At long last, he stood atop the mountain's peak, only to be greeted by a breathtaking sight—a colossal bonsai tree, standing tall and majestic before him.
Normal bonsai trees are small, so he was astonished to find a massive one towering at a surprising height of 50 feet.
He also noticed that the tree's roots were interwoven with the mountain, as if it was holding it together.
Intrigued, he used his keen eyes to observe the flow of energy between the tree and the mountain.
"This tree contains a lot of energy," he muttered to himself. He could feel an almost unlimited amount of power emanating from it.
With his body already having absorbed a fragment with Earth Element, he had grown more sensitive to natural energies.
As he stood there, he could sense not only Earth Energy but also a vibrant surge of green energy, the essence of life, surrounding the place.
"I could feel that the fragment is inside, but how should I get it? It's a pity to destroy this tree," he mused, taking cautious steps around the massive bonsai.
As he explored, a subtle smile formed on his lips when he spotted a hollow section on the side .
It was challenging to notice it with normal sight, but his attunement to energy allowed him to discern that this side had a thicker energy flow than the rest. This could be the way to access the fragment.
He gently placed his palm on the tree wall, and as expected, the veins gracefully moved away, revealing the hidden entrance.
Stepping inside, he discovered that the interior of the tree was much larger than its exterior. He ventured further and noticed a spiral staircase crafted from tree roots, leading downwards .
"Let's see what's in the bottom,"
SWOOOOSH!
He zoomed past the steps, moving so swiftly that he appeared as nothing more than a blur.
But, as he continued to accelerate, he noticed something strange happening. The weight of his body began to increase exponentially, causing him to come to an abrupt stop, his sprint impeded by the sudden surge in gravitational force.
"My body felt really heavy while I was running!"
Pausing to catch his breath, he realized that his exceptional speed had been neutralized in this place . The giant bonsai tree was not as straightforward as he initially thought.
He pondered over the situation, considering this implications.
"Let me try it again,"
SWOOOOSH!
Once more, he propelled himself forward, only to encounter the same outcome. As expected, his weight surged tremendously, reaching an astonishing 20 tons, nullifying his speed entirely.
The force of this rapid increase in weight proved too overwhelming to maintain his momentum. He realized that forcing his way would be futile.
"I guess walking would be the only choice," he sighed.
Wisely adapting to the unique circumstances, he abandoned running and chose a more measured approach. Deciding to walk at a normal pace, he proceeded through the interior of the giant bonsai tree.
As he continued his descent, he couldn't help but notice that the path seemed unending. His thoughts wandered, contemplating whether this place might be infinite. So, he paused and decided to sense his surroundings more.
After a moment of attuning to the energies around him, he concluded that this wasn't a domain. It was merely a unique and extensive interior of the giant bonsai tree
"I guess I'm just used to moving at such high speeds that a 30-minute walk feels longer," he chuckled to himself, laughing at his impatience.
STEP!
STEP!
STEP!
Thirty minutes turned into forty, and an hour felt like an eternity as he continued walking through the vast interior of the giant bonsai tree.
Fortunately, his persistence was rewarded as he finally caught sight of a faint light in the distance.
Walking towards the source of the light, his anticipation increased a bit as he entered a vast cavern filled with otherworldly, glowing green walls.
As he gazed around the cavern, his attention was forcibly drawn to a stunning figure resting on a chair made of roots. Her long dark hair with red highlights cascaded gracefully, and her peaceful slumber seemed to emanate an aura of tranquility.
"Lung Mo?" he exclaimed after seeing the figure.
As he recalled the name from Fenrir's memories, everything started to make sense. Long Mu, the legendary mother of dragons, was indeed the figure before him, sleeping soundly in her throne made of tree roots.
The memories of a time long before he had encountered Elizabeth came rushing back.
The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, revealing his past before his memories were sealed away by the Originals.
Amidst the swirling memories, he stood there, connecting with hi past and the enigmatic figure resting before him.
----
[Flashback - Side Story ]
Xia Dynasty - Zhenzun Capital.
"Hey Brother Lang, did you know about the Martial Art tournament happening in the plaza?" a small boy with black hair and small eyes came running towards the tree where a man was resting, dressed in a white sleeveless robe.
