"Ahh! So many mosquitoes… this is unbearable."
As they entered the dense rainforest of Sumeru, the damp air and swarms of giant insects made the group miserable.
The mosquitoes here were as large as a human hand—one bite could be fatal.
Koji looked around, a little amazed. Then he remembered—this wasn't a game, it was real.
Of course the wildlife here was going to be terrifying.
"The desert doesn't have this many bugs," he said. "But it's hotter."
Rainforests were humid and suffocating; deserts, dry and scorching.
Without adaptation, no one could survive long in either part of Sumeru.
"Ugh… Dragonspine feels like paradise compared to this," Eula fanned herself.
"I've already given you some protective blessings. Feel any better?" Koji asked.
"Much better~," Lumine said with relief. "Now this is how traveling should feel—comfortable!"
Koji smiled. "Good. You could've stayed in Inazuma for a few days longer. I only came here because the Doctor started moving."
"Scaramouche was cut down by the Raiden Shogun," he explained, "so the Fatui's plans had to change."
They nodded.
"Think of this as a scouting trip," Koji added. "You've only resonated briefly with Dendro so far. This'll help you adjust."
Noelle wasn't with them—she'd returned to Mondstadt. Once Koji went back, he'd bring her along and help her advance further in her training.
Noelle's eyes had lit up when she heard that plan before. Work at the Knights of Favonius had kept her too busy lately.
Besides, with the teleport anchors, traveling was simple. Returning to Mondstadt would be easy whenever they wished.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the air:
"Traveler from another land, welcome."
Before them, the air rippled and formed a glowing green vortex.
Lumine looked at Koji, questioning whether they should go in.
He nodded. "That's the realm of Rukkhadevata—the Great Lord of Dendro."
"I'll stay here," Eula said quickly. "That kind of place isn't for someone like me."
She knew her limits. The World Tree's domain was a sacred place, one most mortals—or even Archons—could not enter.
Koji and Lumine stepped into the vortex.
A vast, dreamlike world spread before them—a shimmering forest beneath an endless, luminous tree.
Standing beneath it was a small girl with short, pale-pink hair, barefoot, surrounded by a soft green glow.
"Greetings, traveler from beyond this world," said Rukkhadevata, the Great Lord's remaining consciousness.
Koji bowed slightly. "Hello, Rukkhadevata. You can communicate directly with the World Tree, correct? I'd like to ask you something."
Rukkhadevata nodded gently. "You, perhaps not. But your companion—she's a Descender."
"Descender?" Koji echoed.
"Such beings don't normally appear in multiples within a short span of time," Rukkhadevata said softly.
Lumine frowned. "Then… my brother Aether—is he one too?"
Rukkhadevata shook her head. "No. His existence is… different. Even I cannot access the true records regarding him."
"Even Nahida doesn't know," Koji said quietly.
"The records within the World Tree aren't always genuine," Rukkhadevata explained. "The Sky Island possesses methods to block or alter its data."
"Then what did you summon us for?" Koji asked.
"I wished to see with my own eyes the one so loved by blessings," Rukkhadevata replied.
Her gaze deepened. Through the World Tree's perspective, she could see the flow of divine power—hundreds of blessings layered upon Koji, like radiant shields.
Even she, the original God of Wisdom, could not fully comprehend it.
To her, Koji's existence was something that defied logic.
"Come closer," Rukkhadevata invited.
Koji hesitated, then extended a hand—and, using his divine crafting ability, created two identical female figures with long white hair.
Rukkhadevata blinked.
Those bodies—she recognized them instantly. They were her own, down to the smallest detail.
She touched the imitation's hand, astonished. "It's… exactly me."
"As expected from someone born of the World Tree," Koji said with a faint smile. "Even your form can be recreated."
But Rukkhadevata shook her head. "My body is tied to forbidden knowledge. If I remain, that corruption can never be purged from the Tree."
Lumine turned to Koji. "You can purify it, right? With your blessing?"
Koji nodded. He summoned a brilliant light—the Purification Blessing—and let it envelop Rukkhadevata's body.
Warm energy flowed through her, melting away the pain that had haunted her for ages.
She let out a soft sigh of relief. "It's… gone. The forbidden knowledge—it's truly gone…"
Her body trembled as she inspected her hands. The corruption that had spread from her and into the World Tree had been completely cleansed.
Such a thing was impossible, even for her. Yet Koji had done it effortlessly.
At that moment across Sumeru, those afflicted by Eleazar—the disease of scales—suddenly felt their pain vanish.
The dark, hardened patches on their skin fell away, revealing healthy flesh beneath.
For the first time, they could feel sunlight without agony.
"Master… the scales are gone!" Collei cried out, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Tighnari examined her carefully. Indeed, the symptoms had disappeared—not hidden, not dormant, but completely gone.
He smiled. "Congratulations, Collei. You're cured. You can finally live freely."
Collei wiped her tears. "Master, I want to visit Mondstadt—to tell Amber the news myself."
Tighnari nodded. "Take a few days to rest first, then go. You deserve to see your friend."
He watched her fondly. For once, the forest felt peaceful.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]