I could hear the rustling of leaves.
It began as a faint whisper, but as the sound waves spread, they transformed into a thunderous cascade that seemed to stretch endlessly across the horizon.
The source seemed to come from somewhere high above, from a distant place beyond the sky.
"It's that tree" Oboro thought of the massive tree on the map, the one located at the center of the land with a canopy so vast it covered the sky itself.
He had stood beneath that tree before, but even with his heightened perception, he couldn't see the trunk in its entirety. It had taken him considerable time just to circle around it.
He remembered being accompanied by a group of low-level intelligent creatures that resembled stones. Now, those creatures were dead. When one's power reaches a certain threshold, merely following becomes a luxury that weaker species cannot afford.
The sky above might not even be the true sky. What he saw could merely be the stratosphere, roughly the same height as the tree trunk. The stars were no longer visible This suggested the trunk alone was so massive that its lush canopy, after stretching outward, likely covered the entire mapped land, perhaps extending even farther.
Oboro could no longer be certain of his position on the map. Perhaps he had already wandered beyond its boundaries Yet the thunderous rustling of leaves indicated he remained within the tree's domain.
At the very least, he was still within the reach of its branches.
The reason this place was shrouded in darkness, black as an abyss with its unique environment and ecology, was entirely because of this colossal tree. It seemed to be the largest life form in this corner of the Dark Continent.
But Oboro had never fully grasped this reality until now.
As he gazed upward, branches as thick as pillars but appearing slender from this distance descended from the sky. They extended continuously, supporting a human figure.
A real human!
His appearance lacked any bestial or extraordinary characteristics just like Oboro himself. The figure had long green hair, with all the branches inserted into his back like infusion tubes. His body wore no clothing, wrapped only in emerald green leaves.
The moment he laid eyes on this being, Oboro sensed his power.
That vast life force made him, who had evolved to the master level, feel utterly insignificant.
"He is the manifestation of the tree's will! The roots of this entire tree are buried deep in the soil of the continent, radiating across an unimaginable area. The energy it absorbs imperceptibly is beyond calculation."
Understanding dawned on him.
The Demon King, Campisius, and all the other powerful creatures that dominated and created territories were, after all, merely species living beneath the great tree, relying on the environment it created for their survival.
"I've spent so long on this journey, yet I've never actually left the territory occupied by this tree And there must be many such trees throughout the Dark Continent, which means there must be many life forms like this that can evolve into 'Gods.'"
His thoughts raced as shock rippled through him.
The Dark Continent was vastly larger than he had anticipated. He'd believed he understood the whole truth, that he had stepped into the core of the Dark Continent, but after all his wandering, he was still beneath a tree near the shore.
"Humans simply cannot traverse the entire Dark Continent."
The sudden realization struck him.
With his current abilities and movement speed, it might take another hundred years just to escape the scattered tree canopy and the area it covered. Compared to the human world, the range occupied by this single tree
This tree was the 'god' that had created or constructed this small piece of land. The truth he had witnessed was limited to this tiny area.
What did the true Dark Continent look like in its depths? He feared that not only he, but even the Demon King and the God before him, didn't know.
It was somewhat despair-inducing
When you believe you've seen and understood everything, only to discover that all your efforts and achievements amount to merely a drop in the bucket that feeling was overwhelming.
"Visitor from another world"
The humanoid spirit with countless branches on its back slowly descended before Oboro and spoke softly, "You don't belong here, nor are you suited for this place. You will be expelled."
"The true power you possess comes from the omniscience and omnipotence of another world and a new understanding and cognition of things, but your omniscience and omnipotence are limited to the small island in the center of the lake Therefore, in the Dark Continent, your power cannot benefit you."
"The unknown means everything is possible The human mind, yours and mine, cannot deduce or guess everything."
"Your appearance doesn't destroy the rules of the Dark Continent, but only my rules."
In Oboro's estimation, this being's eyes radiated an indescribable wisdom. It was as if he had no secrets before him.
"You have been 'watching' me."
Oboro smiled.
From the moment he stepped ashore?
"Hehe"
The Tree God's lips curved upward. "This is the first time I have encountered a visitor from another world but existences like you should not be uncommon in the Dark Continent. I don't know what worlds and energies exist in the continent's depths but I believe there must be powerful life forms capable of breaking the limitations of time and space, even traveling between them. Because the energy nurtured and embodied in this corner of my life has already touched this level, not to mention what lies 'inside.'"
"Actually we are the same as the humans on the island in the lake. In the Dark Continent, this area is equivalent to that island. In the eyes of the human world on the island, this small area may be the entire Dark Continent But for us, we don't know what the Dark Continent truly is."
""
Oboro looked at the Demon King kneeling on the ground in the distance.
The Demon King was like the top Nen users in the human world. He may have attempted to leave this familiar environment and venture deeper into the continent, but he must have sensed more terrifying dangers or felt some transcendent will, causing him to return.
