Chapter 193 - 174: Communication with the Mother Tree

"There’s nothing?"

Su Ze felt that something was wrong.

He believed the young woman wouldn’t lie to him. But if the water from the Miracle Spring and those human extracts weren’t on the Tiger King General, then they had to be on Bai Guishou. Where else could they be?

Besides, how could a Saint-level Overlord like Bai Guishou not have a single wondrous object on him?

It was clearly unreasonable!

’Could it be that Bai Guishou hid all his treasures somewhere in advance?’

’But if he was already prepared to die, why would he even enter the core of the Miracle Oasis?’

Although Su Ze was confused, he didn’t dwell on it. After all, no matter how many treasures Bai Guishou might have had, it had nothing to do with him. They wouldn’t be his.

He observed his surroundings for a moment before turning his gaze back to the young woman. He tried to get on her good side, saying, "Miss, the two of us are students from Dongli University. We came here mainly because we’ve long admired the Oasis Mother Tree and wanted to come see it."

He didn’t know the young woman’s age, but at seventeen years old himself, calling her "miss" couldn’t be wrong.

After introducing himself, Su Ze asked for the young woman’s name with an expression of pure admiration.

"I am the president of the Oasis Commerce Association, Ju Han." The young woman didn’t hide it, stating her identity directly.

Su Ze and Mr. Ya were both stunned. They never expected that this Saint-level Overlord, who looked like a young girl, was actually the president of the Oasis Commerce Association.

But considering her power, it seemed quite reasonable.

She had already said she was from the Oasis Commerce Association. And being such a powerful Saint-level Overlord, it would be strange if she *wasn’t* the president.

"Mrs. Ju, you were truly incredible just now! I’ve never seen such a powerful Saint-level Overlord. The likes of Amida, Ye Muni, Gu Chengguang, Zhou Wenshan... they’re nothing compared to you." Su Ze’s face was full of adoration as he laid on the flattery thick. "Even a five-times evolved Venerable Saint Envoy seems just so-so. I feel like they aren’t as strong as you!"

Mr. Ya also wore a look of reverence, but it wasn’t for Ju Han—it was for Su Ze. ’The boss is such a suck-up! No wonder he’s so accomplished. I’m no match for him!’

Su Ze wasn’t just spouting empty praise, though. The power Ju Han had just displayed was simply immense, and it seemed she was still far from her limit.

Within this inner circle of the Oasis, Su Ze suspected that not even a Supreme Saint would be her opponent.

Ju Han shook her head and chuckled lightly. "I was merely borrowing the power of the Spiritual Plants."

Su Ze seized the opportunity to ask, "How are you able to borrow the power of these Spiritual Plants?"

Ju Han didn’t shy away from the question. "The exotic beasts living in this inner circle can all achieve symbiosis with the Spiritual Plants, allowing them to borrow their power. Humans, naturally, can as well."

"Then can I do it?" Su Ze asked.

"Of course. The prerequisite is that you must receive the Mother Tree’s recognition."

"The Mother Tree’s recognition?" Su Ze tilted his head to look at the magnificent tree. "Is the Oasis Mother Tree really alive, like in the legends?"

Ju Han nodded, then shook her head. "You can feel it for yourself."

With that, she walked toward the Mother Tree.

At the base of the Mother Tree’s trunk, the guarding plantain and fruit trees saw Ju Han approaching and drew back their branches and leaves, clearing a path for her.

Su Ze and Mr. Ya quickly followed.

But the plantain and fruit trees closed their branches and leaves again, blocking the path and preventing the two from passing.

Su Ze grumbled internally. ’You said I could go in and feel it for myself, so what’s this? Who do you think you’re looking down on?’

He glanced at the two fourth-rank Spiritual Plants blocking his way. ’Sooner or later, I’ll strip your leaves to make tea...’ he thought. ’Hmm? Does that count as hostile intent? Will it provoke an attack from the Spiritual Plants?’

Su Ze cautiously took a step back. Seeing no reaction from the surrounding Spiritual Plants, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Through a gap in the leaves, he saw Ju Han walk up to the Mother Tree’s trunk. She knelt on the ground, clasped her hands before her chest, and closed her eyes as if in prayer.

The next moment, the Mother Tree’s branches began to emit a soft, white glow, immeasurably holy, as if responding to Ju Han’s prayer.

And as the Mother Tree lit up, Su Ze suddenly shuddered. Something inside his body seemed to have been stirred. The next moment, the phantom that only he could see appeared behind him once again.

’The Mother Tree actually drew out the mysterious phantom...’ Su Ze lifted his head to gaze at the Mother Tree, wondering what this could possibly mean.

Then he saw the Mother Tree suddenly begin to sway. Above Su Ze’s head, its branches and leaves formed an emerald sky, now rustling with the tree’s movement.

Ju Han, who had been kneeling in prayer, abruptly stopped. She turned her head in astonishment, her gaze fixed squarely on Su Ze.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, she stood up and walked back. The plantain and fruit trees once again cleared a path for her.

"The Mother Tree has sent you an invitation," Ju Han said. The look she gave Su Ze now held a strange quality, no longer as placid as before.

’As if I could refuse.’ Su Ze walked decisively toward the Mother Tree. This time, the plantain and fruit trees knew better than to block his way.

Arriving before the Mother Tree, Su Ze gazed at the clear spring water pooled in a massive leaf just within reach. The instinctive urge in his body surged up again.

The giant leaf was filled entirely with water from the Miracle Spring, which held an immense attraction for Su Ze. It made him want to lunge forward and gulp down a few mouthfuls.

Su Ze’s eyes turned red as he stared at the spring water, and he couldn’t help but swallow.

Just then, he felt a Spiritual Power, so tangible it was almost physical, descend upon him. It was profound, holy, gentle, and loving, like the care of an elder.