0p0 Chapter 448 The Awakened Mother Tree
Chapter 448 The Awakened Mother Tree
"Are you sure about this?"
Upon receiving the report from his clansmen, Si Yi pondered for a while before contacting Xuan Yue. Xuan Yue was initially somewhat displeased with Si Yi's sudden interruption, but upon hearing that Si Yi's purpose was to contact Yue Zhi, she immediately changed her attitude.
Upon hearing that Lezhi had disappeared and that there were reliable sources saying he was down below, Xuan Yue fell silent.
Her reaction spoke up even more, "I'm not sure." This was in response to Xuan Yue's question earlier. Before she could question him, he continued, "But if it's true, then he's most likely there."
After all, the only place worth mentioning is the one jointly protected by the Kunling and the other two clans of Youmeng Valley.
"I'm just wondering, that place has been sealed off for a long time, and apart from the initial group, the Mother Tree doesn't allow anyone else to enter. How could Lezhi..."
"What's so strange about that? If things are really as bad as we think, it's actually a good thing that the child can get in, isn't it?"
When the topic turned to trouble, Xuan Yue's voice became much lower, and Si Yi's expression also turned serious. "That child, can it be dealt with?"
"........."
"I don't know. I hope he can solve it, otherwise there's no better way."
The mother tree is withering away—what a despairing fact. Even if they knew the truth early on, they were still powerless to do anything about it.
One by one, her companions fell into a deep sleep, but this did not slow down the rate at which the mother tree withered. Whether the appearance of the shadowy figure was an opportunistic move or inevitable, no one knew.
But if the shadows can be driven away, the mother tree might be able to hold on longer.
With this extra time, perhaps they can come up with a way to save the mother tree.
…………
At the edge of the Daqing Mountains, Lei Xiu and his group had rested for a while, eaten, and adjusted their physical condition to its best. When Maoqiu, who had been dozing with his eyes closed, opened them again, his eyes were as sharp as blades.
With claws gripping Lei Xiu's shoulder, the furball flapped its wings to point the way. Lei Xiu, who had been poised to pounce, took a step without hesitation and strode forward in the direction indicated by the furball.
"Lei Xiu, wait, I'm going too." While the tribesmen were still hesitating, Snow had already taken the lead and followed.
In terms of boldness, he was definitely one of the best in the clan; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to go on a trading trip alone. Trusting Snow, Si Xu and the rescue team discussed and decided to split into two groups: Si Xu would lead the team with Lei Xiu, while the rescue team would search the bottom of the Red River—just in case, they couldn't overlook any possibility.
The two sides hit it off immediately and split up to take action.
Since they weren't his team members, Lei Xiu didn't participate in the Kunling Clan's discussions about the rescue plan from beginning to end. As long as they didn't hinder his actions, that was fine. As for Snow and Si Xu wanting to come, let them come. Again, just don't get in his way.
On the surface, various parties were carrying out rescue operations in ways they deemed appropriate. Deep underground, Lezhi traversed the area to ensure that not a single shadow remained.
…………
The last mushroom was completely absorbed, and Lezhi's eyes were now completely stained blood red, so red that they even seemed somewhat black. When the shadow was completely removed, starting from the earth and following the roots, he found the imprisoned consciousness of the mother tree.
"Child, you've come..."
Lezhi did not respond. Before, when facing the mother tree, she would always feel a warmth in her chest, but now she felt nothing at all.
All that remains is emptiness.
His dark red eyes seemed capable of devouring everything. He simply stared silently at the point of light representing the consciousness of the Mother Tree, without uttering a word.
"Sigh...it's finally here!"
"........."
Blinking, Lezhi wanted to laugh, but then felt it was pointless. She spoke, her voice unusually indifferent, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"........."
Should we remain silent at this point?!
He frowned, wanting to get angry, but his heartbeat remained incredibly calm. "So, what exactly am I?"
While intending to trick the mother tree, Lezhi didn't mention the two memories she had seen in the Sea of Illusion.
"........."
“You are Lezhi, the child I personally conceived, there is no doubt about that.”
"Oh, really?" Raising an eyebrow, Lezhi decided to let the facts speak for themselves.
