Chapter 383
Nahida understood completely.
So it turns out I'm not some incarnation of the World Tree, I'm just a terminal, no wonder I'm so low-level.
"Then this... this person..."
Nahida looked up at the magnificent tree and felt its immense will looking down upon her. It was as if she were facing the gaze of the sky and the earth, and she felt an unprecedented sense of insignificance and powerlessness.
"Understand, I am the World Tree."
"Little Grass God, the World Tree is the convergence of all memories and emotions, and is itself the collective consciousness of the world. Because you and I have been unable to solve the pollution problem, in order to preserve the World Tree, the collective consciousness of the world has risen to become the true consciousness of the World Tree, which is this being. He is the earth, and also all living beings; He is the end of everything, and also the continent of Teyvat itself. He is the great World Tree."
"Huh? Eh!??"
The third time, the universe, the formula, the brain.
Nahida acquired new knowledge that did not exist.
Nahida understood completely.
Nahida knelt down and prayed.
"Great World Tree, I am very sorry that my incompetence has forced you to undergo this change."
"No, the emergence of complex problems is inevitable, so the birth of true consciousness is also inevitable, regardless of whether the terminal does its best. Now, the four elements are in place, so the purification process can be initiated."
Before the King Deshret and the Grass God could react, they lost their ability to observe.
They felt an unparalleled power surging through the World Tree, flowing through every branch and root system, cleansing everything and sweeping away all filth.
A moment later, the field of vision was restored.
Before the twin girls stood an even more vast and pure giant tree, exuding a majestic aura that was both reassuring and awe-inspiring.
"Praise be to the World Tree." ×2
The two little girls praised in unison.
At the same time, outside...
The three gods who were in Sumeru simultaneously sensed the macroscopic changes taking place in this land.
The foul smell is disappearing, and the earth is revealing a clear life force.
"It seems we made it in time; thankfully, the worst didn't happen."
Zhongli sighed, his solemn and tense expression easing.
The same applies to Raiden Ei. As the Seven Archons, they all know the significance of the World Tree, and the changes at this moment are indeed good news for Teyvat.
Seeing the reactions of her two seniors, Wendy patted her chest as well, looking relieved.
After waiting for quite some time, the vanished grass god reappeared before the three gods.
She still looked a little nervous and pitiful, but compared to before, she seemed much more composed.
"Thanks to the Geo Archon's help, the World Tree is safe now. The King Deshret did not completely purify the World Tree, but she left behind the power to stop the spread of pollution. The puzzle she gave me blocked all external things from entering the World Tree, including me."
Nahida, in an tone of explaining the situation to everyone, also offered the Heart of God with both hands, and respectfully returned it to Zhongli on tiptoe.
"King Deshret, are you in your way?"
"Yes. But this is actually protecting me, protecting the only being that can still purify the World Tree. If I were to step into the World Tree prematurely before I was mature enough, and be corrupted by its pollution, dragged into the Abyss, that would be the true despair of Teyvat. I think the person we should thank most for being able to resolve this crisis is the King Deshret."
These words explain her inaction.
It wasn't that she didn't want to protect the World Tree, but the King Deshret had left a plan that required her to mature sufficiently before she could enter and purify the pollution.
Zhongli and Raiden Ei's blood pressure gradually decreased as they listened. Since it was an arrangement left by the King Deshret, it couldn't be considered negligence, and the nature of the problem wasn't so serious.
At least for now, we don't need to change the grass god.
Zhongli raised his hand, but instead of taking the Heart of God, he said:
"So, you actually need one more Heart of God to be qualified to freely enter and exit the World Tree and fulfill the duty of maintaining the World Tree? If so, then I can temporarily lend my Heart of God to the Grass God until you can fulfill the mission on your own."
"No, no, no, I needed your Heart of God to unravel the mystery of the King Deshret. Now that the mystery has been solved, and I have gained the knowledge and ability to purify the World Tree, I no longer need your Heart of God. Please take it back. Rest assured, there is no longer any barrier between me and the World Tree; I can enter and guard it at any time."
Nahida quickly declined, and tried even harder to stand on tiptoe and raise the Heart of God high.
Zhongli remained frowning.
After a while, Nahida suddenly realized something. It was as if she had figured something out, or as if someone had given her a hint in her mind.
