The Time of Ripening

As they got closer to their destination, the gigantic divine tree grew larger and larger in George's vision. George was laser focused, his senses on full alert for any monsters that might appear around him.

However, even when the destination appeared in sight, the monsters he was expecting did not appear.

"It's so peaceful. There are no signs of monsters at all."

George deliberately slowed down his pace and scanned a few places he had sensed danger from.

Keeping his years peeled, he could hear faint and suppressed breathing sounds from those places

George was certain that there was something there, and there was a high chance that that 'something' was monsters.

However, for some reason, these monsters did not attack them.

There were even monsters who were hiding in other places that had fled in the opposite direction as soon as they sensed George's gaze.

This phenomenon puzzled George. He had no idea what caused this.

George told Celia his discovery,

"Strange, the monsters seem to be avoiding us."

"Avoiding us?" Celia looked around in confusion. After observing for a while, she noticed hints of this.

Like how some bushes would rustle gently even though there was clearly no wind.

Although Celia did not have George's impressive perception abilities, even she could tell that there were monsters hiding in those bushes.

The same question surfaced in her mind. This was the first time she experienced being avoided by monsters.

It's biological instinct to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. However, most demonic creatures were extremely aggressive. Even if they were very weak, the most they would do is not attack.

She had never heard of any monster taking the initiative to hide.

"Yes. I don't know why, but it's true. It's strange. We should still be careful."

"Hmm, maybe it's because the place we're going to is very dangerous?"

George nodded in agreement.

According to veteran adventurers, monsters living around dangerous areas would behave abnormally.

These monsters had completely different mannerisms from their counterparts in other places.

While George and Celia were talking, the monsters were also discussing.

"The demon seems to be going to find the great one."

"That's great! With that great one taking action, the problem will be solved."

"It's a pity that this year is going to be difficult. That demon ate all the food in the area I'm responsible for."

"Me too. It feels like the forest is going to fall into chaos again if this goes on."

"What a headache. Why is there such an insidious demon in this world?"

Although their suffering had finally come to an end, George and Celia had left behind a forest with only half of its usual food supply.

In the face of this cruel reality, the monsters couldn't find it in them to be happy about George's departure. Instead, they were filled with uncontrollable sorrow.

Buzz!

While both parties were caught up in their own thoughts, something unexpected happened. An emerald green halo started rippling out from the divine tree.

The earth began to tremble and an indescribable pressure blanketed the entire forest.

George felt the pressure press down on him, weighing his body down. He immediately looked at Celia.

"Everything okay?"

There was undisguised concern in his voice. Even he, who had undergone three evolutions, felt this pressure. How badly would Celia be affected?

Feeling George's concern, Celia was happy but still glared at him out of the corner of her eye.

"How weak do you think I am? It's just some pressure. There's no way I won't be able to handle it."

Although she said that, her abnormally red face was not convincing at all.

It was obvious that Celia was just putting on a strong front.

The pressure continued to build, getting stronger and stronger. So much so that the surrounding trees had begun to collapse.

That was how terrifying the pressure was.

A commotion could be heard from either side of the tree.

With this turn of events, the monsters hiding from George couldn't bear to stay hidden any longer.

All of them emerged from their hiding spots and ran in the opposite direction of the emerald tree.

Roar!

A deafening roar filled the air.

George and Celia looked in the direction of the roar. They were not far from the emerald tree, so they could clearly see the white mist that surrounded the tree.

George wasn't able to observe the mist too carefully when he was looking at it from afar. Which is why he hadn't noticed that the white mist wasn't fog. It was the soul of a Titan Dragon.

Due to the emerald tree's influence, these Titan Dragon Souls that had laid silently here for god knows how long had awoken.

Ferocious roars erupted from their jaws one after another, echoing throughout the entire cave.

Mixed into these roars were ancient, solemn-sounding syllables. If one listened carefully, they would also be able to hear an elegant melody resonating from the ceiling of the cave.

As the melody became more and more intense, the tree began to emit a dense, fruity aroma.

Just the smell alone left George and Celia feeling refreshed.

However, they soon realized that something's not right. The scenery before their eyes suddenly changed, and they saw countless people fighting and shouting on a battlefield.

All kinds of magic and skills clashed and mingled, creating a majestic light show in the air.

George and Celia subconsciously held their breaths as they watched the epic battle, utterly captivated.

However, when they tried to focus on the details of the battle, they realized that they couldn't see anything.

It was bizarre. Everything was happening right before their eyes, yet they couldn't see anything clearly.

But the more things were obscured, the more they tried to focus, pouring all their attention into trying to understand and commit every moment before their eyes to memory.

The two of them stood rooted to the spot, as did their counterparts in view portals that were in the grand hall.

The image in the portal showed the two of them, eyes lifeless and still as a statue.

Seeing the state George and Celia were in, Albert couldn't help but ask,

"What's going on with them?"

"In the past, this place was once a battlefield. That battle was extremely intense, and it continued for a thousand years. It went on for so long that even the land itself remembered the scene."

Bremont's voice echoed in the hall, overshadowing the trembling of the surrounding halls.

He then briefly explained to Albert,

"The rich fragrance of the fruits born on this land had the power to immerse people inside that memory.

"The memories of the land? Battlefields of the past?" Albert had many questions, but he didn't doubt Bremont's words.

Bremont was a powerful elder who had clearly lived countless years; there was no need for such a person to lie to him.

Who knew Boneyard Range had a past like this?

But Albert didn't care for ancient secrets, so he listened without much thought.

Compared to these long lost secrets, Albert was much more curious about George and Celia's situation..

"If the saint candidate and his friend remain in this state, what will happen?"

"They will die."