Demon God Residue. To put it simply, these are the fragments left behind after a god's death, containing a portion of their original authority. Now, these shards had completely merged with Collei.
While she wasn't quite a "Half-Demon God," her cultivation speed would now outstrip almost everyone else. Su Han had a premonition: in less than three months, Collei's achievements would surpass the likes of Kaedehara Kazuha. As for Beidou... well, her talent was a force of nature, and with the sheer mountain of treasures Su Han had piled on her, Collei wouldn't be catching up to that woman anytime soon.
Having resolved the internal threat, Su Han turned to Collei with a serious expression. "I've cleared the hidden danger, but you must be careful. Under no circumstances are you to reveal this power casually."
"Why, Brother?" Collei asked, tilting her head.
"He's likely worried about the implications of you being compatible with God Remains," Tighnari interjected, his gaze somber. He had already guessed the truth.
Sumeru might look peaceful on the surface, but Tighnari knew the filth hiding in the shadows. If word got out that Collei had successfully assimilated a demon god's power, she would become the ultimate prey. The mad Sages of the Akademiya, who were already obsessed with the power of the gods, would hunt her down without hesitation.
Furthermore, there was the Fatui. Many scholars and factions in Sumeru were in league with them. If Dottore found out his "experiment" was a success, he would launch a full-scale invasion to reclaim her. Tighnari knew that even he wouldn't be able to protect her then.
Collei realized the weight of his words, her excitement cooling into a steady resolve. "Mhm, I understand. Thank you, Brother."
"Now that that's settled, let's head to the World Tree. Your teacher has been waiting for this for a long time."
"Hehe... thank you, Mr. Su Han!"
The Grandeur of the World Tree
Since there was no direct teleportation gate inside the Jade Chamber, they had to fly. When Su Han performed Sword Flight, the two Sumeru natives were stunned. Gliding with a Wind Glider was one thing, but this was their first time experiencing true flight. The speed was beyond imagination, and Tighnari was certain this was only a fraction of Su Han's true power.
In a flash, they arrived at the outskirts of the World Tree. Gazing up at the miraculous tree that pierced the clouds, Tighnari breathed, "Magnificent... a true World Tree."
Even from the outside, he could feel the sheer majesty of the entity. They landed near the trunk's center.
"I'm going to meditate for a while," Su Han told Amber. "Take them around. The crown is off-limits, but feel free to explore elsewhere."
"Yay! Collei, come on! I'll take you to try the specialty here—Nectar Brew made by the little spirits! It's delicious!"
"Umm... I don't really like alcohol."
"It's fine! It's called 'brew,' but it's more like a nectar juice." This drink was made from the leftover raw materials the spirits used; it had recently become a restricted commodity because it could refresh the mind and restore elemental energy.
As the girls left, Tighnari began his own tour. This was a tree rooted in the ocean, feeding on demon god remains, yet it had grown to this size in such a short time. It was illogical, yet it stood before him.
What shocked Tighnari most were the spirits. Under Su Han's tutelage, these seemingly fragile beings had mastered Ninjutsu, Haki, and even path-walking. He watched a tiny spirit close her eyes and effortlessly snipe a target a thousand meters away with an arrow. Nearby, two spirit knights sparred with combat prowess that made the Forest Watcher feel inadequate.
Any one of them could probably hold their own against me, Tighnari thought, feeling a wave of "martial depression."
The Song of the Tree
Putting aside combat, Tighnari focused on the botany. He spent three hours observing, even growing his own vines to get a better vantage point. He reached a startling conclusion: the tree had a high-functioning consciousness. It sang. It expressed emotions.
He noticed the leaves dancing in a specific rhythm. Upon asking, he learned the tree only acted this way when Su Han was present. It would even cast a Dew of Grace—a magic that washed the souls of living beings and tripled their cultivation speed.
"If I could, I'd stay here forever," Tighnari sighed. "No wonder so many scholars are fleeing to Liyue. The temptation is just too great."
That night, the visitors dined on the tree, enjoying grilled eggplant and fried tofu. Tighnari could sense a supremely powerful treasure hidden in the crown—the source of power radiating across the three nations.
The Sovereign's Reward
Meanwhile, Su Han opened his system to claim his mission rewards.
[Ding! Group members completed a Four-Star Hard Mission. As Group Leader, you receive a bonus: 200,000 Points.]
[Ding! You have received a special reward: The Abyssal Star-Soul Tower.]
[The Abyssal Star-Soul Tower]: A derivative of Las Noches, this is a hidden item from the Bleach world extracted as a reward.
[Description]: This tower attracts the souls of the strong and allows ghosts residing within to cultivate and grow. If placed in a "Haunted Zone," it can eventually replace a portion of the Underworld.
[Features]: It can transform souls into various forms:
Arrancar Form: Violent power, difficult to control.Shinigami Form: Balanced, but cannot move in daylight until reaching high levels.Quincy Form: Versatile combat, can move in daylight, but limited duration at lower levels.
[Note]: The tower has an instinctual drive to devour the power of the Underworld to grow.
Su Han was shocked. He had expected Baraggan's axe or something similar, but this was a foundational treasure.
"Place it in a haunted zone? Wuwang Hill would be the perfect spot," Su Han mused. It was the gateway to the "border" between life and death.
However, he didn't want to devour Teyvat's own underworld; Hu Tao's grandfather probably wouldn't appreciate that. The answer was clear: he would have the tower devour the underworlds of other worlds.
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