Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

In an advanced city far deeper into the continent’s center, a group of people were standing around a large round wooden table carved with gorgeous imagery of trees and nature. The room was large, and the people at the table came from different but powerful backgrounds. Their clothes varied between luxurious robes and elegant dresses, while their combined presence made the air in the room feel heavy.
One of them, a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor but an authoritative aura, extended his hand, and a Level 30 servant approached, giving him a paper. “Hm… We look away for just a few years, and things change so much in the eastern area of the continent that they look unrecognizable. Didn’t anyone think of informing us before it all twisted to this degree?”
The Level 30 servant spoke respectfully. “Lord, reports say that Fortuna City’s Lord, Eila Neoflora, wanted to send a message around two and a half years ago. However, due to the , , and , the motion was denied. They were confident that they could solve the situation by themselves.”
The Lord laughed once cynically. “I see. That’s why the is a husk of its former self, and the other two have been heavily affected by constant wars after this war that happened… Two and a half years ago!” He asked with the same smile. “So, why did this arrive now and not before?”
The Level 30 looked at the deep and dark eyes and answered with a stiff face, trying not to show his nervousness. “Lord, the newly discovered World Tree is spreading much faster than anticipated and is pushing her territory into our allied World Tree's, Lady Fortuna. We heard that Eila Neoflora was unable to keep things in check and has asked for assistance.”
“Oh? She realized after two and a half years? Not after their disastrous defeat?” The man shook his head. “There seems to be something deeper going on. Hm… How about we send someone to check? This continent has sufficiently complex power dynamics to add a new threat. We either assimilate or destroy this new World Tree.”
The servant coughed. “Lord, it seems that it won’t be that simple.”
The man hummed. “Why? Isn’t it just a Level 20 World Tree? While it is strong, a few dozen Level 30s should be able to take care of it, right? That area of the continent treats Level 30s as major powerhouses.”
The servant spoke quietly, fearful that if he gave this news aloud, he would be punished… or worse. “Lord, the other Lords have also noticed this new World Tree’s existence, and they are also planning on checking on her. Instead of a takeover, it might evolve into another long-extended war if we are not cautious. There are also nearby powerful forces who are secretly backing the World Tree, Lady Verena being one of them.”
“Verena…” The man frowned for a second before he remembered. “Ah, the Level 40 Sylvan woman of the Liferoot family? That’s interesting. She usually keeps her hands to herself and only participates when the Nexus is involved.”
The servant saw that the man was not that angered and sighed in relief. Picking up his tone again, he continued informing him. “Lord, as I just explained, Lady Verena is not the only relatively strong power defending the new World Tree. Strangely, Lord Stormrider from near the coastal area has not looked agreeable to interfere with the new World Tree.”
“Lord Stormrider?” The man was startled this time around. He searched through the documents and found what he was searching for. He pointed at it and said. “But here, it says that one of his children was actually killed by that new World Tree.”
The servant shook his head. “We know very little other than that. The , who takes care of most information in that area, knows very little more than this.”
“I see… It seems more complicated than I expected.” Pondering for a few seconds, he looked around and asked. “So, what do you all think we should do to benefit the ?”
A woman at the side spoke softly, her hands on her lap and her back straight in an elegant posture. “Lord Count, we were sent to this land to take as much of it from our competitors as possible. While Fortuna City is our allied town, it was a long-term investment due to the presence of the World Tree. However, it has proven to be nothing but a waste of resources. I recommend trying to either assimilate the new World Tree or show goodwill by not sending extra reinforcements to Fortuna City.”
A general-like man at the side snorted, slapping his large hand on the table. “That’s shallow-minded, Viscountess. What will our other allies think if we let Fortuna City die without stepping up a single time to defend it? If we throw aside a place with a World Tree without fighting for it once, other cities without a World Tree will think that we will do the same the second they stop being useful!”
The viscountess looked over, her eyes cold. “Isn’t that the truth? Only those who are worthy and useful will work for our Azure Rose Confederation. If you are weak, you will be weeded out!”
Suddenly, a man nobody expected to speak up intervened in the conversation. “I support an attack on the World Tree.”
Everyone looked over, and some high-ranking people frowned. The Count hummed and asked, interested. “Why do you have such conviction, Lord Baron?”
The baron of the Confederation spoke stoically. “My daughter was last seen around those places, but she disappeared a few years ago. I suspect that the new World Tree has been involved with her disappearance.”
The Level 30 servant spoke softly by the count’s side. “Lord Baron is the one who has helped the most in gathering the intelligence we have today. We also agree with his conjecture and fear that his daughter, known for being quite adventurous and lacking fear, somehow offended the new World Tree, leading to her death.”
“Disappearance.” Corrected the baron, his face cold.
The servant nodded. “Excuse me. Disappearance indeed.”
