Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Black Tornado

The height of the grass mass was truly terrifying. Towering far above the oak tree, it was enough to strike fear into the hearts of the people beneath it, even from a distance. As the powerful sound wave faded, despair seemed to seep into the crowd.

"Everyone, retreat to the back."

This time, it was not a command from anyone in particular. Ji Yu swept his vast mental awareness over the group and then, imitating the weary tone of an elder, projected his will into their minds.

"What—?"

"Is this the voice of the Mysterious Tree?"

"Divine Revelation!"

"It’s Divine Revelation, quick! Obey the order, everyone retreat behind the trunk of the Mysterious Tree!"

...

The crowd began to move. Those with weak legs or damaged eardrums were supported by others; in this moment, an unprecedented unity surged among them. All hoped for the Mysterious Tree to defeat the monstrous grass mass, and for the Mysterious Tree to lead them back to the real world. No one doubted the tree’s generosity or kindness anymore.

The Mysterious Tree had already demonstrated its might, and now it showed wisdom. Naturally, their expectations for the oak reached their peak.

Yet, all depended on whether the Mysterious Tree could overcome the monster before them. Many were not optimistic; the monster, in comparison, was a mountain-sized mass shrouded in black smoke, its gaping maw like an abyss—a vision of overwhelming power and spectacle.

The Mysterious Tree, on the other hand, was nothing more than a larger-than-average tree, lacking any special effects or brilliance; there was simply no comparison.

Many among the people of Xiyue grew anxious, while the Simon clan displayed absolute faith. Their belief assured them the Holy Tree could vanquish all evil.

"Lord Holy Tree, please, you must win!" Hughes hid behind his father, fervently praying.

Though young, Hughes had been raised to revere the oak, fostering a deep-seated affection and trust toward it. He believed it was his love for the Holy Tree that granted him the ability to connect with birds.

Thus, while Hughes usually carried the carefree heart of a child, when the oak faced danger, he felt an unfamiliar discomfort—a sense of helplessness, unable to protect or defend the Holy Tree. Instead, he relied on it to protect himself, his parents, and his people. This helplessness was a new and profound experience.

Living in the sacred land, Hughes had never known worry; now, he tasted a moment of growth. From this feeling arose a desire—to become strong, to protect the Holy Tree and his kin.

"Lord Holy Tree, please, you must win. Once you triumph, I promise to train hard. When I grow up, I’ll protect you and our people, never letting you suffer harm again."

Hughes gazed at the Holy Tree, praying with all his might.

...

The grass mass began to roll.

Five kilometers from the oak, across the black earth, the grass mass, shrouded in dark mist, seemed to hover above the ground, spinning without wind.

A five-hundred-meter diameter—like a small mountain—spun with such force that it moved all who watched. Countless air currents swirled around it, and as the wind gathered, its rotation quickened, ultimately spawning a terrifying tornado.

As the tornado billowed forth, the soft black soil was swept up in droves. The black tornado reached toward the sky, nearly ten thousand meters high.

Sudden, fierce winds swept across the wilderness, plunging the entire space into darkness.

Under the fearful gaze of all, and Ji Yu’s intense focus, the tornado finally surged toward the oak.

The gale terrified the birds nesting in the oak’s canopy; they squeezed their eyes shut, huddling together. The oak’s leaves promptly sheltered them, curling and weaving to wrap the birds securely.

On the ground, a root of the oak shot forth, winding toward those struggling to stand amid the storm. Twisting and spreading, countless fine roots wrapped around people's legs, waists, and hands, offering them protection.

All this took only seconds.

Free from worry, Ji Yu knew it was his turn to act.

Facing the terrifying black tornado, Ji Yu's heart grew uneasy; after all, this world-shaking phenomenon was a first in his life. If only the grass mass charged forward, Ji Yu would feel no fear, but who could have predicted this seemingly fluffy mass could unleash such chaos?

He finally understood why the wilds were devoid of other creatures. Against the bizarre and powerful “Radish” species, ordinary beings stood no chance—especially when the radishes clustered to form the grass mass, which was utterly unstoppable.

Ji Yu would not foolishly collide with the tornado—he had to be clever. As a modern man, and with the mighty oak as his incarnation, he quickly devised a solution.

"The momentum is impressive. If the tornado sweeps me up, even the oak’s incarnation might be torn from its roots," he mused, watching the looming tornado.

His mood was far from light; even with a plan, there was no guarantee, yet he had to gamble.

He kept his gaze fixed on the tornado.

At four kilometers, its winds intensified, causing the oak's leaves and jewel flowers to sway violently.

At two kilometers, the tornado’s force reached hurricane strength. At this moment, a faint green glow enveloped the oak, instantly calming all turbulence.

At one kilometer, the oak’s glow grew stronger.

At five hundred meters, the green light reached its zenith, forming a ring-shaped transparent shield at the tree’s perimeter, blocking all winds.

At three hundred and fifty meters, the shield was compressed by the gale, shrinking inward. Yet Ji Yu began to smile.

Two hundred meters!

Just as the oak's branches and leaves were squeezed into a column, Ji Yu finally acted!

At that instant, four roots, each six hundred meters long, shot from the ground—emerging precisely from beneath the eye of the storm.

As the roots burst forth beneath the tornado’s eye, Ji Yu locked onto the enormous rotating grass monster at its heart.