Above the mage!

Chapter 585 Elemental Species: [Sleeping Spider Web]

Elena extended her bone staff, the tip pointing to the dim amber-colored orb below, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of awe: "This earth element seed is a primordial element seed nurtured by the essence of the Blackrock Canyon's ley lines. Look at the patterns on its surface."

She gestured for Gao De to observe carefully: "This is the passage that connects it to the entire Black Rock Canyon's ley lines. From the moment it was born, it has been the heart of Black Rock Canyon's ley lines, constantly breathing in and out and regulating the ley line energy, just like the human heart transports blood."

"Over the past countless years, it is thanks to its regulation that Blackstone Canyon has remained stable and has not been swallowed up by the long river of time. It has even developed a unique ecological environment like the stalagmite forest," Elena said softly.

"Even the distribution of mineral veins deep in the canyon and the flow of underground water are indirectly affected by it. It can be said that without this earth element seed, there would be no Black Stone Canyon."

Then, her tone became serious, "Everything only changed with the appearance of this necromantic elemental."

Elena stared at the dark purple cocoon of light with shining eyes. "We don't know how this necromantic elemental seed was conceived and born yet. Perhaps it was a negative energy crystal that fell by accident, or perhaps it was an anomaly naturally conceived deep in the earth's veins. We can't verify it for the time being."

"But what is certain is that it is extremely predatory. Not only does it not rely on ley line energy to survive, but it also erodes the ley lines in the opposite direction, turning the ley line energy into negative necromantic energy."

Upon hearing this, Gao De looked at the cracks on the earth element seed and roughly understood everything.

"As the heart of the earth veins, the earth elemental species naturally wants to eliminate the undead elemental species that are eroding the earth veins."

"The two began to engage in a protracted and unpredictable battle, and it was from that time that the ley lines in Blackrock Canyon became unstable, with frequent tremors occurring," Elena continued.

"The reason we just experienced such a violent earthquake is because the battle between the earth elemental species and the undead elemental species has reached its final stage."

"The earth elemental species' energy is nearly depleted, making it difficult to even maintain its own form; although the necromantic elemental species seems powerful, its energy has become unstable due to long-term plundering."

"In order to completely eliminate the opponent and achieve final victory, they have been frantically absorbing the earth's energy, causing the earth's veins in the entire Blackrock Canyon to fall into an overloaded and extremely vulnerable state."

"I see." Gao De nodded.

“This is our best chance,” Elena suddenly said.

"What do you mean?" Gao De asked, turning to look at Elena.

"This is an elemental species, you must want it too, right?" Elena didn't answer Gao De's question immediately, but asked him in return.

"Of course," Gaode replied affirmatively.

Such a precious and extraordinary item can greatly enhance a mage's combat power, and no mage could refuse it.

"How about we split these two elemental seeds equally? The necromantic elemental seed is mine—that was my goal all along—and the earth elemental seed is yours, how about that?" Elena coaxed.

"Splitting it equally?" Gao De raised an eyebrow. He didn't think Elena would be so kind as to give him such a concession.

Elena understood Gao De's implication, spread her hands, and said helplessly, "I would like to take it all. Although I am not good at earth elemental magic, I can learn earth elemental magic specifically for this purpose."

"Furthermore, my cultivation method is the wood element cultivation method, and I am good at plant magic. Earth element seeds also have some enhancement to plant magic, but it is not as direct as earth element magic."

“But,” she paused, “the two have been locked in a fierce battle here for so many years, it’s no exaggeration to say they are blood enemies, it’s impossible for them to be controlled by the same mage.”

"If you forcibly absorb them together, their energies will continue to repel and collide with each other within the body."

"Therefore, you can only choose one of them."

“I naturally prefer the necromantic elemental species that I initially sought.”

“Then you can take the Earth Element Seed with you; it’s better than giving it to me for free,” Gao De said meaningfully.

Elena fell here, which means she has been here for a long time.

This is more than enough time for her to absorb the necromantic elemental seed and then collect the earth elemental seed.

Even the lowest grade of an elemental seed, when sold on the outside, can fetch at least 100,000 Golden Bird Flower Coins.

"That's exactly what I prepared for," Elena said frankly, her helplessness only growing stronger. "I tried it, but the earth elemental species hates the necromantic smell in my body. It strongly resists me and even treats me as an enemy."

She spread out her right hand, showing it to Gaode.

