Chapter 203: Encountering the Goddess Again, Information Discrepancy

Chapter 203: Encountering the Goddess Again, Information Discrepancy

Typically, plants symbolize life and are not associated with death. However, in the world of wizards, this is not a hard and fast rule.

A group of wizards specializes in combining plants with death, creating a variety of unique creatures in the process. For example, the Palace Rose and the Plague Vine.

This wizard faction is known as the "Council of Withered Wood."

The Council of Withered Wood is a predominantly evil-aligned wizard faction, comprising wizards and apprentices who specialize in the domains of plants and death. Their actions are dark and extreme, and their reputation in the multiverse is on par with that of the "Throne of Shadows."

However, the Council of Withered Wood is not as powerful as the Throne of Shadows, ranking as a second-tier wizard faction at best.

The Dark Arcane Tree is a unique alchemical creature exclusive to the Council of Withered Wood. These wizards plant a Dark Arcane Tree in every invaded plane, serving as both a base and a planar anchor.

The Dark Arcane Tree is formidable in combat and has numerous auxiliary functions. It has played a significant role in the Council of Withered Wood's rise to the second tier.

When Su Nan encountered the Palace Rose and the Plague Vine, he had a hunch that the Black Forest might be a legacy left by the Council of Withered Wood. Seeing the Dark Arcane Tree now confirmed his suspicions.

"No wonder the environment here is so eerie; it's the Council of Withered Wood behind it all."

Su Nan muttered to himself, his gaze scanning the towering black tree before him.

Rustle!

The branches and leaves of the Dark Arcane Tree suddenly trembled, and a deep, raspy voice, like that of an aged elder, echoed out.

"Congratulations, fortunate wizard, for passing the Black Forest's trial."

The voice seemed to come from all directions, yet it also sounded as if it originated from within the Dark Arcane Tree.

"As a reward, you will receive the Essence of a Thousand Trees."

A long, black branch extended from the dense canopy, reaching out to Su Nan. At the tip of the branch was a block of wood, seemingly carved from the tree trunk itself, with intricate tree patterns on its surface.

The block was only the size of an egg, yet Su Nan could clearly sense the immense energy contained within.

A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes.

The Essence of a Thousand Trees is a crystalline formation created when a thousand-year-old magical plant dies, condensing its entire essence. It contains vast, gentle energy that can be absorbed without refinement or purification, significantly enhancing mental focus. It is highly sought after by first-tier wizards.

Just this small piece of the Essence of a Thousand Trees could increase his mental focus by at least 10%.

Given the stringent conditions required for its formation—only a thousand-year-old magical plant can produce it—the Essence of a Thousand Trees is quite rare. Even the Council of Withered Wood, which specializes in plant magic, produces no more than a handful each year.

Su Nan hadn't expected the Council of Withered Wood to leave the Essence of a Thousand Trees in the Black Forest as a reward for those who pass the trial.

And if it was a reward, did that mean there were more pieces?

Such a generous reward didn't seem like the style of an evil faction.

Su Nan's eyes flickered, and he silently took the Essence of a Thousand Trees, pretending to store it in his spatial ring while actually placing it in the Synthesis Cube.

When he saw the text displayed by the Synthesis Cube, a knowing gleam appeared in his eyes, and he inwardly sneered.

As he had suspected.

"Very well, wizard, you may leave now," the Dark Arcane Tree's deep voice sounded again. "The Black Forest will soon close, and it will not appear again for twenty years. I hope to see you then."

"I doubt you truly hope for that," Su Nan said meaningfully.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said."

As he spoke, Su Nan abruptly swung his hand, and two Thunderburst Engraved Gems flew from his grasp, transforming into blinding bolts of lightning that struck the Dark Arcane Tree.

At the same time, a small, intricately crafted spearhead landed in Su Nan's palm. As he closed his fingers around it, a deep, dark glow burst from between his fingers, rapidly forming into a long, black spear.

Swoosh!

The spear shot from his hand, a streak of black light piercing the void and hurtling toward the Dark Arcane Tree.

Rustle!

A large amount of liquid metal surged from Su Nan's body, coalescing in the air into a multitude of gleaming silver spikes that densely filled the sky. They then rained down in a torrential storm.

