Chapter 33
Deep within the continent, a palace entwined by black roots stands silently.
The palace's dome was not made of stone or wood, but of withered roots intertwined in a net, emitting a cold, eerie glow.
This is the most secretive core of the Dark Root forces—the Root Shadow Palace.
News of the breach in the thorny barrier reached back here as quickly as possible.
A heavy parliamentary session then ensued.
Inside the palace, twelve figures stood in a circle.
They are not merely individuals, but rather embodiments of different plant natures:
"Dead Tree Appearance": Like a dried-up tree stump, with a hoarse voice, yet possessing the power to manipulate decay.
"Blood Vine Mother": A giant blood vine flower with eyes flashing in its center, representing the Thorn Guard;
"Ghost Root Envoy": His figure is always hidden in the shadows, his voice is cold, and he controls the information flow of the dark web;
"The Stone Root Ruler": Silent as a stone sculpture, commanding the iron-hard root defense line.
The remaining phases are also the ancient plant-like will deep within the continent.
The Bloodvine Mother's voice trembled: "The light of the Holy Land... can actually cross the border. The Thorn Barrier was breached because the Holy Land's Mother Tree intervened directly."
Kumu Daxiang sneered: "No, the real problem is that our 'monitoring pods' are being used in reverse. They are using our dark web to infiltrate from the inside out."
The Ghost Root Envoy spoke slowly, his voice like dripping ice water: "At that moment, I did indeed detect a tampered signal. Sprout 12... this bastard has become a blade of the Holy Land."
The one in charge of Shigen finally broke the silence and said in a low voice:
"The Holy Land wants to protect the water veins? We'll make sure they can't."
With a wave of his giant hand, the black root totem on the ground lit up, revealing a map of the entire continent's root system.
Dozens of key nodes were lit up, flashing red dots.
"We will activate the 'Dark Pulse Backlash'."
—This is the Dark Root's trump card: the backlash seed buried deep within the root system can instantly pollute the entire water vein, transforming its spirituality into a toxic flow.
"If they guard one waterway, we will destroy ten."
If they attempt to provide aid, they will become exhausted.
If they give up, they will be scorned by all the spirits of the world.
A bloodthirsty glint flashed in Bloodvine Mother's eyes: "The Holy Domain... will be dragged down by their own oaths."
Just at the end of the council meeting, a deep, unfamiliar laugh rang out.
"Heh...it seems I've come at the right time."
A figure draped in a greyish-white cloak slowly entered the palace, with black flames entwined on the branches beneath the cloak.
His appearance caused all the ministers to show solemn expressions.
The Ghost Root whispered a title:
"Apostle of Ashes".
—This is a trump card that has been secretly nurtured for many years by the Dark Root, an existence that can directly burn the root and turn spirituality into ashes.
"Let me go and greet that little seed from the Holy Land on your behalf."
The branches of the Ash Apostle slowly unfurled, flames licking the void.
“I will let him know that even the light of the mother tree can be burned to ashes.”
This lake, which once nourished all things, has now dried up completely due to the erosion of hidden roots.
The cracked earth resembles a scar, and among the scattered stone pillars in the lake, fragments of its former vibrancy remain.
The team sent by the Sanctuary is repairing the water veins here, including Seed 237 and Sprout 12.
Sprout 12 appeared as relaxed as ever, but trembled slightly in the wind and whispered:
"There's a... smell of burning roots in the air."
Seed 237 looks up.
The gray clouds on the horizon parted, and a burning sensation came from the depths of my being.
With heavy footsteps, the Ash Apostle stepped out of the crack.
The branches beneath his cloak burned with ashen flames, each step reducing the roots on the ground to dust.
"So, you are... the parasitic child of the mother tree?"
The Ash Apostle's voice was low and sarcastic.
"What right do these weak Light Species have to interfere with the underground water veins?"
Seed237 felt a sharp pain in his chest, an instinctive warning.
The power of the mother tree trembled within him, as if he had encountered a natural enemy.
Sprout 12 stepped forward, her voice icy: "Don't think you can act recklessly on this plain. This is the protected area of the Holy Domain."
The Ash Apostle simply smiled and extended his hand.
Instantly, the remaining roots at the bottom of the lake were ignited, and the blazing ash flames spread along the underground water veins.
This is a force different from the corruption of dark roots; it can directly burn the roots themselves, turning the entire water system into a dead zone.
Seed 237 closed its eyes, and the will of the mother tree expanded accordingly.
The roots awaken beneath their feet, and the light surges like blood, attempting to halt the spread of the flames.
The Ash Apostle scoffed, "Light? No matter how much light there is, it's just fuel."
He suddenly shook his arms, and flames poured into the ground, instantly turning the entire dried-up lake into a sea of scorching ashes.
Seed 237 struggled to stay upright, beads of sweat forming on its forehead.
This was the first time that the light of the mother tree and the fire that burned the roots collided head-on.
Light and flames intertwined, and a deafening roar came from underground.
The fissures at the bottom of the lake kept widening, as if the earth itself was tearing apart.
Just as the light vein was about to be engulfed by the flames, a brand new texture shone from the core within Seed 237.
A deep yet gentle voice resonated in my heart:
"Child, water doesn't just flow; it can also evaporate, condense, and return to its source."
In an instant, the light veins transformed into a curtain of water mist, isolating the burning ashes and flames.
The flames were forced to evaporate into mist, which filled the air and could no longer burn the roots.
The Ash Apostle was slightly taken aback, and his expression finally turned serious.
"...Mother Tree, have you begun to teach you true power?"
The battlefield was briefly locked in a stalemate.
Sprout12 acted swiftly, his free status allowing him to traverse the borders of any faction, thereby introducing ash flames into gaps and significantly reducing their burning efficiency.
Seed 237 resonated with the power of the mother tree and finally stabilized the water veins at the last moment.
Although the dried-up lake has not been restored, at least it has not been completely reduced to ashes.
The Ash Apostle withdrew its hand, and the burning branches hissed as they died down.
He stared at Seed 237 and whispered:
“Interesting. It seems you have earned the right to be my true rival.”
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished with the wind, leaving only charred cracks, like an unhealable wound branded onto the earth.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
