Chapter 281 - Chapter 281. Start of the Assimilation Process.

After Liu Shu's declaration, the entire northeast side of the continent was thrown into disarray. A new ruling World Tree that spanned the entirety of a province on this side of the continent has been unheard of for the last generations. While there were strong candidates in almost every province, with some being very close to reaching that point, Liu Shu came out of nowhere, taking everyone by surprise.

Yet, while most did not dare bother such a being because of such an event, some groups were planning on taking advantage of the situation.

In a luxurious room inside the building of a gorgeous city inside a forest, a man spoke to the leaders sitting around him. "We move the next time there is a large spike in energy around Fortuna City or the entirety of the White Flower Province. It is time for our to throw out the tag of savages once and for all!"

His words surprised many. This was unlike their Lord's usual way of doing things. While he was a brave and impulsive warrior, he was not the type to recklessly attack another province unprovoked. 

Of course, many in the council understood the desire for a World Tree. The province didn't have one, after all. They were all building cities around three Life Trees that had sprouted, making their civilization fall a step behind their neighbors. 

One of the men, wearing ceremonial garbs that looked like a toga, asked with a hesitant tone. "Are you sure, Lord? She doesn't seem like someone who is easily affected by a plan such as this one."

The Lord shook his head, strangely stubborn about it. He reiterated, his tone firm like an immovable mountain. "Regardless, we must do it. If we wait longer, we won't know what type of height she will reach! Now is not the time to hesitate!" The Lord said inspiringly. "Once we dominate those lands, the World Tree will have no reason to attack us, and we will become the inhabitants!"

Everyone in the room frowned faintly, and some looked to the side where a woman of great beauty and mystery was sitting. Her dress was a mix of a purple dress with a pink coat, looking poised and elegant. They felt that she was overly influencing the Lord's decisions. Still, nobody dared say anything. Those who did in the past ended up being disposed of by the Lord after just a few days.

'Human males are so easy~.' The woman spread a handheld fan, covering her smiling mouth. 'Also, with this, that stubborn Baron Lorbase will finally relent.' She clicked her tongue, her eyebrows showing a hint of displeasure. 'My plans almost fell short because of his general's, Kaedric, influence. If they did so, my little girl Jolie would've mocked me for a while.' Her smile returned, thinking of her lovely girl. 'Thankfully, my precious Jolie was able to get a hold of Kaedric behind Lorbase's back~. She is such a talented darling.'

Meanwhile, far away in Fortuna City, Liu Shu started the assimilation process with Fortuna. "Fortuna, start the Level Up process. Then, make sure not to resist when I expand my presence into you. To help you adjust to my influence, I'll start now."

Hearing her words, the older World Tree readied her mind and focused on the creeping aura that started to spread from Liu Shu's roots. The sensation was not powerful at first, but it was constantly increasing without a single hint of it stopping. Fortuna spread her branches in her canopy, taking a deep breath, and then she stated. "I am ready, Liu Shu." 

"Great~!"

Her cheerful exclamation was followed by the aura surrounding her suddenly transforming. It was as if a cute little bird suddenly multiplied in size and spread its wings, revealing that it was, in truth, a dragon. Fortuna's mind was struck by shock and fear as the terrifying wave of pure aura made Fortuna's danger senses start flaring like crazy. 'W-What!?'

Liu Shu spoke to her softly. "It's me, Fortuna. There is nothing to fear~. I am not going to hurt you."

The gentle whispers coming from Liu Shu helped relax the taut nerves of the World Tree. Even then, Fortuna's urge to lash out with her entire strength was almost unbearable. 'There is no threat. There is no threat. There is no threat.'

Repeating those words in her mind was all she could do as her very existence resisted being dominated and influenced by another being.

Right when Liu Shu started, in a way, "attacking" Fortuna, some alarms went off in a remote location inside some mountains. This place was the center of command where the Azure Rose Confederation checked the well-being of their World Trees in the Wild Continent. "Hm? Didn't the informant tell me that Fortuna was momentarily safe because the other World Tree showed uncharacteristic kindness?"

While he was confused, the system clearly sounded the alarm. Fortuna was currently under terrible pressure, and from the readings, it could be seen that she was in pain and scared. Therefore, he decided to send a report to the Count in charge of that area. "Let's hope the report makes it in time. Did we get deceived by that World Tree? It didn't feel false, though…'

The person monitoring couldn't help but feel that this event was out of the norm, but he couldn't place his finger around it. By the time he would notice, it would be too late.

Meanwhile, Liu Shu was staring at her system message with a baffled mind.

[An attempt at assimilation between World Trees was detected! World Trees are unable to perform this acti… acti-ti-ti-ti-tion. ERROR... Action has triggered Tianlian Liu Shu's . Contradictory Directives… Eliminating .]

Liu Shu almost flipped the landscape. She instantly protested. 'Huh? HEY! WAIT! NOT FAIR!'

[Wisdom: Overrule it. has the priority.]

'Wisdom?'

[Overruled. has priority over fundamental directives.]

'Oh?'

[Activating.]

'OH! Wahahaha!' Her branches danced in glee as she waited for the following messages. 'Thank you, Wisdom!' 

[ is too powerful for current Tianlian Liu Shu to harness its power! Tianlian Liu Shu's soul would collapse under its pressure.]

[Wisdom: Lock it away. Create a less powerful one as a substitute and unlock the real one at Level 100.]

[Creating a substitute