Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

Chapter 352. Golden Sap Forest Development.

After traveling for a while, Galia’s group reached the middle of the province and couldn’t help but look into the distance. Very faintly, at the horizon, the group of ten women could actually spot a faint silhouette. They were currently around 30 kilometers away from the Golden Sap City, but what this silhouette represented was clear for them. 

Galia muttered, somewhat incredulous. “No way… Is that you, Lady Liu Shu?”

Liu Shu giggled and answered. “Yes! I recently reached 1000 meters in height, so I am quite easy to spot as long as you are in the Golden Sap Province, hahaha~.”

After reaching Level 45, Liu Shu had already broken through the 1000 meter height mark. She could be spotted from dozens of kilometers away on a clear day. Even the people living in the three surrounding cities could see her silhouette while looking into the distance! Of course, one had to take into account that she would appear very small from so far away. Nevertheless, her canopy being as wide as it was and her body being able to support the massive weight that it represented, anyone within 30 to 50 kilometers distance would be able to spot her with their natural sight. As one got closer, the figure would only become more apparent.

The group of ten women couldn’t help but be silent. World Trees grew a lot, and most reached incredible dimensions. However, Liu Shu was particularly giant even among her own kind. For reference, the height of a Level 50 World Tree would reach 500 to 600 meters on average! Liu Shu had yet to reach that critical threshold, and she was already double their size. 

Cestia muttered, her tone confused and incredulous. “Didn’t Lady Warlya reach 1000 meters in height only after reaching Level 60?”

Fertalia answered since she was the most knowledgeable person about Warlya. “Lady Warlya broke the 1000-meter mark when she reached Level 62. Nowadays, she has become one of the tallest World Trees, approaching 1500 meters in height. It is common knowledge that World Trees become burdened by their own massive bodies as they continue to grow, stunting their development as their bark and internal structures evolve to hold their own massive weight.”

Unlike man-made structures that become thinner as you reach the top, a World Tree always had a gargantuan canopy above it that could basically cover the sky. A single leaf did not weight a lot, but what about a million? Ten million? A billion? What about all the small animals living in their canopies? And the branches? A World Tree’s body needed to hold that tremendous load as they grew rapidly over the years!

After a World Tree reached these heights, their bodies were so sturdy that damaging it was obviously very difficult. Try cutting down a material made to support the sky! The result would naturally be disastrous. Of course, that didn’t make it impervious to all attacks; it was just that the damage a person needed to do to wound or cut a world tree was vicious. 

Hence, if someone wanted to control a World Tree, it needed to be done in the infancy. Or else, once a World Tree grew beyond a certain level, they would become existences that only armies could take down. Liu Shu had been left alone for nearly two decades, a time-frame that many people didn’t put in their eyes since World Trees usually needed centuries to develop. However, before the world was even aware of her, Liu Shu had developed to a terrifying degree. 

Cestia asked, feeling a chill around her body. “Lady Galia… This. Even if we…”

“Don’t continue.” Galia glanced at Cestia sternly. “You must’ve realized during our previous conversation and what we are seeing that while Lady Liu Shu is somewhat young and outspoken, she is far from simple. Lady Liu Shu choosing our Celestial Lotus Empire is a blessing, not a burden like we expected.”

Galia didn’t mind speaking her thoughts aloud. She was reluctant when she first arrived, and therefore, her attitude was somewhat arrogant. However, after getting to know Liu Shu, her thoughts made a complete turn. Galia sneered in her mind. ‘Useless? A waste of resources? Those people back in the Celestial Lotus City have been too holed up during the last decades! If we had taken Thalgryn’s reports much more seriously, not to mention me, my master would’ve needed to come to speak with Lady Liu Shu and protect her!’

After taking a deep breath, Galia spoke firmly. “Lady Liu Shu, I am sincerely sorry about my earlier attitude. Galia will do everything in her power to support your growth and assure your expansion.”

Liu Shu was slightly surprised, but she could feel her honesty. Therefore, her tone softened, and she spoke gently. “As you wish.”

Hearing the ethereal and mature, nature-like voice, the ten people were surprised once more. Until now, Liu Shu hadn’t used her actual voice and covered it with the echoes of nature. Now that she saw their sincerity, she partially silenced those echoes so that part of her true voice could be distinguishable.

The hidden power and profoundess of her voice made the hearts of the delegation tremble. They spent the remaining of the journey in silence, their eyes locked onto the slowly magnifying figure. 

By the time they were nearly 15 kilometers away, the tree line of the Golden Sap Forest became visible, and Liu Shu’s figure was very clear in the distance. The long and drooping branches that came from her nature as a willow tree were gorgeous, and the body that was partially hidden by those branches emitted both warmth and beauty. 

As they ran, their eyesight was suddenly covered by the dense forest canopy. Galia blinked and looked around. “Oh? We’ve entered Lady Liu Shu’s forest.”

“Welcome to the Golden Sap forest, Big Sisters! If you want to take a small stroll, you are welcome to~. There are no Third Energy Cycle beasts yet, so you should be safe.”

If it was in the past, they would’ve scoffed at Liu Shu’s invitation. However, it was different now. Galia actually nodded and spoke to the rest. “Slow down, let’s explore for a little bit.”

The other nine had no objections, and they finally took in the forest’s beauty. The Golden Sap Forest had changed tremendously compared to ten years ago. For starters, the trees were all massive, reaching an average height of around 60 to 80 meters. They were relatively sparse but close enough that their canopies interlocked above them, creating a ceiling of leaves. 

