God-Tier Fishing System-Chapter 638

The aura she exuded made Ethan’s breathing quicken uncontrollably.

It was not pressure in the usual sense.

Rather, it was a primal suppression—an instinctive warning carved into life itself. Blood roaring faintly within his veins.

Ethan steadied his breath and looked carefully.

The trunk of the Hibiscus Sacred Tree no longer resembled an ordinary tree. It was jade-green, translucent and flawless, like condensed life essence shaped into form. Faint patterns flowed within it, slow and eternal, as if time itself had been sealed inside.

Yet...

There was a dent.

Not a crack.

Not decay.

A clean, deliberate absence.

As if someone had forcibly excavated a portion of her complete origin.

Ethan’s heart tightened.

What kind of existence could dig a piece out of a Hibiscus Sacred Tree?

Even the thought was terrifying.

"I think you’ve seen it too," the Hibiscus Sacred Tree said softly.

"A trace of my origin is missing."

Her voice was calm, but beneath that calm lay an ancient exhaustion.

"Countless years ago, a powerful being found me. He dug out a branch from my body and refined it into his personal weapon."

Ethan fell silent.

"So... this is what you want from me?" he asked slowly.

"Yes."

"...Senior," Ethan said honestly, "it’s not that I don’t wish to help. But if that being were still alive, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even be enough to fill the gap between his teeth."

The Hibiscus Sacred Tree laughed softly, like wind brushing leaves.

"Haha... don’t worry. That man is already dead."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"If you can leave Oceanreach, go to the Sacred Continent in the far west," she continued. "There, you may find clues."

A ball of green light floated out from her trunk and gently sank into Ethan’s forehead.

His consciousness trembled.

"I have planted an origin mark on you," she said.

"When you come within a thousand miles of that branch, the mark will react."

"Additionally, you may activate this mark once to strike an enemy."

"Even if the opponent is an emperor, it will be enough to protect your life."

"But after that, the mark will dissipate."

Ethan subconsciously touched the center of his eyebrows.

A faint warmth lingered there, deep, stable, and terrifyingly profound.

Another life-saving trump card.

"Thank you, senior," Ethan said sincerely.

"By the way," he hesitated, then asked, "what did you plant in me earlier?"

"It’s nothing," the Hibiscus Sacred Tree replied casually.

"Just the power of the contract. A symbol of our agreement."

"If you violate it, you’ll explode and die."

"...Uh."

Ethan’s face twitched slightly.

But he didn’t argue.

Compared to everything he had gained, this price was acceptable.

"Sacred Continent," Ethan repeated softly. "The land in the far west... this junior will remember it."

"Once I leave Oceanreach, I will go there as soon as possible and retrieve your branch."

"Good," the Hibiscus Sacred Tree replied.

"Time is running out. You should leave."

"Wait!" Ethan suddenly said.

"Yes?"

"This junior has encountered beings from beyond the West Sea," Ethan said in a low voice.

"If the barrier between heaven and earth is something even you cannot break... how did they enter?"

The Hibiscus Sacred Tree fell silent for a brief moment.

Then she spoke.

"You do not yet understand."

"Once a cultivator steps into the Emperor Realm, the chains of heaven and earth will sense them. Cultivation becomes difficult, suppressed."

"But I am immortal. I carry immeasurable cause and effect accumulated over countless ages. That is why I am bound."

Her words were heavy.

"Just wait and see."

Ethan’s vision shifted.

Illusory black chains appeared, wrapping around the Hibiscus Sacred Tree’s origin. They were intangible yet absolute, extending endlessly upward, connecting to something far beyond sight.

"You don’t need to worry about me," she said calmly.

"These chains consume my life, bind me... but killing me is nearly impossible."

Ethan clenched his jaw.

"The spatial passage in the West Sea appeared over a hundred thousand years ago," she continued.

"The barrier has weakened with time. The West Sea is its weakest point."

"Using spatial spirit weapons, a temporary channel can be opened."

"But it is unstable."

"Those below the Emperor Realm may pass."

"Once you reach the Emperor Realm, attempting to cross will directly disturb the barrier."

"And then, you will be strangled by the chains."

"Strangled..." Ethan murmured.

He frowned, deep in thought.

Fear did not rise in his heart.

Instead, Interest.

A sharp, dangerous curiosity.

What kind of existence could forge such chains, binding even an immortal holy spirit?

"Thank you, senior," Ethan said solemnly. "Time is tight. I will leave now."

"Next time I return—"

"I will bring your branch with me."

The world spun.

Space folded.

When Ethan opened his eyes again, he was back in the Spiritual Valley.

The ground was trembling violently.

Cracks spread through the sky.

The Secret Realm of Emperor Sage were collapsing.

"Sister Kara, wait for me a moment," Ethan said quickly.

Before anyone could respond, his figure vanished.

.....

Deep underground.

The swamp’s hidden core.

The space guarded by the Twelve Golden Eyes Dragon Leviathan Fish.

The colossal beast hovered lazily, its massive body coiled through the cavern, golden pupils closed as it slept amidst piles of precious materials.

Golden light flashed.

Ethan appeared.

Twelve golden eyes snapped open instantly.

The Dragon Leviathan Fish froze.

It remembered.

This human.

The one it had swallowed.

"Roar!"

A sonic roar exploded outward.

The shockwave shattered stone.

Ethan lifted a hand casually.

The sound vanished.

The next instant—

He clenched his palm.

Terrifying coercion descended.

The Dragon Leviathan Fish slammed into the ground, unable to move.

"Submit," Ethan said indifferently, "and I’ll take you out to eat and drink."

"Refuse... and you die."

"ROAR!"

The beast resisted, demonic energy surging violently.

"Not convinced?" Ethan smiled faintly. "Then I’ll beat you until you are."

Snap.

The Heaven-Burning Ten Thousand Fire Formation inside the Dragon Leviathan Fish activated.

A muffled explosion echoed from within its body.

Golden blood sprayed.

The beast writhed like a giant earthworm, roaring in agony.

Ethan stepped forward.

Punch.

Kick.

Elbow.

Pure physical violence.

No mercy.

"You feel pain, right?" Ethan said calmly. "Ten breaths."

After ten breaths.

The Dragon Leviathan Fish collapsed.

It surrendered.

"...Good," Ethan nodded. "This is much more sensible."

He placed his hand on its head.

The Infinite Ten Thousand Beasts Technique activated.

A soul contract was formed.

.....

Spiritual Valley.

The lake water churned as Ethan burst out, riding the massive Dragon Leviathan Fish.