Chapter 58
At the core of the light domain, the confrontation between glimmer of light and darkness reached its peak.
The revitalizing power of the mother tree's roots seeped stubbornly from beneath the scorched earth like a gentle stream, converging into a soft yet resilient golden halo that protected Seed 237 and Sprout 12 within. This light was warm and pure, nourishing their withered bodies and continuously purifying the remaining shadow pollution within Seed 237.
However, this miraculous glimmer of hope also served as the most tempting bait, thoroughly igniting the killing intent of the three-way alliance.
"Destroy it! We must not let it revive!" roared the Armored Vine Warriors of Shattered Shell Ridge, their heavy footsteps shaking the earth once more. No longer hesitant, their massive bodies, like moving fortresses, slammed into the seemingly thin golden halo.
The water vein messengers of the Tide Lotus Alliance floated up, their hands waving to condense a massive, churning wave of swampy liquid, which crashed down like a tidal wave, attempting to pollute and extinguish the pure light.
The Shadow Vine assassins moved like ghosts, swiftly traversing the edge of the halo. They no longer attempted to weave a large net, but instead condensed their shadow energy into countless sharp, poisonous thorns, raining them down on every point of the halo, searching for the slightest weakness.
The golden aura trembled violently, ripples spreading wildly, barely managing to hold back the first wave of attacks, but the light dimmed at a visible speed. The remaining power of the mother tree was too weak; it might be able to heal and protect temporarily, but it could hardly withstand such a frenzied onslaught for long.
Standing in the center of the halo, Sprout 12 could feel the mournful cries and perseverance emanating from the earth beneath his feet, and he could also feel the slight trembling of 237's body in his arms—it was no longer the restlessness of darkness, but the slow revival of the primordial light under the nourishment of the Mother Tree's power.
But time! They didn't have time!
A resolute glint flashed in Sprout 12's eyes. He gently placed the unconscious 237 in the brightest spot of light, while he himself resolutely walked to the edge of the halo.
He spread his branches and leaves, no longer merely for defense. He began to actively guide the surging power of the mother tree, combining it with his own remaining light energy.
"By the light, by the roots..." Sprout 12 murmured an ancient and brief prayer, the deepest connection between the guardians and the Mother Tree, usually used only in the final moments. With each word he uttered, his light intensified, but the color of his branches and leaves also became more transparent—he was burning his own life essence as an amplifier to better guide and stimulate the remaining power of the Mother Tree!
“Sprout…12…” A very faint voice sounded from behind.
Seed 237 struggled to open one eye. He saw the outline of Sprout 12 becoming transparent, saw the enemies attacking frantically outside the halo, and felt the resolute and tragic aura of Sprout 12.
Overwhelmed by grief and rage, he was instantly consumed by anger. It was because of him that Sprout and the Light Domain had been driven to such a desperate situation!
He tried to get up, but found that his body was still weak and shaky. The remaining shadows were like chains binding his roots, and the resurrected light of the source was still too weak.
"No...don't..." he could only utter a weak plea.
Sprout 12 heard him. He didn't turn around, but his voice was unusually calm, even with a hint of gentleness: "Don't be afraid, 237. Hold on to this light. This time, it's my turn."
After saying that, he completely let go of all the restrictions on himself!
boom--!
Empowered by the burning of the life essence, the golden halo suddenly expanded and exploded outwards! Like a miniature sun suddenly illuminating this shattered land!
The first few Shattered Shell Ridge warriors charging forward were violently thrown back by the sudden, intense light, their vine armor instantly charred in large patches! The swamp slick was evaporated and vaporized, emitting a piercing hiss! The shadow vines' venomous stings melted away as if they had encountered their nemesis!
The three-way alliance's offensive was actually forced back for a moment by this desperate strike!
All the enemies stared in horror at the figure in the halo, which was rapidly becoming transparent yet radiating an incredible light—Bean Sprout 12.
"A madman! He's burning himself!" the envoy of the Tide Lotus Alliance screamed.
"We're at our last gasp! We won't last much longer! Keep attacking!" the leader of the Shadow Vine shouted coldly, and the shadows coalesced once more.
The attacks rained down even more frantically. The halo stubbornly resisted, sustained by Sprout 12's burning energy, but with each impact, Sprout 12's body became more transparent, and his aura rapidly weakened.
He is trading his very existence for time!
