Chapter 386: Chapter 253: Open Scheme

Looking at Estella’s resolute expression, Achilles quickly waved his hand, “No, no, don’t get the wrong idea, these are completely different matters. The Golden Tree needs Wish Power, not the Divine Favored. Brother, I think in the current situation, we can’t make an accurate judgment. We haven’t faced such a situation for over a hundred years. It’s best to consult the Church Court.”

Hokele shook his head, “You know the Church Court’s attitude. They still blame Father for the damage to the Golden Tree. They are eager for us to abdicate and let others take over. They won’t help.”

“When it’s time to bow, bow. Without the Golden Tree, the Church Court will suffer as well. They are so calm now; they must have a way. I can go, but they might not take me seriously,” Achilles said with a bitter smile.

“Should we ask for Vladimir’s guidance, or should I visit the Monastery to invite Dean Alasha?” Estella suggested.

Hokele was silent for a moment, “Father once mentioned that the Monastery opposes the Golden Tree. Receiving the Blessing must come at a great cost. Creatures of the Old Era shouldn’t exist in the New Epoch, so they can only stay in this space. Actually, Father agreed, but Moncalleta is in a difficult period of transformation and cannot yet do without the Golden Tree. Moreover, Estella, it wasn’t Mother who arranged for you to study at the Monastery; it was Father.”

Estella gently bit her lip, looking at the knot her father had turned into under the Golden Tree, “Brother, I’ll go ask Vladimir for help.”

Hokele nodded. During the turmoil in the Royal City, only James and Kundra, the two Grand Scholars, took action. The Celestial Principle School is both eloquent and formidable.

Vladimir, the Demigod, did not appear, but his existence itself was a deterrence. Hokele knew that once one ascends to that level, they gradually distance themselves from the mundane world, pursuing higher realms of secrecy: “Achilles, accompany Estella. Be careful on the road. If Vladimir can’t help, I will visit the Church Court.”

Achilles nodded. It’s a critical time, and the status of a Prince and Princess doesn’t guarantee much safety. They definitely need more people with them.

Hokele stood quietly, looking at the knot his father had become under the Golden Tree. The Moncalleta royal family, unlike other nations, had prospered because of the Golden Tree, but also lost things they might not even be aware of. Father wanted to change everything, but it was too difficult. When it came to him, everything became even more challenging. He really didn’t know how Father, abruptly accept the throne amidst all the internal and external troubles, managed to persist bit by bit.

In just a few days, he wanted to retreat, to give up.

But he couldn’t.

Hokele stood there, not knowing how long it was, until Achilles and Estella arrived with Vladimir. The Demigod now seemed less imposing than before, resembling an ordinary old man. On the way, Vladimir had already learned about the situation but said nothing.

“Teacher, please have a look at why the Golden Tree is like this?” Hokele asked after saluting.

Vladimir slowly approached the Golden Tree. The injured Golden Tree had always been resistant to anyone nearing it, except Estella. Hokele was only partly accepted, but when Vladimir approached, the leaves shimmered with light, exuding joy and welcome, which delighted the trio.

Vladimir looked up at the divine artifact from the Old Era. Though it was his first time, as someone who also understood the Demigod principles, he felt no unfamiliarity.

Estella walked over, “Teacher, do I need to be sacrificed? Don’t worry, for the Kingdom, I’m willing. I can be as brave as Father!”

Vladimir gently shook his head, “Its wounds have healed, but its vitality is greatly depleted. It needs replenishment; otherwise, it will gradually wither. Such creatures from the Old Era shouldn’t exist in this Epoch.”

The Celestial Principle School is fundamentally opposed to this as well, but with internal and external troubles, they can’t rid themselves of the Golden Tree.

“Teacher, the Glory Festival and finals aren’t over. I can announce a new, larger celebration immediately,” Hokele said.

Vladimir chuckled, “Your Highness, these ancient and mysterious entities absorb Wish Power with great difficulty. It requires a ritual and time; its cycle follows a certain pattern, aligning with its needs and the Sixth Epoch’s legal loopholes. It’s already too late, and after all these events, the people are distraught. The festival can no longer gather pure Wish Power. Some things need time to digest.”

Estella and the others glanced at each other. Looking at the Golden Tree, it seemed ready to wither at any moment. Where was the time? They didn’t expect that even after Father’s sacrifice, nothing could be salvaged. If only they had known…

Hokele took a deep breath, smiled bitterly, “I understand, I’ll visit the Church Court.”

Bow once, and it lasts a lifetime. Maybe not a lifetime—the Church Court might very well force an abdication.

“There is another way,” Vladimir suddenly said, instantly lighting up the eyes of the three, who all looked at him with intense eagerness.

“What comes toward me, in fact, Wish Power is the source maintaining divine nature. Apart from Wish Power itself, there is more direct and pure divinity. This is also the law of the Old Era,” Vladimir smiled, “It really was an interesting time.”

The trio’s hearts sank with a deep sense of fear toward the Church Court; Hokele quickly shook his head, “Teacher, without you, we can’t resist other forces. There must be another way. We can’t continue to sacrifice like this. Let me go to the Church Court!”

If Vladimir were gone, what would Hokele use to confront Prince Oliver? Without Vladimir, how would the Celestial Principle School withstand the Church Court? A slight maneuver from the Church Court, and nothing could resist. Even if Vladimir did nothing, he was their backbone.

Before, their courage came from the fearlessness of ignorance.

“Hokele, you must have patience and strategic determination. A new era will surely arrive; it’s the trend, like darkness before dawn. As King, you must never give up,” Vladimir smiled, “We need it alive at this stage. Your father was truly a man of great wisdom. We were teacher and student, sovereign and minister, and friends. I will help fulfill his wish.”

To die for a confidant.

Vladimir walked toward the Golden Tree. In fact, on the way, he had already entrusted matters to James and Kundra. This was a calamity on the path of the Heavenly Dao.

From the roots of the Golden Tree emerged countless blood-red vines, surging from Vladimir’s feet, cautiously touching. Upon sensing no resistance from the Demigod, countless vines, like needles, instantly pierced densely into Vladimir’s body, then pulled him entirely toward the trunk, slowly drawing him into the Golden Tree. The scene of devouring Ola the Eighteenth played out once more, this time even more vividly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep