Above the mage

Chapter 850 The First High-Rank Elemental Seed

After advancing to a mid-tier elemental species, the efficiency of [Sleeping Spider Web] in absorbing earth element particles has more than doubled compared to its initial tier.

The amber-colored spiderweb-like patterns covering the surface of the crystal shell became thicker and denser.

The transport speed of earth element particles on each stripe has been greatly improved.

The rate at which earth element particles are stripped and extracted from earth element crystals has also been improved.

Countless tiny, earthy-yellow particles surged toward Gaode's palm along spiderweb-like streaks of light.

It's like countless yellow rivers flowing into a lake at the same time.

Gao De could sense the changes in the [Sleeping Spider Web] within his mana pool.

As it advances to the intermediate stage, the complete spiderweb network that forms inside it begins to change further as it continues to absorb earth element particles.

The spider web was thicker and tougher than before, and the light spots at each intersection were even brighter.

The entire spider web continued to expand within the interior space of the [Sleeping Spider Web].

New threads keep growing from the edges of the existing network, weaving into that ever-denser and ever-expanding web.

In the vast, three-dimensional spider web.

Standing aside and observing the whole situation, Lorne clearly noticed the huge changes in the earth element crystals at this moment.

The giant earth element crystal, which had been calm and restrained just moments before, now had its surface glow flickering rapidly.

The rich, full color of the crystal shell began to fade at a rate visible to the naked eye.

That is a direct manifestation of the rapid depletion of its internal solid soil element particles.

As the Sleeping Spider Web devoured large quantities of the earth element crystal, its flow began to undergo a radical change.

Previously, the energy would overflow and flow back into the crystal, and then settle in the lower half.

Now, due to the siphoning effect of the [Sleeping Spider Web], the earth element particles within it are flowing upwards against the trend, continuously surging into the elemental crystals at the upper part of the earth's surface.

In the sealed underground chamber, the swarm of sandworms that were clinging to the surface of the crystal nucleus and devouring earth element particles were the first to sense this change.

They felt a sense of panic and began to become anxious.

The sand worms, which had been ingesting earth element particles at a steady pace, increased the frequency of their jaw opening and closing.

Like a group of fish fighting for the last drop of clear water on a riverbed that is about to dry up.

Their bodies pushed against each other on the surface of the crystal nucleus.

Meanwhile, the sandworms that failed to secure a spot attacked the barrier extending from the city-level defensive rune array in the dome passage even more frantically.

The frequency of the impacts was almost twice as high as before, and the force of each impact was also greater and faster than before.

But so far, the rune array has been able to handle this kind of impact with ease.

No matter how frantically the sandworms raged, they never showed any signs of wavering.

Sandworms are definitely no match for elemental species with exceptional talents.

The Sleeping Spider Web continues to operate, and its efficiency in absorbing earth element particles is still increasing.

Those golden net-like patterns continued to grow inside the elemental species, and the earth element particles in the earth element crystal began to be peeled off and devoured at an increasingly faster rate.

As the concentration of soil element particles inside the crystal shell continued to decrease, the sand and gravel swarm in the chamber became increasingly rapid.

The haste turned into anxiety, the anxiety into chaos, and the chaos finally transformed into a blind surge.

But no matter how hard they try to grasp earth element particles, their mortal bodies ultimately limit their absorption rate.

Because they must go through the process of decomposition and digestion.

This is an inefficient way of absorbing soil element particles.

In contrast, the [Sleeping Spider Web], being an elemental species, completes its devouring and digestion process in one go, without any hindrance.

Therefore, even with such a large number of sandworms exerting all their strength, their absorption efficiency is still less than a fraction of what the [Sleeping Spider Web] can instantly devour.

They are simply unable to reverse the trend of the depletion of earth element particles in the earth element crystals, and their gifts are rapidly disappearing.

The yellowish-brown light in the chamber initially became intense, then thin, then dim, until finally only a faint glow remained.

The faint light went out completely after a few breaths.

The earth element crystal in the lower half of the chamber turned into a pure gray crystal, with no trace of earth element particles inside, and it was no longer strange.

The entire chamber was plunged into darkness.

The sand worms that were still attacking the runic array barrier in the domed passage were outlined in a blurry way by the faint light of the runic array barrier.

Their movements came to an abrupt halt after the overflow of elemental crystals ceased.

They lost sight of their objective.

What followed was utter bewilderment and despair.

These sandworms, which had been moving wildly, stopped.

The sounds of impact and friction that filled the entire chamber vanished instantly.

One by one, the sandworms slid off the surface of the crystal nucleus, landing on the ground, on the bodies of their companions, lying there quietly, their mandibles half-open and powerless.

The restless underground chamber, along with all its light and sound, vanished.

On the ground, some earth element particles remained at the upper part of the earth element crystal, which were being absorbed by the [Sleeping Spider Web].

The moment the last earth element particle in the crystal core was completely absorbed by the Sleeping Spider Web, the three-dimensional spider web network inside the Sleeping Spider Web, which had expanded to almost fill the entire element, lit up simultaneously.

All the points of light at the intersection burst forth with dazzling light at the same moment.

The surface of the elemental seed has an extremely fine golden pattern.

These patterns spread outwards from the core, forming a pattern on the surface of the element that corresponds to the spider web inside.

From a distance, it looks like a petrified golden spider lying in the center of an earthy yellow crystal.

The spiderweb expanded outward from the interior of the elemental species, passing through God's mana pool and seeping outward along the magical veins throughout his body.

A pale golden network formed on his skin, covering his entire body and swaying gently in the air like spider silk fluttering in the wind.

Every thread is sensing every subtle vibration of the surrounding earth.

Gao De could clearly feel a strong resonance between himself and the earth beneath his feet.

He began to be able to perceive the movement trajectory, size, and number distribution of all objects within a kilometer radius that were in direct contact with the ground.

It can even roughly determine the direction they are traveling.

Like a giant spider crouching in the center of its web, sensing the vibrations transmitted through each thread.

Gao De could even vaguely sense that the previously restless swarm of sand and gravel insects deep beneath his feet had begun to quiet down.

At the bottom of Gaode's mana pool, the [Sleeping Spider Web] rested quietly, emitting a calm, earthy yellow light.

The light was no longer as weak as it was in the early stages, nor as flickering as it was in the intermediate stages; instead, it pulsed continuously at a faint but constant frequency that was almost imperceptible.

That feeling was quite wonderful.

It's as if a thick base has been added to the bottom of his mana pool, making his entire mana pool more stable, and the fluctuations generated when casting spells are much more restrained than before.

Gao De focused his mind intently on the [Sleeping Spider Web].

[Sleeping Spider Web] immediately sent a message back.

[Sleeping Spider Web] (Earth Elemental)

Rank: High-level Basic effect: Increases the power of earth spells of the fifth ring and below by 1-2 times, and increases the power of earth spells of the sixth ring by 3-5%.

The amplification effect is particularly focused on spells with attributes of "control", "binding" and "structural change" (such as [Turn Mud into Stone], [Earth Collapse], and [Stone Wall]), while the amplification effect is slightly weaker on pure energy impact spells (such as [Earth Spike]).

Special effect: The "Control" and "Binding" type earth magic spells cast will have the effect of Sleeping Binding Silk. The target will not only be physically restricted, but will also feel a deep weariness and loss of physical strength, which will reduce their willpower to break free from the restraint.

The strength and quantity of the Sleeping Binding Silk have been greatly increased, making it even more difficult for ordinary mages of the same rank to resist.

You can sense specific movements connected to the ground beneath your feet over a wide area, much like a spider senses the vibration of its web.

You possess the ability to actively weave spider webs, infusing your magic into the earth beneath your feet to extend slumbering threads outwards from yourself, which can remain for a long time.

You will immediately sense any creature that steps on or touches the Sleep Binding Silk, and the Silk will automatically wrap around the toucher, slowing its movement and making it feel mentally fatigued.

With Gaode obtaining his first high-level elemental species, the sandworm plague that could have led to the destruction of Nashlame City began to come to an end.

Outside Nashlamy, on the yellow sand.

The siege had been deadlocked for some time, and the fighting was fierce.

Because Lorne acted decisively, he had put the entire city on high alert beforehand, activated the city-level defensive rune array, and deployed the Dynasty mages who were already on guard.

Therefore, even if the number of sandworms is exaggerated to an extreme, like a flood bursting its banks.

But Nashlamy held its ground very well.

The mages on the city walls unleashed their full firepower, aiming their staffs at the sandworms surging in from outside the city like a tide.

The light from the various colored magic staff crystals connected on the city wall to form a long band of light.

They all unleashed their most powerful area-of-effect spells.

Fireballs, acid sprays, and other projectiles blasted open cracks in the sand, shattering clumps of...

