Strength

A quest had actually been triggered.

It looked like a main quest. Qi Lin, Young Mistress, and Ali instantly perked up. Even Dun Qu Qi Yi, who knew some insider information, looked up curiously.

This was far too unexpected. They had originally thought it was just an ordinary guidance quest, but it was very likely a main quest.

As the system prompt appeared before them, everyone began discussing it in the party channel.

[ID Young Mistress: The system requires us to choose someone to communicate with the goddess. Who will it be?]

[ID Tianhe Sheriff: I think we should choose between Ali and Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi has high luck, while Ali has high charm.]

[ID Young Mistress: Makes sense. Which one of you two will do it?]

[ID Dun Qu Qi Yi: Not me. I'm not good with words. This quest was triggered because of Sister Ali, so Sister Ali should do it.]

After saying that, Dun Qu Qi Yi clicked on Ali in the system's nomination list.

Only after making her choice did Dun Qu Qi Yi let out a sigh of relief. She had no idea what her elder sister was up to, but she did not want to put on a double act with her in front of so many people. That would have been mortifying!

Seeing Dun Qu Qi Yi's suggestion, both Young Mistress and Qi Lin nodded thoughtfully.

That made sense.

Then, both Young Mistress and Qi Lin selected Ali from the system's nomination list.

And just like that, Ali was inexplicably chosen by the three of them as the quest representative to communicate with the goddess.

[Representative confirmed: Ali.]

After they confirmed their choice, they heard World Tree Cheng Jue say, "Travelers, thank you for your efforts. You have allowed Elven Civilization to advance further."

As she spoke, Cheng Jue waved her hand, and a crystal floated out from Ali's body before landing in Cheng Jue's palm.

It was precisely the First-Order Magic Core.

As soon as Cheng Jue finished speaking, four choices appeared before Ali.

[Choice One: Respected Goddess of Life, Your Excellency World Tree Cheng Jue, it was merely the elimination of a small monster. It was nothing worth mentioning.]

[Choice Two: Respected Goddess of Life, Your Excellency World Tree Cheng Jue, it was merely a small monster. I believe others could have easily eliminated it as well.]

[Choice Three: Respected Goddess of Life, Your Excellency World Tree Cheng Jue, it is my honor to be able to help you.]

[Choice Four: Respected Goddess of Life, Your Excellency World Tree Cheng Jue, it was merely a small monster. There is no need for this... We did nothing worthy of such gratitude, and do not deserve it.]

Ali looked at the four options and almost wanted to scratch her head. Why did they all seem to mean pretty much the same thing?

Whatever. Ali casually picked one and said to World Tree Cheng Jue:

"Respected Goddess of Life, Your Excellency World Tree Cheng Jue, it was merely a small monster. There is no need for this... We did nothing worthy of such gratitude, and do not deserve it."

The Goddess of Life, World Tree Cheng Jue, let out a deliberately sorrowful sigh. "Traveler, would you be interested in hearing my story?"

Before Ali could nod, Cheng Jue continued:

"This world is called the Primordial World, and I am the World Tree. I should not have existed in this world, yet by chance, I came here."

Cheng Jue waved her hand, and the players felt their vision blur as an image appeared before them.

It was a space impossible to describe with words. If they had to force a description, it felt like a kaleidoscopic black void.

Within that strange sensation, an unusual anchor drifted through the darkness. As the view drew closer, they saw that it was a tree root.

Their vision blurred again, and in the next moment, the root plunged into a barren land.

The name of this place surfaced in every player's mind: the Primordial World.

Then time accelerated, and they watched the root take hold and sprout. It was the only sign of life on that land.

For some reason, a sense of loneliness welled up in the players' hearts.

Until it bore fruit for the first time.

A blade of grass grew beside the tree. Everyone could see the tree's happiness—the happiness of having someone to keep it company.

After that, the tree created more and more plants, and this small patch of land became full of life, until one day, the tree felt that the world was too lonely.

The first Life Fruit fell, and the first elf was born. From then on, although she never acknowledged it, she cared for that race like a parent.

She did not demand anything from them. The only request that barely counted as a request was probably for them to live well.

Every day, as she watched the elves and the other Lifeforms she had created grow and develop, she felt a strange sense of pride.

Unfortunately, this was the Primordial World, where strength was an unavoidable subject. Thus, she embarked on the path of cultivation to grow stronger.

But cultivation was a path of understanding one's heart and seeing one's true nature. How could she, so muddled and confused, travel very far? Perhaps it was the world's destiny; the path of Heaven and Earth did not suit her.

Until she heard of the Fierce Beasts' invasion, she understood that this world was not peaceful. The Fierce Beasts were not fatal to her, but to the Lifeforms she had created, they were nothing short of a world-ending disaster.

At that moment, she understood that she had to become stronger—very, very strong—and lead the Lifeforms she had created so they could live well.

She realized that her path was called "Lifeforms," and also "Humanity Dao." Once she clarified her Dao, she did indeed become stronger, but this level of strength was still far too weak in this world.

An unfamiliar Dao had appeared in the newborn Primordial World. To move forward, she could only explore it herself, but progress by herself alone was simply too slow.

Yet if she wanted to become stronger and possess the power to protect the Lifeforms she had created, she could only supplement the paths the Primordial World lacked.

But time would not allow it. Vaguely, she had already sensed that a great calamity was about to befall this world.

"Until now." Having reached this point in her story, Cheng Jue looked brightly at Ali and said:

"Traveler, when you eliminated that weak monster just now, I comprehended the extremely faint Devouring Dao rhythm belonging to that monster."

"Thus, I understood a trace of a path that did not belong to the Heavenly Dao of the Primordial World: Devouring."

"Because of that, the method of entering the next realm also became clear."

Then a clear, ethereal voice sounded beside Ali's ear:

"Tell me, Traveler. How should I reward you?"

The image ended, and options appeared before Ali as well:

[Choice One: Respected Goddess of Life, World Tree Cheng Jue, thank you for your favor. As an upright Traveler, I require no reward.]

[Choice Two: Respected Goddess of Life, World Tree Cheng Jue, it is my honor to help you. I require no compensation.]

[Choice Three: Respected Goddess of Life, World Tree Cheng Jue, only if you grow strong can you lead civilization to survive in this dangerous world. Goddess, how can you continue to comprehend the Great Dao? Could you tell me?]

Ali: "..."

Looking at the three options, Ali finally realized that there was definitely something wrong with whoever designed these dialogue choices.

But after seeing the third option, Ali considered it for a moment before choosing it.

"Respected Goddess of Life, World Tree Cheng Jue, only if you grow strong can you lead civilization to survive in this dangerous world. Goddess, how can you continue to comprehend the Great Dao? Could you tell me?"

Upon hearing Ali's answer, Ali could clearly sense that the goddess's expression had softened further.

The goddess nodded and slowly said, "I am not entirely certain of the reason. Perhaps it is because I am not a Lifeform of this world, or perhaps it is because of you Travelers from another world."

"Each time you kill a creature that does not belong to the rules of the Primordial World, I can gain corresponding insights."

After hearing the goddess's explanation, everyone understood. The Devouring Law of the Fierce Beasts did not exist within the Heavenly Dao of the Primordial World, so every time they eliminated a monster, the goddess could comprehend another Great Dao and supplement Humanity Dao.

Did that mean they were about to enter the main quest? Everyone grew a little excited.

Just as the Goddess of Life, World Tree Cheng Jue, finished speaking.

Several options appeared before Ali...

If you can't find the book by searching its title, try searching for the author instead. It may have simply been renamed!