Sovereign of the Ashes

Half a year later.

Another violent explosion rocked the northern reaches of Verdant Wilderness World.

The blast was powerful enough to jolt the entire world, sending a blinding red light radiating across the sky.

Even creatures in the southern regions observed the scarlet hues engulfing the north.

"You!" Core Birch glared at the bloodied figure of the Plain Bearowl, whose gaze was dripping with malevolence.

Both were demigod-level sovereigns of Verdant Wilderness World's large forests—Core Birch Forest and Plain Forest, respectively.

Core Birch was the most powerful and intelligent being among the millions birthed in Core Birch Forest.

Plain Bearowl emerged as a demigod-level beast from the vast multitude of creatures in Plain Forest.

They were once the backbone of Verdant Wilderness World, crucial to its growth and prosperity.

Yet now, they stood as sworn enemies.

Despite the guardian's personal mediation, Plain Bearowl had resorted to a near-suicidal attack to eliminate his opponent, a tactic that baffled Core Birchwood.

"Hahahahaha, is this what true power feels like? I, Bearowl, am destined to ascend to godhood!" the demigod-level beast declared.

"Neither you, Core Birch, White Spirit Guardian, nor even Verdant Wilderness, who plundered a third of this world's nutrients to reach godhood, can stand against me. All of you shall be trampled under my feet! Hahahahaha!"

Laughing maniacally, the bear and owl-like demigod creature heralded the dawn of a new era, its body emitting a strange red glow.

This was a power alien to Verdant Wilderness World, transcending even the rank of the Bearowl itself.

It was a force of a higher order, surpassing even the strength of Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God!

"What have you done?!" Core Birch demanded, unable to fathom the source of this transformation.

Nearby, a newly formed crater surrounded by scattered blood and billowing smoke marked the location of Core Birch Forest's planar node.

***

Another violent explosion from the north reverberated throughout the plane.

Having already reached a forest in the east with Sein, Lorianne whispered, "Something's about to happen."

As her words faded, a dull, loud rumble resonated within and beyond the Verdant Wilderness World.

It sounded as though a reckless beast was violently pounding at the planar barrier.

At this moment, the creatures of the world looked blankly toward the sky—stunned, frightened, or confused.

Even Sein found himself compelled to gaze upward, but Lorianne's voice interrupted him.

"Who said interplanar wars can only be waged from outside? The source of this spatial turbulence is in the north. The Wild Gorilla World is forcefully invading this world by tearing open a space-time rift.

"This not only indicates a small space-time rift exists between their worlds but also proves that the coordinates of the Wild Gorilla World is not far from Verdant Wilderness World in the Astral Realm," Lorianne explained.

Her words shaped Sein's understanding, for they were indeed the truth.

The northernmost part of the Plain Forest was known for its cold temperatures and violent, year-round hurricanes.

Beyond the few creatures like the Bearowls, specially adapted to the cold and gales, only a few could withstand this harsh environment.

Suddenly, amidst the howling winds, an irregular, reddish crack appeared in the wilderness.

If the guardian of Verdant Wilderness World could arrive in time, or if the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God were present, there might be a chance to halt this catastrophic disaster in its initial stages.

Alas, the guardian was old, its energy severely limited, and the current chaos in Verdant Wilderness World was far from resolved.

It was still contending with the invading green-furred gorillas and had only recently uncovered several law-weakeners near multiple planar nodes.

All sorts of ominous phenomena signaled great intrigue and threats across the Verdant Wilderness World.

Although its guardian might love its homeplane deeply, as a creature born in a low-level plane, its vision and imagination were limited.

It barely grasped the nature of the enemy it faced—or rather, the group of enemies.

Mobilizing all the sovereigns to unite against the impending disaster was already the best it could do as a guardian.

What more could be asked of it?

As for the Rank Four deity of Verdant Wilderness World... It was a colossal, immobile tree.

Much like Core Birch it could only helplessly watch as the planar nodes of its forest were ravaged by the Bearowl, unable to mount an effective defense.

Plant creatures had numerous inherent advantages, but their disadvantages and limitations were equally stark.

If the Verdant Wilderness God had to leave its rooted spot, it could at best only send a clone of itself.

However, it was already too late for that.

"I can already smell the unique fragrance of the plants of this world; it smells like fear."

"This low-level plane is certainly wealthier than the Sea Rainbow Plane we invaded last time."

"Hurry and tear open this rift!"

"Can you do it? I'll do it if you can't!"

Devilish laughter and discussions drifted through the space-time rift to Verdant Wilderness World.

On this side, more violent, icy winds swept in all directions, carrying the chill from the north throughout the world.

The pine trees in the distance swayed in the gusts, their once straight trunks now slightly bent, maintaining the persistent green of the northern forest.

Beneath the rift, a group of bear and owl-like creatures prostrated themselves, welcoming their new deity.

Among them, a dozen or so green-furred gorillas, of higher status, showed even greater excitement.

A low, melodious, aged sigh emanated from the Pine Needles Woods in the distance.

Not all creatures of Plain Forest had defected to the foreign evil god.

Here at least, a faction still resisted.

Green energy beams converged above the forest and shot directly toward the scarlet rift.

This scene mirrored the reaction of Verdant Leaf World's native creatures when the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army invaded.