Free Web NovelChapter 343: Chapter 207: Strategic Change
Even with Zorn’s support, it seemed highly likely they would lose.
And even if they won by a stroke of luck, it would be difficult to inflict any significant damage on the Jade Realm.
But with the Secret Wilderness joining the fray, everything changed.
The Secret Wilderness was a power strong enough to confront the Jade Realm head-on.
Coupled with the unique advantage Zorn had now created, while victory in the Divine Kingdom war wasn’t exactly imminent, they now had a solid foundation and the means to win.
’At the same time...’
Zorn paused.
’With the Secret Wilderness’s power to fight the Jade Realm... when the two sides clash, the power of the Jade Magic Ring Tree will be significantly weakened.’
’And at that moment...’
Zorn clenched his fist.
’My plan of theft and erosion can finally begin.’
The plan was to erode the Jade Magic Ring Tree.
The plan gradually took shape in Zorn’s mind.
’Trying to take out the Jade Magic Ring Tree in one fell swoop is far too difficult.’
’Not only is it beyond my power, but even the mighty Secret Wilderness can’t do it.’
But by taking advantage of their conflict, Zorn could use his own methods to quietly set a shocking trap for the Jade Magic Ring Tree.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Zorn immediately used the Cosmic Magic Net to contact his projection.
Over the past few years, the Cosmic Magic Net had been constantly growing and expanding.
Throughout the entire Ancient Divine Kingdom, with the exception of the areas radiated by the power of the Jade Magic Ring Tree’s projection, which it could not yet penetrate, the Cosmic Magic Net had spread to cover nearly every other part.
...
「Half a day later.」
Inside the towering Stone Hall of the Black Star Divine Kingdom.
Ossirion grew thoughtful after listening to the explanation from Zorn’s projection.
After a moment, he looked at Zorn’s projection and spoke.
"Are you safe now, deep within that Ancient Divine Kingdom?"
"I believe I am perfectly safe, at least until the entire Ancient Divine Kingdom shatters and the power of the Ancient Gods floods in."
Zorn wasn’t lying.
Inside the Golden Giant, Zorn was even safer than he would be in the Calamity Court Divine Kingdom.
"In that case, I am relieved."
"Feel free to proceed with your plan."
"If there’s anything else you need, just inform me."
"This time, your Cosmic Magic Net, the black flames, and that terrifying Forbidden Curse Fungus have all played a monumental role."
"The Divine Kingdom will not forget your contributions."
Zorn chuckled softly at his words.
"Senior Ossirion, I don’t really need resources at the moment."
"However, after the war between Divine Kingdoms, I wish to cultivate in the Root Realm of our Calamity Court’s Magic Ring Tree. I wonder if that would be permitted."
Ossirion considered this seriously for a moment before replying.
"With your contributions to the Calamity Court Divine Kingdom, cultivating in the Root Realm of the Disaster Court Magic Ring Tree is a small matter. Even residing there permanently would be no problem at all."
"I will, of course, report this to the Lord Ancient God and reserve a place for you within the Magic Ring’s Root Realm."
Zorn was overjoyed to hear this.
"Then I’ll be counting on you, Lord Ossirion."
"Haha... There’s no need for such formalities between us."
Ossirion said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Besides that, I have something important to entrust to you."
’Something important?’
Zorn’s interest was piqued, and he listened intently.
...
「Inside the Golden Giant’s Inner World.」
Zorn carefully mulled over his previous conversation with Lord Ossirion.
’If I hadn’t made such a huge contribution this time, I doubt they would have let me in on this plan.’
Setting up a root extraction ritual to draw out the root power of the Jade Magic Ring Tree within the Ancient Divine Kingdom.
This was the important matter Ossirion had entrusted to him.
And in truth, Zorn understood the importance of this plan all too well.
’This plan actually aligns quite well with my own.’
’This root extraction ritual is a complex, multi-layered ceremony. It should be able to significantly interfere with the Jade Magic Ring Tree’s detection and awareness.’
’Combined with my Insect King Curse, I can achieve a perfectly silent infiltration.’
’And if I use the Insect King Curse to build a hive deep within the Jade Magic Ring Tree... well, that would be interesting.’
