Abelion Hills.
Inside the World Item, [Two-World Mandala].
The Magic Tree, with its massive body about a hundred meters tall, was situated within the Vajra Mandala. The malevolent aura emanating from it placed a heavy pressure on the air.
Its branches stretched over two hundred meters long, and its six thick roots neared three hundred meters.
The enormous size occupied a large area, yet the seemingly not-so-vast Vajra Mandala did not feel crowded despite the Magic Tree's presence.
Judgment Throne Angel (Lv. 70), Hellhound (Lv. 70), Fire-Wind Mixed Elemental Spirit (Lv. 70).
These three Rank 10 summoned monsters were not large compared to the hundred-meter-tall Magic Tree.
However.
Tang Zheng's figure, standing within this area, appeared even more minuscule in comparison.
"By fusing the 'Frogmen Egg' with the 'Magic Tree Seed,' I wonder how effective it will be as an integration material?"
Tang Zheng stood before the three summoned monsters, holding an item the size of a glass bead in his palm, containing a green tree seed.
After subduing the Magic Tree.
There were three things about its identity that Tang Zheng found quite interesting.
The first was the medicinal herb atop the Magic Tree's head. Its specific effects were unknown, and it had already been handed over to Nfirea for research.
The second was the Magic Tree's bark, which was also a rather excellent alchemical material and could likely serve as a component for scroll crafting.
Unfortunately.
Tang Zheng was only a half-baked scroll crafter and couldn't utilize it. If he recalled correctly, in the game "YGGDRASIL," scroll crafting skills and professions required the expenditure of game gold.
And scroll crafters in this otherworld likely couldn't utilize the alchemical materials from a Magic Tree that had reached over Lv. 80. So, he put it aside for the time being.
The third was the Magic Tree's seed!
The seed itself contained a considerable amount of life energy and could give birth to Terror Treants by parasitizing other creatures.
He had been researching the Magic Tree's seed during this period, and he had finally managed to combine it with the "Frogmen Egg."
"First, the angel."
Tang Zheng picked up the glass bead-sized "Frogman Egg Tree Seed" and first placed it inside the Judgment Throne Angel.
He then placed it inside the Hellhound. However, when he prepared to place it inside the Fire-Wind Mixed Elemental Spirit.
The "Frogman Egg Tree Seed" turned to ash the moment it came into contact with the flames!
"As expected, the compatibility is extremely poor."
Tang Zheng looked at the seed burning into residue in the flames, his gaze calm.
From the beginning until now, Tang Zheng had implemented two plans: the "Cultivation Plan" and the "Sacred Plan."
The "Cultivation Plan" had been shelved.
Tang Zheng now had new methods for gaining experience, and the experience provided by the cultivation plan would only decrease as his level increased, while the cost would become extremely high.
The "Sacred Plan" was proceeding normally.
It was jointly implemented by the "Holy Kingdom" and the "Slane Theocracy."
However...
This plan, which seemed capable of increasing humanity's foundation and even saving humanity, was merely a flawed half-finished product in Tang Zheng's eyes.
The fundamental reason he initiated this plan in the first place was to create monsters that could exist for a long time, like the Undead King, as future combat power.
The appearance of the "Integration Potion" allowed Tang Zheng to see this possibility.
The current plan by the Theocracy was proceeding "relatively" smoothly because the permanent angels created by the Theocracy were only Rank 7!
For Rank 8 permanent angels, in the original plan, the Theocracy had hoped for the assistance of Quartet, the chief priest of the "Holy Kingdom" who had entered the "Heroic Realm."
As a result!
A Rank 8 angel was summoned, but its permanent duration was only half an hour longer than it should have been under normal summoning.
In this situation!
It directly led to the failure of the plan to create Rank 8 permanent angels, the reason stemming from the integration materials.
Tang Zheng had obtained all research materials and data related to it from the Theocracy through the "Four Elements."
Rank 7 angels, after integrating with "human infants," could exist for about 10 years. However, Rank 8 angels, also integrated with "human infants," had their duration shortened to the normal summoning time.
Even.
The Theocracy itself could not determine whether the integrated infants had any impact on the duration of existence for Rank 8 angels.
Under these circumstances, the Theocracy even used infants of the Elf race for experimentation, and the duration of existence for Rank 7 angels became longer.
