Locke heard birds and beasts fleeing in droves through the jungle of the Emerald Dream, as though something terrifying lurked in the distance.
Before he could react, a Life Ancient Tree Treant came walking toward him.
Locke froze. He had not expected to encounter a Life Ancient Tree here, but on reflection, it was hardly surprising. The Emerald Dream was the Underworld of plants and one of the planes where nature's power was most concentrated. A First-Ring Life Ancient Tree belonged here.
But the next moment, Grace turned to Locke. "Fly up. Don't hesitate. Don't think."
As she spoke, she shook the Wind-Chime Dandelion in her hand, leaped from the apple tree's leaves, and flew skyward.
Locke did not understand why, but he immediately used Plant Mimicry: Green Dragon and took flight. An immense wave of psychic Dragon Might descended over the area.
At the same time, he looked down and saw the sacred Life Ancient Tree in the distance hurling a Life Spear formed from the branches of its crown at him and Grace.
The Life Spear smashed through the crown of the apple tree beneath them and summoned a spring. But instead of life-nourishing Life Spring water, it spewed pitch-black, foul-smelling water.
Locke stared in disbelief at the pool of black spring water gathering around the Life Spear below. He could hardly believe a Life Ancient Tree had cast this spell.
At the Cloud Marsh Cup, he had seen the Life Spring water produced by Edgar's Life Ancient Tree. It could replenish a living creature's vitality without pause. It was practically divine.
The filthy pool below was its exact opposite.
Merely flying above it brought out rashes on Locke's and Grace's skin. The edges of Locke's Great Green Leaf Dragon Sparrow's banana leaves began to curl inward, while