The Witcher: Start with the Lord Marrying a Wife.

Chapter 546 Shocking Changes in the Earth's Veins
Once everything was ready, they began a comprehensive dissection of the core of the spore mother plant.

In the instant that the stillness and the feeling of frozen time spread throughout the entire area, the obsidian blade was slowly inserted into the huge fungus. A cold, eerie blue light emanated from the place where the tentacles were wrapped around it, like ripples surging in a dark ocean.

A chilling aura, accompanied by a slight vibration, spread to the surface of everyone's skin, causing them to hold their breath and stare at the focal point—the small, rock-like object that concealed the secrets of life or the source of destruction, which was the "Dimensional Ice Crystal".

David suppressed his inner turmoil and carefully adjusted the resonance frequency of his Frostwolf bloodline, suppressing his mental consciousness to the optimal balance point in order to resist the impact of the spacetime distortion.

He stared ahead, constantly sensing the subtle gap between the void and reality. The transparent crystal, watery and shimmering with fine blue veins, was trembling, releasing eerie shockwaves that resonated strangely with the rhythm of his blood, yet also concealed danger.
In an instant, countless subtle yet exceptionally sharp spatial turbulence burst forth and exploded like a surging tide.

In an instant, all was silent. The earth seemed to have swallowed up all sounds, leaving only a faint blue glow that wandered and swirled in the air, intertwining with the falling snow to create a dreamlike scene.

But everyone knows that behind this dream lurks the most dangerous edge before disaster strikes.
"Stay calm! Don't panic!"

Lia's voice was firm and loud. She stretched out her arms, and a dazzling white halo burst forth from her body, illuminating the surrounding area. At the same time, she quickly set up a powerful mental barrier to cover all members, protecting them from the tearing and invasion of the leaking turbulence. She also rewoven and forged the remaining order within the barrier into an even more stable and unbreakable spatial barrier.

At the same time, Amy adjusted the angle of her staff, reinforcing the power of the zero-domain surrounding the entire test area, and outputting reverse frequency oscillations to offset some of the energy load, buying the team valuable time to balance.

Meanwhile, Lena wielded her sharp blade with all her might, swiftly clearing away the small parasitic tentacle-like demonic mists that had awakened due to the aftershocks of chaos on the outer perimeter, creating a safe environment for the main force and ensuring the smooth progress of the battle.
After several hours of continuous, high-intensity, synchronized spellcasting and multi-party collaborative efforts, they finally succeeded in suppressing the leaking energy of the wildly spreading "dimensional ice crystals".

The secret of this ancient and forbidden power that grants the parasite endless vitality is gradually being revealed, giving them a glimmer of hope: if they master and make good use of this unique energy, they can find a way to reverse the situation even when facing the encroachment of darkness!

In the exhausted but incredibly excited crowd, every face was filled with cautious yet burning conviction.

Some were bewildered, some were terrified, some were excited, and even more so, there was a long-lost, rekindled fighting spirit, like the first warm ray of sunlight at dawn in winter piercing through the haze of the far north, pointing them to the future and making them even more determined to continue fighting to the end!

As the morning light gradually spread across the far north ice plains, the cold remained as sharp as a blade.

In the camp, the embers of the campfire cast a faint glow, illuminating the weathered faces of the group.

They had just completed the dissection and control of the core "Dimensional Ice Crystal" of the spore mother plant, and their exhausted bodies had not yet recovered when they faced a new crisis.

Zelllos stared intently at the distant, icy plains shrouded in thick clouds, his brow furrowed.

He sensed a faint commotion emanating from the depths of the earth, like a sleeping beast being awakened, and the abnormal fluctuations of energy flowing through the earth's veins were rising.

That force is silently eroding the most fundamental life cycle of this continent.

"The alarm has sounded," Lena said, standing in front of the tent, her breath forming a white mist. She gripped her twin swords tightly, her eyes sharp. "We have detected that the spore parasites, after undergoing mutation, have begun to burrow into underground fissures and contaminate the ley lines."

A sudden gust of cold wind whipped her loose silver hair into a disheveled mess.

A resolute look appeared on her face. "This means that it's not just a superficial battle; we will face a deeper, more deadly threat."

David was silent and focused.

He walked to the edge of the crack, where the scarlet lines, like blood, meandered and spread along the broken ice surface, constantly expanding and devouring the pure ice.

The azure flames danced in his hand, and he felt the latent power deep within his Frostwolf bloodline growing restless, as if it were foreseeing an impending catastrophe.

