I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 376 Magic Network
……

……

Duke Gumu paused for a moment, then hesitated.

Rod looked at him and smiled.

"He just said he would pledge allegiance to me."

"Are they already questioning my orders?"

"No, Your Majesty."

Duke Gumu hurriedly said, "But..."

He glanced at the giant dragon circling ahead, then at Rhodes, and hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Do you think I would just take the sapling of the Tree of Life and leave you all behind?"

Rhodes said with a smile, "The Emperor's reputation is far more important than your life."

“Even if those ghouls attack again, I can still lead you away.”

Rhodes ignored him and turned to look at the several figures wearing dark green robes beside him.

"Are you all believers in the Church of Life and Nature?"

"Great Emperor Yanlong, may nature protect you."

The church members bowed slightly in greeting.

Rhodes nodded slightly, having a good impression of these people.

Judging from their words, they indeed do not have any faith in any deity.

“Coralie told me that you are different from people in other churches.”

"If any of you are willing to serve the Empire."

Rhodes stated without hesitation, "I will also take you away and guarantee your safety."

Several people in long robes exchanged glances, and an old man stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, we will follow the sapling of the Tree of Life."

The old man said respectfully, "If you can protect the sapling of the Tree of Life, we are willing to serve the Empire."

Are you a priest or a bishop?

Rod looked at the old man and asked.

"Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty. I am Maokay Deepwood, and can only be considered an elder."

The old man bowed again and explained, “Our Church of Nature and Life has no hierarchy. Everyone serves nature and is equal.”

No wonder they don't join the Holy Council; without even the basic structure of the church, there's no point in discussing the church's ideals.

Rhodes didn't pay much attention, looking at Duke Gumu.
"Stop talking nonsense and go check on that seedling."

Rhodes naturally needed to first verify the authenticity of the so-called Tree of Life seedling.

If this is a scam, some people will not only be unable to live, but will also suffer.

"Yes, Your Majesty Yanlong."

Duke Gumu nodded and led the way.

Carlos and Luxem were the first to follow.

Rhodes and Vivian followed behind.

Duke Gumu quickened his pace and led everyone into the main building of the castle.

Almost all noble castles were built in underground secret chambers.

The treasure room of the ancient wooden fortress is no exception.

Duke Gumu led Rod through the hall and directly to the innermost room.

He raised his hand and turned the candlestick on the wall, and a mechanism immediately activated.

The bookshelf slowly slid away, revealing a pitch-black tunnel.

"plz follow me."

Duke Gumu was the first to step into the tunnel.

Carlos and Luxem followed closely behind.

After a long while, and after making sure there was nothing amiss below, Lu Sen finally came up.

“It should be true, Your Majesty,” Luxen reported.

Rod nodded and followed Luxen into the stepped tunnel.

The tunnel was very narrow, allowing only two people to pass side by side.

At the end of the stairs was a heavy stone door, which was already open when Rhodes arrived.

Inside was the treasure vault of the ancient wood family, filled with all sorts of boxes.

Rod didn't notice any of this; his gaze simply followed the footsteps as he moved forward.

Rhodes had seen many such treasure vaults and was numb to them.

Rod has lost all interest in money.

Rhodes's gaze passed through the treasure vault and landed directly in the innermost room.

The room had no door, but there was a pale blue barrier that obscured what was inside.

Duke Gumu stepped forward, slashed his palm with a knife, and pressed his bloodied hand against the barrier.

The light from the barrier gradually faded.

Only then did Rod see clearly everything inside the room.

The room was very small, with a floor area of ​​less than five square meters, and the floor and walls were covered with runes.

A flowerpot is placed in the center of the room.

The flowerpot reflected the firelight, looking like some kind of metal, and was covered with engraved patterns.

The patterns occasionally flickered with a faint green light, clearly indicating they were wizard runes.

In the flowerpot, besides the black soil, there were also more than a dozen life gems.

The gems shimmered like fireflies in the night.

In the center of the flowerpot was a small branch about the size of a palm, with withered yellow leaves on it.

"This is... a sapling of the Tree of Life?"

Rod looked at Duke Gumu with a puzzled expression, then at the believers of the Church of Life and Nature and Lusen.

