Wendy studied the photo on Evan’s phone with a seriousness that made the air feel heavier.

  “It really is a Rooted Spirit Tree,” she said at last.

  Evan and Yvonne leaned closer as Wendy began explaining, her tone shifting into the calm precision of a scientist.

  A Rooted Spirit Tree was unlike ordinary spirit plants. Most of its body lived underground—hundreds of meters deep—anchored into soil and stone. What appeared above ground could be misleading: sometimes a sapling, sometimes a patch of grass. But beneath the surface lay a colossal organism, its roots spreading like a buried empire.

  “It’s carnivorous,” Wendy continued. “It absorbs nutrients from the soil, but it also attacks living creatures. Anything that gets too close becomes fertilizer.”

  Evan swallowed.That explained Quentin’s wounds.

  Wendy went on, “Every part of the tree is valuable. Bark, leaves, roots—they’re all medicinal. Its extract is a primary ingredient in Saint?tier evolution medicine. The wood is an excellent defensive material. But the most precious part is the core—the tree marrow.”

  She paused, her gaze drifting toward Yvonne.

  “The marrow can heal severe injuries… and extend lifespan.”

  Evan felt his chest tighten.Yvonne had less than two months left.

  But Yvonne shook her head before either of them could speak.

  “Don’t even think about it. Even at my peak, I wouldn’t dare fight for something Saints covet. We’re not players in that league.”

  She was right.The Rooted Spirit Tree wasn’t just valuable—it was the kind of treasure that could start wars.

  And it did.

  The moment the news hit the internet, the continent erupted.

  Rovan and Muke citizens flooded forums with excitement and panic.Other nations chimed in—some with curiosity, some with envy, and one island nation loudly claiming the tree was “planted by their ancestors” and therefore rightfully theirs.

  Governments reacted even faster.

  Muke declared:

  “The Blackrock Mountains have always been an inseparable part of our national territory. All resources within belong to us.”

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  Rovan countered:

  “The Blackrock Mountains are historically our sovereign land. Unauthorized entry is strictly forbidden.”

  Evan snorted.A day ago, neither country wanted to admit the mountains were theirs.Now that a priceless treasure appeared, both rushed to claim ownership.

  But behind the scenes, negotiations moved quickly.

  By the next morning, the two nations announced a joint agreement:

  Blackrock Mountains would be co?governed by both countries.

  Each nation would dispatch an additional Saint?tier.

  Four Saints in total would prepare to subdue the Rooted Spirit Tree.

  It was the only way to keep other nations—especially the notoriously aggressive Gu’an—from interfering.

  By noon, the reinforcements arrived.Five Saints now surrounded the Blackrock region.

  The air itself felt tense.

  But Evan’s group had their own crisis.

  Zhang Fantie’s search team had been sweeping the city from north to south, checking every rental unit.Yvonne returned that morning with grim news: a wanted poster with Evan’s face was plastered just two streets away.

  The landlord and the rental agent knew exactly where they lived.

  They couldn’t stay.

  “Let’s go,” Evan said, sliding into the driver’s seat of their rented car.

  Wendy and Yvonne climbed in quickly.

  Neither of them could drive—Wendy had never learned, and Yvonne had failed the written test too many times to count.So the responsibility fell to Evan.

  “You’re underage and unlicensed,” Wendy said. “Are you sure you can drive?”

  Evan smirked.“Back home, I was the second?best driver in the neighborhood.”

  “Who was the first?”

  “A man named Arata.”

  He didn’t elaborate.

  The car rolled toward the southern outskirts—toward the Blackrock Mountains.

  They weren’t planning to enter the mountains yet.Just hide near the surrounding villages for a few days until Yvonne recovered enough strength to fight their way out if necessary.

  But Rovan was densely populated.Finding a quiet place was nearly impossible.

  After circling the area, they settled on a patch of barren land near two small villages.The car stood out, but they had no choice.If trouble came, they would flee into the mountains immediately.

  Yvonne needed three or four more days.They had to hold out until then.

  Evan had fully digested the Undying Salamander extract two days earlier.His body felt stronger than ever—faster, tougher, sharper.

  The improvements slowed after digestion finished, but with daily Swan Dance training and eight Strength?Enhancing Pills a day, he continued to grow steadily.

  He had even begun planning his next evolution.

  Wendy’s advice was clear:

  “You already have regeneration. Your survivability is high. What you need now is offense.”

  Evan agreed.

  His strongest combo—Ant Strength plus Needle Strike—was devastating against single targets.But he lacked any way to handle multiple enemies.

  His next extract needed to give him a wide?area attack skill.

  There were many Tier?2 beasts with powerful AOE abilities, including several S?grade options.

  Once they escaped Monka City, he would start searching.

  For now, survival came first.

  A Rooted Spirit Tree doesn’t just reshape a mountain.

  It reshapes politics, alliances, and the fate of anyone standing too close.