Chapter 203: Another Encounter with the Spider Queen: Information Advantage

Plants are often symbols of life and vitality, rarely associated with death. However, in the world of wizards, such notions do not always hold true.

Some wizards specifically study the fusion of plants and death, giving rise to peculiar creations.

For instance, the Demon Palace Rose and the Plague Vine Sphere.

The organization responsible for such grotesque flora is known as the Withered Council.

The Withered Council is a wizard faction leaning heavily toward the dark and chaotic alignment. Its members specialize in the study of plants intertwined with death, employing grim and radical methods. In the multiverse, their reputation rivals that of the infamous Shadowed Throne.

However, the Withered Council is far less powerful, barely qualifying as a second-rate wizard faction.

One of their signature creations is the Umbral Demon Tree—a highly advanced alchemical lifeform.

The Withered Council plants these trees in every invaded plane, serving as both a strategic base and a planar anchor. These trees, formidable in combat and multifunctional in their applications, have significantly contributed to the Withered Council's rise to its modest prominence.

From the moment Su Nan encountered the Demon Palace Roses and Plague Vine Spheres, he suspected that the Black Forest was a legacy left behind by the Withered Council. Now, standing before the colossal Umbral Demon Tree, his suspicions were confirmed.

"No wonder this environment feels so oppressive. It's the handiwork of the Withered Council," Su Nan mused inwardly, his gaze fixated on the massive black tree.

A rustling sound echoed as the tree's branches quivered. A low, hoarse voice, reminiscent of an aged elder, emanated from all directions—or perhaps from within the tree itself.

"Fortunate wizard, congratulations on passing the trial of the Black Forest."

The voice was calm and deliberate, carrying an air of authority.

"As your reward, you shall receive the Essence of a Thousand Trees."

A long black branch extended from the dense canopy, stopping before Su Nan. At its tip rested a small wooden block, no larger than a chicken egg, its surface etched with natural grain patterns that shimmered faintly.

The energy radiating from the block was pure and immense, catching Su Nan's attention instantly.

His eyes gleamed with interest.

The Essence of a Thousand Trees was a rare alchemical material, formed only when a magical tree with a lifespan exceeding a millennium died and condensed its vitality into a crystalline core. Its energy was vast yet gentle, easily absorbed without refinement, making it a prized resource for mental fortification among first-tier wizards.

This tiny block alone could enhance Su Nan's mental refinement by 10%.

Due to the extreme conditions required for its formation, Essence of a Thousand Trees was incredibly scarce. Even the Withered Council, despite their specialization in plant-based magic, produced fewer than ten units annually.

Su Nan hadn't expected such a generous reward from the Withered Council's legacy site. Moreover, if this was just one reward, could there be others?

Such an extravagant offering was unusual for an organization aligned with the dark.

Su Nan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he nonchalantly accepted the essence. Pretending to store it in his spatial ring, he instead fed it into the Cube for analysis.

When the Cube's results appeared in his mind, a knowing smirk crossed his lips.

"As I suspected."

"Wizard, you may now leave," the tree's voice intoned again, the tone calm and measured. "The Black Forest is about to close. It will not reappear for another twenty years. I hope to see you again then."

"I doubt you're looking forward to that," Su Nan replied cryptically, his voice laced with irony.

"…What do you mean by that?" the tree asked, the voice wavering slightly.

"Exactly what I said." 

Without warning, Su Nan launched his attack.

Two Lightning Burst Seals flew from his hands, detonating mid-air into crackling arcs of lightning that surged toward the massive tree.

Simultaneously, a sleek, pitch-black spear materialized in Su Nan's grasp. Gripping it tightly, he hurled it with deadly precision, the weapon transforming into a dark streak that sliced through the air toward the tree.

As if that weren't enough, liquid metal poured from Su Nan's body, forming countless sharp, silver spikes that hovered ominously in the air before raining down like a storm upon the tree.

Su Nan had unleashed his full strength. His three most potent techniques—engraved seals, liquid metal manipulation, and the Void Spear—were deployed in a coordinated assault.

