Chapter 250: Chapter 250 – Meeting the World Tree (1)

The soft chirping of distant birds drifted through the open window, mingling with the faint rustle of leaves swaying in the morning breeze.

Golden sunlight filtered through the canopy above, spilling across the wooden walls and tracing gentle patterns over the moss-woven floor.

Luca stirred.

The warmth of dawn touched his face, coaxing his eyes open. He blinked slowly, his vision adjusting to the soft glow that filled the elven dwelling. For a brief moment, he forgot where he was—the air was too calm, too pure to belong to any place he had known before.

He sat up, stretching lazily as the silken threads of the silver-leaf bed rustled beneath him. The faint hum of mana coursed through the room, subtle yet rejuvenating, like a melody played by the forest itself. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he rolled his shoulders, the stiffness in his muscles melting away.

“…Surprisingly, I slept for a whole day, huh,” he muttered to himself, his tone halfway between disbelief and amusement.

He glanced at his hands, flexing them lightly. His body felt light—clear, even. No heaviness in his limbs, no dull ache behind his eyes. Just quiet energy pulsing through him.

That’s… rare.

He leaned back slightly, resting his elbows on the soft bedding as his gaze wandered to the faint shimmer of light filtering through the vines.

When was the last time I woke up like this?

The thought drew a quiet sigh from him. He remembered the Valentine mansion—the sleepless nights, the strange dreams that left his heart pounding, and the constant whispers at the edge of his consciousness. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw fragments of light and shadow, echoes of lives that didn’t belong to him.

And after that… the journey on the Kunpeng.

Two straight days of wind, altitude, and mana pressure battering against his mind. Even when he rested, his body never truly relaxed. His thoughts kept circling, tangled in plans, uncertainties, and memories that refused to fade.

But here—

He glanced around the quiet room, inhaling deeply.

The air here feels… alive.

Every breath seemed to wash away the fatigue clinging to his soul. The energy wasn’t just restorative—it was familiar, almost nostalgic. Like something deep within him recognized this forest’s pulse and responded in kind.

For the first time in a long while, his mind was quiet. No visions. No flickering nightmares. Just the soft sound of leaves, and the gentle heartbeat of the world around him.

He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a moment.

Feels like… all of my exhaustion is gone. Not just from the last few days… but from everything before that, too.

A faint knock at the door broke through his thoughts.

Luca blinked, straightening instinctively. “Hm?”

The knock came again—soft, measured, almost musical.

He rose to his feet, brushing a few silver leaves from his shirt before walking toward the door. As it creaked open, a gentle breeze swept in, carrying the faint scent of dew and wildflowers.

And standing there—bathed in morning light—was a familiar figure.

“Senior Elowen?” Luca said, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Her emerald hair shimmered faintly under the golden glow, her usual calm expression unreadable yet faintly softened by the light smile that touched her lips.

“Good morning, Luca,” she said quietly. “You’re finally awake.”

He blinked once, then smiled faintly in return—though curiosity already flickered behind his eyes.

Something in her tone felt… purposeful.

And as the soft hum of the forest continued beyond them, Luca couldn’t shake the sense that whatever this morning brought—it wasn’t just a casual visit.

Elowen leaned casually against the doorway, her crimson eyes carrying a teasing glint.

“You really slept a lot, huh?” she said, her lips curling into a soft smirk.

Luca blinked a few times before letting out a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of his head. “Yeah… guess I did. I didn’t think I’d pass out like that.”

Elowen’s smile lingered for a moment, but soon her tone shifted—her playful warmth giving way to something steadier, more deliberate. “You know why you’re here, right?”

The sudden seriousness in her voice made Luca straighten instinctively. The faint rustle of leaves outside seemed to quiet as he met her gaze and nodded. “Yeah… I do.”

“Good,” she said softly. “Because tonight, when the full moon rises, you’ll be able to meet the World Tree.”

Luca’s eyes widened slightly. He inhaled deeply, his hand unconsciously brushing over his chest as if trying to calm the quickening rhythm of his heart. So it’s finally happening… After thousands of playthroughs of the End Realms… I’ll finally see it—the World Tree itself.

But curiosity soon crept into his expression. “Why tonight only?” he asked, brows knitting together.

Elowen’s lips curved into a knowing smile, the kind that held both wisdom and mystery. “Because you’re not an elf. The Mother Tree doesn’t speak to outsiders freely. The full moon amplifies her connection to the natural flow—only then can a non-elf stand before her and be heard.”

“Ah… so it’s a special occasion, huh,” Luca murmured, a low whistle escaping him. “I see.”

