Chapter 420: Runes and the Revelation of the Wanlian Main Network Tree
With a somber rumble deep underground, the earth trembled violently.
BOOM! The ground shook as an explosive force shattered the root network beneath.
Nearby facilities, requiring constant energy, slowly sputtered to a stop.
Beneath the Wanlian Main Network Tree lay a colossal subterranean project, an energy conversion site.
This was a vast, self-sustaining stability station for energy, needing only yearly maintenance. Over time, it had become the dedicated power supply for the Wanlian Main Network Tree, its converted energy barely sufficient for the tree’s normal operation.
As technology advanced and energy conversion techniques evolved, this facility now generated enough energy to support the Wanlian Main Network Tree’s operations and even contributed to Lanas University and surrounding public utilities.
When that explosion rattled the area, the once-bright roads plunged into darkness. Despite fewer people on the streets, accidents skyrocketed in the dark.
The network damage also resulted in numerous plant network access issues. This unexpected event severely impacted the Wanlian Main Network Tree.
With the main node affected, other Wanlian Main Network Trees worldwide felt the hit. While they weren’t fully destroyed, delays and data lags ensued.
Amidst the chaos, the plant network defenders panicked. They rapidly checked equipment, knowing this wasn’t something they could fix.
Their focus was ensuring the Wanlian Main Network Tree wouldn’t suffer irreversible damage in the energy shortage. Meanwhile, they initiated contingency plans.
They prayed that the repair team would swiftly solve the problem; otherwise, they couldn’t do much.
After all, they were maintenance staff, not energy conversion experts. They hadn’t been trained for such attacks on the Wanlian Main Network Tree.
Diggers avoided action too. Even if they dared earlier, they were mere nuisances, needing no intervention.
The temporary repair squad also lacked the expertise for extensive repairs; they tackled minor issues.
Suddenly, their vulnerabilities were exposed, leaving no room for recovery.
Outside, alarms wailed while inside, these defenders grew increasingly anxious.
News spread quickly to important figures in this small world. Regardless of their current activities—whether meetings, sleepy naps—they had to address this issue.
After all, no matter what, the Wanlian Main Network Tree was their civilization’s foundation. Ignoring it couldn’t be an option.
…
“d*mn, my function isn’t considered essential? You guys are just jettisoning me like that? Writing my report?” complained a middle-aged woman in a Wanlian Main Network Tree maintenance uniform, albeit with nimble hands despite her complaints.
Floating on the surface of the Wanlian Main Network Tree structure, a screen displayed clear windows showing various metrics.
Then, a figure inexplicably appeared. Special identification systems activated.
“Detecting a foreign individual, starting facial recognition…”
“Who?” With the sudden voice, the woman whipped around, puzzled.
Only her standing there, but then she saw a smiling girl before her eyes. Before she could react, two spells instantly immobilized her.
“Silence curse, binding.”
I casually cast these spells, then used small mirror spells to cover everything. If I had invisibility spells, this wouldn’t be necessary.
But mirror spells sufficed for now. Once I withdrew them, I transformed into the woman.
“Identification successful. Ms. Huihan…”
True Huihan, now immobilized, could not speak. She stared bewildered at the clone resembling herself, disbelief and fear clouding her thoughts.
Ignoring her thoughts, I removed her uniform and put it on myself. Though it was slightly oversized, it did the trick.
“Thanks, borrowing your identity,” I said with a smile, checking her belongings. But despair clouded Huihan’s eyes. She wondered who I was and how I got in, surely not part of internal staff.
Now bearing Huihan’s identity, I approached the control screens. Though unfamiliar, basic operation sufficed after some trial and error.
Upon observing, the equipment here excelled beyond anything I’d assembled back then since it’s part of the Wanlian Main Network Tree architecture.
The tree itself was like a hollow house with intricate inner workings, partially artificial. Someone clearly operated it just moments ago, but I didn’t care.
Now within the tree, I sensed a colossal torrent of information flowing through it. This immense processing capacity surprised me. Perhaps the Wanlian Main Network Tree naturally possessed it.
…
Meanwhile, plant network maintainers remained clueless. The Wanlian Main Network Tree completely escaped their reach. They watched golden networks emerge from the ground, branches, overhead.
All manually controlled parts reacted as though rejected by the tree. These networks unraveled, extending the main tree’s branches, akin to sapling sprouting from seed. These extensions defied human modifications.
Everything unfolded so abruptly, leaving many unable to react. The tree “healed” internally, rejecting artificial structures and reverting naturally.
Golden networks surfaced, intertwining in a natural rhythm.
Maintainers either were ejected or integrated forever, serving as minor nutrients.
Outside, emergency responders froze, unaware why the Wanlian Main Network Tree had mutated violently.
Such bizarre networks reached across the entire world’s surface, spreading rapidly.
Areas connected by these networks faced severe malfunctions, rendering the plant network inaccessible.
This trend spread from night to day halves. Countries relying heavily on network usage faced sudden disruption.
This chaos stemmed from one tiny rune causing ripples across the globe. Like a pebble in a pond, shockwaves rippled outward.
Without satellite technology, plant network coverage allowed for global communications. Its failure rendered global interactions impossible.
It was unimaginable that the world could undergo such events!
Even if the main Wanlian Main Network Tree was destroyed, widespread disruptions would still cause minimal downtime. But, the magnitude of this disaster surprised everyone.
No one could destroy so many trees unnoticed. To ensure safety, many trees hid, far exceeding public numbers. Previous world conflicts relied on other methods, not Wanlian Main Network Trees.
Important officials considered recent attacks on Lanas Island’s main tree indifferently, but acted worried.
True, Lanas Island was critical, but over time it drifted to the periphery. Without unique education methods, it’d fall behind.
Inside the Wanlian Main Network Tree:
“Yes… yes! This is it… So this was it!”
Emotions ran high, nearly out of control. I took a deep breath.
“This is incredible! No one could’ve imagined such success!”
The journey here was solitary, yet exhilarating.
Thanking the clever minds behind this world for saving steps, I now controlled the Wanlian Main Network Tree via the rune.
Previously bound by ritual, the rune formed its own “natural” pattern using Wanlian’s extension.
Just like my experience in the Fool Village, where meditation tech built by the Academy Head was involved. Now, the world’s builders contributed.
But they missed something crucial, which I completed. Here, at the heart of the tree, I can manipulate it anywhere.
My role is energy supply. Current reserves were strained, demanding constant replenishment.
I needed to understand my role through the tree’s AI—assistance AI designed to manage tree details.
Inside the AI, I discovered its true nature. Beyond mere programs, it controlled vast data flows.
But, was controlling the Wanlian Main Network Tree my main goal? Not exactly.
Grasping this world’s core intrigued me. Using the Wanlian Main Network Tree as a base, combined with my newly inspired rune, I created a powerful model tied to Extraordinary Knowledge!
Natural symbols formed by the tree’s extension exemplified my rune’s power. Halfway into a new phase, I could spend lifetimes perfecting it.
Perhaps inspecting other trees might reveal more secrets, leading to complete mastery!
