# Chapter 7: Life Tree Fruit
Humans, elves, and dwarves all share the same origin in the most fundamental essence of their bloodlines. Their birthplace was the treeless plains of the primordial continent before the ancient era. This is why the three races can freely intermarry and naturally produce offspring—because although their lifespans and talents differ, in their deepest essence, they are the same.
Just as humans have many ethnic groups, dwarves have several major clans, and elves have numerous branches, the largest branch is the Far South Forest Elf lineage.
The sacred relic of the Far South Forest Elf clan is the [Tree of Life]. In folk legends, the Tree of Life was the first tree in this world. It was once watered by the River of Fate and bathed in the light of the First Flame. Its leaves contain the power to revive all things and cure all diseases. Its fruit can restore youth, strengthen the body, and even extend the lifespan of those near death.
Of course, these are all legends, and some things are not true. Joshua knew that the Tree of Life actually bears no fruit. What people call "fruit" are actually the new buds that the Tree of Life sprouts each year, containing vast amounts of pure life energy. Eating them can enhance physical constitution and grant a supernatural ability known as [Immunity to All Diseases].
Moreover, there is not just one Tree of Life. Every large Forest Elf settlement has a Tree of Life, but only the massive tree in the Eternal Lake of the Far South—nearly a kilometer tall—is the sacred tree celebrated by all.
Arriving at the courtyard of the detached residence, Joshua saw the messenger who had delivered the fruit.
The messenger was a massive bird with a cyan-colored body.
Unlike ordinary carrier pigeons, this raptor—specially bred by elves and called a Wind-Letter Owl—had a wingspan of three meters. It was extremely robust, comparable to an ordinary Black Iron-rank warrior, and possessed intelligence similar to that of a child. It flew at incredible speeds, could sustain its stamina using magical elements, and only needed to eat once a month. Its endurance was remarkable, making it a truly perfect messenger.
Hanging from the bird's leg was an exquisite small pouch with elven patterns. It stood quietly on a tree branch in the courtyard, waiting until Joshua approached before rotating its eyes, seemingly recognizing its target.
It originally intended to rise, fly closer, and deliver the item it carried to that person. But just as it saw Joshua and looked directly into his eyes, a terrifying pressure violently impacted the bird's spirit, causing its entire body to go limp. It couldn't even grip the branch and fell straight down.
The warrior's Fear Aura had now evolved into something resembling a mental attack.
Just as the Wind-Letter Owl's body went rigid and it was about to hit the ground, a hand reached out and caught its wing. Joshua removed the pouch from its leg, then set it upright on the ground.
The Wind-Letter Owl remained stiff as a statue, while Joshua had already opened the small pouch.
Like other storage pouches, this one had been enchanted with Shrinking and Weight Reduction spells. Inside were two exquisitely decorated boxes and a letter.
Joshua first took out the letter.
This letter was not sent by Claire. The elven druid was still in other parts of the Northern Lands planting Sun Vines. It was written by her clan, the Wind-Song Tribe, after they received news. The general meaning was that they had already learned of Claire's experiences in the Northern Lands. As Claire's close friends and juniors, they were extremely grateful for Joshua's actions.
They expressed regret over Joshua's excessive loss of life force. However, elves were generous to their friends. To repay Joshua's kindness, they were willing to send two Life Tree fruits as a token of gratitude.
In addition, they had prepared other gifts, but these could not be delivered by a single messenger. A subsequent convoy had already departed and was expected to arrive after some time.
"...It's been nearly a month. I've almost fully recovered through self-healing."
After reading, Joshua sighed softly. He knew that not everyone was like him, supported by the power of the Azure Orb. Ordinary people who lost life force would generally appear prematurely aged and near death. But after a month of recuperation, his white hair had almost completely returned to black. He estimated that in just a few more weeks, he would fully recover to his prime.
He patted the Wind-Letter Owl's head, and a gentle force dispelled the stiffness in the bird's body, allowing it to move again. But to Joshua's embarrassment, as soon as the bird regained mobility, it immediately took off as if fleeing from a ghost, rapidly ascending into the sky and flying south—escaping.
He hadn't even written a reply yet.
The warrior could certainly have stopped a mere bird, but making a move for such a trivial reason would be taking things too seriously. Shaking his head with a smile, Joshua picked up the pouch and returned to the detached residence.
From the second-floor window of the residence, he could see Ying, her face full of worry, holding a brush while grooming the sleeping Black Brushed. But when she noticed Joshua's gaze, Ying looked up, smiled, and waved. The warrior nodded and waved back.
In the study, Lin was seriously reading a report, biting the end of his pen. After a moment of contemplation, he raised his pen to annotate a passage, then continued processing the next document.
"It really is much easier now."
