CHAPTER 383: HOLY WATER FROM THE TREE OF LIFE

Before them was a portion of the tree’s trunk. Yes, only a portion, because the World Tree was far too enormous and magnificent for them to see its entirety from this close. Roots rose from the ground, sprawling outward, weaving beneath a stream of gold-colored water that looked like a lake formed from stardust.

Those roots were also touched by light, glowing with a gentle radiance.

Ahead of them stretched a bridge, as if formed from countless twisting, massive branches woven together.

As Silvanus stepped onto the bridge, he could even see leaves swaying and a few tiny flowers blooming along the railing.

Soon, a massive gate came into view, over ten meters tall. Its surface was adorned with ancient floral patterns surrounding a sun motif, shining with the same gold brilliance as the lake.

The shimmering light reflected in their eyes, and Silvanus unconsciously recalled the scene from earlier that afternoon, when Dorian’s long hair had glowed beneath the sunlight.

He wondered whether he might meet Dorian here.

Vivian looked at Silvanus, then at the scene ahead, whispering softly, "One day I’ll take you somewhere even more magnificent."

Silvanus paused for a moment. He still wasn’t used to Vivian being able to talk.

He gently patted the top of Vivian’s head, not taking her words too seriously.

A strange creature wandering everywhere in search of its egg nest...

Vivian saw Silvanus’s expression, let out a silent huff, then clicked its tongue and nuzzled its nose against his neck.

The diplomatic official placed his hand on the gate. Immediately, light flared softly, and without a single sound, the enormous door opened before them.

From the entrance, they could see a grand, resplendent interior, illuminated beautifully—nothing like what one would expect inside a tree trunk.

Silvanus swallowed a little and stepped forward.

The floor was paved with marble, while the walls were the inner surface of the tree, displaying a distinctive deep brown.

The space was so vast that it was impossible to see its end. They passed through another doorway before arriving at a chamber with wide corridors and red carpet stretching across the floor.

On a raised platform stood a throne glowing brilliantly.

Seedlings sprouted throughout the area.

Silvanus looked upward and saw countless bell-shaped flowers gently swaying above, emitting light.

By now, all the guards had remained outside.

The diplomatic official’s cloak trailed across the ground as he spoke softly, "The prince has been awaiting your arrival to conduct the cleansing ritual. The holy water of the Tree of Life will dispel the darkness and let light illuminate the path ahead of you."

They passed through the grand hall and continued down a corridor behind the throne until they stopped before a crystal-clear pool.

The surface of the pool glowed with a gentle light in the darkness. The water was so clear it reflected the small canopy of branches above it, heavy with bright red, apple-like fruit that looked as though they could drop at any moment. From high above, golden specks drifted down endlessly, sparkling as they fell.

Someone was already standing there.

The light from the pool illuminated the gold-etched patterns on his elaborate, ornate attire.

His wings hung down behind him, blending into the splendor of his cloak—yet for some reason, Silvanus found the figure strangely familiar.

Vivian, on the other hand, was wildly wagging its tail like an excited dog rather than a fox.

The diplomatic official bowed deeply, every movement filled with reverence.

"Your Highness, the guests from afar have arrived."

At the same time, the prince slowly turned around. His gold hair was tied half-up, adorned with golden leaf ornaments and rubies shaped like berries.

Two long strips of fabric trailed down from behind his ears, falling forward with his hair. His green eyes were serene like still water—calm, icy, and watchful, as though they would never hold a single emotion.

His robes were even more formal and resplendent, the bright gold patterns boldly displaying his noble status.

Across the distance, their eyes met. In an instant, the still surface of that lake-like calm seemed to ripple ever so slightly. But only slightly—like the briefest passing flicker.

Nicole stepped forward as well. Ever since entering the domain of the World Tree, she had stopped flying and walked with both feet on the ground.

Silvanus noticed that her head barely reached his waist.

She tilted her head up at the Elven prince, placing one hand over her chest, and smiled. "Prince Dorian, it is an honor to meet you..."

Nicole quickly brought Silvanus and Nana forward to greet him and explained the purpose of their visit to Eldoria.

Dorian listened quietly. He looked at the invitation Nicole presented and spoke softly, "Humans and Elves share a long-standing and stable cooperative relationship. Since Lumina has extended an invitation, the Elves naturally will not refuse."

As soon as he finished speaking, the attendant who had been standing quietly at the side stepped forward, bowed, and gently accepted the invitation from Nicole’s hands.

It was simple—just as Nicole had said. All of this existed because of the cooperative relationship between the Elves and the Humans.

And Dorian...

Who would have thought that the graceful beauty who splashed water with him would turn out to be the Elven Prince? But looking at Dorian now, it was as if he didn’t even recognize Silvanus.

Silvanus didn’t dare look at Dorian for too long, afraid he might disturb him.

Dorian seemed to glance at Silvanus casually. All he saw was a student standing obediently in place, not moving at all.

At this moment, the part that the diplomatic official had mentioned finally arrived—the cleansing ritual with the holy water formed from the Tree of Life.

Silvanus instinctively looked at the pool, then at its source. He could only see the stream stretching endlessly into the darkness, faint light glowing from within, as if no one knew where it led.

The water was clear like glass, and Silvanus suddenly had an uneasy feeling.

Tree of Life... He couldn’t help recalling that strange tree with the clear pool beneath it.

He and Dorian had rolled around in that water for an entire afternoon... Silvanus suddenly remembered Dorian’s strange look when he "washed" Vivian.

Surely it couldn’t be... right?

But Dorian was the Elven Prince. He wouldn’t do something like that... right?

Silvanus felt increasingly uneasy. At that moment, a glass vial was already placed in his hand.

The attendant spoke softly, "You may scoop only once..."

Silvanus looked at the glass vial, then at the water. He suddenly remembered what the books said: the Elves’ Holy Water from the Tree of Life possessed immense healing power and was considered a rare ingredient in countless potions.

Having a vial of Holy Water from the Tree of Life was like having an extra life on the battlefield.

On the other side, Nicole had already taken her scoop. Their hands were not allowed to touch the water.

Silvanus clearly saw Nicole’s vial filled to the brim, yet when she lifted it, it was reduced to less than one-fourth.

Nicole widened her eyes and let out a short laugh. On any other day, she might have remarked how stingy the lake always was, but with Dorian present, she didn’t dare say a word.