Though he thought this, Zorn also knew that just being able to invade and gnaw on the Jade Magic Ring Tree was already incredibly difficult.
To build a nest inside it would be to grossly underestimate the experts of the Jade Realm.
’I’ll stick to my original plan, incorporating the ritual Lord Ossirion gave me, and begin this new phase of the operation.’
’However... to use the Insect King Curse to gnaw on the Jade Magic Ring Tree, I’ll have to raise the curse to Level 13. This level is a crucial turning point for the Insect King Curse’s evolution.’
’For the time being, I need to focus on leveling up the Insect King Curse.’
As he mused, Zorn focused his mind. He began using the Insect King Curse to digest an unlucky Middle Rank God while simultaneously borrowing the power of the Tree of Calamity Magic Ring to push the curse’s Level with all his might.
Previously, Zorn had thought it would be some time before the Hidden Wilderness Sect made its move.
He even considered the possibility that the Secret Wilderness might not get involved at all.
But this time, by using various means to activate the Ancient Golden Giant from deep within the Ancient Divine Kingdom, Zorn had created a significant impact on the entire situation.
The trajectory of the world had changed without him even realizing it.
Now, Zorn needed to adjust his own course to better execute his plans.
’Level 13 Eating Phase Insect King Curse!’
Zorn thought to himself as he cultivated.
’This Level is basically impossible for other Divine Spirits to achieve.’
’The amount of resources it requires is...’
’But for me, it’s just a matter of time.’
’A Level 13 Eating Phase Insect King Curse can feed on a Tree of the Magic Ring, even one at the Level of an Ancient God, Level 30 or higher.’
’If it reaches Level 15!’
’Then the Eating Phase Insect King Curse will be able to feed on the Starry Sky itself.’
’If it reaches Level 18... it could devour a World in a single bite, and with no repercussions.’
’However, reaching a Level as high as 18 would require far too much Cosmic Essence.’
’A Level 13 Eating Phase Insect King Curse is enough for my current needs.’
’I need to get the Eating Phase·Insect King Curse to Level 13 as soon as possible.’
’That way, I can silently begin to gnaw away at the root portion of the Jade Magic Ring Tree within this Ancient Divine Kingdom.’
While cultivating, Zorn used the Cosmic Magic Net to feel out toward the main body of the Jade Magic Ring Tree, which was rooted in the Ancient Divine Kingdom.
The Jade Magic Ring Tree was rooted in several Divine Kingdoms.
A total of nine Ancient Divine Kingdoms and the Divine Kingdoms of 174 Upper Rank Gods.
The nine Ancient Divine Kingdoms formed the core, with each one supporting a part of the Jade Magic Ring Tree’s main body.
The 174 Divine Kingdoms of the Upper Rank Gods were secondary nodes, bearing only a small fraction of its power.
The portion of the Jade Magic Ring Tree supported by all of these Upper Rank Gods’ Divine Kingdoms combined was still less than what a single Ancient Divine Kingdom held.
At this moment, within the Ancient Divine Kingdom of this fallen Ancient God, the power of the towering Tree of the Magic Ring was continuously flowing outward.
Clearly, the Jade Realm knew this fallen Ancient Divine Kingdom could not serve as a long-term foundation for the Tree of the Magic Ring, and they were in the process of moving its power away.
But such a towering, massive, and sentient great life form could not be moved in a mere moment.
Before, the Calamity Court Realm’s plan had been simply to enter and wreak havoc.
They aimed to destroy as much of the Jade Magic Ring Tree’s power as possible.
This was to counter the Jade Magic Ring Tree’s own invasion and offensive.
But now, with Zorn gradually making his move and the Secret Wilderness joining the conflict, a strategic shift had occurred.
The Calamity Court Realm had now established a preliminary foothold within this Ancient Divine Kingdom.
So, their objective had shifted to seizing the power of the Jade Magic Ring Tree.
This much was clear from the "root extraction ritual."
’I need to raise the Eating Phase·Insect King Curse to Level 13 within five years.’
’That way, I’ll have a massive advantage when it comes to seizing the Jade Magic Ring Tree’s power.’
’And this is the perfect opportunity for growth brought by the tides of war.’
