In the core circle of the Star Dou Great Forest, deep within the Lake of Life, mist lingered. Dense woods appeared faintly like a cluster of islands coiled together. Following the river channel deeper through the gaps, the view suddenly widened. The lake surface shimmered with faint golden radiance under the sunlight, crystalline and transparent. Several emerald swans frolicked within. At the center stood a colossal dark-golden ancient tree, requiring several people to encircle its trunk.
Without warning—
Sha, sha, sha.
The crown of the giant tree rustled, blotting out the sky and sun, and the clouds above mysteriously scattered.
Beneath the lake surface, in the dark depths, the waters churned.
"Hmm?" Several figures suddenly raised their heads. One of them even stood up abruptly, his face filled with disbelief.
"How is this possible!?"
"Old Wan, what's wrong?" Beside him, a massive Dark Gold bear turned its head, its voice deep and low.
"The Child of Nature has been born." Not far away, a green-robed woman stood, her tone solemn. "And it's not the awakening of the Golden Ancient Tree."
"Impossible!" The Dark Gold Bear immediately refuted. "Besides the Golden Ancient Tree, who else has the right to inherit the Seed of Nature?"
"It's not inheritance—it's natural ascension." The tall black-haired man beside the woman's expression turned heavy.
"Natural ascension?" The bear scratched its huge claws, confused.
"It means life itself has surpassed the known extreme, directly receiving nature's recognition and thus ascending." The man called Old Wan explained, "If inheritance is choosing the tallest of the short ones when the need arises, then natural ascension is the undeniable choice. The world hasn't yet reached the point of requiring a Child of Nature's birth, yet now one has appeared. Without doubt, some existence has broken the boundary."
"This is the only way to gain natural ascension."
"Because breaking the boundary proves it has the potential to lead nature and life to higher levels. It is a rarity through the ages."
"The Child of Nature is the world's core and represents its peak. Only if it ascends can this world's life ascend further. Only if the Child of Nature becomes a god can life in this world, nourished by the feedback of its transformed energy, gain the possibility to become gods as well." The black-haired man's voice carried suppressed fury.
"Currently, the limit of human cultivation is soul rank 99. The limit for soul beasts is 990,000 years."
"Yes, some have become gods, but most were not natural ascension. They were taken in by another world, what is called the God Realm. Because subsequent Children of Nature never reached that level—not only due to their own potential but because the God Realm suppressed the world's growth."
"Those so-called gods of the God Realm are like leeches, sucking nourishment from this world."
"And they restricted the Children of Nature from further ascension."
"Especially those who became gods through faith—they could be called traitors to this world. They took the belief power of this world to become gods, then left for the God Realm. And through their inheritances left behind, they continue draining belief from this world, robbing nourishment that should have gone to the world's core to help it grow further."
"This Child of Nature was born through natural ascension, breaking the boundary, undoubtedly possessing the potential to naturally become a god. But if the God Realm suppresses it again, or forces it to inherit a god position and leave this world…"
"Then this hope will once again be shattered. Who knows how long until the next chance comes?"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's bring the Child of Nature back!" The giant bear roared.
"You understand nothing!" The black-haired man turned sharply. "The ascension of a Child of Nature triggers a Life Tide. If we can sense it, do you think the God Realm cannot? Why do you think those gods left their inheritances here? Was it really just to find successors?"
"The God Realm must already know of the Child of Nature's existence. If we recklessly go out and expose our master, can you bear the consequences?"
"And why do you think subsequent Children of Nature never reached ascension?"
"It is because of the God Realm's constant surveillance and obstruction."
"Once a Child of Nature ascends to God King, this world itself will ascend, becoming equal to the God Realm. At that point, it will naturally reject the God Realm's control. Do you think the God Realm would allow that? Either the ascension is cut off, or the child is taken to the God Realm to strengthen it, or else destroyed before it grows to that step."
"Our master once said—not only this world, but all worlds under the God Realm's control are the same."
"To the God Realm, these subordinate worlds are nothing more than resource planets, harvested to nourish its own growth." The black-haired man sighed.
"Then we can do nothing?" A crimson three-headed hound growled in frustration.
Having one's path of ascension severed—it was unbearable.
The black-haired man fell silent, guilt rising in his eyes. Though strong, before gods, he was but an ant. He had no power to protect the Child of Nature.
