Souta and Gilaine arrived in an enigmatic realm. Chaos reigned here, evidenced by the incessant trembling of space.
"We're close," Gilaine stated.
"Then, let's press on," Souta replied. Glancing ahead, he sensed the presence of the mythical-grade fruit. Its energy signature was unmistakable now, making his reliance on Gilaine's guidance less crucial.
"Let's move faster."
Apart from the fruit's energy, numerous other energy fluctuations emanated from different sources. Souta pondered how these individuals managed to find this place without guidance. Had he not encountered Ice Death, Hoei, and Poisonous Vine earlier, he might have arrived here sooner.
...
In the heart of the Botano Clan's domain, a sprawling battlefield unfolded, echoing with the clashes of combatants.
Boom! Boom!
The ground quaked as shockwaves reshaped the terrain. The alliance army clashed fiercely against the Deadly Sins, engaging in a tumultuous struggle.
High above, a fierce duel raged between two figures and the Man-Eating Tamer. Paente Botano and Shen Yao locked horns with the formidable adversary.
Bang!
The Man-Eating Tamer expertly directed his monstrous minions while Paente manipulated various trees to counter. Battling against the Man-Eating Tamer felt akin to confronting a horde of formidable beasts.
Despite Shen Yao and Paente's efforts, the onslaught seemed unending. They had already vanquished numerous fourth-stage monsters, yet the creatures continued to swarm, seemingly unaffected.
"Hahaha! You're no match for me! Surrender the mythical-grade fruit and the Botano Clan's core!" taunted the Man-Eating Tamer, laughter ringing out.
Undeterred, Shen Yao scoffed, swiftly maneuvering to dismantle five monsters in a blink.
She also coveted the mythical-grade fruit, which was housed within the Botano Clan's stronghold, safeguarded by a protective barrier. Without breaching this barrier, seizing the fruit remained impossible.
"It seems surrender isn't in your vocabulary," remarked the Man-Eating Tamer, narrowing his eyes.
With a swift motion, he summoned hundreds of diminutive bees from his sleeves, each a fourth-stage monster.
Shen Yao and Paente's expressions shifted as they beheld the horde of creatures now before them.
"This is outrageous! He shouldn't have control over this many monsters!" Shen Yao exclaimed.
"Hahaha! I am a Great Tamer, inheritor of the knowledge of Ursula, the First Tamer! Don't compare me to the run-of-the-mill tamers you've encountered!" the Man-Eating Tamer boasted, laughing as the swarm of bees surged toward the pair.
Swoosh!
"I'll bring you down," declared Paente, stepping forward. His form radiated a verdant aura as tree branches sprouted from his body.
Ohm!
His energy surged dramatically, causing his elemental power to intensify. The forest's branches moved in unison, sweeping toward the encroaching horde of monsters.
[Blooming of the Eternal Garden]!
From the branches emerged an array of flowers that rapidly blossomed, their delicate petals revealing myriad pores that scattered throughout the vicinity.
Upon witnessing this, the Man-Eating Tamer furrowed his brow, yet he continued to direct his minions to attack.
Swoosh!
Paente's body, which was encased in hundreds of branches, darted forward. Simultaneously, the monsters inhaling the airborne pores suddenly froze, seemingly paralyzed.
In an instant, countless branches erupted from the earth, piercing the bodies of the immobilized monsters.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Don't inhale the pores. As fourth-stage monsters, you can hold your breath for a long time. A few hours won't harm any of you," Man-Eating Tamer commanded his minions.
Paente single-handedly confronted hundreds of fourth-stage monsters, engaging them with his unusual form while transforming the entire land into what he referred to as a garden.
Despite his efforts, the monsters retaliated fiercely, launching relentless [Bestrou] attacks. Other creatures joined in, aiming to dismantle his branches.
Bang! Bang!
Meanwhile, Shen Yao observed the spectacle from the skies. She hadn't anticipated that a Clan Leader possessed such incredible power. She knew Paente couldn't hold out for long, but restraining a hundred fourth-stage monsters even for a few moments was an impressive feat.
"I need to eliminate the tamer... I'll strike when an opportunity presents itself."
Shen Yao slowly raised her hand, channeling her mana.
