Chapter 290: Revival

Chapter 290: Revival

Mana flowed from Bran and was promptly devoured by the Ancient Tree. This primal, pure mana circulated and transformed inside the Ancient Tree’s body. Some became part of the tree’s physical form, while others dissipated like fresh oxygen.

As the influx of mana continued, the transformation gradually sped up. To support the consumption of this change, new roots sprouted from the Ancient Tree’s feet, drilling deep into the Depths of the Earth. A faint mist began to waft out, slowly enveloping Feiyu, the White Wolf, and the Snow Falcon, who were sleeping soundly nearby.

The mist grew thicker and thicker. Soon, those within it could no longer be seen.

Danny and the others had been watching from a distance. Everyone was very concerned about the Ancient Tree, this important family member. However, there were too many uncertain factors, so Bran did not allow them to get too close.

Mary held a fragment the size of her palm in her hand, her eyes full of hesitation and struggle. Just now, watching Feiyu and the others eat recklessly, she had seized the chance to sneak close and fish out a piece.

This must be good stuff! What would happen if I ate it? Bran ate a piece just now too, and he didn’t stop me when I got close, so it should be fine, right?

The Northlanders’ inherent recklessness finally won out. She opened her mouth wide and took a big bite of the fragment, swallowing it after a few crisp crunches.

Zack, standing beside her, grabbed Mary’s hands and asked with concern, “Is it tasty?”

“A bit dry, a bit crunchy.” Mary blinked and handed the remaining small piece to Zack. “You try some too.”

Zack took it immediately and swallowed it in one impatient gulp. Then he gave his honest review. “Tasteless.”

Then, completely ignoring the surprised looks from those around them, the couple gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, expecting some miracle to occur.

As they waited, Bran’s voice came from within the thick mist. “Seems this stuff won’t kill you. Have a taste too.”

With his words, a small pile of fragments flew towards the group.

Feeling somewhat dissatisfied, Mary raised her voice. “Why is there no reaction?”

Bran’s tone was dismissive. “What reaction did you want? That tiny piece you ate counts for what? Didn’t you see how Feiyu and the others were eating?”

“Oh, give me a few more pieces then.”

Without further ado, Bran tossed several fragments towards Mary. Zack promptly stated that he wanted some too. Unexpectedly, Bran refused. “Wait a bit longer. Let’s observe for a few days first. Just in case something goes wrong, we can all be prepared.”

Zack…

When Mary puffed out her chest and belly, declaring she could still eat more, Bran hid in the thick mist and fell silent.

Zack then supported Mary, suggesting she should follow Feiyu’s example and lie down on the ground to sleep. Just as Mary, being agreeable, was about to drop to the ground, Bran’s mocking voice came from the mist. “The ground is cold. It’s warmer to squeeze in next to the Ancient Tree with the White Wolves.”

“Alright!” Whether Mary didn’t understand or was pretending not to, she actually scurried into the mist and hugged a White Wolf to use as a pillow.

Bran’s slightly helpless voice sounded again. “You all come in too. What’s actually good for us is probably this thick mist.”

So far, everything had gone smoothly. The metamorphosis was completely finished. The new mana conversion method within the Ancient Tree had also completed several full Cycles.

Just as Bran was about to withdraw from their mental connection, he suddenly heard a sound like an inhalation. It was like someone who had been submerged underwater for a long time, unable to breathe, suddenly breaking the surface and greedily sucking in their first breath of air. In that instant, he felt the space around him tremble slightly.

But the clansmen beside him showed no reaction.

An illusion? Just as doubt arose in Bran’s mind, the Old Fairy Mikkel appeared before his eyes, pointing at the ground beneath their feet with a face full of joy. “It’s awake!”

At the same moment, the Ancient Tree’s roots suddenly accelerated their growth, and the rate of absorption and release of mana became faster and faster. It was as if the Ancient Tree was the first straw this Continent had grabbed for self-salvation, and it wouldn’t let go until it had collected enough straws to bear its weight.