Sighing with emotion, Joshua returned to his room. He took out the two exquisite boxes from the pouch and, without hesitation, opened them directly.
Magical runes flowed like water. As the boxes opened, the spells attached to them were dispelled. Immediately, a rich life energy spread like a breeze through the room, making one feel as if standing deep in a forest, experiencing nature's thriving vitality. Joshua took a deep breath of the suddenly fresh air. Even with his strength, he couldn't help but feel invigorated, his body becoming much more comfortable.
The medium-sized, exquisitely decorated box was opened. Inside was a green tree bud, but this bud was unusually large—the size of a human fist. It shimmered with an emerald luster, layers of life energy spilling out, even forming visible circular ripples like precious treasures.
Having already eaten Life Tree fruits a few times in his previous life, Joshua had no appreciation for them now. He simply picked it up, took a bite, chewed a few times, and swallowed. Immediately, rich life vitality spread, and warm currents surged from his stomach throughout his body. These currents flowed, healing many minute injuries in the warrior's body. The still somewhat gray-streaked hair on Joshua's head visibly fell out entirely, replaced by thick, new black hair.
But that was all. Joshua's Gold-rank body was already nearly perfect, having long reached the state of immunity to all diseases. Naturally occurring toxins had no effect on him either. An ordinary Tree of Life fruit could at most slightly improve his attributes and heal his internal injuries. Only the buds from that Eternal Sacred Tree could provide him with significant enhancement.
However, the Tree of Life naturally grew slowly and almost never shed leaves. Waiting for it—especially the Sacred Tree—to sprout new buds would take who knows how long. This was a legendary treasure that couldn't be bought with any amount of money.
"...The taste is slightly better than in my previous life. A hint of mountain spring water, a bit sweet."
After eating this Life Tree fruit, Joshua knew it was enough. His body was now overflowing with life energy, even giving him an urge to release it through action. A second Life Tree fruit would have no further effect on him, unless he was injured later and needed to replenish his life force.
But perhaps due to the overflow of energy within him, Joshua felt the Azure Orb hanging on his chest slowly warming up.
He took out the Azure Orb pendant from his chest and carefully examined the cyan crystal emitting light. The spark within no longer radiated brilliant light, but it still burned slowly inside the crystal. Sacred runes swirled around it, emitting a reassuring power.
Now, stimulated by Joshua's overflowing power, it too released pure Order radiance.
"Who exactly was the Sage who left behind the Azure Orb and the Order Twin Blades..."
Looking at this spark—this inherited crystal that could bring him into the Soulflame King state—Joshua muttered to himself, then fell into deep thought.
Evil Gods, Sages—these were beings he had heard little about even in his previous life. Of course, based on his speculation, these should be characters and content that would appear in the fifth version. Whether humanity's resistance succeeded or failed, the Void Evil Gods would only emerge after the Abyss invasion ended.
And at that time, it would be war between many legendary experts, gods, and evil gods. The information about the Lost Sage should also be unveiled then.
It seems that even having experienced it once, there is still much he doesn't know. The real world is so vast that it stirs one's curiosity.
Sighing, Joshua smiled again. Even if he didn't know the information, so what? In his previous life, he didn't know about the Continent of Strife either, yet he still became a legendary warrior. With such advantages in this life, he had no fear or worry about the future.
However, recalling the Abyss invasion, Joshua couldn't help but think of his final battle at Fort Naya.
In his previous life, who had betrayed him? Who had stabbed him in the back on the battlefield between humans and demons?
He placed his hand on his abdomen—the spot where the Mercury Blade had pierced him in his previous life. Joshua's expression was solemn, his eyes cold. He seemed to recall the sensation of icy metal piercing his body, the countless most venomous curses spreading, instantly stripping all power from his body.
That feeling of powerlessness and unwillingness was truly unforgettable, impossible to forget.
He was actually more magnanimous than everyone thought. This was the bearing a strong person should have. But only betrayers—the warrior would never forgive, never tolerate. Only death was their end.
Since there were no major events recently, he might as well start searching for the betrayer from his previous life now. A cold and ruthless curve appeared at the corner of Joshua's mouth as he recalled details from his memory.
It definitely wasn't a comrade from the war band. Attacks between players would have prompts. The one who struck the betraying blow must have been a native. And there weren't many natives fighting alongside their war band at Fort Naya back then. Joshua believed that by eliminating them one by one, he would eventually catch this traitor.
Footsteps sounded from the stairs.
Temporarily stopping his thoughts, Joshua looked up toward the door.
Not long after, with the light footsteps of a young girl, the silver-haired girl's figure appeared before him. Only then did the warrior's gaze soften slightly.
"Master."
Ying still held the brush in her hand. Her brow was slightly furrowed, as if somewhat puzzled: "Um, Black's condition seems a bit strange..."
(To be continued.)