"What you saw a moment ago happened two hundred thousand years ago."

One blink was all it took for Arthur to find himself returning to the present, still floating a distance away from the World Tree. A blue blob of light was in front of him, just like earlier.

"Two hundred thousands years ago?"

Arthur still couldn't believe the disparity in power between and him and individuals like that Joker or the Demon but the surprise was even bigger when he learned that it happened a long time ago.

If that Joker was alive until now, he would have become much more powerful, which is something Arthur would rather not think of.

'There's no way.. right?'

"Yes.... for you it's been a long time but for me, it wasn't that long. A World Tree fully matures when it reaches a Million years. So I'm considered young."

Arthur remembered when he heard earlier and asked the World Tree without holding back, after all, it showed him its past so why not answer a few questions now that the truth was seen. perhaps it would help him see think more clearly.

"So you're the seed of the World Tree of Heaven but what does that even mean?"

"The ancient World Tree of Heaven is what the angels and archangels relied upon to fight the demons. It's at the same time a blessing, a fortress. I don't know too much apart from what Zodiak told me but It is highly valued by the angels."

"And why did Senior Zodiak steal it from that ship?"

"He purposely did it to weaken the angels. He didn't tell me the exact reason by I know for a fact that he hates them."

Arthur subconsciously put his hand on his chin and began pondering on all that happened. There was just too many information so he needed a bit of time to let his mind process everything. There was the thing about the ship, the skull, the seed and the relation of Zodiak and the angels.

"Do you have any more questions?"

".... One last thing. What happened to the Joker?"

Hearing about that Joker, the World Tree remained silent for some time before answering.

"I don't know. Zodiak apparently went back to where the ship was supposed to be but all he found was shipwrecks and nothing else. I can only assume he managed to escape."

Arthur nodded his head but he wished he didn't hear that answer. It would have been alright if the Joker died but knowing that a strong and eccentric figure like that is still lurking somewhere made him a bit fearful. If he ever encountered him, he really doesn't know what to do.

An unknown amount of time passed and the silence was broken by the enigmatic voice of the World Tree.

"Now that your curiosity is supposedly satisfied, let me ask you a question: Arthur, what are you going to do?"

It's true that his curiosity was satisfied, not completely but more or less. But what was asked by the World Tree is in fact what's important, because after all, what matters is what you do and not how you interpret it.

"Honestly... I don't know."

He saw all of that but as for what to do, he really didn't know. Does he search for Zodiak before finding Lucy? What does this World Tree want him or expect him to do?

"Then let me give you two options. One: You turned around and leave, however, you will never come back here again. Two: Make an oath with me."

In response to it, Arthur frowned and showed some dissatisfaction. To make an oath he doesn't know the contents of is an idiotic thing.

"An oath? Be more detailed."

"It's as it sounds. You swear to protect me from any invading angels if the time comes and in return, you receive my blessing which is something not easy to earn."

'A blessing huh?'

It sounded simple and he would be the one benefiting from the oath but in reality, it's a dangerous choice. He saw the angels and how strong they were, he can't beat them like how he is now. If they were to invade right now or even a month later, it would be his doom.

Everything was about Strength, whether it's finding Lucy, protecting the World Tree, securing a stable and safe life for his wife and daughter. If he wants all of that, then he requires strength and strength he shall get. He was given this race for a reason and he isn't the kind of person to sit around and watch when something bad happens to his home.

"Let's make the oath then."

"A good choice, however, you must know that in case the angels or anyone destroy me or uproot me, not only this continent perishes but this whole world. I am the source of Mana in this world as it does not have a core for it was destroyed by the calamity that happened ten thousand years ago. I was forced to start nourishing all the five lands. It decreased my growth but I can still manage."

...

"I, Arthur MoonStar swear that I will protect the World Tree from any invading enemies that have ill intent."

"... The oath has been made, should you break it, my and every plant's wrath should befall upon you."

Congratulations! You received The World Tree's Blessing!

World Tree's blessing: +10% to all stats / 100% resistance to Nature and Plant Magic / 50% decrease in the cooldown of any Nature or plant related skills / You can now use Plant Magic / +500 Mental Power / +100 Creation / You gained the special ability (Child of Nature)

More benefits earned if the user reaches God Realm.

Child of Nature (Passive): In the presence of any kind of living plant, your Health, Mana and Stamina recovery is increased by 30%

Child of Nature(Active): If the user's Health is less than 0.5%, he can sacrifice all the nearby plants to inflict the same injuries the user have to a specific target.

Cost: All nearby plants.

Cooldown: 1 Year

Arthur was expecting a more cheated blessing but this will do for now. All he could do is hope the new benefits unlocked at the God Realm are decent.

With nothing more to discuss, Arthur planned to leave but a sudden thought crossed his mind so he faced the blob of blue light and asked

"Could you... create specific spatial tunnels to a certain planet?"

"That is not possible. You'll have to wait until I mature."

'Screw that! I ain't waiting eight hundred thousands years!'

Although Immortals can live thousands upon thousands of years, that does not mean it's easy for him to wait that long and by that time, a lot of things could have happened. He isn't going to let Lucy wait that long!

Arthur shrugged his shoulders and turned around to leave but he was stopped again.

"One more thing..... I saw you can use Zodiak's powers, so I'll tell you a good thing. If you can find his servant, she can take you whatever you want, after all, she specializes in Spatial Magic."

In response, Arthur waved his hand then left the area. It was easier said than done, three universes and countless worlds and planets, how in the bloody hell is he going to find her? Moreover, he doesn't even know what she looks like!

..

It didn't take him long to go back to the elven village. Many things happened but the five hours didn't pass. That moment he was taken back to the past, only a second passed when he came back and the fight with the World Tree was long either.

To pass the time, Arthur stopped in a secluded area near the Elven village and tried the plant magic he just acquired. Since he just got the skill and didn't obtain it by possessing, it was still Lv1, nonetheless, it is useful... for playing.

He can create thorns and vines that could attack or defense. If it is advanced, then maybe it'll deal more damage but as far as damaging a God? That was probably not possible which was such a pity.

In a way, it was similar to the Nature Magic he had. Nature Magic allowed him to instantly grow any tree or plant he possessed, but he can't control them. As for Plant Magic, it creates a limited amount of things and they can be controlled.

He can also control the already existing plants but since they are weak and his intelligence is high, they break too fast.

When the five hours finally passed, Arthur managed to upgrade his skill to Medium. Normally, it would take a long time but with his race, passives and many other factors, such a thing is easy.