In that instant, Su Nan unleashed his full strength, deploying his three strongest trump cards simultaneously, all aimed at the Dark Arcane Tree.

The Dark Magic Tree had never anticipated Su Nan's sudden attack. Caught off guard, it could barely muster enough defenses in time, only managing to manipulate its roots and branches to emerge from the ground and canopy, weaving a thick web of vines in front of itself.

But in the next moment, the web was torn apart and shattered by the incoming thunder, turning to ashes that dissipated in the air!

Immediately after, a black streak of light pierced through its trunk! As the violent black thunder exploded, a shocking crater appeared at the center of the Dark Magic Tree's massive trunk!

Through the crater, one could see the scorched wood, still smoldering, and the scenery behind the tree.

Before it could catch its breath, a silver metal storm swept in, accompanied by a continuous hissing sound, tearing open one gash after another in its trunk! After this relentless barrage, the Dark Magic Tree was left with numerous wounds, emitting a piercing and agonizing howl.

A violet fire suddenly erupted from the center of its trunk, rapidly spreading across its entire body and canopy. The silver spikes that touched these flames were instantly vaporized.

"Wizard!"

The Dark Magic Tree finally had the strength to issue an angry challenge, countless black branches sprouting from its canopy like venomous snakes, aiming directly at Su Nan.

"Why did you attack me?"

"Are you still going to pretend?" Su Nan sneered, his gaze sweeping over the purple fire on the Dark Magic Tree's body.

Silence!

After a long moment, the Dark Magic Tree finally spoke, but this time its voice was no longer deep and raspy. Instead, it transformed into a melodious and mature female voice.

"How did you discover it?"

The voice was eerily familiar.

Even though he had heard it only once, Su Nan still remembered it vividly.

It was the same voice that had whispered in his ear three years ago, after he had killed the half-spider deity's favored. The voice of the Dark Elf's protector—the Spider Queen!

"Guess," Su Nan replied calmly.

In the display of his Synthesis Cube, the Thousand Tree Essence was indeed genuine, but it contained an additional ingredient—a terrifying spider venom!

If he had absorbed the Thousand Tree Essence without any precautions, the venom would have entered his body, corrupting his flesh and soul.

Su Nan knew exactly who was behind this.

It wasn't the first time such a tactic had been used.

Hearing Su Nan's words, the Spider Queen didn't get angry; instead, she seemed thoughtful.

"It was my mistake."

"When I saw that you hadn't been affected by the soul toxin I left behind, I should have realized you had the ability to detect poisons. I should have used a more covert method."

Su Nan's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he scoffed. With the Synthesis Cube, the Spider Queen's efforts were futile no matter how many methods she tried.

Even without the cube, he wouldn't have fallen for her trick. He had always suspected the Spider Queen might be involved in the Black Forest, and the unusual behavior of the Dead Wood Council in leaving the Thousand Tree Essence had only deepened his suspicions. He would never have absorbed it without caution.

The Spider Queen's failure stemmed from her lack of knowledge about his familiarity with the Dead Wood Council. The information gap ensured her scheme could never succeed.

"You seem to be hiding quite a few secrets."

The Spider Queen's voice carried a hint of interest.

"I am surprised that a wizard like you can still appear in the Starlight Continent today."

"I am beginning to take an interest in you."

"I have no interest in you," Su Nan said coldly. "Deities should stay in their divine realms. The Deep Pit Web is vast enough; it should satisfy you. Whether in the past, present, or future, the Starlight Continent is not a place for you to meddle."

"You seem to know a lot about me?" The Spider Queen's voice paused slightly. "I am becoming more and more curious about your origins."

"You can take your time to think about it."

The Spider Queen laughed softly, her voice tinged with a seductive tone.

"Young wizard, this time I have lost. As a reward for your victory, I will leave this tree body to you."

"I look forward to our next meeting, and I hope you will bring me more surprises then."

As the Spider Queen's voice faded, the purple fire on the Dark Magic Tree gradually weakened. When the last word was spoken, the final flame extinguished.

The divine presence was completely gone from the massive tree trunk.

