I STACK ATTRIBUTES IN THE APOCALYPSE -MyOwnEdit-

While trees existed in the Black Mist Zone, Amos and the others had never encountered one as bizarre and immense as this. Its crimson branches soared over three hundred meters high, piercing the sky. Even as the Black Feather Tribe members took flight, they found themselves level with the Mother Tree's crown.

At that height, they witnessed a chilling sight: countless heads densely packed together on the treetop, 99% of them belonging to Lizardmen.

As the tribe members discovered the Mother Tree, it, in turn, became aware of them. Hundreds of thousands of eyes opened in unison, their gazes converging on the airborne figures, sending chills down their spines.

"What in the abyss is this thing?" Asmo voiced the unspoken question that hung heavy in the air.

It resembled a plant, but only in appearance. Was it a creature? They had never seen a creature like this before.

Amidst the confusion, the Mother Tree spoke, its voice a deep, unsettling rumble. "Why have you come?"

Amos and the others, ignoring the question, huddled together to discuss their next move.

"We can be certain this thing is responsible for the deaths of Amang and the others," one of them whispered.

"Should we seek revenge?" another asked.

"That depends on how powerful it is," a third chimed in.

"But how strong is it, exactly?"

The question remained unanswered. The Mother Tree's power level was unquantifiable, unlike any creature they had encountered before.

As they debated, Alder pulled a crystal from his pocket. Activating it with source power, the crystal emitted a faint light, its beam directed at the Mother Tree. A glimmer of hope sparked in their eyes – perhaps this tool could shed light on the mystery before them.

The faces of the Black Feather Tribe members hardened as the crystal's light pulsed and wavered. A collective gasp escaped their lips as the truth became undeniable.

"It's a Tribulation Transcender..."

"This thing is a Tribulation Transcender!"

Indeed, the Mother Tree, as a native of Nanxiang, technically fell under the category of a Tribulation Transcender, alongside humans, zombies, and other extraordinary beings.

Alder's eyes narrowed as he analyzed the crystal's intense reaction. "Moreover," he declared, a predatory gleam in his eyes, "it seems we can extract more than a single drop of Blood Essence from this creature."

His words ignited a spark of avarice in the other tribe members. The prospect of harvesting a greater quantity of this precious substance, rumored to enhance their powers significantly, was too tempting to resist.

The revelation sparked greed in the Black Feather Tribe members' eyes. This wasn't just a threat; it was a treasure trove of potential power.

Without hesitation, Asmo made a decisive call: "Kill it!"

The animosity between the Tribulation Transcenders and the Black Mist Zone's native creatures ran deep. The Mother Tree's unidentifiable power level further fueled their resolve. Asmo's decision to attack was swift and unwavering.

In the Black Mist Zone, appearances could be deceiving. A fearsome exterior didn't always equate to strength. As a Level 9 Physique Realm expert, Asmo was among the strongest in the region, second only to a select few. This confidence, coupled with their mission's urgency, led them to their fateful decision.

But the moment the Mother Tree sensed their killing intent, it reacted with terrifying speed.

The earth beneath them erupted, revealing a monstrous creature that was anything but a tree. A massive black dragon, its reptilian head towering dozens of meters high, burst from the ground, unleashing a deafening roar that shook the very mountains.

The Black Feather Tribe members were paralyzed with fear as they recognized the familiar form.

"Dragon Spirit!" Asmo shrieked, his voice cracking with disbelief. "How can it be the Dragon Spirit?!"

Before they could react, a torrent of icy breath engulfed the valley, turning everything in its path a shimmering silver.

The icy blast froze Asmo and his companions in an instant, snuffing out their lives before they could even comprehend the power they faced.

"Weaklings!" The Mother Tree sneered, its voice laced with disdain. With a flick of its roots, it enveloped the frozen figures, pulling them into the fungal carpet below.

Asmo and his companions' genetic samples and memories were rapidly assimilated into the Mother Tree's consciousness, adding to its ever-growing knowledge of the Black Mist Zone.

That night, Simba cautiously approached the base of the Mother Tree. Gazing up at its towering form, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

He had formed a pact with the Mother Tree, a mutual agreement of support and aid in the Black Mist Zone. Simba, despite his goofy nature, valued his promises.

In their early days, he had carried the defenseless Mother Tree, protected it from danger, and even hunted exotic beasts to provide the initial sustenance it needed to grow.

Now, a mere fifteen days later, the Mother Tree had transformed into this colossal being. Simba worried that it might no longer honor their agreement.

"I won't," a gentle voice spoke from the shadows. A branch extended towards Simba, its tip adorned with a human head. The Mother Tree's voice, though soft, carried a note of reassurance.

Simba's ears perked up, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes. Perhaps their alliance wasn't broken after all.

"Thank you for your help," the Mother Tree's voice continued, gentle and soothing. "I will always remember your kindness, Lian Jie's, and Aunt Xu's."

"As a token of my gratitude for your past assistance, I offer you a gift: an Origin Power Skill called the Black Feather Breathing Technique. This is just a fragment. If you continue to follow me, I promise to share more in the future."

"And one day," the voice grew stronger, "when I rule the Black Mist Zone, you few will be my closest and most trusted... subordinates."

Simba couldn't discern the truthfulness behind the Mother Tree's words. He had little choice but to accept the offer. The Black Mist Zone was a perilous place, and aligning with the Mother Tree seemed safer than wandering alone.

"I've discovered some interesting things from the memories of those who attacked us," the Mother Tree continued. "They call us Tribulation Transcenders, a term connected to an event called the Heaven Ascension Stairs... But that's a matter for another time."

The Mother Tree had absorbed a wealth of knowledge from Asmo and the others, but it deemed this information irrelevant to Simba and the others, so it moved on.

"More importantly, there's the matter of... Lu Ming."

At the mention of Lu Ming, Simba instinctively raised his head, a flicker of fear in his eyes. Lu Ming equaled monster—an equation deeply etched into his mind.

"Lu Ming has already arrived in the Black Mist Zone," the Mother Tree revealed, "and fifteen days ago, he killed a group of Black Feather Tribe members. I don't know the exact details or how strong he is now, but I can confirm that he's not far from us."

As the Mother Tree spoke of Lu Ming, a tremor crept into its voice. Simba's fear of Lu Ming was mirrored by the Mother Tree's own trepidation. Even with the impending power of the Dragon Spirit replication, who knew what Lu Ming had become?

He was a monster, defying all logic and expectations. Even the Mother Tree recognized this undeniable truth.

"Therefore, I believe we should move further away," the Mother Tree declared, its voice now resolute. "Get as far away from Lu Ming as possible."

Simba nodded fervently. "That's a wise decision. I wholeheartedly agree!"

"I've already chosen our next destination," the Mother Tree continued. "We'll head to the Black Feather Tribe's territory. Along the way, we'll pass through the Dragon Spirit's domain—I'll simply consume and absorb it. Then, we'll turn the Black Feather Tribe into nourishment for my growth. From there, we'll decide whether to settle temporarily or flee even further."

Simba, like a eager disciple, nodded along with every word. He couldn't agree more with the Mother Tree's strategy. It all boiled down to one simple rule: avoid Lu Ming at all costs!

With a violent upheaval, the Mother Tree uprooted itself from the ground, its roots transforming into tree-like legs. It began its journey in the opposite direction of Lu Ming, towards the Black Feather Tribe's home. Simba, Lian Jie, and Xu Rufang followed in its wake.

Meanwhile, that evening, Lu Ming, having completed another day of rigorous training, counted the days on his fingers.

"Judging by the timeline," he mused, "the Black Feather Tribe should be arriving soon..."