Reverse flow of the Yellow Springs

The appearance of the fifth mural cast a shadow over the hearts of many Ark voters.

Each mural represents a momentous event that could change the course of the world.

Or rather, a disaster!

The first mural depicts a massive human city invaded by a calamity fog.

The second mural depicts the first colossal city utterly corrupted by chaos.

The third mural depicts the fifth deity of chaos gradually invading the physical world.

The fourth mural represents a forbidden zone and a giant city that will be eroded by the fog of disaster.

Every event involves the life and death of many lives, which makes the Ark's voters dare not take it lightly at all.

However, the content of the fifth mural is rather disheartening.

It was a somewhat abstract scene. Under a vast starry sky, a large white tree occupied most of the picture, its densely intertwined white branches stretching out as if to extend beyond the canvas. And on each intertwined branch, there were mysterious patterns. In one of these patterns, a crack was revealed, and a terrifying black shadow emerged from the crack.

The Ark Chosen with the Path of the Spirit Eyes attempted to observe it mysteriously, but they couldn't make it out clearly. Perhaps their level of understanding was insufficient, or perhaps the image hadn't fully materialized yet.

"Is this the fifth scene? It came too fast. The first two scenes haven't even finished yet, and it's already here." A powerful figure from the forbidden zone said.

"Well, at least it's a hint for us. But it's too abstract, who knows what it is?" one Ark Voter asked, frowning.
“Where’s Black Umbrella? Isn’t he supposed to be all-knowing?” one Ark voter asked, but he didn’t see Black Umbrella.

Instead, a powerful woman seated in the third ring spoke up: "Judging from its characteristics, this seems to be a legacy of the Tree of Time. It can be seen in special environments within certain forbidden zones. From it, one can glimpse the ups and downs of the river of time."

The Tree of Time?

Li Yelai's heart stirred; he had heard of this name before.

That was when he killed the human traitor, Meiwu.

Meiwu struggled and begged for mercy, saying she had glimpsed the Tree of Time and learned from it that humanity was destined to lose.

It was also said that humanity would receive support, but the supporters would arrive ten thousand years later, and humanity would not live to see that time.

That's why she chose to cooperate with the restricted area.

Creating a place to shelter a small number of humans is a way of preserving the spark of humanity.

Li Yelai did not trust this. As a night watchman, he would not believe in the inevitable defeat of humanity.

As for the reinforcements that Meiwu mentioned ten thousand years later, Meiwu only has the Five Senses Spirit Eye path, so how can she see the ending ten thousand years later?

But now it seems that the Tree of Time really does exist.

"What is the Tree of Time?" Li Yelai asked tentatively.

"Similar legends exist in some forbidden civilizations. Of course, they have different names, such as the Tree of Time, the Pillar of Time, and so on. Moreover, the beings in the forbidden areas themselves don't really believe them, so they haven't been widely circulated."

The female human from the Third Ring responded: "In legend, the branches of the Tree of Time connect the past, present, and future. If one can glimpse its secrets, one can relive history or foresee the future. You people in the Forbidden Zone should know this better than I do, right?"

"Hey, what a sarcastic woman." A creature from the forbidden zone responded calmly: "Legend has it that if one can see the Tree of Time and receive a gift from the Time Worm, one can traverse the river of history and travel to the future or the past. But it's just a legend. If it were truly possible to traverse time and space, you humans would all be kneeling at our feet by now."

"Anyone can say harsh words." The woman from the Third Ring Road responded calmly. To reach a position in the Third Ring Road, one's strength must be at least that of a powerful figure, so naturally, she wouldn't get angry easily.

“It seems we should wait for the book’s holder to provide more specific information,” one of the Ark voters said.

Everyone nodded.

The voters then took their seats.

Li Yelai returned to his seat, and after waiting for a few minutes, voters arrived one after another.

Li Yelai saw Jing Lin, and also saw Chu He.

They were all slightly surprised when they saw themselves, but no one said anything.

Then came the Golden Mountain from the forbidden zone, namely the Jade Blood Supreme.

He seemed to be in a very bad mood this time, and his whole body was shrouded in a pressure that made people afraid to look directly at him.

Indeed, his illustrious descendant, the master craftsman Gotwin. He died mysteriously in the Heavenly Realm, and the team that went to investigate was annihilated by Red Wrath.

This is a great humiliation and blasphemy for a supreme being.

Li Yelai thought to himself, if he had the chance to get the Black Gold Dragon Pattern Halberd, he could show it off in front of this old Deng and see if he would be anxious.
Finally, the person holding the book appeared, but his appearance was somewhat different.

