Evolution Begins With A Big Tree

Chapter 1144, The Elemental Clan’s Last Ember

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silvain

“This guy… is truly a monster…” With another shaken sigh, the Fire Giant Elemental lifted his gaze, only to witness a pale, jade-like hand descending from the depths of the starry expanse.

*Booooom…* A sudden roar thundered through the Starry Sky, and, visible to the naked eye, that pale hand transformed into countless tree roots, cascading downward like a storm of arrows.

It was reminiscent of the legendary Wood Release—roots and branches surging through the air with a mere lift of the hand.

“You… damn you!” The Fire Giant Elemental snarled furiously, his pupils contracting fiercely.

Because at that very moment, those countless roots and branches had already come in contact with the Elemental Clan’s Guardian Formation, the inverted, bowl-like barrier shimmering with crystalline radiance.

And then—

*Booooom…* Another deafening explosion shook the world, as the glassy Formation trembled violently. It seemed as though it was unable to withstand the assault.

Cracks began to spread through its surface, forming an intricate spider web.

Witnessing this, the Fire Giant Elemental’s pupils shrank to the size of a needle tip.

“Take the Clansmen and leave!” A sudden voice startled the Fire Giant Elemental.

Turning in shock, he noticed that, at some unknown moment, an aged, ethereal figure with a long white beard had appeared beside him.

It was the True Spirit of the Imperial Artifact, Grimoire.

Stroking his beard, the old figure could not help but heave a heavy sigh. “For such an unparalleled prodigy to be born in this era… what a tragedy for your Clan.”

His sigh was filled with lament and bitterness.

Even the ancient bronze tome cradled in the Fire Giant Elemental’s palm began to flicker with a faint, unsteady glow.

“Elder… do we truly have no chance?” Helplessness filled the Fire Giant Elemental’s voice, as he struggled to find home.

“Chance…?” Shaking his head, the Grimoire’s True Spirit sighed deeply.

“Even if I were to fully awaken, I still wouldn’t be able to stop him. Defeat is only a matter of time. Instead of struggling, it is better to preserve your strength—to protect the last ember of your Clan.”

Just as he said this, a faint chuckle escaped the True Spirit as he continued, “Didn’t you already safeguard the Elemental Clan’s last ember? You even had Zi Xiao send it to another Sector…”

“Hahaha…” The Fire Giant Elemental too broke into a hearty laugh, as he nodded his affirmation. “Indeed… the Elemental Clan’s ember has been preserved.”

But after a brief pause, his expression darkened as he muttered, “However… I doubt I can escape. The Supreme Lord of the Demon Court will not let us, the higher-ups, go.”

With that, he gritted his teeth, his voice carrying a final plea, “Elder…”

“What is it?”

“I hope that in the future, you will protect our younger generations… And tell them—do not seek revenge. The Supreme Lord of the Demon Court… he is far too terrifying. He is not someone the younger generations can ever hope to surpass.”

Soft as his tone was, a decisive look took over the Fire Giant Elemental’s face. Then, before the True Spirit could respond, the Fire Giant Elemental fiercely took a step forward.

*Booooom…* The entire Starry Sky quaked, sending ripples through space. At the same time, flames erupted all around, skyrocketing the temperature of the void.

But that was not all.

Behind the Fire Giant Elemental, one figure after another stepped forth—each wreathed in flames.

They were of the Fire Elemental Lineage.

And now, they were bravely going to accompany their Patriarch on a path with no retreat.

“Kill!” A battle cry thundered like rolling lightning, before soaring flames exploded outward, dyeing half of the Star System in crimson hues.

Looking from the distance, it seemed as if a red lotus had bloomed, rushing toward the mist-shrouded figure standing in the distance.

“Great!” With a resolute cry, Yu Zi Yu advanced, meeting force with force.

He flexed his right arm, and with a deafening boom, his crystal-like, jade-colored arm transformed into a towering wooden pillar, crashing down upon the red lotus that had engulfed half of the Star System.

*Boooooom…* Another thunderous explosion, as if the very Heavens was crashing down, sent tremors rippling through the starry expanse.

For a fleeting moment, the entire cosmos seemed to have fallen silent.

It felt as if everything had come to a halt.

However, visible to the naked eye, the colossal wooden pillar surging forth from the depths of the cosmos remained unstoppable.

It pierced through the crimson lotus, tore through the vast expanse of space—and hurtled straight toward the Fire Giant Elemental, whose towering form stretched tens of thousands of meters high.

“Urgh…” A violent impact struck his chest, forcing the Fire Giant Elemental to stagger several steps backward. Even his pupils shrank repeatedly in sheer disbelief.

In that moment, he could feel it.

The wooden pillar that had impaled his body was devouring him, his Spiritual Energy, his Vitality, even his very Soul.

Everything—everything—was being consumed.

Yet, there was nothing he could do.

All he could do was watch helplessly.

“I do not ask you to spare the Elemental Clan… I only beg you to leave them a sliver of life. Do not drive them to extinction…” Pleaded the Fire Giant Elemental, his voice hoarse, and laden with desperation.

To sever one’s path of cultivation was no different than killing one’s parents. It was an enmity deeper than the sea. Such hatred naturally begets vengeance. And yet, he still clung to a final shred of hope, the very last glimmer of hope.

He knew that if the Supreme Lord of the Demon Court was truly Hell-bent on exterminating the Elemental Clan, then the Elemental Clan’s last ember would have no chance of survival.

After all, he had already reached a realm where his hands and eyes stretched across Heaven. If he truly wished for annihilation, then how could a mere handful of Tier-4 and Tier-5 Juniors possibly escape his grasp?

“A sliver of life, huh…” Murmuring softly, Yu Zi Yu slowly lifted his gaze, looking toward the depths of space.

In that distant starry expanse, a group of silhouettes was fleeing in panic, fear-stricken, terrified. And yet, what struck the heart most deeply was their overwhelming helplessness.

That was the Elemental Clan’s last ember, carrying with them the Clan’s treasured Artifact and a small portion of its legacy.

As for why it was only a small portion?

That was because the majority of their inheritance had been left behind on Elementara.

This was the final gift from this acting Clan leader to Yu Zi Yu.

A sacrifice, offering up the bulk of the Elemental Clan’s heritage and foundation.

In exchange, he only hoped that Yu Zi Yu would not personally hunt down those young survivors.

“Alright…” Yu Zi Yu nodded slightly, his agreement laced with indifference.

This deal was worth it.

The majority inheritance of a powerful Clan… In exchange for his inaction, it was a deal more than worthwhile.

After all, a group of unripe fledglings was of no concern to him.

Of course, just because he would not act personally… did not mean his subordinates would not.

With a faint smile, Yu Zi Yu’s thoughts drifted to the Nine Primordial Elves of the Nine Realms.

[Their coming-of-age ceremony… shall be the hunt for the Elemental Clan’s last ember.]