Caught off guard, the Umbral Demon Tree had no time to mount a proper defense. Hastily, it summoned thick roots and branches to form a protective barrier.

But it was futile.

The electrifying bolts from the Lightning Burst Seals tore through the woven branches like paper, reducing them to ash.

The Void Spear followed, piercing through the tree's massive trunk with an explosive impact. A gaping hole appeared in its center, smoke curling from charred wood.

Before the tree could recover, the metallic spikes descended, shredding its surface and carving deep gashes into its bark.

The Umbral Demon Tree let out an ear-splitting shriek as its massive body convulsed in pain.

Suddenly, violet flames erupted from its core, rapidly engulfing its trunk and branches. The fire devoured everything it touched, even reducing the silver spikes to nothingness.

"Wizard!"

The tree's voice, now trembling with fury, resounded again. Black branches snaked out from its canopy like writhing vipers, all aimed at Su Nan.

"Why are you attacking me?"

"Still playing dumb?" Su Nan sneered, his gaze cold and piercing. His eyes flicked briefly to the violet flames.

Silence.

A long pause ensued before the voice spoke again. This time, it was no longer hoarse and aged but instead melodic and sultry, carrying a hint of menace.

"So, you figured it out."

The voice was familiar—unmistakably so.

Even after three years, Su Nan had not forgotten it.

It belonged to none other than the Spider Queen, the dark deity worshipped by the dark elves and the one who had threatened him after the death of her avatar.

"How did you discover it was me?" the Spider Queen asked, her tone sharp yet tinged with curiosity.

Su Nan's expression remained calm. "Take a guess."

In truth, the Cube had provided him with the answer. While the Essence of a Thousand Trees was genuine, it had been laced with a highly sophisticated arachnid venom—a signature of the Spider Queen's handiwork.

The Spider Queen chuckled darkly. "Ah, you're quite clever for a mortal wizard. But do you really think you can defy a god?"

"Defy you?" Su Nan smirked. "You're overestimating yourself."

"Careful, mortal," she hissed. "Do not forget your place."

"Should I remind you how your last 'messenger' ended?" Su Nan retorted, his tone icy.

The Spider Queen fell silent again, her aura palpable even through the lingering flames.

"You may have bested my avatar, wizard, but you have no idea the forces at play here. This forest, this plane—everything you see is merely the first step in a grander design."

"Then I'll tear that design apart, root by root," Su Nan said firmly, preparing for the next wave of combat.

The Essence of a Thousand Trees indeed contained potent energy, but Su Nan's Cube had detected a hidden threat—an insidious arachnid venom designed to erode both the body and soul.

If Su Nan had recklessly absorbed the essence without caution, the venom would have infiltrated him, bringing devastating consequences.

It wasn't hard to deduce the culprit behind such treachery. The same type of ploy had been used against him before.

The Spider Queen's voice, neither flustered nor angered, carried a hint of thoughtful reflection.

"My mistake," she admitted calmly. "I should have anticipated your ability to detect toxins, especially after my previous attempt failed. I should have employed a more subtle method."

Su Nan's expression remained impassive, but inwardly he scoffed.

With the Cube in his possession, no matter how intricate the Spider Queen's schemes became, they were destined to fail.

Even without the Cube, Su Nan wouldn't have fallen for her trap. His understanding of the Withered Council and their methods, coupled with his suspicion of the Spider Queen's involvement in the Black Forest, had already placed him on high alert. He would never have blindly absorbed the offered essence.

The Spider Queen's failure stemmed from an information gap—she underestimated Su Nan's knowledge and preparation.

"You seem to harbor quite a few secrets," the Spider Queen mused, her tone shifting to one of intrigue.

"It's rare to see a wizard of your caliber emerge on the Starfall Continent. I must admit, you've piqued my interest."

Su Nan's voice remained cold. "Unfortunately, I have no interest in you. Gods should remain in their divine realms. Isn't the Abyssal Web vast enough to satisfy your ambitions? Past, present, or future—Starfall is not a playground for you to meddle in."

The Spider Queen paused briefly, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"You seem to know me quite well. That only deepens my curiosity about your origins."

