On the next morning, Sylphia was with Empress Vilena, enjoying the scenery at the palace garden. Aldrian's avatar also stood not far from them, observing their interaction like a good guardian.
Although the situation outside the palace was still quite chaotic with the purging process underway, they still had ti to relax. Especially for Empress Vilena, her mind could finally feel at ease without having to think about the plots of the opposition faction for the first ti in years.
As long as there were no major problems hindering them, the purging operation could be handled by her generals.
The two won talked about many things until Sylphia finally brought up sothing that had already been on her mind even before she ca to this empire.
"Your Majesty, to be honest, I truly wonder if I could see the Tree of Life. Since Your Majesty gave us the fruit of the Tree of Life last ti, I've been curious about this legendary tree that is said to contain life laws."
Empress Vilena raised her eyebrows before smiling.
"Of course you could, Your Majesty. How could you not? Let take you there right now," she said as she stood up.
The three of them then walked toward the deeper part of the palace, which was located right beneath the World Tree's trunk. As they went further in, the atmosphere felt more refreshing, and the number of people passing by gradually lessened.
They continued walking until they reached a pair of double doors guarded by two n at the peak of pseudo-immortal establishnt. The guards opened the doors upon Empress Vilena's order, and the mont the doors parted, Sylphia raised her eyebrows at the sudden freshness that swept over her body.
She truly felt comfortable, as if she were back at the palace on the Barisan Continent—no, she could even say she felt much more comfortable here, which surprised her. To think there existed a place that could give her the sa kind of new sensation she had felt when she saw Aldrian's palace for the first ti, though the energy here was not as rich as there.
The avatar that observed the change was not particularly surprised, as this was the combined effect of the World Tree and the Tree of Life. The World Tree could release rich heaven and earth energy, while the Tree of Life did the sa but also have the effect of life laws. The atmosphere will created a distinct sensation for anyone who ca near.
His palace on the Barisan Continent was richer in heaven and earth energy because of the presence of abundant divine energy, and it even contained a source of it. However, this place offered a far more refreshing and rejuvenating feeling thanks to the life laws.
Behind the doors stretched a wide natural path ford from the roots of the World Tree. They continued walking deeper for another fifteen minutes before they finally arrived at a vast open space beneath the world tree.
Although they were under the World Tree, the light here was bright enough for them to see everything clearly. It was neither too bright nor too dim, providing a comfortable glow for their eyes. This was all thanks to the rich illumination crystals scattered and embedded throughout the vast space.
They could see a shrine in the middle of the open area, and a lone, beautiful tree stood beside it, creating a stunning sight. The pond surrounding the shrine and the tree added to the serenity and refreshing atmosphere.
Sylphia couldn't help but recall the shrine of the Heavenly Tree beneath the World Tree in the capital city of the Ivory Kingdom, though this place was far more beautiful.
"Your Majesty must recognize the shrine, as it is sothing common among our race. However, the tree beside it is what differentiates this place from others. That is the legendary Tree of Life," Empress Vilena said before continuing to walk forward.
As they approached the shrine, Sylphia observed the Tree of Life. The tree was quite large and tall, forcing her to raise her head to see its crown. Its leaves were unique, white in color, and faintly glowing. The crown of the tree spread wide, casting shade and shadow over the area beneath it.
The avatar who also observed the tree couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Looking at it directly, he was reminded of his true body's past life, back when this tree still stood in the higher heavens. Every ti he passed by the Heavenly Tree of the World, he would always visit this lone tree and sit beside it, spending his ti simply enjoying the scenery.
It was the sa tree from that ti, although it had grown larger than he rembered. This tree was one of the beings that had directly witnessed history through the eons until it ended up here. It was a silent witness to everything that happened after his death in his past life—the silent witness of the great war that forced it to be moved to this place.
As he kept walking closer, the tree, as if recognizing who he was, suddenly moved its leaves as though a strong wind had swept through them. It created a rustling sound that spread across the vast space.
