Miyashiro's words were very blunt and hit Nahida's and Apep's hidden thoughts, immediately plunging the scene into an eerie silence.
Nahida had long known of Apep's existence, but Apep posed no threat to Sumeru. During the Archon War, neither King Deshret nor the Flower God had any interest in this Geo Dragon Sovereign. Sumeru was a vast place, and since Apep didn't demand much, giving him a small corner to reside in was not an issue.
However, this was only true while he was alive. If he were to die in Sumeru, it would be an unprovoked disaster for Sumeru.
Therefore, when Greater Lord Rukkhadevata realized that Apep might also be corroded by forbidden knowledge, she made it a top priority. She then spent a great deal of effort creating the 'Kindling' that could simulate the operation of the Oasis Core, which was eventually received by Lesser Lord Kusanali's memories.
Furthermore, compared to other high-profile second or even third-generation elemental dragons, as the first-generation Dendro Dragon, he had always worried that his public appearance on the Teyvat continent would attract the attention of the Heavenly Principles, leading to his merciless execution. Thus, for many years, he had adhered to the philosophy of developing cautiously.
For thousands of years, the Dendro Dragon Apep had never appeared in human historical records. Even the Logic School scholars of the Akademiya, who were proficient in history, did not know that a first-generation Dendro Dragon still existed within Sumeru.
For Apep, he naturally knew that given his current state, he wouldn't last much longer. Looking back on his life, nearly ten thousand years of his existence had been defined by forbearance. If Apep had been an ancient dragon who chose to simply lie flat, that would be another matter.
But he was a first-generation Dendro Dragon who constantly thought about taking revenge on the Heavenly Principles. If he were to endure for thousands of years only to die without ever exacting his revenge, he would naturally be unwilling.
Thinking of this, Apep's attitude softened slightly, but he still stubbornly said, "Hmph! I've already sensed it. You're carrying the [Kindling], aren't you? Even so, I'll tell you clearly: even if you cure me, I won't be grateful. On the contrary, you will pay the price for your actions!"
Miyashiro picked his ear and said, "Yes, yes, yes. Then quickly open up the world inside you and let us go to where your Oasis Core is."
Apep hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to open his massive maw. A sand-yellow gate suddenly appeared in Apep's mouth.
Miyashiro subconsciously covered his nose and mouth, saying with a look of disgust, "It's actually in your mouth. But it seems there's nothing wrong with that. You won't swallow us whole after we go in, will you?"
Apep said angrily, "Enough with the nonsense. Go in or don't. If you don't, I'll die in Sumeru right here and now!"
Miyashiro: "Heh, quite a temper!"
Despite his words, Miyashiro still chose to follow Nahida into the dragon's mouth. As for Azhdaha, he chose to stay outside and guard. Azhdaha, the Geo Dragon Sovereign, wouldn't do something so disgusting as entering the body of a Dendro Dragon Sovereign.
After a brief moment of dizziness, Miyashiro and Nahida arrived in a vast, yellowish-green space. Yellowish-green is inherently a color of desolation, and upon entering this space, Miyashiro and Nahida frowned.
It seemed Apep's condition was much worse than they had imagined. The Dragon of Life, which should represent vitality, had an internal space filled with a sense of desolation and death.
In this situation, if Apep were to die, it might not lead to the scenario Miyashiro had previously described. Instead, it would go to the other extreme: all vegetation in the rainforest region would wither, and Sumeru would become a barren desert.
Neither of these outcomes was something Nahida or Miyashiro wanted to see. It seemed the mission to save Apep was now urgent.
Miyashiro and Nahida exchanged glances, then walked together towards the center of the yellowish-green space. At the very top of the space, a [Heart] that had lost its luster was congealed.
Miyashiro: "Is this Apep's Oasis Core? It feels completely incomparable to a Gnosis; it's not delicate at all."
Nahida glared at Miyashiro and said grumpily, "The Gnosis is a creation of the Heavenly Principles, naturally exquisite and unparalleled. The Oasis Core, however, is both Apep's source of power and his heart as a living being.
If we illuminate the Oasis Core with the Kindling, Apep will be able to receive a continuous supply of Dendro elemental power, just like Azhdaha. The damaged parts inside him will gradually repair, and he will regain his health."
Miyashiro said with some concern, "If that's the case, then did we go too hard on Apep just now? If he really attacks us after recovering his health, the intensity and ferocity of the battle will increase by a notch."
Nahida: "Apep's injuries won't heal overnight. Even after the Oasis Core is lit, he'll likely need a long time to recuperate. Besides, I have no other choice."
With that, Nahida took out the Kindling and aimed it at the nearly withered Oasis Core in the air. A pure Dendro elemental power, guided by Nahida, slowly flowed into the Oasis Core. The next moment, the entire space trembled violently.
A colossal creature hidden beneath the ground silently swam towards Nahida, attempting to interrupt her channeling process.
Seeing this, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Miyashiro's eyes. A massive Susanoo right arm suddenly appeared behind Miyashiro. With lightning speed, it directly pulled the infected and mutated giant monster out and then violently flung it away.
After seeing the monster's appearance, Miyashiro subconsciously let out a mocking remark: "Oasis Watcher? It really looks like a jar of pickled cabbage."
The monster, shaped like pickled cabbage, naturally didn't understand Miyashiro's mockery. It continued to ignore everything, intent on eliminating Miyashiro and Nahida, the two invaders.
At the same time, amidst the monster's roar, countless bizarre elemental life forms emerged from underground, surrounding Miyashiro and Nahida. They were identical to the elemental life forms that had previously climbed onto Azhdaha's feet, containing an ominous energy within them.
Miyashiro's face immediately darkened. It seemed that in the years since Apep was afflicted, countless of his offspring had transformed into this strange appearance.
Apep, the dragon representing the genesis of life, had now become a breeding ground for monsters. He wondered how many monsters had been born within Apep's body over thousands of years.
Thinking of this, Miyashiro looked back at Nahida, who was diligently channeling the power of the Kindling into the Oasis Core. She seemed oblivious to her current predicament, as if she had complete confidence in Miyashiro.
Miyashiro couldn't help but smile at this. Since Nahida had such confidence in him, he couldn't let her down. Behind Miyashiro, a four-armed, half-body Susanoo instantly appeared. Not only did it shield Nahida, but each of its arms held a Chakra blade more than ten meters long.
Miyashiro murmured, "With so many elemental life forms here, I wonder if I can have some fun?"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"