the core. His gaze sharpened slightly. The issue was no longer one of control; he had surpassed that stage long ago. The true impediment was the requisite fuel—something capable of maintaining the core's stability, something needed to bridge the two antithetical essences within him.

The fallen god's bloodline and his innate primal race were a paradox. He opened his eyes, directing a look of profound gratitude toward the tree. All his current advancements were owed to its guidance. Whenever he found himself adrift, the tree provided assistance.

Concurrently, his bond with the tree had deepened significantly, granting him greater insight into its nature. The tree's terror stemmed not solely from its power, but from its method of growth. It didn't merely absorb energy; it consumed everything—soul, mana, essence, and even the very concept of life, subsequently transmuting it into something transcendent. It yielded a power that transcended mere 'energy' native to this realm.

Rather, it produced a form of divine essence, precisely the divine power that gods required to augment their divinity. Yet, one crucial aspect eluded him: how did this tree achieve such a feat? How did it forge divine power from life force? Did it possess a unique mechanism? His attempts to analyze the tree had yielded no answers.

"If only I could emulate this tree..." Daniel's eyes darkened subtly. "...devour anything and convert it into divine power, what then?" The core within his inner world quivered, the light from its fissures intensifying, as if the very structure had recognized this profound thought.

Daniel peered back into his internal domain. If the core were stable, he would transcend the constraints of racial evolutionary paths. He would no longer be bound by existing laws; he could author his own. Not merely breaking limitations, but fundamentally rewriting them—an accomplishment even gods might find exceedingly difficult.

The uncertainty remained, however, whether such an feat was feasible or exclusive to the tree's unique capabilities. In theory, the core he had constructed could function as a conduit. His intention was to utilize it to meld his bloodline and his race. But perhaps, by enhancing its operational framework, he could channel life force through it and receive divine power in return. The precise method, however, remained elusive.

"Or perhaps, an idea has surfaced. The fallen god's bloodline should prove beneficial." He recalled that one of the capabilities bestowed by the fallen bloodline was the removal of all class limitations for him, opening up unforeseen possibilities.

Normally, each class possessed exclusive skills, and only upon reaching the S-rank was limited cross-class skill acquisition possible.

However, due to his unique bloodline, he was unhindered by such restrictions. Now, this dormant divine bloodline ability might just be the key to his aspirations.

Abruptly, as if the colossal tree resonated with his deepest desires, ethereal and unfamiliar visions began to unfurl within his consciousness.

Incomplete abilities.

Unrealized destinies.

The first vision depicted a flowing river of fundamental laws being consumed by an encroaching darkness.

"Devouring Divinity."

This was the power to absorb laws, energies, and even abstract concepts, transforming them into pure divine essence.

The second vision revealed a body in constant flux, its very structure reshaped with each assimilation, bones reconfigured, and cells undergoing accelerated evolution.

"Abyssal Evolution."

The third vision showcased a colossal core, no longer sustained by mere mana, but by the intrinsic laws that governed the world itself.

"Eternal Core."

The fourth vision projected an immense pressure, bearing down upon lesser laws, diminishing the power of adversaries, and fundamentally suppressing their very existence.

"Fallen God’s Authority."

And finally, a sight more profound than all the rest: a solitary tree adrift in the void, its roots extending across the fabric of countless worlds.

Its branches harvested worlds as if they were mere fruit.

"World Devourer Path."

Daniel exhaled slowly, a spark of exhilaration igniting in his eyes as he grasped the significance of the visions bestowed by the tree.

These were potent abilities he could ultimately manifest by harmonizing his bloodline, his race, and the enigmatic core. Yet, their attainment would not be simple.

The realization of each power demanded a deeper comprehension of his heritage and bloodline, an understanding attainable only through dedicated study.

Fortunately, this temporal plane offered him ample opportunity to delve into such research, and the ancient tree seemed poised to offer its assistance.

None of these potential powers were yet fully formed; they existed purely as concepts, nascent possibilities on the cusp of becoming reality.

However, even this glimpse was enough to make him pause. For the very first time, he acknowledged the profound possibility that his endeavors might indeed forge something truly legendary.

"This tree is utterly astounding... How could anyone in this world possibly wish to destroy such a marvel?" he mused, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he gazed at the colossal entity.

"If only I could take it with me from this place," he then sighed, a hint of wistfulness in his tone.

This ancient tree, whatever its true nature, undeniably belonged to a world far grander than this one.

"Hmm?" Daniel's contemplation was interrupted as he emerged from his meditative state, his gaze piercing the desolate expanse of the abandoned ruins.

A distinct presence had registered in his awareness.

Following the brutal massacre orchestrated by Walterk, it was highly improbable that any sentient being would venture near this accursed location.

Yet, now, the soft cadence of approaching footsteps echoed through the swirling mist.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Then, an elder figure emerged from the shadows. Clad in the same unassuming gray robe, leaning on the identical gnarled wooden staff, and wearing an expression of serene composure, as if the very notion of fear was alien to his being.

But what truly caused Daniel's expression to shift was the aura emanating from the old man. He perceived no discernible cultivation power, rendering him seemingly as ordinary and powerless as a common mortal.

The elder advanced with unhurried steps, and as his eyes met Daniel's, his gentle smile seemed to widen infinitesimally.

"I have finally found you."

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(A/N: Your feedback on the current volume, and particularly this arc, would be greatly appreciated. This arc is projected to conclude within the next 20 to 40 chapters.)