Seed 237 lay on the ground, watching helplessly as tears (or similar luminous liquid) streamed uncontrollably down his cheeks. The extreme pain and helplessness threatened to tear him apart once more. He frantically channeled the faint primal light within him, attempting to break free from the shadows' shackles, trying to help Sprout, even if it was just a tiny bit more!
The shadow parasite seemed to sense the host's extreme emotions and immense external pressure. It stopped trying to seduce and instead emitted a sharp, threatening hiss, clinging even more tightly to 237's core in a final, desperate resistance.
Just as Sprout 12's figure was almost completely transparent, and the halo was about to collapse again—
"ah--!!!"
Seed 237 let out a heart-wrenching scream!
That was not a roar of darkness, but an ultimate cry of defiance against destruction, originating from the deepest source of light!
With that shout, the faint light of his origin seemed to be infused with a resolute will, and it suddenly exploded!
It was not an explosion of darkness, but an explosion of pure light!
Despite their weakness, they possess an inviolable and unwavering determination to protect!
This light instantly broke through the shackles of most of the shadows within the body! It even annihilated a small portion of the stubborn shadows!
The Shadow Parasite let out a shrill scream. Its existence was severely burned by the light originating from the depths of the host's soul. It instantly contracted and retreated, shrinking into the deepest part of the 237 energy meridian, temporarily losing its dominant ability.
Seed 237 suddenly sat up! Although he was still weak, and although there were still shadows lurking within him, his eyes regained their clarity and were filled with endless sorrow and burning anger!
He saw the almost invisible, transparent figure ahead of him.
Without any hesitation.
237 stretched out its still slightly trembling branches and leaves, and pressed them down onto the ground as well.
He didn't burn himself—his condition didn't allow him to—but he began to frantically and recklessly draw upon the power of the resurrected mother tree beneath his feet, along with the light source he had just regained control of, and poured it all into the collapsing system of Sprout 12!
"Sprout! Stop!" he shouted hoarsely, using his own strength to forcefully slow down the burning rate of Sprout 12. "Let's do it together!"
Two forces—one stemming from the burning life force, and the other from the determination to be reborn—merged with the remaining power of the mother tree deep within the earth, and together they were injected into the crumbling protective halo!
The halo, which was on the verge of dimming and collapsing, stabilized again and even became solid again!
Sprout 12's fading consciousness was forcibly pulled back by the surging power. He felt the familiar yet somewhat strange light behind him, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but he was too weak to utter a single word. He simply focused even more intently on guiding all the gathering power.
Beyond the halo, the three-way alliance's attack was once again firmly blocked.
The enemy leaders' faces turned extremely grim.
"A desperate struggle! Let's see how long you can hold out!" roared the warriors of Shattered Shell Ridge, launching an even more frenzied assault.
The Lotus Alliance of Tide and Shadow Vine also intensified their attacks.
Within the realm of light, 237 and Sprout 12 stood side by side (one sitting, one standing), jointly supporting the crumbling guardian light. One was burning with life force, the other was draining the newly revived essence, both overdrawing on everything.
There was no verbal communication between them, yet at this moment they achieved an unprecedented level of understanding. Light flowed between them, like an unbreakable bridge.
However, the enemy's power was ultimately too great. The aura began to compress, becoming smaller and smaller, and the light was gradually suppressed back to the core area.
Just when this desperate tug-of-war seemed to be extinguishing the last glimmer of hope—
High above the light field, at the gap in the Shadow Vine Net blasted open by 237, a strange color, different from both moonlight and the radiance below, quietly emerged.
The color expanded rapidly, as if a hole had been torn open in the sky.
Immediately afterwards, a huge, elegant, yet supremely majestic figure slowly descended from the gap.
It is neither a vine nor any known wild creature. Its entire body has a crystal-clear texture, as if it were sculpted from the purest light and crystal, and its body flows with vast and ancient energy fluctuations.
Its appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention on the battlefield.
The attack has stopped.
The warriors of the three-way alliance looked at the uninvited guest with suspicion and disbelief. From that figure, they felt a soul-chilling sense of oppression far exceeding that of anyone else present.
The crystalline figure hovered in the air, its indifferent "gaze" sweeping over the ravaged battlefield below, over 237 and Yadou who were struggling to hold on, and finally landing on the leader of the three-way alliance.
A calm voice, yet imbued with unquestionable authority, resonated in the heart of every living being:
"The light of this place is under my protection."
"Retreat."
"Or, destruction."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