But compared to the flowerpot and the extraordinary gem, this Tree of Life looks too ordinary, doesn't it?
It looks similar to a small twig picked up by the roadside in autumn.

The only rare thing is that although the leaves have turned yellow, they still look intact and without any damage.

It looks fake.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Duke Gumu nodded, "It's just that it's withered, so there's nothing special about it."

“This is also their way of protecting themselves,” added McKay of the church.

Rhodes nodded slightly. "Take it with you, let's leave here."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

"We can't take it with us," McAukai said.

Mai Aokai looked at the sapling of the Tree of Life in the center of the magic circle, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"This magic array can forcibly infuse it with a trace of life force, only in this way can the sapling of the Tree of Life not die completely."

McAukai sighed, "If it leaves here, it will only survive for half a day at most."

"We simply cannot set up a new magic array in half a day."

"It needs the power of life..."

Rod stepped forward and gazed at the withered sapling in the flowerpot.

"Perhaps I can help it."

"Do you have a solution?"

The church members focused their attention on Rod, first with surprise, then with suspicion.

Obviously not believing it.

"No offense intended, Your Majesty."

"We know you are powerful," McAvoy said.

He paused for a moment, then said, "This is not so easy."

"The sapling of the Tree of Life is extremely fragile..."

Rod waved his hand, interrupting him.

"No matter what, this seedling can't stay here forever."

"Otherwise, it will become a weakness for all of us."

Luo De said in a serious tone, "If this kind of thing is left here, it will be discovered sooner or later."

"We must take it with us; we can't let it remain here."

"Especially in this place now."

Rhodes stated without hesitation, "Either take it or destroy it."

Rhodes wasn't threatening anyone.

In fact.

If the Tree of Life sapling is placed here, it will need to be heavily guarded, as the necromancer on the other side will definitely notice.

Moreover, it is impossible for Rhodes to deploy the Imperial military force in a region where most of the territory has already fallen.

"It must not be destroyed, Your Majesty!"

A young church member behind him shouted, "It's our only hope!"

"You can't decide this."

Rhodes looked at the young man and said, "Try it and there's still hope. If you don't try, you'll perish with it."

A moment of silence fell over the treasure vault.

"Very well, Your Majesty, you are right."

Michael sighed.
"We were a bit naive."

McKay understood.

If we cannot hold on, then in the end we and our companions will fall here along with the sapling of the Tree of Life.

Actually, everyone knows this principle.

It's just that we haven't reached the final step yet.

"Perhaps things aren't so bad after all."

Rhodes didn't waste any more words.

He raised his hand, and a verdant seed of nature condensed in his palm.

"This is!"

McAukai stared wide-eyed at the Seed of Nature in Rhodes' hand!
"Oh?"

Rod looked at McAukai with curiosity, "You recognize this?"

"Isn't this the origin of nature?"

Mai Aokai's voice was filled with shock and confusion.
"It is the origin of nature!"

Mai Aokai shook his head. "Although the aura is very faint, I'm certain it's it!"

"How could you possibly possess the essence of nature?!" McKay asked incredulously.

Rhodes was also somewhat curious.

But there was no time to worry about that now; Rhodes controlled the Seed of Nature and sent it toward the sapling of the Tree of Life.

The leaves gently fall on the tree trunk in nature, their emerald green light shimmering.

But in an instant, the Seed of Nature merged into the Tree of Life without any hindrance.

Immediately afterwards, the entire branch began to tremble, and the magic circle in the room instantly lit up with a bright green light!
The extraordinary gemstones in the flowerpot shone so brightly, like magic lamps, that it made people turn their heads away!
Immediately afterwards, the green light began to flow like a stream, all converging on the sapling of the Tree of Life!
"The sapling of the tree of life is actively absorbing the power of life!"

Mai Aokai knelt down with a thud!
"miracle!"

"A miracle!"

"The Tree of Life is alive!"

"It's alive!"

...The other church members all knelt down excitedly and worshipped the sapling of the Tree of Life.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I was so excited that my whole body trembled.

They say it's not a church, but isn't that the same thing?
Rhodes smiled.

But that's okay.

It is better to have faith in the Tree of Life, because you have now established a connection with it through the seeds of nature.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

McAukai excitedly turned and bowed to Rod.
"Thank you for reviving the Tree of Life! You have given us a new faith!"

