Chapter 2461

Thresmund had no interest in having discussions with these old people. To him, they were afraid of getting replaced and thus stubbornly clinging to their positions.

Once again, Thresmund sought out Maxim. They both did some reflecting after their previous argument. Upon arriving before his father, Thresmund noticed Maxim had already prepared two teacups as if he had been expecting him.

"Dad, it's time you told me the truth-the purpose behind all this."

"The purpose? I can't tell you that," Maxim replied, shaking his head.

"Why not?" Thresmund asked.

"To protect your mind," Maxim said calmly.

"My mind?!" Thresmund was baffled.

Maxim continued, "Son, you don't need to worry about anything. Just trust me."

"Trust you? Why should I?" Thresmund's anger finally broke through, something that had been simmering beneath the surface for years.

His voice trembled with fury as he said, "All this time, you've been using me. I once truly saw you as my father. You were the one who took me out of that cold, miserable lab. But now... Now, I still can't see through you. Dad, what do you want to achieve? Why? Why have you kept lying to me?"

"Thresmund... I've told you, everything I've done is to protect you. You don't need to know the truth. Just listen to your father, son. That's enough."

“No!” Thresmund shouted, smashing the teacup to the ground.

"Enough! It's truly enough. My father? No, you're not my father! You've been using me all this time! Whether it's injecting Sky's immortal spirit into my body or this competition, you're just taking advantage of me! Don't talk to me about fatherly love, Maxim. You were never protecting me-you're just using me!"

"Son, you're tired. You should rest now."

"I refuse! Fine, if you won't say it, I will! The fruit of the Celestial Tree!"

Maxim visibly tensed up at that. "Where did you hear about that?"

Thresmund pressed on, "Hear about it? Hmph, let me tell you something, it's not just me. Many already know about it. The Celestial Tree is about to bear fruit again. Am I wrong? That's your goal, isn't it?

"You're using my body because you're not really an exorcist yourself. I don't know where you get your power from or why you can wield something like celestial energy, but I'm sure of one thing-your target is the fruit!"

"Son, you..." Maxim sighed deeply. He slowly raised his right hand.

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind shot toward Thresmund, pinning him with sheer force.

With great effort, Thresmund broke free and coughed up blood as he stumbled back. “Hmph, I must've hit the mark, didn't I? Are you the one who experimented on me? What about my real parents? Where are they now?!"

"Enough," Maxim replied, seemingly ignoring Thresmund's questions.

Thresmund turned around, only to find the mink demon, Harkin, standing silently

behind him. She had appeared behind him at some point.

"Harkin, no need to hypnotize him just yet." Maxim then looked directly at Thresmund. "You want answers? I'll give them to you. But first, let me reveal to

you that almost everything you've deduced is wrong."

"All wrong? Are you just spinning another tale to deceive me?" Thresmund asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

"No, son. What I'm about to tell you is the absolute truth."

With that, the mink demon, Harkin, climbed onto Maxim's shoulder. Maxim gestured toward her, and suddenly, her body began emitting a crimson glow.

"You recognize this, don't you? It's Harkin's Truth Spell. So, every word I say next will be true. After that, you can decide if you still want to help me or not."

Maxim calmly picked up the broken pieces of the teacup and placed them in a nearby trash bin.

"What I'm going to tell you starts from the last time the Celestial Tree bore fruit."