Finally, after so many plans and schemes, Liu Shu was able to deal with three out of the four armies. Looking at the remaining bastion that she needed to breach, Liu Shu didn’t dare relax. Evangeline was the biggest threat to her among all of them.

The battle situation was at a stalemate, with both sides surrounded by a protective barrier and attacks flying back and forth between them. The powerful spells would easily cause large damage, while Liu Shu’s attacks added to the fear the Nexus people were feeling. 

Liu Shu continued attacking, checking her Aether Mana and Anima Energy reserves. “I have around a third left.”

She had been maintaining 200 summons, attacking all around the continent, and fighting several wars while also controlling other bodies of herself. After all this time, her thousands of Aether Mana and Anima Energy Cores had gone from a few thousand to a few hundred. 

Evangeline stood at the edge of the barrier, her face cold and calculating as she observed the giant World Tree’s attacking methods. “So strange.” She muttered, and those around had heard her. 

“What are you thinking, Lady Evangeline?”

“No… The attacks she is using are certainly dangerous and powerful. However… How to put it… they feel low ranked.” 

“Low ranked?” Jolie tilted her head, looking at Evangeline. “What do you mean?” 

Evangeline shook her head. “I am just confused. The attacks she is using feel like C Rank skills instead of anything higher. So, I was confused for a second.” Instead of going into a tangent that they’d had no answer to, Evangeline asked. “How are efforts in corruption going? We’ve started going all out since we know that the one suppressing us is not Fortuna but Tianlian Liu Shu.” 

The formation they were using could be empowered by many sources. One of them was dead bodies, and since the army people were under her command, Evangeline had given the order to throw all soldiers who died into it as fuel. 

Some thought that, although it was cruel, it was necessary to win the war. Others believed that their leader had lost her mind and used this excuse to deal with those she found annoying in the camp and get rid of the evidence. 

Overall, the effect of seeing their own brothers and sisters swallowed by whatever ritual Evangeline’s people were doing didn’t sit right with anyone who wasn’t part of that specific group. 

A cursemancer at the side spoke, his tone somewhat somber. “Lady Evangeline, the formation is working at full capacity. However, each time the corruption level reaches 60%, Tianlian Liu Shu would unleash that fearful aura of light and eliminate much of our progress.”

Evangeline bit her long nail. “How come Tianlian Liu Shu is not affected by the corruption? Have we managed to get a sample of her roots?” 

Someone stood at the side, holding a large box. “Lady Evangeline, we managed to get a chunk of the World Tree.”

“Oh?” Evangeline looked at the shields around her that were constantly being bombarded. “Just in time. Give it to me; you’ll be rewarded handsomely in the future.”

The man stepped forward and gave her the branch they got and a bottle full of a gooey blue sap. 

Evangeline then used a few items to identify both items. 

World Tree Root (A- Tier): A root coming from a mighty yet young world tree. The bark has an inherent purifying nature, and all corruption that touches it will be instantly nullified unless it is high-tiered enough to overcome her defenses. The resilience and flexibility of the root are unmatched, making it a prime material for any type of weapon. Additionally, the energy conduction capabilities are seamless. Any item created from these roots would be worth having for anyone in the World Tree’s planet of origin. 

Cerulean Bloodsap (B Tier): The sap of this World Tree is a panacea. It can cure most poisons and ailments that don’t outrank you while also serving as a naturally purifying and healing substance. All flora affected by it will receive several growth boosts. 

Once she read them, her reaction was one of shock. “A- Tier…” Her lips arched in an incredulous smile. “Ha! Is this thing broken? How could she have gone from C Tier to A- Tier? That’s impossible!” 

She didn’t want to believe it, but looking at the gargantuan World Tree using its branches to continuously slam onto their dome, she had no other choice but to accept this reality. “So… We need a curse that's one Tier above the one we are using to start influencing her… That’s ridiculous.” 

Evangeline leaned back against the wall behind her, looking somewhat lost and confused. For the first time, the people around saw Evangeline’s overall composure collapse. While she had been shocked, angry, or surprised, she always maintained a steady aura. Even if angered or shocked, she never looked like she was on the losing side. 

Now, after seeing these two items, the woman looked as if she had lost half her soul. 

Jolie approached and picked the items. Since Evangeline had used items to decipher it, others could also naturally read them. After a few moments, Jolie laughed twice. “So that’s why… Was she always hiding her Tier? Is that why everyone failed their raids against her?”

The advisors took the chance that the two of them took to recompose themselves and also took a look. 

After a little while, everyone was lost and did not know what to do. Evangeline raised her head and spoke. “We need to retreat. Our entire plan is worthless because our information was completely incorrect. We prepared to hunt a strong cub, but we ended up meeting with a mature tiger.”

Everyone accepted her words. However, as she spoke, Liu Shu’s voice spread around them. “Retreat? Oh no, no, no. How could you be thinking about something like that?”