"Please give the Tree of Life more of its natural essence!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Other church members also began to kneel before Rod, saying, "We are willing to serve you!"

At this moment, Luxem and the others were also somewhat shocked.

No one expected that the natural seed bestowed by the emperor would be so precious.

Rhodes was also somewhat puzzled as to what exactly this so-called origin of nature was.

But this is not the time for idle chatter.

"Now, can we take it with us?"

Rod asked.

"Just wait a little longer, until the sapling of the Tree of Life is fully awakened."

Mai Aokai hurriedly explained, "It can leave once it has absorbed enough life force!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than several crisp sounds came from inside the flowerpot.

Everyone immediately turned their heads, and all of the dozen or so life gems had turned into fragments, their original green color turning grayish-white.

The light from the magic circle in the room gradually faded, and calm returned.

"It seems it's over."

Rod stepped forward and picked up the metal flowerpot.

This flowerpot doesn't look very big, but it weighs about fifty or sixty pounds when you lift it.

However, for Rod, fifty pounds or twenty pounds made no difference.

McAukai and his men said the sapling had come back to life, but Rod didn't see much change.

Rod picked it up and examined it closely before he could see a trace of green in the veins.

However, Rhodes did feel a connection with the Tree of Life.

"Let's go."

Rod picked up the flowerpot himself and walked straight outside.

Mai Aokai and the others quickly surrounded him, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, let us do it!"

"A ruler of your stature cannot do such strenuous work!"

"Yes, yes, His Majesty the Emperor, please send us!"

……

Chaos erupted inside the treasure vault as McAukai and the others scrambled to move the flowerpots, making it impossible for Carlos and the others to squeeze in.

“You don’t need to worry, my knights and dragons will escort it to safety.”

Rod ignored everyone's offer of help and continued to carry the flowerpot himself.

"Go back!"

Carlos quickly stepped forward, blocking the church members behind him.

"If you still want to hold onto your faith, then obediently follow behind!"

Carlos gave a command, and the legendary knight's imposing aura pressed down on the crowd, finally calming the church members down.

Duke Gumu quickened his pace and walked to Rhodes' side.

"Your Majesty, could you also rescue those three thousand soldiers outside?"

"They were all loyal and brave warriors."

His eyes were pleading. "They are the elite of the Ancient Wood Kingdom, no less than any legion!"

Rhodes nodded slightly.

Rhodes witnessed the soldiers' bravery.

"Were all the people rescued?"

"A little difficult."

Rhodes seemed thoughtful. "But it's not impossible."

……

……

"Your Majesty, will you really save everyone?"

Duke Gumu, watching the dragon gradually disappear into the sky, couldn't help but speak out.

Rhodes rode away on Black Flame, carrying the sapling of the Tree of Life, and also took three members of the Church of Life and Nature with him.

In fact, from the moment the sapling of the Tree of Life was handed over, everything was no longer under the control of Duke Ancient Wood.

The giant eagle knight's expression was stern, his voice icy.

"If you utter another word questioning His Majesty the Holy Lord, I will lead the Heavenly Fire Legion to turn Ancient Wood Fortress into a sea of ​​fire."

Even if His Majesty punishes me in the future.

The Giant Eagle Knight gave Duke Ancient Wood an annoyed look.

"We still have half of our Heavenly Fire left, which we will use to cover your evacuation."

"Now, while the ghouls' offensive isn't too intense, quickly gather up your family's assets."

As the giant eagle knight finished speaking, he mounted his giant eagle. "You'd better hurry, or they'll be buried underground."

Without waiting for Duke Gumu to finish speaking, the Giant Eagle Knight rode his giant eagle up the tower and reunited with his teammates.

At this moment, the knight beside the duke couldn't help but speak up.
"Your Grace, how dare a captain order you around like this? Is it right for us to be loyal to Emperor Rhodes?"

"These things are not important now."

Duke Gumu sighed, "As long as His Majesty the Emperor rescues everyone, none of this matters."

"Boom!"

A loud noise suddenly interrupted Duke Gumu's words!

Immediately afterwards, the ground began to shake violently, and everyone's body began to sway!
"what happened?!"

