The Gratitude of the Tree God

"Ah!"

"It's... a bit boring, isn't it?"

Chen Chang'an left the Sacred Qilin Heaven alone and headed for the Immaculate Sea. Without Da Huang and the other two by his side, the journey felt rather dull.

Fortunately, Chen Chang'an soon arrived at the Immaculate Sea.

Familiar with the way, he once again entered the mysterious space where the Tree God resided.

The Tree God seemed somewhat surprised by Chen Chang'an's swift return.

"You're back?"

"Could it be... your Life Source energy has improved?" the Tree God asked with a hint of astonishment.

"Indeed, my Life Law power has grown stronger."

"However, before I save you, there are some things I'd like to ask."

Ask?

The Tree God was puzzled, unsure what Chen Chang'an wanted to know. "Is there something troubling you?"

"During my travels, I heard a rumor."

"That no one has appeared in the Immaculate Sea for a long time."

"This is because a powerful expert at the Immortal Venerable realm once died here."

"What was the reason for that?" Chen Chang'an inquired.

Faced with this question, the Tree God seemed taken aback and explained, "Such an incident did occur."

"That person didn’t come to the Immaculate Sea merely to pass through. He sought to uncover the secrets hidden beneath these waters."

"He couldn’t find a way to enter this place, so he resorted to reckless attacks outside. To punish him, I took his life."

Hearing this, Chen Chang'an frowned slightly.

The barrier outside wasn’t something just anyone could breach. Could it be that the expert had been attacking the barrier itself?

But if the Tree God was trapped here, how had it managed to kill an Immortal Venerable?

"He attacked the barrier. Given my weakened state, it might have shattered under his relentless assault."

"What would happen if the barrier were destroyed?"

"It would have severe consequences for me. So, I had no choice but to kill him."

"This way, others might think twice before attempting the same."

"Truthfully, many have come to the Immaculate Sea seeking the secrets below."

"In the past, I could endure it. But now... I no longer have the strength."

"How did you kill him, then?"

This was what Chen Chang'an found most curious. If the Tree God was confined to this mysterious space, how had it taken a life?

"Ah!"

"I forcibly manifested an avatar. Though I succeeded in killing him, it cost me millions of years of my lifespan."

"That’s why I’ve reached the end of my life so quickly."

"Do you doubt me in some way?" the Tree God asked with a bitter smile.

Doubt?

Not exactly. It was just Chen Chang'an’s habit to be thorough.

With the Wisdom Law at his disposal, Chen Chang'an could discern many things clearly. The Tree God wasn’t an evil being, but caution never hurt.

"It’s nothing. Let me try saving you first."

"Very well."

Chen Chang'an placed his left hand on the Tree God’s trunk once more. The immense power of the Life Law caused the Tree God’s body to tremble violently.

Sensing this energy, the Tree God grew visibly excited.

"In just a few short years, your Life Source energy has grown so powerful?"

"How did you achieve this?"

"The Life Source energy you possess could instantly restore millions of years of my lifespan!"

Hearing this, Chen Chang'an was also surprised. He hadn’t realized his Life Law power had become so formidable.

In an instant, he had restored millions of years to the Tree God’s life?

Wait—

This wasn’t solely due to the Life Law. The Tree God itself possessed an immense lifespan, but its Life Source had been severely damaged, leading to its current state.

Chen Chang'an was merely repairing the damage. The reason the Tree God regained so much lifespan was due to its own inherent strength.

"Still not enough?"

Chen Chang'an had spent an entire day aiding the Tree God’s recovery, and even he was beginning to feel drained.

"Stop for now."

"My injuries are too severe. It’s unlikely they can be fully healed in such a short time."

"Still, I thank you. You’ve restored hundreds of millions of years to my lifespan."

Hundreds of millions of years—that should suffice.

Chen Chang'an withdrew his hand, relieved.

"My gratitude."

"As thanks, I shall bestow something upon you as well."

With that, Chen Chang'an watched as the Tree God’s body began to shrink, eventually taking on a human form.

A woman?

The Tree God was a woman?

But the voice earlier—

Only now did Chen Chang'an realize that the Tree God’s voice had been ethereal, making it impossible to discern gender. He had simply assumed it was male.

"You’re a woman?" Chen Chang'an asked, stunned.

"Did I ever say I was a man?"

"Did you not know that plants, too, have genders?"

Chen Chang'an had no retort. All things in existence had distinctions of male and female, though some lifeforms were simply beyond ordinary perception.

"But why did you disguise your voice?" Chen Chang'an pressed.

"Habit. Besides, does it matter whether I’m male or female?"

Matter?

It absolutely did—especially when the sight was so pleasing to the eye.

The Tree God’s appearance, while not as flawlessly exquisite as Hu Tianjiao’s, was undeniably that of a peerless beauty.

Her aura was refreshingly elegant, carrying a unique charm.

"What’s your name?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.

Name?

The Tree God shook her head, indicating she had none.

"Ah, right. You mentioned giving me something. What is it?"

"You’ll see soon enough."

Soon enough?

In the next moment, countless roots and leaves suddenly materialized around Chen Chang'an, swiftly enveloping him completely, leaving no gaps.

"Why did you pull me in here?"

"What... are you planning to do?"

In such close quarters, the air itself seemed to grow charged with ambiguity.

Was the Tree God planning to offer herself as gratitude?

This... was far too sudden.

"Thank you."

"Y-You could’ve warned me! I wasn’t mentally prepared at all!"

"Prepared for what?"

"Huh? You just dive right in? Do you always do this?" Chen Chang'an asked, baffled.

"Your questions... are quite strange."

"This is the first time I’ve ever thanked someone like this. Why shouldn’t I act directly?"

"Then... go ahead!"

"I can take it!"