Erkigal realized that Paente had succeeded in his transformation. He seemed to have gained consciousness within the giant tree, elevating his power significantly.
However, this newfound power wasn't sufficient to halt the ongoing ritual. Paente's interference with the ritual suggested a deeper connection.
"Could it be...?"
Erkigal's eyes widened in sudden realization. All of this might be the legacy that Isolated Formation God left behind for the Botano Clan.
She let out a wry smile as she contemplated this revelation. The nature of what their god left in the Botano Clan was still a mystery to her.
Paente had transformed into a mystical tree.
A mystical tree? Wait a moment!
Erkigal grasped a crucial piece of information. The tree had absorbed the essence of the dimensions created when she opened the living labyrinth. Now that the labyrinth was gone, the tree seemed to be integrated into the entirety of the Selnes Country, including the All-Filter Barrier Formation.
Given that the tree had interrupted the ritual, could it also be vulnerable to it? It all seemed connected to the Isolated Formation God.
"I need to make adjustments. And I hope that Hoei can complete his task. If you're planning to thwart my plan, then you'd better prepare yourself," Erkigal muttered to herself.
Ohm!!
Souta's leg regenerated rapidly as he gazed at the colossal tree. Stretching his arms, he checked his entire body.
"I sensed something odd about the tree, but I never imagined this would occur."
Souta squinted.
What was previously a few hundred meters in height had expanded into kilometers, reaching the boundary of the barrier in a remarkably short period.
Something peculiar caught his attention—the tree that bore the mythical-grade fruit had completely fused with the enormous tree, forming a single entity. This fusion resulted in an unusual and unique aura.
The tree's branches moved.
Swoosh!
Souta and Kessa quickly retreated, yet the branches weren't targeting them. Instead, they pierced through the remains of the Earth Drill Centipede, a fifth-stage monster, one by one, as if driven by an unseen force.
"What's going on...?!" Souta exclaimed, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. This situation was entirely confounding, and he was unaware that something like this could exist.
Roar!!
Kessa bellowed, sensing an inexplicable sensation—not danger, but something akin to it that eluded description.
*Ding!*
[Quest Triggered]!
Souta's heart sank. During his previous battles to acquire the fruit, he hadn't received any quests. Yet, this one... He slowly opened the quest.
[Prototype Omni Creation Tree]: The unexpected appearance of a tree breaks the natural order and may introduce a new race to the world. If it escapes the barrier, it will cause unparalleled chaos. Destroy the tree and prevent its breakout before it gains more power.
Rewards: [???], 30 attribute points, 15 skill points, and 100,000,000 experience points
Penalty for failure: Death
'There's no other option...'
Souta drew a deep breath, glancing at Kessa. Thankfully, the Earth Drill Centipede was already dead; otherwise, the situation would be far more dire.
The rewards were appealing, but the risk was monumental. All he could do was fight until the end.
"Kessa, one more time."
Souta exhaled black smoke as his energy surged like a volcano. Blood covered his body, forming quick armor. Gripping his weapon tightly, ten black spheres appeared on his back, activating all skills that could amplify his strength.
Kessa roared as her two lost heads regenerated. Flesh strings enveloped her body, transforming her into a fearsome creature. Nine heads, each with vicious fins, sprouted from her back, and pulsating purple veins ran beneath her dark scales. Emitting black flames and corrosive smoke, she stood tall at four hundred meters, confronting the towering tree.
The colossal tree's movements alarmed survivors throughout the entire country. Horrified, they stared as the massive tree swayed ominously in the sky, appearing almost sentient. Only those who had witnessed Paente's transformation understood what was happening. Some individuals with keen senses sensed a faint energy signature emanating from the tree, hinting at its connection to Paente.
"What in the world is that tree?!" Eztein exclaimed, shocked.
"Seems like there's no end to this madness," Vashno muttered in disbelief.
"It's descending," Franklin warned.
Several branches of the tree plunged downward at incredible speed. Reacting swiftly, Eztein, Vashno, and Franklin dodged the incoming attacks.
Bang! Bang!
The tree's branches pierced the ground, unleashing roots that swiftly seized hold of the terrain.
Hovering in the air, they heard a voice echo in their minds.
"Go! Seek out capable fighters and head to the manor shared by the Windi Clan, Darkna Clan, and Methal Clan. I'll handle the Flaem Clan. As for the Botano Clan, it's under Paente's complete control, so we must put a stop to it."
It was Erkigal's voice.
"What's happening here?!" Eztein demanded.
"Time is short; gather fighters and protect the manor of the three clans. We'll assist your boss in defeating Paente as soon as possible," Erkigal directed urgently.
"Understood," Eztein nodded, taking a deep breath. He glanced at Vashno, who nodded in agreement.
"Finally, a chance to fight," Franklin grinned widely.
The trio swiftly departed from the area.
Erkigal breathed a sigh of relief when Eztein and the others decided to heed her instructions. With no time for explanations, Paente's growing strength meant imminent breaching of the All-Filter Barrier Formation, or rather, absorbing it.
Everyone would soon become fodder for the rapid growth of that mystical tree.
"Paente, you're cunning, but you've overlooked something. I've communicated with our god and learned more about our deity's preparations than you. Some of my memories remain intact as long as the barrier persists."
Franklin, Vashno, and Eztein split up, each heading in different directions to seek out capable fighters. They were uncertain about what awaited them in the three clans.
The casualties from the ongoing conflict left most warriors unfit for battle. Furthermore, not all the dispatched warriors were present in Selnes Country; some remained outside the barrier to hold back enemies there.
Despite this, their words and actions didn't go unnoticed by those who were able to move.
Ohm!
At that moment, the tree made another aggressive move. Its branches descended again, this time, across the entire country.
Franklin, Vashno, and Eztein reacted swiftly, taking to the skies and utilizing their skills to destroy the incoming branches.
Boom!
Explosions echoed as the trio moved at high speed, obliterating hundreds of branches instantly. They successfully protected the manor of the three clans, but the number of branches continued to increase dramatically. They were beginning to feel overwhelmed.
The situation unfolded across the entire country. Adel and Shen Yao exerted every ounce of their strength to safeguard the civilian area. The majority of the surviving ordinary citizens were concentrated here, and once they left, the chances were high that many among them would perish instantly. They stood defenseless against the onslaught of descending branches.
Suddenly, radiating lights burst forth from the four manors of the respective clans: the Flaem Clan, Darkna Clan, Methal Clan, and Windi Clan.
"Is this what Erkigal mentioned? What's the significance?" Eztein murmured, observing the illuminating emanations from the closest manor, the Windi Clan.
Vashno squinted, uncertain about the purpose of these lights.
"Don't dwell on it! Just obliterate those descending branches!" Franklin urged, his form transmuting into a grotesque mass. A massive blade-like arm emerged, slashing at the branches.
Boom!
Eztein, Vashno, and Franklin shielded the clans they had chosen to defend. Eztein stationed himself in the Windi Clan, Vashno guarded the Darkna Clan, and Franklin protected the Methal Clan. They were aided by only a handful of warriors, primarily in the Solidifying Realm and One Shackle Realm.
Whoosh!
High above the Methal Clan, a figure streaked through the air. Clad in fur-laden armor, it was Li Guan, a fourth-stage monster.
Li Guan effortlessly dismantled hundreds of branches. Despite not being at full strength, his return to the fight significantly alleviated the pressure on Franklin's side. Even in his weakened state, Li Guan surpassed both Eztein and Vashno in power.
Casting a brief glance at Li Guan, Franklin refocused his attention on destroying the branches.
Bang! Bang!