Duke Gumu exclaimed in surprise, turned his head towards the city wall, and shouted.
"The ghouls have launched a full-scale attack?!"

"no!"

The commander on the city wall replied, "It looks like the back mountain!"

The vibrations are becoming increasingly noticeable!
Just as everyone was wondering what was going on, the guard suddenly rushed over in a panic.
"Your Grace, a dragon has emerged from under the eaves in the backyard!"

……

……

In a dark and empty basement in the fallen ancient wood city.

Lomisa stood in front of the magic circle, closing her eyes and silently chanting the incantation.

Inside the magic circle was a figure wearing a robe, the patterns of which suggested it was a clergy member of the Church of Dawn.

At this moment, the church clergy were pale and had empty eyes, looking as if they had been dead for a long time.

As Lomis continued chanting, a faint red glow began to appear in the corpse's eyes.

"Master Lomitsa! Lord Lomitsa!"

Just then, another necromancer in a robe rushed in!

Before he could even run over, a bone spike suddenly appeared in the air, piercing his chest and pinning him to the wall!

"idiot!"

Romisa's ugly face was grim. "I was about to succeed! But because of your stupidity, I have to start all over again!"

"Because of you, I'll have to make one less lich!"

"S-Sir..."

The necromancer, pinned to the wall, trembled as he said, "Not long ago, Rhodes rode his dragon and flew into the ancient wooden castle..."

"Just now, a strong fluctuation of life force appeared, and then he hurriedly rode away on his dragon..."

"Ok?"

Romisa frowned. "He came in person? What extraordinary treasures are in the Ancient Wood Castle?"

"A strong fluctuation of life force..."

Romisa seemed thoughtful. "I will report this to my lord. Now, get out of here immediately!"

Rhodes has already left, and even if there were any extraordinary treasures, he has already taken them with him.

Now, Lomisa's primary focus is on utilizing the abundant necromantic energy to create her own lich.

"Yes, sir!"

The necromancer forcefully pulled the bone spur from his chest, hurriedly bowed, and ran out.

Lomisa took a deep breath and sat back down in front of the magic circle.

……

……

Rhodes rode Blackflame straight back to the rear, returning to the castle where the army was stationed.

There's no need for Rhodes to be present personally to meet the Duke; Chris, Lucien, and others will handle the arrangements.

Rock Ridge has already gone to help; how to carry it out is not Rhode's concern.

Rhodes was now more curious about the value of this Tree of Life sapling.

"Nature's origin?"

In the private meeting room, Rod recalled McAukai's words and gathered another seed of nature, planting it into the sapling of the Tree of Life.

Rhodes had never done this before, because there was no need for it.

One Seed of Nature is enough to change the constitution of my subordinates; any more would be a waste.

This is my first time trying it today.

The Seed of Nature landed on the sapling of the Tree of Life and flickered briefly before disappearing.

The seedling of the Tree of Life in the flowerpot trembled slightly, and its leaves magically turned toward Rhodes, swaying up and down.

Rhodes couldn't resist condensing another one and sending it into the sapling of the Tree of Life, before it disappeared again.

The seedling's leaves swayed up and down again.

"Your Majesty, you are showing some favoritism."

Vivian, standing nearby, couldn't help but say, "Neither my sister nor I have received this many Seeds of Nature."

"I gave you so many seeds of life, yet you don't bloom."

Rod casually remarked, leaving Vivian speechless.

Ignoring Vivian's pout, Rhodes looked down at the sapling of the Tree of Life.

"Even if you like it very much, it's not allowed, because the Seed of Nature is not infinite."

Rhodes sensed the seedling's joy and said with a smile, "Once your followers have established the magic array in the Empire, you will be able to absorb life force every day."

"However, I can replace these broken life gems for you first."

After Rhodes finished speaking, the leaves of the Tree of Life swayed up and down again, as if thanking Rhodes.

Rod smiled and couldn't help but gently stroke the leaf.

The moment he touched the leaf, the scenery around Rhodes changed drastically, and a cacophony of sounds suddenly filled his ears!

[Mental strength exceeds fifty points]

[Establishment of the Magic Network]

Rhodes abruptly withdrew his hand, staring intently at the sapling of the Tree of Life!

What just happened?!

(End of this chapter)