We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 235 The First Submersible Voyage of the City of Giant Trees
after this.

Xia En then asked several more questions related to the [City of Giant Trees] and the [Sea of ​​Annihilation].

Ji Ya told the truth. If there were any questions she didn't know, she wouldn't pretend to know, but would try to give her speculations fairly.

Her gentle demeanor gave people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

It must be said that the [Warm Snow] truly lives up to its reputation as an organization on the [Silent Sea] that is similar to an all-purpose shop.

This conversation alone gave Xia En a fairly comprehensive understanding of the [Silent Sea].

at this time.

The [Warm Snow], which was leading the way, suddenly slowed down, and the sailors on board all showed wary expressions.

"Captain Shane, we've arrived."

Ji Ya said, "Beneath this seawater lies the [City of Giant Trees]."

Xia En knew why the crew of the Warm Snow were behaving this way.

On the way here, Ji Ya had already explained it to him...

Over the years, the tree people of the City of Giant Trees have become increasingly erratic, even launching attacks on ships at sea.

They would use thick vines and branches to drag ships into the sea, like the kind of thing a giant beast of the deep sea would do.

Of course, the tree people might not react that quickly.

But just sailing in this area made the sailors uneasy, fearing that they might be attacked from underwater at any time.

Xia En took the initiative to speak, "Madam Ji Ya, this is enough."

"Let's handle the rest ourselves."

Ji Ya nodded without hesitation and said, "Okay."

"Then we'll be leaving now. Captain Shane, please make sure you stay safe."

As she spoke, Ji Ya took out an orange-red crystal and handed it to him.

"If you encounter an insurmountable danger, crush this crystal, and we will come to your rescue immediately."

"But there will definitely be a charge back then~"

Clearly, this crystal can be used to notify Ji Ya and request help.

This is likely part of the search and rescue operations of the "Warm Snow" vessel.

Xia En put away the crystal and smiled, "I hope I'll never need it."

"In any case, thank you for your kindness, Madam Ji Ya. If you need any help in the future, please feel free to contact me."

For a fourth-tier Mystic to say such a thing to a fifth-tier Mystic, it sounds rather arrogant.

But for some reason, Ji Ya didn't find it strange, as if... Xia En really had the potential to fulfill his promise?
It didn't take long.

Jiya returned to the Warm Snow and ordered them to leave the area.

Her adopted sister, Lucy, watched the Black Swan ship recede into the distance behind her and couldn't help but say something.

"Sister, won't you try to persuade them again?"

"With their strength, how can they fight against those tree people? We don't want to risk our lives to save them."

Although Lucy has a sharp tongue, she is kind at heart.

Otherwise, why would she have tried to persuade Xia En and the others to leave?
"This is Captain Shane's own decision, and we outsiders have no need to meddle."

"Some things you say might offend people."

"and……"

Ji Ya recalled the confidence in Xia En's expression and tone just now, and chuckled, "Perhaps they really do have the confidence to explore the [City of Giant Trees]!"

"Hmph... I doubt it."

Lucy was somewhat indignant; she had seen many arrogant captains who ultimately caused their ships to sink and everyone to perish.

In her opinion, Shane was one of them.

Lucy muttered softly, "We might receive their distress signal soon."

Although the other crew members of the Warm Snow didn't say anything, they all had similar thoughts in their hearts.

A fourth-tier level of strength is already quite impressive in other sea areas.

However, in the special sea area of ​​the [Sea of ​​Annihilation], it is really not enough to see.

……

……

Xia En was neither aware of nor curious about the thoughts of the crew members of the Warm Snow.

He first steered the boat to a relatively safe location.

Then, Shane made his way to the captain's cabin with ease and sat on the large captain's chair.

The projection will be based on the ship's current position.

[Shall we begin submersible navigation?]

"Submarine flight, start!"

A familiar feeling of weightlessness suddenly washed over him, and chaotic light and shadow flashed before Shane's eyes.

Unlike the usual underwater journeys, the surrounding scenery became somewhat psychedelic.

A faint fragrance wafted through the air, permeating the seawater.

