231 Nature Is To Be Feared (1/2)

Boom!

The Elder Tree violently shook again, but except for the rampaging tree roots outside, the tree spirit itself was completely dead silent. Everyone was filled with an ominous feeling despite not knowing what was about to happen. They were just told to rushed to the surface as quickly as possible.

As everyone began making their way through the tunnel, Lilith could no longer hold back her curiosity while they were on the run and turned to Leon at her side.

”Now can you tell us what is going on?”

When the question was raised, the nearby runners also perked their ears to listen in.

”The Elder Tree is trying to take advantage of its first ray of sunlight to push for a breakthrough to become a World Tree.”

The first ray of sunlight on a plant deprived of it will always have the strongest effect.

”Push for a breakthrough? Trees can cultivate now?” Lilith was flabbergasted.

This was news to her.

”Heaven never closes its door to life. If it is living, it can cultivate.” Leon explained.

”So, what you're telling me is even flowers and any random stalks of grass on the field has a chance of cultivating as well?” Lilith rolled her eyes. It sounded unbelievable.

”If it aged well and developed a sentient spirit then yes, they can!”

Lilith gaped in disbelief. What in the world! She felt her world turning upside down.

However, she quickly shook her head and said, ”Okay… but what does that have to do with why we need to run to the surface? What's so dangerous about the Elder Tree pushing for a breakthrough?”

This question was also what everyone wanted to ask as well as they were listening. They could not put the two and two together.

”It's not easy to become a World Tree. In fact, it is extremely difficult. In order to become a World Tree, the Elder Tree will give it everything it has to push through once it collects enough sunlight.” Leon explained.

The crowd was still confused, unsure of where the danger was coming from. Leon's explanation was rather vague.

”Since sunlight is the problem, why don't we just move these mirrors and stop the Elder Tree from getting the sunlight?” Lilith suggested.

”Don't touch the mirrors!” Leon barked. He almost jumped with fright. ”It's already begun making its preparation for a breakthrough, but the sunlight is not enough to help its breakthrough! Even the power source will most likely not be enough! In fact, all life within a certain distance of the Elder Tree will be sacrificed for its breakthrough! If you stop it from receiving sunlight now, you will only anger it and get us all killed.”

”What!”

Everyone was appalled.

”How can it do that?! With its tree roots?” Lilith asked with horror. She remembered the tree roots of the Elder Tree could seemingly suck anything dry in an instant.

But that was not what he was worried about.

”No, you are severely underestimating what an elder tree can do. If World Trees are considered deities, then Elder Trees are like demigods. It has the ability to drain all the lifeforce within its immediate surrounding. Think of it as an absolute domain over life and death.”

People were not aware because the Elder Tree had never used its special ability before due to the consumption of energy. Instead, it had always been passive and focused on the conservation of energy for its continual survival in the underground.

But now that it has the opportunity to break out of the subterranean space and ascend to a higher state, it would naturally give it everything it's got!

This was the brutality of the Divine Realm that Leon knew! In the pursuit of the everlasting, everything else can be discarded!

No matter what relationship they had established with the Elder Tree, it was insignificant compared to its own ascension, and sunlight was the catalyst for what was happening!

Leon felt incredibly complicated. Why did blessings and disasters always come hand in hand?! Were they a married couple?!

Elder Evergreen and the villagers all felt a chill in their hearts at the revelation. They had relied on the Elder Tree all their life for survival, but the opposite cannot be said. The Elder Tree did not need them. They were just freeloaders, but perhaps they were kept alive for this moment!

In the end, they were still considered fortunate for having some relationship with the tree spirit. They realized why the ants were going all out in their attack against the Elder Tree.

The Elder Tree must have targeted their lifeforce subtly but got discovered and triggered their frenzy. Why wouldn't they be? The Elder Tree was going to take everything away from them, including their life!

The tunnel was long, but it did not take much time to reach the surface through it as compared to climbing up the Elder Tree to reach the entrance of the tunnel.

Everyone quickly made it outside, and the treants that had yet to undergo their baptism of sunlight underwent an even more exaggerated transformation. Sunlight could be seen drawn to their bodies like particles, but Leon did not have time to admire.

”We… should be safe now, right?” Lilith asked.

Leon was about to answer when the villagers all started groaning with difficult expressions.