Walking in the dimness resembling the Eternal Forest, a rustling sound approached, and the figure with antlers entwined by branches appeared from the depths, bowing slightly to Lu Li.

"The forerunners have asked me to wait for you here."

They learned in advance from Merchant Anthony that Lu Li would visit.

Compared to half a year ago, the antlered figure's stag-like branches have not grown, but a heavy, rough bark has developed on its surface, making its movements sluggish.

The Tree People standing by lifted Lu Li and the antlered figure, entering the Plant Habitat deep within the Tranquil Forest.

It's difficult to see in the darkness, but in his perception, the trees crowded around, releasing goodwill to Lu Li, who possesses the ability of the Speaker of the Trees.

Perhaps the Tree People are not as strong as the Banyan Tree Guardian, but they are numerous enough to protect their homeland. The tranquility before them is proof—the Plant Habitat stands amid calamity and strangeness, never invaded by the bizarre.

The Plant Habitat has no light source; eternal darkness envelops the forest. Gradually, Lu Li heard the wind masked by the tree canopy rise in the open space, and heard the whispers carried by the breeze.

It seemed he could imagine himself stepping into the open space, where the plant people around the treehouse observed him.

Sitting in the palm of the Tree People, Lu Li holding an oil lamp reached into his sack and took out a new Sunshine Box.

Sunlight pierced through the cracks, and as the lid was lifted, dazzling noon sunlight spilled onto the clearing, illuminating the plant people in the open space.

Unlike others who have Sunshine Boxes, the Sunshine Box provides more help to the Plant Habitat—they are plants, they are still growing, perhaps darkness won't wither them, but only sunlight can make them grow.

Each day, nearly 20 Sunshine Boxes made in the Land of Light, one is sent to the Plant Habitat, but encompass the entire Tranquil Forest and the area the Sunshine Box can cover becomes insignificant.

The plant people couldn't help but approach and follow Lu Li, just to bathe in the warm sunlight.

The outline of Lina's Tree emerged in the center of the habitat, and the Tree People stopped at the edge, setting Lu Li and the antlered figure down.

"It's such a waste... it should be used on the children..."

The ancient face on the trunk of Lina's Tree showed girlish joy mixed with distress.

Lu Li approached and turned the direction of the Sunshine Box, placing it under the roots of Lina's Tree, so that the sunlight could shine on her canopy and the open space without waste.

Lina's Tree still thought it was a waste and gathered the children with antler-like branches around the Sunshine Box.

Lu Li didn't reminisce much with Lina's Tree; he directly asked if there was a way to drive away the strangeness.

The answer was apparent, whether it was the primordial darkness or the Mist of Strangeness, or the calamity of night, none were barred from spreading in the Tranquil Forest.

"Could the Ancestral Spirits have a way?"

"They are omniscient... but after the Dark Era... the Ancestors have fallen into slumber to protect us..."

Lu Li knew little about the Ancestral Spirits. Perhaps they are Evil Gods, or maybe existences above the Evil Gods like the Ancients. But he had a suspicion.

The Ancestral Spirits fell into slumber during the Dark Era.

And the World Tree Themis standing in Midnight City also perished at the start of the Dark Era.

"Can I see them?"

"I'm afraid not... after the Ancestral Spirits slumbered, only the guardians remain to protect them... even I cannot get close to there..."

At that moment, Annie's phantom appeared, and amid the growth of plants, Lu Li asked, "Can this power awaken them?"

Lina's Tree swung its crown joyfully: "If it can be sustained for a few years... maybe it can awaken the Ancestral Spirits..."

The shadow of the tree casting fluorescent light dimmed and disappeared, indicating that the path of the Plant Habitat was not feasible.

Lina's Tree commanded its kin to hunt at the edge of the forest. Lu Li's abilities can't help the Ancestral Spirits, but can strengthen the Plant Habitat.

"Lu Li... how long will you stay here..."

"I will leave tomorrow."

With no solution at the Plant Habitat, they could only wait for Mother of the Marsh to bring back results from Storm Corner. If Storm Corner also had no solution...

Lina's Tree didn't hide its disappointment. Then in the time waiting for Mother of the Marsh to return news, Lu Li hunted the bizarre captured in the forest to restore his humanity.

Late at night, after a day's hunt, Lu Li returned to the treehouse to rest when Mother of the Marsh brought back results from Storm Corner: giving hope only to shatter it.

The God of the Storm didn't operate like the other Spirit Towns, saturating the territory with its presence. Its way was similar to the Land of Light—creating territory around the town in the form of a storm to prevent bizarre invasion.

The God of the Storm did very well before being injured, but after that curse, it became increasingly unable to protect Storm Corner.

Without a doubt, the Stormhorn God offered some inspiration. If a town could be protected by a storm, could sea water do the same?

The Twisted Shadow attempted and indeed succeeded, but problems arose—they couldn't replicate Storm Corner's success.

Because the Land of Light exists on land, not at sea.

"What will you do next..."

As the power of the Crown of Thorns dwindled and Mother of the Marsh was about to fall asleep, she asked him.

"Continue deeper into the Barren Lands. Find a way in Ghost Town, if not there, then in the Old Sewers, if not there then in the Midnight City relics."

Mother of the Marsh fell silent, almost as if Lu Li thought she had left when a whisper came: "Will you return..."

He did not answer her, as the last strength in the Crown of Thorns was exhausted, the connection severed.

Mother of the Marsh returned to the camp.

She left the bedroom, left the courtyard, quietly walking through the sleeping Agate Lake Camp.

The residents of the residential area were fast asleep, Amber was undergoing its first molting, Raimy, watching it, greeted her, and Twisted Cultists swam like fish on the lake surface.

Mother of the Marsh arrived at Lake Heart Island, pushed open the wooden door as Annie swayed her branches in greeting, and ducked into the small cabin.

The room was as it was when Lu Lili left, Mother of the Marsh's eyes swept across the house, falling upon an empty display shelf.

He took the stone seal of Midnight City.

Mother of the Marsh opened a drawer and took out a Merchant's Eye.

The Merchant emerged from the shadows, and she said to it: "Tell Stormhorn God, we will find a way to restore him. If he is willing to join the Land of Light."

...

Lu Li planted the last five Fluorescent Grass in a fertile patch of soil temporarily cultivated in the clearing.

This was the fourth "farmland" he chose.

To save time, Lu Li unleashed the Speaker of the Trees to accelerate the growth of the Fluorescent Grass, planting them after they bore heavy fruit glowing like fluorite, harvesting a hundred Fluorescent Fruit before planting again, until thousands of fruits grew.

The fruits, serving as seeds, were sown by the plant people around the Plant Habitat. They would become a specialty of the Land of Light, while also bringing brightness to the Tranquil Forest.

The cost was that Lu Li's humanity was left with only 1.5 portions—he intended it this way, as the next destination was the Old Sewers.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.