A faint tremor came from the cracks, occasionally mixed with a corrosive hum. It was the active hyphae released by the spore parasites after they went deep underground. They wriggled and spread, bringing pollution and decay into the core of the earth—the ley line system, the great artery that connects the energy cycle of heaven and earth.

Zelos walked slowly, holding an ancient runic stone tablet in his hand, which shimmered with a mysterious blue light.

"According to the ancient records of the Star Pupil Clan, once a parasite contaminates the earth's veins, it will disrupt the entire world's energy cycle, triggering a chain reaction of mutations and ecological collapse."

He glanced at the crowd. “We must take immediate action to stabilize the damaged area with rune arrays, and at the same time find the source of the infection and eradicate it completely, otherwise the entire far north will lose its balance.”

Lia nodded gently, took a step forward, her silver cloak fluttering in the wind, and her large, clear yet firm and bright eyes shone with a holy light.

"I will perform a sacred purification ritual to completely block the dark corrupting forces from interfering with the flow of energy, providing auxiliary support for the rune array."

The surrounding air instantly condensed into crystal-clear, icy air, and every breath felt like it was cutting into the skin, but the team showed no fear.

They knew that this battle was not only about their own survival, but also about the natural order upon which billions of lives depend.

As they ventured deeper into the cracked area, a series of shocking scenes unfolded before their eyes: the once pristine, crystal-clear ice cores were now stained with scarlet markings, and the icy creatures that once docilely guarded the ecological balance of the far north had become ferocious and bloodthirsty—they were enormous and filled with murderous intent, attacking anyone who approached them like a pack of wolves.

Lena gripped the hilt of her knife tightly, each swing bringing out a chilling sharpness. When she clashed with the mutated monster, her movements were swift and agile, each strike aimed at severing its tentacles and mycelial links.

However, these monsters regenerate at an astonishing rate; as long as a single mycelium survives, they will quickly recover and evolve into a stronger form.

David stood at the very front of the group, his entire body engulfed in ghostly blue flames. He unleashed an awe-inspiring majesty with the power of the Frostwolf bloodline, and a roar shattered the air, suppressing the surrounding hostility to a minimum.

Each charge was like a wild beast tearing through enemy lines, clearing a safe path for its comrades.

Even so, they still felt that the number of enemies seemed endless, and the infected gushing from the ground seemed to have no end in sight.
Zelos was in charge of setting up the complex rune array. His hands traced intricate totems in the air, each movement precise and meticulous. He was as steady and composed as a mountain, yet a hint of urgency and anxiety flashed through his eyes, for he knew time was limited. If the situation could not be stabilized quickly, widespread ecological collapse would be inevitable.

Lia stood at the center of the formation, her pale skin reflecting the divine glow of her snow-white cloak. She softly chanted ancient prayers, infusing pure power into each rune node.

He would occasionally glance around to scan his surroundings, and if he spotted anything unusual, he would immediately cast healing and defensive spells to create a protective barrier for his comrades against the fierce attacks.

As night fell and the snow intensified, the team members remained highly focused and showed no signs of letting their guard down.

Sometimes you can even hear their rapid breathing and shouts, as well as the occasional ear-piercing howls of biting and tearing that come with the biting wind of the winter night. Those infected and completely mutated into bloodthirsty monsters are full of hostility and a crazy desire to attack the outside world, which is terrifying but must be resisted to the end!

"Watch out on the left!"

Lena suddenly shouted, and two enormous mutated frost wolves sprang out from the shadows. Their bodies were covered in scarlet mycelium scales, and their almost deathly aesthetics sent shivers down one's spine.

Without hesitation, she leaped aside, simultaneously slashing down one of the charging beasts. The sound of flesh slicing and scattering echoed through the silent night, while the other beast circled around to the flank, attempting to ambush David.
"calm!"

David roared, and his entire body suddenly burst into a surge of dark blue flames, instantly blocking the enemy's hunting route with a blazing wall of fire, and then charged toward another giant beast with overwhelming force.

Its claws sliced ​​through the air, emitting a sharp, metallic whistling sound, tearing the object in two and causing the remains to fall onto the hard, frozen ground. Countless wisps of cold, blue air spread around, transforming into shields that protected its teammates from dangerous attacks.

However, what is even more terrifying is that strange parasitic tentacles, emerging from the depths of the crack, surged forth like a tidal wave. They were dark in color yet glowed with an eerie scarlet fluorescence, constantly entangling and attacking the city and its strongholds.