Everything around became more colorful and vibrant; the colors, light and shadow, as well as the tastes and smells, all became dazzling.

It's like the underwater world that we've grown tired of seeing has suddenly transformed into a beautiful painting.

It's as if, under the influence of a hallucinogenic potion, the whole world is perceived as a more fantastical dream.

To put it simply, it's like having a mushroom feast.

"……This is?"

Xia En felt somewhat lost.

During his numerous previous dives, he had indeed heard and seen some unusual sights.

But this is the first time I've experienced such a vivid and intense hallucination.

The unusual phenomena seem to be related to the sea area where [Submarine] is located.

Could this be some kind of metaphor?

Fortunately, this feeling of "seeing a villain" did not last long.

In just two breaths, Xia En's vision returned to normal, and he was able to see the entirety of the [Giant Tree City].

What comes into view is a city of emerald green.

Unlike underwater ruins such as Coral City, Rusty Ruins, and Emerald City.

Despite its name, the City of Giant Trees has no trace of any human-inhabited buildings or streets.

There were only countless, huge, and dense trees.

Looking down from above, the City of Giant Trees resembles an endless underwater forest.

The mutated branches, leaves, and vines have a soft, seaweed-like texture, swaying gently in the seawater.

It is also like blood vessels and veins, connecting all the trees together to form a vast, lush green network.

At the very center of the city stands a giant tree.

It was a giant tree so huge that it defied description, its boundaries were no longer discernible, and it resembled a massive mountain range!
This giant tree is like the heart and core of the entire "City of Giant Trees".

The other trees, as if they were branches that had been spurred out by it, were slowly but steadily spreading and expanding further into the distance.

Seeing this, Xia En couldn't help but be somewhat lost in thought.

Although he had heard about the city's magnificence from Gia, he couldn't help but be amazed after seeing it with his own eyes.

Unless you see it with your own eyes, it's hard to believe that there's a city made up of a forest underwater.

At the same time, Shane became even more convinced that the City of Giant Trees was related to the Elven race.

Honestly.

Compared to the Emerald City, the current Giant Wood City is more in line with Shane's imagination of what an elven city should be like.

"In that case, there should also be an Elven Temple in this city."

Xia En's eyes brightened slightly as he looked at the giant tree in the center of the city.

Normally, special buildings like the [Elven Temple] are often placed in the most central area.

With that thought in mind, Xia En no longer hesitated, his body swaying as he dived downwards.

After advancing to the fourth tier and gaining the [Deep Sea Body] talent, his speed in the seawater increased significantly. Because of the treant's presence, Shane didn't foolishly head straight for the giant tree.

Instead, it chose an area that was neither too remote nor too central to dive in.

As they approached the woods, Xia En felt the city's mystique even more acutely.

Everywhere you look, there are towering trees you've never seen before. Their huge, leafy canopies overlap and intertwine in the seawater, and their emerald green leaves are fresh and vibrant.

Below, you can also see many small shrubs of varying heights and vibrant vines.

A fresh and vibrant sense of life spreads through the seawater.

Seeing this on any island wouldn't be too surprising.

But you have to understand, this is underwater!

At this depth, the water pressure alone is something that most vegetation cannot withstand.

Not to mention, seawater immersion, lack of sunlight, and soil salinity are all environmental factors that can be fatal to trees.

Xia En simply couldn't understand how this forest could survive in the sea.

Xia En swam to the top of one of the big trees and gently picked off a leaf with his hand.

The texture of the leaves is different from that of the leaves on the island; they seem to have become softer and smoother.

It feels a bit like slippery seaweed.

"The physiological structure of these trees has probably undergone abnormal changes."

Xia En speculated, "But why are its leaves still bright green?"

Based on his limited knowledge of biology, he knew that in dim light, the chlorophyll in plants would gradually decrease, turning them dark green or deep black.

—This is also the color of seaweed.

At this depth, the amount of sunlight that can penetrate to the seabed is negligible.

Theoretically, there shouldn't be enough for plants to perform photosynthesis.