This time, he wore a white robe and a stone mask.

It seemed somewhat strange, yet it subtly revealed a sense of sacredness.

He said as always, "I'm sure you all know about the appearance of the fifth painting. As usual, I will explain it to you after all the intelligence and transactions are completed."

The voters of Ark have become accustomed to this.

The person holding the book was like an author skilled at omitting fragments; even if everyone else was anxiously scratching their heads and losing sleep, he would still be the one to speak last.

The voters of the Ark had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept it.

Then, Captain Ark announced the start of the gathering.

The Ark voters then began trading.

Li Yelai didn't sit idly by either, and said directly to Chu He, "Lord Chu He, let's keep this private."

"Okay." Chu He nodded slightly.

As the private space opened, the voices and figures of the others blurred and disappeared.

"Looks like you survived after all. Well done, Copper Mask. To escape from the Chosen One of Chaos, you must have some tricks up your sleeve." Chu He laughed. "I thought I was going to get the better deal."

"I chatted and laughed with the Chosen Ones of Chaos, and they treated me with courtesy and released me," Li Yelai lied.

"Hey, I bet you're hiding in the latrine, and the Chosen One of Chaos is too lazy to look for you." Chu He naturally didn't believe it, but he wouldn't ask too many questions. Everyone has their trump cards and secrets.

Li Yelai inquired, "How did the hunt go with the Heavenly Comet Dragon and the Winter-Calling Beast?"

“As a top-tier comet, it’s not too hard to find.” Chu He nodded. “But finding it doesn’t mean you can hunt it easily. Give me a little more time. As for the winter-calling beast, the team has already set off. I’ll come back to trade with you when they return. Remember to bring the balance.”

Li Yelai nodded and asked, "Thank you for the formula and hints regarding the previous ability mutation. If possible, I would like to make this kind of deal with you again."

"A trade," Chu He pondered. "Could I understand that you want to acquire another variant of your ability?"

“Indeed,” Li Yelai said. “I don’t know your secret, but it should be related to the potion formula, right? Gransanx is an ancient dragon. Given your environment, surely no one would experiment on an ancient dragon, would they? There aren’t that many ancient dragons, and you don’t have that much room for error.”

Li Yelai's Crimson Thunder Dragon Claw was made using Chu He's suggestion, incorporating the essence of the Ancient Thunder Dragon, and he was told that the potential condition was being struck by lightning.

This allowed the Mimicry Dragon Claw to successfully mutate into the Crimson Thunder Dragon Claw. In other places, it might be said that Chu He was knowledgeable and experienced.

But Chuhe was in a lost territory, right under the noses of the creatures in the forbidden zone.

He lacked the ability to test the conditions and formula for this variant of ability. Could he possibly use Gu Long as a test subject?

Even if he knew the recipe, he would still have a hard time collecting all the ingredients.

The giant city has its own caravans and a large number of night spies hunting extraordinary creatures, which ensures the supply of potion ingredients.

The Chu River, located in a lost territory, lacks such resources.

Therefore, the official speculation is that Chuhe may have some kind of inheritance, or perhaps some kind of forbidden substance that can be used to study formulas.

"You're quite perceptive," Chu He hesitated for a moment before replying frankly, "We're practically acquaintances, and I can see your goodwill towards me. So, I can reveal some secrets to you."

"I can indeed provide many variant potion recipes and potential conditions. But on the condition that I offer the corresponding potion recipes, along with some price."

“If the variant you want is the Dragon Breath of the Myriad Paths—the Chaos Dragon Breath, the Corruption Dragon Breath, the Lava Dragon Breath, and thirteen other dragon breath variants—I can give it to you right now,” Chu He said. “Of course, it won’t be free.”

There are thirteen types of dragon breath. The official team has only identified eight so far. Chu He really has some good stuff.

Therefore, Li Yelai purchased the remaining five types, at the cost of five C-grade weapons.

This wasn't difficult; Li Yelai had prepared a considerable amount of supplies for this transaction. Of course, most of them were spoils of war from the recent conflict.

As Li Yelai took out five psionic weapons, Chu He also took out a piece of parchment and wrote down the formulas and conditions for five variations of Dragon Breath.

The two parties quickly reached a deal and both felt they had made a good deal.

Li Yelai said, "However, what I want is a magic potion, but actually it's the Mimicry Dragon Soul."

Chu He shook his head: "Dragon Soul? I've never heard of such an ability, but if you provide me with the potion formula for this ability, I can give you a variant of it. Of course, a Five Senses formula isn't cheap. So, give me the formula as payment."

