Chapter 105 - The World Root Temple
The Aurora sailed away from the floating continent at sunrise.
Behind them, the Temple of the Endless Sky slowly vanished into the clouds.
Its six golden pillars shone brighter than ever.
The first Origin Key was safe.
But the war had only begun.
---
The Codex of the Beast Sovereign floated before Kai.
Origin Key Progress
✓ Sky Key
○ World Root Key
○ Lunar Key
Time Remaining Until Enemy Reaches World Root Temple:
71 Hours
---
The journey took them across the western continent.
Below, endless forests stretched to the horizon.
Yet something was terribly wrong.
Entire sections of woodland had withered into grey ash.
Ancient rivers had dried.
Animals fled northward in frightened herds.
Pyron lowered his head.
"I can smell corruption."
Nereus closed her eyes.
"The rivers beneath the forests are dying."
---
As the Aurora descended through the clouds, the devastation became even clearer.
Gigantic trees that should have stood for thousands of years lay broken.
The ground was covered with black crystalline vines.
Whenever a bird landed upon them...
The vines immediately tried to wrap around it.
Selene drew her sword.
"Those vines are alive."
---
The Codex confirmed her suspicion.
Corruption Analysis
Entity:
Chain Vines
Origin:
Fragments of the Chain Sovereign's power.
Purpose:
Drain spiritual energy from the World Root.
---
Without warning—
A deafening roar echoed through the forest.
The trees shook violently.
A colossal emerald stag burst through the undergrowth.
Its antlers resembled ancient branches stretching toward the sky.
But one side of its body had already been consumed by black crystal.
Behind it...
Hundreds of corrupted beasts gave chase.
The stag stumbled and collapsed before the Aurora.
---
The Codex glowed.
Beast Identified
Verdant Crown Stag
Rank:
Ancient Guardian Beast
Status:
Critically Wounded
---
Kai immediately jumped from the ship.
"Protect the stag!"
Rowan and the Ashfang Pack charged into the forest.
Selene intercepted the first wave of corrupted wolves.
Ignis descended from the sky, his golden dragonfire creating a protective wall.
---
The Verdant Crown Stag looked weakly at Kai.
Its voice echoed inside his mind.
"The Mother..."
"Save... the Mother..."
Then it lost consciousness.
---
The earth suddenly trembled.
The black vines parted.
A gigantic figure slowly emerged.
It was over thirty metres tall.
Its body was made entirely of twisted roots and black crystal.
Glowing crimson eyes burned within its wooden face.
The forest itself seemed to recoil from its presence.
---
The Codex issued an urgent warning.
Boss-Class Enemy
The Blighted Treant
Classification:
Corrupted Ancient Protector
Threat Level:
Extreme
---
The Treant raised one massive arm.
Thousands of Chain Vines erupted from the ground.
They spread in every direction, consuming trees, flowers and even rocks.
Within moments...
An entire valley turned black.
---
Kai gripped the Star-forged Spear.
"This isn't natural."
Pyron nodded grimly.
"No."
"Something is feeding it."
---
The Blighted Treant suddenly spoke.
Its voice was strained, as though another presence forced the words from its mouth.
"Turn... back..."
"Before... I... hurt... more..."
Kai froze.
"It still has its own consciousness."
Nereus looked at him.
"You already know what you're going to do."
Kai smiled.
"We save it."
---
At that moment...
The earth split open.
An enormous emerald root burst from the ground, glowing with ancient life.
A gentle feminine voice echoed throughout the entire forest.
"Beast Sovereign..."
"I have waited... for your arrival."
The Codex blazed with brilliant green light.
Guardian Contact Established
Sylvana
Title:
Mother of Forests
Keeper of the World Root
Status:
Sealed within the World Root Temple
The path to the second Origin Key had finally opened.