Seeing this, Gilan's face turned cold as he stomped his foot.
BOOM!!
That stomp detonated like a high-yield bomb. The earth shook and the mountains trembled as dirt and snow sprayed in every direction.
Rumble—
The golden roots attempting to approach them were blasted apart and flung back by the shockwave. Some of the closest ones even disintegrated midair, turning into countless scraps resembling muscle fibers.
After Gilan stomped a crater into the ground, a massive silver alchemical array emerged beneath his feet.
Its pattern was intricate, its radiance brilliant.
Buzz!!
Every golden root that entered the alchemical array's range froze in place, then was broken down into drifting dust by some invisible force.
Though these golden roots growing beneath the "Corpse Tree" appeared alive, they possessed no intelligence and acted entirely on instinct.
They had clearly regarded Gilan and Tolina as prey, but they posed no real threat to either of them.
After clearing the field in one move, Gilan vanished from where he stood in an instant while the overwhelming golden roots were still writhing and gathering strength.
The next second.
He appeared before the "Corpse Tree," drew his sword, and slashed without expression.
Swish, swish, swish!!
In an instant, nine streaks of silver sword-light flashed forth. Like willow branches brushing clouds and threads hanging the moon, they burst every skin-wrapped bulge hanging from the tree.
Blood mixed with thick golden fluid splattered everywhere.
Gilan thrust his sword straight forward again. With a dull thunk, the translucent crimson blade of the "Philosopher's Sword" sank entirely into the trunk.
"Refine!"
He struck the pommel with his palm and spoke calmly.
Smack!
The immense energy within him surged, activating alchemy to break down and refine the "Corpse Tree."
Crackle, crackle!
Silver arcs of electricity covered the entire "Corpse Tree." Almost