100\% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? Chapter 569 - Fruits

Searching for minuscule worlds and barks from the Tree of Creation was not something Lucien and Seran neglected. Over the course of the past month, their endeavors finally yielded results. Two small worlds were discovered. The initial discovery was pure chance. The latter, however, was not. They found it thanks to Aurelia. Ages ago, Aurelia had been the one to pinpoint Lucien’s very own world of origin. Yet, the ensuing backlash was so severe that even Seran, who typically treated peril with a smile, lost all joviality upon witnessing her condition. This time, she accomplished it again, though in secret. Upon learning the truth, Seran’s expression shifted in a manner Lucien had seldom observed. His smile vanished. "You gave me your word." Aurelia gazed up at him, appearing weary but maintaining her composure. "I pledged not to act imprudently." "This was reckless behavior." Seran fixed his gaze upon her. Aurelia offered him a slight, almost imperceptible smile. It had no effect. His voice deepened. "Wife." That single word conveyed more concern than any extended reprimand could have. Lucien remained uncertain whether to interject or allow the husband to admonish his wife as she deserved. He then let out a sigh, acknowledging that he, too, wished for her to avoid rash actions. "We require your divination for potential future calamities. Should a graver threat emerge, your foresight might become essential." Aurelia lowered her gaze. "I understand." For a brief spell, silence enveloped them. Then, Aurelia’s voice softened considerably. "You both bear too great a burden. The expanse of the gray space is immense. I managed to perceive a single thread. I believed that by providing you with even that much, perhaps the inhabitants of that world would not be forced to await the arrival of monsters." Seran’s anger began to wane. A tightness formed in Lucien’s chest. Her declaration implied that, through her divination, she had foreseen monsters discovering that small world. Lucien finally spoke, "Thank you. For the present, please focus on recuperating properly." Aurelia seemed amused, despite her profound exhaustion. "You two are remarkably similar when you are worried." Seran and Lucien simultaneously responded, "No, we are not." Aurelia chuckled softly, then winced. This abruptly concluded their discussion. Seran promptly escorted her to the Celestial healing complex. ••• Grand Confluence welcomed the newly acquired small worlds next. He proceeded to establish another make-shift universe within the confines of Grand Confluence. Subsequently, Lucien tasked Lilith with constructing suitable habitats for the inhabitants within Grand Confluence. Lucien personally guided the people from the two newly found small worlds. He began by elucidating the crucial aspects. The Liberators from both worlds proved amenable to discussion. They already possessed a partial understanding of the underlying truths. The first was a woman of robust build, named Thalira, whose capabilities gravitated toward defense, resilience, and safeguarding the collective. The second was a man of quiet demeanor, named Orien, whose abilities exhibited peculiar nuances of binding, mobility, and recollection. Seran assisted in facilitating the dialogue. Thalira observed Lucien intently for a considerable duration. "You intend for our worlds to become integrated into Grand Confluence?" "My primary objective is ensuring your people's safety. Following that, their strengthening, and finally, their proper integration." Orien’s gaze drifted towards the artificial sky of the temporary universe. "And what is it you seek from us?" Lucien appreciated the directness of his query. "Representation. Cooperation. Transparency. Your worlds are known intimately by you, far more so than by me. I wish for you two to serve as emissaries for your people during their period of adaptation." Lucien elaborated further, "For the foreseeable future, your principal responsibility is straightforward: attain greater strength. Utilize Lootwell’s systems. Undergo training at the academy. Pursue authorized studies. Familiarize yourselves with the communication network. Comprehend the established protocols. Allow your populace to recover." Thalira exchanged a glance with Orien. Orien returned the look. Though no words were spoken, a mutual understanding was reached. Thalira then inclined her head. "We concur." Orien added his assent, "If this place truly is as you describe, then our people would be foolish to decline." Lucien offered a smile. "Excellent." Following this, the matter of the Origin Core fragments arose. Lucien did not demand their immediate surrender. He made a request. Both Liberators yielded them willingly. And just like that, two additional small worlds were incorporated into the expanding framework of Grand Confluence. ••• Another significant development transpired during that same month. Lucien and Seran located yet another bark of the Tree of Creation. Curiously, no monstrous entities were present to guard it. Lucien and Seran stood before the world for an extended period. Neither made an immediate move. Seran’s characteristic smile was absent. "This feels… amiss." Lucien nodded in agreement. "Indeed." The lack of opposition did not offer them any solace. The goblins had fiercely defended previous worlds with relentless determination. Now, there was an unnerving void. This situation suggested several potential scenarios. The goblins might have concluded that further losses were unsustainable. They could have relinquished this site, deeming the bark unimportant to their present strategy. Their focus might have shifted elsewhere entirely. Alternatively, they could be orchestrating a more formidable threat from within the Black Mass. Lucien found no comfort in any of these possibilities. He meticulously scanned the surrounding environment. However, no obvious signs of danger presented themselves.

After a succession of trials, he finally reached out and made contact with the bark.

It responded.

The very essence of creation began to unfurl.

The bark itself dissolved, transforming into intricate threads of pure existence.

These threads surged into Lucien’s conceptual realm and aimed directly for the Tree of Creation situated above his Divine Energy Core.

The tree welcomed them, assimilating the essence.

And in doing so, it began to grow.

