Evolution begins with an ant colony

Chapter 148 An Explosive Battle

As the guardians closed in on the colossal ancient tree, their collective gazes fixated on its swirling roots. Arriving just before the menacing creature, they executed a well-coordinated maneuver, each approaching the mammoth tree from a different angle.

Ember took the initiative, thrusting his left fist forward to intercept an incoming root, then promptly alternating with his right, maintaining a relentless flurry of blows. He swiftly realized the roots were quickening their pace. "Wait, its speed is increasing," Ember pondered inwardly.

"At this rate, I'll have to shift to evasion." Resolving to adapt, he began to deftly sidestep several of the tree's attacks. As he leaned to the left, a colossal root crashed down with a mighty sweep, gouging a substantial crater into the ground. He couldn't help but notice that the weight and impact of the tree's assaults were mounting—a perilous escalation that warranted vigilant consideration.

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"Its attacks are getting heavier," Ember deduced, keenly assessing the evolving situation.

In that fleeting moment of Ember's distraction, another colossal root loomed ominously above him, casting a sudden shadow over the battlefield. Sensing the impending threat, he instinctively tilted his head upward, locking eyes on the plummeting root just in the nick of time. Reacting with astonishing swiftness, he raised both his hands in a determined attempt to intercept the colossal assault.

With a thunderous impact, the massive root landed squarely on Ember's upheld arms, unleashing a monumental force that sent shockwaves throughout the area. The sheer strength of the blow not only gouged a deep crater in the earth beneath but also left Ember pinned beneath the colossal root, gritting his teeth and summoning every ounce of his resolve to prevent it from crushing him.

His strength shone through as he held the root at bay, defying its overwhelming weight.

As the colossal root continued to press down relentlessly on Ember, the very ground beneath him began to yield to the immense force, sinking and crumbling. His veins bulged and muscles strained, clearly visible as he gritted his teeth and held on with every ounce of his strength. In that perilous moment, Ember realized the direness of his situation as other roots crept closer, ready to attack.

"This is bad," he muttered inwardly, the weight and pressure bearing down upon him becoming increasingly unbearable. "I'm sitting ducks here," Ember concluded with growing urgency, his limbs occupied and engaged in this grueling struggle. "I have to get this root off me, and quickly," he added, a surge of resolve propelling him to action.

"Aghhhhhh!" resounding battle cry erupted from Ember as he initiated his daring plan. In an instant, he activated his unique skill, and his entire form was engulfed in roaring flames. The fire not only transformed his appearance but also ignited his agility and power, granting him a burst of explosive strength.

With an abrupt and violent motion, Ember tilted his hands with electrifying speed, using his newfound vigor to tear the massive root away from his body through sheer force alone. The detached root was flung aside, no longer a threat.

Swiftly, he turned his attention to the other roots that had been closing in for an attack. These unfortunate appendages met a fiery end at his touch, incinerated in moments. The attacks from the roots temporarily paused, giving Ember a moment to regroup.

Taking on a resolute battle stance, he declared, "Now, let's try this again." Ember was ready to face the colossal tree once more, his flames left scorches benith his feet.

Suddenly the earth began trembling, multiple other large roots emerged, looming menacingly over Ember. His gaze sharpened as the several roots began their attack. One of them came in a swift sweeping motion, and Ember moved backward, skillfully evading the attack. Another root descended at an acute angle to his left, and Ember swiftly lifted the back of his left hand to parry the assault.

With his explosive speed, Ember created some distance between himself and the massive roots. The force of his movement left a substantial crater in the ground where he had been standing.

The large roots shot forward with astonishing speed toward Ember.

With a mighty battle cry, Ember charged forward once more, he shockwaves form his movement left a huge crater behith his feet. As he punched the approaching roots, they were instantly incinerated, the sounds of his punches echowed throughout the battlefield. Another root attempted to strike from directly above, but Ember quickly noticed this threat.

He leaped into the air and initiated a roundhouse kick, the shockwaves form his kick shattered all the glasses of the homes nearby, his body enveloped in his own flames. The powerful kick connected with the root, reducing it to ashes.

However, the roots seemed to realize that Ember was vulnerable in the air. Multiple roots lunged toward him with astonishing speed that seemed to brake the sound barrier. Ember, observing their approach, defiantly declared, "Don't underestimate me!" Suddenly, the flames surrounding his body expanded, their heat intensified, growing larger and more intense.

The approaching roots began to burn even before they could make contact with him.

Suddenly, as Ember landed back on the ground, multiple smaller roots emerged from the earth, swiftly wrapping around him and holding him in place. Ember anticipated his flames would instantly incinerate them, but to his surprise, these roots refused to burn. "They aren't burning," Ember mumbled in astonishment.

He took a closer look and noted, "Wait, these roots seem different." Although smaller than the previous roots, these new ones were coated in a dark reddish substance that defied Ember's fiery touch, showing no sign of burning anytime soon.

Ember exerted all his strength, causing some of the roots to snap and granting him a degree of freedom. However, the moment he freed himself, multiple others emerged, entangling him even further and placing him at a more significant disadvantage than before. "What? There's more," Ember mumbled in disbelief.

He clenched his jaw and declared, "I'll just have to break all of them, then." Ember continued his relentless struggle, trying to use sheer strength to shatter the roots. Some did break, but each time he succeeded, more roots sprouted in their place, until he reached a point where his entire body was ensnared, leaving only his face exposed.