255: Guriel, the Dark Mage of the Sanctuary

Deep beneath the Green Wild Mountain Range Plane, at an unknown depth, lay a vast cavern.

In the center of the cavern sat a massive dark green vine, over ten miles thick.

Green liquid flowed throughout the cave, gathering into vast lakes.

As the two Peak True Immortals departed, strands of strange and mysterious rune arrays began to outline themselves within the lush green cavern.

"Wow, such a rich aura of life... truly disgusting!"

After a long while, a slightly playful voice echoed in the silent cave. "Zyra, couldn't you have chosen another place to summon me?"

The array above the green lake flickered with light, and a gray-robed mage holding a skull staff slowly emerged from its center.

"Gulir, cut the nonsense. The current situation leaves me no choice."

Countless green lights converged toward a single point, rapidly condensing into a dark green figure.

Zyra resembled a human female, with long dark green hair, though her strands of hair were like fine, dense vines that constantly twisted and swayed.

Her skin had a pale, plant-like texture, her features were exquisite yet cold, and her eyes were dark red, revealing a sense of control over all things and indifference.

Even though she had transformed into a human, her body still retained plant-like characteristics.

Beneath her dark green robes, which were heavily styled after the Magic Civilization, her arms and legs appeared to be formed from countless condensed vines and thorns.

Her entire being exuded an eerie aura.

"Oh, an Immortal Domain Civilization invasion? How could a mere Peak Sanctuary like me stop that?"

Gulir let out a chilling chuckle and said in a raspy voice, "In my opinion, you should just surrender. What's the use of calling me here?"

"The Malori Star System is under full attack. If I'm not mistaken, I'm afraid the entire Evan Star Field is covered in the flames of war."

Zyra ignored him and continued to herself, "Will your Magic Civilization really just sit by and watch this buffer zone be occupied by the Immortal Domain Civilization?"

Long ago, when she was still a Rank 6 Peak vine, she had established a connection with Gulir by chance.

At that time, Gulir was already an Elementary Sanctuary Necromancer.

One was a Vine Demon with rich life force, the other a Necromancer who yearned for death.

She had never been able to figure out why the Void Realm Summoning he performed could connect to her.

It wasn't until she was promoted to Rank 7 Early Stage and comprehended the Wither and Flourish Laws that Zyra finally realized.

Gulir followed the Dao of the Fusion of life and death!

The Law paths of the man and the demon actually shared some similarities.

Therefore, Zyra and Gulir had exchanged much over the millennia, and she had thus learned many things about the various civilizations in the star sea.

"So what!"

Gulir spread his withered palms and said with apparent helplessness, "The star sea is boundless, and the Magic Civilization is not the only superpower. Moreover, when we attacked the Raul Star Field three thousand years ago, the Immortal Domain Civilization didn't step in to stop us... What right do we have to stop them now?"

Zyra frowned, looking at Gulir with some disbelief. "So, you're saying you really won't get involved in this?"

"Not getting involved!"

Gulir nodded without hesitation.

But seeing Zyra's face full of resentment and despair, he chuckled again. "However, if you are unwilling to surrender to the Immortal Domain Civilization and be a top-tier War Slave, I might be able to think of a way."

"What way?!"

Zyra's eyes lit up, and she asked urgently.

To her, the occupation of her Mother Plane was not something unacceptable.

The reason she had held out until now was merely because she was driven by the star core will and her own unwillingness to accept the status of a War Slave.

If there really were a way to escape such an end, Zyra would certainly welcome it.

"It's very simple. Take your Soul Core..."

Gulir scanned the surroundings and smiled faintly. "...and these Life Essences, and follow me to the Magic Civilization. At that time, you can find any Plane Star to regrow on and still live a carefree life."

Zyra's gaze narrowed as she scrutinized the Peak Sanctuary Necromancer before her. "Would you be so kind?"

She knew very well that the massive invasion by the Immortal Domain Civilization was nothing good.

But this notorious Black Mage from the Magic Civilization was also not a good character.

"Of course, as the price for helping you..."

Gulir's expression was calm as he spoke slowly, "I need you to fully utilize your ability to cultivate Spirit Plants to create a Spirit Plant army for me to participate in plane conquests."

He knew very well that it was extremely difficult to completely control an alien creature whose strength was nearly equal to his own.

Even though Zyra's strength would be greatly diminished without her main body, her Soul Core and the massive amount of Life Essence would still allow her to perform a self-destructive final strike.

Rather than risking control, it was better to bind her with mutual benefits.

The Magic Civilization emphasized Equivalent Exchange and, even more so, inclusivity.

Therefore, under the banner of the entire civilization, there were many allies from other races.

Their overall strength was roughly on par with the Immortal Domain Civilization.

If Zyra could be brought into the Magic Civilization, perhaps in time another Divine-Grade plant creature would emerge.

At that time, Zyra could single-handedly create a Spirit Plant army.

This would be of immense benefit to the overall strength of the Magic Civilization.

This was the characteristic of plant creatures; their reproductive capacity was much stronger than that of other races.

Zyra's dark red eyes flickered as she carefully weighed the pros and cons of this deal.

Gulir was in no hurry either, looking around with interest as he quietly waited for Zyra to make her final decision.

After a long time, a solemn voice rang out in the lush green cave:

"Fine, I agree!"

"Haha, the deal is struck!"

Gulir clapped his hands and laughed. Seeing the slight indignation still in Zyra's eyes, he suppressed his laughter and said slowly, "However, before we leave, perhaps we can give the Immortal Domain Cultivators a lesson..."

"A lesson?"

Zyra was puzzled. "How?"

"As you said, the Immortal Domain Civilization has already fully invaded the Evan Star Field."

Gulir said with a half-smile, "As a notorious Black Mage of the Magic Civilization, if I don't cause some trouble, I'll be mocked when I return... Besides, you really want to see them suffer, don't you?"

"Naturally."

Zyra said hatefully, "If not for them, why would I have been forcibly infused with power by the star core will to raise my strength, increasing the difficulty of my Breakthrough for no reason... I would love to make them pay a heavy price."

"In that case, follow my arrangements!"

Gulir grinned mischievously. "First, I need to summon some little guys over..."

Before his voice had even faded, the bone staff in his hand began to wave gently.

Strands of thick Necrotic Magic Power dissipated in all directions, rapidly penetrating the ground to appear in various hidden locations.

"Zyra, use your hand to drive some native creatures over."

Gulir then looked at the slightly frowning Zyra and said calmly, "The more robust their flesh and blood, the better."

"Fine."

Although she strongly disliked this Necrotic Magic Power, Zyra still nodded slightly.

Then she closed her eyes, and her vast Mental Energy spread rapidly throughout the entire plane along the roots of her main body.

Immediately after, robust Demonic Beasts emerged from all over.

They gathered at the locations where Gulir's Necrotic Magic Power had drawn the summoning arrays.

Under their combined efforts, the arrays absorbed the flesh and blood of these Demonic Beasts and rapidly took shape...