After realizing that he had no chance of turning the tables, the cunning Spider Goddess decisively conceded and left, placing her hopes of revenge for another day.

Su Nan could only chuckle at this.

He would indeed likely meet the Spider Goddess again in the future, but it would definitely not be under the circumstances she desired.

In his memories, the future ambush by the wizards against the Spider Goddess would end in a disastrous failure, but that was without his intervention.

If he were to play the role of the hidden predator, the outcome might be very different.

Perhaps he could give the Spider Goddess another 'surprise'!

After a moment of focused sensing, Su Nan confirmed that the Spider Goddess had indeed given up and left. He then approached the Dark Magic Tree.

The Dark Magic Tree served as a spatial anchor and could also function as a portal for interplanar travel.

The Deadwood Council had left the Dark Magic Tree in the Black Forest, most likely to use it as a stepping stone to infiltrate the Starlight Continent before other wizard factions, once the plane's barrier had been mostly repaired.

However, the Spider Goddess discovered the Black Forest and usurped its control, using the Dark Magic Tree's spatial anchor to open a rift and seep her divine power into the plane. This led to the series of events in the Demon Spider City.

In other words, destroying the Dark Magic Tree would sever the Spider Goddess's means of influencing the Starlight Continent.

Until the plane's barrier was fully repaired, she would be unable to interfere with the Starlight Continent again.

If Su Nan hadn't ambushed and severely damage the Dark Magic Tree, the Spider Goddess would not have given up so easily. A fierce battle would have ensued.

Su Nan caressed the rough surface of the Dark Magic Tree, sensing the residual divine energy within, and a smile spread across his face.

This Dark Magic Tree had long been dead.

The Thousand Tree Essence was most likely the essence that formed after its death.

The dead tree trunk had been converted by the Spider Goddess into a tool for channeling divine power, leaving behind a significant amount of divine energy.

The Spider Goddess did not truly intend to leave the tree trunk as a reward for him; she simply couldn't withdraw the divine energy inside in time and had to give up reluctantly.

The so-called reward was merely a face-saving gesture.

Regardless, this was a good turn for Su Nan.

With so much divine energy, his mental condensation would experience a significant leap.

Boom!

A deafening sound suddenly echoed from the distance.

Snapping out of his joy, Su Nan shot into the sky and looked toward the horizon.

At the edge of the sky, vast, visible distortions filled every inch of the void, slowly and steadily advancing, consuming everything in their path.

Massive trees shattered and disintegrated in the distortions, vanishing without a trace.

"The spatial collapse has begun."

Su Nan frowned, glancing at the Dark Magic Tree, and quickly understood the situation.

The core of the Black Forest was most likely the Dark Magic Tree.

Its death had triggered the natural collapse of the Black Forest.

The Spider Goddess had maintained the stability of the space, but now that she had left, the space could no longer be sustained.

Su Nan felt a twinge of regret.

He had hoped to incorporate the Black Forest into his domain, but it now seemed impossible.

"Well, the environment of the Black Forest was always limited in its usefulness. If I can't have it, I can't have it."

Shaking his head, Su Nan gathered his thoughts and began to search for the resource storage points in the Black Forest.

However, either the resources had already been taken by the Spider Goddess or the Deadwood Council had not left any resources behind. After searching for a long time, he found nothing.

"Did the Deadwood Council never intend to cultivate wizard apprentices and only use this place as a spatial anchor?"

Su Nan felt a bit disappointed, but thinking about the Thousand Tree Essence and the divine energy-infused tree trunk, his mood improved.

With these two items, this trip was not in vain.

Seeing that the spatial collapse was rapidly approaching, Su Nan wasted no time and immediately collected the tree trunk.

It was fortunate he had the Cube; otherwise, he would have had no way to carry such a large object.

Su Nan suspected that the Spider Goddess had also considered this and left the tree trunk to frustrate him, making him feel the frustration of seeing something he couldn't take.

It was clear that the Spider Goddess was not one to take losses lying down.

Activating the Black Key, Su Nan vanished into the air.

Not long after, a vast wave of spatial distortions swept over, engulfing the last bit of space.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end