Bran withdrew the mental connection, patted the Ancient Tree, and sighed softly. A debt collector had arrived, and this was a debt he had to repay. To have come this far, the guidance from the unseen had been crucial. Perhaps there were also many sacrifices that he didn’t know about and couldn’t understand.

It probably never imagined that he would become completely integrated into the Sea of Magic. But it still grasped the key point. His family and friends had already taken root here, so how could he escape alone?

Mikkel, seeing the changing expressions on Bran’s face and knowing his mood was low, changed the subject. “Don’t rush. With experience, the metamorphosis of other Ancient Trees will be much quicker. Soon, this place will be filled with them. By then, it will no longer bind you all.”

Bran shook his head. “No need to comfort me. I know what I must do. Many changes cannot happen overnight. I only need to make a start, I only need to fill the Northlands with vitality, and it will release my companion.”

Seeing the Old Fairy begin to frown, Bran smiled. He continued, “Actually, thinking about it now, it has never truly restricted or bound me, nor did it need to. What it needs is change, it needs to save itself through change. It’s just been suffocating for too long and desperately needs fresh mana. And, I trust in its generosity. Our Ancient Tree will also gain something.”

“And you seem to have forgotten, my Sister is the darling of this realm. And my younger sister, and those Little Wizards, they are the key.”

At this point, Bran suddenly thought of those outsiders. So, rather meanly, he changed the topic. “By the way, some people came from the outside Continent. They said we are their lost kin, welcoming us back, and especially welcoming my Sister back.”

The Old Fairy’s face immediately changed upon hearing this. He jumped directly onto the bridge of Bran’s nose and shrieked, “What?”

Bran reached up, grabbed the Old Fairy, and placed him on his shoulder. “Afterwards, Zoya had a fight with them and killed quite a few of their people.”

Hearing the Old Fairy let out a long sigh of relief, Bran stomped on the ground. “Satisfied now?”

While Bran was conversing with the Old Fairy, the thick mist began to churn. Some force restricted the mist’s spread, so it began to pile up upwards until it submerged the Ancient Tree. Only then did it overflow from the top, slowly flowing toward the surroundings. As it flowed farther and farther, the mist gradually dispersed.

For the ordinary residents of Northland City, today was just another day. But the Wizards sensed the intensifying changes. The mana in the city was pouring outward. The force that once gathered and restrained it grew weaker and weaker until it completely vanished. A wind-like force also swept through the city at that moment, clearing out the remaining mana in one go.

In that instant, all the Wizards felt a sense of suffocation, and fear descended upon them. Without prior agreement, the Wizards set down their work and began gathering towards the direction of the High Tower. Halfway there, an incredibly fresh wave of mana swept over their faces, invigorating their spirits.

Compared to this, the mana in the city in the past seemed like stagnant, filthy water in a pond. Now, they had finally seen a clear stream. Everyone quickened their pace, hoping to find the source of this clear water as soon as possible.

Following the sense of freshness, they quickly gathered in front of the tower. Then everyone stopped at the boundary line of the forbidden area and began to greedily breathe in and absorb the mana there.

Shajia, holding a fox, had just arrived with Pachu when she saw a vine extend from the churning mist and toss her two palm-sized fragments. At the same time, the Ancient Tree’s voice sounded in her ear. “For you. Feed the fox.”

After she acknowledged, it spoke again. “I’ve been sleeping lately and haven’t had time to inquire about your matters. Also, I’ll be very busy for a while and won’t be able to get away. You can come see me when you have time and tell me some stories.”

Watching Shajia nod in agreement, the Ancient Tree enveloped her in a mass of thick mist, ending the conversation.

Xialuo watched enviously not far away. Her expression caught Bran’s eye, making him think of Zoya, who still hadn’t returned. So, a mass of thick mist fell upon her as well.

For the next several days, the Wizards gathered before the tower until the mana in the city gradually recovered.