The Inverted Tree, which had once killed many people, was completely sealed away.

The roots of the Inverted Tree inside Bayton Academy had already transformed the parts exposed above ground into a giant hemisphere, completely sealed off from the outside world.

The people of Caugust didn’t touch the Inverted Tree.

They had already accepted that the Inverted Tree was Saul’s property. Even though he had left this place, they wouldn’t touch it, and even forbade others from approaching it.

This also conveniently allowed Shaya to rest and recover properly.

On the evening of the second day after Saul left Caugust, another survivor actually emerged from the inner city that had been quiet all day.

Wilder had thick bandages wrapped around his head, his graying beard had turned black, and he looked much more energetic.

He hadn’t actually been killed by Bethstana but had his soul absorbed by her and was used to intercept Shaya in the tree heart space.

Although the interception failed, he had unexpectedly been cured of the hidden injuries left by the half-elf due to the elf spring water Shaya had produced.

Wilder had originally been unable to continue studying magic due to his injuries and could only seek other ways to push open the inner doors, trying to advance to third rank to expel the half-elf’s pollution.

He hadn’t expected to accidentally resolve the hidden problem in his body.

This way, the door-opening method Beth had promised became less important.

Moreover, he felt Beth’s condition wasn’t good either, so he secretly left the tree heart space while the two were entangled.

Shadu, stationed in the outer city, sensed Wilder’s magical fluctuations and flew directly to him.

“You’re actually still alive. After not coming out for so long, I thought you’d already become nourishment for the Inverted Tree.” Shadu said with a smile, showing no trace of worry on his face.

Wilder didn’t mind the other’s mockery, just asked unexpectedly, “Why are you here? Doesn’t the Tribunal always ignore Bayton Academy’s affairs?”

“Yura sent word that Saul was heading to Caugust, likely targeting the Inverted Tree. Since Bethstana was already at the end of her life anyway, she had us come curry favor with Saul.”

“Yura?” Wilder was even more confused. “Wasn’t Yura taken away by Gorsa? Or did she escape again to be your inside agent?”

“Heh, you’ve been hiding from Gorsa too long. Don’t you know that Yura has already been completely resurrected by Gorsa, then discarded like trash?”

Wilder held his forehead—the hole in his head still wasn’t completely healed.

“Indeed, still abandoned in the end. Actually, I suspect she wasn’t Yura at all. The real Yura had already died completely after the soul experiments back then. That soul might just be some poor wretch Gorsa found to complete his resurrection experiment.”

Shadu waved his hand. “We don’t know the truth from back then, but that’s not important anymore. What’s important is that the current Yura can do more things for us.”

Wilder nodded. “I believe the current Yura must hate Gorsa thoroughly. That’s good too—that guy is seeking his own death, which makes it convenient for us to complete the Chief’s orders.”

Shadu’s expression turned slightly cold. “Now the Glare Family is protecting Gorsa, waiting for him to advance to fourth rank so they can maintain their family’s status after their fourth-rank wizards decline. But you and I both know that once that madman Gorsa advances to fourth rank, he’ll definitely flip the table. Then the stable situation the Chief has worked to maintain for over a hundred years will be destroyed.”

Wilder nodded and continued showing loyalty.

The two had reached surface agreement, but what they truly thought in their hearts was unknown.

…

“Then let’s go to Sky City first.”

Saul leaned back against his chair and made his decision.

Then he closed the diary and looked at his right palm.

The muscle texture of his palm slowly moved, squeezing out a brown tree seed the size of a sunflower seed from within.

This tree seed looked completely ordinary. If not for the vigorous life force emanating from it, it would be impossible to imagine it had the potential to grow into a towering tree capable of devouring a giant city.

However, having ended up in Saul’s hands, this tree seed had basically lost its chance to grow into a towering tree.

Saul stood up, and the diary on the desk suddenly disappeared.

Saul walked quickly downstairs and discovered there were several more people in the wizard tower along the way.

These people would show somewhat fearful expressions when they saw Saul, making way for an extremely wide path.

Saul continued downward, passed through the black mist corridor, and finally reached the second basement level.

Here there was still only Little Algae and a small sapling suspended in the air.

Because Saul wasn’t there, no one dared to bother Little Algae. When it first sensed light, its first reaction was to attack.

Saul wasn’t polite either—after all, he wasn’t afraid of competing over who had more tentacles.

Black vines and gray semi-transparent tentacles entangled together, but soon the vines were defeated, pressed firmly to the ground one by one by the tentacles.

Like a girl subdued by a strong man.

Only after Little Algae finally quieted down did Saul free one hand to slowly insert the Inverted Tree seed into Little Algae’s core root system.

The moment the seed was activated, it immediately began sprouting and growing fine, dense brown rootlets as thin as hair.

Little Algae seemed startled and actually froze in place without moving.

But Saul wouldn’t allow the Inverted Tree seed to steal nutrients belonging to Little Algae.

He immediately applied a layer of sealing to it and severed most of its rootlets.

After setting up three more growth-restricting seals, Saul slowly released Little Algae.

Little Algae was somewhat dazed but finally recognized that the person was Saul, collapsing in place without moving.

It looked inexplicably somewhat aggrieved.

Saul gently patted Little Algae’s tentacle. “After this seed grows up, it will help you absorb the pollution in your body. That’s the stuff that makes you uncomfortable and want to hit people.”

Little Algae carefully extended a tentacle, opening its shark-like mouth, but this time it didn’t attack Saul.

“Aba aba aba…”

Knowing this was Little Algae telling him not to worry, Saul sighed softly.

“The Inverted Tree can absorb pollution, but it will definitely compete with you for food too. Remember to share some with it—I’ll give you extra meals.”

Seeing Little Algae obediently nod, Saul also showed a smile.

At this time, he noticed the diary stirring again, so he took it out to check.

It turned out Bethstana was speaking inside.

[Wizard Saul, if you took the Inverted Tree’s seed to save the Soul-Devouring Mire before you, I can only say you chose the wrong method.]

“How so?”

Bethstana understood the Inverted Tree very well, and Saul valued her suggestions highly.

[Although the Inverted Tree is powerful and can absorb pollution and chaos from within organisms, its autonomous consciousness is excessive. Even if you can temporarily suppress the seed’s growth, it will gradually become stronger after absorbing the pollution within the Soul-Devouring Mire. Since the Soul-Devouring Mire’s rank is originally much lower than the Inverted Tree’s, it will inevitably be devoured in return.]

Saul admitted Bethstana made sense. “I’ve considered this point too. That’s why I placed seals on the seed and will constantly monitor their changes afterward.”

[With all due respect, how much energy do you have to constantly watch them? Just one moment of carelessness, and your little darling will become the Inverted Tree’s puppet.]

Saul clasped his hands together and lowered his eyes. “Then speak directly—what’s your suggestion?”

[Black Sea Tree Source.]

[Actually, you have a more suitable choice right beside you for absorbing the pollution within the Soul-Devouring Mire, but you’ve never noticed it.]

[…]

(End of Chapter)

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