Chapter 336
by fanqienovelChapter 336: Transformation of the Fantasy Tree of Subspace
The "Bubble World" Valaharl lay in ruins after the demon god’s invasion.
Population losses proved devastating.
Though the Giant God’s divine grace granted exceptional combat prowess to all mortals under its command—enabling even civilians to swarm chaotic demons like a militia tide when necessary—
extreme casualties remained unavoidable.
Sacrifice forms the cornerstone of the Giant God’s "Mortal Empire," a truth etched in blood.
Countless mothers buried children; countless children became orphans. Nearly every survivor knew relatives or acquaintances fallen in that brief, brutal, yet glorious defense.
Such staggering losses plunged war survivors into profound grief.
Yet those who endured…
Simply resumed their routines the next day…
No wails of sorrow echoed, no victory celebrations erupted—as if war and death were mundane facets of daily existence.
This held especially true for native Valaharl people.
Asked for reasons, respirator-clad citizens would peer through helmet visors at questioners as if looking at idiots, then return to their tasks.
After countless inquiries, one might finally hear: "Souls returning to the Giant God, glory everlasting."
Then they’d resume rubble-clearing.
But Valaharl people weren’t emotionless.
Their way was this: forging all anguish into vengeance, awaiting the Giant God’s summons!
When called, they’d rain deadly fire upon chaotic demons and their lackeys!
Few anticipated the Giant God’s call would come swifter than usual.
"Citizens A3889 through A6983: report immediately to the nearest political commissioner."
"Repeat: Citizens A3889 through A6983: report immediately to the nearest political commissioner."
…
The Soul Network pulsed with these broadcasts.
Most Valaharl people assumed another wartime deployment.
None knew their true battlefield would be…
*Hiss… wheeze…*
Respirators rasped in the pitch-black, pipe-lined depths.
A Valaharl citizen stood beside a black-armored "Death Legion" Chosen Warrior. Both stared, stunned into silence, at crimson spheres drifting past and an island-sized fleshy mass.
Neither comprehended their situation.
But presence demanded purpose.
"Stand ready for now, citizen."
The "Death Legion" Chosen Warrior rumbled to his Valaharl counterpart.
"In this Chaos Swamp Realm, all were enemies of the Giant God."
"As long as I am alive, there will always be a chance to show loyalty to the Giant God!"
Just then…
"Hmm?"
The Chosen Warrior looked up and turned toward the distance.
He sensed that uninvited guests were invading this Divine Body.
"Enemies of the Giant God."
"Sure enough, the time to show loyalty to the Giant God had come."
"Citizens, please fulfill your duties."
"Buzz——!"
Saying this, the warrior from the Death Legion transformed into a stream of black light, rushing toward where he detected the invaders.
—-
In the murky Ether Sea, a deadly battle was unfolding.
"Whoosh——!"
One after another, massive backs arched above the water’s surface.
Giant waves rippled one after another, as if boiling the sludge below!
Several giant dragons were biting and fighting each other.
To be specific, several "Border Dragons" were madly battling against a black "Ether Dragon."
Those savage "Border Dragons" were hired killers by the Chaos Council, or rather, by Barbatos.
The price made Barbatos wince, but he had no choice but to do so.
The Chaos Demon God’s tremendous failure in Valaharl led to the fall of seven chaos deities, including Walifer, a core councilor holding the Sixth Seat; only Morax, who had been assigned to stay behind, survived.
Such a failure was almost unprecedented since the establishment of the Chaos Council and stirred up a massive uproar.
Although Walifer had many schemes, it was undeniable that he was indeed a deity aligned with Barbatos.
At least for now, he supported Barbatos.
The vacant seat became the focus of contention among various forces.
In the end, the surviving Morax entered the Core Council of Chaos; not only did he survive this dreadful disaster, but he also turned misfortune into fortune, gaining the powers of the "shallow Ether Sea," thus earning the unquestionable qualification to replace Walifer and become the new sixth seat.
Now, within the entire Core Council of Chaos, the Thirteenth Seat Xidi, the Twelfth Seat Gimmerly, and the sixth seat Morax were clearly at odds with Barbatos.
The Eighth Seat Barbatos had gone mad, and the Second Seat Sotiko was always mumbling nonsense, leaving no one knowing what he intended to do.
But one thing was certain: whatever he wanted to do definitely opposed Barbatos.
Thus, among the thirteen seats of the Core Council, five seats explicitly would not support Barbatos, representing a very substantial opposing force, including the Twelfth and Second Seats, the only ones ranking below Barbatos among the demon gods.
If something wasn’t done soon, Barbatos wouldn’t even be able to play a big game, let alone continue touching the chessboard.
