With resources like that, their best could certainly make it to the Central Star System.
“So hurry up and take me out, then get accepted to the Central Star System!”
“To Paradise and Revelation—the sacred sites of the Paradise Pantheon!”
The Serpent of Temptation was practically bouncing with excitement.
“Once we’re there, I’ll help you find some really good stuff!”
Su Fu raised an eyebrow and asked, “Good stuff?”
It organized its words and replied, “How should I put it? Take sacred artifacts, for instance. The highest level Eden stores is EX-grade, but Paradise and Revelation…”
“Yes, they keep the highest grade: Primordial.”
It lowered its voice, oozing with temptation, “For example, in the Paradise sacred site there’s an artifact whose pages are blank. Whatever is written in it becomes the law of the world. World law—meaning its influence covers the entire world, every stroke altering the world’s operation.”
“In Revelation, there’s the divine weapon, True Lance of Longinus. It holds the authority of ‘Certain Death.’ Anything it pierces, no matter how powerful, will inevitably die—no exceptions.”
Su Fu: “!!!”
All top-tier treasures.
The Paradise Pantheon truly was vast and resource-rich, with an incredible mythological history and a steady stream of artifacts and sacred objects.
Thinking of this, she sighed.
If only the gods of the Chinese Pantheon hadn’t retired into obscurity and let themselves be forgotten, what brilliance and vastness there would be.
The Pangu Axe that could split the heavens, Nuwa’s Stone that could repair the sky, the Divine Bow that shot down suns, the River Diagram and Luo Book that calmed the floods, the Kunlun Mirror, the Haotian Tower, the Taiji Diagram…
What magnificent mythology, what mighty deities, what dazzling glory.
If the Chinese Pantheon could return, that would truly be the number one pantheon but now, only scattered legends remain.
Thinking of this, Su Fu lost her interest.
“Let’s go. Time to head home for dinner.”
***
Back at the villa, Houchu had already prepared dinner for everyone.
It had to be said, he truly was a model student of the Paradise Pantheon—well-rounded in virtue, intelligence, strength, beauty, and labor, skilled at everything, even cooking.
After dinner, Su Fu returned to her room early.
Tonight, the Tree of Life would awaken, and she needed to check on it.
Before long, it was deep into the night.
Su Fu had already been summoned to the Tree of Life.
Looking at the utterly transformed Tree of Life before her, she stood there in shock.
“Wait, is this… the Tree of Life?”
Its size hadn’t changed much, but the formerly emerald green leaves had turned completely into a riot of colors!
Mixed hues—red, yellow, blue… all intertwined.
With the breeze, the leaves swayed, scattering fine points of light through the air, landing gently on the grass around it.
‘Beautiful… but—’
Su Fu’s expression grew strange and she muttered, “It’s just… Why do these multicolored leaves look so much like Nuwa’s Five-Colored Stones?”
Suddenly, she thought: ‘Did it abandon its all-green look? Would the Tree of Life have to keep this multi-colored skin from now on?’
Just then, a crisp voice rang out in Su Fu’s mind: ‘Su Fu, you’re finally here!’
‘Look at my outfit—pretty, right? Just like Nuwa!’
Su Fu: “???”
Her vision darkened; she nearly lost her balance.
Of course!
She knew it looked familiar!
You little Tree of Life—repaying kindness with a slap, huh?
Trying to steal Nuwa’s affection by changing skins and acting all “graceful and demure”!
She almost fainted from anger!
Olivia stood to the side, watching Su Fu’s reaction, unable to help but laugh.
She explained, “It’s still young. This is just its way of expressing admiration and adoration for Nuwa.”
Su Fu: “???”
‘Who are you calling young?’
She stared, bewildered, at the enormous Tree of Life in front of her.
Not only was it massive, but it had lived for who knows how many eras.
‘How could anyone call that “young”?’
Maybe her shock was too obvious, because Olivia laughed.
“Though it’s lived a long time, its mind remains as pure as a child’s. The Tree of Life’s intelligence is different from a human’s. Its way of perceiving the world is much more simple, with far fewer complicated thoughts.”
Su Fu understood—everyone just humored it.
Besides, primordial sacred objects like this were especially favored by the laws of heaven and earth—never sick, never troubled, never worried.
Of course they’d always be as happy as children.
“Looks like the Tree of Life is fine.” Su Fu smiled slightly.
If it had the leisure to change skins, it was definitely all right.
Still, she guessed Olivia hadn’t summoned her just to witness the Tree of Life’s awakening.
Though she had saved the Tree of Life once, the vast Dark Realm still existed, and the Tree of Life would have to stand against the abyss.
The threat wasn’t gone.
Based on her prior experience with the corruption, she judged the Tree of Life could hold out for at least a year.
Once her own level increased, and she could let Nuwa’s avatar appear for longer, the Tree of Life could last even more.
Eventually, if the Tree of Life’s rank rose, perhaps it could fully resist the Dark Realm’s invasion on its own, and she wouldn’t have to help anymore.
But for now, Su Fu guessed Olivia probably wanted to form a long-term partnership—inviting her to regularly help heal the Tree of Life.
“Cough cough”, she definitely wouldn’t help out for nothing.
Su Fu thought, ‘if these people wanted me to help for free, I would just take the Tree of Life home with me.
After all, she was the one who saved it, so it was only fair for her to claim it.
Anyway, the Tree of Life could thrive anywhere.
As she was musing, Olivia indeed started getting to the point.
“Classmate Su Fu, I’m sure you already know about the Tree of Life’s situation.”
