Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 660: Strange Plant

The world was home to numerous poisonous insects and carnivorous plants. While they posed threats to creatures of Rank One or lower, they presented little risk to a Rank Two being like Sein.

Even the most venomous insect would likely find itself incinerated by the verdant flame emanating from Sein’s skin before it could even bite him.

Pyro spells, one of the highly effective magic in the Verdant Leaf World, could devastate both plant and insect creatures here.

Yet, a month ago, the command center at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring issued a directive to all participating mages—to minimize the use of wide-range pyro magic.

Since the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army’s arrival, they had started over a hundred large-scale forest fires here.

Given the laws and environmental conditions of Verdant Leaf World, this fragile microplane was clearly unable to cope with the rampant fires that swept across its vast forests.

The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring’s objective was not to reduce the Verdant Leaf World to ruins. Excessive destruction of the ecological landscape would only hasten the microplane’s collapse.

The Verdant Leaf World was quite small. After traveling westward for two months, Sein and his allies had covered one-third of the main continent’s western sector, according to the Eye of Surveillance.

At this pace, within four more months, they would reach the westernmost boundary, beyond which lay the vast ocean.

Following the command center’s strategy, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army could potentially conquer this microplane in less than two years.

However, the progress of this conquest could not be determined solely by data, as unforeseen events and dangers were common occurrences in war.

As the war intensified, so would the resistance from Verdant Leaf World.

The current rapid advancement might reflect the world’s initial shock and lack of recovery from their first encounter two months prior.

While flying at a low altitude, Sein was abruptly alerted by a cry and a surge of elemental energy.

In the next moment, the divine tower badge on Sein’s chest emitted a sound.

It came from a Green Mitten Sea Crab at 37 degrees northwest, not far from his position.

This creature was one of the tribal chiefs of the lesser aquatic races from the Mage World, possessing only Rank One strength

According to military protocol, this crab chief was required to follow Sein’s commands throughout the war.

Sein swiftly mobilized some of his nearby troops to assist at the specified location.

His forces were strategically dispersed in a fan-shaped formation across the vast forest area, vigilant for any potential threats.

Even when something unusual occurred near the Green Mitten Sea Crab, not all units immediately converged to provide support.

Through Sein’s badge, Gould asked if he required any help.

After Sein responded that he would proceed on his own for now, the badge fell silent.

Two sandglasses later, Sein reached the target area.

What he encountered was not the typical forest terrain but a vast deep pit, over a kilometer in diameter—a rare sight in the vast forests of Verdant Leaf World.

The pit itself was barren, devoid of the lush greenery typical of the area, as if life itself had been extinguished here.

Yet, this barren appearance was misleading. If it were truly devoid of life, why would the Green Mitten Sea Crab face peril here?

Descending to the bottom of the pit, Sein finally uncovered the source of danger.

Before him stood a bizarre plant, grotesquely twisted with unsightly tumors proliferating on its rhizome.

It resembled a tree, albeit one devoid of any leaves.

The primary energy source for plant creatures was photosynthesis.

Every lush dendro elemental plane with a well-established set of rules was typically supported by one or more pyro elemental demiplanes as sources of light.

It was baffling that such a grotesque creature could thrive in the scant light of this deep pit.

Sein estimated the plant’s height to be at least fifty meters. With part of its trunk submerged underground, its actual size could be even greater.

He could not help but wonder what the source of its power was.

Could such a colossal entity sustain itself merely on nutrients from the soil?

More importantly, Sein could clearly sense that the life force of this plant was no less than Rank Two.

Inside the dark pit, hundreds of Green Mitten Sea Crabs were scattered around the bizarre giant tree.

Hundreds of them, including their chief, were entangled in the tumorous vines of the giant tree.

Among the ensnared crabs, Sein spotted more than a dozen empty shells.

Their flesh had been completely consumed by something unknown.

Realization dawned upon Sein when he noticed the thorns on the vines.

When Sein first joined the westward invasion, his surrounding forces, including the cannon fodder, totaled only two thousand.

But with continuous advances over the past two months and more legions from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring arriving through the spatial gate, his forces had significantly increased.

Currently, the direct troops under Sein’s nominal command exceeded three thousand, primarily composed of aquatic races, including five hundred from the Green Mitten Sea Crab Tribe.

Besides this troop of over three thousand strong, several other groups led by Rank Two knights, mages, and centaurs were progressing along routes near Sein.

Given Sein’s special standing within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, he wielded some authority to command these units.

Although directly under his control, they would still comply with Sein’s directives out of respect.

Hence, Sein could actually mobilize close to ten thousand units in the surrounding forest area—a formidable force.

However, the loss of hundreds of Green Mitten Sea Crabs to the grotesque plant still infuriated him.

“Daniel, set up an elemental barrier to cut off this plant’s ability to draw energy from the soil,” Sein commanded.

“And Zas, you and the other Rank One knights, lead the aquatic races to destroy its root system,” he continued giving out orders.