"I'm glad you've accepted my invitation to join us in facing our enemies," Bai Ze said with a slight smile. "However, could you first share with me your abilities? It will help in our preparations."
In the previous simulation, due to the sudden assault by the Lich's main forces, Bai Ze hadn't had the chance to understand Aurora's abilities fully. This time, with plenty of time to spare, he intended to learn more about her.
Aurora, however, didn't immediately answer. Instead, she raised a finger and waved it lightly in the air.
In just a few moments, a small sapling glowing with a vibrant green light sprouted from her fingertip. With a graceful sweep of her hand, the seaweed in the ocean rapidly grew, extending tens of meters above the surface like the tentacles of the Sea Emperor's kin.
Simultaneously, in the distant forest, a massive network of brambles and vines sprang to life. These vines stretched out toward Aurora as though imbued with sentience, coiling and writhing beside her.
"Great Creator of this planet, my ability our Sacred Wood Elf clan's ability is to harness spiritual energy to accelerate the growth of plants around us and command them for attack or defense," Aurora explained in detail.
"However," she added with a touch of humility, "our clan isn't particularly suited for combat. Unlike brute strength, spiritual energy is finite, so we can't control plants for extended periods. Most of the time, we survive by trading food and resources for the protection of other races."
Bai Ze nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with her analysis.
Indeed, if Aurora's abilities were limited to manipulating plants, her race was more suited to survival than warfare. Plant-based powers, regardless of their scope, would have limited effectiveness in outer space, where there were no plants to command.
He recalled what Teacher Zhou had said earlier that the Lich's goal was never the Sacred Wood Elves themselves. Their power was too limited to save the Lich's planet. What they truly sought was the Sacred Heart of the Forest.
With this in mind, Bai Ze continued his questioning:
"I now understand your abilities, but I sense a strong wood-based energy that doesn't entirely belong to you, emanating from your chest. Could you tell me about it?"
Aurora hesitated at first, but Bai Ze reassured her with a gentle tone:
"I understand if you have secrets you'd rather not share. There's no pressure. I won't force you."
Aurora shook her head immediately. "No, it's not that," she replied. "The energy you sense comes from the Sacred Heart of the Forest, the greatest treasure of the Sacred Wood Elf clan."
She paused for a moment, then continued:
"The Liches came here to seize it, but thanks to you, they were all destroyed. The energy you detected isn't mine it's the Sacred Heart's."
Aurora explained that her initial power level was only at the early War General stage. By absorbing the Sacred Heart's energy, she had reached her current state.
"And the Sacred Heart has another special ability," she said with a smile.
Without further explanation, Aurora leapt from Cthugha's tentacle. A path of seaweed extended beneath her feet, leading her and the gathered creatures to a nearby forest.
Aurora placed her hands over the area of her chest where the Sacred Heart pulsed. Instantly, waves of pure wood-elemental energy spread outward, transforming the surroundings.
Trees, plants, fruits everything connected to wood underwent rapid, visible growth. Then, something astonishing occurred:
Under the influence of the Sacred Heart, massive trees began to tremble and rise. Their roots pulled free from the ground, forming thick, sturdy legs. Faces appeared on their trunks, stern and lifelike.
Ding! God's Eye has activated. Scanning...
Ding! Scan complete!
Creature Name: Treant
Creature Rank: Servant-Level, Initial Stage
Creature Description: Ordinary trees nourished by the Sacred Heart of the Forest, awakened with sentience, and capable of independent thought. These treants are eternally loyal to the one who awakened them, regarding that individual as their mother and obeying her commands without question.
"My goodness," Bai Ze marveled, his eyes wide. "The Sacred Heart can directly transform ordinary trees into extraordinary treants? No wonder the Liches would go to any lengths to seize it!"
Aurora continued channeling energy until every tree in the forest was animated. When she finally lowered her hands, Bai Ze counted approximately 500 treants, each towering nearly 10 meters tall.
"Lord of the Planet," Aurora said, turning toward Bai Ze. "This is another special function of the Sacred Heart. It can not only accelerate plant growth but also grant sentience to plants, compelling them to serve the wielder."
Bai Ze nodded, deep in thought. Then, as if struck by a sudden idea, he adopted a more relaxed tone and asked:
"Miss Aurora, this Sacred Heart of yours is truly a treasure of your clan. Aren't you worried I might covet it, just like the Liches, and try to take it from you?"
Aurora froze briefly but quickly replied with confidence:
"No, I'm not worried."
"You saved my life, Lord of the Planet. The Liches came here because of me, causing trouble for you. Beyond that, your planet's thriving ecosystem is far beyond anything my Sacred Heart could offer. I can't imagine you would ever desire such a trivial thing."
Her words were sincere. Aurora had never seen a planet as abundant and prosperous as Bai Ze's. Even at its peak, her elven planet paled in comparison.
"Thank you, Miss Aurora, for trusting me so openly," Bai Ze replied with a smile. "I believe I now fully understand your abilities."
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