Chapter 52 The Terrifying Lantern Tree

Seeing that Rhodes was going to plant something, the little creature ran over happily, waving its little hands and digging the hole quickly.

Not a moment.

A small pit of more than ten centimeters appeared in front of them.

"Be careful, this seed looks like it could spoil easily."

It was the first time that Rhodes had seen seeds with such a strange appearance.

Under a small oval lantern, there are many tentacle-like roots, which look like seeds, but more like jellyfish.

His intuition told him.

This is no ordinary seed.

At least not at the wheat level.

Moreover, this thing was sent together with the scroll of undead magic, which made him a little suspicious. He thought it was something from the God of Death, so he was extra careful.

What if the plants die due to poor soil and climate? Wouldn’t that tarnish his reputation as a professional gardener?
"Okay... Just like that... Put another layer of soil underneath... It's crooked, this side should be facing upwards..."

The two tree spirits, one big and one small, worked hard for a long time and finally planted the seeds successfully.

Then Rhodes hurriedly cast a spell to make it rain for the seeds, and then used cultivation magic and harvest magic in turn, infusing streams of life into the raised mound.

The little thing was full of anticipation, squatting beside and staring closely, afraid of missing the germination.

however.

Two whole hours passed.

Under Rhodes' continuous casting, the seeds did not react at all. Instead, the mutant tree No. 2 next to it grew a few sprouts.

"That's weird, why is there no reaction at all?"

Rhodes scratched his head and glanced at small tree number two.

Since even it has a reaction, it means that the masochistic trait has taken effect, and there should be more plants around competing for nutrients.

"Doesn't this thing consume nutrients?"

Oh shit.

Can this world be better?

Why are they all so weird?
Or.

The seeds from the God of Death, the planting method is different from that in the Dream Forest?
When I think about it this way, it seems to be true...

They come from the land of death and usually absorb dead air. If you water them with vitality, isn't that like an old man hanging himself because he thinks his life is too long?

"So that's how it is, I understand!"

Rhode's sudden voice startled the little creature next to him, and its little eyes were filled with great confusion.

Then he saw Rhodes digging out the seeds he had just buried with the roots and soil, and hurriedly ran outside the altar. He could only quickly follow him.

soon.

They came to the junction of the black soil and the altar.

After hesitating for a moment, Rhodes finally made up his mind and gently placed the soil wrapped around the seeds on the black soil.

That's right!

This is what he came up with.

Although the breath of black soil and the power of death are different, they have one thing in common, which is that they devour life.

Since this seed belongs to the God of Death, it should be more adaptable to this power, just like the demons can resist the black soil.

"Yeah!"

Just as I was thinking about it, the little thing suddenly exclaimed.

Rhodes lowered his head and looked at the seeds again, and was shocked to find that the corrosive energy permeating the black soil was rapidly converging towards the seeds.

Like a tide, it poured madly into the seed which was only the size of an egg.

"Click——"

With a crisp sound, the seeds cracked.

Countless roots emerged and spread in all directions.

The oval shell slowly rose as the rhizome grew, and finally turned into a fully bloomed stamen at the top, with brown tentacles hanging vertically.

It looked like an octopus hanging upside down on a tree. It continued to grow as it absorbed the energy of the black soil, and in a blink of an eye it grew into a strange plant that was two people tall.

[Planting successful, gain experience points +4]

"Master Rhodes, what is this?"

Even Augla, who was far away, was alarmed and hurried over.

When he saw that the plant could actually absorb the energy of the black soil, he was even more surprised.

"I don't know either. Be careful and don't get close."

Rhodes was not in a much better condition at this time. After all, he had personally experienced the horror of the black soil and had never expected that there would be something that could absorb this energy.

As expected, anything related to death cannot be described by common sense. And just as they were talking.

The seeds finally stopped growing.

Under the drooping tentacles, oval lanterns the size of heads slowly grew out, emitting a faint white light.

“This plant is pretty.”

The huge contrast made Rhodes feel surprised.

Standing under the plant, there are white lanterns everywhere, illuminating the surrounding land. It is hard to imagine that these are seeds that have just been planted.

"This thing won't explode, right?"

Even though Augla had lived for more than two hundred years and was knowledgeable, this was the first time he had seen this kind of plant and he seemed a little worried.

however.

Just as he finished speaking.

Suddenly, a beast roar was heard in the distance.

A huge black bear seemed to smell the breath of life on the altar and ran towards this side.

"It's these damn guys again, I'll take care of it!"

Seeing the black beast, Augla's face darkened. He threw down a word and went straight to the giant bear, smashing it down with his huge fist.

Boom——

The entire ground shook.

The black bear, which was only at the first level, was smashed into a pulp by him and killed in one blow without even having time to scream.

"Bah! Little trash."

Augula imitated the humans he had seen before and spat at the corpse, then turned back to the altar.

Unexpectedly.

At this time, the nearest lantern seemed to sense something, and suddenly extended a sharp tentacle from the bottom, stabbed the black bear's body, and then quickly retracted it.

Rhodes was shocked.

His eyes were fixed on the lantern.

Then I saw a very strange scene.

Inside the lantern, a bear-shaped embryo was taking shape at a speed visible to the naked eye. After a short while, it turned into a little black bear that was extremely similar to the black beast just now.

Just like giving birth, it slid down from under the lantern.

"Snapped!"

The black bear cub fell to the ground, covered in slime, and staggered to its feet, its body covered with twisted parasitic roots.

The strange scene made even Augla and the others nearby open their eyes wide in shock, and they wanted to rush over to deal with it.

"Wait a moment!"

Rhodes stopped them and just watched from a distance.

Just as he expected, the black bear did not attack them. Instead, it seemed to be summoned by something and walked straight outside.

And its speed was getting faster and faster, completely unaffected by the black soil, and it headed straight towards the druid's nest.

"I'll go over and take a look. Augla, you stay and look after the house!"

After saying this, Rhodes took the little thing and quickly chased after it, leaving the black bear far behind.

Less than ten minutes.

They came to the outskirts of the familiar forest and saw a group of black bears wandering in the distance. There were more than a dozen of them. No wonder they ran to the altar.

but.

What Rhodes cared about was the black bear cub.

It was as if it had found its organization and tremblingly joined the group of black bears. The process was natural and there was no sign of being attacked at all.

"Those black beasts actually treated it as one of their own kind?"

Rhodes, who was hiding behind a rock, was even more surprised. He used his magic power to resist the black soil while following from a distance, gradually wandering into the interior of the forest.

It was not until they entered a depression that a dozen black bears finally stopped to rest, lying on the ground and enjoying the nourishment of the black soil.

Just when Rhodes thought it was over.

Something unexpected happened!
The black bear cub lying in the center of the herd suddenly swelled up rapidly, and exploded with a "bang", turning into countless lantern seeds that took root in the bodies of the black beasts.

For an instant.

The screams in the depression were deafening.

The corrosive energy on the black beast was devoured madly, and it turned into corpses all over the ground in its struggle.

Then under Rhodes' horrified gaze.

Familiar lantern plants slowly grew out from their corpses, and in a blink of an eye the entire depression was covered in white light.

(End of this chapter)