After the encounter with the Colossal Blood Blight, Kai, Arthur, and Elara continued their journey, now with heightened caution. The foul stench of the monster's corpse still lingered in the air, reminding them of the dangers hidden within the Eternal Forest. Zane remained on the makeshift stretcher, his breathing faint but steady.
Kai, with his upgraded "Awakened Senses," focused on the call of the Ancient Soul Emblem. It led them to an area where the trees grew to an extraordinary height and ancientness. Their trunks were no longer jade green or crimson, but silvery gray, and their canopies emitted a shimmering light like stars. The air here was thick with energy, both ancient and pure.
"This place..." Elara whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "I've never seen a forest like this."
Arthur also felt the overwhelming presence. "It's like we're stepping into another world."
Kai knew they were close. The Emblem's call had almost become a clear voice in his mind. He walked towards the largest tree, its trunk so vast they couldn't embrace it. From the center of the tree, a warm, faint golden light emanated, and on its bark, natural patterns resembling dancing dragons appeared.
"Here it is," Kai said, touching the tree's trunk. "The Heart of the Forest."
You have arrived at 'The Heart of the Forest - World Tree'.
An ancient spiritual entity awaits.
The moment Kai touched the tree, the light from it flared brilliantly, engulfing him. Arthur and Elara stepped back, but there was no hostility. Instead, a gentle, knowledge-filled energy flowed into Kai's mind. It wasn't a physical creature, but an ancient spirit of the forest itself, a conscious part of the Eternal Forest.
"Bearer of the Emblem... you have come," a soft voice, echoing like rustling leaves in the wind, resonated within Kai's mind. "We... have waited. Fate has brought you to us."
"Are you the Heart of the Forest?" Kai asked, his mind struggling to process the immense information flowing in.
"I am the memory of the Eternal Forest. The breath of the mother earth," the spirit replied. "You come seeking counsel about the Shadow Seal and the World Devourer."
The spirit of the Heart of the Forest continued, its voice imbued with profound sadness: "The Seal was created by the Council of Ancient Dragons – the first dragons of Aethel, to imprison a malevolent entity born from the void between dimensions. A pure demon of destruction. It was fragmented into five pieces, each a part of the Seal and placed in Aethel's most powerful energy points, guarded by the descendants of the Ancient Dragon Council – the Legendary Guardians."
"So Zane is one of them?" Elara asked, hearing the words as a faint echo from Kai's mind.
"He is a descendant of the Legendary Guardian of the Crystal Dragon Hall," the spirit confirmed. "He attempted to reinforce the Seal, but the Shadow Cult discovered a weakness. They are zealots who worship chaos, believing the Devourer's destruction will lead to a new era of 'purification'."
"They took a piece of the Crystal Heart from the Dragon Hall," Kai said. "They will seek the remaining fragments."
"Exactly," the spirit responded. "And you... with the Ancient Soul Emblem... you are the bridge to the power of the Ancient Dragon Council. That Emblem is not only the key to reinforcing the Seal, but also a map to the remaining fragments, and most importantly, it has the ability to awaken the slumbering dragon souls within the Seal."
The spirit's words stunned Kai. The Emblem wasn't just an item; it was a part of history, a seed of hope.
"So what is the Ancient Dragon Sanctuary?" Arthur asked.
"The Sanctuary is where the Ancient Dragon Council once gathered, a sacred ground deep within the Eternal Forest. It is where the soul of the Great Legendary Guardian – Elder Dragon – the Progenitor Dragon rests. If you can reach it, the Progenitor Dragon's soul may grant you the necessary power and guidance." The spirit explained, its voice gradually weakening. "But the path to the Sanctuary... is guarded by the 'Gatekeeper' – a final trial."
Just then, the energy of the Heart of the Forest began to fluctuate. The spirit's voice became more urgent. "Warning... Danger... Something... is coming! A shadow... like you... but twisted and dark!"
Warning! A powerful entity is approaching!
Enemy: Corrupted Soul Level 20 (Phantom Form)
HP: ???
Danger: Extremely High (Immune to all physical attacks, deals soul damage, causes mental debuff).
"What?!" Arthur roared. "Another spiritual monster?!"
From deep within the forest, not from above or below, but from the very air itself, a faint silhouette gradually materialized. It took the form of a dragon, similar to Kai, but distorted and enveloped by a dark, decaying aura. Its eyes were two glowing red dots, filled with pure hatred.
"It... sensed me..." The spirit of the Heart of the Forest whispered in Kai's mind, its voice filled with despair. "It... is a part of the Devourer... an oppressive entity born from its malice... It wants to consume my soul... and prevent you from reaching the Sanctuary!"
Kai felt a chill to his bones. This creature was completely different from the Blood Blight or Crystal Phantoms. This was a pure spiritual entity, a fragment of the ultimate enemy itself. "Soul Taming" might be effective, but would it be strong enough to counter something like this?