The sandworms were blasted away.

The blasted sandworms flew in all directions.

However, the density of the swarm was too great, and the gaps that were blasted open were quickly filled by the swarming insects from behind.

They did not slow down because of the death or injury of their companions, nor did they retreat because of the simultaneous roar of spells.

All the gravel worms were advancing towards the city wall with an almost blind persistence.

The mages on the city wall took turns casting spells to ensure that each round had enough firepower to cover the area without causing any individual to deplete their mana too quickly.

Their staffs switched between different colored lights.

Fire and earth elemental spells were unleashed in turn upon the swarm of insects.

The melee mages, on the other hand, were stationed at the reserve positions below the city walls, guarding against any stragglers that might break through the magical barrage and rush into the walls.

The battle lasted only a dozen minutes, and the insect corpses piled up under the city wall had already formed a thick layer.

Meanwhile, some of the mages on the city wall have begun to experience mana depletion under the high-frequency spell bombardment.

Some mages began to temporarily leave their spellcasting positions in rotation to replenish their mana by taking potions.

Just as they were preparing to face the next wave of the swarm and get ready to engage in fierce combat.

The battle, which had already reached a fever pitch, suddenly took a turn for the better.

All the raging insect swarms suddenly stopped moving.

Their reckless fervor seemed to be extinguished instantly by a torrential rain.

They stopped advancing.

The swarms of insects that had been piled up in layers outside the city began to retreat.

They turned their bodies around, not backwards, but downwards.

They abandoned the city walls that were so close by and resolutely burrowed into the yellow sand beneath them.

The once turbulent, writhing, and menacing yellow sand quickly returned to its flat state.

The swarming insects, like a tide, quickly dissipated into the vast yellow sand, burrowing back into the ground to return to their original habitats.

The mages on the city wall, who were on high alert and ready to fight, were all stunned.

The magical light emanating from their staffs had not yet faded, and their minds were on high alert.

"The swarm... has retreated?" a middle-aged mage murmured, his voice filled with disbelief.

The earth magic contained within his staff was still suspended, the crystal at the staff's tip appearing as a half-glossy jade tablet.

The stark contrast left him dazed and confused, unsure whether to continue casting the spell or do something else.

The monks looked at each other, their hearts filled with confusion.

The swarm of insects was once endless, fearless, and at the height of its power, but how could it have collapsed and disintegrated in an instant?

There must be a reason for this.

The mages on the city wall exchanged their thoughts in hushed tones.

Some believe it was the immense sacrifice that demoralized the swarm, while others believe it was the existence of the sixth-tier rune array.

This makes the sandworms realize that their attack is futile.

But ultimately, no conclusion was reached that was accepted by everyone.

At this moment, the commanders received brief instructions from the military headquarters, requiring them to remain on the city walls to continue their vigilance until the order to lift the citywide alert was lifted.

Behind the window of a top-floor room in a hotel in Nashlamay.

A mage dressed in a dark gray robe looked out the window; his face was indistinct in the shadows of the curtains.

But the hand that reached out the window was now clenching and unclenching.

His gaze was fixed on the massive replica of the sun disk in the city center, and he seemed lost in thought.

"It failed."

A voice came from behind him.

The mage in the dark gray robe nodded and withdrew his hand from the window: "Even the most meticulous plan can fail, let alone this is the Golden Flower Dynasty, the greatest enemy of the empire's dominance."

His tone was very calm, as if he were stating something he had long expected.

"Such a huge earth element crystal is hard to find." Then he sighed, feeling a little regretful.

"But I don't understand," the voice behind him grew closer, and a figure wearing a light brown traveler's robe and a hood stopped at the side of the curtain.

"How exactly did they discover our plan? And how did they resolve it so quickly?"

"If they hadn't put the whole city on high alert, we would have had at least another two weeks to complete the final preparations and deployments."

"It could be luck, or it could be their own ability."

The mage in the dark gray robe turned around, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Let's go. Once we've dealt with the remaining sandworms in the city and have some free time, it'll be difficult for us to leave."

The man in the light brown robe paused for a moment under that gaze, then pulled his hood down an inch to cover more of his face, and followed his steps: "Anyway, this is just an experiment for us. The Empire will look for opportunities in other directions."

"However, I heard that an Ember Spirit came to Nashlame City some time ago to carry out a mission."

"Services?"

"Yes...but it seems he failed too."

"Even embers can fail?!"

"The Plantagenet dynasty had many talented people."