The [Big Spring Tree] had an extensive root system, preventing other tree growth within a certain radius of the tree. However, its uniqueness lies in the fact that small trees sprout from its roots, giving rise to miniature forests.
These forests remain relatively small and are found only in close proximity to the main tree, as the roots become progressively smaller the farther they extend from the tree.
The forest grows alongside the [Big Spring Tree], and as it expands, so does the forest, both in terms of its radius and the size of the trees themselves.
However, its maximum breadth is limited to 100 kilometers, and the trees only reach a maximum height of 400 meters.
These trees were once regarded as a distinct species and were referred to as [Small Spring Trees].
Because the main tree's canopy overshadows its own forest, it collects a portion of its mana and lets it drip onto the trees. This has the side effect of providing some light to the trees, and the forest becomes densely concentrated with mana, which, after a certain period, transforms it into a mysterious mana mist. Flora and fauna can absorb this mana mist, gaining strength as a result. Furthermore there is a small possibility, that the Mana drop's forms small ponds.
Since these trees require a substantial amount of water, they are often found near large freshwater sources. The tree monopolizes these water sources, preventing other [Big Spring Trees] from growing nearby.
Nevertheless, these trees are exceedingly rare, and sightings of them are few and far between.
I created a few seeds and hoped they would grow, albeit with only a 1% probability, for some inexplicable reason.
In the next step, I realized that I had made a small mistake – I had forgotten that the sea is salty. Hence, I changed [Aqueous Space] to [Salty Aqueous Space]. Fortunately, this adjustment didn't incur significant costs.
Before proceeding to plant the mountains, I wanted to populate the sea with vegetation, as it is the largest habitat on this floor.
First, I modified the seafloor, varying its depth across different areas. Some spots were shallower, while others were deeper. There were underwater mountains, caves and deep chasms. I also created isolated small island groups, though they were situated far from the mainland. They were no larger than 2 kilometers in width and mostly consisted of sand.
The deepest point was now 38 kilometers deep, where I placed a few black smokers. However, not all parts of the sea were deep, and I elevated many areas. Although they were still up to 20 kilometers deep, I could establish habitats with specialized plants there.
There were plants that illuminated the ground with chemical energy, and in turn, there were plants that generated mana. These plants supplied mana to the [Deepsea Lanterns], enabling them to emit light. The [Deepsea Lanterns] couldn't produce their own mana and only created chemical light until they reached adulthood, at which point they could absorb and utilize mana. And with this light the other plants can generate Mana providing the [Deepsea Lanterns] with it. It was a fascinating symbiotic relationship!
"Amazing!" I exclaimed, truly captivated.
The creation of islands also opened up space for coral reefs.
I devised millions of diverse seeds that would develop into various types of algae, corals, or other forms of marine life. I had to create the initial plankton and other microorganisms to ensure their proliferation over time.
At this point, I was running low on [EC], so I decided to pause my work temporarily. I allowed everything to progress naturally and introduced everything I had created to both the land and the sea.
"I will observe how things develop," I said, filled with anticipation.
Leaving the first floor, I returned to the [Control Room].
Feeling somewhat lost about what to do next, I checked my status once again to see if anything had changed.
________
[Status]
Name: -
Age: 0 Years 0 months 0 weeks 6 days 1 hours
Species: Dungeon Core
Level: 1/4
Exp: 0/1000
Dungeon Status: Closed
EC: 0/150
• 1 EC per hour is regenerated.
---> Floor 1 earning: 0 EC/h
• Earnings from intruders: depends on their strength
Characteristics [CS]:
• Space (unique) O
• Time (unique) O
Floors: 2
• Control Room
• First Floor (name)
[Mode]
[Dungeon Construction] *new
[Living Beings]
[Inanimate Objects]
[Overview (Map)]
______
Not much has changed, but there have been some slight adjustments.
I've realized I'm now six days old. Yippie!
I noticed that my dungeon is currently closed. Presumably, it's because I haven't completed the first floor yet, which leads me to the next point.
I can now also receive a certain amount of [EC] from the first floor. It's likely that a portion of the generated mana is being absorbed to produce [EC]. Additionally, I can now access an [Overview], which includes a map for viewing each of my floors from a bird's-eye perspective. Alongside the map were data specific to each floor.
For instance:
• Atmospheric composition
• Population of different species
…
Furthermore I could switch between various designs, starting with a view that depicted the weather, followed by one displaying temperature variations in different areas, and another showing various mineral veins.
The most significant change, however, was in [Dungeon Construction]. A reference to something new had appeared, so I investigated and was pleasantly surprised by what I found.
________
Inside:
Floor 1 Overview:
[mainland]
Ocean:
• Normal tides
• Typical ocean currents
• Tsunamis
[O] Click here to see more
______
Finally, the last puzzle piece was unlocked for building a world structure. With the inclusion of ocean currents, all other natural weather phenomena could occur, ultimately bringing the climate into balance.
I explored this new feature for a few hours and settled on normal tides, strangely enough, as they were cheaper despite my [CS]. Perhaps the ones associated with my [CS] were too potent for the beginning.
But what I found more important was the ocean currents. I searched until I had 10 [EC].
"Yes! That's great!" I exclaimed with enthusiasm.
[Chronoflux Tide], as it's called, is not an ordinary ocean current; it possesses the powers of both time and space. As it traverses the vast oceans, it profoundly impacts the climate and regulates temperatures.
The Chronoflux Tide follows a rhythmic cycle, synchronized with the natural ebb and flow of the waters.
Its time-manipulating abilities alter the rate of local time passage, enabling temporal adjustments in specific regions.
This temporal dilation effect results in localized temperature, humidity, and weather variations, effectively creating unique microclimates along its path.
Moreover, the space-warping attributes of the Chronoflux Tide contribute to balance by redistributing warm and cold water masses.
As it courses through the oceans, it can generate temporary pockets of warmer or cooler water, influencing wind patterns and ocean currents. This spatial manipulation ensures that regions experiencing excessive heat are cooled, and those plagued by cold are gently warmed.
The interaction of the Chronoflux Tide with the atmosphere and landforms generates a delicate equilibrium that sustains life and nurtures diverse ecosystems across the world.
Its effects are most pronounced along coastlines, where the intertwining forces of time and space create unique habitats and resource-rich environments.
"Amazing!"
"And that's not all!"
"Amazing!," I exclaimed once again.
Additionally, I can add it to the weather cycle, harmonizing it with [Location-based and Logical Weather] to logically produce all weather phenomena.
Moreover, ordinary weather can arise as a byproduct of the current. It's just as natural as in my previous world!
Of course, this isn't cheap – it costs a full 10 [EC]. However, with the fact that I don't need to purchase tides, my funds are sufficient.
I immediately initiated its creation, thus laying a functional foundation for my ecosystem and mana cycle.
However, both of these elements lacked a crucial component.
"Animals!"
I glanced at my age and [EC] once more to see if anything had changed.
________
Age: 0 Years 0 months 0 weeks 6 days 11 hours
EC: 0/150
• 1 EC per hour is regenerated.
---> Floor 1 earning: 0.01 EC/h
________
Ten hours had passed, indicating that the first plants on the first floor had already grown. Due to the time acceleration, at least 200 hours had elapsed.
With the presence of plants engaging in photosynthesis and releasing mana, my hourly earnings of [EC] had also increased.
However, I wasn't in the mood to inspect everything again, as I was beginning to feel mentally exhausted.
Hence, I returned to the Core and attempted to sleep. I managed to do so, feeling progressively more sluggish.
I drifted off to sleep…