Xu Xin saw his body rejuvenated to about five or six years old.
He saw a tree that rose more majestically than the peak of Wudang Mountain, and leaves that shone more brilliantly than gold.
He saw two moons floating in the sky.
These were sights that would have startled and knocked over any ordinary person.
But perhaps it was because his seventy years of Taoist practice hadn't been entirely in vain. Xu Xin was able to face these fantastical things with the calm demeanor he had maintained throughout his life.
'Where is this place? Have I died and fallen into the world of immortals and spirits?'
As he pondered this question alone, beautiful people with long ears approached him.
"You must be the brother bestowed by the Divine Tree after a hundred years."
Beautiful people with hair and eyes of various colors—gold, silver, blue, red, green, and more—smiled as they spoke.
When Xu Xin examined these beauties, from their leaf-like long ears to their jade-perfect beauty, everything about them was extraordinarily extraordinary, unmistakably the appearance of immortals.
Having lived his whole life as a Taoist priest, Xu Xin couldn't help but speak at the thought of meeting immortals.
"I am Xu Xin, who practiced the Tao on Wudang Mountain. Are you the immortal men and women of Peach Blossom Spring?"
Xu Xin asked. But what came out of his mouth was not Chinese but an unfamiliar language.
The long-eared beauties tilted their heads and answered.
"We are the direct children of Mother Divine Tree. We are High Elves granted infinite lifespans."
High Elf? Xu Xin blinked. He knew numerous spirits and immortals under the Three Pure Ones, but he could assert that he had never heard such a name before.
"And you are also a High Elf. I don't know what Wudang Mountain or Xu Xin means, but you are our brother born today by Mother Divine Tree."
Xu Xin unconsciously brought his hand to his ear. He felt a leaf-like long ear. It was the same long ear as the beauties right in front of him.
'Have I died and become an immortal?'
As Xu Xin was confused, the long-eared beauties sat in a circle around him. And they began to sing.
The long-eared beauties sang with a rather reverent attitude, and when their singing resounded, the tree with golden leaves larger than mountains emitted light as if in response.
The moment he was touched by the light of the golden-leafed tree, Xu Xin felt an indescribable sensation.
The tree larger than mountains, the two moons, the long-eared beauties who called themselves High Elves, the unfamiliar language that naturally came to him, and his body rejuvenated to a boy's—all these incomprehensible things were gradually becoming understood, a mysterious feeling.
The beauties' song did not stop until the moon set.
During that time, Xu Xin was continuously bathed in light, and so, when dawn broke, he finally realized that he had neither come to a fairyland nor become an immortal.
He had simply been reborn in another world. In a world without Wudang Sect or Central Plains, as a High Elf with an unlimited lifespan.
Xu Xin glanced at the golden-leafed tree with a slightly dazed face.
"Brother newly born after a hundred years. Has Mother Divine Tree given you enlightenment?"
Among the long-eared beauties, a particularly radiant golden-haired handsome man asked.
Xu Xin slowly turned to him.
"Yes... It seems so."
"Then sit down now. I will introduce you to our brothers and sisters who have gathered to celebrate your birth."
Xu Xin sat down as directed by the golden-haired handsome man. Soon, the High Elves seated around Xu Xin revealed their names one by one.
"I am Lahan. The firstborn, born first."
Xu Xin almost habitually put his hands together in salute, but he recalled that these beings had no such etiquette. So he simply nodded lightly each time the High Elf brothers and sisters revealed their names.
Thus, starting with the golden-haired handsome man, introductions continued in order of birth.
The last in order was a beauty with platinum hair that grew long to her waist.
"Eve. I'm the sister born right before you."
After all the High Elves had revealed their names, Xu Xin expected them to give him a name as well.
So he pondered briefly. Should he first request to keep using the name Xu Xin?
The name Xu Xin was very precious to him, so even though he had been reborn with a new body in another world, he still wanted to continue using that name.
But his concern proved unnecessary, as the High Elf brothers and sisters did not pay much attention to his name.
"Newly born brother. Have you seen and heard the faces and names of all your brothers and sisters?"
"Yes."
The firstborn High Elf, the eldest of all brothers and sisters, Lahan, spoke.
"Then I will now enlighten you about the significance and mission of your existence. We have gathered not only to celebrate your birth but also to convey this to you."
As Lahan lightly extended his hand, a cool breeze blew.
"We exist as children of Mother Divine Tree to cultivate this forest. The weighty mission of us High Elves is to bear and raise Elves, and also to protect this forest with our endless lifespans."
