Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos - Volume 1

Chapter 148. Evolving Relationships.

Mariane flew around Liu Shu, checking the land that she would need to set up the <Rune Field>. Liu Shu was a tall tree, and her growth was also very fast. Enough that Mariane needed to take it into account. "Hm... Liu Shu, I need you to stop producing a few things on that farm over there and allow me to move the ground around a bit. Also, we have a small problem."

Liu Shu asked, curious. "A problem?"

Mariane flew to one of Liu Shu's branches, landed on it, and looked down. "Well, you are a very big girl, right?"

Liu Shu giggled. "Thanks! I want to get bigger!"

Mariane laughed. "Well, that's the problem. My <Rune Field> will consume more and more energy to hide your aura as you grow in size and strength. After all, what the Rune Field does is get your aura waves and use a medium to emit them outward as a Life Tree."

The mothkin looked at the two serpents that were looking at her and commented. "For that, we need to surround where your aura comes from with the Rune Field, meaning the core..." Mariane paused and looked down. "Speaking of which, I've assumed you do have a core. Not all trees have one. Do you?"

Liu Shu answered honestly. "I do!"

Mariane smiled. "That makes things easier. So, as I was saying, when you grow, you will eventually outgrow the limits of the Rune Field, making it collapse."

Liu Shu frowned and asked. "Is there any danger?"

Mariane shook her head. "None. A <Runic Field> collapsing is not violent. It just dissipates, and the runes lose their power, becoming nothing more than scribbles that can be easily erased."

Mariane jumped from Liu Shu's branch and flew around, leaving a trail of moth scales that made the ground glittery. "The Rune Field will cover this area. It should last until you reach Level 24, but I am not too sure. Still, with me around, I can renew it and increase the resilience of the Rune Field from time to time. As long as I am around, protecting your aura until you reach Level 25 is very doable."

Mariane landed in front of Liu Shu and looked upward with an excited face. "So? Do we do it?"

Liu Shu agreed. "Okay! Also, you need a medium, right? Do you have any?"

Mariane froze and crossed her four arms. "Honestly, I would love to have an Array Core or a Life Tree Core... Still, we'll have to do with a Life Tree branch, bark, or something similar. After all, there are almost no Life Trees in the surrounding area. Most of them are relatively high-level and live in the depths of the forest. Even I can't really go and get materials for that."

Liu Shu hummed. "How are Life Trees different from World Trees?"

Mariane's antennae bobbed up and down. "Well, they don't want domination. They just exist, and their roots don't expand outward more than what they need. Their intelligence is as high as any sapient being. They are prime partners for Sylvans and other plant-based creatures. Moreover, Life Trees come in various shapes and forms. Some are like World Trees, becoming giant trees; others become forest-like, expanding in numbers that form a single whole, and others, like Branthis, become vines that can swallow an entire city."

Liu Shu stopped Mariane. "Huh? Branthis is a Life Tree?"

Mariane nodded. "Yes. He is a Life Tree variant."

Liu Shu exclaimed. "Oh! I see. Hmhm~ I am learning so much from you, Mariane!"

Mariane smiled. "I am glad about that."

Liu Shu pondered and commented. "Mariane, go into my <Lignified Vault>. There is something I want you to see."

The mothkin blinked and followed Liu Shu's instructions, arriving at the Vault's trapdoor. After lifting it, she walked down and entered the massive underground room that was full of items, berries, and other treasures collected from dead Explorers.