Pillar of Yita

The light within the Crystal swirled, mesmerizing those who looked upon it. The Tree People Elder with gray skin gently placed it back on the rock pedestal with fingers like withered branches. The softly flowing light reflected off the gray-white rock walls in the darkness, mirroring the brightness in everyone’s eyes.

”In that ancient era, seeds once sprouted within the rocks, growing lushly to form towering trees. The rivers gushing from the earth found their source here, coursing through the sunless depths below to shape everything upon this land.”

”Thanks to you for bringing it back; I hope there’s still time.”

”Short Beard, he...” Time Reflection couldn’t help but ask.

Grey Skin turned to look at the human. ”The earth may be wounded, but it always heals. We are the children of the earth, and Short Beard will get better.”

The Captain of the Holy White Stone couldn’t help but turn around, glancing at his companions, and nobody spoke — but a Papalar girl was watching them and asked, ”What do you plan to do next?”

She knew what had happened before and quite approved of their choices.

The Captain of the Holy White Stone sighed lightly:

”For now, let’s just win this battle.”

Mei nodded: ”Indeed, but with the Heart of Chongshan returned here, we are not without hope in the coming combat.”

The Tree People Elder lifted his head, looking at the sturdy roots piercing through the rock layers. They had weathered countless years, protecting this place. It seemed as if he saw the towering ancient trees above the earth layer, guarding for almost an eternal time in these countless years.

He sighed:

”...Next, we entrust this to Lord Moenyalit.”

...

The Forest was turning into a sea of fire, with flames crackling on the treetops. Star-like embers danced, and the firelight illuminated the side of Hilveld’s face. She awkwardly held the Communication Crystal and looked at the scenes in the Forest—she gave a bitter smile. ”Our Lord Captain, the situation here is hardly good. The frontline is barely holding on, and they could collapse at any moment; it’s just a matter of time.”

Tianlan rushed out, holding her head, and stopped when she saw Hilveld, shouting: ”Sister Hilveld, why are you still here? Everyone’s getting ready to retreat, hurry and escape with the others!” Then she noticed the Communication Crystal in Hilveld’s hand, and her eyes brightened: ”Is it Brother Ade?”

Tianlan trotted over and grabbed Hilveld’s hand without hesitation, exclaiming dramatically: ”Brother Ade, hurry and save us! We’re going to die; the Monsters have broken in, help!”

Hilveld found the little girl amusing, then turned back to look at the hellish Forest, as shadowy figures continuously retreated from the front line. In the darkness, destructive flames descended from the sky like surgical knives cutting through the Forests above, the golden light illuminating her deep, Zhan Lan eyes.

In that direction, several towering shadows stood like mountains. Occasionally, a fleeting light highlighted the Crystal’s sheen on their shells, layer upon layer like thick scales. She observed these mountain-like shadows, listening to the distant, resonant howls carried by the wind, as if the entire Forest was boiling. Animals scattered and fled from the burning woodland.

They gradually brightened, with light flowing on each crystalline scale and converging at a point. When the brightness reached its peak, a shower of Light Rain burst forth, the light beams successively struck the Forest, and amidst the rising flames, there was a sense of destructive beauty.

Those were the Disorderly Supervisors, and compared to them, the densely packed Disorderly Guards at their feet were mere child’s play. Yet the light vanished and reappeared in the darkness, and this repetition continually illuminated the Monsters’ flat carapaces, forming an undulating ocean in the darkness. Countless rocks flew towards the human frontline, plowing a layer of the Thorn Frontline’s ground, with people occasionally being hurled, then falling to turn into white light.

At the very forefront of the battlefield were the Disorderly Minions, like a dark ocean. Their numbers were impossible to determine, only appearing as rolling waves, engulfing everything whenever storms rose on the sea surface. Initially, the front line occasionally fought back, with one or two bursts of magic light sweeping across the battlefield, illuminating the dark sea surface. But eventually, the defending side lost any sound.

Crackling sounds came from the burning treetops, as sharp rocks whistled through the air, tumbling rocks landed on the woodland with a muffled thud. Trees toppled not far away, creaking and groaning, interspersed with the distant, rising, and falling roars of Monsters on the battlefield, and at this moment—the steady breathing of the girl.

In the communication channel, Fang Hong struggled to keep his voice calm: ”I’m on my way, Hilveld, just give me a little more time—”

Hilveld smiled, responding: ”You know I’ll always give you time, my dear Captain.”

”Ah—” Tianlan choked herself dramatically, rolling her eyes: ”Sister Hilveld is so romantic, I’m so jealous, I’m going to die!”

Fang Hong wished he could immediately climb out of the Communication Crystal, then she’d be done for, but Tianlan was winking at Miss Ship’s Officer, who was just smiling.

She asked softly, ”Do you have any last words for Mr. Luo Yu?”

”He, hmph, I don’t care about him at all.”

Deep underground, Walnut and Beiji were rushing out of the sea of flames. They stopped upon seeing the two: ”Miss Hilveld, we can’t hold the front any longer, but there are disputes about staying or leaving. The Tree People don’t plan to retreat, some are preparing to withdraw to the Grey Forest to see if they can hold out a while. What should we do?”