Chapter 235: The First Dive into the City of Giant Trees


    After this.


    ?Xia En raised several questions related to the [City of Giant Trees] and [Sea of ??Annihilation].


    Ji Ya always told the truth. If there was something she didn''t know about, she wouldn''t pretend to understand. Instead, she would try her best to tell her speculations as pertinently as possible.


    ?That gentle attitude makes people feel like a spring breeze.


    I have to say that [Nuanxue] is worthy of being an organization similar to the House of Everything on the [Sea of ??Annihilation].


    ?This conversation alone gave Xia En a more comprehensive understanding of the [Sea of ??Annihilation].


    At this time.


    The "Nuanxue" leading the way suddenly slowed down, and the sailors on the ship also looked wary.


    “Captain Shane, here we are.”


    Ji Ya said: "Under this sea water is the [City of Giant Trees]."


    ?Shaan knew the reason why the crew of the [Nuanxue] showed such an attitude.


    On the way here, Ji Ya explained to him...


    ?Over the years, the tree people in [City of Giant Trees] have become increasingly crazier in their behavior, and have even begun to attack ships on the sea.


    They will use thick vines and branches to drag the ship into the sea water, just like what the giant beasts in the deep sea would do.


    ?Of course, the tree people may not respond so quickly.


    ??But just sailing in this sea area makes sailors uneasy, worried that they may encounter attacks from the sea at any time.


    Xia En took the initiative and said, "Mrs. Jiya, just bring her here."


    “Let’s deal with the next thing by ourselves.”


    Jiya did not hesitate, nodded and said: "Okay."


    "Then we will leave first. Captain Shane, please pay attention to your own safety."


    Speaking, Jiya took out an orange-red crystal and handed it to him.


    “If you encounter an irresistible danger, crush this crystal and we will come to the rescue as soon as possible.”


    “But at that time, there will definitely be a fee~”


    Obviously, this crystal can have the effect of notifying Ji Ya and asking for help.


    Think about it, this is also part of the search and rescue business of [Nuanxue].


    Xia En put away the crystal and said with a smile: "I hope I won''t need it."


    “Anyway, thank you Mrs. Jiya for your kindness. If you need help in the future, you can always come to me.”


    A fourth-level mystical practitioner said this to a fifth-level mystical practitioner, which seemed a bit arrogant.


    ?But for some reason, Jia Ya didn''t find it strange, as if... Xia En did have the potential to fulfill his promise?


    It didn’t take long.


    Jiya returned to the Nuanxue and ordered to leave the area.


    ?Her adopted sister Lucy couldn''t help but said as she looked at the [Black Swan] getting further and further away behind her.


    “Sister, will you stop trying to persuade them?”


    "With their strength, how can they be enemies with those tree people? Don''t let us take risks to save them."


    Although Lucy has a bit of a venomous tongue, she is still kind-hearted in nature.


    Otherwise, why would she persuade Xia En and the others to leave?


    "This is Captain Shane''s own decision. We outsiders don''t need to meddle in his own business."


    “There are some things you may say that will offend others.”


    "and…"


    Jiya recalled the confidence in Xia En''s demeanor and tone just now, and chuckled: "Maybe they really have the confidence to explore the [City of Giant Woods]!"


    “Humph…I’m looking forward to it.”


    Lucy was a little unconvinced. She had seen many captains who were arrogant and arrogant, which eventually led to the destruction of the ship and the death of everyone.


    In her opinion, Xia En is also one of them.


    Lucy muttered in a low voice: "Perhaps we will receive their distress signal before too long."


    Although the other crew members of the Nuanxue did not speak, they all had similar thoughts in their hearts.


    The strength of the fourth level is already considered good in other sea areas.


    But in the special sea area of ??[Sea of ??Annihilation], it is really not enough to see.


    …


    …


    Xia En was neither informed nor curious about the thoughts of the crew of the "Warm Snow".


    He first sailed the boat to a relatively safe location.


    Subsequently, Xia En came to the captain''s cabin with ease and sat on the large captain''s chair.


    【Will be projected based on the current position of the ship. 】


    【Start diving? 】


    “Submarine, start!”


    The familiar feeling of weightlessness suddenly hit him, and chaotic lights and shadows flashed in front of Xia En''s eyes.


    Different from the usual snorkeling, the surrounding scene became a bit psychedelic.