The moment a question popped into Xia En's mind, his vision blurred for a moment, and the emerald green leaves suddenly turned black and withered.

But in the next moment.

The leaves have turned a vibrant green and tender color again.

"……Um?"

Xia En frowned slightly: "What's going on?"

An indescribable sense of unease lingered in my heart, yet I could not discern the source of this feeling.

Then, Shane touched the branches and trunk of the big tree.

It still feels slippery to the touch, which makes one instinctively uncomfortable.

Apart from that, it doesn't seem to be much different from ordinary trees.

That vigorous vitality proves that it is still living tenaciously and vividly.

"Could this be the miracle of life?"

Xia En wondered to himself, "Have these trees evolved the ability to survive underwater in order to stay alive?"

Strictly speaking...

The transformation from humans to sea creatures is such a "miracle of life".

However, it was the result of some kind of forbidden experiment.

Behind this are countless bloody examples of failure.

Shaen found it hard to believe that these trees had evolved into their current state on their own.

Soon, Shane discovered another anomaly—

This underwater forest is far too quiet!

A normal forest contains a very rich ecosystem, from birds and insects to small rodents and giant predators...

Different organisms play different roles and together they constitute the forest ecosystem.

Even underwater, cities like Coral City, which are home to coral monsters, have their own ecosystems.

But at this time.

Within this "City of Giant Trees," all was deathly silent.

Apart from the swaying branches and leaves, Xia En could not see any other activity.

Nothing at all.

There were no small fish, shrimp, crabs, cat's-eye snails... not even coral polyps.

A chill suddenly ran through Xia En's heart.

In such a vibrant forest, there wasn't a single living creature to be found?

This is obviously not in line with common sense.

Xia En couldn't help but think of the custom the tree people had mentioned, where they offered sacrifices to the [Giant Tree God].

He had assumed that the tree people's target was the larger marine creatures.

But now it seems that they included all living beings in the category of sacrifice.

"Forbidden Zone of Life..."

Xia En murmured, "This is a true forbidden zone for life!"

"But why would the Giant Tree God do this?"

To say that these creatures have taken over the forest's living space is simply unrealistic.

In the natural environment, the relationship between animals and plants is complementary.

However, the Giant Tree God wanted to create a space where only trees existed, allowing them to expand and multiply infinitely, and to wipe out all other creatures within its range.

It gives the impression that it's almost like...

virus?

That's right, it's a virus!
A virus that is extremely xenophobic and constantly pollutes the ocean!

As for this vigorous life force, it is merely a seemingly beautiful outer layer.

Because of his knowledge of the gods, Shane couldn't help but think about something deeper.

"Since this city is related to elves, could there be some connection between the [Giant Tree God] and the [Elf Goddess]?"

"Or is it that the [Giant Tree God] is one of the manifestations of the [Elf Goddess's] will?"

Different incarnations of a deity will have different names.

For example, within the Radiant Church, some refer to the Lord of Radiance as the "Holy Sun God," while others call Him the "God of Infinite Stars."

Given the current state of the City of Giant Trees, it's hard for Shane not to associate it with deities.

Rumbling--

Just then, a violent tremor came from below.

Xia En stared intently.

Suddenly, a large tree rose from the ground in the forest, its roots and branches swaying in the seawater, rumbling as it approached Shane.

A pair of dark green eye sockets appeared on the upper part of the tree trunk.

A large crack appeared in the lower part of the hole.

It roared in a hoarse voice.

"For the grace of the Giant Tree God!"

"Outsiders, become part of a greater existence!"

Tree Man!

The figure that suddenly sprang up was a tree-man.

It seems that Xia En's wandering around earlier had attracted its attention.

This was the first time Shaen had ever seen such a strange race.

In terms of appearance, it barely resembles a human figure, with numerous twisted branches forming arms and roots becoming legs.

With its towering size, its sudden charge was indeed quite intimidating.

However, Xia En, a veteran of countless battles, was not someone to be trifled with.

Without dodging or avoiding, he went straight to meet the tree-man in front of him.

(End of this chapter)