Therefore, with great reluctance, he pulled from his own pocket, using the shards of divine rank he had accumulated over the years, to hire several Border Dragons; he sent them deep into the "Chaos Swamp Realm" to assassinate those Ether Dragons.
Border Dragons weren’t solitary loners like Ether Dragons; they could briefly form alliances to act together.
"With Border Dragons, and the ‘micro divine rank’ they carry, concentrated attacks should pose a serious threat to those Ether Dragons suddenly opposing me."
"If we can slaughter a few Ether Dragons, we’ll hang their heads and shut those detestable critics’ mouths!"
At least, that was Barbatos’s plan.
His confidence came from the Border Dragons’ inherent advantage over Ether Dragons.
Though similar in length to Ether Dragons, Border Dragons were far less robust.
Their strength paled in comparison.
They relied solely on razor-sharp teeth to inflict wound after wound on Ether Dragons, causing continuous blood loss. Meanwhile, the "micro divine rank" coating their teeth and mouths invaded these wounds, relentlessly draining the Ether Dragons’ power and stamina.
This tactic had proven highly effective in the past.
The "poison" advantage gave Border Dragons an edge against Ether Dragons.
While they still lost most one-on-one fights, two against one was a guaranteed win; an Ether Dragon doing well to escape alive from two Border Dragons.
But the current situation…
"Roar——!"
The enormous black Ether Dragon gaped its maw and clamped down on the slender Border Dragon.
"Roar——!"
The Border Dragon roared wildly, Twisting its long body.
Its tail thrashed and slapped the water, churning up massive waves.
Yet the Ether Dragon’s dagger-like, barbed teeth were already sunk deep into the Border Dragon’s flesh. It shook its head violently, grinding its teeth through the thick muscle.
"Roar——!"
The Border Dragon’s shrieks grew increasingly desperate.
Its nearby companions weren’t the type to ignore an ally in peril.
"Roar——!"
Two slightly smaller Border Dragons circled the Ether Dragon anxiously, roaring.
They repeatedly tore blood-splattered wounds into the Ether Dragon’s hide with their fangs.
"Ssss… hisss…"
Pitch-black "micro divine rank" seeped through the wounds into the Ether Dragon’s body.
In the past, this Ether Dragon would have been doomed.
Micro divine rank disrupts a Divine Body’s internal functions, weakening its capabilities and even disturbing the Soul. It should have quickly slowed the Ether Dragon’s movements and sapped its Bite strength.
A swift resolution to the fight would normally follow.
Yet…
"How is this possible!?"
"This…"
No matter how fiercely the two Border Dragons bit the Ether Dragon or how many wounds they inflicted, the ferocious Ether Dragon showed no signs of waning stamina or slowing movements.
Immunity to toxins wasn’t even its most terrifying trait.
The wounds torn open by them quickly ceased bleeding under an unknown force.
“Sizzle…”
Fresh flesh buds rapidly sprouted, beginning the healing process!
Agonized by the pain stimulus, the Ether Dragon grew even more savage!
“Roar——!”
Bohimond violently shook the Border Dragon’s body.
“Ah——!”
“No…”
The Ether Dragon’s resistance far surpassed expectations, and its seemingly boundless vigor forced panicked shrieks from the Border Dragons.
They kept struggling.
Any thought of profiting from the Chaos Council had vanished—now they only sought escape.
The combat-mad Ether Dragon wouldn’t grant that chance.
“Roar——!”
After its bellow, the Ether Dragon gave a vicious twist!
“Crack——!”
The sound of a snapping spine echoed.
“Huff…”
The Border Dragon’s limp body sank onto the Primal Mud at the Bottom of the Ether Sea, hurling clouds of sediment that veiled the battlefield.
“Roar roar roar——!”
Having slain an old foe, the Ether Dragon roared triumphantly.
It immediately charged toward its next opponent.
—-
This battle was observed by a deity perched upon a Fantasy Tree branch.
"Isn’t that an Ether Dragon?"
"Holding its own against three?"
"No… it actually won!?"
“Click-clack…”
Twin scythe-like mouthparts ground together, emitting metallic scrapes.
Such was the Star-Eater Plutonium Dragon’s expression of shock.
In its memory, Ether Dragons were never this formidable.
Yet this mattered little.
The Star-Eater Plutonium Dragon had its own mission.
"Rumors speak of recent changes in the Fantasy Tree of Subspace."
"It seems those whispers hold truth."
“Swish… swish… swish…”
Its abdomen limbs shifted constantly, treading upon the Fantasy Tree branches.
“Groan—— groan——!”
With every step, the branches groaned under strain.
This stood in stark contrast to their former reputation for unyielding strength!