A faint brown mark remained on my palm. "It even actively released earth element energy to attack me; this is its masterpiece."

"And my strength is insufficient to forcibly suppress it."

"The undead elementals have accepted you?" Gao De pressed.

“No,” Elena shook her head with a wry smile. “I tried to communicate with it using my mental powers, but its will is very stubborn.”

"It felt that if it accepted me, although it could save its life, it would be equivalent to giving up this ley line, admitting that it could not defeat the earth elemental species, and admitting defeat."

"It would rather continue fighting to the death than lose face, unless the earth elemental also completely leaves this ley line and stops competing with it."

She looked at Gao De, her tone tinged with relief: "So, if you hadn't come, I would have gone to find you myself. Unless I find a mage who can take the earth elemental seed away, this undead elemental seed won't be willing to come with me."

That makes sense now. Gaode nodded, then asked doubtfully, "Communication?"

"Yes, although elemental creatures do not have completely independent consciousness and thinking ability like magical pets, they also possess sentience and emotions."

"To absorb it and gain its power, you either need to be strong enough to directly suppress it and render it powerless to resist, or you need to communicate with it and gain its recognition so that it will willingly accept you," Elena said.

"You really know a lot about elemental species," Gao De praised.

“After all, I’ve spent a lot of time on this necromantic elemental seed, so it’s natural that I need to gather all the necessary information,” Elena said with a smile.

"No matter how well prepared we were, we never expected to encounter such an unexpected situation as a confrontation between elemental species."

She then added, "Neither of these two elemental seeds are low-level. The earth elemental seed can regulate the ley lines of the entire canyon, and the necromantic elemental seed can contend with it. Both are exceptionally powerful."

"I even suspect that they might have been high-level elemental species at their peak."

“Under normal circumstances, given our combined strength, they would most likely not acknowledge us. Even if they did, we might not be able to absorb them and gain their power.”

"But this is a special case."

"Firstly, because of their fierce battle, they have fallen into their weakest state, no different from low-level elemental species. In this state, it should be very easy for us to absorb them without any difficulty."

"Secondly, given their current situation, it is impossible for them to end the entanglement even if they wanted to. In other words, one of them will eventually be eliminated."

"But in the end, they cannot be sure which one will disappear."

"If they choose to accept us and use us, it is the only way for them to survive. In this way, their rejection of us will be minimized, and they will be more willing to accept us."

"How about we give it a try together?" Elena extended an invitation after explaining the whole situation.

Gaode nodded without hesitation.

No mage can resist the elemental species.

"Then let's go together."

“Okay.” The two walked forward side by side and slowly approached the amber-colored sphere of light.

The closer they got, the more intense the burning sensation of the energy collision became. The earth vein energy and negative energy in the air intertwined, forming a weak airflow that blew their clothes.

Elena stopped first, closed her eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and released her mental energy, extending it towards the blackish-purple cocoon of light.

Following suit, Gao De also tentatively probed the amber-colored sphere of light that was about to go out with his mental energy.

As his spiritual power drew closer, Gao De was able to sense a faint yet pure sense of unwillingness and will to survive emanating from the earth element seed.

It did not want to dissipate, much less be completely corrupted and devoured by necromantic power.

It was this intention that prevented the amber-colored orb from resisting Gao De's mental power approaching.

A thought struck Gao De, and his mental energy extended forward once more, touching the amber-colored sphere of light.

As Elena said, the elemental beings have spirit and emotions; one could even say they possess their own souls.

Moreover, the spirituality and emotions of elemental beings are often strongly related to their elemental attributes.

For example, fire elementalists are like wild horses on the plains, irritable and alert, and will erupt in scorching anger if touched even slightly, making them extremely difficult to communicate with.

The wind element is like a forest sprite, agile and changeable, its thoughts conveying a light and lively feeling.

This earth element is resilient.

Even when its energy is nearly depleted, and even when it is riddled with wounds from being corroded by the undead elemental species, its will remains as steadfast and tenacious as a rock.

When Gaode's spiritual power began to resonate deeply with it, an ancient and profound thought surged into Gaode's mind.

[The Sleeping Spider Web].

This is the name of the earth element species.

Just as Elena judged, [Sleeping Spider Web] was once an elemental species of high quality.

However, in the long-term "battle" with the [Depletion Bite], its power gradually dissipated, it degenerated into a low-level elemental species, and fell into an extremely weak state, like a candle flickering in the wind.

