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墨書 Inktalez
Although the rain had weakened, the towering tree canopies stretched endlessly like a sea, with swirling mist enveloping the gaps in the forest.
However, this did not deter the approaching Special Operations Team from all directions into the depths of the woods. Among them, the largest was Bai Qi's Special Operations Team, whose soldiers were all well-equipped with various Rainforest gear. Clad in black battle armor and wearing a Black Mask, Bai Qi led the way but suddenly stopped. The sound of his rapid and labored breathing came through his oxygen mask, indicating some difficulty.
The other team members also halted, wary of their surroundings. The enveloping mist made it risky for those scattered around to stray too far. Just moments earlier, seven or eight team members had encountered an unnamed poisonous Miasma, and in an instant, they collapsed like statues, their bodies covered in purple spots and stiffened.
Lian Qingzong and Jiang Lao examined the fallen comrades and determined that they had been affected by a neurotoxic substance released by a plant. This toxin could destroy nerve and skin tissues within mere seconds of inhalation, leading to a petrified death.
No one dared to test how painful it might be; immediately, everyone donned their oxygen masks for protection against toxins.
Lian Qingzong and Jiang Lao did not wear such gear. Relying solely on their Pulse Breathing Technique, they could hold their breath for over ten minutes. Moreover, most Fusers practiced Breathing Techniques, allowing them to sense toxic gases keenly. Thus, holding their breath to counter these toxins was far easier for them than for ordinary soldiers.
Lian Qingzong led the way while Jiang Lao held a map and an Electronic Projection Locator to guide them. Bai Qi could only follow behind; upon seeing Lian Qingzong and Jiang Lao suddenly stop, he raised his hand to signal the team to halt as well.
Boom—
An explosion echoed from another part of the forest, sending countless birds screeching into flight across the treetops.
"It seems the closer we get, the more chaotic it becomes," Jiang Lao remarked as he folded up the electronic map and gazed at the billowing clouds from the distant explosion.
"Hmph, foolish rodents," Lian Qingzong scoffed disdainfully at the clashing Special Operations Teams.
"Let's move; we need to deal with these nuisances quickly so we can get to business," Lian Qingzong said impatiently as he stepped into the forest.
"Understood." Jiang Lao dared not say more; he merely glanced back at Bai Qi and his team before shaking his head and proceeding forward.
The dashing Female Warrior behind Bai Qi attempted to step forward once more, but was again blocked by Bai Qi's outstretched hand.
"Let them go," Bai Qi said, his voice muffled by the oxygen mask, revealing no hint of anger.
"They're too arrogant," the Female Warrior replied, her frustration evident.
"The Lian Family is notoriously proud. After all, they have two War Gods and a Master in their ranks!" Bai Qi clearly did not wish to engage in a direct confrontation with them.
"Getting the Source of Life is our priority!" With that, Bai Qi waved his hand, signaling the team, which had taken a brief rest, to continue moving forward.
Deep within the Tribal Tree Village, the atmosphere was tense.
After the rain stopped, everyone anxiously closed their doors or gathered around the ancient tree that emitted a faint green glow. The door adorned with special totems remained firmly shut, occasionally shimmering with the crystalline green light radiating from the ancient tree.
The patterns on the trunk seemed to draw green energy from the earth, causing tiny creatures that resembled fireflies to flutter around the branches and leaves. These unique beings were sacred to the ancient tree totem tribe; they were the Ancient Tree Spirits, guardians of the sacred tree with spiritual essence.
Inside the treehouse, a dim green light flickered continuously. The ancient tree, seemingly conscious, drew energy not only from the earth but also aggressively pulled more energy from the air around it.
The village chief leaned on his staff in the center of a spacious room. The treehouse had been arranged perfectly for meditation and contemplation. In the middle of the room, a main vine had grown upright and was supported by other vines, with a broad leaf resembling a flat boat lying across it.
A short and delicate girl named Yun Kui lay sleeping atop it. The patterns on the leaves and throughout the entire treehouse glimmered with an ethereal light as they continuously infused energy into her body.
The chief watched this slow healing process. Though his eyes were clouded and he could see nothing, he still focused on the girl resting on that broad leaf, filled with worry and sighs.
"Yun Kui, if you continue to exhaust your energy like this, even the Totem Tree will eventually be unable to suppress your condition..." he sighed softly.
Time seemed to stretch indefinitely as the intricate patterns on the treehouse gradually ceased their flow of energy, weakening until they returned to their original state.
The villagers waiting outside gazed at the Totem Tree, this Holy Tree that had shone brightly for a brief moment. Suddenly, it stopped, and upon closer inspection, one could sense that the ancient tree appeared to have aged a little more. The ethereal beings nestled among its branches had also dimmed significantly.
The sensation from the void retracted back into the ancient tree, while dark rain clouds began to flicker with lightning in the sky. However, the rain was light, merely a fine mist drifting down in a gray haze.
