Between the Wiyot people's lakeside plains and the river valleys of the Tolowa Tribes lay more than three hundred li of isolating mountain peaks and towering, dense redwood forest. This magnificent redwood forest was almost one of the oldest forests in the world. Ancient giant redwoods grew on the coastal mountains; huge trees that took a dozen men to encircle could be seen everywhere, their treetops tens or even a hundred meters high stabbing into the clouds. They were like elders from the savage wilderness, having endured thousands of years, quietly looking down on the unruffled sea, and on the Longships paddling across it.
Scholar Miki stood by the flagship's rail, gazing up at the giant trees in the eastern mountains, his eyes filled with awe. His gaze fell on an especially tall, especially striking ancient redwood, and he murmured in astonishment.
"Main God! Such a tall Divine Tree! It must be the tallest giant tree on all the land under heaven!"
"Main God bless us! There really is an ancient tree this tall! If we used it as the main trunk, we could probably build a gigantic Longship more than a hundred meters long!..."
Exploration Captain Zuwaro's eyes went wide as he too looked up at the divine tree that had appeared by the coast, his face full of disbelief.
"Ah! Ancient Divine Tree! The giant divine wood from the shamans' mouths!"
At the sight of the Divine Tree, Cloak Hunter Letian also looked astonished. He immediately prostrated himself on the deck, worshiping the east from the bottom of his heart. Then he said excitedly to Miki, "I've heard of this tree! This giant divine wood is very famous among the northern tribes! Once we pass it, we'll be in the territory of the Tolowa Tribes!"
At this moment,