Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

Chapter 318. A Chat About Lakeborn Forest.

Time flowed like water. The subterranean world of the Golden Sap Province developed as fast as the one of the surface. Ignatia and her ants noticed several other exits from the Terragore’s nest and sealed them all except the one below the mines. For that one, Wert and Ignatia worked together to create a small fortress that looked over that particular entrance. Nobody was worried that they would dig an additional path since Liu Shu’s roots dug deep underground.

Something they discovered that left them speechless was that the Terragore nest didn’t span just a few kilometers; instead, it expanded beyond the province to places Ignatia was still not comfortable expanding to. 

Other than this massive discovery, the most important development would be the expansion of the forests across the entire region. Unlike before, a place with a few relatively small forests, now most of the land was covered in nascent forests.

This was not a completely good thing; it had plenty of disadvantages. Yet, there were just too many positives in comparison to feel bad about it. For starters, the ternary essence density in the area increased by leaps and bounds. Leveling up was easier, and many people who had been stuck in bottlenecks managed to break through. Secondly, the number of resources had skyrocketed, and these resources were recyclable as long as they weren’t exploited. 

The disadvantage was that the deeper parts of the forest had become much more dangerous. After all, with so many resources, it wasn’t only the intelligent species that profited. Monster levels were on the rise across all regions, only being kept at a relatively low level around the three World Trees that inhabited these lands.

Speaking of World Trees, Lakeborn Forest’s existence was revealed to the public not too long ago. This information exploded like a boom, sending a shockwave through the neighboring provinces as well.

Verdantia, Lord Stormrider, Eila, Delia, Taro, and other allied leaders sat in the main office of the Golden Sap City Main Town Hall. Flor, Mariane, Wert, and the four Sylvans sat in the seven leading positions. 

Not many were aware of the existence of this mothkin. However, the profound aura she emitted was oppressive enough that even Verena had an eyebrow raised. ‘This girl has developed so much after staying here… I thought the Ant Queen was the strongest combatant other than Liu Shu, but I might’ve been wrong.’

Mariane opened her wings and leaned back, resting on the backrest and flopping down lazily. ‘Ah… So annoying. Can’t I do my research and take care of the library in peace? Why am I even here? I feel the best there…’

She had overcome Level 40 a while ago, and she was beelining toward Level 50 at a terrifying pace. She was one of the few who had basically unlimited access to Liu Shu’s berries, so using the <Delicious Berries> and her own efforts, the Experience Point earning pace was ridiculous.

Verena was stunned by her daughter’s progress as well. ‘... She is reducing the distance between our levels so quickly. If I do not accelerate, she will actually catch up.’

While she was close to Level 50, about to break through into the <Third Energy Cycle>, Verena couldn’t help but feel pressure. It wasn’t only her. The rest of the allies that had once looked at the Golden Sap City as a small power were feeling pressure from the seven leaders of the city. 

This was without taking into account that many of them didn’t know about Ignatia. Even when it was a relatively open secret, the people who knew had been loyal enough not to spread the news beyond their circle. 

Flor looked around at the nearly thirty people and smiled. “I am glad you’ve all arrived in time even though the notice was sent not long ago.”@@novelbin@@

Verena smirked and leaned on her hand. “Nobody would take their time after reading the contents of that letter. Let’s get to the point, Flor.”

The Flower Fairy chuckled somewhat wearily and took a sip of tea. “You are right… I feel that each time Liu Shu tells me something new, I lose a few years of lifespan. One more outrageous than the next.”

“Hey!” Liu Shu spoke with a pout. “How am I so bad? I just tell you what I am doing, never intending to do harm.”

Flor, Delia, and the rest of the people subjected to Liu Shu’s crazy development took a long sip of tea, thinking as if they shared a brain. ‘...Yeah. That’s the problem. You are naturally ridiculous.’

Lord Stormrider spoke, his tone calm and thoughtful. “A new World Tree. Not only that, this World Tree is much higher leveled than Lady Fortuna and Liu Shu.”

Flor nodded. “Lady Lakeborn Forest is an ancient World Tree that fell during past wars. Miraculously, she lived even when losing her core and had been amassing strength, intending to come to light after reaching Level 40.” Many in the room couldn’t help but feel their hearts skip a beat. The Flower Fairy continued. “Regardless, the World Tree has been assimilated by Liu Shu and poses no threat. Lady Lakeborn is also a very rare aquatic World Tree. We want to open a city underwater to take advantage of the advantages that she can provide us and also take care of her. Sadly, that’s much easier said than done.”

Flor rubbed her rose-red hair, looking slightly frustrated. “While Lakeborn does have some skills that allow land creatures to live underwater for prolonged periods of time, I believe that before she reaches the <Third Energy Cycle>, permanent resident for land creatures near her will be impossible.”

