Chương 554: The World Tree.

When Liu Shu first arrived at Ceperet's core, she was surprised. Not because the core was difficult to pierce, but due to the overwhelming amount of power and energy gathered at the core. A world with life needed to have an active core—a core strong enough to create a magnetosphere that would defend it from stellar winds. This electromagnetic aura was mainly formed due to the constant motion of the molten metals swirling inside and the solid central core.

When Liu Shu approached the center of the world, she could feel with her roots how unstoppable that motion was for her current self. Yes, she was able to flip mountains and change the landscape, but compared to the entire planet, it was like scratching the bark of a healthy tree.

'For me to manipulate the world, I'd need to gain much greater strength. For now, I can only ensure that my roots are well-anchored and become part of the world's movement, flowing back and forth without disrupting the rotation.' With that in mind, Liu Shu decided to change her initial strategy. At first, because the center of the world was a place with intense pressure and extreme temperatures, she had formed thick and long roots that wouldn't be easily disrupted.

Now, after analyzing everything in detail, the large roots began to split and scatter.

'Like this, my comparatively thin branches will just move with the current, like a kelp forest moving with the ocean currents.' The time she took to dominate the liquid part of Ceperet's core was not that long: a short two years that would make other World Trees cry in shame. This was all thanks to her ability to exponentially grow and develop her roots through her skills.

"Alright, now I need to pierce into the world's core. How do I do that?" Some of her roots were already touching the intensely hot solid core, giving her an idea of its durability.

'If I didn't have my passive skill that enhances my roots, I would've needed decades, or perhaps even centuries, to take over. Perhaps this is the reason why the approaching delegation will take a while; they can't really imagine me taking over in just a few years.' As she thought of that, she chuckled and then became determined.

"I know what to do. Since the core is solid, piercing it might not be the greatest idea." Her S- Tier skill, <World Embracing Dimensional Roots>, allowed her to entangle with dimensions. Liu Shu never really understood exactly what this meant, but after some years of testing, she had an idea of how to use it.

'I should not take over physically, but through dimensions. They are like layers in our reality. For my roots to sink into those layers, I must entangle myself with space itself and deform it. Usually, something like that requires egregious amounts of both Ternary Essences and power. Nevertheless, I am different.' Thanks to her passive skill, Liu Shu had become a being with dimensional qualities. Therefore, if she wanted to reach out beyond reality, what she needed was nothing more than to think about it.

As her mind focused, her vision changed into complex forms. The spatial surroundings twisted, folding in front of her as paths ripped open in reality. These paths were not visible to the naked eye, as they were doors to other layers.

'There are some that go through the core. Let's use them.' And so, Liu Shu sank her consciousness into the dimensional path that led her into Ceperet's core. Looking from the outside, it looked as if Liu Shu's roots suddenly sank into water and appeared inside the core. When they appeared inside the core, they were forcefully squeezed; the pressure would've crushed and exploded Liu Shu's roots if it were a normal situation. But, before that occurred, Liu Shu's Spatial Aether Mana mixed with her roots.

In that instant, the two solids fighting for dominance over the tight space suddenly merged into each other, as if they were two gases being mixed into the same container.

'Great, the first step is complete. Now, I must do the same all around the core.' Liu Shu's focus increased, and her energy surged around her main body. Everyone in the city and its surroundings could feel the air tightening as the World Tree manipulated the world's energy.

'I dominate everything but the core.' Spreading from Liu Shu as the core, her presence manifested and enveloped the entire planet. There wasn't a single living creature that didn't notice, and their gazes seemed to converge at the same point in the Golden Sap Continent.

'Therefore… I will use everything to get the core.' THUMP! A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. A muted pulse shook the air, causing the hearts of the billions of living beings to beat in unison. Dimensional holes appeared all around the core, and Liu Shu quickly dug into them with her roots. Once inside, she manipulated all her Ternary Energy Reserves and forcefully mixed her roots with it.

Liu Shu didn't know, but usually, World Trees avoided taking over the world's core. After all, for a World Tree to become a <True World Tree>, taking over the crust of the planet was more than enough. For instance, the System had long accepted Liu Shu's actions for completion in her quest. A crisp System notification appeared before her mind's eye: [Objective 1: Take over <Ceperet>. (19, 560% Completed).] [Objective 2: Build your Fourth <Temple>. (100% Completed).] [Do you want to complete the quest?] Even Liu Shu froze for a moment when the system suddenly called out. Looking at the number, she laughed lightly. The completion bar had not just reached full; our World Tree shattered it beyond recognition.

