Chapter 710 The Tree
The growth of the tree was relentless, only coming to a halt when it had achieved an impressive height of 100 meters. The towering structure stood tall above the expansive desert, with its branches extending and casting elongated shadows over the pristine white sand.
As the wind blew, the leaves of the tree rustled, generating a melody that resonated through the entire desert.
Erik's gaze shifted upward towards the towering tree, and as he did so, he felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction engulf him. The task had been successfully completed.
He had nurtured and cultivated a magnificent tree, one that soared towards the heavens and was bound to capture the interest of every Thaid living nearby.
As the plant grew, Erik could feel his connection with it strengthening. He could feel its life force pulsating in sync with his own heartbeat.
"Let's see how they like this."
A mischievous grin appeared on Erik's face. He realized the actions he was taking would undoubtedly capture the attention of others. However, that would not come only from Thaids, but also from humans. After all, how could a giant tree sprout in the middle of a Thaid infested desert?
With a last surge of mana, Erik watched as the plant erupted from the ground, its branches reaching towards the sky. It was a sight to behold, a manifestation of life amidst the lifeless desert.
"Now." Erik's voice was drained since he almost used all his mana to grow the tree. That wouldn't have been possible in the past, but since Erik knew he was going to need his Plant Master power more than ever, he focused his efforts on making neural links for it, which made it much more mana-efficient.
"Let's see how many Thaids this can attract."
***
With keen interest, the Thaids observed the scene unfolding from the far reaches of the White Desert. With their keen vision specifically suited for finding prey in the desolate environment, they spotted an unexpected anomaly.
A giant tree, its bark as white as the surrounding sand, was sprouting in the middle of the desert. It was an unusual sight, a stark contrast to the barren landscape they were accustomed to.
None of them could ignore the spectacle of the tree's rapid growth. The branches of the tree extended outward, resembling the outstretched arms of a colossal creature, while its leaves danced and made a soft rustling sound in response to the gentle breeze.
The immense size of the structure made it impossible to miss as it stood tall above the desert, serving as a beacon guiding the way.
The Thaids, intrigued by this unexpected turn of events, made their way towards the tree, with the flying Thaids being the quickest among them.
Their wings beat against the wind, their bodies streamlined for maximum speed. The sight of such a large tree in the middle of the desert was too enticing to ignore, its presence a clear sign of something out of the ordinary.
The closer they got, the clearer their view of the tree became. With a height that seemed to defy gravity, it reached an astonishing one hundred meters, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Its branches were thick and sturdy, its leaves lush and green despite the climate.
Drawn by curiosity and the promise of something to munch on, the Thaids marched and flew toward the tree. Their numbers grew as more and more Thaids joined them, their curiosity piqued by the unusual sight.
From a distance, it looked like a swarm of dark clouds was descending upon the towering tree.
…
…
…
Even though it was winter in Etrium, the desert defied expectations by being unusually warm, with the sun's rays mercilessly scorching the white sand. However, the tree came to the rescue and provided a much-needed break from the sweltering heat.
Its broad leaves cast long shadows, creating a cool oasis in the middle of the desert. Under the shade, the temperature dropped by a considerable amount. Erik finally got the much-anticipated break from the scorching heat.
His attention was not directed towards these changes. That was simply a lucky event. In order to be fully prepared to stay in the desert, he had to take care of something else first.
Once again, Erik tapped into his mana and channeled it. He specifically aimed his command towards the trunk of the tree this time, instructing it to generate a passage. In response to his command, the tree reacted by shifting its bark and creating a large opening.
Erik stepped into the opening, his eyes taking in the tree's interior. The interior of the space was exactly what he had envisioned, spacious and hollow. It was perfect for what he had in mind.
Taking control of the tree's wood, he skillfully shaped and manipulated it to fulfill his desires. The sides of the trunk were transformed as walls sprouted, creating partitions that formed separate rooms within the hollow space.
He continued to shape the wood, creating furniture from the tree's own substance. Tables, chairs, a bed - everything he would need for his stay in the desert. The wood, like a loyal servant, obeyed his instructions, growing and adapting to his every command.
"This will do."
Erik took a moment to survey his completed work. The inside of the tree had been transformed into a cozy living area, equipped with everything one would need to stay. It was going to be his base of operations in the White Desert, a place where he could rest and prepare for his hunts.
As his eyes scanned the rooms of his new home, Erik couldn't suppress the feeling of contentment that washed over him. He had created something out of nothing, a safe place in the middle of a harsh desert.
With a sense of pride, the young man observed his handiwork as he glanced around the interior of the tree house.
The air inside the room was cool and fresh, creating a striking contrast to the scorching dry heat that enveloped the exterior.
Crafted from the vibrant, living wood of the tree, the walls exuded a gentle energy that pulsed rhythmically.
He moved through the rooms, his fingers trailing along the smooth surfaces of the wooden furniture he'd created.
Each piece was perfectly formed, matching his exact specifications. The bed was enormous and inviting, but it missed something soft on which he could sleep comfortably. A large table stood in what he had designated as the dining area, its surface polished to a mirror finish.
"Perfect." His voice echoed around the wooden walls. But there was no time to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. He had something to do now. Thaids to kill.
With one last glance around his new home, Erik stepped back into the opening of the tree. The sunlight outside was harsh after the cool darkness within, but he didn't flinch.
Gazing into the vast expanse of the sky, his eyes caught sight of tiny specks in the distance.
At first glance, they appeared as mere dust particles dancing in the air. But as he focused, it became clear that these were not inanimate specks, but living creatures—flying entities approaching from afar.
Though they were mere dots against the vast canvas of the sky, their steady and purposeful movement betrayed their nature.
These were no ordinary birds or insects; their size, even from such a great distance, suggested something much larger, akin to the size of cows.
Yet, details of their appearance remained elusive, shrouded in the distance that made them appear so minuscule.
These were Thaids, the flying kind, descending upon his location. Their distant forms, growing more distinct against the sky, brought an unsettling awareness of the impending encounter with these massive airborne creatures.
Not only this place was an anomaly for them, but it was also a potential nesting spot amidst their hunting grounds. If they made a nest here, they wouldn't have to go back to the forest, saving a lot of energy.
"They are a little too many…"
Along with everything else he was observing, Erik also directed his attention to the ground.
Besides the Thaids flying here, there were also Thaids traveling by land to reach this destination. Although he couldn't yet distinguish them, there were a multitude of them.
The figures he spotted in the distance were a herd of a particular species of Thaids, or perhaps members of various other races inhabiting the desert regions banding together. However, because of the distance, he couldn't determine their exact kind.
"But why are they coming in despite the flying Thaids flying over them? "
However, upon further observation, it became clear that the Thaids were oblivious to the flying beings. It would be a suicide to come here when those beasts were doing the same.
"Let's hope they kill each other…"
Erik, perhaps, went a bit overboard, considering that battling such many Thaids simultaneously would pose a significant threat, even for someone as skilled as him. In order to ensure his safety, he needed to pay close attention and play it safe. However, he felt a powerful surge of determination welling up inside him.
"Now I just need to wait."
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