The blood flowing from this person dripped away, then finally flowed back into the tree's trunk.
If the tree had looked normal before, then after the person before them had been embedded within it, everything became somewhat horrifying, enough to make one's hair stand on end.
"That is Tree Elder?" someone stared at the tree and muttered.
The Human Emperor waved his hand and shouted, "Tree Elder, we have already come here, so stop playing tricks.
Everything from the past will be settled today."
As he spoke, a series of cracking sounds rang out.
Tree Elder slowly raised his head.
He seemed to be struggling greatly. Every movement made it seem as though his entire body would fracture, and the sound sent goosebumps cascading over everyone.
After Tree Elder raised his head, they saw that his face was as barren as tree bark, covered in wrinkles.
Deathly stillness filled his eyes. Ancient and unfathomable, they remained unmoved, as though he had long seen through life and death.
"I schemed against the world, deceived the Heavenly Dao, and feigned my death. I have done far too many things in this lifetime.
But there was one thing I never expected," Tree Elder said. His voice was not old at all; instead, it carried a hint of crispness.
"I never imagined that ants like you, whose fates had already been decided, would want to resist one after another.
What meaning is there in that?"
"From the moment you were eroded by my bloodline, everything had already ended."
"Go back. Return wherever you came from. When the day of my resurrection arrives, you will melt into me. At least you will have contributed some of your strength."
"If that is how you put it, then there is no other way. We can only fight,"