The World of Trees Spirits was rather small even if you compared it to the current Earth. Tall trees that were akin to skyscrapers could be seen in each direction. Although there wasn't a central tree that lorded over everything like what one would expect in a fantasy world, there was a floating tree in the middle of the world a few years ago.
According to what I heard, it housed the World's Will as well as the Tree Spirit Elders who should be the wise men and the strongest of this world prior to the invasion of a higher world.
Talking about that in the past tense, that fantastic tree had now withered after being burned from its exposed root. The only thing keeping it afloat was how light it became.
Soon enough, if it continued drying up, there would be no more such sight to be held.
Well, the World's Will couldn't do anything to it but that's not the case for me.
After the negotiation or rather the small talk that led us to advantage towards this Exploration Fleet, I met up with my Companions and the World's Will to check the extent of the damage brought about by them.
Both Zalim and Rani hailed from Prajna World. They still only possessed Level 2 Physique-type Source Energy. Even though they probably already stepped their feet at Samsara as part of the Exploration Brigade that world assembled, they're not allowed to convert their Source Energy to the Level 3 Physique-type Source Energy inherent to Samsara.
In any case, they had equipment and Space Vessel that could only be found in a Sage World.
"Why didn't you check this place?" I asked Rani who was flying just a little behind me.
"Nothing's in there. I scanned the surface thoroughly before descending. It's nothing but an old withering tree."
Zalim put her in charge to deal with me while he went to start rounding up their Transcendents that were subdued by my Companions. I had Sofiel and Zerina go with him in case he tried anything funny. That scar-faced Transcendent already got a taste of Zerina's might, if Sofiel was added then, he had to exert his full force to take them down. Nonetheless, if that scenario really played out, I would be able to detect it and come to their side.
Leaving me with Lunaria and Reinys who were flying behind Rani. In a way, it looked like we were escorting her somewhere but the two were also just keeping her in check.
Any one of them could defeat the woman so it's kinda pointless for them to surround her. However, from what I gathered from checking the look on their face, they were slightly cautious that I might grow close to the woman…
True, she's another beautiful woman that could make any man grovel in front of her; Zalim might be an exception. He's probably already married. Nonetheless, I had no inclination to even try something with her.
Although she's compliant with the demand and conditions I set to let them continue searching for that golden statue, she still couldn't be considered a friendly ally.
Besides, I still have Illiana, Remilia and Alwyn to worry about. And with just them, I'm already satisfied. With my memories returned, I doubt I would still be inclined to take in more Companions. Perhaps, that would only happen in extremely special circumstances.
In any case, going here at the withering Floating Tree was a suggestion by the World's Will. Apparently, the previous Tree Spirit Elders kept most of the treasures found in this world inside an undetectable vault located there. Earlier, she told us that she also had no idea about what they were trying to locate but once the safety of her denizens was secured, she managed to remember that detail in that withering floating tree.
As for why she still didn't move it, the withering three was supposedly still her residence.
It's not the place where Source Energy Core was located but only a literal residence for when she's trying to mingle with its denizens.
The vault was technically not hers so she had no idea about its contents.
But for the sake of fulfilling our end of the bargain, I was now bringing Rani to check it.
Who knows? We might also get something valuable.
"I see. You rely too much on your equipment. Nothing's absolute in this world. Sooner or later, you'll stumble into something that might cost your life if you carelessly judge everything based on some piece of equipment."
Well, I shouldn't preach this to her but since we're in this kind of conversation, might as well. With five different types of Source Energy, there are obviously a lot of different ways to approach an exploration.
System-type and Psyche-type mostly rely on what came up with their systems or technologies.
Physique-type mostly brute-force their way most of the time. They could be said to be the most war freak among different world denizens.
Spirit-type and Elemental-type mostly use their mystical abilities, either through the vague Spirits or Elementals.
However, that was only applied to Transcendent Worlds and below. Before becoming a Sage World, most of their Sages or Transcendents would already have insights into the properties of different Source Energy types. That's why it's easy to see why Rani had that pair of glasses and relied too much on their equipment.
"I believe you're correct. Everything before this went smoothly so I got complacent." The woman accepted my comment. Looks like she's really easy to talk with unlike his superior. "By the way, may I ask something?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"You seem awfully strong for a Rank 3 Transcendent and you're only a Guardian of a Mortal World. Why is that?"
Although I didn't really fight against Zalim, she probably got the gist of my strength through him. A Sword Master and a Rank 3 Transcendent. That's a combination that those at their level wouldn't be able to cope with.
"Hmm? What's wrong with being a Guardian?"
"Shouldn't you be out there exploring for resources or fighting a war and advancing towards being a Sage?"
"Are you concerned over my future? I'm flattered. However, you can say that this is just a rite of passage for young Transcendents like me. Soon enough, I will be relieved of my duty."
As I made another lie on the spot, we reached the withering floating tree.
Its trunk was too thick, thick enough to rival a mountain width. There's an opening or a huge door carved out from it in the middle that led to its interior.
When we landed right before it, the World's Will incarnation manifested in front of us.
"Welcome, Guardian and… Invader." While the young girl incarnation smiled widely at me and my Companions, she scowled at Rani.
That's understandable so we didn't comment on it. But compared to how she acted earlier, this World's Will was truly like a little girl.
She then turned around and willed the green Source Energy of this world to seep into the carved door.
A few seconds later, along with the sound of the wind as it aired out the dusty interior, we were welcomed by the sight of a fantasy-esque meeting hall. One you would see from the movies with Elven Race.
However, the current state of the place was, more or less, withered.
"Follow me, the vault is located in the innermost sanctum." The World's Will then gestured to us as she waved her hand, clearing our path of the creaky and brittle wooden pieces of furniture.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m