Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Primitive worship produces religious faith, while faith itself creates a god. That’s exactly what deification by religious faith is.”
With a sigh, Ol’ Amos went on. “In the vast and boundless universe, new planes are constantly being born, and old planes are dying out every moment.
“As a result, primitive worship is taking place every moment. In fact, Heaven’s Vault Continent has also experienced something similar during its early stages. It has also created a fair number of deities because of that.
“It’s just a shame that as civilization prospered, the religious faith resources in Heaven’s Vault Continent were subsequently split among several parties right down to the very last bit. Thus, it’s no longer a fertile land with regard to deification by religious faith now.”
“I see!” Meng Lei nodded. “So, what you’re worried about is that the Tree of Life has also deified because of the religious faith that the living things on this continent holds in it, Ol’ President?”
“It likely hasn’t reached the point of deification yet.” Ol’ Amos shook his head lightly. “It has been more than 10,000 years since deities were last born in Heaven’s Vault Continent. The Tree of Life likely hasn’t deified yet!”
“Then what are you so worried about?” Meng Lei’s brows furrowed slightly in confusion.
“It may not have deified yet, but a half-deity status is not out of the question.” Ol’ Amos’ countenance turned grave as he said, “Although a half-deity isn’t an actual deity, they are still very powerful all the same.
“In the event that the Tree of Life has attained half-deification thanks to its endless source of faith, will you be able to fight against it?”
“That’s...”
Meng Lei was at a loss for words. A half-deity was an existence that was infinitely more powerful than even a limits-level Saint Domain. How would he possibly be a match for it?
“What should we do then, Ol’ President?” Meng Lei hastily asked.
“Don’t panic, and don’t fear!” Ol’ Amos mused aloud. “Whether the Tree of Life really is a half-deity or not is merely our conjecture. What you need to do now is to do your best to collect as much information as possible about the Tree of Life so that you can make a more accurate judgment. It’s only when you know your enemy and yourself inside out that you can survive all your battles.”
“I understand now!” Meng Lei nodded.
Then, he patted the Uni-Horned Rose Python under him and asked, “Clara, what do you know about the Tree of Life?”
“Sir...”
As Clara went into an endless narration. Meng Lei also gained a better understanding of the Tree of Life.
According to the Uni-Horned Rose Python, even though the Tree of Life was a tree, it was also unlike one at the same time. It had no fixed form or a fixed location.
It could appear at any corner of the continent and could also show up in any form. It was a tree, yet also not one at the same time.
As for what it specifically looked like, no one had ever seen it before.
The only thing one could be sure of was that every 100 years, the Tree of Life’s voice would sound in the minds of every living thing on the continent to inform them that the fruits were ripe. Apart from that, none of the living things knew anything else about the Tree of Life.
After hearing all that, Ol’ Amos immediately concluded, “The Tree of Life is definitely collecting the power of religious faith. The so-called fruits are merely its method of spreading faith.
“Most typical living things aren’t capable of collecting religious faith by their own initiative. Brat, you must take absolute care in everything you do from now on. If you discover anything amiss, run immediately!”
“Understood, Ol’ President!”
Meng Lei nodded heavily. A hint of gloom couldn’t help but form in his heart.
A divine tree whose strength was unfathomably deep was lurking in the Lost Continent, and all the living things on the continent were its worshippers.
But what was he currently doing?
He was hunting the divine tree’s worshippers!
Moreover, he wasn’t the only one doing so—the other 7,847 contestants were also hunting its worshippers.
Would the divine tree be agreeable to that?
It seemed like the answer was a negative one!
“Sending us here to hunt Magical Beasts when he hasn’t even gotten a handle on things on the continent—has His Majesty become a senile old dotard?”
In the following period of time, there was always a certain tension in Meng Lei’s mind. He didn’t dare to relax even the slightest, lest he came under the divine tree’s attack.
And yet!
As time went by, under Uni-Horned Rose Python’s guidance, four Saint Domain Magical Beasts perished in Meng Lei’s hands one after another.
In spite of that, the divine tree... didn’t make any move!
It was as if it had decided to just leave things unchecked.
Gradually, Meng Lei also relaxed. Since it didn’t intend to do anything about it, then he wasn’t going to stand on ceremony anymore.
