Chapter 118: The Eternal Tree of Life

"Can we go outside and take a look?" Muria asked, his curiosity undisguised, fascinated by the marvels before him.

Though the World Tree seemed somewhat less grand than its reputation suggested, it was still astonishing that each leaf could evolve into a miniature demi-plane. If it could continue to grow indefinitely, might these demi-planes one day evolve into full-fledged worlds? The concept of one leaf, one world was terrifying in its implications.

"Follow me." Hesel took Muria's hand, leading him to the edge and stepping onto a path that was barely visible, one that could not be noticed without careful attention.

"Is this the World Tree's vein?" Muria asked as he observed the path underfoot, adorned with natural plant-like patterns.

"A vein?" Hesel nodded, "You could think of it that way, but it's more than just a vein. It also acts as a spatial bridge, linking my little garden to the main world."

As they spoke, Hesel stepped forward with Muria, and suddenly, a rich scent of life enveloped them. Muria couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling lighter.

"Is this the World Tree?" Muria looked up in awe. The dense branches extended upwards layer upon layer, and the trunk before him was like a city wall, so straight and wide that he could not see any curvature.

He couldn't see the top of the enormous tree before him, nor could he gauge the thickness of the World Tree. Looking down, clouds obscured the ground.

"That's not right." Muria questioned the logic. He had seen the map of the Titan Archipelago; the Eternal Island of the elves was right next to Titan territory. Though both were extensive, given the size of what he was seeing now, "When I'm at my residence, I should be able to see the World Tree. Why haven't I seen anything?"

"Muria, this World Tree is just beyond its sapling stage," Hesel explained. "To protect itself, it has twisted the space around it. So, beyond the range of the World Tree's influence, you can't see it from the outside."

"A sapling?" Muria was astounded. He squatted down, touched a branch under his feet, and marveled, "It truly deserves to be called the World Tree, so immense even in its infancy."

The branch where Hesel and the transformed Muria stood was very wide, spacious enough for them to stand side by side comfortably. Muria felt that even in his true Titan form, without needing to harness winds, he could walk freely on it.

This robust branch was merely a typical limb of the World Tree. Its massive size was unimaginable.

"How interesting!" Muria looked around. The branch they were on bore more than ten delicate, thick leaves, each large enough for Muria's Titan form to roll around on comfortably.

Of course, Muria knew appearances were deceiving; each leaf here nurtured a micro-demi-plane or, more poetically, was the embryonic form of a world.

"Hesel, is there no way to see the entire World Tree?" Muria asked, a bit disappointed. Being on the World Tree but only able to see a fraction of it, unable to witness its true form, left him somewhat unsatisfied.

"We can't see the whole of the World Tree from here. If we get too far from it, we'll leave this space, and our vision will be distorted by the twisted space, and we'll see nothing."

Hesel paused, then added, "However, it's unavoidable. Once you advance to the legendary realm, with your Titan bloodline, you'll be able to ignore the spatial distortions caused by the World Tree."

"That's still over a hundred years away!" Muria smirked. "That's a long time."

"A hundred years!" Hesel chuckled, her eyes showing a hint of envy. "It will pass quickly. It's such a short time to reach the legendary status. I really envy you Titans."

Muria was taken aback, recalling that the elf girl in front of him also belonged to a long-lived race, and given her apparent development, she must be at least a hundred years old.

But unlike dragons, who could sleep their way to legendary status, elves had to cultivate to grow stronger. As long-lived beings, they were not particularly known for their diligence. Titans, like Muria, were somewhat of an anomaly among the long-lived races.

"How old are you, Hesel?" Muria asked curiously.

"I'm one hundred and fifty-six years old this year," the elf girl said with a slight blush, then proudly waved her fist at Muria. "But in twenty-four years, I'll be of age, and I plan to hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony."

"Will you invite me to it then?" Muria asked with a teasing smile.

"Of course." Hesel smiled back at Muria, playfully pinching his rosy cheek. "I'll invite you. After all, you're my first student."

"You said not to call you 'teacher'!" Muria playfully swatted Hesel's hand away, giving her a sideways glance.

"I did, but since you've already called me 'teacher,' the fact that you're my student is established," the elf girl grinned, causing Muria to pause momentarily.

But Muria quickly recovered and turned the conversation back to his original purpose for coming to the elven lands: "Hesel, since we can't see the whole of the World Tree, could you take me to see the Eternal Tree of Life? I've heard that the World Tree evolved from the Eternal Tree of Life. And the Eternal Tree of Life doesn't have the power to twist space like the World Tree, right?"

"That's true," Hesel agreed without much thought, nodding her head.

"Then let's go! Muria, I'll take you to see the Eternal Tree of Life." The silver-haired elf leaped down from the branch, falling towards the endless, misty clouds below. Behind her, silver light spilled out, forming two thin, wing-like appendages.

"Fly there, huh?" Muria looked around somewhat reluctantly. In Titan territory, whether he wanted to meet someone or go somewhere, he would just have Cassio build a teleportation circle. Now, on the Eternal Island of the elves, he had to fly himself.

"Sigh," Muria sighed softly and leaped as well, his robe splitting at the back to reveal a pair of sturdy dragon wings. The gentle breeze around him sped up, allowing him to catch up with the elf girl who had flown ahead, flying side by side with her.

"Hesel, has anything interesting happened recently in the lands of your elf clan?" Muria asked casually as they flew together through the vast sea of clouds.

"Something interesting?" The elf girl furrowed her brow in thought for a moment, then shook her head. Indeed, something had occurred recently among the elves, but it was far from amusing.