CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 154 ENDURING AN IMPOSSIBLE TRAINING

Solaris City, Pocket Universe

For three relentless days, Zane underwent what could only be described as impossible training inside the virtual world Xoxo had created. He battled opponents from across the stars—Celestials, Atlanteans, War Clans of the Titans, and countless other humanoid species from distant worlds.

At first, every fight pushed him to his limit. His foes were brutal, disciplined, and merciless. Yet, as time passed, Zane began to adapt. He studied their techniques, uncovered their weaknesses, and honed his own strengths until one by one, they fell before him.

His power was growing—explosively.

Every strike, every kill, every near-death experience fed his evolution.

When facing the monstrous youths of the Titan War Clan, he was forced to go all out. He removed his Arcane Ring, shedding the 37,000-kilogram weight suppression on his body, and still, it wasn’t enough. He finally unleashed his soul-weapon—the sentient sword.

The blade danced through the battlefield like a reaper’s shadow, carving through Titan flesh and magic alike.

When the final Titan fell, its colossal head hitting the ground with a deafening thud, Zane looked down at his sword—its gleaming edge slick with golden-red Titan blood.

"You were right," he said quietly. "The prototype weapon the Atlanteans built—it’s made to kill them. It targets their physical and magical weaknesses. In front of this thing, even Titans crumble."

"Thank goodness," Xoxo’s voice chimed as she materialized behind him, smiling with pride. "I’ll record all this data and forward it to headquarters."

Zane turned slightly. "By headquarters, you mean... Atlantis Headquarters?"

"Yes."

"Then... blur my face."

She laughed softly. "For you, I’ll do anything."

For a brief moment, Zane’s expression darkened. A memory surfaced—the face of one among the ten Titans who had pursued the Tree in the Solar System. He remembered it clearly from the ancient video feed; the resemblance to his grandmother’s youthful face was uncanny.

Could it be...?

"Tell me," he asked slowly, "are all Titans bad?"

Xoxo’s smile deepened, but her eyes grew strangely distant. "Then let me ask you the same question, Zane. Are all humans bad?"

He fell silent, frowning as he pondered her words. The answer dawned on him—no, not all. Never all.

"Then why," he pressed, "are the Atlanteans building this weapon specifically to slaughter Titans?"

Xoxo’s tone softened, though her words carried weight. "Then why do humans build nuclear weapons? To kill all humans? I don’t think so. Titans are powerful beings—ancient, proud, and often... uncontrollable. When some grow wild, consuming others like weeds choking a garden, they must be trimmed. The weapon is a necessary evil."

She paused, looking him straight in the eye.

"Besides," she continued, "your home—Earth—has become the sanctuary of the most infamous culprit in the universe... the Tree. It is already marked by the Titans. They’re waiting. The Earth is still growing, evolving—but when greed and corruption bloom beyond control, the Titans will send a strike force to wipe it clean."

Zane’s brows furrowed. "What? They plan to destroy Earth? Why?"

Xoxo gave him a sad, knowing smile. "Because to them, corruption is a disease. And they believe in curing disease... with fire."

She began to explain patiently, "Even the mighty Titans must follow the laws of the universe. But they’ve already marked the Tree as their top target. On her deathbed, the Tree found Earth—a planet inhabited by humans. She used that chance to explode her own form and hide within Earth’s core as a seed. Since then, she’s been releasing her aura, slowly cultivating the planet."

Her voice softened. "However, by universal law, the Titans cannot destroy Earth or harm humanity while the Tree’s seed remains within it. So, they wait. Watching. When the balance tips—when greed and corruption consume the Earth—they’ll strike. And when they do, nothing will survive."

Zane clenched his fists. "So the Magical Tree... she’s using us? To hide from them? Is she really that evil?"

"Huh, you bet," Xoxo replied bluntly. "That Tree is the most notorious criminal in the universe. Born from chaos—filth, greed, disgust, hatred, every negative emotion from every living being. Her only goal since birth has been to destroy everything. Mark my words, Zane: the day she regains all her memories, she’ll tear the Earth apart from its core."

Zane stood frozen, struggling to process her words. All his life, he’d believed the Divine Tree was a blessing—a sacred gift to humanity. But now it seemed she was a curse wearing a halo.

For the first time, he thought what his father had done to the Divine Tree might actually have been justified.

He muttered under his breath, "Am I wrong...? Where should I even stand in all this?"

Then, a thought struck him. The seed inside his heart—the one even the System couldn’t fully analyze—it had to be connected to the Tree. Maybe this was his chance to find out the truth.

"Xoxo," he said firmly, "can you do me a favor?"

"Anything for you, Zane."

"There’s a seed of the Divine Tree inside my heart. Can you check it for me?"

"Right away."

Zane watched as Xoxo’s eyes glimmered with iridescent light. He felt a strange sensation coursing through his body—like invisible tendrils probing every cell.

After a few minutes, the light in her eyes dimmed. Her expression grew serious. "I have good news and bad news."

"Let’s start with the bad news."

"Yes," she said softly, "I found a primary seed embedded in your heart. It’s a kind of parasite. If left unchecked, one day your body and mind will be completely taken over by the Divine Tree."

Zane exhaled sharply. "And the good news?"

"The good news," Xoxo said with a faint smile, "is that you can turn it to your advantage. You can dominate the seed and siphon the Divine Tree’s essence through it—make her power your own."

His eyes widened. "How do I do that?"

"You ask too many questions," she teased. "Here’s a hint—use your mana core. Fuse it with the seed and turn it into a secondary core stone. The rest... you’ll have to figure out on your own."

Suddenly, Xoxo turned to the side, her tone sharpening. "Someone’s trying to enter the city gate. It’s... a human."

Zane’s head snapped toward her. "A human? Show me!"

She waved her hand, and a holographic image materialized—showing a tall, broad-shouldered figure walking through the shimmering gate.

Zane’s eyes widened in surprise. "Shelby!"