[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-advent-of-the-three-calamities":3,"chapter-advent-of-the-three-calamities-advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-514":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Advent of the Three Calamities",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},758999,1005,"Chapter 514: Bloom [4]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-514",514,"\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're putting in more of a struggle than I thought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphina's lips pulled upwards as she noticed the tree still resisting her. Although there were\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>several dozen threads connected to the tree, it had still not fully submitted to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still resisting her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flicking her head back to stare in the direction of the walls of the distant city, she nodded faintly and pressed her hand against the bark of the tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shouldn't delay this for any longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana around her started to agglomerate rapidly and an intense pressure suddenly burst out of her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In order for everything to flow smoothly, she needed to take complete control of the tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was nearly there but was just missing the last piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop struggling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Treads appeared all around, and her mind focused on one particular spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towards where an owl-like figure stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I see you.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if noticing her, the owl's eyes flicked open, but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time it reacted, the treads connected with its body and right after, several roots appeared from out of nowhere, binding its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've got you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing, Seraphina squeezed the bark of the tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roots continued to bind the owl and Seraphina felt her control over the tree start to increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While this happened, the owl tried to resist but it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop struggling, it's over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voom-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand glowed even further, and the owl's struggles grew more strained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no escaping her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifting her head, Seraphina noticed a faint red leaf drop over her. Another, and then another soon followed the leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, more and more leaves started falling from the tree, exposing its bare body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphina stared at the sight with a blank look before smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like you're finally giving up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The loss of the leaves only meant one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree's consciousness was about to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could no longer resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then thought about her son who was within the tree and licked her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she was done taking over the tree, he was next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Just wait a little bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voom-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana around her spiraled further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did it mean to exist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's no real answer to the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All living beings have different purposes and aspirations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some, the answer was simple; survival and reproduction. This usually applied to the less conscious beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what about those who had higher thoughts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the reason for their existence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was their answer something as simple as; survival and reproduction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it wasn't something as trivial as that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was more to their existence than that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty understood that. Having seen all sorts of memories, it understood that concept, but the more Owl-Mighty saw, the more confused it became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its primal thoughts centered on \"growth, survival, and reproduction.\" However, as Owl- Mighty's consciousness expanded, it began to sense that these instincts were no longer\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more it awakened to its own awareness, the deeper its longing grew for something beyond mere existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It yearned for a purpose that transcended the basic cycle of life, driven by a newfound sense of curiosity and the desire for understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why do I exist...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question haunted it throughout its entire life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wanted to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wanted to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...And for that reason, it did something it never did before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leave its own body in search of an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty watched and observed everything, trying to decipher the answer. It wanted to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was desperate to know, and it came close to an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Julien, Owl-Mighty felt like it had grasped something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was closer than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squelch, squelch~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing its own roots dig at it, Owl-Mighty felt trapped. Despite its best attempts at resisting,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roots were too strong, binding its body down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No, not yet...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty continued to resist, but it was no use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its own body was rejecting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No, stop...' Owl-Mighty pecked at the nearest root with its beak, but it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>... It wasn't able to do a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unfamiliar feeling started to rise within Owl-Mighty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an unpleasant feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that wasn't so unfamiliar upon thinking about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this feeling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like you're frustrated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came in the form of a familiar voice. Raising its head, Owl-Mighty locked eyes\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with a pair of deep hazel eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Human...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty looked around, and as expected, it noticed the roots around it stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You should leave before its-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squelch, squelch! Before Owl-Mighty could even get its words out, several roots sprouted beneath Julien who\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>pressed his foot down and avoided the roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by a hair's breadth, he managed to avoid the roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was merely the start. Right as he dodged the first roots, even more roots appeared\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>from behind him, twirling in the air like snakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though he had eyes at the back of his head, Julien remained calm and merely snapped his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dissected into a dozen pieces before falling to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hooo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Air flowed out of Julien's mouth as his brows furrowed tightly. Things were far from over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down, up, and to his sides, roots appeared everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, he continued to put up a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His struggle made Owl-Mighty question his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why do you keep resisting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point resisting anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty was a mere minutes away from being absorbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, Julien would succumb as well. And even if he did try to run now, that woman would\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>be waiting for him outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's over, stop resisting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiu, Xiu-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Julien continued to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty had seen him act like this in the past, during the time when they first met the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>stupid dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the first time Owl-Mighty had truly been impressed by the human, and what sparked\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his curiosity but at the same time made him question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why do you struggle under certain death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overhearing Owl-Mighty's question, Julien tilted his head to the side, wincing as a root\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>grazed past his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien had many answers, but after a while, one truly stood out from the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because I've already died once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>11?1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoo...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ducking down, Julien's muscles bulged and his eyes turned red. He brought his fist forward\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and punched the roots headed his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I used to live for the sake of my brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relaxing his back, Julien's eyes grew sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had no one else but him. He was the reason I lived. It used to be even after death, but that's\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>different now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Different?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've learned to stop living in the fear of living. I've now started to live, and lose the feeling of\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>just existing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lose the feeling of just existing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something tingled within Owl-Mighty's chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could the human mean by this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien's leg tensed, and his figure blurred, appearing a few meters away. His face grew a little\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>pale as he raised his hand, and purple hands burst out from the ground, grasping onto the many roots headed his way like a tsunami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you find it odd how so many versions of me exist in this world? To Leon.. Haa... I may\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>be an annoying master who isn't even their real master. An annoying person in general.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien's face turned a little paler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To you, I may be a simple tool designed to help you understand emotions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping back, the roots before Julien slowed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some see me as this cold and indifferent being that they can't touch or ever hope to catch up\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to while others see me as an arrogant guy who was born with a silver spoon and blessed with\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>talent.\" Pausing, Julien flicked his wrist and the roots all dissected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But are these versions of me the real me?\" Owl-Mighty thought for a moment before shaking its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They aren't.\" \"Right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're just pieces and fragments shaped by the way people perceive me through the little\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>interactions that they've had with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They weren't really him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the culmination of all those fragments the real me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if someone's impression of him was way off the mark?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would that fragment count?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Or is the real me the me that I myself perceive?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty stood blankly, unable to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't think that's it either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My judgment is flawed, biased, and so are the fragments of what others see me as.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he spoke, the more his words resonated with the owl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am undefinable...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not defined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And that's what makes me exist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pausing once more, Julien looked directly at the owl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I exist solely based on the choices I make, the paths that I take, and the emotions that I\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>feel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to be happy, but cling to the things that make me sad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I forget all the pain, make it go away, I'll be happy. I can do it. I have the power to do it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....But I can't forget.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am who I am because of the pain I endured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am who I am because of my experiences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am who I am because of the pain I endured? I am who I am because of my experiences?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty felt its chest stir further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifting its head up, Owl-Mighty's eyes widened as it saw a root latch onto Julien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien tried to resist, but it was no use. The moment his moves slowed, even more roots\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>appeared, clinging onto him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, looks like they got me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>... And yet, in spite of the situation, he continued to speak, his eyes never faltering away from\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the owl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From the moment you stopped being a tree and started to question your own existence, you\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>started to forge an identity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty opened its beak in an attempt to say, 'Stop speaking. Focus on yourself,' but the words never left its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien's words felt entrancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You stopped being defined and became undefined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All it could hear was Julien's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You stopped being a simple tree with red leaves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monster...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You started making your own choices, started to take new paths, and started to feel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>emotions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty's chest continued to stir, and something within his mind snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're existing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm existing? \"Within your mind, you exist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To me, you exist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that's enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'....'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty met Julien's eyes. \"Bloom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make your existence known to others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bloom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Create the little fragments that define you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bloom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop asking, start being.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien paused and looked directly at Owl-Mighty whose gaze seemed so intently focused on\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>him. With a thin smile, Julien's lips parted one last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bloom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't give up on existing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...And a brief silence fell shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a silence that merely lasted for a few seconds before Owl-Mighty closed its eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A change occurred from that point forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Be it Seraphina, or the people within the city. \"What's going on?\" Everyone noticed the changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is happening?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to not notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, on that day, a tree bloomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a tall tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very tall tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that seemed to touch the sky and the minds of everyone present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On that day, fragments were created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On that day...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Owl-Mighty started to truly exist.\u003C\u002Fp>",1924,"2026-06-02T12:41:15.308Z",1,"novelbin.me","662a17732695a3f1f9e68c009d9b3daf7908944c1bd4238991d5c8024d0510cd","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-515","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-513",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]