Witnessing such a scene, Sheyan took in a deep breath.
"So it's true …... Mbenga, you actually know of the highest secret of the Ndipaya clan!! Then your true identity is …... I truly hope my guess is wrong. Otherwise, will a battle be inevitable between us? "
Within this short span of time, the successive assaults of the giant black ants finally produced a distinct effect. The poisonous miasma within the cave was finally neutralized, as the ants gushed in like a black flood. Their target wasn't the central Sun Altar, but the flowering plants surrounding the altar.
The ants started climbing up the stems of the plants, before using their razor-sharp mouthparts to crush the flowers and transport them back to their nest. Only after obtaining these flowers, would the ant queen be able to give birth to another ant queen, thus repopulating the colony. Simply speaking, these flowers were the only way to cure the infertility of the ants, and to strengthen the colony. No wonder the ants were willing to risk their lives to plunder them.
Sheyan discovered that it wasn't that the ants weren't interested in the 'Stairway of the Sun' within the flower terrace. Instead, to them, the canal surrounding the flower terrace was simply like a natural moat. Once an ant dived in, it would instantly be cleanly corroded by the mysterious liquid.
Since the lethal poison had been cleansed, Sheyan took in a deep breath. He couldn't wait any longer, nor did he dare to wait any longer. Because time was mercilessly ticking away. Moreover, Mbenga wasn't clear how much time he could delay outside. To prevent any undue delay, he had to take the necessary risks.
He directly stepped onto the white skeletal pathway. Shockingly, the skulls beneath his feet were actually slightly soft. Sheyan didn't know what sort of method was employed, but these skulls that had endured thousands of years were still in a fresh and moist state after being stripped of skin and flesh.
Once Sheyan took action, he unhesitatingly strode towards the central Sun Altar. Dazzling sunlight shone down from the ceiling. Clear and bright, one could even see the floating dust particles in the air.
The riotous leaves of the 'Stairway of the Sun' gently swayed in the wind. They were faintly translucent, and one could even see the veins of the leaves were as distinct as human blood vessels. It was as though the veins of the leaves were brimming with nutrients being transported through the veins.
Sheyan took a deep breath, as his mind replayed Mbenga's drunken warning last night.
When plucking the 'Stairway of the Sun', one could only pluck the withered leaves. One had to act quickly and not touch the other branches or leaves. Otherwise, unknown consequences could occur.
But at this moment, Sheyan noticed that within the soil of the flowerbed, a cluster of light-blue rock protruded out. The texture and luster of this "stone" was very strange. It didn't look like something that should exist on Earth! His heart stirred as he observed carefully. Then, he actually found a few similar light blue "stone" fragments on the surrounding cave walls!
Instantly, a scene appeared before Sheyan's eyes. Thousands or tens of thousands of years ago, a meteor streaked across the skies of the African continent. This meteor was on the verge of burning up in the atmosphere, but before it reached the ground, it disintegrated and scattered. When the fragments fell down, it successfully shattered the ceiling of a concealed underground karst cave; opening up several large and small 'skylights' in this originally sealed karst cave. This was the reason why this cave ceiling displayed such a bizarre topography.
After the meteor disintegrated, the largest fragment smashed through the roof of the cave, and smashed into the cavern of this' Sun Altar '. Perhaps it was because this meteor carried a radiation wave never before seen on earth, which mutated the local plants. Or perhaps, the core of the meteor originally contained a seed of life. In addition to a unique environment with suitable light, heat and moisture, a plant never before seen on Earth flourished here …... but due to its extremely harsh environment, it couldn't reproduce in large quantities.
Many years later, a small tribe called Ndipaya coincidentally discovered this place. After a long period of exploration, they discovered a method to control the energy within this plant. Subsequently, they established a massive empire.... they believed that this plant concealed a hidden power bestowed by the Sun God. By obtaining that power, one could obtain a pathway to the Sun God. Hence, they named it the 'Stairway of the Sun'.
At this moment, Sheyan discovered that beside the main root of the 'Stairway of the Sun', there were actually several independent sprouts! The branches and leaves of the 'Stairway of the Sun' strangely assumed the shape of a womb. Presumably, the 'Stairway of the Sun' required reproduction to nurture the next generation. Moreover, it was in the form of viviparous reproduction!
However, to Sheyan's incomparable horror, most of these tender sprouts had withered and died. The cause of death was actually several tentacle-like roots extending out from their mother's stem, and tightly constricting them!
