Chapter 1208 - 549: It’s Up to You

Chapter 1208: Chapter 549: It’s Up to You

Nenasha’s tone was relaxed, with a hint of certainty, ["Even if something goes wrong, it’s okay, I will take action! Although it will consume a lot of energy, protecting you will be easy~"]

"Hmm, I really appreciate that."

["Hmph~ You could be a bit more sincere!"]

After Nenasha promised to cover for him, Herbert was completely relieved and stopped hesitating, directly reaching out to grab the Tree Heart.

And at the instant his fingertips touched that warm, wooden surface—

"Buzz!"

A vast and harmless stream of information accompanied by the purest Life Energy instantly flooded into his body and mind.

There was no pain, only a warmth and peace akin to returning to the maternal womb.

Then, Herbert saw.

He "saw" an endless ancient forest shrouded in misty fog, towering old trees blocking out the sun, and the air was filled with a rich Life scent and the robust aroma of decaying leaves.

In the deepest part of the forest, he gazed at a giant tree towering into the heavens, seemingly supporting the entire sky.

However, the condition of this giant tree was astonishing.

Its trunk was covered with charred marks and cracks, the huge canopy was mostly broken, and the remaining leaves were yellowed, with an indescribable aura of decay and desolation spreading forth.

It... had fallen.

Next, Herbert had no time to be affected by the surrounding atmosphere, his expression suddenly changed.

"What is this!!?"

He heard it.

He heard—the incredibly harsh and rough singing!

"I am the primordial root, ancestor of all trees, throughout the river of time..."

Again!!?

Herbert had expected the Mist Holy Tree to leave behind some special tricks, providing him an unexpected experience.

But he hadn’t expected the old tree to be so despicable, so lacking in virtue.

Too despicable!

In order to make others listen to its personal concert, it actually used such a big bait.

Fishing!

This guy is fishing!

"Hiss!"

But compared to the first time, after hearing it once, Herbert now had some resistance, not suffering as he did last time.

No, that’s not right...

"Eh?"

This time, there was no pain at all?

"Hmm!!?"

Herbert discovered with bewilderment that he could even discern some special rhythms and emotions from that hoarse yelling, which sounded as if a saw was dragging against wood.

Though the tune, lyrics, and that raspy voice were all identical, the feeling while listening was entirely different.

It was no longer purely a noise attack, instead carrying a sense of... melancholy, heroism, with even a touch of release.

Also, somewhat pleasing to the ear?

What is happening to me?

Is there something wrong with my ears? Or am I hypnotized by this old tree?

Herbert was sure that the singing hadn’t changed at all; the only difference must be within himself.

But, compared to before, what is different about me?

He squinted his eyes, pondering for a while, then suddenly thought of a possibility.

"Is it... because of the Heart of Nature?"

Having acquired the authority of the Heart of Nature given by Freya, Herbert had become completely different concerning Nature.

He was regarded as Nature’s favored one, recognized as a Natural Walker by the Natural Sanctuary.

As the bearer of the Heart of Nature, he was qualified, or rather, "allowed" to hear the truth behind this singing.

It wasn’t the Master of Nature angrily roaring for sacrifice, nor was it an unconscious howl amidst chaos.

It was a calm chant, a serene narration upon foreseeing its own Destiny.

A prophecy poem of the savior, who had already seen its end clearly before taking action.

So that’s it...

It wasn’t the singing that changed; I "understood" it.

And after knowing the future, It had neither roared angrily for its own sacrifice nor faced death calmly.

Finally, the singing returned to calm, Herbert once again heard the final words.

It said:

"I am the remnant stump, the ashes, and more, the undying root."

"The new world will awaken from my charred silence..."

That wasn’t a dissatisfied mumble, but a gentle wish, a certain prophecy.

It was wishing and affirming that the world could awaken and be reborn from Its shattered, burned remains.

From the outcome, the Master of Nature indeed achieved it.

The current world can truly be said to have been built upon Its "remains."

Up to this point, Herbert was utterly convinced of the identity of the Mist Holy Tree—Master of Nature.

Not the previously guessed offspring or mentor, but Itself.

More accurately, it should be a fragmentary-willed avatar.

It had been recovering in a daze until unexpectedly reawakening at this time.

"However, judging by Its condition, it doesn’t seem good... It looks like revival but also resembles a final flare."

And just when Herbert was pondering over this finding, a wave of fluctuation stirred in the will of the Tree Heart.

That ancient and gentle voice echoed in Herbert’s heart, slowly saying, "Young one, I leave it to you..."

!!!

Herbert was shocked, unclear about what the Master of Nature meant by these words.

Leave it to me?

What are you leaving to me?

Do you mean the Tree Heart?

Or is it...

He wanted to ask further, but the scenes in his mind quickly dispersed, everything shattered like bubbles.

When he regained his composure, less than three seconds had passed in the outside world.

Herbert raised his hand, and that "Heart of the Holy Tree" had already turned into specks of emerald light, dissipating into the air, but the pure Life origin it contained had remained within Herbert’s body.