Lahan flicked his fingers while turning his palm. At this, soil and rocks floated up, and clouds gathered to release raindrops.
Xu Xin looked with rounded eyes at the natural harmony created by Lahan's gestures. A mere living being moving heaven and earth at will. It was truly a scene reminiscent of immortal techniques.
"Mother Divine Tree has granted us such power for our mission. All of us High Elves can control nature with powerful magical force and magic."
Lahan gazed at Xu Xin with eyes as deep as a calm lake.
"You will be the same. You must already be feeling the immense magical force that you were born with."
"..."
"Until your body matures, focus on learning magic, and after maturation, make efforts to love with other sisters and flourish the Elves."
Having finished his explanation, Lahan closed his eyes gently and rose. He was about to fly away somewhere on the wind.
Xu Xin quickly stopped Lahan.
"I have something I wish to ask."
"Speak."
"I do not feel this thing called magical force well, but might I seek help from someone else in learning magic?"
Lahan's eyebrow twitched.
"You don't feel magical force? That's impossible. Magical force is something you must feel if you have it... Excuse me."
Lahan approached Xu Xin and abruptly extended his hand. His index finger touched Xu Xin's forehead.
Immediately after, Xu Xin felt something somewhat uncomfortable flowing into him through Lahan's finger. It was a heterogeneous yet mysterious power contrary to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
"...It's not there."
Lahan murmured as he removed his finger from Xu Xin's forehead. A look of bewilderment flashed across his previously impassive expression.
"There's no magical force."
"Do you mean there's little magical force?"
"No. I mean there's none. There's absolutely no magical force. Not even a speck. I don't know how this is possible."
At this, other High Elves rushed to Xu Xin and extended their hands without hesitation. Something uncomfortable flowed in through their hands one after another.
"There really is no magical force?"
"How can a High Elf be like this?"
"Could there be a problem with Mother Divine Tree's well-being..."
Tall High Elves surrounded Xu Xin and murmured among themselves.
As he quietly observed them, Xu Xin suddenly had an intuition. It was an intuition that perhaps remembering his past life while being reborn might be related to being born without magical force.
'Should I tell them the truth that I remember my past life?'
After pondering briefly, Xu Xin decided not to. As someone who had learned a bit of divination as a Taoist priest, he knew what a great sin it was to disclose heavenly secrets.
After looking over the High Elves who were concerned about the Divine Tree's well-being, Xu Xin approached Lahan and asked.
"Is what my brothers and sisters are concerned about my future without magical force?"
"The brothers and sisters are only worried about Mother Divine Tree's well-being. Your future is also a concern, but it's trivial compared to Mother Divine Tree's well-being."
Xu Xin nodded and said.
"So they're worried that there might be a problem with the Divine Tree, causing a High Elf like me to be born without magical force."
"That's right."
"But the reason there's no other action despite such worry is because there's no immediate way to confirm whether there's a problem with the Divine Tree's well-being?"
"Hmm... That's right."
To Lahan's affirmation, Xu Xin asked.
"If Mother Divine Tree gives birth to a new brother or sister, we could confirm whether there truly is a problem or if I was just born differently. If a problem is confirmed, wouldn't it be fine to worry then?"
Lahan thought for a moment and then replied.
"Your words are right. We shouldn't neglect our mission by worrying prematurely. Our best course is to be faithful to our mission and wait for the birth of the next brother or sister."
Lahan gestured to create wind. Soaring high into the sky on the wind, he said.
"Brothers and sisters. Do not hastily discuss Mother Divine Tree's well-being. We will fulfill our mission and wait for the birth of a new brother or sister."
Did they say the lifespan of High Elves is infinite? Indeed, the weight of the words from the firstborn among such High Elves was extraordinary. The murmuring High Elves instantly regained their composure.
"The birth of the new brother has been adequately celebrated, so now return to your places to cultivate and protect the forest."
One High Elf asked.
"Lahan. What should we do with the newly born brother? He has no magical force, so he will need long care."
Lahan looked down at Xu Xin from high in the sky. His brother who was just born today. A High Elf born without magical force.
"We will follow custom. Sister born right before, where are you?"
At Lahan's question, the platinum-haired beauty stepped forward.
"Eve. Take care of the newly born brother today."
The beauty nodded somewhat blankly.
"This gathering is now concluded."
After taking a second look at Xu Xin, the eldest flew away on the wind far away.
※※※
As the eldest flew away on the wind far away, other High Elves also began to leave one after another.
Some approached Xu Xin to congratulate him on his birth, and Xu Xin could sense a subtle consolation in their congratulations. They seemed to pity him for being born without magical force.
