"You..."
Luo Qing fell silent.
If what this so-called "Sustainer" said was true, attacking her would an damaging the World Tree.
And since Nahida was the avatar of the World Tree, it would be no different than hurting his own daughter.
"Fine. Staying silent and acting like a big shot, huh?"
As the white-haired woman remained expressionless, Luo Qing's thoughts raced.
Since her attacks were ineffective against him, wasn't he the one holding all the cards now? Why did she still seem so unfazed?
Looks like she needs a little push.
A mischievous idea ford in his mind. Slowly, Luo Qing reached out and pinched her cheek.
The white-haired woman's eyes flew open, a murderous glare filling them instantly.
Several spatial rifts materialized, and crimson chains shot toward him as she teleported a hundred ters away.
But just like before, the seven chess pieces around Luo Qing absorbed the chains as energy, rendering the attack useless.
"No new tricks, huh, sis?" Luo Qing chuckled.
Now that he had found sothing that provoked her emotions, the rest would be easy.
Wiggling his fingers mockingly, as if squeezing sothing invisible, Luo Qing grinned. "You better let go before soone gets hurt. And trust , if that happens, it's not on ."
"..."
On the other side, the white-haired woman frowned slightly.
It was clear his antics had gotten a reaction, but before she could figure out a response, Luo Qing charged at her again, making the sa exaggerated hand motions.
"..."
The outsider's despicable behavior filled her with rage.
But no matter what she did, her attacks were ineffective, and he treated her like a mobile power bank.
"You will live out the rest of your days here."
Her voice was icy.
With that, she summoned another spatial rift and disappeared into it.
Realizing her intent, Luo Qing lunged forward, hoping to follow her through the rift, but he was a mont too slow.
Just as he reached out, the rift closed, leaving him alone.
"..."
Luo Qing stood in the endless void, his emotions complicated.
Great. The white-haired woman had left, and now it was just him in this vast, featureless space.
Without the ability to traverse dinsions, was he really dood to stay here for the rest of his life, as she claid?
Ti passed, though Luo Qing couldn't tell how much.
In this void devoid of signals or distractions, he found himself surrounded only by floating fragnts of tree branches.
He wandered through the space, searching for an exit or clue, but it yielded nothing.
"Resorting to this kind of trick, huh? How shaless."
Floating in midair, Luo Qing couldn't help but grumble.
Then his eyes fell on the seven chess pieces orbiting him. A thought struck him. Holding them before him, he noticed a change.
Although six of the pieces were still locked, likely due to absorbing energy from The Sustainer, they now emitted faint glows rather than the dim light they once had.
"What's this..."
Luo Qing furrowed his brow, thinking deeply.
Only the trial labeled 'World Tree' was accessible, while the others remained marked with question marks.
So, to unlock the other trials, do I need to charge them with more energy?
But his imdiate concern wasn't unlocking the trials.
"So..."
Luo Qing picked up the verdant green chess piece, his expression turning serious.
"From the very beginning... you knew this day would co, didn't you?"
A wave of inevitability washed over him, as if his entire journey had been scripted from the mont he arrived in this world.
Every decision he made seed to have already been decided by soone else.
All he could do was move along the predetermined path.
"Fine."
Luo Qing shook his head, glancing once more at the boundless void.
"Let's see what this trial has in store."
With a thought, the green chess piece began to radiate an intense light, enveloping him completely.
When the light dissipated, Luo Qing was gone.
[Trial Unlocked: The World Tree]
A dazzling light faded, and Luo Qing's vision gradually cleared.
Rubbing his eyes, he looked around and found himself in a lush rainforest.
"This is... Suru?"
The towering trees left no room for doubt. No other place could boast such a grand rainforest.
So, does this trial involve Bu'er...?
Testing a hunch, Luo Qing tried to connect his consciousness to the Void Network, but nothing happened.
After a few monts, he realized the Void Network didn't exist in this version of Suru.
"Not even a Void Terminal, huh..."
He fell into thought. Determining the ti period he was in beca his top priority.
"I'll have to head to Suru City."
Just as he was about to set off, a notification appeared in his vision.
[You have entered the trial: 'The World Tree']
[Trial Objectives:]
Task 1: Help Bu'er survive the Archon War (Ensure Bu'er's survival).
Task 2: Aid Bu'er in establishing Suru (Achieve prosperity level: 80%).
Task 3: Win Bu'er's favor (Achieve affection level: 100%).
Hidden Task: ******
[Note:]
The "Frustration Value" and lottery functions will be disabled during the trial. Existing items remain usable.
During the trial, you may only operate within Suru's territory. Leaving the designated area will result in trial failure.
Failure of the trial ans permanent entrapnt.
"This..."
Luo Qing's heart sank.
Disabling the "Frustration Value" system and lottery ant no new power-ups. He could only rely on his existing abilities.
If this was indeed the Archon War era, his current strength might only place him at the upper-middle level.
If multiple gods attacked him at once, he might not stand a chance.
"I guess heading to Suru City is still my best option..."
Luo Qing sighed.
With no other options, he resolved to follow the trial's objectives and hope the system would return him to his tiline once it was complete.
The rainforest was untad and far less developed than the Suru of the future.
With a thought, Luo Qing summoned his Susano'o and prepared to fly to a higher vantage point.
But just as the ethereal armor materialized around him, a thunderous roar echoed from a distance.
The elental energies surged wildly, chaotic like a violent storm.
It seed a battle between gods was underway.
---
...
If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—ant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your ti? Thank you.
Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into sothing beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!
If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:
👉 [patreon/WiseTL]
Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.
Until next ti—read well, rest often, and maybe co visit at the Hostess of Fertility soti.
– Syr ✨
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