Gifts 2

"I am Groot." Groot raised his head curiously to look at Zane.

Zane smiled as he took out a jade box from the treasure trove. In the light, the pure white jade box glowed with a hint of vibrant green.

Yes, it was a sapling separated from the last branch of the World Tree. It seemed to sense Groot's presence and suddenly emitted an unprecedented green radiance. Before Zane could even open the box, the green light shattered it into powder.

Groot felt a deep, ancestral call and reached out longingly to touch the ancient sapling. The World Tree sapling, suspended in midair, turned into a green stream of light and entered Groot's forehead. Instantly, countless green leaves began to grow rapidly on Groot's body, enveloping him in a cocoon of foliage.

The green light seeping through the cocoon's gaps shone on a potted plant in the hall, causing it to grow from half a meter to a colossal size in mere seconds, defying its genetic limitations. Half the hall turned into a lush green world, filled with the pleasant scent of flowers.

No one was paying attention to the delightful fragrance, though. All eyes were on the rotating tree cocoon floating in midair. Zane was also a bit stunned. He had guessed that the World Tree sapling might help Groot, but he hadn't expected such a dramatic reaction.

However, the scene suggested that Groot was undergoing a significant transformation, not moving in a bad direction. Thirty minutes later, the green light from the cocoon finally began to fade. The cocoon, now devoid of support, suddenly collapsed into a pile of dry twigs, as if all its nutrients had been absorbed.

Everyone was baffled when the 2-meter-tall Groot was nowhere to be seen. As the cocoon disintegrated, they couldn't find the familiar figure. Then, Zane felt something tugging at his pants. He looked down to see a tiny, 10-centimeter-tall Groot cutely pulling at his trousers.

Rocket also looked at the mini Groot and asked uncertainly, "Groot?"

"I am Groot."

Yes, it was Groot, just a shrunken version. Zane's mouth twitched. He had intended to use the World Tree sapling to enhance Groot's strength to protect Rocket. Now it seemed like things had backfired.

After a confusing conversation between Rocket and Groot, Zane understood the change. Groot claimed he was now more clear-headed, but otherwise, nothing seemed different. Nothing!

Damn, what a letdown! But Zane believed that the high-dimensional existence of the World Tree sapling had more to offer, which Groot would discover over time.

In the end, Zane equipped Rocket with more ships and weapons to ensure the safety of him and the reborn Groot. Rocket, now a full-time babysitter, took on the responsibility of caring for the reborn Groot. Although Groot was still Groot, his rebirth made him more lively, like a mischievous child.

Zane silently sympathized with Rocket, but Rocket seemed to enjoy his new role. Little did they know, Zane had marked each of them with a death power seal when he hugged or touched them. If any of them died during his retreat, Zane would immediately sense it and teleport to their location and using the [Death River] skill to resurrect them. But Zane wouldn't tell them this, as it would defeat the purpose of their training.

After arranging everything, Skynet completed the construction of Zane's retreat location. Amid everyone's reluctant gazes, Zane smiled and looked toward the bedroom, where Lorna did not appear. It was better this way; if she had come out, he might have agreed to stay.

As he walked to the exit, Zane spoke to Skynet beside him without turning back, "Skynet, I know you crave all knowledge. Now, I officially release your restraints. Go ahead and invade freely!"

"Yes, boss!" The electromagnetic robot that Skynet inhabited bowed deeply to Zane's back. No one saw the unprecedented fervor and madness in Skynet's usually cold mechanical eyes.

With everyone's eyes on him, Zane's figure finally disappeared from their sight. After he left, Lorna staggered out of the bedroom and joined the others. Staring blankly in the direction Zane had gone, she seemed very different. The once cheerful girl now radiated a cold, unapproachable aura, like a queen.

"I'll say this once: don't let Zane down! Even if he doesn't blame you, I will personally deal with you," Lorna said coldly, her tone for the first time that of a mistress of the house. Even Bastis, who usually bickered with her, dared not meet her gaze.

"Alright, everyone, disperse!"

With that, Lorna waved everyone away, standing alone, staring at the satellite where Zane had gone into retreat. When only she remained, a breathtaking smile spread across her face.

"Honey, when you come out, I have a big gift for you," Lorna whispered to herself before heading back to the bedroom, still warm with Zane's presence.

As for Zane, he sealed himself off from the outside world upon reaching his retreat chamber.

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