Planet Master

After the Star Battle had been declared ended, the Cerulean Defense Force reduced its force and let the participating transcendents return to their home or to where they wanted to go.

But it was different for Tatsumi. He had an idea as to how to break through to the seventh heavenstage of the Core Formation Realm and wanted to act on it right away.

“The destination is the Royal Sacred Tree near the Thebes Independence Kingdom, actually, it is near the academy.” Tatsumi murmured as he tidied up his clothes and straightened up his pants.

Currently, he was on the way to the Sacred Tree by helicopter. Following him was the most familiar figure of his family.

“Father, why are we going to the Royal Sacred Tree?” Tetsuya asked while sitting.

“Because I have an idea as to how to reach the higher level, that’s why.” Tatsumi said with a slight grin on his face.

“When he has an idea, he’d do it immediately. That is how your father operates.” Ame who was sitting beside Tetsuya explained.

“Seeing it firsthand is truly an eye-opener. But that is really the case in the past, huh.” Tetsuya nodded as he recalled the past event involving his father.

But that did not mean he had never seen it. He was saying it because there were people who were unfamiliar with Tatsumi.

“Well, that is where we land. Let’s go.” Tatsumi saw the landing point and gestured for the others to follow him.

The helicopter that brought him was large enough to carry a dozen people and the space was numerous enough that it became comfortable.

The grass was being swayed by the winds produced by the rotor spinning at high speed. That meant the helicopter was so close to the ground and was suitable for landing.

Tatsumi dropped to the ground. Along with him, his family also followed.

After all of them dropped off, the helicopter left the site. The wilderness was a dangerous territory for humans ever since the Ether saturated the atmosphere and caused living beings to increase in strength.

“Stay alert. Anything can happen and stick with the rules of survival.” Tatsumi said while gripping the hilt of the sheathed blade at his waist.

Ame grabbed her twin dagger as she used her mental power to sweep through the surroundings. Everyone did that too as Tetsuya, Ivana and Charlene followed.

“Currently, there is no hostile entity. Rather, there are calmer beasts. No wonder, since we are approaching the Sacred Tree. They should be coming soon.” Tatsumi said as he perceived the change of Ether not far from him.

Soon, there was an entourage of the Elves coming to his direction. Tatsumi gestured for his family to be cautious yet presentable.

All of them nodded and prepared themselves for any eventuality.

“You must be the guest we are waiting for.” The elven figure was wearing a wooden crown. The wood was gold-brownish and Tatsumi realized that it was the very leader of the Elves who greeted him.

“It is an honor to be received by the king of the Elves.” Tatsumi cupped his hand in respect.

Sybil had learned many things about human culture and their differences. Seeing Tatsumi did that reminded him of a respectful gesture.

He nodded his head as he closed his eyes for a moment before opening them.

“Such a respectful man. I did not expect the Star Child of Humanity to be this understanding.” Sybil said.

Tatsumi often heard that title wherever he went for the last decade so he was used to it.

“My family and I come here to use and improve the Sacred Tree.” Tatsumi stated his intention to come there.

“Improve, you say? That’s quite a bold claim to make. Even though I got briefed about this but to be honest, my people cannot accept the claim easily.” Sybil let out a helpless smile while gesturing to his entourage which showed the expression of disbelief.

“How can we believe what you say? We have studied the Sacred Tree and could not come up with good methods to improve it. How can you, the people not even in direct contact with the Sacred Tree, know how to treat it, much less improve it?”

“Right!”

One of the elves spoke up and the others felt that their feelings and thoughts were represented so they let out agreement.

Tatsumi went silent since the topic was more for the related personnel to execute.

But he shifted his gaze as he looked over his shoulder to Charlene and his eyes showed that he trusted her to do her part.

Charlene smiled and nodded before she went forward.

She drew some circular formations in the air, using the Ether both around her and from within her own body. It was guided by mental power, allowing it to do what she intended. Then she formed a rune which functioned as the center of the formation.

After a while, the Ether in the air gathered on the formation and even propagated, increasing in numbers.

“This is what I can do even without any external factor and assistance from any device. Can you imagine if this could be applied to the source production of the Sacred Tree?” Charlene said while letting the circular formation run automatically.

“No way! Is that possible?”

“I can’t see the fault of that formation!”

“It is already increasing the amount of Ether in our area!”

Disbelief and confirmation could be heard from the elven entourage. Sybil’s eyes brightened up at the sight. He had already encountered many transcendents from the human race but to be able to make a formation that could gather and increase the amount of Ether was unheard of.

“I am sorry on behalf of my people who doubted you.” Sybil said while bowing.

Tatsumi felt that even he would not be able to do it as smoothly as Charlene but he saw the king bow.

