Even flying with all their might, as third-level creatures living within the apparent flow of time, they were no more than crickets in a box, struggling to reach the other end from one side.
The Devil Tree—the object of terror throughout the entire Sicily World!
It devoured the spiritual energy of the earth veins, causing crop yields across the world to decline and making advancement difficult for Bitter Swordsmen. The entirely new species that evolved by relying on it, along with creatures mutated after consuming its fruits for long periods, brought grievous disaster to this continent as it continued to grow and spread.
The tall, gaunt swordsman and the old woman spent a full three days flying at top speed before finally reaching the source of the world's disturbance. Branches filled the sky like a devil's claws, blotting out heaven and sun with no end in sight. The United Duchies had launched several massive assaults, yet none had managed to destroy this Devil Vine. The once insignificant surface wounds had already healed, and its branches had become thicker and sturdier than before.
"What is it doing?"
In the sky, roiling clouds of elemental energy formed a colossal ring. Terrifying arcs of lightning crisscrossed through it as fierce winds swept in every direction. In such a violent, ravaging environment, even one of Sicily World's greatest Sword Saints could not remain steady in midair, drifting helplessly from side to side.
Faintly, they could see an unimaginable Devil Tree branch thrusting straight into the ring of clouds, emanating vast, surging energy fluctuations. It was the kinetic force of life, yet it was utterly incompatible with the original evolutionary laws of Sicily World.
"No, that isn't one of its branches. It's afraid—and excited!"
The old woman, whose eyes were clouded with a blank white