Chapter 124 – New Life Born from Death!

Volume 2: Battlefield Between Two Worlds

A biting chill froze the surrounding sand and fallen leaves. At the same time, it froze the branches the Ancient Tree had wrapped around its body.

With a sudden, violent burst of physical strength, the Giant Eagle shattered the branches entangling it.

A look of madness intensified in the Giant Eagle's eyes as the Black Crystal on its forehead flashed rapidly.

A stream of pale blue air blasted toward the Ancient Tree!

This was the essence of the cold within the Giant Eagle's body, its most powerful move.

It was as if the very space itself was being frozen by the frigid air. Any creature below Level 4 would have absolutely no chance of survival if struck by this attack!

And the Ancient Tree was only Level Three-a broken, damaged version of Level Three at that.

The cold struck the Ancient Tree with visible speed.

There was no massive fluctuation of energy, nor was there a violent surge of frost. There was only a lifelike ice sculpture of an Ancient Tree.

Like a massive diamond tree, the Ancient Tree stood completely frozen within the Mountain Forest.

Its life force gradually withered away; the Ancient Tree had reached the end of its life.

A flash of gratification flickered through the Giant Eagle's eyes.

The Giant Eagle was well aware that all of this had been the Ancient Tree's scheme. Therefore, even if it had exhausted a massive amount of its power, as long as it could kill the Ancient Tree, it was all worth it!

Meanwhile, the nearby pack of Mutant Beasts went wild the moment they saw the Ancient Tree perish!

To the surrounding Mutant Beasts, the Ancient Tree was like a mother. Without its presence, none of the Mutant Beasts here would have ever been able to evade the Giant Eagle's senses. Disregarding the gap in their strength, the surrounding Mutant Beasts swarmed forward, intent on tearing the Giant Eagle to shreds!

The Black Crystal on the Giant Eagle's forehead pulsed continuously. Then, a burst of black light erupted from its body!

Dark Rebirth (S-Rank, Active Ability): The power of darkness protects the Host, instantly healing all wounds and negative effects! As long as the Host has enough stamina, they are immortal under the blessing of this ability!

Instantly-truly in an instant-every wound on the Giant Eagle's body healed. Even the effects of the curse vanished without a trace.

Then, the Giant Eagle spread its wings and soared!

The eagle is the overlord of the sky. Once the Giant Eagle recovered from its injuries, these Earthwalk animals stood no chance against it!

After all, as the Overlord of this Mountain Forest, the Giant Eagle's strength was significantly greater than that of the Level Three creatures on the ground.

From high in the air, a clear look of mockery appeared in the Giant Eagle's eyes.

Come on, catch me!

If you can't, then you… will… all… die!

The Giant Eagle would not abandon its territory, nor would it forgive these weaklings who dared to rebel against it.

Aiming its sharp Eagle's Beak at the Level 3 Bear that had injured it, the Giant Eagle flapped its wings and dove down with ferocity!

If the strike connected, the Level 3 Bear would surely be annihilated.

But at that moment, the situation changed!

The source of the change came from the ice-encased Ancient Tree.

To be precise, it came from within the Ancient Tree!

A massive consciousness surged forth, originating from the Ancient Tree's body and connecting to the minds of every Mutant Beast present!

"Pro… tect… me…"

This vast consciousness carried the innate majesty of a superior being. It left every Mutant Beast on the scene-except for the Giant Eagle-unable and unwilling to resist.

Over a hundred Mutant Beasts immediately formed a defensive circle around the remains of the Ancient Tree.

At the same time, the Giant Eagle sensed the fluctuation and immediately ceased its assault on the Bear!

However, as the aura within the Ancient Tree grew increasingly powerful, the Giant Eagle found itself helpless to intervene. It was simply too difficult for the Giant Eagle to break through the defensive line of over a hundred Mutant Beasts guarding the site.

"Screech…"

The Giant Eagle circled relentlessly in the sky. Though it sensed the situation was spiraling beyond its expectations, its pride as a King would not allow it to compromise.

Besides, there was no need for compromise. All living things eventually died, and the Giant Eagle believed that it would never be the one to perish. This was absolute confidence in its own strength.

Amidst the Giant Eagle's surging cries, a series of cracking and snapping sounds echoed from within the Ancient Tree.

It was as if something was tearing its way out from the tree's core.

The first thing to emerge from the Ancient Tree was a delicate little claw.

Its deep black scales seemed to shimmer with a cold light, yet in reality, an Ordinary Person with a fruit knife could likely have easily sliced through that protective layer. Then, a small head with closed eyes poked out from the Ancient Tree.

Though its appearance was strange, it was clearly a reptilian creature. Much like a newborn puppy, the pitch-black unknown creature struggled to crawl out from the body of the Ancient Tree before tumbling directly onto the ground.

After a few moments of struggling, the tender Little One managed to stagger to its feet.

It was small-far too small. Its body was barely the size of a human palm, causing the surrounding Mutant Beasts to feel a wave of disappointment.

"Is this… the Ancient Tree's trump card?"

The thought rose in the hearts of the Mutant Beasts protecting the Little One. In the eyes of Mutant Beasts, larger size equated to greater power. This wasn't a joke; it was a fundamental fact of their world.

"Screech… Screech…"

The Giant Eagle circling above let out a series of cries, as if mocking the fallen Ancient Tree and the hundred-plus Mutant Beasts who dared to defy it.

Just as the Giant Eagle was preparing to joyfully end this farce, a change occurred within the Little One born from the Ancient Tree!

"Whimper…"

First came a weak whimper, followed by a series of popping and cracking sounds from the Little One's body. It sounded as if its bones were being forcibly stretched. Its palm-sized body began to lengthen and expand rapidly.

At the same time, the sounds coming from its throat grew louder and clearer.

"Whimper…"

"Awoo…"

"Roar… Roar… Roar!"

Under the shocked gazes of the Mutant Beasts, the Little One grew at a speed visible to the naked eye. Simultaneously, its aura surged with increasing intensity.

Level 1, Level 2, Level Three…

It didn't stop until it reached the peak of Level Three!

A pair of pale yellow vertical pupils stared coldly at the Giant Eagle circling in the sky. Before the Giant Eagle's stunned eyes, a pair of hideous, thick fleshy wings slowly unfurled from the Little One's back.

An unfamiliar aura spread far and wide. It carried sorrow, killing intent, and above all, a sense of ancient desolation. This wasn't the scent of the Little One itself; it was more like a collective will.

It was the will of the Ancient Tree. It was the will of the Mountain Forest. It was the will of this very land.

This creature was born of Heaven, and nurtured by Heaven!