What a cruel and intelligent plant this was!!
It must have sensed that the environment, nutrients and moisture here were only sufficient for its own growth. If its sprouts were to reproduce, it would definitely snatch the limited resources suitable for its growth, and the mother plant would definitely die! Therefore, although this plant was instinctively reproducing, it didn't hesitate to strangle its own offspring in order to maintain its right to survival! What kind of indifference and cruelty was this?!
Witnessing such a scene, Sheyan's heart stirred. He immediately set his sights on the largest and most robust sprouts! Although the sprouts were tightly constricted by the mother plant's roots, the sprouts still stubbornly resisted even though its siblings had all withered and died. Using its branches to tenaciously support its own slim chance of survival. Such tenacity and stubbornness instantly stirred Sheyan's heart, and he immediately acted without hesitation.
A contestant's extraordinary personal ability was naturally incomparable to an ordinary person. Sheyan flipped his hand and directly snapped the fibrous root that was tightly constricting the sprouts. After pulling, he discovered that the fibrous root was actually indescribably tough, as though he was pulling on an iron wire. Nevertheless, when Sheyan exerted his strength, he still managed to snap the fibrous root. From the broken section of the fibrous root, a yellowish liquid sprayed out. It looked like the blood spurting out of a human's arm after being chopped off.
After snapping the fibrous root, Sheyan's palm ferociously plunged into the soft and moist soil. Then, he dug out the sprouts that were still alive and unscathed, and casually tossed them into the party storage. Following that, Sheyan also grabbed the fist-sized light-blue meteorite fragment, and turned to flee!
Sheyan's series of actions sounded complicated, but they were actually executed in a single breath like moving clouds and flowing water! He probably wasted less than two seconds.
When the main body of the 'Stairway of the Sun' sensed its tendrils being snapped off, it instantly entered a berserk state. Its thick stem trembled violently, sending soil flying in all directions. Then, like a man-eating flower, it viciously whipped towards Sheyan! Sheyan had already accomplished all his evil deeds. He didn't dare to resist the attack of this thing in the slightest. Instead, he hastily rolled away. A thought rapidly flashed through his mind.
"Should I consume the 'Stairway of the Sun' right now? No! Of course not! I have no interest in becoming a Licker or a Plaga Host. "
*****
Nevertheless, when Sheyan joyfully sprinted out of the Sun Altar's cavern, his pupils suddenly contracted. The berserk main body of the 'Stairway of the Sun' had obviously triggered some sort of mechanism! On Sheyan's left, a stone door that was densely covered in dust was currently creaking open! Inside, a wrinkled, stooped and dried-up figure trembled slightly, before slowly standing up! Dust kept rolling off its body, and it seemed to have accumulated for at least a few hundred years.
Sheyan breathed in deeply.
He knew, this was the final trial of not listening to Mbenga's advice and acting as he pleased.
Like a robot, that dried-up figure strolled out slowly. Faintly, one could see its grizzled hair, tattered overcoat and stooped body. Under the sunlight, its gums were exposed. Yellowed teeth, dried and blackened gums. Instead, one could observe the rigid muscles straining against its bones, as it maintained its marching strength.
Evidently, this was a Plaga Host that Sheyan had encountered before. Yet for some unknown reason, the Ndipaya barbarians actually allowed it to assume the role of a final line of defense!
"Ah ~ ~ ~ ~ ~"
That dried-up figure actually released a long sigh. Sheyan's facial muscles couldn't help but twitch once again!! This was his first time encountering a Plaga Host that could speak! Unknowingly, this figure should possess a certain level of intelligence …... which signified that Sheyan was about to face a bitter battle! A bitter battle on the brink of life and death!!
"How many years has it been since I last saw sunlight? A hundred years, two hundred years? How I yearn for the warmth of sunlight amidst the endless darkness! "
That figure actually raised its hand and roared loudly. As it did so, the dregs and tattered clothing on its body rustled and fell off. Even its exposed vertebrae were crackling. At this moment, it suddenly turned towards Sheyan, as it released a hysterical and frenzied roar.
"But! I yearn for that rich flesh, steaming intestines, a throbbing heart, a delightful and sweet taste of blood splattering everywhere with a single bite! " If you like this work, I welcome you to donate your recommendation votes or monthly votes to me. Your support, is my greatest motivation. "
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