“We’d like to form a long-term partnership with you, and hope you’ll continue to provide treatment for the Tree of Life in the future. To that end, we will offer you generous rewards.”
She paused, “Every time you come to heal the Tree of Life, you can choose any sacred relic from the Paradise Pantheon.”
“At the same time, we’ll award you the ‘Guardian of Eden’ medal.”
“You’ll be the strongest ally of the Paradise Pantheon, our most honored guest, and our dearest friend.”
She gave an example: “When you apply to the Genesis Lord Academy in the future, the Paradise Pantheon will fully vouch for you.”
“Our letter of recommendation is highly recognized across all star systems.”
“Not only that, you’ll also receive a permanent pass to Eden, allowing you to freely enter any area, including the Hall of Knowledge that is usually reserved for the High Priestess.”
“If you ever have any difficulties, the sages of the Paradise Pantheon will do everything they can to help.”
Olivia rattled off a whole series of promises, and Su Fu almost couldn’t resist jumping up to give her a big hug.
Feigning composure, she waved her hand in a righteous, serious manner and said, “High Priestess, what you’re saying is unnecessary.”
“Since I chose to save the Tree of Life back then, of course I’ll see it through to the end.”
She spoke sincerely: “You can rest assured, leave this matter to me, Su Fu—there’s no hesitation!”
The Paradise Pantheon really was generous.
Each time she spent half an hour using her divine form, she’d get a sacred relic in return—where else could you find such a great deal?
Though the top-tier items might be difficult to obtain and the procedures were complicated, S-tier ones shouldn’t be a problem, right?
Wait, she suddenly realized, she didn’t necessarily have to choose sacred relics; she could pick forbidden items too, couldn’t she?
As long as she could nullify the side effects, those might be even more useful than sacred relics.
Thinking of this, Su Fu’s gaze changed—she looked at Olivia as if gazing at a glowing treasure chest, a super vault that refreshed with new treasures every year.
She looked at the Tree of Life differently now, too.
Who cared if it was a five-colored tree—this was clearly a money tree!
Having received Su Fu’s positive answer, Olivia breathed a sigh of relief.
She said, “Then we’ll trouble you to come once a month. Rest assured, our Paradise Pantheon values its promises most highly; we’ll absolutely uphold the agreement.”
‘Hm? Wait a second—’ Su Fu froze, her mind stalling: “How often?”
Every month?
How could it be once a month?
From what she sensed about the corrosion, once a year was plenty—maybe even too frequent.
After all, the Tree of Life had ascended with Nuwa’s help; its ability to resist the Dark Realm should have improved dramatically, and shouldn’t require such frequent treatment.
‘What was going on here?’
She cautiously confirmed: “High Priestess, are you saying… every month?”
“Yes.” Olivia looked a bit apologetic, “We know it’s very frequent, but…”
She looked at the Tree of Life with pained eyes, hesitated, then said: “That’s what the Tree of Life said. It says it needs a boost every month and needs to see Nuwa.”
Su Fu: “….”
‘The key point is obviously the latter half!’
Su Fu’s gaze towards the Tree of Life instantly changed.
‘So it was you all along!’
She finally understood.
Every month… did it really want treatment?
She couldn’t even bring herself to say it!
Clearly, the Tree of Life just wanted an excuse to see Nuwa.
‘Greedy little thing! Where did such a young Tree of Life learn these tricks?’
The Tree of Life immediately looked guilty, swaying as if blown by a strong wind, a few leaves fluttering down in slow spirals.
Its anxious voice rang in Su Fu’s mind: ‘Big sis… I just want to see Nuwa a little more often…’
Su Fu’s face darkened, ‘Don’t even think about it. You can explain this to the High Priestess yourself. At most, I’ll come once a quarter.’
And that’s only for the sake of the sacred relics!
‘Wuwuwu… Big sis, please don’t…’
Su Fu’s heart was cold as iron: ‘Cry again, and I’ll only come every six months.’
The Tree of Life instantly stopped sobbing, obviously not expecting Su Fu to be so “heartless.”
It was quiet for a moment, then muttered softly: ‘Okay… fine… let’s do that…’
But it clearly hadn’t given up, and still tried to bargain: ‘Big sis, how about… every two months?’
‘Olivia and the others have lots of sacred relics. Don’t you want more? If you don’t come, I’ll say you did anyway. How about that?’
Su Fu: “???”
Damn, she’d been caught at her weak spot.
‘Ahem, well, in that case… you go explain to them yourself.’
The Tree of Life instantly cheered up: ‘Okay, okay, okay! Thank you, big sis! Thank you! You’re the best! You’re the prettiest! You’re the most amazing!’
‘Cut the flattery!’ Su Fu continued discussing the details with the Tree of Life.
In the end, both sides reached an agreement they were satisfied with: Nuwa could come, but only once a year to help the Tree of Life resist corrosion; the rest of the time, it could just see her divine form to ease its longing.
No excessive demands!
In truth, Su Fu thought even once a year was a bit too frequent.
Yesterday had been an emergency; she had no choice but to ask for Nuwa’s help but from now on… was there some other solution?
Actually, China really did have plenty of divine objects that might solve this problem.
For example, Xirang.
The legendary inexhaustible earth, capable of infinite growth, never depleted, the very same divine object Nuwa used to mend the sky.
If she could obtain some Xirang, it might help the Tree of Life resist corruption once and for all.
She felt this was worth trying.
***
After the agreement was settled, Olivia took Su Fu to the location of the sacred relics—the Revelation Court.
After all, healing the Tree of Life yesterday counted as a service, so by agreement, Su Fu could come to claim her reward.