Chapter Twenty-Three: Divine Revelation

After the oak tree advanced to the second level, its heart began to naturally nurture a different kind of power. This power was unlike the vitality displayed on Ji Yu’s data panel; instead, it was an energy difficult to quantify. It was akin to the physical strength inherently contained in a human being. Excessive use of this energy would cause the oak to enter a period of fatigue, just as humans do when exhausted. However, by consuming its life force, it could continue to sustain this output of power.

At this moment, the confrontation between Adam the Oak and the Purple Moon had become a contest of energies. Yet, in terms of expenditure, the oak's consumption was not overly great, for this energy was maintained within the canopy and had not spread too intensely. Nevertheless, after maintaining it for nearly an hour, Adam began to feel the onset of exhaustion. The growing emptiness within was not pleasant, but there was no alternative; the threat posed by the Purple Moon was undeniable, and resistance was inevitable.

All he needed to do was hold out until dawn, and everything would be over. So Adam reasoned, silently calculating his reserves. At this rate, he estimated he could endure for about three hours before reaching the point where he would have to draw upon his life force. In the rainforest, dawn would come quickly—by six at the latest. It was already 5:10; this confrontation would not last much longer.

However, as Adam weighed his internal depletion, a tremendous commotion from the distant rainforest drew his attention. Beneath the eerie, quiet Purple Moon, the surrounding forest had always been silent. But now, the sight of countless treetops shuddering as if something large and numerous was forcing its way through was impossible to ignore.

Something was coming, and there were many of them.

A sense of foreboding prickled within Adam. The rainforest was dense; he could not see what moved beneath the trees. But there was little doubt—any creature able to move in such numbers under the Purple Moon’s pollution must be tainted by it.

Out of caution, Adam immediately prepared for two contingencies. First, to launch an attack the moment these unknown creatures appeared, with no room for hesitation. Second, to contact his father instantly should an uncontrollable situation arise.

Adam had not contacted Ji Yu straight away because he did not wish to trouble his father with every matter and risk disappointing him. Like an older child eager to prove himself, Adam harbored the desire to show his worth. Though mature and steady by nature, that did not mean he lacked desires. The urge to prove himself, to earn his father’s praise—this was Adam’s mindset at that moment.

Yet, the desire to perform was not arrogance—Adam knew this well. Precisely because of that, when facing a situation he could not resolve alone, he would take the initiative to seek Ji Yu’s help.

Having made his decision, Adam set about responding at once. He needed external assistance. Thus, he sent his consciousness down to the forest floor.

Beneath the tree, Barton, an elder of the tribe, was engaged in fervent prayer, hoping for guidance from the Sacred Tree and a response to his pleas. To him, the Sacred Tree was clearly sentient, given all the miracles it had performed that day. The tree had always watched over his people. Otherwise, when it grew and toppled other guardian trees, it would not have taken such care to restore them to their original state with its roots.

It was clear that these gentle actions were out of concern for the safety of its followers, and perhaps also to instill confidence in them, so they would not fear the mysterious wonders it wrought.

As for why the Sacred Tree never responded to him, Barton supposed it might be because his faith was not yet devout enough, or perhaps because the Sacred Tree saw no reason to communicate with mere mortals.

The more he considered this, the more determined Barton became to pray and plead with even greater devotion. It was the core of his faith and his dream—to enter the divine realm after death, or if not, then to be transformed into one of the flowers, grasses, or trees that served the Sacred Tree. He yearned for the elevation of his soul, to transcend the mundane, to receive true redemption, and then to serve eternally at the side of divinity as a devoted supplicant.

Humans always possess their desires, and faith in the divine is but another expression of that longing. As a devout believer, Barton was exemplary. It was precisely this mindset that made him the tribe’s priest.

And so, he prayed and prayed...

He did not dare hope too much for a response from the Sacred Tree. Yet reality often delights in irony.

Beneath the oak’s shadow, Barton had always prayed in silence. But at a certain moment, as he bowed low in worship, his body suddenly shuddered, and he lapsed into a trance.

No one around him noticed this strange occurrence.

The episode lasted nearly a minute. Then, under the astonished gazes of several elders, Barton shakily stood up. Tears of excitement silently streamed down his deeply lined face.

“I... The Sacred Tree has answered me! A divine revelation—yes, a revelation! Quickly, fetch Simon! Danger is coming! Hurry!”

He was overwhelmed, exhilarated, and in his excitement, there was a hint of fear. Remembering the contents of the revelation, Barton urgently called out to those around him.

“What? A revelation?”

“Lord Barton actually received a divine revelation?”

“Heavens, a revelation! The Sacred Tree above has finally answered us!”

“Go! Hurry! Why are you still standing there? Fetch Chief Simon at once!” The elders by Barton’s side, snapping out of their astonishment, shouted excitedly to the tribesfolk who were still stunned by the news.

The elders were stirred by the revelation, but at the same time, they were immediately concerned about the danger foretold.

Watching the tribesfolk rush toward Barton, those who remained behind found their own faces a mix of excitement and worry.

But Barton did not wait for Simon’s arrival. Instead, he addressed those around him with urgency:

“Hurry, Parson—take some men to the side warehouse along the path and bring out all the firearms Simon stored underground. Prepare yourselves at once. The monsters are coming!”

“Monsters?” The burly man named Parson was taken aback, then his expression changed dramatically.

“Yes, Lord Barton, I’ll go at once!”

“Come on, everyone—let’s go get the weapons!” Parson called out, and nearly a hundred men, undaunted by the purple moonlight, sprinted toward the tribe’s warehouse.

Their faces were anxious, but none of them doubted Barton or the revelation.

As the others hurried to the warehouse, those who remained behind were already in an uproar. There was panic, confusion, and skepticism. Yet, regardless of their individual attitudes, all they could do now was wait for events to unfold.

Under the Purple Moon, there were few choices left, and abandoning their Sacred Tree and their holy land was never an option.