But for Rank 8 angels, the duration only increased by half an hour compared to before, which was negligible and insufficient to maintain them as reserve forces.
"Rank 7 angels are between 'Lv. 43-49', and starting from Rank 8, the level range is already above Lv. 50."
"It's only one rank difference, yet the gap is so immense."
Tang Zheng stared at the two remaining demonic creatures before him, thinking to himself, Is this the difference in life levels between those above level 50 and those below?
Ultimately!
It all came down to the insufficient quality of the "integrated materials." This was true for the 8th Tier Angels, let alone the higher-ranked 9th and 10th Tier Angels.
This was also why Tang Zheng considered the "Sacred Plan" to be flawed.
No matter how many 7th Tier Angels there were, they would only serve as cannon fodder, merely consuming the strength of opponents like the maids.
In the arena.
While waiting for the normal summoning time for the "Judgment Throne Angel" and the "Hellhound," Tang Zheng began to chant again:
"Composite Element Summoning: Sandstorm Elemental!"
Swish!
An elemental body formed from rapidly spinning yellow sand quickly condensed, forming an elemental spirit on the ground.
Tang Zheng took out the "Frogmen Egg Tree Seed" again and tossed it towards the Sandstorm Elemental. Under his gaze, the tree seed was shattered by the swirling sand as it integrated.
"Well, then."
"It seems the tree seed has extremely poor compatibility with wind and fire elements."
Tang Zheng waved his hand, dispelling the Sandstorm Elemental, and took out a brand new "Frogmen Egg Tree Seed" to try summoning other composite elements.
The "Terror Treant" tree seeds that the Magic Tree could create, much like the "Servant Zombie" created by the Death Knight, had a certain quantity limit.
A maximum of 36 could be created.
Among these, the Tree Spirit Pinesis occupied one, so Tang Zheng only had 35 "Terror Treant" tree seeds available.
...
Upward Earth Month, October 2nd.
A month had passed.
The entire northwestern continent inhabited by humans appeared calm on the surface, but beneath it, currents were already surging.
—Slane Theocracy.
17:00.
Ding~ Ding~
The clashing of magic bells rang out at the precise time, quickly spreading throughout the entire military department hall.
The Theocracy possessed a more advanced political system than human nations. Apart from the High Priest, who was the supreme leader corresponding to the six divine spirits, Below him were the five major departments.
Judicial Department, Legislative Department, Administrative Department, Magic Development and Research Department, and the Military Department.
Among these, the Military Department oversaw all the Theocracy's forces and was of utmost importance. Recently, this department had become exceptionally busy.
As the magic bells chimed.
Figures began to emerge from the Military Department, leaving in small groups.
"Quentin, want to grab a drink together?"
A middle-aged blonde man asked his bald companion enthusiastically.
"Good idea."
Quintin Zaka's eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement. Just as he was about to speak further, he seemed to suddenly recall something, and a hint of dejection appeared on his face:
"I don't think I can today. I've been getting home too late lately, and you know how my wife is..."
"Now, things are finally back to normal..."
Quintin Zaka paused deliberately, putting on a look of embarrassment. This was perhaps a common situation for most middle-aged men.
"Alright."
The blonde middle-aged companion shrugged helplessly.
After the two parted ways midway.
Quintin Zaka returned home alone, his face showing fatigue, but his eyes held a hint of wariness.
He kept observing his surroundings in a subtle manner from time to time.
"It seems I haven't been discovered."
Quintin Zaka only relaxed when he reached his doorstep and glanced at the only alleyway for entry and exit from the corner of his eye, finding no one following him.
As a spy for the Council State, he had to be cautious.
Especially recently, with so many spies being suddenly dealt with by the Theocracy, he had been quite nervous.
Fortunately, so far, he didn't seem to have been discovered.
Click.
Quintin Zaka opened the door and spoke to his wife with a normal expression, but his mind was racing with the events of the past period.
The Theocracy had suddenly redeployed various forces, especially some of the troops originally stationed in the "Ivan Great Forest," which were actually recalled back to the country.
The Military Department was in chaos because of this, and they had been working overtime to deal with it.
What a shame.