“Very good.” Li Yelai nodded and immediately gave the recipe for Mimicry Dragon Soul.

"Are you in a hurry?" Chu He asked after receiving the formula.

"It's a bit urgent, please hurry," Li Yelai said.

"Then wait a moment." Chu He's figure disappeared, leaving the ark. Five minutes later, Chu He returned to the hidden space.

"There aren't many variations of this Mimicry Dragon Soul, only three. They're all here." Chu He took out a piece of parchment.

The next second, the parchment appeared in front of Li Yelai.

Li Yelai took the parchment, glanced at it, and frowned.

The potential conditions can be met, and some have even already been met.

But what about the materials? White, red, or gold ancient dragon balls?
What the hell is that? I've never even heard of it!

“Some extremely powerful ancient dragons will move closer to a higher level, becoming more like legendary species. Dragon pearls will be produced inside the bodies of these ancient dragons.” Chu He spread his hands and said, “I have only hunted one ancient dragon. I have never encountered one. You may be able to try in the Ark, but it will probably be very expensive.”

"Ok."

Li Yelai could only put it aside for the time being and ask the authorities later, or try searching within the church. Or perhaps he could ask the voters from various places inside the ark.

The two then concluded the transaction.

Li Yelai then conducted a private transaction with Jing Lin.

Since learning that her mother was also a member of the Jing family, Li Yelai's views on Jing Lin have become somewhat complicated.

Especially after learning that the old man from the Jing family might be her maternal grandfather, and that Jing Lin might be her cousin?
However, because of his mother, Li Yelai had some reservations about the Jing family.

Li Yelai suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and traded the Dragon Breath variant formula he had just obtained, along with his own information, to Jing Lin.

Jing Lin provided a large amount of potion ingredients, enough for Li Ye to refine three different potions. Hidden within these ingredients was a message from the authorities to Li Ye.

The two completed the transaction without tacit agreement, exchanged greetings a few times, and then ended the deal.

At this point, the voters' deals gradually came to an end.

Start sharing intelligence.

Unsurprisingly, the headline was about the events in the Heavenly Realm.

Yang Chen, the eighth-generation champion, has risen to the position of overlord. He has powerfully killed many angels and the two overlords who besieged him have been killed and injured.

The human traitor, Meiwu, was killed by a mysterious Sixth Awakening powerhouse, who is suspected to be the champion's successor, the ninth champion.

Black Source City, descendant of the Jade Blood Supreme, and Master Craftsman Gotwin. He died in Silver Mountain City, the cause of his death remaining a mystery. The investigation team was then ambushed and killed, causing a sharp deterioration in relations between the two forbidden zones.

Silver Mountain City was destroyed by a meteorite, suspected to be the work of the eighth-generation champion.
Internal strife within the Church of the Ashes resulted in the deaths of three chosen ones.

However, it seems that a new chosen one has emerged within the Blood God faction.

A mysterious overlord-level powerhouse is suspected to have appeared in the wilderness.

These news brought smiles to the faces of humanity's elect. After all, the forbidden zones and the church suffered great losses.

At the same time, they all looked at Jinshan with strange eyes.

Some voters have already learned Jinshan's true identity through information provided by the book's holder. He is the Jade Blood Supreme, the blood relative of Gotwin.

Jinshan remained unmoved by the gazes of the crowd. However, the surging spiritual energy made it clear to everyone that he was in a very bad mood!
Then came news from other regions.

The Supreme Being of Kunlun Giant City, who intervened to save Ye Bushou, is confirmed dead. The Human King clashed with the King of the Forbidden Zone of the Demon God's Tomb. A single exchange destroyed a hundred-mile-long mountain range. After the battle, both sides retreated, but the situation remained tense.

The situation in the giant city of Bashu has cooled down, but the standoff with the forbidden zone, Demon Abyss Mountain, continues.

Clashes erupted between the Shiva city and a restricted area in South Asia, resulting in the injury of a supreme human being and escalating tensions in the region.

These messages caused the human voters to frown, and the situation began to deteriorate.

After all the information had been shared, the book holder, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke.

He looked at the fifth mural and said, "As you all have said, this is the Tree of Time."

"You mean, the Tree of Time really exists?" a voter asked.

"Naturally, but it has largely disappeared from the physical world. Only a few remaining branches occasionally appear in restricted areas around the world," the book-holder said. "This is also why some lucky psionicists can glimpse the future or the past."

"That's all? Is there any danger?" voters asked, as this was their biggest concern.

The one holding the book said softly, "The instant the Tree of Time appeared."
There will be an extremely powerful and terrifying being, flowing against the tide of time! (End of Chapter)