novelraw Chapter 71: Verdant Celestvine Tree
Chapter 71: Verdant Celestvine Tree
Ash would have cursed and crashed out but he couldn’t as his body became completely paralyzed that he couldn’t move his lips nor couldn’t even blink properly.
The earth essence was restructuring him from the inside out as his bones thickened and his muscles compressed.
His entire body adapted to the "weight" of earth and at this time, he had never felt so heavy since he couldn’t move, not even a finger.
"Tsk..." Old Ni sneered. "Serves you right."
He thought that it would probably take him hours at this rate, but still... his mind was still sharp as he thought for a moment and finally remembered something.
Even if he couldn’t move, he could still communicate through the system. Not only that, because of the system’s upgrade, the cost to communicate was much lower compared to before.
So much lower that he won’t even bat an eye to communicate two ways as it became 10x cheaper now.
Before, he had to pay 10 Tribal Points per second just to inform a single person, or 100 Tribal Points per second just to have a conversation with someone.
But now, he only needed 1 Tribal Points per second to inform someone and 10 Tribal Points per second to have a conversation with a single person.
He then contacted Old Ni. "Old Ni."
"Yes, Tribe Lord?"
"Go fetch Garnak." Ash instructed him.
Old Ni raised an eyebrow. "You want him here?"
"Yes. I’m curious about something."
A minute later, Garnak entered the Earth Area. The towering warrior looked around, visibly impressed. "That’s... a massive tree."
Old Ni stepped beside him. "The tribe lord is currently paralyzed."
Garnak blinked when he saw that Ash was kneeling like a stone carving.
Old Ni pointed upward. "Eat one."
Garnak scratched his head. "Just like that?"
"Yes."
Without hesitation, Garnak plucked a Gaia Core Fruit and swallowed it whole.
CRACK!
The fruit shattered within him.
BOOOOOOOM!
The ground exploded outward as Garnak roared.
His body expanded, Veins bulged like braided stone cables. His bones audibly cracked as they were thickened. His skin darkened slightly, gaining a faint rocky texture.
The ground beneath his feet rose and swirled around him like orbiting fragments. Unlike Ash’s controlled integration, this one was violent as his physical constitution reacted differently.
The system’s voice rang in Ash’s mind.
[Ding! Earth Element Affinity Awakening...]
[Ding! Physique Compatibility Detected — Earthbound Titan Physique (S Rank)]
[Ding! Awakening the Earthbound Titan Physique (S Rank)]
The transformation intensified as Garnak’s body grew more refined. His aura became grounded, oppressive.
The process was far more complicated than Ash’s as his entire skeletal framework shifted, his muscle fibers condensed, his towering height increased slightly, and his shoulders broadened.
Two hours passed quickly...
Then, Garnak froze completely.
Old Ni chuckled. "Well. Now there are two statues."
Ash could only sigh in his heart, as he thought that at least it was worth it. ’So the 30% chance is real.’
Just not for him at the very least.
"...Unbelievable," Ash thought.
Ash completed his digestion first as the crushing weight gradually diminished.
Movement returned to his body one by one, starting from his fingers, then his arms, his legs.
The ground did not crack this time as he felt the difference. His body felt like forged steel wrapped in flesh.
Garnak was still rendered useless and Ash only glanced at him once. "Let him finish."
Then he turned toward the final shimmering barrier and the moment he crossed it, everything changed again as the ground became lush with soft emerald grass.
Ancient vines coiled along natural stone arches. The air was rich with life energy, so dense it felt breathable.
Ash inhaled deeply and for the first time since entering these areas, he truly felt peace.
At the center stood a breathtaking tree.
Radiant emerald bark that shimmered faintly with flowing vitality. Vines spiraled around its trunk in elegant loops. Leaves glowed softly like polished jade.
Spiritual butterflies fluttered nearby, even small beast spirits rested peacefully beneath it.
Hanging from its branches were twelve fruits. Each one glowing bright green, smooth like carved jade spheres, pulsing with pure life force.
The system notification rang in his mind the moment his gaze was focused on the beautiful tree in front of him.
[Ding! Treasure Detected.]
[Name: Verdant Celestvine Tree]
[Grade: Imperial-Tier]
[Attribute: Wood Element]
[Fruit Name: Emerald Lifebloom Fruit]
—> Effects After Consumption:
__Awakens Wood Element Affinity
__Enhances regeneration and vitality
__Boosts compatibility with healing techniques
__Grants accelerated cultivation in forest environments
__30% chance to awaken Wood-type Physique
Ash stood there quietly for a few moments, mesmerized by the tree because even standing near it made the faint residual fatigue in his body vanish.
Then he stepped forward slowly and plucked one fruit.
[Ding! You have obtained the Emerald Lifebloom Fruit — Imperial Rank.]
The moment he bit it, the fruit dissolved instantly into a wave of refreshing essence. Not an explosive nor crushing, but a gentle one.
His muscles relaxed instantly, as he felt as if his cells felt nourished and his breathing deepened naturally.
[Ding! Wood Element Affinity Awakening...]
[Ding! Regeneration Significantly Enhanced.]
[Ding! Vitality Boosted.]
[Ding! Healing Compatibility Increased.]
[Ding! Wood-Type Physique Awakening Check...]
[Ding! Failed (30% chance not triggered)]
"You have got to be kidding me." Ash gritted his teeth as he clenched his fists tightly.
FIVE!
A whole fucking five failures with each had thirty percent each and yet he couldn’t get even a single one.
At first he thought that his luck was a bit rotten, but now he was certain if his luck was so shit to the point that even he wouldn’t be able to find someone who has shittier luck than him at this point.
He then looked up at the radiant tree and for a moment, he actually considered biting another fruit out of spite.
But instead, he exhaled slowly as green light shimmered faintly beneath his skin.
His body now felt complete in a way it hadn’t before, as it was somehow more balanced in a way after he consumed the fruits.