Chapter 103: The Calamity of the Blood-Red Tree

Chen Qi stepped back, his gaze fixed on the ever-spreading crimson moss. Though the moss visibly grew before his eyes, to him, its pace was not swift.

A highlighted text suddenly popped up in the New Day game interface:

“The red moss tempts you.”

“Lantern phase triggered! In this subterranean world, this seemingly alluring moss has no effect on you.”

“Hmm?” Chen Qi was momentarily taken aback, then another line appeared:

“Venus Identification: You are currently within a calamity—the Blood-Red Moss.”

“Calamity Name: Blood-Red Moss.

Calamity Level: Level 5, Wind tier.

Type: Plant-based.

Description: Come, consume us, and we shall grow together, stepping toward eternity as one.

The Blood-Red Moss is seductive, luring others to ingest it while simultaneously devouring other normal plants.

When a creature consumes a sufficient amount of Blood-Red Moss, their constitution increases by 20%, their spiritual flow becomes more fluid, and the weaker traits gradually transform into cup traits (if already cup traits, their values increase).

However, as a price, there is a certain chance of falling into madness and experiencing a ravenous appetite after consumption.

Moreover, if the Blood-Red Moss is connected to a great tree, those who ingest the moss instinctively protect the tree. Should the tree that produces the moss disappear, the body suffers severe gangrene and immense mental trauma.”

Encountering a calamity in reality...

This was Chen Qi’s second time facing a calamity outside the game, but clearly, it was on a different scale than the shadow beast he had met before.

Wind tier, huh...

Chen Qi pondered briefly.

At present, calamities on Earth were significantly weaker than those in New City—almost an entire tier below similar calamities there.

To Chen Qi, the mental influence of this blood-red moss was negligible.

After all, he was a seasoned runner of the Lightless Abyss in the game; a mere Wind-tier calamity's mental effects posed no threat to him.

He turned back to the text. Since this calamity had manifested here, it meant these Kin-Eaters players likely had consumed the Blood-Red Moss.

Coupled with what he had previously read in the Kin-Eater’s Calamity tome, Chen Qi roughly deduced what lay beyond that bookshelf.

To avoid detection, he instructed White Dove to monitor the area, then withdrew and concealed himself.

He then summoned the Traveler’s Box and retrieved the “Kin-Eater’s Calamity” book.

This time, they were on the offensive, armed with more intelligence.

The Kin-Eater’s Calamity book recorded numerous cup-trait calamities, and the Blood-Red Moss was among them.

Although Venus’s identification provided calamity info, it was far from comprehensive.

The tome compiled by the Disaster Messengers through years of experience detailed much more.

Flipping to page fifty-three, Chen Qi read:

At present, it was highly likely that behind this moss lay the “Red Ant Moss Great Tree.”

Blood-Red Moss typically thrived in cold, subterranean environments; its appearance was no coincidence but closely tied to the cup-trait calamity, the Red Ant Moss Great Tree.

The Red Ant Moss Great Tree was an advanced calamity of the Blood-Red Moss, at Rainstorm tier.

It could control those who consumed the Blood-Red Moss, driving them into madness to boost combat prowess, while consuming the moss’s healing powers!

This Great Tree could almost instantly restore a character’s health to full, grant immunity to bleeding, and bestow comprehensive boosts to strength and agility!

Full health restoration plus bleeding immunity was an extraordinarily overpowered skill—often capable of instantly turning the tide of battle.

However, this formidable power came with a prerequisite: a critical number of Blood-Red Moss consumers had to be at near-death health.

Only when the Red Ant Moss Great Tree sensed imminent danger would it unleash this skill!

In simple terms, the tree was a massive altar; once activated, all enemies favored by it would receive tremendous buffs and full healing.

Chen Qi closed the book and scanned the forum messages.

The situation, once promising, had suddenly reversed.

Many players were now popping champagne, but the mood shifted swiftly as a fierce counterattack erupted.

Several players who had been boastful were quickly overwhelmed.

Wood Mage: “Is there anyone who can save me? I’m willing to trade items!”

Little Braids: “The Prisoner was killed by the big shot; what’s happening on your side?”

Succubus: “All wounded fall back! Head to the healer’s position!”

In mere moments, the battle had flipped.

...

Chen Qi found a secluded corner to hide, keeping himself undetected.

The frenzied players surged upward.

His Mistwalker’s Garb masked his presence—the only way to be found was by someone with strong detection abilities.

After a while...

The raucous shouting died down.

Once the berserk warriors had left, Chen Qi released White Dove again, confirmed no enemies had returned, then slipped into the room behind the bookshelf.

(End of chapter)