This caused Empress Vilena to stop in her tracks and look at the tree in astonishnt. She had never seen it move like this before, the most she had ever witnessed was the gentle swaying of its leaves under a soft breeze. Sylphia also stopped when she saw Empress Vilena halt, her eyes turning toward the tree.
"What happened, Your Majesty?" she asked.
"This tree… this is the first ti I've seen it move like this. I wonder what could have caused it," Empress Vilena replied. She then glanced at Sylphia and couldn't help but wonder if it was because of her presence.
The first ti she saw Sylphia, she knew that Sylphia was not an ordinary elf. There was sothing about her that felt so holy and transcendent that Empress Vilena could not describe it. Sylphia seed like a being naturally worthy of reverence, and it amazed her, for as a cultivator at the peak of the pseudo-immortal stage, very few beings could evoke such a feeling within her.
Empress Vilena sighed and decided to set her curiosity aside, continuing to walk toward the tree.
After almost a minute, they finally arrived beside the tree. Empress Vilena touched the tree and observed it for a mont. As the Empress and the strongest elf cultivator at peak pseudo immortal stage, her connection with nature was strong. This allowed her to sense the feeling of the plants.
She could sense that the Tree of Life was happy, which made her raise her eyebrows. It was the first ti she had ever sensed such a thing from the Tree of Life. Every ti she had touched it before, what she sensed from it was nothing.
The tree had never shown any emotion before, as if it were lifeless, which should have been impossible. Now that she felt a change within it, she couldn't help but feel joyful. Perhaps this was a good sign for her empire. The problem with the opposition faction had been resolved, and now this unexpected good sign appeared before her.
Sylphia also touched the tree. Aldrian had told her that this tree would benefit her cultivation if she cultivate near it, even more so if she consud its fruits. As soone who could communicate with plants, she could sense their intent, and she was stunned when she felt its happiness.
It was the kind of happiness one felt when eting soone after a long ti.
Empress Vilena, who was still touching the tree, sensed a fluctuation within it the mont Sylphia's hand touched the trunk. Her heart trembled as she realized that the tree was reacting to Sylphia's presence.
The sound of rustling leaves continued, and only after a few seconds did the two elves release their hands from the tree.
"This is an amazing tree, Your Majesty. I can't describe it in words. This is the first ti I've ever felt sothing like this," Sylphia said in amazent as she looked at the tree.
"Isn't it? If you wish, you may stay here for a while. You can cultivate here as long as you want. This is the best place in our empire for cultivation, after all," Empress Vilena said with a smile.
"Is that so? Then I am truly grateful for Your Majesty's offer," Sylphia replied. That would be ideal, and it was one of her intentions in visiting the tree in the first place.
Before they observed the tree any further or did anything else in this place, they decided to offer their prayers at the shrine of the Heavenly Tree first. While they prayed, the avatar remained beside the tree, observing it closely.
The tree continued to move its leaves, even more erratically now that he stood near it. He couldn't help but smile as he finally reached out to touch it. The mont his hand t the trunk, the tree gradually began to calm. The rustling sound faded, and the movent of the leaves slowed until they swayed softly again.
He could sense the tree's overwhelming happiness at his touch, but also its sadness and tangled emotions. He felt a deep pang of guilt, realizing how lonely this tree must have been after Seralis placed it here. It no longer shared a bond with anyone as it once did with Seralis, or with him.
This tree had waited for him for who knows how long, enduring endless ages of solitude and longing with no one it knew beside it.
That was why, when it finally sensed him again, it couldn't help but reveal such intense emotion. Feeling guilty for what the tree had endured, he decided to contact his true body.
Empress Vilena, who had just finished her prayer, was stunned when she saw the tree fall silent.
'What is happening? Could he also affect the tree?' she thought. The tree had gone quiet, yet even without touching it, she could still sense its intense emotions.
Sylphia also finished her prayer and turned toward the tree with a gentle smile. But then her eyes widened in shock as another figure suddenly appeared beside it. Empress Vilena was just as startled.
"Dear!" Sylphia exclaid in joy.
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