Evangeline’s face changed as she glared at the giant World Tree not too far away. “You… How are you listening to our conversation?”

“Tricks need to remain hidden so that they can be a surprise later~.” Liu Shu’s myriad voices spoke in a chorus, mirth echoing in the imposing speech of the World Tree. “Who knew that one day we’d be in this situation? I always wondered about something, though. Back then, why didn’t you and the other guys eliminate me? With your strength at that time, dealing with me wouldn't have been that big of a deal.”

Everyone’s faces became ugly. Evangeline didn’t regret leaving that day for the main continent. However, she regretted that she thought a change of mind would help her defeat the absolute force of nature Tianlian Liu Shu represented. Evangeline smiled and looked up. “Even then, you can’t break through. We are protected here, and once the main continent learns about what happened here, they will be furious.”

“Perhaps. That’s even more reason to eliminate all of you quickly. I almost had a few people escape already, so I know the tricks that you might use. Don’t worry, I will counter all of them and make sure that you ultimately fall into my sweet trap~.” Speaking until here, she turned toward Jolie. “By the way, Jolie. Your end will be a bit worse because Delia wants me to give you to her.”

Jolie showed a fearless smile. “Delia? That useless woman? She was easily manipulated into going to war against you. Hahaha. If you hadn’t gotten hold of Delia’s daughter from me, could you have grown to your current point? You were just lucky!” 

“What’s wrong with that?” Liu Shu answered with an amused tone. “What’s wrong with being lucky? Luck is part of one’s life. However, even if someone is incredibly lucky, they’d need to be courageous enough to take the chance.” She paused her words and laughed. “Look at me, discussing philosophy with worms like you. Your only worth is turning into fertilizer. At least, that way, your bodies will be able to feed new life.”

An advisor at the side snorted. “Continue speaking all you want, World Tree. It remains a truth that you can do nothing to us because of the barrier. If you had destroyed a few more Artillery Monoliths, perhaps our shell wouldn’t have been so hard that you can’t break through.”

Liu Shu didn’t speak before bursting into laughter. “Oh, that was a good joke. Do you think I’d start talking with all of you because I don’t already have a plan? Instead of being an intelligent being, you should be classified as a monster. Such limited foresight doesn’t match your title as a human.” 

Not wanting to believe the World Tree, another advisor shouted. “Big words, but unless you show your actions, you're nothing! You don’t know what you are dealing with if you destroy us! The retribution won’t be something that you can escape from.”

“Hm~. You are so pitiful that I will do you a favor and tell you about how I did it, but first…” Liu Shu chanted calmly. “Curse Cleansing Aurora.”

As they felt the multicolored lights, many frowned. However, they didn’t make any sound of discomfort. The assistant spoke with defiance. “If that’s everything you got, you are far too weak.”

Her tone was peaceful. “Curse Cleansing Aurora.”

Another wave of purifying energies seeped through and enveloped them. An advisor looked at Evangeline and Jolie. “Lady Evangeline, this is meant to annoy you. Don’t let yourself fall into her schemes. This, at most, will cleanse the corruption.”

As if she didn’t hear their words, Liu Shu chanted again. “Curse Cleansing Aurora.”

“What are you doing?” Evangeline frowned as she didn’t understand the objective of the World Tree. “You are just wasting your Aether Mana. Even if you purify this place, we can corrupt it again with ease!”

Liu Shu paid no heed and chanted with more strength. “Curse Cleansing Aurora.”

Her Aether Mana and Anima Energy were greatly reduced, but Liu Shu didn’t say anything and manifested the skill one last time. 

“Curse Cleansing Aurora!” 

The multicolored lights flowing from Liu Shu’s body were like a stream of light that poured into the surroundings as if it were rain. Everyone was somewhat confused, but those on Liu Shu’s side were aware that their World Tree’s thoughts were anything but simple. 

As if responding to those thoughts, the World Tree spoke to them. “Prepare to attack. Their barrier will soon fall.”

Flor was somewhat confused, but she started ordering around. Ignatia, Verdantia, Eila, Verena, and everyone else had already gathered here, and they all prepared. 

Feeling the tension in the air, Evangeline looked around and at the root net below them. Suddenly, one of the people controlling the Artillery Monolith shouted in Evangeline’s direction. “Lady Evangeline! This is bad! The purifying energies are erasing not only the corruption, but the runes and arrays as well! The integrity of the dome is at stake!”

“Too late.” Liu Shu’s voice echoed in the surroundings.

“Weeping Willow’s Aether Barrage.”

Hundreds of branches and thousands of thorns manifested around the Soulseed and then swung at the defensive dome. 

BOOM!!!!

A deafening explosion was followed by a sound that made Evangeline’s group feel their hearts skip a beat. That sound was one of glass breaking.

Crash!