Chapter 56
The shattered remnants of the vine armor reeked of burning, the ground cracked, and charred marks spread like ugly scars from Seed 237's feet. He stood there, no longer the warm-glowing companion familiar to Sprout 12, but more like an unstable core enveloped in a dark purple-black energy. That energy writhed and breathed like a living thing, radiating a chilling sense of oppression.
"...Bea Dou?"
The hoarse, distorted voice rang out again, carrying a teeth-grinding friction. Seed 237 slowly took a step forward, and the scorched earth beneath his feet crumbled and turned into sand even more.
Sprout 12's heart pounded, a chill shooting from his roots straight to his top leaf. He instinctively assumed a defensive stance, the light on his branches flickering nervously: "237! Stop! Control it! You can still control it, right?"
“Control?” 237 tilted his head, the originally simple action now appearing strange and stiff. “Why… do I need to control it? This power… is so… real.” He raised a hand, looking at the shadow energy swirling around it. The energy flowed obediently through his “fingertips”, yet greedily absorbed the sparse light around him.
Shadow Parasite no longer needs whispers; its will is expressed directly through 237's senses.
“Look, Sprout,” 237’s voice suddenly became clearer, but it was filled with cold sarcasm, “I protected the Light Domain, in a way you couldn’t. And you… what did you do? Dig a hole underground like a rat? Or… were you thinking about how to ‘dissuade’ me again?”
Every word was like a cold, poisonous thorn, piercing Sprout 12's heart. He knew it was Shadow speaking, but looking at 237's distorted face and hearing that familiar yet strange voice, pain and fear almost overwhelmed him.
“That’s not you, 237! That’s it! It’s using you!” Sprout 12 tried to move forward, but the dense shadow energy field was like a solid wall, corrosive and mentally oppressive, making it difficult for him to get close.
"Used?" 237 let out a low laugh. "Who's using whom? It gave me power, and what did you... the Light Domain, the Mother Tree, even you... give me? Doubt? Restraint? And... abandonment?"
He emphasized the last two words, his eyes flashing intensely as if burned by them.
Sprout 12 understood instantly. The shadow amplified all the negative emotions, especially the fear and pain that 237 might have felt deep inside about being "forgotten" by the Mother Tree in this place, and about Sprout 12 leaving him last night and just now.
“I didn’t abandon you! I went to the Land of Alliance to check for threats! I just went to stop the underground corruption!” Sprout 12 pleaded urgently, her voice trembling with emotion. “I came back to help you!”
"Help me?" 237's energy surged suddenly, crackling with purplish-black lightning. "Help me like last night? Help me with a look of fear in your eyes?!"
He suddenly waved his hand, and an energy shockwave mixed with shattered light and pure shadow slammed into the ground next to Sprout 12!
boom!
A deep crater was blasted into the ground, billowing smoke. This wasn't an attack on Sprout 12, yet it was more threatening and intimidating than a direct attack.
"Or will you 'help' me like this?" 237's voice turned completely cold, filled only with endless darkness and majesty. "Standing against me, preparing... to purify me?"
Sprout 12 was thrown back several steps by the blast wave, a sense of despair washing over him. Communication was futile. Shadow had completely taken control of 237's emotions and twisted them into weapons.
We can't hesitate any longer.
A resolute glint flashed in Sprout12's eyes. He had to stop 237, at least... temporarily! Before he was completely consumed by the shadows or caused irreparable destruction!
“I’m sorry, 237…” Sprout 12 whispered, the light around her no longer merely defensive, but becoming extremely condensed and sharp, like countless blades of light poised to strike. “I have to do this!”
He moved. His figure transformed into an extremely thin and fast stream of light, no longer charging in a straight line, but instead circling around to the side of 237 with an elusive trajectory, attempting to avoid the powerful frontal energy field and find an opening.
"Heh... finally making a move." 237 (or rather, Shadow) let out a pleased snort. He didn't even turn around completely, but just casually waved his hand, and a large amount of viscous, swamp-like shadow energy surged up beside him, trying to trap Sprout 12.
Sprout 12's light blade slashed into the shadows, emitting a hissing, corrosive sound, its speed abruptly halting. These shadows not only possessed immense energy but also carried a kind of mental erosion, frantically trying to penetrate his consciousness, spreading fear and despair.
“It’s no use, Sprout 12.” 237’s voice echoed around him like a nightmare. “You are too weak. Your light cannot even illuminate the fear in your own heart.”
More shadowy tentacles attacked from the ground and the air, forcing Sprout 12 to dodge and parry in a sorry state. His attacks could not truly touch 237's body, while 237's attacks became increasingly violent and precise. The battle between light and shadow unfolded within the shattered light domain, no longer a defense against external enemies, but a heartbreaking internal struggle.