Lord Stormrider understood and smiled. “By the time she reaches the <Third Energy Cycle>, the rest of the Golden Sap Province will have gone through a massive development, and you fear that dividing resources then to funnel into the underwater city will be too disruptive and cause internal conflict.”

Flor looked at Lord Stormrider and smiled wryly. “Thankfully, Lord Stormrider is our ally. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

Verena clicked her tongue and looked at Lord Stormrider. “No wonder you managed to overturn the situation in the <Sunbound Shores Province>.”

Lord Stormrider smiled subtly. “Thank you for the praise, Lady Verena.”

A man at the side crossed his arms and tutted. “I wonder why your youngest son turned out like he did? Really, he is not at all like you.”

Stormrider frowned faintly. “While I’ve placed those events in the past, he was still my son.” His gaze turned cold as he glared at that man. “City Lord Of <Sand City>, don’t be too comfortable mocking him.”

The atmosphere became tense as both men looked at each other. Being both from the same province, they had been both allies and rivals over many years. Flor laughed awkwardly and silently cursed. ‘Can’t Sand City’s Lord be a bit more understanding and not poke his finger in the closed wound!? Do you want the situation to degenerate into a war!?’

Liu Shu also wondered about that, but she had a good relationship with Lord Stormrider, so she didn’t ask. Instead, she commented, smothering the increasingly tense atmosphere in the room. “Stormrider! I think that the sea will be much better for Lakeborn to develop than the lake. So, would you take care of her if I could relocate Lakeborn to the eastern sea?”

Everyone in the room paused, including Flor. Flor was baffled and asked, confused. “Didn’t you want me to gather them so that THEY could come here and create the city?”

“Hm?” Liu Shu made a confused sound. “Why would I want that? I can create underwater buildings myself just fine as long as I have enough materials. Moreover, all the leaders here have their own responsibilities, right? So, I thought that moving Lakeborn is better than that.”

Everyone in the room grabbed the tea and took a simultaneous sip. 

Verena exhaled after the sip and smiled. “I understand your plight, Flor. If I would need to deal with this all the time, I would’ve probably grown white hairs on my temples by now.”

Flor’s eyebrow twitched, and she rubbed her forehead. “Okay, love. Let’s take it slow. First of all, have you asked Lakeborn about it? She might be attached to the lake she has been living for the last several hundreds of years, right?”

“Right…” Liu Shu muttered. “I’ll ask her later.”

Flor nodded and sighed. “Good.” Then, she commented. “Let’s discuss first if any of you are willing to change your headquarters to Lakeborn Forest. Being able to create an underwater city in that place will also mean that you’ll be under Liu Shu’s domain. So, her buffs will apply to you and your subordinates constantly.” 

Everyone looked down at the long list of buffs and gulped. The temptation was certainly incredible. This place was like a heavenly living place for all the people who had allied with Liu Shu. If they didn’t have their own responsibilities, you could bet that they would’ve moved to either of the four cities by now. They had also used tickets to come train here with very few restrictions as a way to motivate their disciples with incredible results. Many sect records were being broken constantly. 

The Sand City’s Lord raised his arm and smiled. “I can do it. While my city is a strong outpost in the coasts of the Sunbound Shores Province, I feel that we are not as much part of this alliance as the other powers. Moreover, that place has been almost without conflict recently, making moving here much easier.”

The Sand City’s Lord was called Mermuem. He was from an aquatic race, the <Merpeople> race. An intelligent race where male specimens were called mermen and female ones mermaids. His body was similar to that of a normal human. However, under his ribs, he had gills. His hands and feet had webbed fingers, with an innate ability to spread a membrane between their legs and arms to swim. 

Mermaids were different, having fishtails and being unable to move through land easily. In turn, their strength and adaptability to the sea was much better than that of their male counterparts. Underwater, many societies were matriarchal due to this. However, patriarchal societies were not uncommon near the shores. 

Still, they were different from <Sirens>. <Sirens> were a dangerous monster race quite common to find in the oceans and seas. They looked similar to mermaids, but their human parts had a gorgeous but more monstrous touch. 

Flor looked at Mermuem and smiled. “Sure. You are honestly the person I wanted to task with this responsibility in the first place. I just didn’t want to order you around.” Looking around, she clarified. “While we are allies, I do not consider myself as a leader of the alliance. If you ever have some misgivings about something or an idea, you are welcome to present it.”

Lord Stormrider frowned. “That’s not bad. However, a power needs a leader. A creature without a head is just a blind monster.” 

Flor tilted her head. “Isn’t Liu Shu the leader?”

The others also thought similarly to Lord Stormrider, but hearing Flor’s answer, they realized what Flor was saying before. 

When they moved on to speak about other things, like trade, politics, and the reactions of the three global superpowers, a message popped into Liu Shu’s eyesight. 

[Process Complete! Do you want to see the <Dungeon System>?]