“Exactly,” she replied, folding her arms. “You’ll understand when you see it yourself. The Mother Tree isn’t just an ancient being—she feels everything in this world. She’ll know your intentions the moment you stand before her.”

That line lingered in Luca’s mind longer than he expected.

Elowen turned to leave, brushing a strand of emerald hair behind her pointed ear. “Well, see you then,” she said lightly, her tone returning to that teasing ease.

“Wait,” Luca called out, stopping her just before she stepped outside. “Where can I take a bath?”

She glanced over her shoulder, laughing softly. “You’re in the most beautiful part of nature, Luca. The forest will provide. Try exploring a little—you’ll find a spring not too far from here. You’ll feel it when you’re close.”

Luca chuckled under his breath. “Figures you’d say something cryptic like that.”

“Oh, and don’t worry about the others,” Elowen added with a playful wink. “They’re being treated well—probably enjoying themselves more than you right now.”

Luca nodded, watching as she disappeared into the shimmer of light filtering through the trees.

When silence returned, he stood there for a long moment, staring at the soft patterns of sunlight swaying on the wooden floor.

The World Tree… the heart of all life in the Elven Forest.

His hand clenched slightly as he exhaled. “Guess this is it, huh?” he muttered under his breath, eyes glinting with quiet determination.

Tonight… I can finally see it..

Luca didn’t dwell on Elowen’s words for long. Instead, he stretched lightly, exhaling as he stepped outside. “Let’s see if that spring really finds me,” he muttered with a faint grin.

The forest greeted him with a gentle, refreshing breeze—the kind that seemed to seep into the bones and clear the mind. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the emerald canopy, scattering golden dust into the air. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath of that cool, vibrant air.

It’s been two days… I haven’t trained at all since the journey.

The thought made him roll his shoulders, feeling a tingle of anticipation run through his body.

He crouched slightly—then dashed forward.

The wind whistled past his ears as he ran, his boots barely making a sound on the mossy ground. Trees blurred into streaks of green and gold around him, leaves trembling in his wake. Yet, despite his speed, his breathing remained steady. No exhaustion, no strain. Just motion—fluid and sharp.

He ran and ran and ran , as he thought, Just how far have I come? Did senior Elowen lied to me?

After a while, a faint rush of sound reached his ears. Water.

He followed it, weaving between thick roots and twisting vines until the forest opened up—and his breath caught.

Before him was a breathtaking scene. A waterfall cascaded down from a towering cliff of silverstone, the water shimmering like liquid glass. The mist caught the sunlight, scattering it into soft rainbows that arced across the crystal-blue spring below. The entire clearing glowed with life—lush ferns, bright flowers, and firefly-like wisps drifting lazily above the surface.

Luca let out a low whistle. “Perfect… Guess I found it.”

He tilted his head, gazing at the serene water. “I’ll train a bit farther first, then come back for a bath,” he decided, stepping back into the woods.

A bit far away, he found a clearing wide enough to move freely. With a flick of his wrist, two blades materialized in his hands—one black, one white. The twin sabers gleamed softly, reflecting the filtered sunlight that fell through the leaves.

“Let’s begin.”

He shrugged off his shirt and dropped it beside a mossy log. His muscles tensed, then moved in perfect rhythm as he stepped forward, executing a series of precise strikes. The air whistled with each slash—sharp arcs that cut through leaves fluttering in the wind.

Slash. Twist. Step. Parry. Counter.

Every movement flowed seamlessly into the next. His body was a blur of motion—graceful yet powerful, like a dance of light and shadow. The black saber drew swift, precise lines, while the white saber swept wider, defensive arcs. The two blended into one continuous motion—balanced, beautiful, deadly.

Hours might have passed; the sun shifted above him. Sweat never came, yet his breathing deepened—steady and strong. When he finally stopped, he exhaled slowly, lowering both sabers.

“Good,” he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “That should do.”

He looked down at his bare torso, chuckling softly. “No point putting that shirt back on. I’m taking a bath anyway.”

With that, he made his way back through the forest, the faint sound of falling water guiding him.

The mist grew thicker as he neared the waterfall again. The air felt cool and soothing on his skin. He stepped out of the trees—and froze.

His eyes fell on the spring, shimmering under the midday light. And in the center of that clear water—

A pair of eyes met his.

Wide, startled, yet impossibly mesmerizing.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The sound of the waterfall roared behind them, yet in that moment, the entire world seemed to go silent.

What in the world…

Luca’s thoughts tangled in confusion as his body refused to move.

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