Lin Mu observed the phenonon with quiet focus, his Spatial Perception extending outward to analyze the changes.
There was no fixed direction here.
No permanent road.
The path was not sothing that existed independently.
It was being created... continuously.
Guided.
He could sense the Grand Forest Array at work, but it was not acting like a rigid system. Instead, it behaved more like a living organism, responding dynamically to their presence and guiding them along the safest and most appropriate
route.
"It's adapting," Lin Mu murmured softly.
Xueyan nodded enthusiastically, clearly pleased to see Lin Mu taking interest. "Yes! The path isn't fixed. It changes based on who is traveling and where they are allowed to go. Even if two groups enter at the sa ti, they might not take the sa route."
ng Bai found this both fascinating and slightly unsettling. "So... if we didn't have permission...?"
"You would never reach the destination," Xueyan replied simply. "You'd either be led back out or trapped in loops until you gave up."
That answer made ng Bai gulp slightly.
They continued forward.
Hours passed, yet none of them felt fatigued. The ambient energy of the forest seed to sustain them subtly, easing the strain of travel. Even Shrubby, who
had been running at a steady pace, showed no signs of exhaustion.
Nearly twelve hours later...
They arrived.
The Heart of the Mother Forest.
At first, the transition was subtle.
Then, it beca overwhelming.
The forest opened up, revealing a vast expanse that seed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Though they remained on the ground and could not see the full extent of the settlent, the scale of it was imdiately apparent. Towering structures rose high into the sky.
But these were not buildings in the traditional sense.
They were trees.
Or rather...
They had once been trees.
Massive trunks had been shaped and guided, their forms sculpted into elegant towers that spiraled upward, their surfaces smooth yet still bearing the natural textures of bark. Branches extended outward, forming balconies, bridges, and layered platforms that connected one structure to another.
It was as if the forest itself had grown into a city.
Everywhere they looked, there was harmony.
There were no harsh edges, no abrupt constructions that broke the natural flow. Even where additional materials had been used, they were seamlessly integrated. Stone, wood, and other resources were blended with living structures so perfectly that it was impossible to tell where nature ended and craftsmanship began.
Lin Mu's eyes slowly scanned the surroundings, his perception going far deeper than re sight.
And what he felt... Was extraordinary.
Nature energy flowed everywhere.
It was not stagnant, nor was it chaotic. It moved like a gentle current, weaving through every structure, every pathway, every leaf and root. The entire city was interconnected, forming a massive network that circulated vitality continuously.
"This place..." Lin Mu muttered, almost in awe.
He could feel it clearly.
By rely existing here, a person's body would begin to improve. Their vitality would increase, their ailnts would fade, and even their lifespan would be
subtly extended over ti.
It was not exaggerated to say that this place alone could rival the Sacred Grounds of powerful sects.
Perhaps even surpass them.
"No wonder it's protected like this..." Daoist Chu said quietly, his eyes reflecting
his understanding.
Even Cattaleya, who was less concerned with such subtleties, could feel the
difference.
"...Feels good," she said simply, stretching her arms slightly.
Elyon remained silent, but his gaze was intense. The connection he had felt
earlier only deepened here. His instincts, his bloodline, everything within him resonated with this place.
It felt... right.
Of course, their arrival did not go unnoticed.
Before they could proceed further, several figures erged from the
surroundings.
Foxkin guards.
They appeared swiftly but without hostility, their movents coordinated and precise. Each of them carried themselves with discipline, their armor crafted in the sa natural aesthetic as the city itself, blending functionality with
harmony.
At first, their expressions were wary.
Their eyes scanned the group carefully, assessing each individual.
But then...
They saw Xueyan.
Recognition flickered in their eyes.
"Temple Head's Disciple Xueyan?" one of them spoke, his tone shifting.
Xueyan stepped forward imdiately, his earlier enthusiasm replaced with a more composed deanor.
"It's ," he said, nodding respectfully. "We co under the directive of the Guardian Beasts."
That statent alone caused the guards to stiffen slightly.
But to remove all doubt...
Lin Mu stepped forward.
Without hesitation, he took out the Guardian Beast Decree.
The mont it appeared, the atmosphere changed.
SHUA
A faint aura spread outward, carrying with it the unmistakable presence of the
Guardian Beasts. It was not oppressive, but it was absolute.
Authoritative.
Sacred.
The guards' reactions were imdiate.
Without a single word exchanged, they all dropped to their knees.
THUD THUD THUD
"We pay our respects to the bearer of the decree... and to the Guardian Beasts!"
they said in unison.
This ti, Lin Mu did not feel awkward.
He understood the significance of the situation.
And more importantly...
He understood the convenience it would bring.
"Rise," he said calmly.
The guards stood up quickly, their expressions now filled with respect and
caution.
"We will guide you to the Elder Council," the lead guard said. "Please follow us."
Lin Mu nodded.
This was exactly what he needed.
If there was any place in this world that could provide a space vessel, it would
be through the authority of the Elder Council.
They began moving through the city.
And only then did they truly realize how vast and complex it was.
There was no grid.
No organized pattern.
The entire settlent was arranged like a natural forest, with structures
appearing wherever they fit organically. Paths branched and rged unpredictably, winding around trees, through roots, across elevated walkways
and hollowed trunks.
Without guidance...
It would be impossible to navigate.
ng Bai quickly realized this as he tried to morize the route, only to give
up monts later.
"This place... is a maze," he muttered.
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