Pillar of Yita

Under the seemingly never-ending sunlight, dense tree shades cover the forest paths, carpet the riverbank flower beds, and even butterflies are dancing.

Tianlan even saw a white deer in the forest; it stood upright with long antlers, eyes like black gems, watching them with a cautious look of a wary stranger intruder.

The forest elf then turned around and disappeared into the bushes.

She was so surprised she could hardly close her mouth.

”Unbelievable,” Gita also murmured softly to herself.

Tang Xin was also looking at this underground forest—

Many theories argue that the Stargate is merely another form of existence relative to the human world; it can’t be said to be unreal, but neither can it be called a fictional world.

After all, the universe still holds too many unknown secrets for humanity.

However, there is no lack of opposite views, and even for the past century, a fairly mainstream opinion holds that researching the Stargate should be the task of scholars and the government.

The commercialization of the Stargate is merely an entertainment expression of a once serious matter; it represents a regression of the era, a desecration of the spirit of human exploration a hundred years ago.

And the Invokers are just a bunch of opportunists and gold diggers, even gamblers.

Tang Xin is precisely a holder of such views.

But she deeply understood how much that pigeon was attached to this world, and each time she saw its dejected expression, she felt compassion.

Perhaps because of this, she became a third party between her parents and cousin, sometimes helping him, but sometimes opposing his voyage to this world.

But everything has already happened—

Tang Xin quietly looked at the source of that brilliant light and this tranquil yet vibrant forest; for the first time, she felt a bit moved by the splendor of this unknown world.

But they hadn’t walked far when suddenly a small Dwarf Goblin blocked their way.

Honestly, ever since leaving Tarun, Fang Hong hadn’t seen these creatures unique to Ishulian for a long time. These low-intelligence little things, like Dwarves, originated from the underground of Eldron; they served as slaves to the Dwarves for hundreds of years. The fiery-tempered Dwarves didn’t treat them well, but not so bad as to force them into slavery.

It wasn’t until the last couple of hundred years that they branched out with Gnomes around the world, but they remained accustomed to cold climates, generally only seen in the north of Colin Ishurian.

The small Dwarf Goblin in front should belong to the purest bloodline originating from the Eldron Mountain Range. After all, the Old World’s Ladder itself is also part of the Eldron mountain system, so it’s unsurprising to encounter them here.

The fluffy, stinky little creature looked nervous seeing them; it stared with large, round, black eyes at the Seven Seas Travel Group, trembling a bit as it said, ”...Gulang, waited for you here for a long time, Gulang, it’s Lord Moenyalit who asked Gulang to wait for you here, Gulang. Please don’t hurt Gulang; Gulang is a good person, Gulang.”

Fang Hong stopped.

He couldn’t help but look back at the group with some surprise, Moenyalit. He remembered the name. This is the name of that Tree People Elder, or Heart of Tree, the name that called them in the Mind World.

But they entered with Amatoran’s group, and even Short Beard didn’t know they had followed behind all along. Yet the Dwarf Monster in front of them said the other party had asked it to wait here for them long ago.

It seems that the Tree People Elder had already sensed their presence, their abilities far beyond their expectations.

After exchanging a glance with everyone, he turned back and asked:

”Gulang, is that your name, little fellow?”

”Gulang is a little fellow, Gulang. Yes, that’s Gulang’s name, yes, yes, Gulang,” the small Dwarf Goblin was a bit happy to see they understood it and nodded vigorously, ”You all, Gulang, are friends, Gulang.”

”Who would want to be friends with this smelly little creature,” Parker grumbled unhappily, pinching his nose and rolling his eyes, ”I’m about to be suffocated.”

The small Dwarf Goblin never bathed, believing water would steal their souls. Although Dwarves rarely bathed, they couldn’t stand these stinking creatures.

Most of the Dwarves’ complaints against these servants likely stemmed from this.

Tianlan was also nearly overwhelmed by the stench, but she still kicked Parker, almost knocking him over.

Fang Hong was at a loss for words, but he merely stepped back a little, saying, ”Gulang, you say it was Lord Moenyalit who sent you to meet us? Does he know we’ve arrived here?”

Gulang nodded seriously, yet still looking a bit comical, ”Lord Moenyalit is the oldest and wisest person here, Gulang. Its roots are deep in this great mountain, older than this land, Gulang. It’s more experienced than any tree, any rock, Gulang. Its Knowledge outweighs the mountain, Gulang.”

Fang Hong felt Gita tugging at his sleeve from behind.

He turned back, and Miss Natural Historian wrote with her finger in his palm:

”It is most likely the Heart of Tree, Brother Ade.”

”But what exactly is the Heart of Tree?”

”We’ll understand when we see it.”

Fang Hong then let the small Dwarf Goblin lead the way; even though they were not fond of cleanliness, they were kind creatures. Living here with Grey Treants proved they probably meant no harm.

He hadn’t expected that after coming down here, he would first meet the Tree People Elder rather than finding Earth Origin Crystal. None of their original plans worked out, truly showing how plans never keep up with changes.

They passed several wooden bridges, with streams glowing golden, entering a valley deep underground.

Fang Hong privately asked Time Reflection if he knew there was such a place below. The latter shook his head, indicating that the mine was only the upper part of the rift, with a vast lower section. The previous people encountered those Crystalysis Beasts while exploring the lower part.

And this underground forest was another place they had never heard of before.

Fang Hong couldn’t help but look up at the orb of light in mid-air, thinking this place might not be so simple.

...