“It is fine to doubt something when it is not proved yet. But now that it has been proven, you should at least consider things and make the most out of it.” Tatsumi opened his mouth and nodded his head.

“Alright. Let’s go to the Sacred Tree.”

-

On the way to the Sacred Tree, it was calm, peaceful and tranquil. Even the beasts that were supposed to be aggressive lay down and watch their behavior, otherwise, they would be dealt with.

The one who dealt with them was the Sacred Tree itself. Its roots spread far, wide, and deep.

The closer the group got to the Sacred Tree, the more Ether was concentrated in the air and in the living beings as well as the soil.

“I almost forgot to tell our guests.” Sybil said as he carefully walked in a certain step.

“This is the territory of one of the Sovereign Beasts. We have established a connection with the beast so that it would not attack the elven settlement right below the Sacred Tree. In exchange, we are not to disturb it and let it hunt in its territory. Of course, we made sure that we are not its prey.”

Tatsumi and the others nodded and became careful with their action.

After walking through lots of trees on the way and the shrubs which almost made Tatsumi confused if not for Sybil escorting them, they finally arrived at the settlement right below the Sacred Tree.

“Welcome to Royal Village.” Sybil said as he turned to look over his shoulder at Tatsumi.

“The atmosphere is so calming.” Tatsumi commented right after he perceived the situation.

“Your Majesty!”

Some of the elves recognized Sybil and greeted him. Sybil nodded slightly with a smile on his face. He was at the front while Tatsumi and his family were at the rear.

“They all are low-level transcendents.” Ivana commented.

Tetsuya looked at the common elves and saw that they had Ether in their body, all of the inhabitants of the village. Official source ıs novel⸺fire.net

‘They are also a step stronger than the low-level transcendent outside.’ Tetsuya thought as he compared the elves here to the other transcendents outside.

He understood that it was due to the different concentration of Ether in a location, causing a different amount absorbed.

Ame looked at the Sacred Tree and knew that even its water circulation contained Ether. Although she had a way to control the water, she refrained from using it to respect the Elf King. She had a smile on her face as she walked together with the entourage.

Tatsumi could feel an overwhelming amount of Ether which was visible due to its staggering amount. He followed the king’s entourage deeper into the village, where they were directed to the throne.

The throne was in an open space so that even the people like him could know that the entire Sacred Tree was their most prized possession.

Sybil then sat on the throne as the entourage was taking position on both left and right, forming a wall made of elves.

They were trained and Tatsumi could see that when they formed the formation, it formed a wall.

“When the matter is actually related to the Sacred Tree, we need the priestess who oversee the Sacred Tree the most closely. Summon her!” Sybil then gave the first order.

One of the entourages then went into the Sacred Tree which was actually right behind the throne. There was a huge hole in the trunk of the tree which allowed the elf to enter it.

Tatsumi stood still on the established path to the throne which was filled with a green carpet made from the fiber of the plants. Tatsumi could know due to the smell of leaves coming from below. But he looked at the hole where the elf had gone.

He could faintly feel another presence which was so attuned to the Ether that it was so hard to distinguish. But with the help of mental power, it became easy to identify.

Then the elf that the king had sent returned with someone who wore a white silk robe. Her golden eyes were a match for her long braided green hair as she stepped forward, closer to the throne.

“Royal Father, what has made you notify me?” she asked.

‘She is the priestess of the Sacred Tree.’ Tatsumi gulped as he could feel the Ether on her was on par with his.

It meant that her reserves were on par with his who had perfect compatibility with Ether. Of course, it would be different if they ever fought but to have the same transcendent energy reserve as him was amazing in its own.

“There is a matter that needs you. These guests come for the Sacred Tree.” Sybil said with a slight authoritative tone.

“What for?” she asked, this time a bit wary and glanced at the humans who were here.

“They come not only to utilize the power of the Sacred Tree but also to increase its production source in effect. That is why I formally summon you.” Sybil explained.

The priestess knew that she could not reject her father’s word. She was still young but managed to get the position of the priestess of the Sacred Tree so she knew that this matter was extremely important not only to the Royal Sacred Tree which had been growing but also to the entire Elf race.

“But this is the Royal Sacred Tree we are talking about. There is the issue of letting the humans into our sacred object and there is another that they will make things worse. Have the Royal Father considered this thoroughly?” the priestess asked with a sharp tone.

“I have received words from trusted individuals. Do you think they would make things worse if they know about it?” Sybil argued back with grace and a slight smile.

‘She is just too concerned with the Sacred Tree. No wonder, since her birth was within the Sacred Tree and she grew accustomed to its presence.’ Sybil looked at her.

“Since we have permission from the king himself, can the priestess show us around the interior of the Sacred Tree?” Tatsumi opened his mouth after the conversation between the two was done.

The priestess had a resigned expression but soon composed herself.

