Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 1201: You Want My Tree

Of course, that created another problem. Jester wasn't human. Most ordinary people assumed he was. Revealing that the young man they had been watching online for months was actually an undead creature might create a rather interesting reaction.

The second possibility was that Jester was simply not influential in the right place. Michael might have been moving in the correct direction from the beginning. Perhaps Jester really could satisfy the requirement. He simply hadn't reached the necessary threshold.

After all, being famous and being influential were different things. Jester was currently something close to an internet celebrity. But what actual influence did he possess?

Could his words alter events across Aurora?

At most, he could probably advertise something online and cause it to sell out. Simply becoming more popular online might not be enough.

Then there was a third possibility. One Michael liked considerably less.

What if an undead simply didn't count?

The wording didn't say creature. It said entity. That distinction might be important.

[Own an entity on the level of your Personal Influence.]

Entity was an extremely broad term. A person could be considered an entity. But so could an organization. A kingdom. A guild. A company. A territory. Perhaps even an artifact, depending on how the Origin Will defined things.

He wanted to ask it directly, but felt he should wait; it hadn't even been half a year yet, and he didn't want to waste the chance so soon.

Of course, as precious as the opportunity to speak directly with the Origin Will was, his advancement mattered just as much.

However, Michael had a feeling the Origin Battlefield might be where he finally found a breakthrough.

As for why the Universal Cornerstone didn't count, perhaps it was because claiming it wasn't the same as truly owning it, at least not according to the Origin Will. But this theory had holes, which made Michael feel a bit of dread for the future.

Michael's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The Origin Battlefield…"

Perhaps that place really was the answer.

Currently, his other body was in the Origin Battlefield thanks to the use of his Legendary item, while other awakeners could not access it.

Aside from not being able to leave his territory for some reason, all was fine.

In any case, it would open for him again soon. Though there was no designated time when the battlefield reopened, Michael felt that other awakeners like him shared a vague awareness that it would be soon.

He couldn't explain why, but he knew the Origin Battlefield would reopen soon.

Michael looked at the quest panel one final time. Then he dismissed it.

"Enough."

There were more immediate matters to deal with.

Michael glanced around. Then he paused.

"Where's Isabella?"

The ghost tilted her head.

Michael's perception immediately expanded. Several kilometres away, he finally sensed the familiar violet soul flame.

"…She really ran that far?"

To be fair, considering what he had just done to the mountain, he couldn't blame her.

Michael rose into the air.

"Please wait for me here."

Michael accelerated. A few moments later, he found Isabella still moving away from the ruined region.

"Isabella."

The Skeleton Chief immediately stopped and turned.

"Senior?"

"Yes."

"You're alive."

Michael's expression flattened.

"Were you expecting something else?"

Isabella hesitated. Her gaze moved past him toward the distant destruction.

The upper half of a mountain was gone. Dozens of kilometres of terrain had been transformed into a frozen wasteland. Enormous crystalline formations continued growing around the impact zone.

"…No, Senior."

Michael sighed.

"Come back."

Isabella obeyed immediately.

Soon they were back at the ghost's location, and together they all headed toward the site of the Nether Soul Tree.

Soon, the familiar ravine appeared. Or rather, what remained of it. Fortunately, the area surrounding the Nether Soul Tree had been far enough from Michael's attack that it remained mostly intact.

The strange black tree still stood alone. The moment the ghost saw it, she accelerated. She reached the tree and immediately wrapped both arms around the trunk.

Michael stopped nearby.

Michael watched the ghost cling to the Nether Soul Tree for several seconds before speaking.

"You know, since you're coming with me anyway... wouldn't it make sense to bring the tree too?"

The ghost's silver eyes narrowed at him.

Michael raised both hands.

"I'm not taking it from you."

She continued staring.

"I'm serious."

Michael pointed toward the tree.

"You clearly don't want to leave it behind, and I don't particularly want to make repeated trips into the Netherworld just because you suddenly decide you miss your tree."

The ghost looked at the Nether Soul Tree. Then back at Michael.

Michael continued.

"I can create an environment rich in dark-element energy suitable for it."

The ghost's expression gradually became thoughtful. Several seconds passed before she finally nodded.

"Okay."

Michael smiled.

Then the ghost added, "You pay me."

Michael's smile vanished.

"…What?"

She released the tree and floated toward him.

"You want my tree."

"I don't want your tree."

"You said you want to move it."

"That's because you're coming with me."

"Yes."

"And you want me to bring it."

The ghost nodded.

"So why am I paying you?"

Her expression became confused.

"Because you'll use it."

Michael opened his mouth. Then stopped.

Technically, she isn't wrong.

The Nether Soul Tree was a Three-Star Epic treasure. There was absolutely no chance Michael would move something that valuable into the Mausoleum and never make use of it.

Even if he didn't cut it apart, the energy it produced alone was valuable.

Just because Michael could create his own Epic-grade treasures, even Epic-grade ones, didn't mean he could dictate the end results of an evolution. That was far beyond his control.

With thousands of experiences now, Michael had seen two creatures from the same race take two different evolution routes. While he could influence the direction, what he'd get in the end wasn't his to command.

This was why Michael still found some treasures very valuable, regardless of grade or how easily he could create them.