Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos

Chapter 136. An Unexpected Discovery.

Liu Shu was startled. This was the first time she had seen trees of a similar species to hers. To be honest, Liu Shu had always been questioning her origins.

She was surrounded by trees that were very different from her. All had strong branches and wide canopies, and their trunks were mostly revealed because they lacked drooping branches.

As a tree herself, she never really considered that strange, and she thought that her change was due to her World Tree evolution. But, from the scenery developing in front of her eyes, it seemed that her thoughts were wrong.

By the way, the reason she could see further than the limit of her roots was a benefit of her integration with the forest. <World Tree Eye>'s biggest fault was that beyond the limit of her roots, there was nothing. Meanwhile, she could see slightly further away with her natural vision, but it focused on underground vision. Her forest integration gave her the ability to see further away from her roots with limits.

It was not nearly as clear as <World Tree Eye> or as intuitive as her natural vision, but it was enough for Liu Shu to distinguish shapes and auras.

'I wonder... Will these trees recognize me?'

As a World Tree, her wish for kinship was not something predominant, but it wasn't non-existent. While it wasn't something she would actively search for, it still was something that would make her happy if she discovered it.

Moreover, unlike other trees, the auras from some of these trees felt close. Familiar, in more than a metaphorical sense.

'Hello~? Can anyone here speak?'

Her roots sent pulses of energy, trying to communicate. Her pulses reached the weeping willow trees, and soon, she received a response.

'Welcome...'

'World... Tree...'

'Forest's... Overlord...'

Liu Shu felt happy when they answered. 'Oh~! You can speak! That's great~.' As Liu Shu's branches spread out, more of the small lake entered her detection range. The lake was barely 100 meters across, and the number of willow trees was also very limited, just a few hundred.

'So... Are you going to listen to me? Or are you going to resist?'

Liu Shu felt no resistance, but she asked nonetheless. Feeling her energy and presence seeping through the land, the World Tree got her answer, and she started spreading her roots in that zone quickly.

Suddenly, a strange sensation came to her, and she stopped for a moment to focus on the source of that strange aura. There, a beautiful Willow Tree was standing, its height above all other Willow Trees, and its Level being above all others at Level 14.

Liu Shu was strangely fascinated by that willow tree. It wasn't that tall compared to herself; it was around 30 meters tall. Yet, she couldn't help but reach out and call it. 'Hello!'

A clearer and more aware voice reached her compared to the rest of the Willow Trees; the tone was clearly female and filled with gentleness. 'Welcome, World Tree.'

Liu Shu was stumped, not knowing how to speak but wanting to say something. Eventually, she stated. 'I, um... My name is Liu Shu.'

The Level 14 Willow Tree answered softly. 'Welcome, Liu Shu.'

Liu Shu somehow felt warm and fuzzy when she heard that, and she said. 'I like you! Do you have a name?'

'I don't, Liu Shu. I am just another tree in the forest.'

Liu Shu hummed, feeling annoyed. 'You are clearly smarter!'

'Haha~.' A gentle laugh reached Liu Shu. 'I might be smarter, but I am nothing compared to you. I must say that I am very proud.'