"No. Wait for a bit longer." Yet, it was not a matter of distraction. With a steady mind, she continued focusing on taking over the final stretch. Roots mixed and pierced into the scalding hot core. Once inside, she poured her energy into the roots, allowing them to grow and multiply. Unlike her carefulness when taking over the liquid core, Liu Shu now intended to merge with the world's core fully. Her current actions took all of her concentration, so Liu Shu didn't know what was happening on the outside.

If she were to look, she would notice her own body increasing in size at a rapid pace as energies all around the world swirled toward her body. The worldwide phenomena following Liu Shu's actions attracted not only the attention of common people but also those at the top. Ignatia stood below Liu Shu's canopy, looking up with Flor sitting on her shoulder. As Flor's tiny hands gently scratched Ignatia's scalp, she spoke softly.

"It is time." Ignatia smiled.

"Yes. Our baby is finally taking her final step." Behind them, Tree's body swayed happily, and her ancient and gentle voice reached them.

"Ignatia, Flor, thank you." Flor laughed and looked behind them, smiling at the gorgeous Willow Tree.

"You already know there is no need to thank us. She is our daughter as well, after all." Tree's voice was soft and serious.

"I know… I just wanted to thank you for helping her when she was weak. Thanks to both your sacrifices, she is now finally going to become what she was born to do." Ignatia spoke lightly.

"Don't relax, Tree. You know that our troubles are just starting."

"I know." Tree laughed softly.

"Please take care of Liu Shu, like always." Flor and Ignatia chuckled.

"We will." On another corner of the world, Skyflower and the others swayed with the gentle wind. All World Trees were finally assimilated, and they all received a single notification that shook them. [World Tree Tianlian Liu Shu is Leveling Up. As her subordinate World Trees, you are able to Level Up beyond Level 99 at will.] Azure Rose laughed, incredulous.

"She really did it, didn't she?" Skyflower spoke smilingly.

"I honestly didn't expect her to take over in such a short time." Warlya joined them, her voice soft but firm.

"I told you, Little Liu Shu will surprise us. She is someone who always grows beyond expectations." Celestial Lotus sighed, full of emotion.

"To think that the sapling I ignored just a few decades ago is now becoming a <True World Tree>... Life is truly unpredictable." Pelagia grumbled a bit.

"The sea floor is vibrating a bit, and it is ticklish… I will Level Up and not bother with all of you for a while. Otherwise, I might become annoyed." Warlya laughed.

"Leveling up… I never thought that those two magical words would have anything to do with me." Azure Rose hummed.

"There is another planet with life in our Solar System, right? If Liu Shu reaches it, she will most likely transport some of us over with <Recolocation>. The first one to Level Up will have the right to ask Little Liu Shu personally!" Celestial Lotus complained.

"You old tree! Are you that eager to Level Up that you will hurt your foundation for it?" Azure Rose slapped a few of Celestial Lotus' roots.

"This sapling… do you want me to spank you a few times? We are not at attack range, so don't provoke me!" After that interaction, both World Trees laughed. Skyflower spoke softly.

"Take your time and remember to choose carefully. The <First Evolution> is very important and will set you on a path you can hardly change for the rest of your life."

"Understood." Warlya looked at Liu Shu's figure one last time and whispered softly.

'Wait for me to wake up, Liu Shu. Once I become stronger, I'll fight by your side and protect everything that you care about.' Then, the dormant power hiding inside all Level 99 World Trees surged simultaneously and harmonized with Liu Shu. Together with them, the shackles surrounding Ceperet slowly began to come undone, pushing it into a new interstellar era. [You've completed <Sylvan Quest: Become a True World Tree>, calculating efficiency…] [Objective 1: Take over <Ceperet>. Tianlian Liu Shu has taken over all powers and assimilated them with minimal war efforts. (+150%). The time efficiency is far faster than ordinary World Trees. (+50%). Additionally, Tianlian Liu Shu has managed to create a root network that links all the World Trees and Life Trees in the world, eliminating competition by making them her allies. (+1, 000%). Beyond that, to become a World Tree, Tianlian Liu Shu needed to cover only the surface. Instead, she took over the entire world and became one with it. (+20, 000%).] [Objective 2: Build your Fourth <Temple>... <Temple Of Life> was crafted with exceptional materials. (+50%).] [Total <Completion Rate> is 21, 250%. Rewards will be given out accordingly.]