Upon returning to Tenshukaku, Makoto pulled several books and a map from the bookshelf.
Unfolding the map, the lines on it were not printed.
Some areas were not even flat, as if the person who drew it was not a professional at surveying and mapping.
The content sketched on this map was different from standard styles; it didn’t mark where towns or jungles were, but instead used various colored pens to trace lines marking the flow of Inazuma’s Ley Lines.
Ordinary people likely couldn’t grasp the flow of Ley Lines, so there was a high probability that Makoto had drawn this map herself.
Clementine noticed that the intersection of several Ley Lines was exactly at Tenshukaku where they were currently located.
Perhaps setting the Raiden Shogun’s residence here involved this consideration, besides the high terrain overlooking Inazuma City.
In addition to Tenshukaku being an important intersection, the map also circled several places where the Ley Lines had significant turns or exchanges.
There were many alterations on the map, as if the person drawing it had been somewhat hesitant.
Pointing at the map, Makoto explained: “I’ve been considering this for a long time, but I’ve always lacked the conditions to support its implementation.
Initially, I wanted to ask for your help for this very reason.” “I have roughly measured Inazuma’s Ley Lines and marked the key points—look, these are the ones.
If we can truly create a device for purification, as long as we occupy these points, we can control the pollution of the entire Inazuma region through the flow of the Ley Lines.” “A very impressive plan,” Clementine praised politely, looking down to study the drawings.
Makoto sat down beside her and pointed to the books she had just pulled out.
“These are all drafts or discarded plans I’ve thought of before.
If you find them useful, you can flip through them for reference.
Most of the time, I was stuck on the step of where to obtain stable purification power, so I’m counting on you.” Clementine replied, propping up her chin.
“If we set up key nodes and Wards in these places, and I then bestow the Authority of exorcism upon those Wards, it should be feasible.” “As for the direct injection into the Ley Lines mentioned earlier, I’m afraid it can’t be done for such a large area.
After all, polluting a glass of water only requires a drop of dirty water, but the price to pay to reverse that process is not so simple.” “Also, it’s best if these Wards can replenish the energy of the established techniques themselves; otherwise, they’ll just be disposable items.
Although periodic replacement isn’t unacceptable compared to the risks brought by pollution, replacement inevitably carries more risk than maintenance.” Makoto thought for a while, reached out to pull one of the booklets, and flipped to a page with great familiarity.
“Regarding Wards that can replenish their own power, I have a suggestion.” “Trees can draw power from the Ley Lines and The Heavens, and they themselves can participate in the cycle of the Ley Lines to return to the earth, over and over again.
Moreover, plants themselves possess an inexhaustible power of life, which serves as an extra layer of insurance.” Clementine turned her head to look out the window.
Inazuma had many cherry blossoms, and there were also many cherry trees in the courtyard of Tenshukaku.
The largest tree in the middle of the courtyard was very eye-catching.
Its branches stretched out diagonally in all directions, forming a massive canopy.
It seemed to be forever lush with vibrant flowers; time didn’t seem to have the effect on it that it should.
Even though Inazuma City enjoyed eternal spring due to divine protection, such a phenomenon defying the plant life cycle was rare.
Five-petaled cherry blossoms bloomed in layers on the branches, a faint hint of purple visible within the deep pink.
Even more strangely, the leaves of this tree seemed to glow with a faint purple light.
“Is this your prototype Ward?” Clementine asked curiously, already moving from inside the room to the side of the cherry tree.
She habitually disliked using doors and had vaulted out of the window this time too, which saved some time from taking the long way out.
The Thunder Dragon stood beneath the tree and lightly stroked the trunk.
Golden lightning rose from beneath her feet, surging up to the canopy following her movement; the purple Thunder Sakura was thus plated with a golden coat.
However, the good times didn’t last.
Perhaps because it had been affected by divine power for too long, a strong Elemental Power soon erupted from within the Thunder Sakura.
Purple lightning shot out from the roots, aggressively driving away its golden counterparts that were clinging to the surface like rootless duckweed.
Clementine was a bit surprised.
She looked back at Makoto to ask what was happening, only to see that the other was also baffled.
She could only say: “I didn’t expect to be rejected by a tree.
You come take a look too; after all, this thing is your creation.” Tenshukaku was, after all, Makoto’s home ground.
She didn’t jump out the window like Clementine, but instead flashed to the base of the tree using lightning traversal.
She followed Clementine’s example and tried to inject new Elemental Power into the Thunder Sakura tree.
Perhaps because the power shared the same source, or perhaps because the tree understood who its creator was, her Elemental Power met no resistance and was quietly absorbed by the tree.
“Ah, it seems it simply doesn’t like me?” Clementine couldn’t help but tease.
Makoto replied pragmatically: “It’s probably just because it doesn’t recognize your Elemental Power.
Even if it’s both lightning, yours is certainly the most special one.
But it doesn’t matter, we can just disguise it.” Makoto reached out her hand to Clementine, signaling for them to try together again.
“Then I’ll take that as a compliment.” Clementine stepped forward readily.
Golden lightning lit up again, though this time it was condensed into a small orb held in her palm.
Makoto took her hand.
Initially, Makoto intended to wrap the other’s power with her own Elemental Power to trick the Thunder Sakura’s self-defense and inject the new power into its interior.
But once they started, she quickly discovered that because both powers were essentially Electro Element, the mutual attraction between them was actively beyond her imagination.
Purple and gold arcs of electricity intertwined between their palms, gradually twisting and merging until it was hard to tell them apart.
It became somewhat difficult to separate them again or change their form.
Making the best of it, the mixed dual-colored Elemental Power was once again cast into the Thunder Sakura, and this time it integrated perfectly.
The method worked, and the two conducted several more experiments.
Golden lightning, mixed with the Authority of exorcising evil, entered the new domain closely following the purple divine might, and the experimental subject accepted it all.
The Thunder Sakura remained lush, and the flowers still bore faint purple traces.
However, golden stamens seemed to faintly emerge among the five-layered petals, and the leaves filled with Elemental Power swayed in the wind, occasionally revealing a few glimmers of a golden halo.
Makoto keenly felt that the Thunder Sakura tree, having undergone new changes, now faintly possessed that portion of power that was distinct from her own lightning.