As he ventured deeper into the Blazing Forest, the trees around him grew denser. Faces appeared on the scarlet trees wherever Su Xiao passed. Being watched by those faces was anything but pleasant.
A treehouse appeared ahead. It was built entirely from the branches and trunks of scarlet trees, and occupied a vast area.
Lilim hurried to the treehouse. Two wooden doors woven from branches swung open.
"Long time no see, Lilim Mia..."
An aged voice came from inside the treehouse, slightly hoarse.
"Lilim is fine. I don't know what grudge Grandfather has against me, naming me something so long."
Lilim bowed toward the inside of the treehouse while nudging Su Xiao with her toe.
"There's no need for that. I'm just an old man hiding in a remote star system. The fact that you came to visit me is already comforting enough. Come in."
There was a hint of laughter in the old voice. Lilim turned to face Su Xiao and mouthed silently, The old man has a bad temper. Be polite, and don't take anything!
Su Xiao said nothing and simply followed Lilim into the treehouse.
As soon as he entered, Su Xiao smelled something very strange. He couldn't describe it clearly. It was the scent produced by mixing many different alchemical materials together.
Inside the treehouse, a thin, withered old man sat before a workbench. Sitting there, he looked like an ancient tree on the verge of dying.
"How is your father? It's been over a hundred years since I last saw him."
The old man set down the test tube in his hand and rested his branch-like arm on the chair's armrest.
Click-click-click~
The chair rotated, and only then did Su Xiao notice that the old man had no legs. His body was connected to an