The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 736: Volume 21: The Dark Road - 16: Demon Straw

Chapter 736: Volume 21: The Dark Road - 16: Demon Straw

Xerob observed the Dark Inheritor with some curiosity. He had to admit that Dark Emperor Kenifer III had some fate in choosing this noble-born individual. Not only was he distinguished in Dark Magic, but the most critical part was his deep strategic vision for the growth and direction of the future of the Dark Lineage. Setting aside everything else, the immense changes he brought to the situation in the South over the past two or three months were enough to prove his far-sightedness and wisdom.

The Royal Court Magicians of the Iberian Kingdom were taking shape, and the mage team in Piraeus was also actively preparing. Both Trojan and Carthaginian people had shown great interest in the Dark Lineage, warmly inviting the Great Mysterium Sect and other Dark Sects to grow within their territories. Corinthian and Spartan people felt tremendous pressure, repeatedly contacting the Dark Lineage, which after so many years, finally began to see a time to hold its head high.

The performance of Komer also led other Dark Sects, which had never truly recognized Komer’s status as the Dark Lord, to gradually acknowledge his special identity. They could not deny the tremendous changes Komer had brought to the Dark Lineage in these few months. Komer’s proposed policy of "rooting in the populace, hand in hand with mainstream society" made those Dark Lineage followers who had always been focused on grassroots development and preaching realize the importance of changing their notions.

What impressed Xerob the most was the move on Flanders Territory. Not only did it successfully incite infighting among the Barbarians, but it also effectively pleased the upper Noble class of the Iberian Kingdom, and it took a solid step for the Caucasian powers to venture into the Southern Mediterranean region. Just look at Officer Neptune, bringing a large group of officers, almost all of whom were Komer’s direct followers from Caucasus and Leon. They quickly took control of the situation in Flanders Region and successfully won the hearts of the Flanders Citizens who were gradually returning home. In stark contrast to this, Count Claymon’s positive image with the women was vastly different from the sentiment among his Citizens in his own territory. As a Lord who commanded such a rich land yet failed to bring any benefit or advantage to his people, and in the end, even safety could not be guaranteed, the public quickly put him out of their minds.

Komer, ignoring the others present, including Xerob, chanted a series of spells continuously, his gaze fixed on the ground before him.

The ordinary ground suddenly underwent a strange transformation. Numerous green Vines and ivy sprouted from the ground, climbing upward like countless tree sprites’ roots suddenly exposed to the world. They even leapt into the air, fangs bared and claws outstretched as if to devour the Air above. Several unprepared Qian Cattle were shocked by this abrupt Attack, and after a moment of panic, began to struggle frantically.

Within seconds, the green Vines swelled from the thickness of a finger to the size of an arm and continued to grow and extend wildly, like a cluster of intelligent beings. Immediately, they enveloped the several Qian Cattle completely, the needle-like roots digging firmly into the cattle’s skin and quickly penetrating their bodies. The cattle’s agonized bellows echoed across the fields; soon enough, the roots had pinned themselves onto the animals and rapidly wrapped around their bodies.

The sight of the green Vines growing slick and vibrant while the robust bodies of the Qian Cattle wasted away at an alarming rate was terrifying. Soon, their bellows turned into pained moans, growing softer and softer, until one by one, the cattle, reduced to skin and bones, rolled out from the Vines, ultimately silenced, a shocking sight to behold.

The Vines, now full of the essence of the Qian Cattle, slowly entwined together, green mixed with subtle veins of blood, and their thick roots danced in the wind. Everyone present was alarmed; even the members of the Great Mysterium Sect had never witnessed such an eerie and bizarre scene. Mr. Mihailovich and Newman, however, seemed somewhat more composed than the rest, though the shock was clearly written all over their faces.

"Lord, is this the Vine Devil Strain that you have been diligently researching?" Taking a deep breath, Mr. Mihailovich took a few steps closer to closely examine the still-wriggling Vines on the ground. This had already surpassed the domain of Mixed Magic. Other variant magics like Hand of the Demon and earth spirits were plentiful and could shock outsiders, but for experts, while Mixed Magic was elaborate, traces could still be followed – at least mages skilled in these schools understood the origins of these spells.