At this point, Clara flew over to a basin and said, “Sir, that basin in front is Sacas the Multi-Armed Behemoth’s territory!”
“The Multi-Armed Behemoth?”
A look of confusion came over Meng Lei’s features.
He knew about the Behemoths—the Beast People Empire’s royal family was exactly the Behemoth race. Among the Behemoths, the Golden Behemoths were even existences comparable to Golden Colossal Dragons and Thunder Titans.
Apart from that, there were also two lower-end Behemoth species—the Silver Behemoths and the Bronze Behemoths.
...But what the heck was a Multi-Armed Behemoth?
“Little boy, you should read more when you have the time!”
Ol’ Amos snorted lightly and explained, “The Multi-Armed Behemoth is a mutated species among the Behemoths. Compared to regular Behemoths, they have four additional arms. Thus, they are also known as Six-Armed Behemoths.
“Behemoths are hailed as the kings of terrestrial battles. In terms of pure physical strength, even Dragons are no match for Behemoths.
“In addition, Behemoths have astonishingly high defense. Apart from first-class spells, they are immune to every other spell. In a wrestling match, Colossal Dragons are no match for Behemoths of the same grade.”
“Tsk, tsk! Impressive!”
Meng Lei couldn’t help but marvel. Ol’ Amos was a Fire Dragon Person, and on top of that, he was even one that possessed terrifying strength. Yet even someone like him admitted that Behemoths overpowered Colossal Dragons of the same grade!
From this, one could tell just how strong the Behemoths were.
Ol’ Amos warned, “As the Multi-Armed Behemoth has four more arms than regular Behemoths, they are even more skilled at grappling and, in turn, even harder to deal with than usual. You’d best take it easy later!”
“Got it!”
It didn’t take long before Meng Lei arrived at the basin. The basin resembled a sunken-in bowl and was lower than sea level by almost a thousand kilometers.
Within the basin was a stone forest of erect rock pillars. As far as the eye could see, the place was actually a densely packed stone forest. They looked just like bamboo shoots in the mountains!
Whew!
Whew!
It wasn’t long after they entered the stone forest when thundering snores reached their ears. At the same time, a terrifying, mighty pressure also spread toward them and pressed down on their nerves.
“Sir, that’s the Multi-Armed Behemoth!”
The Uni-Horned Rose Python’s voice trembled as it pointed at a massive grayish creature lying in the stone forest. It could hardly conceal the fear in its eyes.
Being a snake-type Magical Beast, it feared Magical Beasts whose forte was physical strength the most, let alone physical strength freaks like the Multi-Armed Behemoth that had even grown itself a few more arms. It was practically the bane of its existence.
“Wake it up,” Meng Lei ordered as he watched the massive creature in deep slumber intently.
“Y-yes, sir!”
With a woebegone expression, the Uni-Horned Rose Python flew over immediately. It had already been some time since it had started to follow Meng Lei around, so it understood his personality very well—should it dare refuse to go over, it would definitely end up with a tragic fate.
“Sacas, my old friend!”
The Uni-Horned Rose Python didn’t dare to go too near. It hollered at the top of its voice before it was even anywhere near it.
Roar!
Rudely awakened from its slumber, the Behemoth flew into a rage. “Who is it?! Who dares disturb Sacas’ beauty sleep? Are you tired of living?!”
The Multi-Armed Behemoth was simply too loud. Its voice was as though the booming thunder. The resulting reverberations caused the surrounding stone forest to shake and sway as giant rocks fell and rolled off.
Even Meng Lei felt his ears, which were ringing from its voice, go numb. He couldn’t help but be astounded. “What the heck? It’s so loud!”
The Multi-Armed Behemoth—which had gotten onto its feet from rage—was 50-meters-tall. A thick layer of gray fur covered its body from head to toe. The muscles hidden by its fur could only be described with one word—exaggerated!
It had the mouth of a hippopotamus and the legs of a lion; the back of a crocodile and the body of a gigantic ape; as well as... The claws of a sloth!
Hanging next to its knees were its six incredibly thick and muscular arms—there was no question as to how terrifyingly strong they were!
Added to this its razor-sharp, barb-like claws that extended as far as two-meters-long, the Multi-Armed Behemoth gave off a spine-chilling aura.
So, that’s the Multi-Armed Behemoth?