Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

Chapter 145. Thoughts of a World Tree.

Chapter 145. Thoughts of a World Tree.

When Clavel returned with both berries, Verena looked over with an interested look. She was curious about what kind of berry would warrant the reaction they had. At first glance, the two fruits appeared to have a large concentration of energy, but other than that, they didn't look much different from the rest she had seen. Only the color pattern was different.

Verena hummed. "These ones are the ones you've been hiding?"

Verdantia sighed. "Mom, first analyze them. You look a bit silly when acting like that with two treasures in front of you. You know, like showing music to a wild animal."

Cinderielle laughed, making Verena snort. "You don't have to be so rude, Little Flower." Then, she looked at them and analyzed them.

: Increase the Completion Rate of an energy cycle by 5% up to 60%. You can Ingest 1 per Berry rank.

: +1 . Max . Any Creature can ingest 1 every 10 years. (Can Ingest Higher Ranked Breakthrough Berries with a 1-month cooldown).

Verena and Branthis both froze, Verena's eyes widening as she was unable to contain her surprise. Mariane nodded. "Right, that's the normal reaction. More so from people of their level."

Tempestria looked at her and asked. "What do you mean?"

Mariane sighed. "For you, that kind of fruit is extremely powerful because it increases your strength by a huge notch. For them who had seen much more of the world, that fruit is extremely powerful because they understand what kind of future can be built with it."

Mariane added. "Do you know why the super global powers are global powers in the first place? Actually, they are all led by World Trees. These World Trees have different methods of making people loyal, using rewards that are unattainable otherwise. Global superpowers' differences also come from what their World Tree can do."

Tempestria looked at Verena's and hummed. "So, she sees the same potential in Liu Shu?"

Mariane snorted. "Same? The alone is enough to shoot Liu Shu's value as a World Tree to the sky. While other World Trees have ways to give experience, they are limited. Liu Shu is basically an unlimited source of Experience Points. Now, before the second , she is already producing ridiculous berries. Have you thought about what would happen if she reaches... forget the second, what about the third ?"

Flor, who had recently gained a lot of intelligence, understood Mariane's implied words and tried to answer. "Does that mean that Liu Shu is a contender that has the potential to participate in the World Stage?"

Mariane smiled. "It seems you are developing quite well intelligence-wise, Rose Fairy. Yes, that's what it means. Liu Shu is a World Class World Tree, so to speak. Not even Fortuna can qualify for that, and she is one of the most powerful World Trees around these lands. Well, she is strong enough at least to have become a little overlord."

After thinking for a while, Verena said, "Liu Shu, I want to make a deal with you."

Liu Shu asked. "A deal? What kind of deal?"

Verena spoke. "These berries are strong, especially for children who are growing. Using your resources in a measured manner, you can silently increase your strength and surprise everyone. I want to create an alliance between the Liferoot family and you. In exchange, I will provide you with as many books as I can, and I will also try to maintain things as a conflict between the younger generation. With your strength, you won't be bothered by those people as long as you don't slaughter everyone who approaches with bad intentions."

Verena looked at Ignatia and said. "Of course, Ignatia will need to remain hidden most of the time. Have you given birth to new Ant Queens?"

'Hm? Verena doesn't know that my children that can give birth to more ants are called ? Oho~, perhaps the information about my race is not as thorough as I thought.' Ignatia asked impassibly. "What if I have? What if I haven't?"

The World Tree's voice was constant, with no signs of anger or extreme emotions. It was similar to someone speaking about the weather or what they've done throughout the day—casual and easy-going.

Branthis asked. "Then, what is stopping me from attacking you right now and killing you, stealing your land?"

Liu Shu giggled. "You are strange."

Everyone was puzzled, and Liu Shu asked. "Why are you asking about something you don't want to do? I don't know much about your race, but I know that you are a type of vine, right? You don't have the ability to expand like a tree. You need others to support your existence. Your desire is different from mine. Why threaten with something that you won't do?"

Branthis felt speechless. 'Isn't this tree just Level 13? Why are her thoughts so complex- Wait.'

Branthis asked. "What did you do with that book?"

Everyone looked at the flower pot, and Flor suddenly realized. 'Right, before, she took a while to absorb information because she was low-level and lacked intelligence... Did Liu Shu use that 30-minute pause to absorb the book that Verena gave her?'

Liu Shu's voice reached them. "What did I do? I ate it, of course."

The only ones who knew about that skill were old-timers. Therefore, everyone else was stunned. Verena asked, incredulous. "What do you mean?"

Liu Shu commented. " is quite an interesting book. It has truly opened my thought process to new options and conclusions. I can understand that I was seeing the world with a narrow mind. Yet, I wasn't really wrong; I was just naive." Liu Shu hummed cutely. "Well, thanks to that, I now understand a few things~. Anyway, Branthis, empty threats are not useful. And, as I said, if you want to get those fruits, don't ask me, ask Flor. I will continue to expand and create, what those under my canopy do is not something I care about unless it involves me..."

However, before she finished that sentence, Liu Shu's mind suddenly flashed with the words she heard the day she received her inheritance.

[Little one, the path ahead is difficult, but I hope you don't ignore those close and sincere to you in search of greater strength.]

When those words flashed in her mind, Liu Shu added. "...Involves me or anyone I care about."

Verena, who was frowning until a few seconds ago, felt her eyebrows lift in surprise. She was thinking that Liu Shu was just another World Tree, as almost all of them think similarly to Liu Shu. Yet, that last sentence felt different.

Her thoughts shifted a bit and she patted Branthis. "Enough, husband. Thank you."

Verena looked at Flor and smiled. "Well, let's make a deal then. I guess you want to get things for Liu Shu, and the books we have here are quite nice for her."

Flor blinked several times, not fully understanding what happened. Liu Shu's words felt disrespectful, yet there was a strange caring nature in them. Then, Verena, who seemed about to flip a table, suddenly relaxed and became cheerful.

It felt like Liu Shu's last sentence cut all the tension in the room, making everyone relax. Ignatia saw her little fairy's confusion and smiled. "I'll explain later, don't worry. Just agree for now."

Flor looked at Ignatia, and trusting her, she nodded. "Okay." Finally, turning toward Verena, she commented. "I agree. Let's talk."

Verena laughed, her face looking relaxed. "Good."