"You're welcome to ponder that back in your domain," Su Nan replied dismissively.

The Spider Queen chuckled softly, her voice laced with a dangerous allure.

"Young wizard, you've won this round. Consider this tree's remains my reward to you for your victory."

Her tone carried both amusement and a subtle warning.

"I look forward to our next meeting. I trust you'll continue to surprise me."

As her words faded, the Umbral Demon Tree's violet flames gradually diminished. By the time the last syllable left her lips, the flames had completely vanished, and the oppressive divine aura dissipated.

The Spider Queen had decisively withdrawn, realizing her position was untenable. She placed her hopes for vengeance in the future.

Su Nan's lips curled into a faint smirk.

While it was true that they would likely meet again, he doubted it would be under circumstances the Spider Queen would relish.

He recalled a future event—an ambush orchestrated by wizards against the Spider Queen that ended in catastrophic failure. But that was before Su Nan's involvement.

With his interference, the outcome could change dramatically.

"Perhaps I'll give her another 'surprise' when the time comes," Su Nan thought wryly.

Confirming that the Spider Queen had truly left, Su Nan approached the Umbral Demon Tree.

The tree was no ordinary relic. As a dimensional anchor, it served as a conduit for planar travel, allowing its creators, the Withered Council, to bridge realms.

The Council's intent in leaving such a tree within the Black Forest was clear—to establish a foothold on Starfall Continent once the planar barriers were restored.

However, the Spider Queen had discovered the Black Forest and seized the opportunity to hijack the Umbral Demon Tree, repurposing it to infiltrate Starfall and exert her influence.

By destroying the tree, Su Nan could sever the Spider Queen's connection to the continent, preventing her interference until the planar barriers were fully restored.

Gently placing a hand on the rough bark of the tree, Su Nan could feel the remnants of divine energy coursing through its trunk. A faint smile played on his lips.

The tree was long dead. The Essence of a Thousand Trees had likely been condensed from its death throes.

The Spider Queen had transformed the dead husk into a divine conduit, leaving behind a substantial reserve of divine energy.

Her gesture of leaving the tree to Su Nan was not a true reward—it was simply an acknowledgment that she could not retrieve the energy in time.

For Su Nan, however, this was an unexpected boon. With such abundant divine energy, his mental refinement would surge to new heights.

A thunderous rumble jolted Su Nan from his thoughts.

Far in the distance, the fabric of space itself began to distort, writhing and twisting as it advanced like a slow tide, consuming everything in its path.

Massive trees crumbled into dust, vanishing into the void.

"Spatial collapse."

Su Nan's gaze turned to the Umbral Demon Tree, and understanding dawned.

The tree was undoubtedly the heart of the Black Forest. Its destruction had destabilized the entire dimension, and the Spider Queen's withdrawal had removed the last force maintaining its fragile equilibrium.

Su Nan shook his head slightly, a twinge of regret flickering across his face.

He had hoped to claim the Black Forest as his own, but it was clear now that such ambitions were futile.

"The Black Forest's environment was always going to limit its usefulness. Letting it go isn't much of a loss," Su Nan muttered, refocusing his thoughts.

He began a systematic search of the area, hoping to uncover any remaining resources left behind by the Withered Council.

Yet despite his efforts, he found nothing—no magical plants, no artifacts, no treasures.

"Did the Spider Queen strip it bare, or did the Withered Council never intend to leave anything behind for apprentices?"

Su Nan sighed, slightly disappointed. However, the Essence of a Thousand Trees and the divine energy within the tree's remains were already substantial gains.

With the spatial collapse rapidly approaching, Su Nan wasted no time. He sealed the Umbral Demon Tree into his Cube, its vast size easily compressed into the magical device.

He couldn't help but smirk at the Spider Queen's likely intentions—leaving behind the tree as a taunt, knowing how challenging it would be to transport.

"But you weren't countin

g on the Cube," Su Nan thought, amused by her miscalculation.

Activating the Black Key, Su Nan vanished from the crumbling dimension.

Moments later, the collapse swept over the space, consuming the last remnants of the Black Forest.

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