As they gradually went deeper into the forest, the world in front of them became strange.
They were surrounded by towering trees that were hundreds of meters tall. They covered the sky and the sun. The four of them were like wriggling ants.
The sunlight that shone through the canopy was very dim, but the forest was not dark because there were many fungi and mushrooms that emitted fluorescent light growing on the ground and tree trunks.
The greatness of life was admirable. Everything could not live without sunlight. The bottom layer of the forest was dark. There was no sunlight at all. The plants and fungi here had evolved the ability to create light.
Zhang Wenqian suddenly realized a problem. Along the way, they did not see a single animal. Not only were there large animals, but there were also no snakes, insects, rats, ants, or birds. This was a sea of plants.
The beautiful woman named Zhi Hui in front of them would occasionally stop and put her slender and beautiful hand on a tree beside her. It was as if she was communicating with the plants to get directions.
"Miss Zhi Hui, do you have a way to save Little Fan?" Zhang Wenqian asked softly.
The beautiful woman hesitated and pointed above her head. "I don't have a way. But our chief has a way, just like them."
"Your chief?"
Zhang Wenqian was stunned. She looked in the direction she was pointing. On a towering tree that she could not see the top of, a strange creature was crawling on it. It looked like a human, but its body was covered in dark green bark. There was a tuft of grass on its head where it should have had hair.
Its four limbs were like vines tightly wrapped around the tree. It seemed to have sensed the people below and looked down.
Zhang Wenqian felt a chill in her heart because this thing was indeed a human. It still had the appearance of a human, but its eyes were dull and lifeless. It was like a puppet.
"Wood Sickness Infected!"
Zhang Wenqian hurriedly took a step back. "Who are you people?"
The beautiful woman sighed. "Humans are born with the five elements. Some of the five elements are fire and metal. They are born with the power of wood, so they cannot retain their consciousness."
Then she said gently, "Of course we are humans. Miss Zhang, I have lived in the Thousand Islands Sea for a while. I have heard of your name."
"Give Little Fan back to me." Zhang Wenqian held the long sword in her hand tightly and ignored her.
"Only the clan leader can save her. You don't want to see this little girl die, right?"
Zhang Wenqian snorted coldly and said, "Humph, if she becomes like this, I'd rather kill her with my own hands."
The beautiful woman said patiently, "I've said it before, everyone has their own Five Elements. This little girl's physique is a bit strange, so it might not clash with the Wood Element."
The fat elder also said, "Miss Zhang, my family's Young Miss wouldn't lie to you. To tell you the truth, I was also on the verge of death. Fortunately, I met Young Miss. She used her wood elemental energy to help me comb my body. Although I've left my human body, I've also obtained a long lifespan."
As he said that, he unbuttoned his shirt. His chest was full of small cysts that looked like tree lumps. Not only his chest, but his entire body was full of these cysts. It looked extremely horrifying.
"The transformation of any energy has to be done step by step. Currently, the Wood Elemental Transformation Technique is still incomplete. It can't be completely compatible with a human body in a short period of time. However, don't worry, there will definitely be a solution in the future. A creature that combines plants and animals is the most perfect creature. Not only can you obtain a long lifespan, you can also cleanse your soul. Wood elemental energy is neutral and peaceful. You won't have the heart to kill, you won't cheat, and you won't have wars and disasters!"
The woman's beautiful face flushed red. Creating this kind of utopian world was her dream.
Zhang Wenqian said blankly, "Can we?"
"Of course, plants are everywhere. We can change this world!"
… …
As they continued to advance into the depths of the forest, a strange fragrance assailed their nostrils. A city spiraling on a huge plant appeared in front of them.
Countless strange humans lived in the houses and streets made of vines. They had completely become a combination of plants and humans. Their skin was wrinkled like tree bark, their limbs were slender like vines, and their hair was full of branches and leaves.
However, they were different from the Wood Elemental Transformation Patient. Their consciousness was preserved, and they were just like humans. Some were chatting, some were picking fruits, and some were jumping on the branches of the giant trees. They were as agile as monkeys.