"Then how do you explain this..."
As he spoke, his dark red eyes turned completely black, the blackness spreading across his hair, and his fingernails suddenly grew longer, the jet-black nails curving into sharp arcs.
"Are all your tree spirits like me?"
Do you know why I didn't absorb the shadow directly just now?
A slight amount of corrosive energy emanated from the body; even a trace of it was enough to feel the energy within the body being eroded.
The winding roots subconsciously avoided this energy. The Joyful Knowledge Sect achieved its goal and did not push its luck, but it was still verbally abusive.
"Do you still insist that I am a tree spirit?"
"........."
"say something!"
"..."
"……child……"
The mother tree's voice was as gentle as ever, as if it hadn't just been harmed by Yuezhi.
Those two words lingered in my ears like a sigh, helpless yet infinitely tolerant.
The feigned anger lasted only a few sentences.
The words had been made so explicit, and the behavior was almost rude, yet the mother tree remained unresisting and offered no explanation, letting him do as he pleased.
How can we continue like this?
The furrowed brows gradually calmed down, and the anger that had been deliberately suppressed dissipated like a tide. In an instant, Lezhi returned to her indifference.
"Since you're unwilling to tell me, I'll find the answer myself."
"........."
Still silent.
The light of consciousness flickered, and sensing that it was about to dissipate, Lezhi's eyes sharpened. Before he could finish speaking, he thought, "You think you can run away? No way!"
He had just discovered that even after removing the shadow, the roots still exuded a rotten aura. Its weakness stemmed not only from the shadow but mainly from its own lack of energy.
I just don't know whether the problem occurred before or after being exposed to the shadow.
But right now, we need to figure out how to help the mother tree.
Previously, Lezhi could have simply supplied energy to the Mother Tree himself, but the journey to the Endless Abyss rendered that idea futile.
In my anxiety, I suddenly saw the spring water surging in the space.
Perhaps it's worth a try. This water is so effective on cocoa vines, so it should work on the mother tree as well.
Just do it.
As soon as Yuezhi braced his palms against the ground, a large amount of spring water flowed from his palms, spreading everywhere with its rich vitality.
Like roots parched by drought meeting sweet rain, they thirstily absorb it all.
This scene proves that Lezhi has found the right direction. After absorbing the spring water, its thick roots have become visibly vibrant, and the pits left by the dark shadows have gradually been filled.
The glimmer of consciousness that had been almost extinguished seemed to have been injected with a powerful stimulant, and its light continued to shine steadily.
"...Thank you, my child..."
"Don't call me that, we haven't even sorted out our relationship yet!"
"...Heh, so stubborn..."
With her energy replenished, the mother tree was finally in the mood to continue the conversation, but she kept rambling on and on without getting to the point. Lezhi wasn't in a hurry and just silently watched the mother tree put on a show for him.
He was stern with his words, but his efficiency in wielding water remained undiminished.
"........."
Only when the vast lake, which had been stored in the space for a long time, dried up did the light of the mother tree's consciousness barely stabilize.
He withdrew his hand, and silence spread between them.
He remained silent, his desire for answers never wavering.
He knew that the mother tree was hiding something from him. If the mother tree would tell him the answer on her own initiative, that would be best. If not, he would have to find out for himself.
No matter what method is used, no matter what cost is involved.
"...Alright, since you insist..."
Are you about to speak?
"........."
After another long silence, was he playing a trick on him?
He rolled his eyes in annoyance; he knew he wouldn't get an answer so easily.
"...So what exactly do you want?"
"Come find me. Before the clan assembly, find my true form. Everything you want to know will be waiting for you at the end."
"...My dear child, remember, as long as you wish, you are a tree spirit, and Jormungand is your home...as long as you wish..."
The sound faded into the distance; the mother tree was about to leave again. "Wait..."
"Cunning! They promised, but then pulled this trick on me..."
"........."
His complaints went unanswered, and it seemed he was all alone there.
As the audience leaves, the play should come to an end.
The black color faded away, and Lezhi instantly returned to her original appearance.
"Well, I didn't get anything out of them. Looks like I'll have to try a different approach next time..."