However, this entity before them was beyond the thinking and imagination of ordinary people. Clearly, this being called the Vine Devil Strain was not wholly created by the Power of magic. The fact that it became livelier and stronger after absorbing the cattle’s essence and blood indicated that it was now a living creature. Whether it was Necromancy or Puppet Magic, fundamentally, they did not possess life. Even if a Wisdom Magic Crystal was used, it only granted the undead or puppet body some basic intelligence that the original crystal could provide. To provide them with the intelligence to react differently to various external accidents was impossible, and yet, it seemed this hybrid of magic and life had already transcended that realm.

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"Hmm, something like that, but you need to change your wording—it shouldn’t be called intensive study. Er, ’meticulous cultivation’ might be a more accurate term," Komer said with a slight smile, as a series of magic hand gestures activated the magic power in his hand. The nutrient-saturated vines gathered quickly as if they had received some sort of command, clumping together on the ground. The dense and chaotic roots were still flinging around in the air, looking from a distance like an enormously magnified swarm of sand worms wriggling in water, spine-chilling to behold.

"Cultivation? Lord, do you mean it has life now, can sustain itself, and even doesn’t need the support of your magic power?" Mihailovich’s face showed even greater surprise and excitement, and the curiosity in his eyes was more than evident.

"Hmm, you could say that, its original body is the Black Vine, which has the strongest vitality among vine species. I’ve nurtured it with Dark Magic Force over a long period and used Psychic Magic to catalyze its absorption capabilities. I’ve also guided and stimulated its cognitive abilities, allowing the Black Vine to subtly draw upon the devouring corrosive properties of Dark Magic. Heh, this thing’s devouring power is quite strong; it took the digestion of two Wisdom Magic Crystals for it to gain enough reactive ability and intelligence to adjust itself autonomously in combat, based on the actual situations," Komer explained in a few, seemingly simple words. Mihailovich and Newman, however, understood that this description masked untold magical mysteries and that the Lord must have invested significant effort into it. This peculiar object was almost akin to summoned magic, only, what was summoned was a special life form with considerable intelligence—a demon with life and judgment capabilities! More terrifying than trained Magical Beasts that serve their masters because it could grow continuously, enhancing and enriching its abilities, drawing upon the power of its adversaries in combat to bolster itself. The mere thought of such a thing was fearsome.

"Lord, your creative ability is admirable. If I may be presumptuous to ask, by what means or methods do you control it?" Newman could not contain his curiosity, a question that was likely on everyone’s mind. After all, such an intelligent life form was artificially created, so how one motivates and controls it is indeed intriguing.

"Spiritual Power, psychic mana, or magic power. It was imprinted deeply with my spiritual power at the moment of its creation. Plant bodies also have their centers of thought and judgment, but compared to animals, their neurological centers are much simpler. From the very beginning of the cultivation, the Black Vine’s neural center is suffused and influenced with psychic mana, so we can achieve this control," Komer’s confident and proud expression made everyone’s reverence for him climb another notch involuntarily.

"To be honest, I wasn’t very sure in my heart when I started this experiment, and I worried I might create something I couldn’t control, then I would have to destroy it. However, it seems my approach was correct after all. It has certain intellectual capabilities, but when compared with true sentient beings, like beasts or humans, there’s a considerable gap. Yet, in some special capabilities, it is incomparable to Magical Beasts or humans, as its core is a plant, and many plant characteristics are not found in animals. When we need these abilities, they can play their particular roles. This is the initial intention behind my experimentation."

"Lord, may I ask another question? Will the capabilities of this Vine Devil Strain change with its experiences and growth in the future?" Mihailovich was more concerned about this aspect. As a grandmaster of Puppet Magic, he habitually compared such things to his painstakingly studied Magic Puppets, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of both.

"Hmm, Mr. Mihailovich, your question is very pertinent. Hehe, it should be said that because it possesses a certain level of intelligence, it can autonomously imitate and learn some capabilities it experiences and comes into contact with. Of course, there are limits, but with my deliberate assistance and pointers, I think its ability will improve greatly. I, too, am looking forward to what it could eventually become. Let us wait and see," Komer said, gazing intently at the still writhing vines on the ground. The Vine Devil Strain seemed to sense its master’s sharp gaze, and its body shrank even more tightly.

(To be continued. For more of the story, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM. The Chapters are updated frequently, show support for the author, and support authorized reading!)

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