Lucien remained utterly still, a state of frozen surprise.

This transformation was unlike any he had witnessed before.

Previously, the tree had been in its nascent stages.

But now, as the bark merged, the tree expanded with an astonishing depth that sent tremors through Lucien’s entire internal world.

Its roots delved deeper into his Divine Energy Core.

The central trunk swelled to a greater girth.

Branches unfurled outwards, no longer delicate or hesitant in their reach. Leaves began to shimmer, each one imbued with layered creation clauses; it seemed as though every leaf held the nascent blueprint of worlds still undecided on their existence.

The tree had transcended its youthful phase.

It was still far from complete, that much was evident.

Not even remotely close.

Yet, it had undeniably crossed a significant threshold.

Lucien gazed intently at the developing tree.

Then, his attention was drawn to them.

Small, nascent forms were beginning to appear, hanging amongst the expanding branches.

A sudden intake of breath escaped him.

Fruits.

Minute, luminous fruits had started to materialize from the very substance of the Tree of Creation.

Lucien stayed motionless for an extended period.

Then, a recollection surfaced from his memory.

Lilith’s narrative.

The fruit she had consumed, derived from the bark of the Tree of Creation, had catalyzed the evolution of her Law, forging a path that might have otherwise remained forever beyond her reach.

Lucien’s heart began to pound with accelerated rhythm.

If these nascent fruits were to mature completely...

And if they could be bestowed upon his people...

What profound effects might they yield?

Would they facilitate the evolution of Laws?

Could they enhance physical constitutions?

Might they awaken latent authorities?

Perhaps even aid the Eternals in further refining their existing Laws?

Lucien possessed no definitive answers.

This very uncertainty was the most agonizing aspect.

He did not know, and the desire to discover the truth burned intensely within him.

Then, his gaze caught something else of note.

The fruits were growing, but at an agonizingly slow pace.

Painfully slow.

Lucien observed them for a considerable duration.

Finally, a slight frown creased his brow.

"It makes sense, of course."

A treasure capable of evolving Laws would hardly ripen expediently simply because he felt eager.

•••

The answer arrived later, during a different occasion.

One afternoon, Lucien found himself within the central chapel of Grand Confluence, observing the individuals seeking residency within its domain.

The instant he crossed the threshold, a palpable surge of divine energy permeated the chapel, flowing in gentle, well-ordered currents.

It carried with it the palpable resonance of Faith, Hope, and Reverence.

Lucien felt this essence absorb into his being.

Simultaneously, a subtle stirring commenced within his Divine Energy Core.

The Tree of Creation, within him, was responding to this influx.

Lucien abruptly ceased his movement.

Clara, who was accompanying him, immediately sensed the shift.

"My lord?"

Lucien did not reply immediately.

His consciousness turned inward, delving deep into his spiritual core.

He perceived the divine energy flowing inexorably into the tree.

And, inexplicably…

The nascent fruits began to tremble.

Their maturation process, while still gradual, demonstrably accelerated.

Only slightly, perhaps, but unmistakably.

Lucien observed this phenomenon through his internal spiritual senses.

The divine energy, born from genuine faith, was not solely sustaining him.

It was actively nourishing the fruits themselves.

This realization struck him with such profound impact that he nearly let out an involuntary laugh right there in the chapel's main hall.

Clara’s eyes narrowed slightly, her attention fully focused.

"My lord?"

Lucien slowly opened his eyes, his gaze returning to the external world.

The sheer excitement radiating from him was almost impossible to contain.

"The divine energy," he stated, his voice filled with newfound understanding.

Clara tilted her head, a questioning expression on her face.

"It is circulating as it should."

"It is accomplishing far more than mere circulation."

Her demeanor shifted to one of intense attentiveness.

Lucien’s gaze drifted towards Clara’s assembled people.

He could sense the divine energy emanating from them, a pure offering.

Then, he felt the response from the fruits, a silent acknowledgment.

Even with the divine energy acting as a catalyst, maturation would still require a passage of time.

However, any amount of time was infinitely better than the impossibility that had previously existed.

He now understood the crucial path forward.

The energy had to be genuine and sincere; otherwise, the tree would not accept it cleanly. Lucien grasped this much with certainty. The Tree of Creation, he understood, did not thrive on superficial pronouncements. It resonated with authentic, lived meaning.

Lucien turned his attention back to Clara, his expression serious.

"Do not compel the people in any way."

Clara’s face immediately assumed a grave expression.

"Never, my lord."

Clara then placed a hand over her heart, her posture one of earnest sincerity.

"My lord, faith cultivated through coercion is inherently fragile. Gratitude that stems from genuine good deeds possesses a far more enduring quality."

A measure of relief washed over Lucien.

"That is good to hear."

A gentle smile touched Clara’s lips.

"However, we could certainly endeavor to enhance the chapel services, expand the scope of relief quests, increase the frequency of healing distributions, strengthen our public educational initiatives, and in doing so, provide the people with even more genuine reasons to feel thankful."

Lucien regarded her, a sense of awe settling upon him.

Clara’s smile remained open and guileless.

"That course of action is acceptable," Lucien conceded, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I had surmised as much."

He gave a slight shake of his head, a mixture of admiration and exasperation present in the gesture.

A truly formidable woman.

Nevertheless, undeniably useful.

Exceptionally useful.