Chapter 196: Mother Tree
Liora paused for a brief moment, as if weighing a final thought, then slowly raised her hand. A small object shimmered into existence in her palm.
Adyr’s eyes narrowed with interest. He didn’t yet know what it was, but its value was obvious the instant it appeared.
At first glance, it resembled an energy crystal—roughly the size of Liora’s hand—radiating a deep violet hue. But this wasn’t just any energy crystal. Its form was unnaturally perfect, with no edges or imperfections, its surface polished to a mirror-like smoothness.
Encased within its translucent body, countless strands of energy drifted and collided like stars in a living galaxy. Wisps of light twisted and spiraled with slow, deliberate motion, forming shapes that appeared for a moment, then vanished—nebulae, orbits, fractal patterns too precise to be random.
Lucen, usually unreadable, blinked with subtle disbelief as he approached with brisk steps.
"Lady Liora... are you sure you want to give that to him?" His voice was calm as always, but the faint shift in his expression confirmed just how extraordinary the object truly was.
As for Mirela, her expression shifted into shock the moment she recognized what the item was. Without hesitation, she raised her hand.
Vines burst from the ground, tearing through the concrete floor and rising rapidly. They twisted upward, forming a sealed space just large enough to contain the four of them. The walls wove together tightly, blocking outside view and sound, creating a secure, private chamber.
Strangely, the interior wasn’t dark. Instead, it was gently illuminated by soft yellow flowers blooming along the vines. They glowed like natural lamps, casting a warm, steady light throughout the space.
Liora gave Mirela a small nod of approval, then ignored Lucen’s comment and turned her gaze directly to Adyr.