Chapter 37: Meeting With Speaking Ink Tree
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In the Southeast of the Amayan Empire, aside from the boundless ocean known as the Southern Oceanic, there was also a dark forest known as the Eastwind forests. The towering trees stretching into the clouds were black from their base to their top, and from their branches to their leaves. The forest was harsh and bleak, not a single sign of life visible within its vicinity for hundreds of miles.
Somewhere within the depths of the Eastwind forest, Crown Prince Lail was staring at the ancient ginormous tree that was trying to keep its eyes open. The tree was old and wrinkly, its black trunk marred with the passage of time. It had the shape of an old ginger, only with a thousand more roots that extended from its base like spider webs, intertwining and entangling with the roots of the other trees in the area.
Its leaves and branches spread out like a net as they connected with each other in a kaleidoscope of black, teeming with life and vitality despite its age.
Through its connection with the other trees' roots, branches, and leaves, everything occurring within the Eastwind forest and beyond was within its perception.
This was the Speaking Ink Tree of the Eastwind forest. The tree dated back to the time before the beginning of civilization. A time when the realms were a land of magic where magical beasts and creatures roamed free. A time when beasts and humans were friends and companions that had each other's backs.
The Speaking Ink Tree was the keeper of those times. A living, talking witness to the history of both beasts and humans. It was a living treasure that no wealth or power could buy or possess. If one needed guidance or knowledge inaccessible or available in the seven realms, they needed to personally journey to the Eastwind forest and seek the Speaking Ink Tree.
Not only that, but they also needed to keep the tree awake for long enough to receive what they sought.
"Speaking Ink Tree, I was guided here by an old oracle to seek assistance from you. He told me as an old acquaintance of my ancestor, you would help me if I sincerely asked for your help. Please help me." Crown Prince Lail earnestly repeated his request to the ancient tree for the third time.
"I am in desperate need of your assistance, Speaking Ink Tree. My wife disappeared more than a week ago and there is no trace of her presence in the entire realm. Please help me reach her or guide me towards her." Seeing the old tree drowsily opening its huge eyes, Crown Prince Lail hurriedly spoke of his motive in appearing at the Eastwind forest.
The ancient tree looked at Crown Prince Lail through its squinted eyes that glowed with a green light. The moment its green eyes focused on the Crown Prince, a mysterious golden light flashed in their depths.
"Little one, the path you wish to walk is one of flames and thorns. It is best for you to return." The ancient tree replied in a hoarse voice, preparing to close his eyes again.
However, Crown Prince Lail had not journeyed to the bleak Eastwind forest to return back alone, empty handed. He had come for a purpose and had no intention of returning without achieving his goal.
"I am not afraid of crossing a sea of flames or walking over a mountain of thorns. I am only afraid of failing my wife. I do not know where she is at the moment or what she is going through right now. I do know however, that I need to find her no matter what. You just need to tell me how I can get to her. The rest is my problem." The Crown Prince stubbornly looked into the Speaking Ink Tree's eyes, his gaze firm and determined.
"Seeing your determination, I know that I will not be able to change your mind with just my dismissal. Alright, I will help you. However, I was once an acquaintance of your ancestor and cannot just send you into unknown territories. Hence, I have a task I need you to fulfill before I tell you of your wife's whereabouts. If you fail to complete this task, then there is no need for you to come find me again. I will not tell you where your wife is. Do you understand?" The Speaking Ink Tree calmly asked in his hoarse voice, scrutinizing the Crown Prince's expression.
"I understand." However, the Crown Prince instantly accepted the task without even asking about what it was that he needed to fulfill, causing the ancient tree to furrow his brows in displeasure.
"Think it over. The task that I am about to ask you to complete will not only be difficult, but very dangerous as well. If you end up dying in the process, it would be too late for you to regret later on." The tree attempted to influence his decision by emphasizing the word 'dangerous' in his sentence.
"There is nothing to think over about. Tell me, Speaking Ink Tree. What is your task?" Crown Prince Lail was not daunted by the thought of encountering danger.
His Crown Princess Consort could be in even greater danger than the one he would be facing. Otherwise, why would the old oracle tell him to prepare and steel his heart? Why would the old tree refuse to inform him of the princess's location without testing him?
The only reason would be that the place where Princess Qamari was at was no ordinary place. It had to be a place full of danger or she herself was already in a dangerous situation where no ordinary methods would have effects. As such, how could he possibly back off?
"Alright. Since this is your choice, I will not try to dissuade you any further. The task I need you to accomplish is for you to enter the Heart of Mistland. The Heart of Mistland is within the depths of the Eastwind forest, however, you will have to locate the position on your own." The ancient tree replied in a sagely tone, his eyes carrying a mysterious expression as he looked at Crown Prince Lail.
"Enter the Heart of Mistland?" Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, Crown Prince Lail was beyond shocked as he heard the Speaking Ink Tree's task.
