Chapter 846: Gratitude
Verdant Wilderness World had changed significantly from what Sein remembered.
Sein had infiltrated this low-level plane on his own years ago, accompanied only by a strand of Lorianne’s consciousness in his earring.
Having studied and experienced life in this world extensively, Sein had developed a certain fondness for it.
Years had passed, and now the overall atmosphere of Verdant Wilderness World felt much more desolate.
“The population in this plane has declined by 78.96% in the past decade. It seems the influx of high-ranking creatures has disrupted the environment and the laws of this world,” Leena remarked as she joined Sein’s side.
Leena’s wealth of knowledge rivaled Sein’s, though their areas of focus had diverged over the years.
Sein had dedicated himself to studying pyro elemental magic, bloodlines, and body tempering.
Leena, in contrast, had spread her efforts across a wider range of disciplines.
In addition to magus studies and occult arts, her time at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had allowed her to learn more about planes, environments, biology, and other fields.
This multidisciplinary approach would likely delay her promotion to Rank Three grand mage compared to Sein, but Sein could understand why she had done that.
Upon returning to Blackhaven, Leena’s opportunities to access such comprehensive knowledge would be scarce.
By broadening her understanding now, she was laying a strong foundation for her eventual promotion.
Sein, on the other hand, felt no such urgency. With ample time ahead of him and the extensive collection in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring’s library unlikely to disappear, he could always delve into other areas of study during his free time.
Turning to the two demigod-level beings beside him, Sein asked, “Where are you two planning to go next?”
Green Spikefur King and Kingfisher had been instrumental during the Wild Gorilla World War.
The massive hedgehog had already earned Lorianne’s approval to stay in her world laboratory in the future.
Kingfisher, too, had been granted the same privilege after the war’s conclusion.
In terms of habitability and energy concentration, Lorianne’s world laboratory was far superior to the devastated Verdant Wilderness World.
In response to Sein’s inquiry, Green Spikefur King said, “I’m thinking of taking a look at the Emerald Forest first.”
“I’ll head to the guardian,” Kingfisher replied.
Sein nodded and, along with Leena, accompanied the two demigod-level beings as they flew south.
Since they were going in the same direction, Green Spikefur King decided to drop by and visit the guardian as well.
The guardian, White Spirit, was currently based in the Lush Verdant Forest, as the influx of Magus World legions and numerous Rank Four and higher lifeforms traveling through Verdant Wilderness World had caused greater damage to the plane than expected.
To stabilize the cornerstone of this world’s laws and prevent its collapse, White Spirit had taken up residence in the Lush Verdant Forest, making only occasional trips to the navel of the plane.
At present, over seventy percent of the creatures of Verdant Wilderness World resided in the Lush Verdant Forest.
With divine support from the Rank Four Verdant Wilderness God and the guardian’s power, the creatures had begun to slowly rebuild their populations.
Of the remaining creatures, twenty percent had settled near the navel of the plane, while the remaining ten percent, scattered across the world, struggled to adapt and survive amidst the drastically altered laws and environment.
Lorianne and her allies had made the right decision to leave the Verdant Wilderness God behind to support the plane.
Without this formidable Rank Four being fortifying its foundation, Verdant Wilderness World could never have endured the passage of tens of millions of Magus Civilization troops or the presence of so many Rank Four and higher creatures.
Even during the invasion of Wild Gorilla World, when Feylis and the others widened the spatial passage to lead the assault, the Verdant Wilderness God and White Spirit had played a significant supporting role.
Because of their contributions, both the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Lorianne extended more favorable treatment to Verdant Wilderness World than they did to Hephaes, the centaur god.
When Sein arrived at the Lush Verdant Forest with Green Spikefur King, Kingfisher, and the two thousand remnants of the plant legion, White Spirit personally greeted them at the forest’s edge.
As the Guardian of Verdant Wilderness World, White Spirit had long been aware of the arrival of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army and the magic beast legion through the spatial passage.
It was not just the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring’s allied army passing through. Given the immense distance between the Wild Star Domain and the heart of the Magus Civilization’s home star domain, it was highly likely that legions from other divine towers and knightly orders would also take this route.
Lorianne had undoubtedly foreseen this and informed both White Spirit and the Verdant Wilderness God of the situation.
She had also likely finalized the terms for compensation and development plans for Verdant Wilderness World.
However, due to her injuries, Lorianne could not appear personally before White Spirit and the others.
“Welcome home, my children,” White Spirit said, its voice heavy with exhaustion as it soared above the forest canopy, addressing those who had just returned.
At that moment, not only did Kingfisher and the other plant creatures lose their composure, tears flowing freely, but even Green Spikefur King wiped the corners of its eyes with its sharp claws.
Though Green Spikefur King had long renounced belief in the Verdant Wilderness God, it still recognized Verdant Wilderness World as its homeplane.
The brutal clash of civilizations truly reminded all creatures of their insignificance.
Now, all the plant creatures, including Green Spikefur King, yearned for rest in the familiar soil of their home.
“Thank you for all that you’ve done for us. I can see they’ve taken to you quite well,” White Spirit said, addressing Sein with a mix of gratitude and admiration.
Back then, it was Sein who had negotiated with the harmonious natives of Verdant Wilderness World as a representative of the Magus World.
At least sixty percent of the credit for the safe return of these thousands of plant creatures belonged to him.
Had it not been for Sein’s protection, these remaining plant creatures would likely have perished in Sandstorm World, sacrificed as cannon fodder.
From the demigod-level Kingfisher to the humblest plant creature, all carried a deep sense of gratitude toward Sein.
These survivors would undoubtedly form the backbone of Verdant Wilderness World’s future.
Many of them showed signs of impending breakthroughs, but the harsh conditions of Sandstorm World made such transformation impossible.
Now, back in Verdant Wilderness World, under the nurturing embrace of their homeplane’s laws and its more hospitable environment, these plant creatures would finally have the chance to flourish.
“Verdant Wilderness World is a vassal of my Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. These creatures are part of the family. It’s only right that I help them,” Sein replied earnestly.
“You could even send some of your plant creatures to visit my Magus World as guests next time. I believe my mentor will warmly welcome you all,” he added with a smile, looking at the plant creatures.