His position in the Military Department was neither high nor low. If he wanted to obtain classified information, it was impossible for him to do so with his status.
"What on earth is happening? Why is the Theocracy so nervous?"
Quintin Zaka couldn't figure it out based on the limited intelligence and could only shake his head:
"I feel like I've been busy for nothing for a month, and yet nothing has happened. Today, the troops that were previously recalled have returned to the 'Ivan Great Forest'."
"Is it still the same as before? I feel like this time is slightly different."
Quintin Zaka's brow furrowed unconsciously.
"What's wrong? You've been spacing out," his wife's gentle voice sounded from the side.
"Ah?"
Quintin Zaka was startled, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead: "It's nothing, just thinking about work."
After casually brushing off the matter, he felt that he needed to report this intelligence.
—Location of the Supreme Council Chamber.
In a room that was neither spacious nor luxurious, the six High Priests of the Theocracy were seated around a round table.
The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive!
No one would show a relaxed attitude in such a situation, let alone the events that had occurred in the previous period, which made it impossible for anyone present to appear cheerful.
"It's been a month, and the Council State has made no move!"
Raymond, the Earth High Priest, crossed his hands on the table and said coldly:
"Is the 13 Hero 'Silver' a fake identity, or was he a real hero of the 13 heroes!"
"Or perhaps the Council State is completely unaware that the other party is dead. If the opposite is true, then the Council State's inaction so far, could it be hiding a huge conspiracy?"
A series of questions were directly thrown at everyone, and the air became even more solidified and tense!
This was natural.
The [Darkness Scripture] could be described as completely wiped out, except for the Divine-Human Captain, the "Four Elements" who were originally stationed outside, and Clementine.
All other members of the Scripture were dead!
Such losses and impact made the six High Priests, who first received the intelligence, believe they were hallucinating. Immediately after, they reacted like cats whose tails had been stepped on.
They made various preparations and countermeasures in a state of panic, but in the end, nothing happened!
Now.
The members of the Scripture, who had been resurrected at a great cost, were still undergoing rehabilitation training. More importantly, Lord Kerry could not be resurrected!
If it weren't for the fact that the True Divine Artifact had not been lost, the six High Priests could not even imagine such a disaster.
"At least in the current situation, the Council State's inaction is a good thing for us."
Sinedin, the Water High Priest, rubbed his temples with his dry fingers:
"We have more time to prepare!"
"Heh heh."
Benice, the Fire High Priest, narrowed her eyes: "It seems you also believe that the 13 Hero 'Silver', who suddenly appeared, is related to the Council State."
Sinedin, the Water High Priest, first shook his head, then nodded.
"There can be no mistake in such matters!"
Maximilian, the Darkness High Priest, had a serious expression as he gently pushed up his glasses:
"In any case, we should make plans based on the worst-case scenario."
"How is the cleanup of spies progressing?"
Ion, the Light High Priest, suddenly asked.
"We've dealt with some of them. As for whether there are any remaining?" Dominic, the Wind High Priest, sneered:
"We are still in the process of confirming."
The atmosphere returned to calm, but the expressions of every High Priest present were somewhat tense.
"Cough, cough!"
Sinedin, the Water High Priest, cleared his throat and said sternly:
"We are too preoccupied to care about the outcome of the war between the Empire and the Kingdom. The most important thing now is that matter!"
"That child's proposal?" Benice, the Fire High Priest, sighed.
"For now, we can only set the Council State as the imaginary enemy and make arrangements for countermeasures."
Dominic, Chief Priest of Wind: "Regardless of whether the suddenly appearing 'Silver' is from the Council State, or even some objective of the Platinum Dragon Lord."
"Since things have already happened, we must first choose one of the extremely stale and unavoidable problems to resolve."
"...Hmm."
Raymond, Chief Priest of Earth, his eyes gradually sharpening: "So, it's time to deal with that rotten elf first."
If the Council State were to make a move in the future, they would likely have no energy left to deal with the Elf Kingdom's issues, and all previous deployments and wasted resources would become a complete loss.
Therefore, prioritizing the resolution of the Elf Kingdom problem would allow them to better respond to the threat from the Council State in the future.
"Permanent Angels can be deployed as combat power!" declared Maximilian, Chief Priest of Darkness.
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