Chương 840: Uncertainty in the Nexus's Ranks.

One of the many Corrupted Elders, a position equivalent to a Verdant Elder, guided part of the advanced expedition and mapped the edge of the enemy World Tree's domain.

"Its propagation speed is incredible. For something like this to be possible, her Level is far too low." The reports he had said that this True World Tree appeared barely a century ago. Yet, the expansion rate of the World Tree was equivalent to many millennial True World Trees. Reaching nearby stars took time and effort for World Trees. The distances were far too large, and therefore, growing stable root networks that stretched that far was a burden.

"Due to the large distances, the minute cycle imperfections can stack and become big problems. Only veteran World Trees learn how to compensate for these imperfections through practice…" Muttering this to himself, the Corrupted Elder glanced at the provisional World Tree domain they've managed to map out during the last few years.

"The roots have reached the edge of our Solar System at some point." All nine of the Solar Systems surrounding the Ceperet Solar System had traces of Liu Shu's presence. Moreover, the World Tree's presence in the space between the stars was thick.

"Usually, World Trees spread their roots sparingly, creating nodes and only expanding from those nodes." This was both an advantage and a disadvantage. The positives were quick transmission and lack of imperfections. These nodes were easy to distinguish, and it also consumed less of the World Tree's limited yet monstrous mental capabilities. The biggest disadvantage was that the link was like two balls of yarn connected by a single thread.

Cut that thread, and the secondary yarn could collapse and die off from being severed from the main body.

"However…" Looking at the star map and the red marks signaling the World Tree's presence and domain, the Corrupted Elder frowned.

"Why is she spreading so generously? Is she not aware because she is too young? Perhaps her innate mental ability is too strong, and she is far too reckless and ignorant. Otherwise…" The second guess was honestly something he did not want to consider. Shaking his head, the Corrupted Elder spoke.

"We need to review the plans. Tell Lord Carter that we must first focus on clearing up the surroundings of our two Solar Systems and secure the supply line." The message was sent, and around a week later, an answer arrived. The Corrupted Elder saw Carter's hologram.

"Lord Corrupted Elder. We've heard your concerns, and we will take them into account. Make sure to continue your mission. We will deploy those in the Solar System for this task instead of bothering you." The message was longer, speaking about other concerns and plans. Nevertheless, the essence was that they were taking his message seriously and would act as soon as possible. The Corrupted Elder nodded.

"That's good enough." He was not the highest-ranked Corrupted Elder, not someone extremely important. His authority, as a Level 260 powerhouse, was naturally not low. Nevertheless, he was just one among several hundred.

"Alright, let's start the attack." With those words, the Corrupted Elder stood up and called his peers.

"We'll begin cleaning a path toward Ceperet. There is a nearby unnamed Solar System. However, we won't bother it for now. Our objective is taking care of the roots spread out in the structure area between the stars." The large army of five million soldiers and five hundred thousand church members started moving, and soon, they left the starships. Once they did, the Corrupted Elder activated a large Array set with 300 starships as the nodes.

"<World Root Pull Array (S- Rank)>." One of the go-to arrays for most powers going against any type of World Tree. The effects of this array were pulling the hidden roots deep in the subdimensions to the surface. It also made sure to tear through the World Tree's domain and destabilize the entirety of the root system nearby. Weakening, destabilizing, and then cleanly cutting those roots off. It was a tactic effective against most World Trees, leaving them somewhat helpless until they arrived at reinforced zones.

The mid-rank Corrupted Elder had thought that space would twist to reveal the massive roots of the World Tree, but as the array pulsed, the result was silence.

"... Hm?" Meanwhile, Liu Shu, who had been observing them, received a few messages. [You've been affected by <World Root Pull Array (S- Rank)>]! [Domain is being destabilized!] [Title <Center Of Existence> takes effect. Effects are reduced by 33%.] [Passive skill <Immutable Foundation (S+ Rank)> takes effect.] Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

<Immutable Foundation (S+ Rank)>: Resistance toward <Pressure> +10, 000% Resistance toward <Gravity> +10, 000% Resistance toward <Dimensional Destabilization> +10, 000% Domain becomes 500% more stable. Root anchoring 1, 000% more stable.

[<World Root Pull Array> has failed to destabilize your domain.] [<World Root Pull Array> tried to displace your roots outside of your subdimension.] [Title <Center of Existence> triggers. You are Immune to harmful displacement effects.] [Effects are negated.] [<World Root Pull Array> is negated.] Liu Shu blinked, and then she pffted with laughter.