"That's reassuring"
Oboro said with relief: "So, the situation of humans on the mainland may not be what I thought It is just limited to the ecological chain environment you created."
"Oboro ago, when I first gained consciousness, humans already existed I absorbed the remains and lives of humans, evolving gradually and developing a complete ideology. They migrated here from the depths of the continent These people cannot represent all of humanity, only a fragment. But their appearance has 'nourished' this land to a certain extent. Without them, none of the intelligent creatures you see today would exist. In my body, in their bodies they are all the continuation of human life and genes."
The Tree God explained.
"The deeper you go, the more dangerous it becomes. There are unimaginable life forms and energies Humans can live and survive in such environments. Their resilience and greatness are beyond words." The Tree God looked at Oboro. "It's unfortunate that you cannot continue."
"Expulsion"
Oboro murmured.
For the Tree God, Oboro's ability was too destructive and could be infinitely improved. Additionally, his desire for conquest, if left unchecked even if he had no intention of targeting species within the ecological chain or making enemies with the Tree God would result in countless lives perishing before he could leave this area. Because Oboro needed to become stronger, and becoming stronger meant requiring a large number of souls to replenish his power.
Therefore, allowing Oboro to restrain his abilities and pass safely was impossible.
The deeper he ventured, the greater the crisis he would face he had to grow.
The Tree God couldn't simply watch as Oboro destroyed everything that belonged to it. The territory it occupied and the ecological environment it created maintained a delicate balance.
"I can no longer return to the human world."
Oboro said quietly.
He had no intention of fighting the Tree God. To act rashly against an invincible enemy with no chance of winning would be suicide an even more foolish idea.
"Supreme Will"
Suddenly, the Tree God spoke.
Oboro started, raising his head abruptly to look at the being.
"With a strong will of self-centeredness, you came to this world with a mission of conquest. You wanted to prove yourself and prove that your world is superior to all dimensions. But your world, the convenience it provides, your omniscience and omnipotence, are only applicable to the world you understand At least in this world, you cannot succeed. Unless you possess more powerful abilities and more transcendent means And this requires growth." The Tree God's words made Oboro's pupils contract.
Through these words, the Tree God revealed knowledge of Oboro's "system."
"I'm certain that even if I don't expel you and permit you to venture inland, you won't survive The nutrients you need to grow aren't available at this stage. In your understanding, you're like a human who has just begun to learn Nen. Once you set foot on that land, the potential dangers won't give you time or opportunity to grow."
Like a level 10 novice player attempting to gain experience in a level 100 area he would perish instantly upon entering.
But there was no place for him in this world anymore.
He couldn't return to the island in the lake, and as for here the Tree God wouldn't allow him to remain either.
"Aren't you going to consume me?"
Oboro remained calm.
"No there is potential within you. I hope that one day you can return after thoroughly exploring the entire Dark Continent and share everything you've seen and experienced." The Tree God looked upward. "From the perspective of the Dark Continent, my range of activity is very limited I fear evolving to the point where I'm qualified to enter the hinterland is but a dream, but my life energy is sufficient to sustain me for eons, so I can wait for you. Learning everything I wish to know from you would be valuable."
"The Supreme Will you pursue isn't merely to prove your own strength There are many forms of strength, and self-realization is only one aspect. You represent part of that world, that group. Sometimes, it's not just about you alone."
The Tree God's words stunned Oboro, creating profound impact and a sense of enlightenment.
"If one day you understand the meaning of strength, perhaps you can truly become the Supreme Will and return here from the continent's depths."
After delivering this message, the branches in the air contracted, and the Tree God's body slowly rose into the air.
"I give you only one year. If you cannot depart within that time then I must wait for the next hopeful individual."
The Tree God's echo descended from the sky, and in the dim light, the figure vanished into the heavens.
The three dominant creatures also turned and departed swiftly.
"Leave this world"
Oboro's eyes flickered.
The Tree God had communicated extensively with him, revealing significant information.
He had been seeking a way to breach dimensions, but neither the Demon King nor the Tree God could accomplish this. Oboro, however, might succeed because he possessed memories and knowledge from his previous life, including his understanding of energy. Just because they couldn't achieve it didn't mean Oboro couldn't.
This was his uniqueness.
As for the method, he would need to determine that himself.
Time was limited only one year.
"Travel to another world with space to grow and then return?"
Oboro had already formulated an idea.
Just as he had broken Netero, Biscuit, and others' understanding of Nen by utilizing it to its fullest potential he could naturally do the same with other energies.
This talent was granted to him through insights from his previous life.
Only one opportunity remained.
"Supreme Will True strength is not just absolute self."
On the desolate land, Oboro sat cross-legged atop Campisius's body.
How could the barriers between worlds be broken? Like his soul traversing from Earth.
"Make a wish?"
Oboro raised his head, eyebrows lifting slightly.
Nanika's face appeared in his mind.
It definitely wouldn't work with Nanika alone but what if there were many like her?