Chapter 3601: The Heart Of The Mother Forest
Chapter 3601: The Heart Of The Mother Forest
Lin Mu observed the phenomenon 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 something 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 same time, they might not take the same route."
Meng 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 Meng Bai gulp slightly.
They continued forward.
Hours passed, yet none of them felt fatigued. The ambient energy of the forest seemed 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 became overwhelming.
The forest opened up, revealing a vast expanse that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Though they remained on the ground and could not see the full extent of the settlement, the scale of it was immediately 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 mere 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 merely existing here, a person’s body would begin to improve. Their vitality would increase, their ailments would fade, and even their lifespan would be subtly extended over time.
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 emerged from the surroundings.
Foxkin guards.
They appeared swiftly but without hostility, their movements coordinated and precise. Each of them carried themselves with discipline, their armor crafted in the same 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 immediately, his earlier enthusiasm replaced with a more composed demeanor.
"It’s me," he said, nodding respectfully. "We come under the directive of the Guardian Beasts."
That statement 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 moment 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 immediate.
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 time, 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 settlement was arranged like a natural forest, with structures appearing wherever they fit organically. Paths branched and merged unpredictably, winding around trees, through roots, across elevated walkways and hollowed trunks.
Without guidance...
It would be impossible to navigate.
Meng Bai quickly realized this as he tried to memorize the route, only to give up moments later.
"This place... is a maze," he muttered.