Chapter 8: Jian Mu

"The Shen Shu Zhong Ting is the place where every member who has just joined the 【World Tree】 completes their oath." Cang Yue Er said while walking, introducing to Zhu Kai.

"What is the content of the oath?"

Zhu Kai has always been a free martial artist; the reason is that he's used to being free and unrestrained. Although he has agreed to join the 【World Tree】, Zhu Kai also doesn't want to sign something like a servitude contract.

Of course, there are also many strong individuals of the World Tree in the outside world, and there has never been any talk of strict regulations.

"It's mainly three points: one, be friendly with nature; two, always be loyal to Earth; three, cherish companions. It's not strange content." Cang Yue Er explained with a smile.

"Then that's good, that's good." Zhu Kai gave an awkward laugh.

Following Cang Yue Er through corridor after corridor, we finally arrived at the center of the Chu Sheng Zhi Dian—Shen Shu Zhong Ting.

Walls made of ancient trees, vines, and fresh flowers encircle a circular grassland; lightly stepping on the grass-covered land, one can almost smell the fragrance of grass and soil.

At the center of the lawn, a towering giant tree extends straight through the top space of the Chu Sheng Zhi Dian, infinitely stretching, as if piercing the colorful firmament.

"Jian Mu, I've brought you a new friend again, oh." Cang Yue Er said as if coaxing a child.

Xiao Yue Er!

"Not bad."

An ethereal voice came from the direction of the giant tree, sounding like a little boy's voice.

Following the sound, a translucent figure slowly emerged from the middle of the giant tree; the figure gradually solidified, finally turning into a small boy with dark green hair, appearing to be about eight or nine years old.

"Welcome, comrade Xiao Zhu."

The boy's first words upon landing on the ground.

Although it's a bit strange for someone of this age to be called "Xiao Zhu" by a child who looks eight or nine, the boy's identity seems important, and Zhu Kai is not unaware of favors.

"Hello."

"Hahaha——" the boy laughed, holding his stomach, no different from an ordinary child.

"You don't need to be so formal; like Xiao Yue Er, just call me Jian Mu—that's my name."

"And don't treat me as a child; I'm already over 1,300 years old." Jian Mu said rather proudly.

Just based on this demeanor, not acting like a child is somewhat difficult.

Beside, Cang Yue Er looked at Zhu Kai's embarrassed appearance and couldn't help laughing.

"Senior Zhu Kai, this is one of our most important members of the 【World Tree】, Divine Tree Jian Mu; your previous injuries were quite severe, and it's thanks to his power that you could fully recover."

After laughing, Cang Yue Er still tried to smooth things over and said.

"Well, then thank you, Lord Jian Mu, for saving my life."

"No need to thank, no need to thank; these are what Jian Mu ought to do." Jian Mu waved his hand and said.

"Alright, Lord Jian Mu, quickly test Senior Zhu Kai; others are waiting for us to eat." Cang Yue Er urged.

"Damn, you guys aren't here to play with me? And there's no share of the meal for me~" Jian Mu pretended to say fiercely, then sighed.

"Alright, alright, business first."

Cang Yue Er again said to Zhu Kai:

"Before officially joining the 【World Tree】, we still have one final oath ceremony; just follow my chant."

"Okay." Zhu Kai nodded.

Jian Mu's body suddenly floated up, hovering above the front of the giant tree.

Around, a sacred light suddenly shone, warm and real.

And Jian Mu's voice regained some ethereality.

"I am very happy, and I welcome our new companion, Zhu Kai, joining the 【World Tree】, joining our shared ideal; then let's take the oath."

Cang Yue Er: "I swear to join the World Tree."

Zhu Kai: "I swear to join the World Tree"

Cang Yue Er: "Be friendly with nature, coexist with Earth…… forever cherish companions, forever love Earth…… praise the land that nurtures us."

Zhu Kai, while reciting, also paid attention to the content; it's longer than imagined, but the core content is indeed the three points as Cang Yue Er said:

"Be friendly with nature, coexist with Earth…… forever cherish companions, forever love Earth…… praise the land that nurtures us."

"Oath-taker, Zhu Kai."

Oath completed.

"From today on, you are a member of the 【World Tree】, congratulations." Jian Mu said with a smile.

"At the same time, your kindness has been recognized by the Nature Spirit; after leaving the Xin Wang Shi Jie, you can find it in the Summer Garden."

Nature Spirit.

It is a benefit exclusive to the 【World Tree】.

As a member of the 【World Tree】, one has the chance to obtain a sentient plant as a combat partner. Different plants have different auxiliary effects, but at least they can increase a martial artist's combat power by about twenty to thirty percent, especially greatly enhancing survivability in the wild.

The ceremony completed, Jian Mu again fell from midair to the ground.

"Huff huff huff, all done." Just like a child finishing daily homework, he was happy.

Cang Yue Er smiled helplessly; Lord Jian Mu, this is too lacking in dignity.

However, these are not things I need to consider.

"Then let's go first." Cang Yue Er said with a smile.

"Go on, go on." Jian Mu said faintly.

Jian Mu's humanoid form gradually disappeared, his gaze still watching the retreating backs of Cang Yue Er and Zhu Kai.

"Alas, to maintain the 'boge' my father spoke of, I can only do this."

Actually, with the authority Jian Mu possesses, the entire Chu Sheng Zhi Ting can do whatever it wants—whether a restaurant or a game room, Jian Mu can send a clone there, or bring everything to the central courtyard.

"But doing that would lose the 'boge'."

This is the original words my father spoke.

As the top combat power and symbolic existence of the World Tree, Jian Mu must maintain a certain distance from ordinary members.

Although Jian Mu doesn't really understand why, Father's words are always correct.

Fortunately, Jian Mu doesn't need to stay in the Heartnet all the time; it only needs to enter when newcomers need to undergo the initiation ceremony.

In the real world, Jian Mu's main body stands on the horizon that many cannot see, while Jian Mu itself can use a clone to play with peers.

Although Jian Mu is indeed over a thousand years old, that is merely the age counted by its rings; it has only possessed sentience for five years.

"Speaking of which, Father said he had to go handle a big matter—could it be that he went to find a mother for Jian Mu?"

Although as a plant Jian Mu has no particular longing for a mother, as a child it is full of curiosity about the notion of a mother.

As for the rumor that Father went to look for a mother, Jian Mu lacks the vision to cross the sea, so the information actually comes from Jian Mu's younger sister, Xiao A Yun.

"Hope Father can finish his business soon."