Chapter 0546: Silver Tree Core

Li Luo grinned when Lu Ming finally agreed to come. He was not trying to force her into danger, but there was safety in numbers in an unknown situation, and they could look out for each other. If anything bad happened to one person, the other could quickly break their spirit mirror and take them both out.

Even the spirit mirrors were stronger in numbers.

Still, they had to let Jiang Qing'e and the others know about their plan before they went in.

Li Luo was not shy about it. He gestured to Jiang Qing'e, who let the other Three Star Hall students pick up the slack while she hurried over.

Li Luo explained his discoveries and plan to her.

"I see... so you want to get to the root of the problem. That's risky," Jiang Qing'e said with concern clear in her voice. It seemed like they were going into what could be a thick cluster of Others. Could two Resonant Masters really handle things?

"Well, we're not going to deal with all the Others directly," Li Luo reassured her. "That would be impossible for us. We're really just going to help out the Thunderpeal Tree so it can cleanse itself."

Jiang Qing'e nodded decisively. "If you think it's worth a try, then go ahead. We're stuck in a stalemate here, and our opponent has unlimited energy. It won't stay a stalemate for long."

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She was worried about Li Luo's safety, but she had no choice but to trust the spirit mirrors.

She took down a silver rope from around her neck. It had a milky-white, tear-shaped stone in the middle, and she handed it over to Li Luo. "This is a light jewel that I made with my own light resonant energy. If you are corrupted or controlled, it will provide you a few moments of clarity to break your spirit mirror."

Li Luo took the necklace, still warm from her body heat. She clearly wore it at all times.

Li Luo nodded gratefully, then wrapped it around his wrist.

"I'll clear the electric vines in the area and escort you to the base of the Thunderpeal Tree. Prepare yourselves."

Li Luo and Lu Ming nodded solemnly.

Brandishing her sword, she cut a fiery path through the electric vines, with the two first years following cautiously behind.

The vines lashed out like a pit of angry vipers, but none could even get close to Jiang Qing'e.

"Senior Jiang is truly a rock of reliability. Li Luo, you have to work hard," Lu Ming said in admiration.

Li Luo had no reply to that. “I'm a Resonant Master for goodness’ sake. Are you really comparing me to a Fiend Finisher Tier cultivator in terms of safety provision?

“Irritating.”

Before long, the trio made it to the tree. They looked up at the huge trunk, far wider than their arm spans. They felt very insignificant.

The silver bark glimmered with a faint, neon light.

Li Luo did not hesitate, stepping up and putting his palm on the rough bark.

The tree sensed his presence and shot a small burst of silver energy that enveloped him.

Li Luo reached his hand out to Lu Ming, and she took it after a moment's hesitation.

The silver light covered both of them.

It waxed for a moment and then waned, sucking the two in with it.

Jiang Qing'e watched the space for a moment more, then turned back to join the fray against the electric vines.

Meanwhile, Li Luo was being teleported, the roar of electricity loud in his ears.

It was over very soon, and he regained his sight again. The sudden silence after the roaring electricity was deafening. He snapped his fingers experimentally.

Looking around, he saw that he was in a pitch-black, underground area, and he and Lu Ming were currently perched on a thick root. The roots here were still glowing silver, which meant that they had not been corrupted.

He looked above him. This root compartment seemed to have been enlarged by an external force, and there were things jumping down at them from above.

"Li Luo, are those Others?" Lu Ming looked up at the grotesque figures.

He nodded.

"Others, dangerous and twisted as they come... but they seem to be moving with some sort of clear purpose." Lu Ming frowned.

"You mean... they're being controlled?" Li Luo asked, surprised. "Who would have the power to control Others? They're not some sort of farm animal that can be trained."

"It's not easy," Lu Ming responded. "But perhaps it is possible to manipulate them or lead them to certain courses of action."

Li Luo recalled the black knight in Riverguard City. Could he be behind this as well?

But this was no time for meaningless speculation. "Come." Li Luo waved.

He had started to feel a curious pull from the moment they arrived, which was the remaining sentience of the Thunderpeal Tree communicating with him.

He led Lu Ming onwards as they made their way over the roots, which were thick enough to be bridges.

They continued for a few minutes until they reached the end of the root. There, they saw a faint door of light that drew them in.

They stood before the door and shared a look, then charged their resonant powers and jumped in together.

The light dazzled them for a few moments, then the scene before them was clear again.

Both gasped in wonder.

Before them was a large, silver heart, pulsing gently.

There were many branches leading out of it that then extended into other parts of the tree.

This was the core of the Thunderpeal Tree.

It had actually grown to such an extent.

But the beautiful heart was currently marred by numerous thick, black thorns that had been buried into its body, leaking black mist.

These black thorns were even timed to release more black corruption into the heart at regular intervals.

Because of them, even the silver branches leading out were gradually turning black.

Li Luo was quite sure that these black thorns were the source of the poison. The heart of the Thunderpeal Tree was being weakened by these things, preventing it from cleaning out the Others...

Li Luo understood why the Thunderpeal Tree had brought them here now.

It wanted them to help it detoxify.