    The aroma of Ruoyouruowu spreads in the sea water.


    ?Everything around you becomes more colorful and delicate, whether it is color, light and shadow, taste or smell, it becomes dazzling.


    It''s like the underwater world that I''m tired of seeing suddenly turns into a beautiful picture.


    It is also like being under the influence of a magic potion that can produce hallucinations, seeing the whole world as a more fantastical dream.


    To put it simply, it’s like eating a feast of fungi.


    "…This is?"


    ?Xia En felt a little confused.


    In his countless previous dives, he had indeed heard and seen some unusual sights.


    But this was the first time for me to have such a severe and obvious hallucination.


    Different visions seem to be related to the sea area where [Submarine] is located.


    Could this be some kind of metaphor?


    Fortunately, this general situation of "seeing a villain" did not last long.


    ?In just two breaths, Xia En''s vision returned to normal, and he was able to see the whole of [City of Giant Woods] clearly.


    What comes into view is a green city.


    It is different from underwater ruins such as [Coral City], [Rusted Waste City] and [Emerald Ancient City].


    [City of Giant Trees] Although it is called a "city", there are actually no traces of buildings or streets built by humans.


    Some are just countless, huge and dense trees.


    ?Looking down from above, [City of Giant Trees] looks like an endless underwater forest.


    ?Those mutated branches, leaves and vines have a soft texture like seaweed, swaying gently in the sea water.


    Like blood vessels and veins, they connect all the trees together into a huge green network.


    In the center of the entire city, there is a giant tree.


    ?That is a huge tree that is so huge that it is indescribable, and its boundaries can no longer be seen, just like a huge mountain range!


    ?This giant tree is like the heart and core of the entire [City of Giant Trees].


    ?Other trees seem to be branches branched out from it, slowly but surely spreading and expanding further away.


    Seeing this scene, Xia En couldn''t help but feel a little lost.


    ??Although he had heard about the magnificence of this city from Ji Ya, he still couldn''t help but be amazed after seeing it with his own eyes.


    Unless you see it with your own eyes, it is hard for people to believe that there is such a city made of forest under the sea.


    At the same time, Xia En became even more convinced that the [City of Giant Woods] was related to the elves.


    Honestly.


    ?Compared to the [Emerald Holy City], the current [City of Giant Trees] is more in line with Xia En’s imagination of the city where the elves live.


    “In this case, there should also be an Elven Temple in this city.”


    ?Xia En’s eyes brightened slightly and he looked at the giant tree in the center of the city.


    Normally speaking, special buildings like [Elven Temple] are often placed in the core area.


    Thinking of this, Xia En no longer hesitated, swayed, and dived downwards.


    ?After being promoted to the fourth level and receiving the talent of [Deep Sea Body], his traveling speed in sea water increased a lot again. Due to the existence of tree people, Xia En did not go straight to the giant tree stupidly.


    Instead, I chose an area that was neither too remote nor too central to dive.


    After getting closer to the woods, Xia En felt the magic of this city even more.


    Everywhere you look, there are towering trees that you have never seen before. The huge tree crowns with lush branches are crisscrossed in the sea water, and the turquoise leaves are fresh and tender.


    Below, you can also see many tall and short trees and vibrant vines.


    The fresh and active breath of life spreads in the sea water.


    ??If you see this scene on any island, it is not too novel.


    But you must know that this is under the sea!


    At this depth of sea water, the water pressure alone is not something that ordinary vegetation can withstand.


    Not to mention, the immersion in sea water, the lack of sunlight, and the salt content of the soil are all environmental factors that are fatal to trees.


    ?Shaan really couldn’t figure out how this forest could survive in the sea.


    ??Xia En swam to one of the big trees and gently picked off a leaf with his hands.


    The texture of the leaves is different from the leaves on the island, as if they have become softer and smoother.


    To touch, it feels a bit like slippery seaweed.


    “The physiological structure of these trees has probably undergone changes.”


    Xia En speculated: "But why are its leaves still green?"


    ?Based on his superficial biological knowledge, in dim light environments, the chlorophyll in vegetation will gradually decrease and appear dark green or dark black in color.


    —This is also the color of seaweed.


    At this depth, very little sunlight can penetrate to the bottom of the sea.


    Theoretically, it should not be enough for plants to carry out photosynthesis.


