The climb toward the Apex turned into a war the moment they stepped onto the Mid-Canopy.
The Heart-Tree groaned above them, its branches shuddering as the Resonating Spike pulsed faster, sending violet cracks rippling through the bark like veins of disease. The air grew thick, heavy with the scent of decay and something else — something that felt like the forest screaming.
Lin Tian led the group up a spiraling bridge of woven roots, his Domain extended just enough to sense the corruption spreading through the wood around them.
"The Spike is accelerating the Blight," he said, voice tight. "If we don't reach it soon, the entire Heart-Tree will collapse."
Xueya walked close behind him, her frost aura already spreading across the bridge, freezing the violet cracks in place and slowing their advance.
"Then we move faster."
"Easier said than done," Su Lan muttered, her flames flickering at her fingertips as she kept watch on their flanks.
The bridge shuddered.
