Chapter 361: Chapter361-Erdtree Sentinel vs. Undead Scourge

At the [Battlefield of Geniuses], a flash of light appeared, and Caelan’s figure materialized within the battleground.

Due to the special nature of the [Battlefield of Geniuses], everything that happened inside this Instance could be observed from outside.

As a result, numerous media outlets were providing comprehensive coverage of Caelan’s progress through the Instance. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Aside from Caelan, there were also Mabry, the genius of the elven race; Natasha of the Titan race; as well as contestants from the Wood Elves, the Bloom Elves, the demi-human race, and many others...

After passing through the teleportation portal, Caelan quickly noticed that the environment here was different from the [Battlefield of Geniuses] he had entered before.

Perhaps due to the influence of the [Void Frontier], the interior of this place looked more like a replica of the [Deathborn Paradise]. The aura of death permeated every corner, while the sky above was a hazy gray, filled with an indescribable sense of despair.

Caelan swept his gaze across his surroundings.

Vast stretches of dark Shadowgrove covered the land. Even the leaves upon the trees were a deep, gloomy black.

The only exception was the enormous golden tree in the distance, which emitted a soft glow. It was one of the very few sources of light in this dark world.

The colossal golden tree had taken the place of the sun.

However, even its golden radiance was unable to dispel the darkness within the Shadowgrove.

Caelan narrowed his eyes, his gaze resting upon the Shadowgrove ahead for a moment.

Within the shadows that the golden light could not reach, creatures resembling Deathborn were quietly lurking.

They were quite short, though still half a head taller than demi-humans. Their most distinctive feature was the swollen lump of flesh bulging high upon their foreheads. Something unknown seemed to be writhing and rolling continuously within those lumps, making them look exceptionally revolting.

"Could it be that the Deathborn have been parasitized?"

Caelan narrowed his eyes.

Originally, he had intended to clear the entire area with a single strike, wiping out both the Shadowgrove and these disgusting creatures in one go.

However, just then, he suddenly sensed an unusual aura coming from within the Shadowgrove.

It was different from the aura of the Deathborn. Within it was also the aura of the shadowy trees, though there seemed to be something else mixed into it as well.

Meanwhile, deep within the Shadowgrove...

A knight whose entire body was covered in vines slowly opened his eyes.

He had already forgotten his own name.

He had also forgotten how long he had been asleep.

The only memory that remained within him was his duty to protect the great tree. It was a creed carved into the deepest part of his soul.

Even after the passage of an unknown number of years, he continued to carry out his responsibility with unwavering determination.

At that moment, the vines covering the Erdtree Sentinel’s body suddenly began to tremble violently.

At the same time, the vines seemed to come alive, constantly twisting and pressing against the Erdtree Sentinel’s flesh.

"ROAR!!!"

The Erdtree Sentinel let out an agonized howl.

However, the vines were like leeches, relentlessly burrowing into his body until they had completely merged with his flesh!

His golden armor was now covered in dust, having long since lost the sacred brilliance and splendor it once possessed.

Nevertheless, the Erdtree Sentinel had come back to life once more, albeit in an entirely different form.

He did not know what he was supposed to do. Only a few fragments of his instinct to protect remained within his mind.

Yet deep within his consciousness, a voice continuously told him one thing.

Kill the intruder!

"Kill!!!"

The warhorse beneath the Erdtree Sentinel had long since been reduced to a skeleton of white bones.

However, in response to the Erdtree Sentinel’s summons, it stood once more.

Its pale bones were devoid of flesh, but countless vines swiftly filled the empty spaces, transforming it into a wooden warhorse!

The Erdtree Sentinel lightly moved the golden lance in his hand, along with the shield that was missing one of its corners, as though he were greeting his old friends once more.

The wooden warhorse raised its head, seemingly attempting to snort.

Sadly, it discovered that it could no longer make any sound at all!

However, none of that mattered.

Because in the next moment, the Erdtree Sentinel launched another unstoppable charge!

Behind him, countless shadow treants charged forward in a dense swarm, packed together like ants.

The weapons in their hands came in all shapes and sizes. Some carried rusty daggers, some wielded chipped short blades, while others possessed nothing more than crude wooden clubs...

"Oh? Trying to gang up on me?"

Caelan glanced at the army charging toward him, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting into an intrigued smile.

He made no attempt to dodge. Instead, he simply gripped his longsword with one hand.

"Since all of you enjoy playing with the undead so much, I’ll join in the fun!"

Caelan sneered and took the long-forgotten [Sacred Necrostone] out of his storage space.

Had it not been for the sight of the Erdtree Sentinel, he might have completely forgotten that he even possessed the [Sacred Necrostone].

Unlike an ordinary [Necrostone], the [Sacred Necrostone] did not merely possess the ability to enhance support-type skills. It also had a special effect known as [Whispers of the Undead].

[Special Effect: Whispers of the Undead. You may communicate with the Undead Realm and borrow its power. As long as you are willing to pay a certain price, you can obtain anything you desire.]

With such a perfect opportunity right in front of him, Caelan also wanted to test whether the undead he could summon were stronger than the Deathborn within the [Battlefield of Geniuses].

As for the price he would need to pay...

They could take their time negotiating that!

Without the slightest hesitation, Caelan picked up the [Sacred Necrostone] and activated its special effect.

The next moment, a pale white light filled with the aura of death slowly spread out from the center of his palm.

Immediately afterward, a skeletal prompt window appeared before Caelan’s eyes.

"Greedy Awakener, have you decided upon the price you are willing to pay?"

"You may exchange for the following assistance from the Undead Realm."

A list of available exchanges then appeared before Caelan.

[Skeleton Soldier: 1 energy point]

[Skeleton Mage: 2 energy points]

[Skeleton Knight: 5 energy points]

[Skeleton Giant: 10 energy points]

[Skeleton Lord: 100 energy points]

[Vampiric Undead: 200 energy points]

...

[Undead Scourge: 99,999 energy points]

[Undead Doomsday: 99,999,999 energy points]

[Friendly Reminder: Energy points must be exchanged using energy crystals. Current exchangeable amount: 99,999,999,999... points.]

Upon seeing his available exchange quota, the corners of Caelan’s mouth curled upward slightly.

His previous trip through the Abyss had not been entirely without reward.

At the very least, he could now freely use the [Sacred Necrostone] as much as he pleased.

Even if summoning an [Undead Doomsday] cost one hundred million energy points, for Caelan, that merely meant he could only use it a completely ordinary few hundred million times.

Perhaps that was not very many, but it would be enough!

With that thought in mind, Caelan casually snapped his fingers with one hand.

"Let’s summon an [Undead Scourge] first and test the waters!"

"Summon—[Undead Scourge]!!"

The next moment, the vast open space behind Caelan was instantly enveloped in an overwhelming aura of death!