The count hummed and said. “Unless you are convinced, don’t act. However, if we discover that the truth is as you say, I will allow you to lead your personal army and attack with the justification of taking revenge for your daughter.” He stared at him and stated. “However, remember that if you attack and then we discover that it wasn’t the case, your punishment won’t end at losing a few privileges.”
“Thank you, Lord Count. I swear that I won’t act rashly.”
The baron stood up and left, receiving many gazes that were full of intrigue. When he left the room, the viscountess snorted. “He is going to be rash and attack. He seemed too convinced, and no evidence of opposite facts will move his opinion.”
The count commented. “Let him do as he pleases. He might give us enough time to plan around and understand what the other powers are thinking.” He then looked at the servant and commented. “Send a few merchants to gather information about the new Golden Sap City. Suppose the World Tree attacks World Tree Fortuna before we’ve gathered enough information. In that case, we should at least attempt to defend our allies, so prepare a single division of 1000 people with one Division Commander at Level 35, 10 Level 30 generals,100 Level 25 to 29 commanders, and 900 Level 20 to 24 soldiers.”
Looking between the viscountess and the general-like man, he asked. “Is this enough to satisfy both of you?”
The viscountess sighed. “I still think that it is a waste, but sure. That level of armed forces is big enough to be substantial and small enough to not delay us much in a worst-case scenario.”
“For once, I agree with this snake woman.”
The viscountess smiled and hissed, showing a forked tongue.
Meanwhile, back in Golden Sap City, Flor flew toward Liu Shu and asked with a sigh. “When will you wake up, dear? It has been two and a half years already…” Looking around the city from Liu Shu’s canopy, she couldn’t help but laugh. “I am sure you will be surprised. Now, the entire city is filled with your House Trees. The infrastructure is good, and the roads are easy to walk. The number of ants has long recovered and are roaming the city without any obstacles, as everyone treats them with respect…”
Flor laughed, fiddling with her hair. “You know that I’ve planted a few seeds of my own? I was able to fertilize them quite a while ago. Now, these seeds have transformed into new types of fairies, although they are not like me… They each have one of your attributes and are quite strong! Of course, they are still children and far from being able to fight.” She blinked and commented. “Speaking of strength, I’ve managed to reach Level 28 during these two years! Not bad, right? I wonder what Level you will reach.”
Flor stopped for a moment and sighed. Walking around Liu Shu’s branches, she hummed. “You’ve grown so tall, Liu Shu… You can be seen even from the outer edge of the Golden Sap Forest. It’s really… impressive. The Golden Sap Forest is also expanding at an accelerated pace! It has more than doubled in size compared to the past!” Then, she frowned. “The sap of the trees has also changed to become a strange golden-blue color. The effects are so powerful that we’ve actually gained another source of resources.”
She shook her head, feeling as if she was dreaming. The progress during these last two years of absorbing their battle spoils has been so fast that she just didn’t know where they would end. Not to mention, Liu Shu’s size was getting enormous, and the rest of the trees grew with her.
So, now a single tree house was around 40 meters tall, while the Town Hall trees were 85 meters tall and the inns reached 60 meters in height. The guardian trees on the walls were also 85 meters in height, and the walls themselves had reached an absurd height of 40 meters.
With the food they generated from the four animal farms and the five vegetable farms, they could feed around 40,000 people without a single problem. Something they needed since their maximum population had reached 56,780 people.
Their place, considered barely a city a few years ago, had reached the actual threshold of a real city. Of course, perhaps not a large one, but large enough to compete with the surrounding cities in size, population, and prosperity.
Liu Shu’s passive buffs were a big cause for their basically unstoppable growth. They were called “The Summoner’s Paradise City” by spellcasters and “The City Of Enlightenment” by crafters and combatants. Honestly, no one who came here was ever willing to leave. Because of the demand, the Tree Houses were always full, and the same happened with the inns.
The prices were not low, but the quality of life justified the expensive lifestyle people carried here. It was a secure city with plenty of opportunities and seemingly endless resources and advantages.
Flor couldn’t help but remember that fox woman who offered 50 to buy their town. ‘If she knew that during these two and a half years we’ve made more than 150 in profit, she would’ve probably not acted that arrogantly.’
As Flor reminisced about the past, she suddenly heard a sleepy voice reach her. The voice was as deep as nature itself and as calming as the sound of rustling leaves during spring. “Hm~? Flor? You’ve changed so much. I didn’t even recognize you!”
Flor’s eyes lit up, and her smile widened as she laughed joyfully. “Slept for a while, didn’t you, darling?” Then, she asked. “So, what Level are you now?”
Liu Shu answered softly. “I am Level 25! But… Let me see my stats and changes first. I need to upgrade my skills as well, and… eh? EHHH??”
Flor blinked and asked. “What’s wrong?”
Liu Shu blurted, her tone full of disbelief. “What in the branches above are these stats!?”
Hearing the reason for Liu Shu’s bafflement, the Flower Fairy’s eyebrows trembled. ‘If even she is surprised…’ Flor decided to prepare her heart for the numbers that might make her reevaluate her own life.