The door of the treehouse swung open, and the Elder stepped out, standing on the platform and looking at the anxious crowd below without uttering a word.
Boom—
A loud explosion echoed from several kilometers away, causing everyone to turn their gaze toward the sound before anxiously returning their attention to the Chief.
The Chief was well aware that the explosions were drawing ever closer.
"Why is this happening? They used to ignore us," a villager suddenly questioned from within the crowd.
"It must be because we've clashed with them too often, provoking their retaliation!" someone suggested, offering an explanation.
Instantly, murmurs erupted among the crowd as they began to shift blame onto those who maintained peace in their village. The cacophony of accusations and anger ultimately fell upon the Forest Child fighting outside.
Sometimes, unfounded accusations struck like swords, impossible to evade.
The Chief raised his hand to silence the crowd, but it remained noisy. It took several attempts and calls from him before they finally quieted down.
Once silence settled over them, the Chief sighed deeply, feeling helpless as he pondered how to soothe the fearful crowd awaiting his words.
"The inevitable will come," the clan leader said. "If you are afraid, you may leave this place."
"Leader, hand those people over..." someone in the crowd suggested.
"Be quiet!" A figure stepped forward from the crowd, parting the sea of people. Hao walked in with a dark expression, glaring at the one who had just proposed handing them over. Behind him, Yura flashed a seductive and eerie smile at the man, her inhuman features sending chills down spines.
"Leader, if they want to leave, let them go. We will not abandon our duty to protect the village," Hao declared as he stepped onto the platform beside the clan leader, casting a stern gaze over the crowd below.
His words sparked another wave of panic among the people, and murmurs of discussion erupted once more.
"He wants us all to die together!"
"Let’s go! We need to leave!"
"Leave? Where can we go? Those outside will surely capture us and sell us into slavery on the black market!"
"Are we supposed to stay here and wait for death?"
Many were filled with fear and anxiety, and the arguments grew louder.
Hao had no intention of stopping those who wanted to leave; he himself would not abandon this place. In fact, he hoped that those who held grievances against them would all choose to depart.
The bickering continued for quite some time, dividing the crowd into two factions: one advocating for leaving and the other too frightened to move. Eventually, those who decided to leave stood up under the leadership of Zhong Nian.
“Tribe Leader…” Zhong Nian momentarily found himself at a loss for words.
The Tribe Leader waved his hand and said, “Let’s go, move towards the back. I will have the Totem Sacred Tree use the Chorus of the Multitude to create a safe passage for you!”
“Thank you, Tribe Leader.” Zhong Nian felt a wave of relief wash over him. He turned to those who had followed him and waved, signaling them to return home and gather their belongings.
“Hao, you should take Yun Kui with you as well!” the Tribe Leader suddenly instructed.
Hao was unsure whether to comply or refuse, but someone else spoke up first.
“I’m not leaving. This is my home!” Yun Kui stepped out from the treehouse behind them.
Daguira, the Tall Tree-Man Warrior, had also made his way down to the platform at some point. Yura glanced at the towering figure but exchanged no further words.
“Why stay?” the Tribe Leader sighed. “I’m old; there’s nothing left for me here. You are still young and shouldn’t remain in this place.”
The Tribe Leader's meaning was unmistakable.
“Tribe Leader, we can stop them,” Yun Kui insisted, still unwilling to give in.
The Tribe Leader shook his head and replied, “The Chorus of the Multitude cannot hold them back.”
“We still have the power of the Totem Sacred Tree,” Yun Kui said, glancing at the ancient tree towering behind him.
The Tribe Leader shook his head again. “The power of the Totem Sacred Tree is waning. You must leave now and take it with you.” He pointed towards the Bodhi Tree Demon, which was partially submerged in a nearby pond.
“It is the last seed; you must protect it well,” the clan leader instructed.
The Bodhi Tree Demon seemed to sense the leader's sorrow, its twisted form in the pond suddenly straightened, producing a strange, sharp sound that resonated through the air.
The Totem Tree began to vibrate in response, and soon the entire forest was filled with a subtle rustling of leaves.
Bai Qi and his companions, who were traversing the woods, stopped to observe the unusual phenomenon surrounding them.
Lian Qingzong calmly watched the scene unfold, while Jiang Lao also took note of it.
“Young Master, what is this...?” Jiang Lao asked, his expression one of certainty.
“Hmm, I understand,” Lian Qingzong replied. He then continued forward, with Bai Qi and the rest of the team following closely behind. In their wake lay numerous thick trees toppled over, their trunks severed as if sliced by an incredibly sharp blade. The cleared path was wide and open, allowing Bai Qi and his subordinates to follow the domineering Lian Qingzong as they advanced.
Lian Qingzong had clearly seen through the Totem Tree's 'Chorus of the Multitude' maze setup and was using this forceful method to carve a path. It proved that a straightforward and brutal approach allowed them to get closer to the tribe more quickly.
Meanwhile, Lu Fei Fan and his group...
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