With Bradley's final strike, the sound of shattering glass echoed through the air. A dazzling light erupted from the previously indestructible barrier.
"Did we succeed?" Bradley muttered in surprise.
"Looks like it," Orson replied, though his voice lacked excitement.
A fleeting vision of the Earth Elf Queen appeared, her tearful eyes carrying a serene smile. Her image dissipated like a gentle breeze.
Moments later, the [Tree of Rebirth] began to wither rapidly. Its vibrant branches and leaves fell away, and the once-majestic tree started crumbling, rotting into fragments of decayed wood.
"What the hell?!" Orson practically screamed, his composure breaking. "That's my golden goose!"
The scene defied logic—why would the tree crumble after they'd gone through the painstaking process of breaking the barrier?
Bradley and Orson exchanged stunned glances. All their hard work seemed wasted.
"Seriously, gods? You let us have the fruits but won't give us the tree? What's with the double standards!"
A system notification popped up.
"Congratulations! You have perfectly cleared [The Secret of Ascension]. Would you like to broadcast your achievement to the regional server?"
"Use anonymous mode?"
The message didn't lift Orson's mood.
Clearing the dungeon perfectly was meaningless if the tree itself was gone.
Orson had grand plans for the [Tree of Rebirth]. He'd envisioned transplanting it to the guild's future base, where its fruits would boost the HP of all guild members by at least 3,000.
In the early stages of the game, where most players struggled with low health, such a boost could shift the tide of battle and secure dominance.
"This is bullshit!" Orson couldn't help cursing.
They'd managed to gather 20 fruits from the tree—an incredible haul, no doubt—but it paled compared to the potential of cultivating the tree itself.
The server broadcast followed shortly after.
"Regional Announcement: Players Orgod and Money Traveler have demonstrated unparalleled wisdom, perfectly clearing the legendary dungeon [The Secret of Ascension]!"
"Rewards: +10 Talent Points, +30,000 Fame, +200 Gold."
The announcement shook the server.
Earning 10 Talent Points was no small feat. Unlike attributes, talent points directly enhanced skills and could significantly amplify a player's combat potential.
"Well, at least the consolation prize isn't bad…" Bradley, basking in the spotlight, tried to cheer Orson up.
"Wait! Look—there's something glowing in the wood!"
Bradley's words snapped Orson out of his disappointment. His sharp eyes spotted a faint green glimmer among the decayed wood.
The two rushed forward. Without the barrier, the debris was easy to clear.
In the center of the rubble lay a small, vibrant sapling—barely the size of a pinky finger. Its jade-like texture shimmered, surrounded by an ethereal mist and faint magical runes.
Orson carefully picked it up, his hands trembling with excitement.
[Tree of Rebirth Sapling]
Description: A branch of the first tree in existence, reborn every millennium.
Properties: Produces six types of divine fruits:
- Wind: Agility Fruit
- Earth: Resistance Fruit
- Darkness: Critical Fruit
Cultivation Requirements:
- Heavenly Divine Soil
Note: Without proper cultivation, the sapling will only bear Life Fruits.
"Oh my god… it's a divine item!" Bradley yelled, his excitement turning into an unrestrained cheer.
The potential of the [Tree of Rebirth] was staggering. The other fruits, combined with the Life Fruits, could grant a player an unparalleled advantage in every stat.
Orson took a deep breath, struggling to contain his excitement. The sapling wasn't just a stroke of luck—it was the start of a potential game-changer.
Even more importantly, he knew exactly where to find the required cultivation items.
"Rootless Water is in the Northern Desert Forbidden Zone. Heavenly Divine Soil is in the Imperial Capital, at the Holy Light Cathedral."
Orson clenched his fists.
Both locations were incredibly dangerous and far beyond his current capabilities. The Rootless Water was located in a fiery hellscape where anything unprepared would be incinerated instantly.
The Heavenly Divine Soil, on the other hand, was guarded by the Holy Light Dragon—a creature of immense power that protected the Empire's most sacred treasures.
Dragons in Infinite Dimensions—be they low-ranking or apex predators—were notorious for their overwhelming strength.
Still, Orson had no intention of giving up.
"One day, I'll claim those items." He carefully stashed the sapling in his inventory.
With the dungeon complete, Orson and Bradley returned to the frozen plains outside.
During their absence, the area had grown crowded. Dozens of players had ventured into the snowy wilderness. Most had reached Level 20 and unlocked advanced classes.
A few had yet to finalize their class awakenings, holding out for hidden or superior options.
As the two prepared to teleport back, a commotion caught their attention.
"What the hell, healer?! Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Knight, calm down! My skill is a little... unique."
"Unique my ass! Every time you heal me, my health plummets! Are you cursed?!"
Orson and Bradley froze, watching the chaotic scene.
A small party was locked in battle with three elite snow wolves. Their healer—a petite, panicked priest—was at the center of the turmoil.
Bradley rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Is that priest… dealing damage to their tank with healing spells?"
Orson nodded, equally bewildered. "Yep. Their knight's health is dropping every time she heals. I've never seen anything like it."
The party was struggling despite having three awakened players. The healer's antics had turned a manageable fight into an uphill battle.
Their knight chugged health potions desperately, cursing loudly:
"You're killing me here! Are you a healer or a serial killer?!"
"Wait, wait!" the priest stammered. "My skill requires your HP to drop below 90% before it works properly! Just trust me!"
The party's archer growled, "Trust you? After this disaster?!"
The wolves were slain, but the party quickly turned on their healer.
"I've never met such a god-awful priest in my life. Someone shoot her!"
Panicking, the priest bolted. "Please, let me explain! I promise it gets better once my skill activates!"
The archer loosed a [Triple Shot], aiming straight for the priest's back.