Some tentacles even grew wing-like structures, and began to attempt short-distance flight in harsh environments, making the battlefield situation even more unpredictable and elusive!
Zellos frowned, not daring to be negligent: "All personnel, pay attention to the frequency of the mental link. I will use the Star-Eyed Clan sealing technique at a critical juncture to curb the spread of these tentacles!"

His voice was steady and powerful, but his tone revealed his apprehension. Although the Star Eye Sealing Technique was powerful, it had limitations in duration and range. It required precise coordination to achieve its maximum effect; otherwise, poor results might exacerbate the chaotic situation!
Lia used all her spiritual power to assist in the sealing ritual, while continuously guiding the blessing magic to protect everyone from negative influences.

In an instant, the sky turned as black as ink, but the divine glow appearing in her palm was like the dawn piercing through the dark clouds, allowing a glimmer of hope to seep into the scene of despair.

This stark contrast inspired every fighter, making them realize that no matter how difficult it was, they had to persevere to the end, because there were millions of lives waiting to be saved!
"Nature is crying; we cannot let it collapse completely!"

Lena's lips were purple from the cold, but she gritted her teeth and shouted, "Attack! Attack now! Don't let it spread any further!"

David regrouped and once again took the lead, charging towards the most densely parasitic area with his sword.

He was like a steel behemoth forged from ice and snow, and his movements and the magical ripples he released were filled with an unparalleled and overwhelming pressure.

This power seemed to respond to his will, and after waiting alone day after day in the desolate winter wasteland, it finally awakened and erupted!
However, exhaustion, pain, and harsh conditions continued to plague them, preventing them from taking a single break.

Under the relentless attack and defense and immense pressure, several guards finally collapsed as the defense line crumbled. Their tragic cries echoed through the heavens and earth, like a mournful elegy striking the very depths of the soul, causing people's hearts to waver between fear and anger.
Just then, a violent tremor suddenly occurred inside the tent. The large barrier magic crystal resonated with ripples, and countless tiny blue snowflake-like particles emerged from the barrier and gradually unfolded to form a new spatial barrier structure.

This is a backup emergency plan secretly set up by Zellos. It can temporarily isolate more sources of leakage and readjust the frequency of mental links in order to slow down the deterioration of the situation and buy time!

Although everyone was exhausted, they supported each other and stood firm without retreating a single step.

In extreme danger, they banded together to form an iron wall, using their faith to build an indestructible barrier that defied the calamities of heaven and earth—this was theirs, and also the last ray of hope in this world.
The snowflakes continued to flutter and fall, appearing particularly cold and lonely against the backdrop of the dim, sub-zero sky.

The sky over the far north was still gray, with heavy clouds that seemed to bend the heavens. The icy wind howled incessantly, carrying snowflakes that pierced every inch of exposed skin like needles.

In the center of the camp, the firelight flickered, illuminating the tense yet determined faces of the people.

After enduring numerous hardships and fierce battles, a sense of heaviness and resolve hung in the air.

Zelllos slowly stood up, his aged yet resolute eyes radiating a deep and profound light like that of an glacier.

He raised his fist and lightly tapped his chest, his voice deep and powerful: "The Star Eye Clan's ancestral secret technique—the Star Chain Project—will be our final and most devastating blow to suppress the ley line pollution and curb the spread of spore parasites."

The three clan elders sitting around them had solemn expressions. They wore elaborate and beautiful ceremonial robes that had been weathered by time, and every embroidery and rune exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.

The wrinkles on his face were as deep as cracks in a glacier in the far north, but they could not conceal the burning determination in his eyes and the unease of bearing the weight of fate.

“This chain will be woven around the three of us as the core of our spiritual network, creating a binding net that covers the entire ley line system through energy resonance,” Zelllos continued. “But the price is that we will face the backlash of pollution, and may crystallize and permanently lose our ability to move.”

The air seemed to freeze.

Even the strongest people couldn't help but hold their breath and stare at the three elders, knowing that this action was almost tantamount to walking towards death or being imprisoned forever in endless ice crystals.

Amy and Lia stood to the side, their hands clasped tightly. Their eyes met, and a silent sense of support and gratitude flowed between them.

"There is no other choice; this is the only hope."

Amy took a deep breath and murmured softly. Her sapphire-inlaid staff gleamed with a cold, eerie light, which complemented the holy light on Leah's silver cloak.

(End of this chapter)