    There was a moment of doubt in Xia En''s mind. He was in a trance for no reason. The green leaves suddenly turned dark and dry.


    But in the next moment.


    The leaves turned green and fresh again.


    "…Um?"


    Xia En frowned slightly: "What''s going on?"


    ?An indescribable strange feeling lingers in my heart, but I can''t figure out the source of this strange feeling.


    Shortly afterwards, Xia En touched the branches and trunk of the big tree.


    ?The feel is still greasy, which makes people feel some instinctive discomfort.


    But other than that, it doesn’t seem to be much different from ordinary trees.


    ?That vigorous vitality proves that it is still surviving tenaciously and vividly.


    “Is this the miracle of life?”


    Xia En murmured in his mind: "In order to survive, these trees have evolved the ability to survive underwater?"


    Strictly speaking.


    The transformation from human beings to sea people is such a “miracle of life.”


    It’s just that it was the result of some kind of forbidden experiment.


    Behind the scenes are countless **** failure cases.


    It’s really hard for Xia En to believe that these trees evolved into what they are today on their own.


    Soon, Xia En discovered another anomaly—


    ?This underwater forest is a little too quiet!


    In a normal forest, there will be a very rich ecosystem, from birds and insects to small rodents and giant predators...


    Different organisms play different roles and together constitute the forest ecosystem.


    Underwater, even a city like [Coral City] with coral monsters will have its own ecological circle.


    But at this time.


    In this [City of Giant Woods], there was deathly silence all around.


    Except for the swaying branches and leaves, Xia En couldn''t see any movement.


    Nothing.


    Small fish, shrimps, crabs, cat''s eye snails... not even coral polyps.


    ??Xia En felt a sudden chill in his heart.


    ??In such a forest full of vitality, there is not even a single living thing?


    This is obviously not common sense.


    ?Xia En could not help but think of the custom of tree people offering sacrifices to the [Giant Wood God] as mentioned by Jiya.


    He originally thought that the target of the tree people was the slightly larger sea creatures.


    But now it seems that they include all living creatures in the category of sacrifice.


    “Life restricted zone…”


    ??Xia En murmured: "This is the real restricted area of ??life!"


    “But why does [Giant Wood God] do this?”


    It is simply unrealistic to say that these creatures have taken over the living space of the forest.


    In the natural environment, the relationship between animals and plants is complementary to each other.


    But the [Giant Wood God] wants to create a space where only trees exist, allowing the trees to expand and proliferate infinitely, and sweep away all other creatures within the range.


    It feels like...


    Virus?


    That’s right, it’s a virus!


    An extremely xenophobic virus that constantly pollutes the ocean!


    As for this strong breath of life, it is just a seemingly beautiful outer skin.


    Because of some understanding of the gods, Xia En couldn''t help but think of a deeper level.


    “Since this city is related to elves, is there any connection between [Giant Wood God] and [Elf Goddess]?”


    “Or is it that the [Giant Wood God] is one of the incarnations of the will of the [Elf Goddess]?”


    Different incarnations of a **** will have different names.


    ?For example, in the Hui religion, some people call the Lord of Hui the [Holy Sun God], while others call him the [Infinite Star God].


    Regarding the current situation of [City of Giant Trees], it was difficult for Xia En not to associate it with gods.


    ??Rumble —


    ?At this moment, a violent vibration came from below.


    Xia En looked intently.


    ??In the forest, a big tree suddenly stood up from the ground, its roots and branches fluttering in the sea water, and it rumbled towards Xia En.


    A pair of dark green eye sockets appeared above the tree trunk.


    At the lower part, a big mouth was opened.


    ?It roared in a hoarse voice.


    “For the gift of the giant wood god!”


    “Outsiders, become part of something greater!”


    Treant!


    ?This figure that suddenly rose up was a tree man.


    Thinking about it, it was Xia En''s wandering around just now that attracted its attention.


    ??This is the first time for Xia En to see this strange race.


    From the appearance, it barely has the outline of a human being, with many branches twisted to form arms, and the roots turning into legs.


    ?Combined with that tall body, charging forward like this does have a lot of pressure.


    ?However, Xia En, who has experienced many battles, is not easy to mess with.


    ?He did not dodge or evade, but rushed towards the tree man in front of him.


    (End of this chapter)