After all the other High Elves had left, the platinum-haired beauty Eve approached.
"You heard earlier? From now on, I'll take care of you according to custom."
Eve said briefly.
Appearing like a young maiden, she exuded a fresh, pure charm like a flower.
But Xu Xin remembered that other High Elves had spoken of him as a birth after a hundred years. So he politely paid his respects.
"I'll be in your care."
Eve glanced at Xu Xin with a blank face. There was an evident air of dissatisfaction, but Xu Xin couldn't understand why she looked at him so disapprovingly.
"Come close and stick to me. We're going to fly."
Eve said in a curt tone, almost spitting out the words. And she grumbled.
"Tsk. Taking care of a child without magical force. He'll never be able to become independent."
At her gesture, wind rose and enveloped Xu Xin. Their bodies floated up, then shot out westward like an arrow.
Xu Xin looked with rounded eyes at the clouds above and the scenery below that quickly passed by.
The experience of riding the fierce wind and flying like a bird was so extraordinary that Xu Xin couldn't help but feel somewhat tense.
But as he adapted to the wind that wrapped around his body like a blanket, anxiety dissipated, and he could only enjoy boundless liberation.
'Flying in the sky without wings. Is this also what they call magic? Truly amazing.'
This must be how it feels to become an immortal and ride clouds and wind. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
But while Xu Xin was immersed in such emotions, Eve suddenly spoke in an angry tone.
Despite flying so fast that the scenery below was flashing by, her voice came through clearly.
"According to our custom, a newly born High Elf is cared for by a previously born High Elf for several decades before becoming independent. After aging several decades, one becomes fairly accustomed to using magic."
"I see."
"I have no complaints about that custom. I was also cared for by a previously born sister when I was newly born. But taking care of you is a bit different. You can't follow that custom, can you?"
Since you can't use magic from the start, it's obvious you won't be able to become independent even after decades or centuries. Eve glared at Xu Xin and scolded him.
"In short, don't feel too wronged if I don't act kindly toward you. I'm not getting annoyed for no reason."
As Xu Xin quietly listened to her words, he could understand where her dissatisfaction originated.
'Since I was born without magical force and independence seems distant, she's already tired of the endless care.'
He didn't feel wronged or resentful. Rather, he was grateful.
If she hadn't honestly expressed her inner thoughts, he might have worried about what mistake he had made and strived for reconciliation.
But now that he knew her dissatisfaction was something beyond his power to resolve, he could behave with peace of mind.
'I must be mindful not to cause trouble while under her care.'
How much longer did they fly in silence after that?
As they were navigating the endless sea of vegetation stretching beyond the horizon, ahead appeared an exceptionally large platinum-colored tree. It was a tree that made the surrounding giant trees look like saplings.
"That's my palace. It's a tree bestowed upon me by Mother Divine Tree."
As if excited to return home, Eve's previously blank face showed a smile for the first time.
As they got closer to the platinum-colored tree, Xu Xin could observe its form in more detail.
The platinum tree had its trunk and branches intertwined and twisted, but unexpectedly, this created an exquisite harmony, giving it the shape of a real palace.
"Your Majesty."
Upon reaching the Platinum Tree Palace, beautiful men and women with leaf-like long ears paid their respects to Eve.
Beautiful men and women who were as beautiful as High Elves but clearly had a different feel. Xu Xin could instinctively distinguish that they were Elves.
The Elves' gazes turned to Xu Xin.
"Is this the newly born king? His black hair is truly elegant."
"Yes. He's the brother I'll care for according to custom."
Eve took Xu Xin to the depths of the Platinum Tree Palace.
"Here. I'll give you this place as your quarters. Preferably, live here without going outside. It's bothersome if you catch attention unnecessarily."
Xu Xin looked around the quarters Eve had given him. It was a place almost as spacious as the Scripture Pavilion of Wudang Sect that he had overseen in his past life.
"It's very spacious. I don't think I'll feel confined even if I stay only in here. I'll be careful not to cause any disturbance."
"...Really? Well, I suppose so. It's one of the most spacious places in my palace."
At Xu Xin's calm response, Eve added in a slightly softened voice.
"I have to take care of you according to custom. If you get hurt or die before becoming independent, I'll be severely reprimanded. At least in this palace, that won't happen, so that's why I'm telling you not to wander outside."
"I understand your meaning. Thank you for your consideration."
"I'm glad you understand. Well, I'll be going now. I'm busy, you see."
Eve left, and the door to the quarters closed.