"I told you not to bother me," the man atop the tree replied, reluctantly opening his eyes.
His striking features and long hair gave him a handsome appearance, and his dark eyes and hair seemed akin to the night sky. He had a well-built physique that exuded strength.
This man was no other than Fenrir.
Driven by a quest to uncover his true origin, he ventured to Asia, where he had heard rumors of a nation populated by people with the same distinctive facial features as him.
And guided by curiosity and a longing to discover his roots, he traversed the lands, seeking clues that might lead him to answers about his past.
As the boy continued to express his excitement about the Martial Art tournament, he added, "But one of the most beautiful women in the whole of Xia will be there!"
"The most beautiful? Why did you start with the tournament? Let's go!" Fenrir jumped to his feet, energized by the prospect of encountering this beautiful maiden. The word "most beautiful " was like music to his ears.
"Brother Lang, don't leave me!" The boy tried to catch up as Fenrir dashed towards the plaza.
"You're too slow. If you want to become a master like me, then you need to gain some stamina," Fenrir teased, running faster, leaving the boy in awe of his agility.
Unbeknownst to the boy, Fenrir's true strength did not stem from martial arts expertise, but rather from his powerful werewolf bloodline.
However, Fenrir decided not to clarify this misunderstanding, knowing that posing as a martial artist was a safer option in an era where werewolves were hunted down like demons.
Bounding through the streets, he leaped over houses and covered long distances within minutes. The plaza soon came into view, bustling with a massive crowd of at least a thousand people.
The air was filled with excitement and anticipation, as skilled martial artists from various clans showcased their abilities in friendly competitions and displays of prowess.
With the plaza teeming with energy and the thrill of competition, he knew that this event would be exciting. Especially because the most beautiful woman in Xia will be here.
On top of a three floors traditional Chinese building .
Fenrir observed the skilled martial artists in action, he couldn't help but be impressed by their strength and prowess. Having traveled the world and encountered various civilizations, he recognized that these martial artists were indeed exceptionally formidable by human standards.
"They're all using Ki. I wish I could also use it," he sighed, longing for the ability to harness Ki like the skilled practitioners he witnessed. He had attempted to practice and manipulate Ki before, but it became evident that it was beyond his capabilities.
[Note : Ki and Adrenaline Manipulation is the same ]
Knowing the limitations of his werewolf bloodline, he had come to accept that certain abilities, like utilizing Ki, were not within his grasp.
As he watched the intense exchange between martial artists, he marveled at their exceptional skills and weaponry.
Finally, the most important battle for today started .
His attention was caught by the intense Ki that the two martial artists unleashed after stepping on the stage—one armed with a jade sword and the other wielding a golden spear.
BOOOM!
The clash of the sword and spear created a resounding boom that reverberated throughout the plaza, drawing gasps and applause from the mesmerized crowd.
The two combatants showcased the pinnacle of human martial arts, their dedication and discipline evident in every strike they delivered.
"That guy should be a monk," he muttered to himself, focusing on the bald man who displayed remarkable skill in handling the spear. Each thrust he made seemed potent enough to pierce through stone, showcasing the monk's mastery of his weapon.
As he observed the monk in action, he noted how the martial artist maintained a strategic distance from his opponent, expertly utilizing the reach of the spear to his advantage. With fluid footwork and precise strikes, the monk kept his opponent at bay, avoiding the deadly strikes of the sword.
The crowd around the platform was equally engrossed, cheering and gasping at the exquisite display of martial prowess.
The atmosphere in the plaza was filled with excitement and appreciation for the martial artist.
But as they continued to exchange blows, the advantage of the monk finally showed itself.
WOOOOSH!
THRUST!
Crimson blood tainted the platform.
"Monk Zhou, won!"
"Monk Zhou,won!"
Everyone erupted into cheers as the intense battle came to an end with the monk delivering a decisive blow, striking the shoulder of the swordsman.
The skillful display of the martial artist's technique and strategic use of the spear had proved superior in the end.
"Does anyone want to challenge Monk Zhou? As part of the agreement, anyone who can defeat him will have a chance to meet the most beautiful woman in Xia," announced by an elder wearing a white robe.
"Most beautiful?" A teasing smile formed on Fenrir's face.
[Note Character Background Story from Chapter 241 -243 ]
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