Elf Kingdom: Game of the World Tree

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Starting with a Tree (Please Vote!)

Editor: Henyee Translations

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When he arrived in the forest, Li Mu felt even more deeply the reality of the “Elf Kingdom.”

The ancient trees stood tall, branches embracing each other, their gray-black bark covered with dark green moss. The vines wrapped around the trees like a web of layers upon layers, and the lush undergrowth reached as tall as a person…

The air carried the unique fragrance of plants and soil, incredibly fresh and pure.

Occasionally, a bird flew by, its chirping exceptionally crisp, while unknown beastly cries echoed, mysterious and ancient.

Here, it was entirely the appearance of a primeval forest.

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Combined with the elf-style music designed by Eve resonating in the players’ consciousness through the game’s system, *a sense of dreaminess, far removed from the hustle of the world, inevitably rose in Li Mu’s heart.*

Plucking a branch and tearing off a leaf, looking at the clear outline of the veins and the light green sap at the wound, Li Mu had to admire the fine workmanship of the game’s developers.

“If I wasn’t personally logged into this game, along with this fantastic BGM, I’d really think I had traveled to another world.”

He couldn’t help but sigh.

The live streaming function was already turned off, switched to recording instead.

In fact, in the “accelerated thinking” state, he couldn’t really live stream well.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Mu swiped open the game’s system and checked the newbie guide:

“Within a ten-kilometer radius is the newbie safe zone, where you can freely move and collect quest items.”

“Beyond ten kilometers, powerful creatures may appear, and it’s best not to court death before reaching level 11 Black Iron Lower…”

“For levels under 10, doing daily quests is the fastest way to level up. Once the experience meets the Black Iron advancement standard, you can go to the Natural Temple to change your profession…”

After closing the newbie guide, Li Mu checked the map in the upper right corner of his vision.

The map was circular, centered around the World Tree, currently only displaying a ten-kilometer radius, which was also the maximum range Eve could effectively control. Beyond that lay darkness, waiting for players to explore.

In the forest, what they never lacked was trees.

Yet, when he looked for a suitable target, Li Mu was stumped.

Looking at those towering trees with trunk diameters of at least a meter, Li Mu felt a tingling on his scalp,

“Aren’t these trees just too enormous? I should have formed a team.”

Every tree as far as he could see soared into the clouds.

After searching for a long time, he finally found one that seemed acceptable.

It was a tree more than ten meters tall, its bark an unusual golden color.

“Is this… cedar?”

Li Mu raised an eyebrow.

As a college guy who had taken elective courses in forestry, Li Mu had some knowledge of trees. Although the tree in front of him was slightly different and its bark an unusual color, it was very similar to the cedar in his memory, with only minor differences.

“Cedar is excellent building material!”

He felt a rush of joy and began to take action.

Having grown up in the countryside, with parents working in a forest farm, he had often done labor with his elders during his youth; chopping trees was second nature to him.

Picking up a stone axe he had just made from rocks, wood, and vines, Li Mu began chopping.

“Crack! Crack!”

The impact sensation in his hands was so real.

With each chop, Li Mu felt as if he were back in his younger years. *Except now, this body was lighter and more agile.*

*He really liked this feeling.*

Finally, with a resounding “crash,” the cedar swayed a few times and then fell as expected.

At the moment the tree fell, Li Mu felt something like a force surge into him, warming his entire body.

This was the life force of the cedar. When he chopped down the tree, the modified “war ritual” within his body activated, absorbing a portion of the cedar’s life force.

The absorption rate of this life force could be controlled in the game’s system, up to 100% of the target, and by default, the loot couldn’t be completely destroyed without control, only absorbing about 20%, like Li Mu this time.

The energy he absorbed was split, half for himself and the other half given back to Eve.

Of course, Eve did not care about such meager life force now; this function was actually her long-term investment.

The feeling of energy surging into his body was extremely strange, indescribable by words for Li Mu. If he had to say something, it was “exhilarating!”

Meanwhile, he noticed his experience increased slightly, gaining 10 points.

“Cutting trees can also level up!”

Li Mu was delighted.

At this moment, he felt his half-hour of labor was worth it.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he shook his head,

“One person is still too slow. This kind of task is best done with more people in cooperation.”

Using the “Entangling Vine” spell to bind the felled cedar, Li Mu dragged it back toward the World Tree…

…

The task submission point was a clearing below the World Tree, originally overgrown with shrubs and low grasslands.

This was where Eve intended for players to build a base, which would also be the starting point for a new elven civilization.

As Li Mu entered the camp, the mysterious and ethereal BGM in his game system transformed into a cheerful one that filled the heart with joy.

Arriving there, he found many players already, seemingly undertaking cleaning tasks, removing weeds and shrubs.

Some players appeared to have already started the second round of tasks, trying to form teams:

“Anyone got a wood collection task? We’re missing one! Need a spellcaster to help fix the big trees.”

