Chapter 59: The Tree Sage
As they ventured deeper into the Fire-Maze Forest, the surrounding trees grew denser. Wherever Su Xiao passed, faces emerged on the fiery red trunks, and being stared at by these faces was far from a pleasant experience.
A treehouse appeared ahead, constructed entirely from the branches of fiery red trees, covering a wide area.
Lilim quickly approached the treehouse, and two doors woven from branches swung open.
"Long time no see, Lilimya..."
An aged voice came from within the treehouse, slightly hoarse.
"Just call me Lilim for short. I don’t know what grudge my grandfather holds against me, giving me such a long name."
Lilim bowed toward the treehouse while nudging Su Xiao with her toe.
"No need for such formality. I’m just an old man holed up in a remote star system. I’m already pleased that you came to see me. Come in."
The aged voice carried a hint of warmth. Lilim turned to face Su Xiao and mouthed silently: 'He has a bad temper. Be polite, and don’t even think about stealing anything!'
Su Xiao said nothing, simply following Lilim into the treehouse.
As soon as he stepped inside, Su Xiao caught a strange odor—indescribable, like a mix of various alchemical materials.
Inside the treehouse, a gaunt, withered old man sat before a workbench. He looked like a dying old tree, perched there.
"How is your father? The last time I saw him was over a hundred years ago."
The old man set down a test tube, his arm, like a withered branch, resting on the armrest of his chair.
Click-clack~
The chair swiveled, and Su Xiao noticed the old man had no legs; his body was connected to an alchemical mechanism resembling a wheelchair.
"My father is in good health. Thank you for your concern, Tree Sage."
The old man was called the Tree Sage. In the Void, not just anyone could be called a Sage. Being addressed as such meant one had achieved profound mastery in a certain field, earning the respect of others.
"Is that old demon, your grandfather, still as hot-tempered?"
The wrinkles on the Tree Sage’s face deepened as he smiled gently.
"Uh..."
Lilim looked a bit awkward.
"He’ll die of his own anger one day."
The Tree Sage seemed to have some personal grudge against Lilim’s grandfather.
"Ehehe..."
Lilim grew even more awkward.
"Tree Sage, my grandfather passed away seventeen years ago."
"..."
The gentle smile on the Tree Sage’s face vanished.
"Another one gone. Judging by the timing, it wasn’t a natural death. Killed by someone?"
"Well..."
Lilim seemed reluctant to elaborate.
"If it’s inconvenient to say, then don’t. Let’s get to the point. You didn’t come just to see me, did you? And you’ve brought a Law Destroyer with you."
The Tree Sage looked at Su Xiao, his murky eyes seeming to see through many things.
"It’s like this. He wants to hone his alchemy skills here. Among the alchemists I know, you’re the most top-tier, so I brought him to meet you."
Lilim flattered him without missing a beat.
"A Law Destroyer interested in alchemy? That’s rare. Aren’t Law Destroyers supposed to wander the Void and chop down anyone who catches their eye?"
The Tree Sage studied Su Xiao. He seemed to have encountered Law Destroyers before, perhaps even fought one.
"Whose disciple are you? Such pure Azure Steel—definitely not from some nobody."
The Tree Sage clearly knew something about the Shadow of Law Destruction and took the initiative to ask. Su Xiao’s mind raced; making something up on the spot would be unwise.
"Mawen Hua'erzi."
This was the only Law Destroyer Su Xiao had ever met, even if the guy was just a soul form.
"Mawen Hua'erzi!"
The Tree Sage sat up straight. Lilim looked at Su Xiao in surprise. Noticing this, Su Xiao realized he’d messed up.
"So you’re Mawen Hua'erzi’s disciple. That explains such pure Azure Steel."
The Tree Sage’s expression calmed, but Lilim was far from composed.
"Your master is Mawen Hua'erzi?!"
"Literally speaking."
In truth, Mawen Hua'erzi wasn’t exactly Su Xiao’s teacher. Su Xiao simply didn’t know the names of other Law Destroyers, so he used Mawen Hua'erzi as a placeholder.
"Surviving as his disciple—I’m a bit impressed. Your survival skills must be solid, especially your pain tolerance."
Hearing this, Su Xiao could relate. His remarkable pain tolerance was thanks to Mawen Hua'erzi. He’d nearly been tortured to death three times: once while mastering the Spirit Shadow Constitution, once while mastering the Devouring Core, and the last time when awakening the Soul Devourer talent.
He’d never forget those three agonies. Two of them involved Mawen Hua'erzi, who always conveniently forgot things at critical moments—or deliberately pretended to.
"Law Destroyer, you’ve already learned some alchemy. What do you want to learn from me? Speak frankly. I once owed Lilim’s father a favor."
"Alchemical Creature Manufacturing."
"Creature manufacturing. Let me find it."
The alchemical wheelchair under the Tree Sage moved, heading toward a large bookshelf inside the treehouse. Moments later, the Tree Sage held a thick book. The text on its cover was unfamiliar to Su Xiao.
Seeming to anticipate this, the Tree Sage picked up a leaf from the nearby workbench and pressed it against the ancient book’s cover.
"Do you recognize this script?"
Su Xiao shook his head.
"What about this one?"
The text on the cover changed. Having completed missions across many worlds, Su Xiao knew quite a few languages.
"I recognize it."
"Good. Take this book over there. You’ll find materials to practice with. If you have questions, come ask me."
The Tree Sage handed the book to Su Xiao and pointed to a small wooden door deeper in the treehouse.
"Thank you."
Su Xiao accepted the book. The ancient tome and materials were a significant favor, but Su Xiao had no personal connection to the Tree Sage. The Tree Sage was repaying a debt to the Demon Race, and the Demon Race was using this to test Su Xiao—to see if he was a worthwhile ally.
Instead of demanding treasures from the Demon Race, Su Xiao had asked them to create an opportunity for him to advance his alchemy.
As a beneficiary of the alliance between the Demon Race and the Law Destroyers, Su Xiao knew that if he ever wanted to step into the Void in the distant future, having allies like the Demon Race would reduce many obstacles, at least in terms of intelligence.
Thus, Su Xiao ignored the Demon Race’s test. He didn’t demand treasures but instead proposed a transaction: let Lilim help him find a chance to improve his alchemy, and he’d repay the Demon Race accordingly. Whether they accepted the repayment didn’t matter; he was just showing his stance.
As the saying goes, there’s no free lunch. But if someone else is footing the bill, it’s different. Right now, the Demon Race was picking up the tab.
Su Xiao didn’t have much time left. He had to improve his Alchemical Creature Manufacturing quickly. Afterward, he still needed to fight a few more matches in the arena.