Chapter 401: Tree Form
It was a pity that Matthew-Grayrock, hiding underground, couldn’t use Mental Perception type wizardry to probe the source of the tree roots, nor could he find the person who destroyed the tunnel to settle scores, all because he couldn’t use magic.
“Crack…”
As the tree roots continued to delve deeper, the tree trunk above ground also grew rapidly. In a short while, a massive Metasequoia tree, approximately thirty-five meters tall, with grayish-brown bark, a broadly rounded crown, and flat, feathery, velvety leaves, impressively appeared in the valley.
“A… tree?”
Looking at the giant tree that had risen from the ground, everyone’s gaze simultaneously turned towards Jia Na.
Compared to Louis Tor-Turan, who had transformed into an owl and led other participants, also transformed into bird-like magical beasts, to constantly search for the weak points of the hurricane in Stormwind Valley, Jia Na, who had transformed into a giant tree at this moment, seemed more like a “reckless” act of directly confronting the hurricane.
Not to mention, the hurricane currently in Stormwind Valley was not an ordinary hurricane, but a powerful hurricane controlled by Maguire-Storm, capable of targeted attacks. As expected, the moment Maguire-Storm saw Jia Na transform into a tree, his first reaction was one of disdain.
Immediately, Maguire-Storm directly manipulated the surrounding hurricane, wantonly blowing towards that “eyesore” of a tree, without any thought of pity or gentleness.
“Hmm?”
The strong winds howled, and as he watched Jia Na completely enveloped by the hurricane, Maguire-Storm couldn’t help but frown.
Contrary to his imagination, the strange tree formed by Jia Na was not only not blown down by the hurricane, but instead stood even more firmly rooted in the ground.
“Whoosh…”
Looking at the unmoving strange tree, Maguire-Storm, who had wasted a lot of time, also became a little impatient. Immediately after, he increased the sweeping force of the hurricane, holding nothing back.
“Crack…”
As the hurricane gradually intensified, the branches of the Metasequoia tree that Jia Na had transformed into began to show slight signs of breaking.
However, the Metasequoia tree’s nearly thirty-meter deep roots and its thick trunk prevented Jia Na, who had transformed into the tree form, from being shaken in the slightest by the hurricane. She directly withstood Maguire-Storm’s tricky encirclement from different angles.
“Facing a hurricane of this intensity, an ordinary tree would have been blown down long ago. But why is the tree Jia Na transformed into completely unaffected?”
A few minutes ago, when Gavin-Tuer learned that the second assessment of the Metamorphosis Trial required all participants to jointly face the harsh weather of a hurricane environment, she once again felt her heart clench for Jia Na.
In fact, not just this time, but when Gavin-Tuer saw that the first assessment of the Metamorphosis Trial required all participants to rely on their own abilities to forcefully break through the encirclement of insect swarms, Gavin-Tuer had already started worrying about Jia Na.
After all, during their interactions over the past few days, Gavin-Tuer had not only clearly understood Jia Na’s outstanding Metamorphosis talent but also gained some understanding of the Metamorphosis directions she excelled in.
What Jia Na was best at was undoubtedly transforming into various Plant-based creatures; anything else was relatively ordinary.
Especially in terms of flight, since there are not many Plant-based creatures with the ability to fly. Even the Thorn Flower Fairy, which has butterfly wings, can only be described as agile, and its flying speed cannot be called fast.
Therefore, when she saw Jia Na having to compete with a group of participants who excelled at transforming into bird-like magical beasts, Gavin-Tuer’s first reaction was to not be optimistic.
But fortunately, thanks to Jia Na’s quick wit, she cleverly hitched a “ride.” Not only did she not consume much magic, but she also became the first among the participants to reach the meditation formation.
And this result undoubtedly allowed Gavin-Tuer, whose nerves had been constantly tense, to let out a long sigh of relief.
However, when she learned that the second stage of the Metamorphosis Trial was to take place in a valley filled with hurricanes and other wind element disasters,
Gavin-Tuer’s heart, which she had just managed to relax, tightened up again.
As an observer from outside the arena, Gavin-Tuer, although unable to experience the harshness of the hurricane environment firsthand, her first thought was consistent with Louis Tor-Turan’s: to transform into a bird-like magical beast skilled in flight, break through the hurricane encirclement in one go, and seek refuge in a place without hurricanes.
However, what Gavin-Tuer did not expect was that Maguire-Storm, who possessed an A-rank Hurricane Affinity talent, would suddenly cause trouble on the spot, directly controlling the hurricane to surround the entire valley.
And facing such an utterly absurd situation, John Jones, as the host, did not declare a violation, but instead explained that Maguire-Storm’s actions were a normal application of the environment by a participant, in line with the rules of the Metamorphosis Trial.
For a time, Gavin-Tuer’s mood was both angry and helpless, just like the mountains around the Element Soul Wizard Gathering Place, rising and falling, unable to relax for a moment.
It wasn’t until Gavin-Tuer saw Jia Na transform into a strange tree that her heart leaped directly into her throat—
“She actually made it through!”
Looking at the tree that remained steadfast under the continuous impact of the hurricane, the emotions in Gavin-Tuer’s eyes transitioned from initial tension to shock, and now, she was inexplicably excited.
“Professor McGonagall, do you know what kind of tree Jia Na transformed into?”
Looking at the tree that still stood proudly on the screen, Gavin-Tuer finally couldn’t suppress her curiosity and asked Lily-Meg, who was beside her.
“It’s a Metasequoia tree.”
“Metasequoia tree?”
Hearing this unfamiliar tree species, a hint of confusion flashed in Gavin-Tuer’s eyes.
“It generally grows in the East Continent and is considered a relatively wind-resistant species.”
Considered… relatively wind-resistant?
Listening to Lily-Meg’s explanation, the corner of Gavin-Tuer’s mouth twitched slightly.
More than just relatively wind-resistant?
Up until now, the Metasequoia tree that Jia Na transformed into was like a rock growing out of the ground, no matter how the hurricane roared,
It hadn’t been shaken in the slightest—
Compared to Gavin-Tuer’s disbelief, Lily-Meg, sitting next to her, was much calmer.
After all, no one knew better than Lily-Meg how rigorous the special training Jia Na had undergone these past few days was.
Regardless of the hurricane environment within Stormwind Valley, even a tornado, after Jia Na transformed into a Metasequoia tree, she could completely endure it for half an hour. “Whoosh—”
The violent hurricane continued to rage in the valley, and Maguire-Storm, located at the center of the hurricane, looked at the strange tree nearby that was completely unaffected. Finally, his patience ran out.
“Jia Na-Roland—”
