Chapter 391: You Release the Waters for Me

Yu Lin followed the banks of the Tigris River, heading upstream.

At first, the surrounding scenery still showed the distinct cycle of the four seasons, until he crossed the plains, passed the high mountains, and traversed the canyons.

Time slipped away silently during the quiet trek, and the world behind seemed to recede, including Luo Er, Bei, Lamai, and the City of Order, all gradually settling into images of memory.

He could not tell how long he had walked—perhaps a few months, perhaps longer.

Gradually, he noticed the surrounding sense of seasons fading and disappearing.

The biting cold wind at some point turned into a gentle breeze, the withered yellow foliage was replaced by fresh green, and that verdure grew ever denser and purer, as if it would never wither.

The air temperature stayed at a level most comfortable to the human body—neither cold nor hot—like an eternal spring morning.

The ground beneath his feet became unusually soft and fertile, feeling like walking on the finest carpet.

On both sides of the riverbank, it was no longer a single line of trees or thickets, but gradually displayed an indescribable luxuriance and harmony.

Various never‑seen, even nameless, exotic flowers and herbs coexisted, their brilliant colors not chaotic but forming a naturally perfect tapestry.

Rich yet not cloying floral perfume, the fresh scent of plants, the fragrance of earth, and the tempting sweetness of ripe melons mingled, creating an intoxicating aroma that seemed to cleanse the soul.

Yu Lin looked up; the fruit trees bore heavy, plump fruits of varied shapes and alluring colors, many hanging within arm's reach as if inviting passersby to taste.

They did not grow haphazardly but were staggered in an orderly fashion across forest clearings and gentle riverbanks, blending perfectly with the surroundings.

The air was filled with a tranquil, abundant, life‑vibrant aura, making even breathing a pleasure.

There was no harsh winter cold, no scorching summer heat, no bleak autumn—only an eternal, perfectly balanced warmth and comfort.

All things existed in the most perfect, harmonious growth state, vibrant yet serene.

Yu Lin stopped, looked around, and said softly:

"Finally arrived?"

The fertile land before him clearly signaled that Eden Garden lay here.

Yu Lin reached up, plucked a fruit, ate it while moving on, and remarked:

"Tastes good."

He continued onward, passing through a thicket of flowers.

"Eden Garden?"

Yu Lin stared ahead,

ahead was an especially verdant forest emitting a faint glow.

In the forest's center stood a tree that drew particular attention.

It was not one of the surrounding fruit trees laden with tempting fruits.

It was tall and straight, its trunk a warm ivory white like jade, its surface bearing faint golden veins as if containing flowing light within.

Its canopy was not especially dense; the branches and leaves were gracefully unusual, the whole tree shrouded in a pale milky aura.

It stood there quietly, as if the source and symbol of Eden Garden's vitality and eternity.

"Is this the Tree of Life?"

Yet Yu Lin's gaze lingered on the Tree of Life only a moment before another presence beside the tree seized his attention.

There, a person stood.

Or rather, a being who knew Yu Lin would come and had manifested in human form early.

He was about the same height as Yu Lin, his features surpassingly handsome, flawless without a hint of mortal flaw, his golden hair woven like sunlight, draped over his shoulders.

Behind him were retracted, immaculate massive white wings, each feather untouched by dust.

In his hand he held a massive sword of simple, astonishingly proportioned design; its blade was not metal but pure, dancing flame, burning silently.

Archangel Gabriel, by God's command, wielded a sword that spun on four sides emitting flame, guarding the Tree of Life.

He stood there quietly, his gaze peacefully fixed on Yu Lin emerging from the flower thicket.

Yu Lin stepped forward, composed as if meeting an old friend, even raising his hand to wave at Archangel Gabriel:

"Hello."

Archangel Gabriel gave a slight nod, following an ancient protocol, and bowed to Yu Lin:

"Welcome your arrival."

Yu Lin was not at all surprised that he knew Yu Lin would come, and got straight to the point:

"Is God here?"

He needed to confirm the supreme being's stance.

Archangel Gabriel gently shook his head, his face calm: "The Lord has long departed."

Yu Lin fell silent for a moment upon hearing that.

God not present? Then…

"What about the Great Flood?" he asked the core question directly.

In the story of Noah's Ark, God was the orchestrator.

If God is absent or unwilling to intervene, wouldn't someone else have to take his place? Replace whom?..............

Upon hearing the question, Archangel Gabriel's flawless face unexpectedly showed a smile.

He lifted his sword‑free hand, slender fingers lightly pointing at Yu Lin himself.

"The Lord says, since you will cut down his tree, the task of releasing the waters shall be yours to fulfill for him."

Yu Lin: "........"

Fine.

Though it sounded like an extra "overtime" assignment, Yu Lin felt a bit more reassured.

It felt more like a deal, an unspoken contract: I permit you to cut the tree, you fulfill the "Great Flood" for me.

No debt owed on either side.

"Alright." Yu Lin simply accepted the additional clause.

He stopped worrying about God's whereabouts and instead asked the most practical question before him:

"Then, where is the tree I am to cut?"

Archangel Gabriel, hearing this, raised his hand and pointed toward the direction opposite the radiant forest where the Tree of Life stood.

His finger slipped through the gaps in the trees, pointing to a faintly visible, gently sloping rise shrouded in mist in the distance.

"That way."

His answer was concise and clear.

"Thank you." Yu Lin nodded, crisp and decisive.

"Goodbye."

Then he gave no further glance to the Tree of Life or its guardian Archangel Gabriel, turned, and walked away in the direction Gabriel indicated, without looking back.

Archangel Gabriel stood where he was, the flaming greatsword in his hand still silent.

He watched Yu Lin's figure recede into the distance.

Only when Yu Lin's silhouette vanished completely into the deep, timeless bounty of Eden Garden did he slowly lower his gaze, refocus on the quietly standing Tree of Life, and continue his eternal duty of guardianship.