【Depleted Bite】is the name of the undead elemental species.

"Sleeping Spiderweb." Gao De murmured the name in his heart, his mental energy extending forward again, conveying a gentle thought: "I will not let you dissipate, nor will I allow necromantic energy to continue to corrupt you."

In his mind, the idea of ​​the Sleeping Spider Web trembled slightly.

This time, Gaode felt the longing that the Sleeping Spider Web had for this land.

“I know you’re reluctant to leave this place, but staying here will only make you weaker and weaker, ultimately leading to mutual destruction and even the collapse of this land.”

Gao De's spiritual power gently enveloped the wisp of earthy yellow energy, conveying a firm intention: "Follow me."

The dormant spider web's thoughts fell silent.

At the same time, the dark purple cocoon above the sleeping spider web suddenly began to fluctuate.

Gao De opened his eyes and looked at Elena.

Elena's face lit up with joy, and she said to God, "The Bite of Exhaustion has agreed. As long as the Sleeping Web is willing to leave, it will come with me and will no longer bother me."

Gao De looked up and saw that on the surface of the dark purple cocoon of light, the originally twisted negative energy threads gradually became smoother, no longer actively plundering the surrounding earth vein energy, and were somewhat restrained.

A thought struck him, and he reconnected to the Sleeping Spiderweb, sending a message: "The Devouring Bite has retreated. This is your only chance to survive at the same time, and also the only way to ensure that Blackrock Canyon does not collapse."

This time, the Sleeping Spiderweb did not remain silent.

In the slight tremor, it conveyed a faint sense of agreement, synchronizing with the Devouring Bite.

Survival is the instinct of any living being with a soul.

It didn't want to perish together with the enemy.

After expressing its agreement, the amber-colored sphere of light in the dormant spider web suddenly began to shrink.

In the blink of an eye, it gradually shrank from the size of a fist to the size of a mung bean, and the cracks on its surface completely healed, turning into a translucent, earthy-yellow crystal ball.

Inside the crystal sphere, one can see golden patterns resembling a spider web, a microcosm of the earth's ley lines it once wove.

Immediately afterwards, the crystal ball transformed into a streak of light and flew straight toward Gao De's chest.

The instant the crystal ball landed on his chest, Gao De felt a warm and heavy energy surge into his body, like a stream flowing into a dried-up riverbed.

The next moment, he clearly felt that a small, yellowish-brown light spot had appeared in the pool of magic power.

Meanwhile, his body surface, arms, chest, waist, and legs were uncontrollably overflowing with streaks of amber light.

Wherever these streaks of light pass, the skin can feel a heavy sensation, as if it were pressed against rock.

[Sleeping Spider Web] (Earth Elemental)

Grade: Low/High (Potential)
Basic effect: Increases the power of Earth spells of level 3 and below by 1-2 times, and increases the power of level 4 Earth spells by 30-50%.

The amplification effect is particularly focused on spells with attributes of "control", "binding" and "structural change" (such as [Turn Mud into Stone], [Earth Collapse], and [Stone Wall]), while the amplification effect is slightly weaker on pure energy impact spells (such as [Earth Spike]).

Special effect: The "control" and "binding" type earth magic cast will have an invisible sleeping binding thread. The target will not only be physically restricted, but will also feel a deep weariness and loss of physical strength, which will reduce their willpower to break free from the binding.

You can sense specific movements connected to the ground beneath your feet, just as a spider senses the vibration of its web.

When you are still and focused, you can vaguely perceive the movement of all living things that are in direct contact with the ground within a radius of thirty meters, and you can roughly judge their size, number and direction.

This effect is ineffective against flying units, ghosts, and other ethereal creatures.

Lower-tier elemental species generally only possess the effect of amplifying spell power.

Special effects are abilities possessed only by elemental types of intermediate rank and above.

Although the Sleeping Spider Web is now a low-level elemental species, its former high-level quality has allowed it to break with tradition and possess special effects that are only found in mid-level elemental species!
Moreover, although the Sleeping Spider Web is currently at a low level, it has the potential to reach a higher level and can slowly recover to a higher level.

This huge gain left Gaode unable to contain his joy.

After digesting for a while, he slowly opened his eyes.

The amber-colored sheen on the body surface receded like the tide.

(End of this chapter)