Chapter 2042: Evolving From Abyssal Myconid Into...

Elayne carefully analyzed her available evolution paths. Abyssal Myconid Queen seemed like a clear and simple evolution of her already existing Abyssal Myconid Race. She guessed it could allow her to create even more spores and perhaps command them more effectively. The word "queen" might also imply the power to create something like a swarm or a proper hive. Then there was Withering Vampiric Treant, which looked quite interesting. Could it be related to her previous treant evolution option, the Blood Treant? Elayne was not completely sure, but she knew the two could share similarities.

The term "Vampiric" implied she might gain the ability to drain energy and life force in interesting new ways. Lastly, Ashen Desert Dryad was the most intriguing option of all. It was yet another Dryad path, this time connected to a desert of ashes. She had heard of that harsh region from Granny Yaga before and felt genuinely curious about it. Her previous Dryad evolution option had been Cursed Dryad. Could these two be related in any way, similar to how she had once received evolution choices for other zombie races she never selected? Perhaps, or perhaps not.

"For now, I should see their full details."

[Abyssal Myconid Queen – Tier 3]

The evolution of the Abyssal Myconid that is both female and has gathered a large amount of mushroom-type subjects that do her bidding. Abyssal Myconid Queens are powerful, large, and defensively tough beings that mostly inhabit the deep dark caves of the Netherworld, governing small hives of Abyssal Myconid that do their bidding. They drain moisture and life force from the environment and their enemies through mycelial roots, but are usually fed by their servants and children, who bring her fresh prey to absorb with her roots or eat whole with her giant, sharp toothed jaws that run across their graceful, voluptuous bodies to deceive others.

Unlike her children who are known for being silent and stealthy, blending perfectly with the darkness while possessing frail bodies, the Queen is not so stealthy, relying on numbers and her large body and defensive and regenerative abilities, alongside her powerful shadow magic.

[Withering Vampiric Treant – Tier 3]

The evolution of the Blood Treant. A tall, powerful, and imposing tree monster that roams the lands, causing havoc and destruction, even more evolved now, it has learned the ability to drain the lifeforce out of their prey. Its sharp branches and roots drain the blood of enemies to fuel its growth, while its hard bark offers strong defense against most non-magical and non-fire attacks.

Their low intelligence is gone, now becoming incredibly smart, calculative and vile in nature. Their weakness against fire is even greater now, but they compensate with their Blood Magic, and the ability to convert blood they absorb into Blood Fruits that, once eaten by someone, can either make a new Vampiric Treant offspring grow from their bodies, or turn them into Vampiric Dryad Servants to do their bidding.

[Ashen Desert Dryad – Tier 3]

The evolution of the Cursed Dryad. Ashen Desert Dryads, unlike the Cursed Dryads who are born from cursed forests where monstrous plants thrive, have evolved from the harshest ashen deserts, combining both Bone Cactuses and Dry Ashen Tree Colonies within their powerful bodies. But just like their predecessors, they are constantly roaming their territories, spreading roots and devouring everything in sight. They have both high defense, mobility, and intelligence.

But unlike their Cursed Dryads counterparts that cannot leave their territory once they settle, they are capable of freely leaving anywhere they decide, developing such survival abilities from a harsh life in the ashen deserts, the most arid deserts in the entire universe.

"Hard to choose again! They all sound strong and cool..." Elayne sighed, staring at the three glowing options while narrowing her eyes. "Ah, what do I do, Gardenia?"

"Hmm, they do sound great! And this is more my area of expertise... Myconid Queen, meh, don’t go for this one Elayne," Gardenia said quickly. "You gotta stay quick and nimble. Don’t choose bulky evolutions... Vampiric Treant though? Wow, this one’s kinda fun! And you can create your own Vampiric Dryads?! Isn’t this too broken? Also you’ll return to becoming a tree... Isn’t this what you wanted?"

"I-I don’t know. It sounds very evil," Elayne admitted with clear hesitation.

"Meh, as long as you don’t eat the soul it’s fine, right?" Gardenia wondered. "And this third option is... huh, an all-rounder! Not bad but... meh, if you can create Dryads, isn’t that better than becoming just one?"

"Hm..." Elayne nodded slowly. "I-I guess... I guess so..."

Elayne swallowed hard for a moment. After thinking it over carefully, although not for quite as long as her previous difficult choice, she finally made her decision.

Ding!

[You have chosen the Evolution Option: [Withering Vampiric Treant – Tier 3]!]

[Evolution has begun.]

FLUOSH!

CRACK, CRACK...!

CRACKLE!

RUMBLE!

"Uwaaah?!"

Elayne watched in shock as her arms and legs suddenly grew hard black bark. The bark extended and spread everywhere, creating thick branches and long roots. Her entire body became covered in the same dark wood, stretching higher and higher. Her mushroom cap disappeared and was replaced by a pair of sharp wooden antlers of pure black color.

Crimson red leaves began to grow from her black bark. The transformation forced her to break open her precious house as she rapidly expanded, revealing to the entire village that she had become a massive ten-meter-tall black tree.

Undead of all shapes and sizes gazed at her in pure awe. The skeletons dropped their jaws to the floor. Zombies lost their minds for a second, their arms falling off before they hurriedly reattached them. Her close friends stared in complete astonishment.

"E-Elayne?!" Mark ran toward her in panic. "W-What happened? You... you became a tree?"

"Wow... this is incredible...!" Blank said. "I cannot believe it; she can turn into a tree at will? Was this something she could always do, Mark?"

"She was a tree before, somewhat," Mark said. "Though never a pure tree, more like she just could evolve into one temporarily- no, transform into one- Ah! It doesn’t matter, let’s see her."

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