“Is there anyone who studied construction? I’ve got a building task but I need someone to command!”

“Does any logging team need a power-type member? I’ve drawn Berserk and Whirlwind Slash! Guaranteed one cut!”

…

After searching around, Li Mu quickly spotted the NPC girl surrounded by players.

Alice was busy at the moment but seemed in a good mood, her emerald eyes bright and pure.

Li Mu swore, *this was absolutely the most expressive, realistic, and intelligent NPC he had ever seen!*

However, every time she saw the players’ cheeky faces, Alice’s expression would slightly cool.

Once players understood Alice’s identity, they unlocked the NPC favorability system. But for most people, the girl’s favorability was entirely negative.

This was especially true for male players; it was said the most exaggerated cases reached as low as negative one hundred.

There was no help for it; the biggest shock Alice had received before was from these shameless folks, who would either tease or play pranks after meeting the girl, leaving an impression that couldn’t possibly be worse.

In contrast, female players were much more gentle and obedient, leading to much better treatment from Alice.

Even so, Li Mu could sense a faint barrier between Alice and the players.

Watching her ever-changing expressions and noting the players’ expressions and actions while interacting with Alice, Li Mu pondered…

He thought for a moment, and suddenly, an idea struck him.

Taking a deep breath, Li Mu dragged his felled cedar over.

Having settled a task with a female player, Alice noticed Li Mu returning.

Seeing that the newcomer was a male Chosen One, her expression cooled slightly again.

“Did you complete the task?”

Her sweet voice carried a hint of detachment.

Li Mu nodded, neither haughty nor humble, gazing sincerely at the girl with a voice full of respect, as if conversing with a senior in a university in the real world,

“Miss Alice, these are the supplies I am submitting. Please check them.”

Seeing the male elf in front of her with proper demeanor, Alice couldn’t help but give him a second look.

Today, he was the first male Chosen One able to engage in normal conversation with her; the others were either frivolous and shameless or audacious and presumptuous.

Although she said nothing, Alice could clearly feel those guys seemed to have a vague sense of superiority when talking to her, viewing her not as a companion but as a tool or an object.

This feeling made her extremely uncomfortable, reminding her of those humans who hunted elves.

Yet the thin male elf before her now possessed sincere eyes.

In an instant, the discomfort in her heart lessened significantly, and her impression of Li Mu improved greatly.

Her expression softened slightly, and she nodded to Li Mu,

“Alright, let me take a look at your harvest.”

“Please.”

Li Mu dragged out the cedar.

“Sun Cedar!”

Alice’s eyes lit up.

“This is excellent wood! It has strong light affinity and can be used not only in the construction of temples but also in making magic wands! I didn’t expect you to find it.”

The girl looked at Li Mu with surprise.

She didn’t find anything wrong with chopping down trees.

In fact, unlike many elves in literary works and games on Blue Star, most elves on the Segis Continent accepted moderate logging.

For them, it was about maintaining ecological balance.

Being nature’s darlings did not mean being nature’s slaves. Although they respected life, unless the trees gained awareness and developed souls, they wouldn’t be specially protected.

Hearing Alice’s words, Li Mu was slightly taken aback, then his lips curled up.

It seemed to be a rare item… It looked like his luck wasn’t too bad.

Alice closed her eyes and mouthed a prayer over the Sun Cedar, then said to Li Mu:

“Your task is complete. Here is your reward.”

With a soft chime from the system, Li Mu was pleasantly surprised to find he earned 300 experience points in one go!

This task was so profitable! He could level up!

Li Mu rejoiced.

Eagerly, he clicked the level-up button on the game’s interface on the spot.

In Alice’s surprised gaze, a burst of brilliant Holy Light enveloped Li Mu, and mysteriously, a force from the void flowed into his body.

It was Eve’s Divine Power, diluted countless times.

Unlike other games, the thrill of leveling up in this game was so real and so powerful.

Li Mu felt warm all over, as if basking in the sun, while his internal strength rapidly grew, and in an instant, he felt all his senses enhanced…

That real sense of gain was beyond satisfying.

A hundred experience points were deducted, and his level rose to 2.

Checking his character card, Li Mu was slightly pleased:

“All of my attributes increased by 1 point! My Magic Power increased by 2 points!”

He tried casting “Entangling Vine” and found his casting speed improved by almost a quarter, and the spell’s effect became more powerful, originally only summoning one vine, but now two!

In terms of combat effectiveness, Li Mu felt he could easily take down his pre-upgraded self now!

Just by leveling up once, the effect was so evident… What would level 11 be like?

At that moment, Li Mu was even more excited for the future.

“Congratulations on your promotion.”

Alice’s congratulatory words came just then.

Looking over, Li Mu realized her favorability had returned to a positive value.

His heart stirred, and he had some guesses about the game’s NPC system.

Thanking the girl, Li Mu took on another task.

He planned to accelerate his leveling pace.

However, to complete tasks more efficiently, he intended to team up with other players next time.

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