“I’ll show you the way so don’t do things without my permission when inside. Can you do that?” the priestess asked since she was still worried.

Tatsumi’s expression turned serious as he said, “I will make sure that my family will not act without your permission.”

Then he looked at his family members with narrowed eyes before he blinked and then turned back to the priestess.

The rest of his family nodded at the same time and that caused the priestess to be convinced, at least that they would not do something outrageous.

Then they walked in through the large hole of the trunk. Tatsumi was looking at the wooden structure around him and was amazed at how natural it was for the Sacred Tree to grow to this point.

He had heard that the Elves was sacrificing one of their Sacred Trees to boost the Queen of the Glings in the previous Star Battle and this was the successor to that tree.

He could perceive the circulation of water and nutrients throughout the entire body of the tree. The Ether that flowed in it was so large that he could not believe that it could be contained within the tree.

The noise of the steps taken reverberated throughout the empty space between the trunk of the Royal Sacred Tree.

“Do you truly want to make a breakthrough here?” Ame patted Tatsumi’s shoulder and tried to verify.

“Yes. While Charlene tries to optimize and improve the Ether production source, I will make my breakthrough to the seventh heavenstage. This can change the entire transcendent world so that is why I am doing this.” Tatsumi replied while keeping his pace at walking.

“Whoa, the space inside is so large.” Ivana said while looking around.

“It is expected from the large Sacred Tree.” Tetsuya said while looking nonchalantly. He already expected this so he was not surprised. But he admitted that the experience was novel.

“I can perceive the Ether production source from here.” Charlene said while pointing to the direction where the Ether was appearing.

“Please behave. The priestess is restless seeing us like this.” Tatsumi said using energy transmission which carried his voice. This technique was one he designed for communication without speaking which gained praise from Long Wu.

Tetsuya and Ivana then walked at their previous pace, not slowing in the slightest.

Tatsumi also knew that the guardians of the Sacred Tree did not appear due to the priestess suppressing them. That was why they should not be far from the priestess.

“Don’t separate from the priestess in front. She is the one who suppresses the appearance of the guardians.” Ame reminded the children since this was their first time coming here.

“Okay!” the two said at the same time, obeying their mother.

Then they came to the big chamber where there were a lot of wooden cocoons on the ceiling. Tatsumi could feel that lives were being protected by it.

At the center of the chamber, there was a wooden structure that let out Ether.

Charlene, who had laid her eyes upon it, became fascinated by the sight and wanted to improve it right away.

“By the way, priestess, what is your name? I know that you are the priestess of the most important Royal Sacred Tree but it would be better to call your name so that things won’t become awkward.” Tatsumi said while looking around.

The priestess was surprised that this man had asked about her name. She felt that she did not want to share it but something tugged at her heart to share her name.

‘What’s wrong with me? No, what is wrong with you, dear Sacred Tree? What, tell him?’

The priestess closed her eyes for a moment as she received the lingering will of the Royal Sacred Tree.

Tatsumi saw the split moment where the priestess closed her eyes and felt a soft whisper, telling him to be patient.

‘Who is speaking, though?’ Tatsumi was taken aback for a moment before he locked on to the source.

‘The Sacred Tree itself!?’ Tatsumi was surprised to find, with his mental power, that the Sacred Tree had a favorable impression of him.

“Rihana.”

Tatsumi heard what the priestess said. She had just opened her eyes and, with a steely determination, told him.

“Is that your name?” Tatsumi asked, although he felt that was a bit redundant.

“Yes.” Rihana, the priestess, replied with a nod. Tatsumi and her were side by side so that they could properly communicate with each other.

“Can you hear the voice of the Sacred Tree?” Tatsumi asked something that she might know.

“Yes.” Rihana opened her eyes wide. She did not expect that Tatsumi knew some things about the elves.

“I did not expect you to know it.” She added.

“Well, to be honest with you, I probably also hear the will of the Sacred Tree. Does that make me the priest of the Sacred Tree?” Tatsumi said while chuckling.

“How is that possible!?” Rihana was surprised once again. She could count on how much surprise she had in the last decade and now she was surprised twice in a short moment.

“I have a hunch as to how that came to be but forgive me for not telling you.” Tatsumi replied with a shit-eating grin.

Rihana sighed helplessly. It was fair not to reveal something important unless necessary so she did not mind and continued walking to the center of the chamber.

Charlene followed but Tatsumi walked in circles around the center of the chamber.

“Miss, this is the Ether production source. Please be careful in handling it.” Rihana said sternly. She was worried that Charlene would mess things up.

“Although your worry is warranted, but with me here there is nothing to worry. I will improve its production while also making you comfortable.” Charlene then grabbed a pouch and inserted her hand to it.

From the pouch came several instruments used to graft formation.