Sprout 12 was forced into retreat, his strength rapidly depleting, and even more terrifying was the mental pressure. With each exchange, he could feel 237's twisted pain and rage, which was more unbearable for him than any physical attack.
"Wake up! 237!" Sprout12 screamed during a brief moment of dodging, "Fight it! Take back control!"
237's attack paused for a moment, and a hint of struggle seemed to appear in the contortion on his face. The faint light flickered violently again.
Shadow Parasites clearly do not allow for such repetition.
“Stubborn to the end.” 237’s voice had completely lost all warmth, becoming as cold and hollow as an abyss. “Since you have chosen to be my enemy… then become the first sacrifice under this new power.”
He slammed his hands together, and all the dark purple-black energy around him frantically converged into his palms, compressing into an extremely unstable energy sphere radiating an aura of destruction. The power contained within was enough to completely annihilate Sprout 12 along with a large area around it!
Sprout 12 sensed the deadly threat, but he was already entangled by the shadow tentacles and had no way to escape!
His eyes reflected the destructive energy sphere, and behind it, his companion's eyes, almost completely swallowed by darkness.
At this critical moment—
Buzz...
Deep within the realm of light, the remains of the mother tree, long since silent and bearing only a faint trace, suddenly trembled slightly.
A faint, yet incredibly pure and warm light, like the breath of someone just awakening from a deep sleep, slowly rippled outwards.
The light was so faint that compared to the devastating energy ball in 237's hand, it was like a firefly compared to the bright moon.
But the moment it appeared, Seed 237 shuddered violently!
The terrifying energy sphere in his hand fluctuated violently, as if it had been interfered with. An expression of extreme pain appeared on his face, and he let out a roar that sounded like both 237 and Shadow!
"impossible……"
That faint ray of light from the mother tree, like the gentlest call, pierced through layers of darkness and precisely touched the undying source of light deep within Seed 237's soul.
It gave him a brief, struggle-like opportunity.
The energy ball went out of control, but instead of shooting towards Sprout 12, it suddenly burst upwards like a black, reverse-flowing waterfall, rushing towards the Shadow Vine Net that was being woven in the sky!
Rumble—!!!
The deafening explosion shook the entire Wasteland Plains. The massive shadow network woven by the Shadow Vines was ripped open by this violent energy, a mixture of light and darkness! Shattered shadow roots rained down.
This unexpected attack temporarily disrupted Shadowvine's isolation plan!
The shockwave from the explosion sent both Sprout 12 and Seed 237 flying.
Sprout 12 fell heavily to the ground, struggling to lift its head.
He saw Seed 237 lying in the distance, the shadow energy around him extremely chaotic, churning like boiling ink. He clutched his head, groaning in agony, as light and darkness clashed wildly within him.
The mother tree's faint light was rapidly fading, but it had managed to seize this precious moment!
Sprout12 knew this was the only chance!
Ignoring his injuries, he used his last strength to lunge at 237. This time, the repulsive energy field was greatly weakened due to 237's own internal chaos.
He managed to reach 237, and the branches suddenly wrapped around him, not to attack, but to tightly embrace his violently trembling body.
"Come back! 237!" Sprout 12's voice was choked with sobs as she poured all the remaining pure light energy she had into 237's body without reservation. "Please... come back! I need you! The Light Realm needs you! You are not alone!"
His light energy, like a trickle, flowed into the raging, chaotic ocean of energy in 237. It was insignificant, yet it stubbornly flickered, trying to connect with that point of origin that was submerged in darkness.
Seed 237's body jolted violently.
He struggled to lift his head.
At that moment, Sprout12 saw the intense darkness in his eyes fade for a moment, revealing a pair of familiar eyes behind them, eyes filled with endless pain and confusion.
"... sprouts... beans...?"
A faint, hoarse voice, but belonging to 237 himself, was squeezed out with difficulty.
However, the next second, the shadow's counterattack became even more ferocious. The dark purple patterns spread wildly again, attempting to devour that brief moment of clarity.
"Get out of my way!" The dark roar took over once again.
But Sprout 12 clung to him tightly, refusing to let go, frantically transmitting light energy.
The two were enveloped in chaotic energy, rolling and struggling on the ground.
Outside the Light Domain, at the gap in the Shadow Vine Net that 237 had unexpectedly broken, the powerful figures of the three-way alliance were coldly watching the thrilling internal struggle within the Light Domain.
Their figures, bathed in the light of the waning moon, were like hunters waiting for their prey to tire, slowly approaching.
Beset by both internal and external troubles, it reached its peak simultaneously.
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