Chapter 391 — Backlash

The branches of the tree rustled violently.

Although there was no wind in the demi-plane, the branches and leaves began to move at an astonishing rate.

If other people were here to witness this scene, they would be dumbfounded and want to investigate the reason.

However, Liora knew that the tree was not actually moving.

Instead, this was the result of the time around the tree passing at an extraordinary speed.

Although only a mere second had passed in the outside world, the tree had experienced several years all at once.

Its movements were merely the result of it growing and gradually aging.

Liora watched this operation silently.

She could sense that the life force of the tree was gradually growing stronger.

However, it didn’t use it to grow taller or to extend its roots, but instead provided it as nourishment to the Reincarnation Fruit.

The fruit quickly grew more and more round, while its smell became even more tempting.

Soon, Liora found it difficult to contain her impulse to pick it off.

However, she ultimately succeeded.

This time, not because of the strength of her will, but because an intense pain suddenly assaulted her soul and body.

A cracking sound echoed in her ears and jolted her awake.

As Liora took her gaze off the tree, she realized that the Snake of Time around her was shaking violently.

Like a piece of wood that could not withstand the heavy weight, it began to tremble and rapidly crack.

Since the Snake of Time was created through a technique and was effectively a part of her soul, Liora was also affected.

Her head felt as if it had been smashed by a hammer, while her body quivered, as if mimicking the Snake of Time’s state.

This was the first time that Liora had suffered a backlash since she obtained the Snake of Time.

Even when she used it to speed up Alpha’s time and help her awaken, there had not been such a situation.

However, Liora guessed the reason.

At the time, Alpha had been unconscious and had thus not put up any resistance.

Moreover, although her strength was at the Greater Devil stage, her status was significantly lower than the tree.

How could a tree that could give birth to a Reincarnation Fruit be ordinary?

Even if it possessed no strength, its nature was extraordinary.

"Fortunately, I had already predicted that this would happen.", Liora whispered, and, doing her best to suppress the impact of the backlash, she took action.

Reaching out, she grabbed the remains beside her and tossed them into the Snake of Time without hesitation.

The river’s illusory surface rippled faintly.

The remains shrank down and became illusory, slowly integrating into the river.

Instantly, the cracks throughout the river quickly recovered, and its shaking stopped for a brief moment.

Unfortunately, new cracks appeared the very next second, and the trembling continued.

Clearly, the backlash was not a one-time event, but a continuous thing as long as time remained sped up.

Liora’s eyes showed no fear.

She reached out again and started to toss remains into the river one after another, providing Snake of Time with the energy required to recover.

Liora’s actions seemed like an unending circle.

One moment, the Snake of Time would recover, but the next, it would be broken apart.

Fortunately, her purpose was ultimately achieved.

The life force of the tree in the distance gradually began to disappear.

Not because it was growing old, but because it was continuously pouring its essence into the Reincarnation Fruit, thus weakening itself.

Time slowly passed.

The tree’s movements became less and less agile as the time around it passed at an astonishing rate.

When Liora finally threw the last bone of the undead into the Snake of Time, a loud explosion echoed throughout the demi-plane.

The tree growing the fruit exploded, and its broken wood pieces were absorbed by the Reincarnation Fruit.

A black and white color flashed across the fruit’s surface, plunging the entire demi-plane into its color for a brief moment.

Finally, when the light eventually receded, a surprising thing occurred.

The Reincarnation Fruit did not drop to the ground.

Rather, it shot into the distance and attempted to escape.

Weapons with high enough strength possessed a will of their own, and plants were also the same.

Although the Reincarnation Fruit was not really a plant, its extraordinary nature allowed it to possess certain instincts.

For example, the instinct of survival.

Seeing that Liora was eyeing it with red eyes and sensing the terrifying strength hidden within her unassuming body, it instantly decided to flee.

Fortunately, Liora had already expected this and reacted in time.

Ignoring the pain in her body and soul, her mind moved, and a large palm made of demonic energy fired out.

The palm whistled through the air and arrived in front of the Reincarnation Fruit before it began to clench.

The Reincarnation Fruit tried to evade the attack.

However, Liora’s reaction was extremely quick, and she had already been prepared.

The projection of the Land of Nothingness appeared above her head, and as Nothingness dropped down, it formed a cage around the Reincarnation Fruit, trapping it within.

Though it wanted to escape, the Reincarnation Fruit knew that it had to make a choice.

Compared to being captured, "dying" at the hands of Nothingness was obviously far more terrifying.

Therefore, its movements ultimately stopped.

It could only stay still and allow the demonic energy to wrap it up, bringing it back to Liora.

The moment Liora’s skin came into contact with the fruit’s surface, she felt the pain in her soul subside.

Not only did the faint cracks in her soul begin to recover, but a gentle cold energy washed over it and strengthened it slightly.

Noticing those changes, Liora couldn’t help but shake her head.

"It deserves to be a rare treasure not even mentioned in my bloodline memories.", she spoke with faint emotion.

"I’m afraid that devouring it could allow an ordinary True Devil to possess a soul equivalent to a peak Greater Devil. For a Greater Devil, the benefits are even greater."

"No wonder the guy who obtained it managed to become an Archdevil in the end."

The power of the soul was very important for all beings, including Devils.

Other aspects, including physical strength, abilities, and combat experience, could always be made up for.

However, it was extremely difficult to enhance one’s soul, mostly a privilege granted during one’s advancement process.