NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 157
Day 22 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Lu Ming's life settled back into its routine. Exercise, exercise, exercise. It was fulfilling, even "interesting," in its own way.
Meanwhile, near Lizard Territory, a small flesh-red tree took root. Simba and Lian Jie hunted exotic beasts, watering it with their blood and flesh.
On the same day, the Black Feather Tribe mobilized once more. Led by Asmo and Alder, a group of ten Physique Realm experts and over thirty Level 9 Mortal Realm fighters set off on their mission. A new storm was brewing.
Day 23 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Lu Ming's log entry was simple: "A day without incidents."
Near Lizard Territory, the Blood Flesh Mother Tree grew to the height of a person. Simba and Lian Jie had captured a Lizardman, whose essence provided the Mother Tree with knowledge of Lizard Territory and a map of the surrounding area.
Asmo and Alder's group covered one-fifth of their journey, leaving them seven days from Dragon Spirit's territory. A group's speed, as it turned out, was determined by its slowest member, not its fastest. Thus, their pace was not much different from Amang's.
Day 24 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Another uneventful day for Lu Ming. But for Lizard Territory, it was a day that would forever be etched in their memory.
Lizard Territory had a stable population of around 300,000, with dozens of Physique Realm experts, the strongest among them reaching Level 4.
Of course, the Mother Tree wouldn't directly challenge Level 4 Physique Realm experts, but they were a small fraction of the population.
In a valley outside Lizard Territory, a horrifying scene unfolded. Scores of lizardman farmers were seized by the human-headed monster and merged into the fungal carpet, becoming fuel for the Mother Tree's growth.
The Mother Tree itself had already reached a towering ten meters, its growth rate nothing short of astonishing. With sufficient energy, its development was a sight to behold.
And while the Black Mist Zone lacked many resources, it certainly wasn't lacking in individuals brimming with energy.
Day 25 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Lu Ming continued his cultivation, his days filled with relentless training.
Near Lizard Territory, the stealthy Mother Tree, engaged in its gruesome growth, acquired something unique.
A dragon scale, shed by the mighty Dragon Spirit, fell into the Mother Tree's clutches. That night, the analysis of the Dragon Spirit's genetic sample commenced. With the vast energy supply at its disposal, the Mother Tree estimated it could complete the analysis in three days.
Day 28 of the Black Mist Calendar.
The analysis was complete. Marveling at the Dragon Spirit's power, far surpassing that of the Physique Realm, the Mother Tree mobilized its energy to replicate this awe-inspiring creature.
After days of relentless growth, the Mother Tree had reached a staggering height of 50 meters, its energy reserves substantial. Yet, replicating a dragon-like being required even more resources.
The Mother Tree adjusted its strategy, focusing on capturing Lizard Territory and using its inhabitants as the foundation for its ultimate weapon. This process, it calculated, would take approximately five days.
Day 30 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Peace reigned in Nanxiang Gathering Place.
In Lizard Territory, however, chaos erupted. Human-headed monsters launched an assault, forcing the Blood Flesh Mother Tree into a desperate standoff. Both sides formed ranks, clashing like armies on a battlefield.
Meanwhile, the Black Feather Tribe's group reached the vicinity of Dragon Spirit Territory. From afar, they could see black wings soaring above the highest peak, and the Dragon Spirit's primal roars echoed like distant thunder.
"The Dragon Spirit is as lively as ever," Asmo remarked with a hint of awe, before hastily leading his tribesmen on a detour.
The Dragon Spirit, a being of power beyond the Physique Realm, was the undisputed ruler of this region. As a solitary beast, it didn't require vast resources or territory, allowing the survival of groups like the Black Feather Tribe and Lizardmen. Interaction, however, was out of the question. Amos and his companions could only steer clear of its domain.
That evening, as a bonfire crackled in the wilderness, Alder estimated their progress. "Five days," he murmured, "just five more days until we reach Lizard Territory." They had covered almost half the distance.
The destination grew closer. The thought of the tribulation bearers' significance ignited a spark of excitement in both Asmo and Alder's eyes.
Day 32 of the Black Mist Calendar.
The battle for Lizard Territory concluded sooner than the Mother Tree had anticipated. The Lizardmen, worn down by years of oppression, lacked the fighting spirit to match their decent rankings. They simply couldn't muster the necessary combat prowess or determination.
The pale red roots of the Mother Tree now blanketed the entire Lizard Territory.
All the biomass within Lizard Territory was converted into fuel for the Mother Tree's growth. By nightfall, after devouring everything in its path, the Mother Tree had amassed enough energy to create the Dragon Spirit.
"Three days," the Mother Tree calculated, "at full capacity, I need three days."
Without hesitation, it initiated the replication process.
Day 35 of the Black Mist Calendar.
The towering Mother Tree in the valley outside Lizard Territory convulsed, shaking the grotesque human heads that adorned its branches. Beneath the fungal carpet, a massive figure stirred restlessly, its formidable aura intensifying with each passing moment.
Meanwhile, near Lizard Territory, Asmo and his group hovered in the sky, gazing down at the desolate, lifeless city below.
"What happened here? Where are the people?" Asmo questioned, bewildered. The entire population of 300,000 Lizardmen had vanished without a trace.
Alder, deep in thought, offered a plausible explanation: "Amos, do you think Amang's death and the others might be connected to this?"
The logic was sound. Amos nodded in agreement. "It's highly possible."
"Let's split up and search for clues," he suggested, and the group dispersed to investigate the eerie silence of Lizard Territory.
Their mission had two objectives: capturing the tribulation transcenders and uncovering the cause of Amang and the others' deaths. While the former held greater importance, the latter was not to be neglected. To reach the transcenders, they had to pass through Lizard Territory. Leaving this mystery unsolved could lead to complications on their return journey.
Following Amos's orders, the Black Feather Tribe members scattered to investigate.
The Blood Flesh Mother Tree, as a unique entity, didn't adhere to the conventional concept of levels. Its size, to some extent, reflected its current power. Now, it had grown far larger than during its time in Nanxiang. The valley it had chosen for concealment could no longer hide its colossal form.
In just thirty minutes, the tribe members discovered the Mother Tree's location. It was simply too conspicuous. Signals were sent out, rallying the group.
Outside the valley, dozens of Black Feather Tribe members stared in disbelief at the monstrous tree.
"What in the world is that?!"