Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

In the Verdant Sanctity Covenant's home world, the scenery was very different from that of other planets. Even looking from a distance, one was able to see the World Tree latching onto the world. Its size, slowly arriving at cosmic heights, was worthy of awe.

Other than the World Tree visible from outer space, the large world had pillars of light stretching out at regular intervals. Moreover, around these pillars, you could spot thick roots that surrounded them for a few million kilometers before melding into the space and disappearing, hiding from sight.

The world was mostly made up of continents, with small lakes and seas in between, and looked like an emerald jewel with blue inlaid gems floating in space.

Near the gargantuan World Tree, a large temple made out of polished white roots and verdant green accents stood imposingly. Looking closely, the temple appeared layered, with distinct floors, yet looking from a distance, it seemed to be a single, large structure with a single floor.

These layers represented the living space of those with different levels of authority, strength, influence, and power. They were also what Elyne was thinking of using as a model for Liu Shu's religious power.

A woman wearing a white and green robe spoke softly. "<Verdant Elder>, you shouldn't worry that much for <Priestess> Elyne. I am sure that there won't be any accidents this time around."

The man who listened looked mature with distinct facial features. His attire was simple, with few details, and green in color. The only thing that stood out about him was that sense of unfathomable power surrounding him. "While you say that, <Archbishop>, it has been over two decades since she has sent any information back."

The man sighed lightly, his finger tapping the lustrous white wooden armchair he sat on. The woman who heard him also showed a hint of confusion. They knew that their journey would last around two decades. Now that the time had passed, Elyne was supposed to send back a message, informing them about this peculiar being that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the corner of the galaxy.

As the man frowned, deep in thought, someone knocked on the door.

"Verdant Elder, we've received a top-secret message from Priestess Elyne. Would you like to receive it?"

The man blinked and chuckled. "Just as I was starting to worry, that child finally sent something. Come in."

A woman in plain white attire entered, her head lowered and not daring to look upward. When she saw the edge of the man's robe, she stopped and extended her hands slowly forward, bending her waist. "Respected Verdant Elder, please receive it."

The man hummed and took the leafy booklet. "You can retire. Thank you for your work, <Disciple>."

The Verdant Sanctity Church was divided into many levels. The lowest in the hierarchy were those with the <Novice> title. They were the basic workers who carried out most menial tasks.

Beyond the <Novice> rank, you encountered <Disciple>, <Priest>, <High Priest>, <Bishop>, <Archbishop>, <Verdant Elder>, and finally <Verdant Hierarch>. There were only three <Verdant Hierarchs>. Any title beyond those was special, not bound by levels or achievements, but more from status.

The man, with the title of <Verdant Elder>, was the person who took Elyne into the church and nurtured her from a very young age. Advancing from one position to the next was complicated and time-consuming because you needed to accumulate personal strength and merits.

For example, to pass from Novice to Disciple, you needed to reach Level 100 at the very least. From Disciple to Priest, Level 150 was necessary. After that, the Level differences shrank. High Priests and Bishops, respectively, required Levels 175 and 190. The last benchmark that ordinary people knew was that Archbishops were all Level 200 people and beyond.

"So it is true…" The Verdant Elder rubbed his beardless chin with a pondering look. His fingers holding the report in his hands lightly clenched and relaxed, showing that his mood was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.

Even then, he still showed a somewhat disaffected expression. "Even then, is it really worth losing her potential <Saintess> post for <World Flower> just to serve that little World Tree?"

"Huh?" The woman who had been accompanying the Verdant Elder for a long while instantly understood the implications of his muttered words. Her expression turned solemn as she spoke gravely. "Lord Ezra, you mustn't spoil her. How could a little World Tree that just completed her first Ascension be better than Lady World Flower? Lady World Flower is a peerless genius who reached Level 150 in under 6,000 years. She has also fully controlled her home solar system and stretched her roots to its neighboring stars already."

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Ezra nodded at her words, showing agreement. "But, tell me, Emma. Do you think Elyne is an impulsive child who moves without thinking? If she were that youngster named Orwen, I would've already sent someone to fetch her and forcibly bring her back. But you and I know that she is not that type of child. Elyne was working hard and excited to become Lady World Flower's <Saintess>. Yet, once there, she changed her mind."

Emma noticed Ezra stretching the report towards her. She took it with respectful gestures and then read it slowly. After she finished reading, Emma was silent for almost a full minute before finding her voice. "This… it should be impossible."

Ezra chuckled. "That's why, while I am not agreeable, I won't hastily judge before getting to know that little one myself."

Emma blinked her light-brown eyes incredulously and asked. "Lord Ezra, are you really visiting that remote star zone personally?"