'I guess they deserve a participation award. Hahaha.' She didn't even feel it! The only sensation from the array was a ticklish feeling of something brushing against her like a breeze. Those in the ships had expected to start a fight right away, and now, they were floating in the void with tensed but confused looks. The Corrupted Elder checked the information from the array.

"... It failed?" His words caused the surroundings to fall silent. Everyone was looking as if those two words were incomprehensible. After all, the Nexus had tested and proved that this array worked even on Balaya, the Covenant's main World Tree. This also showed how serious they were when dealing with Liu Shu. The methods they were using were those reserved for <Third Ascension> World Trees. With his brain pounding, the Corrupted Elder checked the array placement and everything else once again.

"It activated… but it failed. Resistance? The World Tree that left her home world barely 100 years ago resisted a S- Rank array?" This information made his head buzz, cold sweat dripping from his temple. While he despised World Trees as a high-ranking member of the Corrupted Church, they were also the ones who knew them best, as their archenemies.

"Send the report right away. Also, stay in standby for…."

"Ternary essence signals are spiking!"

"What?" Then, a voice that could only be described as crushing covered the void around them.

"<Aetherlord's Elemental Catastrophe: Fire and Ice Catastrophe>." A dot appeared in the middle of the army, and the next second, that dot burst out like a whitish sun. The white fire, carrying both hot and cold properties, swept through the surroundings and covered several dozen starships. Together with it, all of Liu Shu's extra buffs and damage triggered. The Corrupted Elder noticed in real time as the ally signals on the radar disappeared one after another, and, at the same time, he spoke.

"Retreat! Leave this place quickly!" The starships turned back at the order that reached all ships. Liu Shu, looking at them move away, didn't do much else. She didn't want to show that much of her strength. If she attacked once and let them go, it would look as if that attack was a full-power attack she couldn't use often. Sadly for them, using <Aetherlord's Elemental Catastrophe> was not that strenuous for her.

Spamming it constantly was not possible, but releasing one catastrophe every few dozen seconds was not that strenuous. Her Aether Mana would drain quickly, but with the deep Aether Mana reserves and Aether Mana regeneration, those worries were honestly not much of her concern. The only reason Liu Shu released this attack was to test the resilience of the new starships the Nexus launched. While their designs and names were the same, Liu Shu noticed that many of the Moon and World-Types present were over Level 200.

Ascension Levels, like for living beings, were dividing factors for most equipment and treasures. A Level 199 piece of equipment and a Level 200 piece of equipment could not be considered in the same league at all. Naturally, the same could be said for these ships.

"As expected, a Level 200 Moon-Type is several times sturdier than a Level 190 World-Type. Each of those Moon-Types has an equivalent of 100 to 300 Phoer Stars of vitality. Together with the resistances, they are sturdy starships that won't fall easily. As for the World-Types… I couldn't tell." Those World Types had been struck by her attack, and her DoT effects destroyed their shields. Sadly, because the DoT only affected the shields, it didn't damage the main motherships.

So, she couldn't guess how much sturdier they were.

"Well, it doesn't matter much. This attack is a warning. I wonder how they will react? An attack of that caliber in the area at the edge of my domain, where I should've been the weakest…" Her lips arched cruelly. She could already see their panic and the chaos that would ensue.

"As for Experience Points…" Her gaze moved to the side, and she noticed that she had earned around 40, 000, 000. Her arched lips tugged down.

'... That's not enough to Level Up even once.'

"Being an SS- Tier being has both advantages and disadvantages. Sigh." Looking away, her gaze was redirected to another direction.

"From what I heard, Deadly Petal is advancing from this direction… Should we go meet this spicy World Tree?" This would be her first direct contact with a foreign True World Tree.

Carter looked at the report that arrived, and after reading it, his faintly arched lips flattened.

"... Is this true?" The mid-ranked Corrupted Elder in front of him spoke coldly.

"There is not a single trace of exaggeration. Lord Carter, this World Tree is dangerous. Far too dangerous. Please, we must ask for the <Sub-Dimension Overlap Array> or something of a similar caliber. Otherwise, this war will be fruitless."

"That's an S+ Rank array we only use when fighting Balaya in large battlefields. Are you telling me this World Tree needs the same level of attention?" The Corrupted Elder was silent for a moment, but after recalling the terrifying white sun that the enemy World Tree manifested, his eyes hardened.

"Yes. I do believe that the Heavenly Willow can become a threat as strong… if not stronger than Balaya." Carter looked at him for a few seconds, and seeing no trace of deceit, he nodded.

"I will apply for it. In the meantime, prepare to move with the rest of the army and clear the nearby roots. I know you can't pull them out. However, I will give you some of our most sturdy World-Types to fight them back."

"Understood. We'll try our best."