Chapter 2251 The Sapling
"Get up," Farouk said, opening his eyes and raising his hand gently in a gesture for his attendants to approach. "Why the rush? Has something happened to our tribe?"
"Elder, we've been under attack by the combined forces of the other three tribes. They've erected barriers outside, severing our teleportation channels to the outside world, demanding we surrender the Temple of Incantation. Fortunately, Elder Vannes and Elder Ian have come to support us."
"The two elders have instructed us to safeguard the sapling of the sacred tree." Ovi paused, then looked to Farouk and continued, "At crucial moments, we will retaliate, hoping to harness the power of the sacred tree sapling."
"I understand. I'll do my best."
"Thank you, Elder," Ovi nodded respectfully, then continued, "Elder Farouk, is there anything else we should do? Please instruct us."
Farouk shook his head and said, "At the moment, the natural energy of the sacred tree sapling is far from sufficient. Unfortunately, the teleportation channels have been destroyed. Relay to Vannes that even if the Temple of Incantation falls into the hands of other clans, the fragments of the sacred tree sapling must be protected. As for the rest, use your own judgment."
"Understood, Elder Farouk," Ovi bowed respectfully once again.
Fang Heng glanced at Farouk.
Previously, Ovi had expended considerable effort collecting numerous sacrificial jars containing dimensional strength, now placed beside Farouk.
So... was Elder Farouk specifically in charge of overseeing the sacrificial jars?
And then there is the sapling of the sacred tree!
From what they're saying, the sapling cultivated by the Leaf tribe is currently inside the Temple of Incantation?
Or was it personally guarded by Farouk?
Where could it be?
Why couldn't he see it?
...
Outside the temple, as the sealing barriers gradually took form, the three major tribes ceased their concealment and converged on the Temple of Incantation from various directions, surrounding it tightly, indicating a siege was underway.
Tippy, an elder of the Soul tribe, wasn't keen on engaging in direct conflict with the tree spirit clan. She hoped the Leaf tribe would see reason and hand over the Temple of Incantation.
But judging from the Leaf tribe's stance, it seemed unlikely to be that simple.
Tippy still harbored a glimmer of hope for peaceful communication with the Leaf tribe.
However, as soon as the Wood tribe approached the temple area, the Leaf tribe struck first!
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Triggers set around the periphery of the temple activated the magic array traps beneath the feet of the gathered individuals!
Instantly, a dense flurry of leaves rapidly swirled, forming an impenetrable wall of wind blades in the air! From all directions, they converged toward the trigger area of the traps!
Over twenty members of the Wood tribe caught in the center of the trap suffered relentless attacks from the flying leaves, unable to defend themselves in time!
More than twenty Wood tribe members fell to the ground, heavily wounded, with casualties amounting to over half.
Simultaneously, other squads also fell victim to traps hidden by the Leaf tribe near the temple, causing chaos in each group.
"The Leaf tribe!"
Having suffered losses, the faces of the three major tribes turned grim.
"Hahaha!"
Vannes, seeing the traps he had foreseen successfully triggering, stood before the temple and burst into laughter, mocking, "You think you can seize the Temple of Incantation from my Leaf tribe with just this? Dream on! Want a fight? Bring it on! The Leaf tribe will see it through to the end!"
"Humph! Stubborn fools!"
Klonor, the patriarch of the Wood tribe, who suffered the most severe injuries in this wave, suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Tippy, what are you waiting for? If we keep waiting, do you want the Leaf tribe to get reinforcements and settle our fates once and for all?"
Tippy sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat helpless.
"Please remain calm. This matter cannot be resolved simply with force..."
"Elder Tippy, that's not how it works. Do you see any intention from them to negotiate?" The Elder of the Root tribe spoke with a cold expression, though inwardly feeling the heat of frustration.
After all, the traps set by the Leaf tribe were aimed at all of them.
The Root tribe also suffered significant damage.
Glancing at Vannes, who was grandly speaking, the Elder of the Root tribe said, "In my opinion, we can only use force first to calm them down before they will listen to us."
Before Tippy could respond, Klonor furrowed his brow and said sharply, "Again and again, do they think the Wood tribe is just made of mud? Even if it means risking our lives, the Wood tribe will demand justice!"
"If your Soul tribe lacks the courage of a leader, then stay here and watch!"
With a wave of his hand, the elder of the Wood tribe led his people in an attack towards the Temple of Incantation.
"Humph, we'll follow suit," the Elder of the Soul tribe said coldly.
"I urge everyone to show mercy and spare lives," Tippy said, sighing inwardly at the scene.
The casualties among ordinary members were barely acceptable, but the death of an elder would be a significant blow to the entire tree spirit clan.
No one would emerge as a true victor in this situation.
Things hadn't unfolded as she had hoped. For now, she had to cut through the chaos and quickly gain control over the Leaf tribe, then figure out the next steps.
"Let's go, we're joining in too!"
At that moment, all three major tribes made a move against the Leaf tribe.
Seeing this, Vannes shouted and led his subordinates, the Leaf tribe members, into the fray.
Tier 2 stage!
Vannes's figure suddenly doubled in size, making him extremely conspicuous in the crowd, like a giant!
At the same time, entering the Tier 2 stage, Vannes's physical attributes rapidly improved, even directly altering his combat mode.
Close combat!
"Hah! Bring it on!"
Vannes sneered and swiftly darted forward, heading straight into the fray!
The enhanced attributes and natural resistance he gained made Vannes completely disregard ordinary nature spells!
Two elders saw the dire situation and hurriedly intervened, barely managing to engage Vannes.
Two against one! Yet Vannes held his ground!
He even seemed to gain the upper hand in the exchange.
"Exciting, they're really getting into it..." Fang Heng remained out of the fight, observing the battle from within the temple, his mind alert.
Well, well. Vannes had significantly boosted his strength since their last encounter!
Go get him! Fang Heng silently cheered on the Wood tribe.
It would be best if both sides suffered losses, leaving him with opportunities to capitalize.
Seeing Vannes's valor, the faces of the three tree spirit tribes turned sour, and they all joined the fray.
At one point, Vannes found himself facing the encirclement of three Leaf tribe elders.
It had to be admitted, individually, the Leaf tribe was formidable.
But the other three tribes had the advantage in numbers!
Witnessing the shamelessness of the three major tribes launching another assault on the Leaf tribe, taking advantage of their superior numbers, the Leaf tribe members guarding the temple couldn't help but mutter in indignation.
After the initial fierce struggle, Vannes' stamina began to dwindle under the onslaught of the three elders.
Ovi shook his head and said, "There's no need to worry, everyone. Elder Farouk promised us he would intervene at a critical moment."
As if in response to Ovi's words, the entire Temple of Incantation began to emit a faint blue light.
Within this blue light, vibrant natural energy surged!