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In the Southeast of the Amayan Empire, aside from the boundless ocean known as the Southern Oceanic, there was also a dark forest known as the Eastwind forests. The towering trees stretching into the clouds were black from their base to their top, and from their branches to their leaves. The forest was harsh and bleak, not a single sign of life visible within its vicinity for hundreds of miles.
Somewhere within the depths of the Eastwind forest, Crown Prince Lail was staring at the ancient ginormous tree that was trying to keep its eyes open. The tree was old and wrinkly, its black trunk marred with the passage of time. It had the shape of an old ginger, only with a thousand more roots that extended from its base like spider webs, intertwining and entangling with the roots of the other trees in the area.
Its leaves and branches spread out like a net as they connected with each other in a kaleidoscope of black, teeming with life and vitality despite its age.
Through its connection with the other trees' roots, branches, and leaves, everything occurring within the Eastwind forest and beyond was within its perception.
This was the Speaking Ink Tree of the Eastwind forest. The tree dated back to the time before the beginning of civilization. A time when the realms were a land of magic where magical beasts and creatures roamed free. A time when beasts and humans were friends and companions that had each other's backs.
The Speaking Ink Tree was the keeper of those times. A living, talking witness to the history of both beasts and humans. It was a living treasure that no wealth or power could buy or possess. If one needed guidance or knowledge inaccessible or available in the seven realms, they needed to personally journey to the Eastwind forest and seek the Speaking Ink Tree.
Not only that, but they also needed to keep the tree awake for long enough to receive what they sought.
"Speaking Ink Tree, I was guided here by an old oracle to seek assistance from you. He told me as an old acquaintance of my ancestor, you would help me if I sincerely asked for your help. Please help me." Crown Prince Lail earnestly repeated his request to the ancient tree for the third time.
"I am in desperate need of your assistance, Speaking Ink Tree. My wife disappeared more than a week ago and there is no trace of her presence in the entire realm. Please help me reach her or guide me towards her." Seeing the old tree drowsily opening its huge eyes, Crown Prince Lail hurriedly spoke of his motive in appearing at the Eastwind forest.
The ancient tree looked at Crown Prince Lail through its squinted eyes that glowed with a green light. The moment its green eyes focused on the Crown Prince, a mysterious golden light flashed in their depths.
"Little one, the path you wish to walk is one of flames and thorns. It is best for you to return." The ancient tree replied in a hoarse voice, preparing to close his eyes again.
However, Crown Prince Lail had not journeyed to the bleak Eastwind forest to return back alone, empty handed. He had come for a purpose and had no intention of returning without achieving his goal.
"I am not afraid of crossing a sea of flames or walking over a mountain of thorns. I am only afraid of failing my wife. I do not know where she is at the moment or what she is going through right now. I do know however, that I need to find her no matter what. You just need to tell me how I can get to her. The rest is my problem." The Crown Prince stubbornly looked into the Speaking Ink Tree's eyes, his gaze firm and determined.
"Seeing your determination, I know that I will not be able to change your mind with just my dismissal. Alright, I will help you. However, I was once an acquaintance of your ancestor and cannot just send you into unknown territories. Hence, I have a task I need you to fulfill before I tell you of your wife's whereabouts. If you fail to complete this task, then there is no need for you to come find me again. I will not tell you where your wife is. Do you understand?" The Speaking Ink Tree calmly asked in his hoarse voice, scrutinizing the Crown Prince's expression.
"I understand." However, the Crown Prince instantly accepted the task without even asking about what it was that he needed to fulfill, causing the ancient tree to furrow his brows in displeasure.
"Think it over. The task that I am about to ask you to complete will not only be difficult, but very dangerous as well. If you end up dying in the process, it would be too late for you to regret later on." The tree attempted to influence his decision by emphasizing the word 'dangerous' in his sentence.
"There is nothing to think over about. Tell me, Speaking Ink Tree. What is your task?" Crown Prince Lail was not daunted by the thought of encountering danger.
His Crown Princess Consort could be in even greater danger than the one he would be facing. Otherwise, why would the old oracle tell him to prepare and steel his heart? Why would the old tree refuse to inform him of the princess's location without testing him?
The only reason would be that the place where Princess Qamari was at was no ordinary place. It had to be a place full of danger or she herself was already in a dangerous situation where no ordinary methods would have effects. As such, how could he possibly back off?
"Alright. Since this is your choice, I will not try to dissuade you any further. The task I need you to accomplish is for you to enter the Heart of Mistland. The Heart of Mistland is within the depths of the Eastwind forest, however, you will have to locate the position on your own." The ancient tree replied in a sagely tone, his eyes carrying a mysterious expression as he looked at Crown Prince Lail.
"Enter the Heart of Mistland?" Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, Crown Prince Lail was beyond shocked as he heard the Speaking Ink Tree's task.
