I am the sacred tree, evergreen for eternity.

The side hall of the Royal Council is rarely visited.

"The President will arrive shortly."

Qi gestured for Shuren to sit down, then stood by the door, his back straight, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife.

Wangyoulang obediently sat on the stone chair, holding a ceramic flowerpot in his arms, and looked around.

Its movements were still stiff, but its eyes were lively, like a fish swimming at the bottom of a pool.

"Your country's architecture is very interesting."

Its voice came from under the hood, carrying a scholarly demeanor.

"The combination of wood and stone is both sturdy and breathable."

"Having traveled through many places downstream, I have rarely seen such a meticulous construction method."

Qi did not respond.

Wangyoulang wasn't embarrassed at all, and just kept looking down at the pottery basin.

Footsteps came from outside the door.

When Qi entered the side hall, the tree spirit had already stood up, its joints making a cracking sound.

"A guest from afar." Qi sat down in the main seat, casually sizing up the uninvited guest.

"I am the Grand Commander of the Xia Kingdom, Qi."

"I've long admired your name." Wangyoulang nodded slightly.

"I am Wangyoulang, from the Land of Wood, who travels far and wide, gathering herbs and plants."

"Passing through your country, I was captivated by its abundant spiritual energy..."

Please forgive my intrusion in visiting.

Qi tapped his fingers lightly twice on the stone table.

"The Land of Trees? Where is that? I've never heard of it."

"It's very far," the tree-man replied. "Based on your country's network of spiritual fields, it's about eight thousand li from where I started to here."

Eight thousand li? Qi's finger paused for a moment; that was several times the distance of the Xia Kingdom's territory.

How long have you been gone?

"It took about twenty years, with stops and starts along the way."

The forgetful creature spoke in a calm tone. A long life is the norm for plants, and twenty years might just be a short journey for it.

Although it doesn't look like a healthy tree at all—it's withered, cracked, and twisted.

"What brings you to Xia Kingdom?"

"Gathering novel plants." Wangyoulang glanced down at the ceramic basin in his arms. "The tree people's hobby is collecting plants from different places and bringing them back to the Wood Kingdom to cultivate."

It raised its eyes, and Qi's image was reflected in its glass-bead-like eyes.

It lacks focus, like oil stains floating on water.

Qi looked at the earthenware basin, which contained only moist, dark brown soil, so fine it looked as if it had been sifted several times.

"What's planted in the pot?"

"A happy plant," Wangyoulang's voice was calm. "I'm waiting for it to sprout."

Qi didn't press further; he genuinely couldn't sense any hostility from the tree-man.

But that uncomfortable feeling just wouldn't go away.

"Qi, arrange accommodations for the guests."

"No need for that."

Wangyoulang shook his head slightly, and the bark on his neck made a soft creaking sound.

"I'll find a big tree outside the city and rest against it."

"Plants do not need a habitat."

It paused, then looked intently at Qi, "If possible—"

"I would like to travel within your country's borders and collect some flowers and plants."

In exchange, I can answer some of your questions.

"for example?"

"For example..." Wangyoulang steadied the flowerpot again and turned to the map of mountains and seas on the wall, "about this mountain and sea."

Qi stood up from the chair and walked to the map.

Tell me about it.

"Your country's map is very detailed..."

The tree-man raised his hand, traced the mountains and rivers marked with charcoal and beast blood, and then drew a large circle outside the map.

"It's just a little small."

"The wild world is vast and boundless. The races we know so far can be roughly divided into the Central Wilderness, the Four Extremes, and the Four Seas."

"Middle Earth is this land and sea beneath our feet—stretching tens of thousands of miles deep, inhabited by many intelligent races, and also slumbering some... indescribable beings."

Its voice was soft, but when it uttered the words "unmentionable," its speaking speed noticeably slowed down.

It was as if they were carefully choosing their words, or perhaps afraid of disturbing something.

"What about the four poles?" Qi asked.

The treant tapped the edge of the map with the tip of its thickly gloved finger.

"The easternmost point is Tanggu, the legendary place where the sun bathes."

"The westernmost point is Kunlun, which is said to be the ruins where the gods reside."

"There are volcanoes in Antarctica that never go out."

"The Arctic ice caps freeze even the earth's veins."

"What about Sihai?" Qi pressed.

"Further." Wangyoulang withdrew his finger. "So far that it's like a legend. Even the oldest elder in the Land of Wood hasn't seen it with his own eyes."

The council chamber fell silent immediately.

Qi's gaze lingered on the bolded red markings on the map, remaining fixed on them for a long time.

"How much do you know about those... indescribable beings?"

The tree-man's body stiffened slightly, but the stiffness was different from its usual sluggish movements; it was more like fear.

"Knowing too much is no good for anyone." It paused, then steered the conversation back on track:

"The spiritual energy within your country's borders is abundant."

"It's more intense than many places I've seen along the way."

The tree-man looked through the window at the shimmering shadow of the tree on the distant altar.

"Your people often recite a prayer—"

"By the Tree God."

"Since your country's totem is a sacred tree, may I be permitted to pay my respects?"

"I guarantee that I will only observe from a distance, and will never approach or touch it."

Wangyoulang's tone was earnest, even somewhat devout.

Qi stared at it for two breaths.

"no."

"That's the religion of the Xia Kingdom, and it's not open to outsiders."

They refused to be decisive and clean-cut, leaving no room for negotiation.

The tree-man was silent for a moment, and the hand that was resting on the edge of the ceramic basin tightened slightly.

"I understand, please forgive my intrusion."

It lowered its head slightly, its voice remained gentle, and its posture remained humble.

It picked up the stone bowl and awkwardly sipped some water with its "hands" wrapped in linen gloves, the movement as natural as if nothing had happened.

But at the very moment it lowered its head and turned to the side—

On that wooden face, the crooked slit at the corner of his mouth twitched slightly downwards.

Extremely fast, so fast it felt like an illusion.

Then it raised its head and transformed back into the mild-mannered, polite visitor.

Qi stood up and gestured to Qi by the door:

"Please accompany this... guest for the next few days."

"Be considerate and don't be impolite."

Wangyoulang stood up and, imitating the human custom, bowed to Qi.

"Thank you for your leniency, Your Excellency."

"I will not cause any trouble for your country."

……

Late at night, the taverns in the eastern part of the royal city were still lit up.

This place is close to the city gate, so there are many merchants and travelers coming and going, and the taverns open later.

Yu sat in the corner, with several empty ceramic bowls in front of him.

The corn wine had a strong aftereffect; his face had turned a dark red, but his eyes remained clear.

A cultivator's physique cannot be weakened by a few bowls of cheap wine.

He hated his own lucidity.

"Another jar, please."

The waiter at the tavern hesitated for a moment, but still carried over a ceramic jar.

Yu broke the mud seal and took a big gulp directly from the mouth of the jar.

The wine dripped down his chin, soaking his clothes.

"Your Excellency."

A voice came from beside me, both awkward and gentle.

Yu turned his head and saw a figure wrapped in a dark gray cloak sitting at the next table, holding a ceramic basin in his arms.

He recognized the tree-man; many of the rumors circulating in the royal city these past few days were related to this visitor from afar.

But Yu ignored him and continued drinking alone.

"You seem somewhat troubled?"

Wangyoulang's voice was not loud, just enough for Yu to hear clearly.

Yu paused for a moment, the mouth of the jar hanging in mid-air.

"Let's chat."

Wangyoulang tilted his head slightly, and in the shadow under his hood, the "pupils" in his wooden eye sockets calmly looked at Yu.

"Perhaps I can help you solve your problem."