And he carried another duty—to guard their master, to preserve the chance of the dragon race's resurgence.
He took a deep breath, turning, "Yao Ling, you must go out and investigate."
"Among us, only your ability is most suited. Remember, if you find the Child of Nature before humans do, bring it back to the Star Dou Great Forest if possible. From then on, you will be its guardian. To avoid exposing our master, you must not return. As a plant-type soul beast, cultivating beside the Child of Nature will benefit you more."
"If you find that humans already discovered and took it, do not act. Return at once and we will decide."
"The Child of Nature is our hope, as is our master. We must not lose both. This task is critical—be cautious."
"Yes." The Myriad Demon King bowed, then launched skyward.
Illusory ripples shimmered, and it vanished. A moment later, it surfaced from the lake, water surging upward.
With its unique plant-soul beast sense for life energy, it looked toward the spreading Life Tide and sped away.
Meanwhile, in Spirit City—
"Hmm?" Both Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu raised their heads.
The next second, they vanished.
"This energy fluctuation…" Outside, both gazed afar. Weak, yet able to spread even here, its range vast—it astonished them.
Yet even with their experience, they did not know its source.
"Bibi Dong, send people to investigate." After transmitting his order, Qian Daoliu disappeared again.
Not long after, atop snowy peaks—
"This is…" A white-clad woman raised her head, sighed softly, then turned away.
One day later, across the ocean—
"The Child of Life… If I devour it, I can ascend!" A massive whale surfaced, then sank into the depths.
At the same time, in a grand hall, Bo Saixi suddenly opened her eyes from prayer.
Elsewhere, in another hall, a blue-robed man also opened his eyes and vanished.
Soon, he arrived at a palace.
"It seems you all sensed it." The purple-robed man looked around at the new arrivals. "It's a human youth. And he ascended naturally."
"How is that possible?" The blue-robed man frowned in shock.
"I know what you're all thinking. But this child, I won't allow you to touch." The purple-robed man said calmly, "He concerns the God Realm's expansion and advancement."
"If he chooses to oppose the God Realm, I will deal with it myself."
The others exchanged looks. The white-haired man in the middle finally nodded and disappeared.
Three days later, across the far seas, deep within another vast forest—
"Hmm?" A bizarre, floating one-eyed creature covered in tentacles turned its vertical pupil skyward.
"What should be a celebration has become a signal of doom. What irony, what tragedy! If death is inevitable, better it benefits us." With a cold laugh, it twisted its limbs and flew off.
One day later, in a wooden cabin, an old man tinkered with devices.
"Ming Hongchen, come out and meet me!" A voice rumbled in his ear.
The old man froze, solemn. Frowning, he left the cabin and leapt into a forest.
"Evil Emperor, what business brings you here?" He cupped his hands.
"The Child of Nature has emerged. I want to cooperate with you to bring it back." The one-eyed creature's voice vibrated the air.
"Child of Nature?" The old man frowned.
"The Child of Nature, also called the Seed of Nature, the Seed of Life—the core of nature." The creature explained. When finished, it added, "You should understand its importance. Will you wait until those overseas seize it and one day invade? Or will you act first, bringing it back to bless this continent? Choose."
"This must be reported to His Majesty first." The old man said gravely.
"Fine." The voice echoed. "If luck favors us, we may seize advantage amidst the struggle, expanding our territory. Do not doubt, the other continent will covet it too. Without vast forests and fertile land, no Child of Nature could be born."
The old man nodded. He knew—their ancestors had migrated with soul tool technology from another continent. He was clear on this truth.
"I will see the Emperor at once. I will bring you word later."
The creature's tentacles swayed as it departed.
Soon after, in a grand hall, many gathered.
"My suggestion is to first send a small team to investigate." The middle-aged man at the head spoke gravely. "If the other continent's strength is not overwhelming, or if they've already begun infighting, we can send armies after. To launch across the seas recklessly would be foolish."
"I agree." The old man nodded. "If we can secretly retrieve it, all the better."
"Still, we must prepare for battle." Another elder said firmly.
The middle-aged man nodded, "I will order the empire to mobilize its resources and prepare."
"In that case, let us discuss the team members." The old man spoke. "The Evil Emperor must go—only it can identify the Child of Nature."
The hall erupted in heated discussion.
(End of Chapter)
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