Skybound Throne

Chapter 257: Dark Seed of Progression V

Skyler was right.

Just like them, everyone in the 31st level could see the tree, no matter how far away they were. That was how enormous it was.

At first, they were shocked.

Then, curiosity took over, and countless people—not only from their planet, Eldoria, but also from different planets and realms—who were confident in their strength left their areas on the 31st level of Battle Royal and rushed toward the enormous tree.

As more and more people began moving, the entire 31st level descended into chaos.

When countless individuals from different realms and planets met one another, they immediately became cautious and hostile.

Regardless, the people from Eldoria were the first to reach the towering tree, Skyler and his group had already begun climbing.

However, they were unable to follow suit because many towering ice giants stood guard around the tree, preventing anyone from climbing the staircase that spiraled along its trunk. The ice creatures blocked the path, their bodies radiating a terrifying coldness.

Unable to get past the ice giants, those gathered became increasingly frustrated.

Even so, no one dared to challenge the massive ice creatures. After all, the aura they radiated was enough to send chills through even those at the Legendary tier.

Strangely, however, the giants made no attempt to harm anyone as long as they stayed away from the massive tree. The reason was simple: they had been created by Skyler’s Glacier Wrath skill, and he had instilled only a single command into them—to stop anyone from climbing the tree.

Skyler did it because he knew that, unlike him and his group, those on the 31st level were nowhere near strong enough to face the 52nd level. So, forcing their way to that level would only lead to their deaths. That’s why it was better for them to grow stronger and climb the Battle Royal at a proper pace.

Still, the chaos surrounding the tree didn’t cease, as those gathered began forming teams to challenge the ice giants in hopes of reaching and climbing the staircase. At the same time, the Dark Lights mixed into the crowd spread rumors that the top of the tree contained treasures, fueling the unrest.

Soon, people started fighting one another so that, after the ice giants were defeated, only they would be able to climb the tree.

Thus, the area surrounding the tree was transformed into a battlefield, with many individuals clashing beneath its shadow.

Amid the chaos, no one noticed a small group of individuals from the Spirit Race approaching the tree. Unlike everyone else, they met no resistance. The ice giants, who had been hostile toward all others, silently stepped aside and allowed them to pass.

The Spirit Princess’s eyes flickered as she gazed at the massive tree and muttered.

"It’s Skyler... He created it."

Nate gritted his teeth behind her, clearly annoyed, but he ultimately accepted it.

"He defeated the Dragon on the last level, didn’t he? And now this tree. That human... he always turns everything upside down."

The other members of the Spirit Race ignored his grumbling and turned their attention to the princess. After a brief hesitation, one of them asked softly.

"Are we going to climb the tree?"

She shook her head.

"No. I believe this tree leads to the higher levels, not to some treasure. We will climb the Battle Royal the normal way. After all, our purpose here isn’t simply to climb."

With that, the group left as quietly as they had come, without getting caught up in the chaotic scene unfolding around the tree.

It wasn’t until several hours later that the Main System detected the abnormality on the 31st level. It had been monitoring the group of angels who had discovered and entered the Realm of Stillness, preventing it from noticing the anomaly immediately.

The instant it detected the enormous tree, its emotionless mechanical voice crackled.

(What in the heaven is going on here?!)

The Main System scanned the towering tree. A moment later, it froze in shock.

The tree wasn’t part of the Battle Royal!

It wasn’t recorded anywhere within its database, meaning it had no place within the Battle Royal. It simply shouldn’t have been here! Then how did it even get here?

(Something is wrong!)

Without wasting any time, it absorbed the data from every nearby system. However, the only information it obtained was that, by the time those systems had arrived, the tree had already been standing there.

As for Skyler’s system and the systems belonging to Zack, Austin, and the others under 505’s command, they had long since severed their link to the main system. As a result, it couldn’t access any of their data.

Ultimately, the Main System summoned numerous powerful Guardians to the 31st level and issued a single cold command.

(Cut down that tree immediately! Its existence violates the rules!)

With numerous powerful beasts—along with a familiar Dragon, the same dragon whose treasures had been stolen by Skyler—suddenly appearing around the tree, the crowd surrounding it finally scattered in panic. The tree was eventually cut down, but news of its appearance had already spread across many planets and realms.

Even some of the Higher Beings were dumbfounded when they heard about the incident and secretly came to investigate.

Eldoria, too, was thrown into a sudden uproar after receiving the news from its people stationed within the Battle Royal.

After all, the huge tree that had suddenly appeared should never have existed in the first place. Meanwhile, the one responsible for it all—Skyler—had already reached the 52nd level, along with those following him.

Skyler looked up at the pitch-black sky of the 52nd level of the Battle Royal. Behind him, the others stood in a daze, struggling to process everything that had happened.

They had climbed out through the fissure the tree had torn open in the weed-covered ground, emerging onto the 52nd level. As a result, none of them noticed when the tree vanished. Well, even if they had, they knew a tree capable of making the Battle Royal so easy to climb could never be left alone.

Sooner or later, it was bound to be dealt with by the higher entities overseeing the Battle Royal.

Still, just a month ago, none of them had even imagined climbing the Battle Royal.

Yet now, at such a young age, they had already reached the 52nd level.

It was something no one would have believed possible.

Now, only one question lingered in their minds.

Would they truly reach the Divine Rank?

After all, once they did, the goal Skyler had set from the very beginning would finally be complete.

Yet, that thought brought no excitement.

Instead, it filled them with unease.

They knew that the closer they came to achieving that goal, the more it confirmed that Skyler’s warning about Eldoria being in danger soon had been true all along.

Once they reached the Divine Rank, they would have to return and shoulder the responsibility of protecting their home.