Another spear burst from the ground, this one spinning like a drill. Damien ducked fluidly and twisted past it, his body moving with absurd precision.
A final wave of vines surged upward in a desperate flurry. Damien's hand snapped out.
And caught the largest one mid-lash.
The moment he touched it, it stopped moving.
The entire basin froze. The hum vanished. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Then Damien stepped forward and knelt beside the glowing plant.
He didn't hesitate.
He reached down and pulled it gently from the earth.
Its roots came free with no resistance, still shimmering. The soil around it shimmered with faint motes of heat.
Damien examined it for a moment.
Then he popped the entire thing into his mouth.
Blackie let out a shocked gasp. "You… wait! That's a Supreme Starstone Lily! You can't just consume it raw!"
Hei Tian looked like someone had slapped his soul. His voice cracked.
