Chapter 2282 Devour
Fang Heng quickly checked the game hint.
After advancing to the mature stage, Abe Akaya's original twelve skills appeared unchanged, except for gaining an additional dimensional form description. Furthermore, the level cap was broken, allowing for continued experience point accumulation and level advancement.
Abe Akaya wasted no time after advancing, continuing to draw upon the dimensional energy of the sacred tree sapling with the determination to exhaust it completely.
[Hint: Abe Akaya absorbed dimensional energy, converting it into experience points, currently +3,998,000...]
[Hint: Abe Akaya has now entered the mature stage (Level 41).]
It seemed that after advancing to the mature stage, Abe Akaya's speed of energy absorption had roughly doubled.
"Chi chi chi..."
After over half an hour, as Abe Akaya completely absorbed the energy of the sacred tree sapling, the dark red vines surrounding it slowly retracted into the magic array.
Fang Heng silently urged Abe Akaya to continue urging the sacred tree sapling to release some aura fluctuations while maintaining the magic array at the slowest possible speed.
The onlookers turned their attention once again to the central sacred tree sapling within the magic array.
Compared to before, the sacred tree sapling had grown by about double, and the emitted aura fluctuations were several times stronger than before!
However, the aura fluctuations seemed slightly more intense, appearing somewhat unstable.
It seemed that the overall enhancement had caused the aura to become somewhat uncontrollable.
Two newly appointed elders immediately stepped forward to inspect the condition of the sapling.
Rudyard waited patiently and inquired, "How is the situation?"
The two newly appointed elders were a bit uncertain but indicated that there should be no problem, "Elder, the sacred tree sapling has absorbed a large amount of energy, resulting in some mutations."
"I see... So, it's a good thing then."
Rudyard nodded and then asked, "Why did the strength fluctuations of the sacred tree seed occur?"
The group exchanged glances, shaking their heads. "This may be related to the inheritance of the sacred tree. We're not sure of the specific reasons."
"Ah."
Rudyard wasn't very knowledgeable about the sacred tree sapling.
At least it seemed that the magic array was operating perfectly, and the sapling had been enhanced.
He didn't know that the true source of the strength emanating from the sacred tree seed was actually hidden beneath the third floor, where Abe Akaya resided.
It was just a false alarm.
"Well done," Rudyard praised, continuing, "Just now, the sacred tree sapling emitted strong fluctuations. Other clans will likely sense the ripple and come to investigate. I'll stay here to guard for a while. You all carry on with your tasks."
"Yes!"
With that, Rudyard dispatched a subordinate to report the situation to the Great Elder at the Temple of Incantation and left the temple with guards to strengthen the perimeter security.
Fang Heng stepped out of the magic array's control and glanced at the thriving sacred tree sapling.
He knew very well that, under Abe Akaya's influence, the sapling was now just an empty shell. Once the magic array stopped and Abe Akaya ceased imparting strength to the sapling, it would wither rapidly within minutes.
So, he needed to find an opportunity to escape.
Taking advantage of the situation, Fang Heng turned to Zet. His expression darkened, and his tone turned unfriendly, "Zet."
"Hmm?" Zet was still immersed in the joy of the sapling's mutation. He turned to Fang Heng, "What's wrong?"
"The sapling has entered a new stage, and my modifications to the magic array have been completed. The initial effects of the sacred tree sapling are evident, and the Leaf Tribe's promise to me should be fulfilled," Fang Heng stated.
"Well..." Zet hesitated for a moment before replying, "Fang Heng, I'm not aware of the agreement you made with Elder Vannes. We'll need to wait for Elder Vannes to return before making a decision."
"Fine. Since it wasn't you who made the promise to me, I won't seek you out. But what about the commotion just now?" Fang Heng pointed outside the Temple of Incantation.
Outside the temple, besides Rudyard's guards, several members of the Alchemy Association were waiting to be summoned.
"Fang Heng, as I've explained before, the Alchemy Association is here to assist us with the subsequent modifications to the magic array," Zet replied.
"I've also told you that I don't want to be disturbed by outsiders while operating the magic array. Why did you still bring them in? Do you think I wouldn't notice?" Fang Heng's tone turned cold.
Zet hadn't expected Fang Heng's perception to be so keen, sensing his actions of bringing outsiders into the magic array for inspection while controlling the array.
What annoyed him even more was Fang Heng's aggressive attitude.
"Fang Heng, are you questioning me?" Zet retorted coldly. "This is an internal matter of our Leaf Tribe. We don't need to explain ourselves to you. You just need to focus on your own tasks, taking care of the sacred tree sapling and the magic array. Understand?"
"Hmph." Fang Heng chuckled coldly. "Perhaps you've misunderstood. I'm only cooperating with you out of respect for Ovi. But now that Ovi is detained by you and your tribe, and you're reluctant to fulfill the conditions you promised me, even bringing in members of the Alchemy Association, are you trying to replace me?"
Fang Heng's gaze bore into Zet's face as he asked, "Do you think I'm easy to bully?"
Zet's expression grew even more indifferent.
"Fang Heng, don't get too insolent."
"Fine then. Since you've already found members of the Alchemy Association, and they've observed the operation of the magic array, I'll leave the rest to them. Our cooperation ends here, and I'm leaving," Fang Heng declared, stepping forward to leave.
Zet immediately stepped forward, blocking Fang Heng's path.
"What's this? Not letting me go?" Fang Heng glanced coldly at Zet. "I'm tired and want to go back to rest."
Zet replied in a deep voice, "Elder Vannes has given orders. You cannot leave."
"Is that so? Are you implying you're going to imprison me?" Fang Heng smirked, looking at Zet. "Interesting. Do you have the confidence to stop me?"
"Whoosh!"
Zet's pupils suddenly contracted.
What!
Suddenly, Fang Heng raised his hand and pointed in the direction of the sacred tree sapling.
"Watch out!!!"
"Protect the sapling!!!"
Whoosh!
Several streams of lifeblood power instantly pierced the sapling!
The people present were shocked and immediately gathered around the sapling.
Two elders simultaneously erected natural shields.
"Puff, puff..."
Fortunately, the lifeblood thorns were only superficial, dissipating upon contact with the natural barrier.
Zet breathed a sigh of relief, drenched in cold sweat from the scare.
Once the crisis passed, he looked back again, only to see faint spatial fluctuations gathering around Fang Heng, rapidly disappearing from the spot.
Oh no!
He escaped!