After a few moments, Shen Yao sprang into action. She vanished from her position, darting swiftly toward Man-Eating Tamer.
[Golden Arhat: Elimination Spear]!
Man-Eating Tamer's eyes widened in horror as a shiver ran down his spine. He twisted his body, commanding dozens of monsters to protect himself.
Boom!!
A golden silhouette eviscerated the monsters in an instant. Their blood sprayed around as the figure continued its rapid approach toward Man-Eating Tamer.
Swoosh!!
A beam of light burst forth, leaving a golden streak in the air. Man-Eating Tamer gritted his teeth, surrounded by a horde of monsters. His right arm hung in the air, bleeding profusely.
"This...!"
Rage clouded Man-Eating Tamer's gaze. He glared fiercely at Shen Yao.
"Destroy her!!" He ordered, redirecting the attention of the beasts toward Shen Yao.
"He dodged it!" Shen Yao cursed herself for failing to land a fatal blow. The creatures that attempted to impede her progress weakened her momentum, and she also underestimated the Man-Eating Tamer's keen senses.
Boom!
A resounding echo filled the space as vibrations permeated the air. Shen Yao, Paente, and the Man-Eating Tamer swiftly turned their heads. Their expressions shifted as they sensed several top experts rapidly approaching their location.
This arrival brought both good and bad implications. While signifying additional competition for the mythical-grade fruit, it also meant that none of them were willing to relinquish the fruit to others. If it had been a legendary grade, they might have negotiated, but the situation with a mythical-grade was uncompromising.
"They've arrived," Paente said, returning to his normal state. The branches on his body dispersed, and he struggled to catch his breath. Using that form clearly took a toll on his slender physique.
Bang!
The space shattered like fragile glass. Several individuals emanating powerful energy descended upon the Botano Clan's residence, surveying the scene from above.
Black Blader and Spatial Whisperer arrived at the scene, joined by Naruse Ichimon. They stood on different cracks, observing the current situation.
"Hmm... This place seems quite lively," Naruse remarked in an amused tone.
Spatial Whisperer glanced at the Deadly Sins members first, then turned to the experts from the large factions. "The mythical-grade fruit is still here. You all kept it for me, right?"
Boom!
The space trembled as another person arrived—Omari Adel.
"Ah, am I too late?" Adel surveyed the scene with a smile. "Doesn't seem like it... I thought the fruit would be gone by the time I arrived."
Bang!
Another figure appeared—it was Souta.
Souta scanned the surroundings before focusing on the Botano Clan's household. The barrier had been shattered when the fruit ripened, but Paente had prepared another barrier to prevent easy access to the fruit.
"We're here," Gilaine said.
"Just stay behind me," Souta instructed her in a serious tone.
The atmosphere was tense, but no one moved. Each participant observed the others' actions, all vying for the mythical-grade fruit.
Their auras were slowly escalating, resembling the imminent eruption of a volcano. The tension reached its peak, and the situation seemed on the brink of chaos.
'Red Mist, Thousand Earth, and the others aren't present... What could their objectives be?' Souta frowned, realizing some familiar faces were missing.
He had anticipated encountering them, but that wasn't the case. Nonetheless, it was advantageous for him. With fewer competitors, his chances of obtaining the mythical-grade fruit increased.
Once he possessed the Tears of Divine Might, all their strategies would be futile. It would make him unstoppable.
...
Within the Darkna Clan's residence:
Red Mist relished her leisure time, reclining on the floor while gazing at the starry sky. The serenity of the scene was marred only by the presence of rifts in the space, some obstructing the view of the stars.
"I never knew the lower world boasted such a beautiful sky... Perhaps I should invade a sub-world for future vacations," she mused.
As she closed her eyes, Red Mist sensed movement and glanced toward a corner, where several individuals appeared. Swiftly, she retrieved the core of the Darkna Clan and tossed it into the air.
Swoosh!
The newcomers moved adeptly, catching the core in their hands. They were members of the Deadly Sins.
"Take it to Ice Death and inform him that my task is done. I'm retiring for now. Don't disturb me further," Red Mist instructed before shutting her eyes once more.
The Deadly Sins members nodded in acknowledgment before disappearing.
"Hopefully, nothing will disturb my peace," she muttered to herself.