Ezra flicked Emma's forehead and asked with a sigh. "Do you want me to indirectly kill that sapling? If I move there, myriad eyes will land on that location. No one beyond the <Bishop> rank must move over there…" Ezra smirked. "Also, according to Elyne, that sapling defeated that youngster Orwen in battle. Her strength is truly something that makes you doubt your eyes and ears."

Emma agreed. While World Trees were incomparably stronger than those at the same Level, did it make sense for a Level 100 to beat someone over 50 Levels above them? The distance between a Level 100 and a Level 150 was not something that could be covered by talent!

"What do you plan to do, then?" Emma tilted her head, confused.

Ezra walked out with leisurely steps and smiled. "I plan on gently taping that sapling's back. If, even when Elyne is there, she can't swallow the surrounding starfields in less than 300 years, I don't really think that she is worth it."

Emma's expression almost collapsed. "You… Lord Ezra, aren't you overestimating her? Even Lady World Flower took almost a millennium to conquer her own sun field, and after her 6,000 years, she has just started reaching out to surrounding stars."

Ezra didn't answer. Instead, he chuckled. "If her strength is similar to the report and Elyne is not sweating her achievements… 300 years is almost too long!"

Emma sighed, and suddenly, the entire temple trembled.

Ezra paused and looked to his right, his eyes piercing through the walls. "Incredible. That child's advancement is too fast."

There was only one person currently in the entire temple who could make Ezra speak like that. Emma's eyes widened a bit. "There is no way, right? She arrived at Level 100 only twenty years ago!"

"Do you think anyone other than that child has this aura of thick Dark Essence? An 87-year-old Level 150… Truly phenomenal progress."

Emma sighed, troubled. "This will only complicate things. Those higher powers will come running to recruit her soon."

Ezra spoke lightly. "We can't stop her <Destiny>. Should we cage her in our small power just to keep a bird with tied wings? I prefer to see her spread her shadow and swallow as much of the world as she can. Although it is a shame that child, Veyra, won't see her child when she returns."

While both of them were talking, another rumble came from the other side of the temple. This time, the energy washing everything felt like the complete opposite of the dark wave. A gush of pure Light Essence pushed against the Dark Essence, as if telling it not to overstep its boundaries.

As the auras clashed, Emma and Ezra's eyebrows twitched. "As expected… Rivals won't allow the other side to take even a single step forward."

Emma chuckled. "It's good to have a competitor. Those two clash often, but I can feel that their bond is deep."

On another part of the temple, the two people Emma and Ezra had been discussing emerged from their seclusion. Their figures were similar, yet complete opposites.

As they glared at each other, a purple gaze met a golden one, creating sparks in the middle. The woman, enveloped in darkness, raised her lips, her long, dark violet hair covering half her face. "If you continue being this slow, I will reach Level 200 before you even step beyond Level 175."

The other one snorted, her gorgeous face covered in a sense of duty and elegance. "You speak too much. How about you stop looking like a second-rate villain before you talk to me again?"

"You are the one to talk, Miss I-will-cleanse-the-world. How about you relax and start looking less like a strange valkyrie obsessed with delivering justice?"

Both glowered before pointing at each other.

WHOOSH!

A monstrous wave of darkness surged, but a powerful light boom soon blasted it away.

Those around them looked back and forth with twitching eyebrows. 'Can these two not try to kill each other whenever they spot a single strand of hair of the other party?'

"Tsk."

"Tsk."

Meanwhile, back in Ceperet, Elyne finally received an answer from her master. She had been sitting in her room, praying to Liu Shu with the ultimate devout heart for her master to accept her selfishness.

Strangely, as she waited, a single message popped up in her eyes.

[<Temple Of Desinity> activates! You will be lucky.]

"Oh… Oh!"

Elyne felt her communication tool vibrate right after and quickly looked over with sparkling eyes.

"Elyne, child, I will delay your sainthood for 300 more years. During this time, show me how far Tianlian Liu Shu can truly grow. Don't disappoint me. You must prove me wrong for thinking that your choice is incorrect and short-sighted. Also, congratulate Veyra that her child has reached the <Priestess> level and will leave shortly for the major sects. Finally, the Abyssal Void Nexus will soon make its move in that stellar zone. Be careful."

Elyne raised the communication device, her green eyes sparkling. "Ohhh! Thank you, master! Thank you, <Temple Of Destiny>! Thank you, Liu Shu! I won't let you both down!" Liu Shu blinked and looked at Elyne strangely. 'Why is she thanking me now? What did I even do!? QAQ!'

Unaware that Liu Shu was staring at her like a weirdo, Elyne cleansed her body and went to share the good news with Veyra.