Even then, the sun rays could still pierce through, creating an illusory image of golden lights illuminating certain areas of the forest. The natural shade and humidity made the temperature neither cold nor hot, and the freshness of the air went without saying. Additionally, one could see ethereal blue wisps of energy flickering like fireflies, produced from Liu Shu’s <Enchanted Land> skill, the evolution of <Enchanted Growth>.

The soil beneath their feet was soft but not muddy, and the scent of nature made them want to take a deep breath and stretch their limbs. One of the delegation humans praised honestly. “Such a beautiful forest. The air is so fresh as well.”

Galia agreed and smiled. “There is a saying that goes, ‘Like Forest, like World Tree.’ Lady Liu Shu’s extraordinary nature can be deduced just from how the forest around her has grown.”

“Grown…” Cestia realized and exclaimed. “Right! Around ten years ago, this forest was a Level 10 zone, if I remember correctly, right?”

Fertalia was shocked. “You are right. Lady Liu Shu had been born in a relatively low-level zone. However, now…” Fertalia analyzed one of the trees around her and sucked in a deep breath. “The trees around us are Level 30 to 40…”

Galia shook her head with a sigh. “Such a change… Lady Liu Shu, may I ask why the fauna and flora develop this well? If you can’t explain, I wouldn’t mind either.”

Liu Shu’s voice echoed around them with gentleness. “It is not a secret; read it yourselves.”

[World Tree Tianlian Liu Shu has shared the description of two skills: <Enchanted Land D Rank> and part of <Cerulean Bloodsap (B- Rank)>]

<Enchanted Land (D Rank)>: Creates an active aura that consumes your Aether Mana and Anima Energy in exchange for nourishing the land around you. Plants, animals, and all kinds of beings will have the ability to absorb and provide increased nutrients, among other benefits.

<Cerulean Bloodsap (B- Rank)>: [REDACTED]... The world around you will now be deeply influenced by your essence, and all flora will receive several growth boosts.

Cestia exclaimed. “B- Rank!? Such a powerful skill!” She said with a disappointed tone. “Ah. I wish I culd see the entire description…”

Galia slapped her shoulder and chided her. “Don’t be rude, Lady Cestia. It is already benevolent that Lady Liu Shu is willing to share the descriptions of such wonderful abilities.”

Fertalia commented, her eyes shining with admiration. “Now that I think about it, <Enchanted Land> needs constant Aether Mana and Anima Energy expenditure, right? Lady Liu Shu’s willingness to envelop the entire forest with it is something I admire deeply. How long do you use the skill daily, Lady Liu Shu?”

The others realized and nodded. ‘Indeed, a World Tree that cares about the plants around to this degree is rare.’

However, Liu Shu’s answer made them almost dislocate their jaws. “Hmm? I don’t envelop just the forest. My entire domain has the benefit of this skill, and I have it permanently activated. I don’t mind this little strain if the entire province can develop faster. Moreover, there are many Fairy species that use this nourishment for their young. I don’t want to cause an accident by deactivating and reactivating the skill. What if those children are damaged because of it?”

These words were the actual truth, so Liu Shu told them as they were. She didn’t realize that this kind of attitude touched the hearts of the ten delegation people. 

Galia smiled and nodded a few times, her tone full of praise. “As expected of Lady Liu Shu.”

The group continued advancing through the forest, encountering some monsters along the way. However, they didn’t kill any of them since they would not get any experience points. Instead, they would analyze them and comment on the changes brought by Liu Shu’s presence.

When plant life is affected, the whole ecosystem is affected. First, the animals that eat the plants are affected. Then, the animals that eat those animals are affected. Insects, birds, fish, and all types of small critters are also influenced. 

Most of the monster-kind in Liu Shu’s forest had titles that made them quite resistant to poisons and also had strong regeneration. Their bodies were healthy and agile, and compared to other wild zones, their strengths were much higher. 

Galia nodded a few times again. “These monsters must be hard to hunt. However, their bodies are full of treasures; the Explorers in Lady Liu Shu’s town must be quite strong. Not to mention, the meat and other materials must have incredible quality.”

Liu Shu commented. “The most popular item is the sap of the trees. After I took root, the Golden Sap trait resonated with me and developed into a new and strengthened version. Now, the effects of their sap are incredibly valuable and beneficial. Of course, personal harvesting is prohibited so as not to exploit the forest. However, I can let you harvest a little if you want. I am sure the big sisters know how to harvest sap without hurting the trees, right?”

Galia’s group couldn’t hold back their curiosity and approached one of the trees. First, they bowed toward the tree and spoke. “Thank you for the resources.”

After straightening their backs, Galia approached and took out a one-meter-long semi-curved blade. The blade was relatively thin, with a middle tube connecting the tip and handle. She placed the sword on the bark and gently pushed forward.

Liu Shu was surprised when the blade pierced the bark as if it were butter. When the blade was inserted around 10 centimeters, Galia stopped. Then, the middle tube could be seen changing colors as the sap of the tree started flowing through the tube. The color was a uniform mix of blue and gold, surprising the group.

Cestia muttered. “So pretty…” 

The rest nodded in agreement and waited five minutes until the handle of the sword filled up with sap. Galia quickly took out the sword and plastered an ointment on the tree’s wound with her free hand. There was not a single drop of sap that flowed outside of the wound.

Then, they analyzed the sap.

<Golden Blue Sap (C Rank)>: Medicine created with this sap has the ability to increase vitality and cleanse impurities. If it is transformed into Aether or Anima potions, it will increase the Aether Mana or Anima Energy recovery by three times. Any healing medicine created with this sap will have the ability to mend physical and spiritual wounds; it will also multiply the basic amount that the medicine would typically recover by two times. Antidotes and anti-curse items that have the sap added will increase in effectiveness by three times.

The jaws of the ten people dropped, their eyes widening in stupefaction.