In the Southeast of the Amayan Empire, aside from the boundless ocean known as the Southern Oceanic, there was also a dark forest known as the Eastwind forests. The towering trees stretching into the clouds were black from their base to their top, and from their branches to their leaves. The forest was harsh and bleak, not a single sign of life visible within its vicinity for hundreds of miles. Somewhere within the depths of the Eastwind forest, Crown Prince Lail was staring at the ancient ginormous tree that was trying to keep its eyes open. The tree was old and wrinkly, its black trunk marred with the passage of time. It had the shape of an old ginger, only with a thousand more roots that extended from its base like spider webs, intertwining and entangling with the roots of the other trees in the area. Its leaves and branches spread out like a net as they connected with each other in a kaleidoscope of black, teeming with life and vitality despite its age. Through its connection with the other trees' roots, branches, and leaves, everything occurring within the Eastwind forest and beyond was within its perception. This was the Speaking Ink Tree of the Eastwind forest. The tree dated back to the time before the beginning of civilization. A time when the realms were a land of magic where magical beasts and creatures roamed free. A time when beasts and humans were friends and companions that had each other's backs. The Speaking Ink Tree was the keeper of those times. A living, talking witness to the history of both beasts and humans. It was a living treasure that no wealth or power could buy or possess. If one needed guidance or knowledge inaccessible or available in the seven realms, they needed to personally journey to the Eastwind forest and seek the Speaking Ink Tree. Not only that, but they also needed to keep the tree awake for long enough to receive what they sought. "Speaking Ink Tree, I was guided here by an old oracle to seek assistance from you. He told me as an old acquaintance of my ancestor, you would help me if I sincerely asked for your help. Please help me." Crown Prince Lail earnestly repeated his request to the ancient tree for the third time. "I am in desperate need of your assistance, Speaking Ink Tree. My wife disappeared more than a week ago and there is no trace of her presence in the entire realm. Please help me reach her or guide me towards her." Seeing the old tree drowsily opening its huge eyes, Crown Prince Lail hurriedly spoke of his motive in appearing at the Eastwind forest. The ancient tree looked at Crown Prince Lail through its squinted eyes that glowed with a green light. The moment its green eyes focused on the Crown Prince, a mysterious golden light flashed in their depths. "Little one, the path you wish to walk is one of flames and thorns. It is best for you to return." The ancient tree replied in a hoarse voice, preparing to close his eyes again. However, Crown Prince Lail had not journeyed to the bleak Eastwind forest to return back alone, empty handed. He had come for a purpose and had no intention of returning without achieving his goal. "I am not afraid of crossing a sea of flames or walking over a mountain of thorns. I am only afraid of failing my wife. I do not know where she is at the moment or what she is going through right now. I do know however, that I need to find her no matter what. You just need to tell me how I can get to her. The rest is my problem." The Crown Prince stubbornly looked into the Speaking Ink Tree's eyes, his gaze firm and determined. "Seeing your determination, I know that I will not be able to change your mind with just my dismissal. Alright, I will help you. However, I was once an acquaintance of your ancestor and cannot just send you into unknown territories. Hence, I have a task I need you to fulfill before I tell you of your wife's whereabouts. If you fail to complete this task, then there is no need for you to come find me again. I will not tell you where your wife is. Do you understand?" The Speaking Ink Tree calmly asked in his hoarse voice, scrutinizing the Crown Prince's expression. "I understand." However, the Crown Prince instantly accepted the task without even asking about what it was that he needed to fulfill, causing the ancient tree to furrow his brows in displeasure. "Think it over. The task that I am about to ask you to complete will not only be difficult, but very dangerous as well. If you end up dying in the process, it would be too late for you to regret later on." The tree attempted to influence his decision by emphasizing the word 'dangerous' in his sentence. "There is nothing to think over about. Tell me, Speaking Ink Tree. What is your task?" Crown Prince Lail was not daunted by the thought of encountering danger. His Crown Princess Consort could be in even greater danger than the one he would be facing. Otherwise, why would the old oracle tell him to prepare and steel his heart? Why would the old tree refuse to inform him of the princess's location without testing him? The only reason would be that the place where Princess Qamari was at was no ordinary place. It had to be a place full of danger or she herself was already in a dangerous situation where no ordinary methods would have effects. As such, how could he possibly back off? "Alright. Since this is your choice, I will not try to dissuade you any further. The task I need you to accomplish is for you to enter the Heart of Mistland. The Heart of Mistland is within the depths of the Eastwind forest, however, you will have to locate the position on your own." The ancient tree replied in a sagely tone, his eyes carrying a mysterious expression as he looked at Crown Prince Lail. "Enter the Heart of Mistland?" Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, Crown Prince Lail was beyond shocked as he heard the Speaking Ink Tree's task.