Then, she smiled slightly.
The next second, within Sumeru City, countless people stopped moving, watching themselves prostrate in the direction of Sanctum of Wisdom while still conscious.
"Greetings, Geo Archon! Greetings, Electro Archon! Greetings, God of Wind!"
"Greetings..."
The unanimous chants of worship echoed through the streets and alleys and in every building, never ceasing.
Wendy added at the opportune moment, "It's not just Sumeru City, but the entire rainforest, that's paying homage to this place."
Then, Zhongli and Raiden Ei finally stopped frowning.
Zhongli accepted his Heart of God.
"I believe the Grass God has the ability to govern Sumeru, and I also believe you can maintain the World Tree... but I hope such things will not happen again. I am truly sorry that this sudden visit has disturbed the Grass God and your kingdom. Next time, I will hold a banquet in Liyue to formally apologize to the Grass God and Sumeru. I hope this incident will not affect the friendship between our four kingdoms."
"No, no, no, it is Sumeru and I who should thank you all. Without your help, I don't know how much longer I would have had to meditate to solve the puzzle and then relieve the World Tree and Sumeru from their predicament. I should be thanking the three seniors."
Nahida spoke very sincerely, without a trace of dissatisfaction.
She shook hands with each of the three gods very politely and thanked them one by one, her sincerity enough to completely ease Zhongli and Raiden Ei's anger when they arrived.
Then, the three gods formally bid farewell and each transformed into light and departed.
Afterwards, Nahida stood still, having released her control over the people of the entire Sumeru region, and breathed a great sigh of relief.
'Finally, it's resolved smoothly. Tree King, what I just did, is it okay?'
[Excellent. You have learned enough knowledge and can do things very well; you are a qualified deity.]
"No, no, no. Without your and Lord World Tree's help, I still wouldn't be able to do anything well... I will continue to try my best. And even if I'm not mature enough yet, guiding this country and protecting Lord World Tree are my responsibilities, and I will no longer run away from them."
The two generations of grass gods communicated in their inner world.
At this moment, Sanctum of Wisdom, the great sage Azar, who had previously been controlled by Nahida to enter and release him from his cage, finally emerged with trembling steps.
Upon seeing Nahida standing on the platform gazing at the sky, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to his knees, utterly powerless. He knew he was powerless to resist; how could he possibly fight against a god who could control everyone with a mere thought, and who had already broken free from all constraints?
Nahida turned around, glanced at him, calmly, but without compassion.
"Great Sage Azar, while I was meditating and comprehending the truth of the World Tree, you disobeyed the will of the gods and acted perversely, causing calamities to rage across the land of Sumeru. As a result, three ancient gods gathered in Sumeru to question the Grass God. You will be held responsible for this and will be judged."
The matter of the World Tree cannot be spread beyond the Seven Archons, but the suppression of Sumeru City by the Three Gods this time must be given a reasonable explanation. The Great Sage Azar is a suitable explanation.
Azar collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
Nahida, meanwhile, was looking towards Sumeru City, observing it as a free person and experiencing the feeling of being a stranger.
Humans are truly complex creatures.
She has adorable fairies like Dina Zadeh and Nilou, who are so cute that she wants to hold them in her hands.
There are also selfish and arrogant individuals like Azar, who are not entirely innocent when used as scapegoats.
Humanity still needs guidance.
In the past, she was trapped not only in her own cage but also in her own heart, failing to fulfill this duty. But now, she had to do it. Surprisingly, Nahida felt not much unease at this moment, but rather excitement and anticipation.
[Announcement: The World Tree naturally represents the continent of Teyvat and all living beings, and its stance on the survival of the land and its inhabitants remains eternally unchanged. Celestia share this stance, but it will not remain so forever. Over time, conflict is inevitable. Therefore, the existence of the World Tree's consciousness and the survival of the First Terminal should not be allowed to spread.]
Nahida recalled the World Tree's final order.
Yes, their World Tree naturally represents the earth and all living beings, eternal and unchanging, but Celestia is not like that.
When Nahida looked up and saw the distant Sky Island for the first time, she felt less awe and more of a hidden worry and vigilance.
If one day our positions clash... protecting the land and its people will remain Nahida's unwavering choice.