"He wants to create a brand-new Celestial Tree."


    "A new Celestial Tree?" Clinton asked, puzzled.


    Nash nodded, exining his theory, "A vessel. Once the energy from the four arrays is fully stored, a vessel is needed to absorb all that power. At that point, it might truly rival the strength of the original Celestial Tree.


    "Maxim has been working on this n for nearly a century, so the energy within the arrays right now must be immense."


    Huntley confirmed this possibility, "You''re right. That reminds me of someone."


    "Who?" Nash asked.


    "Thresmund. I saw him during the Myriad Immortals Gathering, and at that moment, my magical weapon had an intense reaction."


    Clinton was intrigued. "What kind of reaction?"


    Huntley pulled out his Seven Star Pearls. "These pearls can block almost any power created by the Celestial Tree. But when I was near Thresmund, they reacted in a way they never had before. It was almost as if they feared him."


    "Feared him?" Nash and Clinton exchanged nces.


    Huntley voiced his suspicion, "The spirits within the Seven Star Pearls are from my family. They wouldn''t react to any living being. So, there''s only one exnation-Thresmund is no longer truly alive."


    As Nash considered Huntley''s words and remembered Maxim''s request, the pieces began to fall into ce. "I understand now."


    Clinton and Huntley looked at him, waiting for an exnation. Nash continued, "Thresmund is likely the vessel. Maxim must be aware of Thresmund''s condition. I''ve heard rumors that he can absorb the power of immortal spirits.


    "So, Maxim has been storing vast amounts of celestial power and ns to transfer it all to Thresmund. If that happens, Thresmund could be a man- made Celestial Tree, rivaling the original one."


    Clinton was still confused, and he asked, "In that case, why did Maxim ask you to take care of Thresmund as if he were entrusting his child to you?"


    Nash exined, "It''s because when the timees, Thresmund will stop being in his current half-alive state and be a truly living person."


    "You mean... a resurrection?" Clinton asked, astonished.


    Nash nodded. "Exactly. That might be the reason Maxim is using those four arrays. Once the artificial Celestial Tree is formed, Thresmund, as its fruit, would regain a physical body."


    Clinton was utterly shocked. If Nash''s theory held true, it wouldpletely overturn the understanding of martial artists and true energy in the entire region. "This... is too much. I think my head''s going to explode."


    Clinton turned to Nash and asked, "So, what''s your n?"


    Nash looked over at Huntley. "Huntley, would you be willing to help us?"


    Huntley shrugged. "I could, but let me be clear-I''m selfish. If the opportunity presents itself, my revenge will be my top priority."


    "That''s fine," Nash replied. "As long as you''re willing to help us stop Maxim''s n."


    ...


    "Cheers!"


    In a private room at a restaurant, a group had gathered together. Besides Kalo, Anox, Chevy, and Teresa, Enid and Marino were also present.


    Teresa stood up, holding her ss of juice up high. "Let''s congratte Anox, Enid, and Mar for making it to the top six!"


    "Congrattions!" everyone echoed.


    Anox smiled and nodded. "I have to thank my little brother here for going easy on me. Otherwise, Kalo would''ve taken me down for sure."