Seeing the arrival of the beautiful woman, these "people" bowed and made way for her.
Liu Hou said with a smile, "Welcome to the Smoky Cloud City. This is the headquarters of the Wood Tribe in the south."
"Let's go, I'll take you to see the leader." The beautiful woman said softly.
Zhang Wenqian looked at her white jade-like face and then looked at the surrounding "Tree People". She couldn't help but ask, "Miss Zhihui, are you a human?"
"Of course I am. Everyone here is a human. Strictly speaking, they are mainly built with human genes. Just like the Sea Tribe and the Three-Eyed Tribe, they are a branch of the human race. You can call us the Wood Tribe."
Zhang Wenqian finally realized the essence of the matter. These combination of humans and plants were going to form a separate intelligent species that was different from other human beings.
Although animals evolved into ferocious beasts, animals evolved individually. Even ferocious beasts that lived in groups were the same. They wouldn't be obsessed with other things. However, intelligent species were different. They could create a civilization!
However, if it was a civilization without wars and disasters, wouldn't it be better if it didn't exist?
The three of them stepped on a platform made of vines. Zhihui stroked a vine and closed her eyes for a moment. The platform began to slowly climb up. Soon, they arrived at the top of the giant tree. The warm sunlight shone down. There was a huge unknown flower bud in full bloom. The fragrance completely filled their nostrils.
In the huge flower bud, there was a palace made of petals. Under the colorful refraction of the light, it was extremely beautiful.
"So beautiful!
Is this heaven? "When Little Fan woke up, he saw this scene. He couldn't tell if he was alive or dead.
"Follow me. The leader is inside."
Zhang Wenqian was a little dazzled as she followed Zhihui into the palace in the flower bud.
There were more than ten people standing in the palace. Their expressions were a little serious. They were arguing with each other as if they were discussing something intensely.
Different from the Ents below, the people here were no different from normal humans. Moreover, the aura of the wood element was extremely dense. They were either wood elementalists or physical masters who had been infused with wood element energy.
Unlike the nature of genetic mutations like the Wood Disease, physical masters and elementalists who focused on wood element energy would cultivate step by step. They wouldn't mutate, but their efficiency was very low. The requirement for talent was also very high.
At the head of the palace sat an old woman with a hunched back and white hair. She looked very old, but her skin was as tender as a baby's.
She seemed to be asleep and was indifferent to the quarrel below. Only when Zhang Wenqian and the others came in did she raise her head. Her pair of turbid eyes looked at them. Zhang Wenqian felt as if everything about her was presented in front of the other party. She couldn't help but take a step back.
The old woman's expression suddenly became a little strange. She asked her, "You know Luo Kai?"
After the old woman spoke, the people in the palace stopped talking at the same time and looked over with surprise.
Zhang Wenqian was stunned. She wanted to say that she didn't know him, but she couldn't help but nod.
The beautiful woman Zhihui's expression changed and became cold. She said, "You know the Thunder Saint?
That little bastard? "
Zhang Wenqian said blankly, "He really is the Thunder Saint."
The fat old man suddenly sighed. "This kid's evolution speed is too fast."
The hall fell silent, and a short while later, one of the Saints with a green cane said, "The human Saints have definitely come for the Fiend Devil. Now that the two Saints of the south have gathered here, should we seek their cooperation?"
"No, the humans see us as different species. I'm afraid that not only will they not cooperate, but they will also attack us first."
"The nature of this new Saint is unclear. The Dragon Saint has always been trying to destroy our Smoked Cloud City."
"The Fiend Demon is the common enemy of all species. Once it completely evolves into a Fiend Demon, it will be unstoppable. I think the human Saints should let go of their prejudices."
The palace fell into a quarrel. Zhang Wenqian understood some things. The Fiend Demon that appeared in Seongma Province this time could command the insect swarm.
Plants relied on their strong reproductive ability and life force to spread throughout the world. Insects ate everything. Wherever they went, not a single blade of grass grew. Plains and forests were all red ridges. They were the greatest enemy of plant life.