I Can See Health Bars in Real Life-Chapter 374 - 25: A World of Just Two People (Not Really)

"The Era Tree, indeed quite mysterious..."

As time drew closer, standing not far from the main hall of Himura Shrine, Gu Mo looked up at the tree that seemed exactly the same in appearance as it did five hundred years ago during the Warring States Era, without any noticeable changes—tall and lush—and sighed.

Under the full moon that enveloped the earth, the world bathed in dark purple moonlight.

In a time seemingly frozen within amber.

This Divine Wood, which seems no different from any ordinary tree, remained verdant and lush, and with a gust of wind, its branches and leaves made a rustling sound... At first glance, it appeared quite normal, but in reality, it was the most abnormal place.

The wind was abnormal, the tree was abnormal, and the reason undoubtedly lay with the latter, with the former likely being a resultant phenomenon of the latter’s abnormality.

"Why is it called the Era Tree? Is it because its power can transcend eras?"

Looking at Kikyo beside him, Gu Mo asked curiously.

"Perhaps..."

Under the moonlight, the witch stood in front of the Divine Wood, her aura tranquil, and upon hearing the question, she nodded lightly and said softly, "In Maple Village, the Divine Tree existed long ago, at least since my training. Relevant legends have been around for a long time, though it’s unclear when they originated..."

"It’s said the Divine Tree possesses incredible power; any living being sealed beneath it would not decay physically over time but instead could cross into the next era, hence the name..."

"I see." Gu Mo nodded thoughtfully, "I thought your village long ago discovered this tree’s ability to connect different eras."

"Naturally not... Even with the Bone-Devouring Well, we didn’t understand why the demon corpses thrown in disappeared."

Kikyo shook her head gently, reflecting that it is likely because the Era Tree’s power connects different eras and that the Bone-Devouring Well, built from the Era Tree’s wood and located near its main body, inexplicably gained the ability to traverse time.

Any demon remains thrown into this well would soon disappear without a trace, not because they were devoured by the well, but because they drifted to another time.

But back then, she wouldn’t have thought of such a thing, and this was naturally understood.

Again, a strange wind blew, and the Divine Wood rustled.

Five hundred years ago, the villagers always guarded the Divine Wood, and five hundred years later, it became the Divine Wood of the Himura Shrine, with shimenawa and paper streamers hung on its trunk, surrounded by a fence... Yes, it seems to have always been treated with care, as if the people living on this land highly valued it.

"Now I understand... Well, should I start now?"

Gu Mo nodded, asking so.

"Wait a moment..."

Kikyo gave him a calm look, then took two steps forward, approached the trunk of the Divine Wood, carefully crossed the fence, and placed her hand gently on its surface, closing her eyes slightly.

"..."

"..."

"It’s okay now."

A moment later, she turned around, her eyes calm as autumn waters, and spoke to the person behind.

"Just like that?" Gu Mo couldn’t help but be doubtful.

"The Divine Tree has agreed... but you must be gentle, don’t harm the trunk of the tree." Kikyo said seriously, warning him, seemingly not very assured, "We’re only here for a bit of wood, don’t think about cutting the whole tree down."

"Of course not, you don’t even need to say that..."

Gu Mo twitched his lips, thinking he wouldn’t do such a thing as draining the pond for fish, although the ultra-rare wood was indeed very tempting, being unimaginably precious material.

He looked up at the tall Divine Tree before him; this time there was no wind, yet the tree, without moving, still made a gentle rustling sound... Amazingly, Gu Mo felt he understood its emotions as if the tree conveyed them, and also understood Kikyo’s implication that it had consented.

How contrary to when he initially wanted to source materials from it.

Gu Mo felt discriminated against.

But he no longer hesitated, taking a step forward, preparing to gather material while flexing the fingers of his right hand... perhaps brought by the convenience and sensations from his successive demonizations, he instinctively prepared to use his claws for gathering, which in a sense, was much more flexible and convenient than swords.

After a short while, looking at the slightly thick branch lying on the ground, Kikyo didn’t say much.

Though these materials exceeded what was needed for making a sword scabbard, at least there was a sense of proportion.

"Let’s go," she said softly, glancing once more at the shrine in the distance.

......

Mount Fuji.

Located about eighty kilometers southwest of Tokyo, Japan, it is an active stratovolcano spanning Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures, the highest peak in Japan. This solitary, often snow-capped iconic mountain rises among the sea and lake-surrounded villages and green trees, its body towering into the clouds, and its summit snowy white.

Because of its iconic nature, there is, of course, no mistaking the direction.