Chương 770: Victory at a Cost.

Back in Ceperet, the assassins who descended had tried their best to cause trouble. Sadly for them, they were suppressed to the point that they could barely lift their heads. Tree, Skyflower, and the others attacked them with endless methods, killing them one after another. Soon, the few thousand assassins were all eliminated, leaving no one behind. Liu Shu barely participated, using her essence to strengthen Ceperet so that the battle shockwaves wouldn't cause earthquakes.

Still, Liu Shu discovered that she was a bit too worried. Ceperet, being linked to her, has slowly evolved and become much sturdier. Compared to before Liu Shu's ascension, Ceperet could now easily house First Ascension powerhouses without much worry. Liu Shu couldn't help but caress Ceperet's core gently.

"Good. You've done well, Ceperet." She didn't know when it started, but Liu Shu began treating the world slightly more personally. She would speak to them, complain to them when their terraforming didn't work, and similar things. Even using Solkara for venting became increasingly rare as Liu Shu, even though she felt it was in vain, tried to calm the hellish environment over there. Liu Shu had not realized that her actions were causing a strange spark to occur, one that would only bloom much later.

Tree's voice reached Liu Shu.

"All threats have returned to the soil. Is there anyone we've missed, love?" Liu Shu answered with a smile, her voice reaching all World Trees and Life Trees.

"No threats, left. You've all protected Ceperet perfectly." These few words, for these World Trees and Life Trees, made them feel as if spring rain was falling on their leaves. While they were gentle and naturally accepted their roles, none feeling slighted, the feeling of protecting their domain was an innate feeling. A sense of happiness bloomed within all of them, feeling accomplished. Sensing this surge of positive emotions, Liu Shu's gaze softened.

'It seems that, even though they have been… tamed after joining my domain, their instincts have not truly disappeared.' It was normal. Compared to their long lives, they had only been in Liu Shu's care for less than 100 years. Therefore, these wild World Trees still had that sharp edge all World Trees had. Liu Shu, feeling it, knew that she would eventually need to shift these World Trees to a new world so that they could protect their own territories.

'Only… there are not many worlds for now. I still have to reach other Solar Systems.' With Liu Shu's spreading speed, she wouldn't have had any problem in that regard if she had just focused on spreading in a singular direction. Still, since Liu Shu was trying to complete the <Sylvan Quest> as perfectly as possible, her roots were spreading meticulously, slowing her down tremendously. If any other True World Tree knew Liu Shu's thoughts, they would probably lose their leaves due to stress.

"Ceperet is now protected. Obsidianis and Seraphina are about to exterminate everyone on their side. Now, only two things are left to check." The first thing to check was, naturally, the main battlefield. The fleeing ships had already been trapped, and the Golden Sap Army was now surrounding the remnants, exterminating everyone. She swept her senses, counting the people left alive, and her heart instantly seized.

"3. 4 million…" In total, including the ants, 5 million soldiers left Ceperet to defend the Golden Sap Empire. Now, 1. 6 million lives were silently lost. Objectively speaking, this was a miraculous victory. Facing 9 million Nexus soldiers, who were orderly, trained, and with powerful equipment, their five million group should've been exterminated. It was only because of Liu Shu's, Warlya's, Skyflower's, and the other World Tree buffs that they were able to crush the opponents. Even then…

"700, 000 ants and 900, 000 regular soldiers. That's the casualties." Liu Shu sighed, her eyes filled with pain.

'I am still weak. If my strength were higher, how could a ridiculous Corruption Of Stars field affect me? If I were stronger, how could Rhazor act so brazenly?' This war had been quite a strong wake-up call for Liu Shu. The methods of these interstellar powers were many. Be it in stealth, in methods, in formations, and even in tactics, Liu Shu failed to have the advantage in all of them.

If her soldiers weren't wildly stronger than the Nexus's because of all their buffs, the battlefield would've gone very differently.

"If they didn't have my buffs…" The result was more than clear. Annihilation. Not even her lovers and mothers would've been left alive during the exchange. Liu Shu, who had always felt that her own roots could hold up the sky even if anyone else couldn't, received a resounding slap at the cost of over 1. 5 million lives. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Arrogant. I was arrogant." Shaking her head, Liu Shu steeled her gaze once more.

'Mourning can come later. For now, I'll make sure not a single extra person dies.' So, for the last stretch, the Golden Sap Empire saw enormous roots manifest on the battlefield. While they were there before, their attacks were slightly sluggish. Now, though, these roots would strike at opportune moments, protecting everyone with surgical precision. With Liu Shu's entire focus poured into the battlefield, there was not even one extra death.

Verdantia and the others noticed Liu Shu's protective attacks, and each and every soldier understood Liu Shu's current feelings. This made them all feel that it was worth it. Their World Tree was not indifferent. Each and every single one of them could, without a doubt, feel that their lives were risked for a worthy cause. Even Sarish and Chost pursed their lips, feeling that Xakira had made the right choice this time around.

"Kill!"

"Only a few left!"

"Don't let them go berserk!"

"Formation! Don't lose the formation! A cornered beast will always bite!" The shouts of several generals echoed in the void, constantly controlling the battlefield, while the elites like Ignatia, Verdantia, and the others clashed at the very frontlines. Warlya, whose body was covered in scars of several sizes, her shield tattered and her sword half broken, continued with a cold face.

The Arboreal Winged Serpents, while they lost no one, were showing signs of tiredness since they took the main assault of the Nexus army. For these top-tier predators of the cosmos to show this level of exhaustion, one could tell how brutal this war actually was. Meanwhile, Tempestria and the other three girls moved almost mechanically. Like Warlya and the Arboreal Winged Serpent, they received attacks, venoms, corruption attacks, soul strikes, and many more painful attacks.

Their Phoer might be above 70%, but their mental exhaustion was catching up to them after hours of slaughtering. Finally, Ignatia soared through the void, and her fist landed onto the chest of a soldier. The fist exploded with ridiculous physical energy, and the soldier's chest exploded from the back. With that death, the battlefield turned silent for a second, everyone breathing roughly.

Around them, starships remained floating aimlessly, while corpses of both allies and enemies moved about due to the momentum of the attack that killed them. Ignatia looked around, and she raised her bloody fist. Her armored dress was torn in several places, revealing her injured skin. However, her voice boomed with the strength of a thousand suns.

"Victory is ours!" The Ant Queen's shout reached everyone, and then, everyone burst into deafening cheers.

"YEAHH!"

"WE WON!"

"VICTORY FOR THE HEAVENLY WILLOW!"

"VICTORY FOR THE GOLDEN SAP EMPIRE!" Shouts of both delight and relief reached everyone, people shedding tears from the tense emotions, or laughing and hugging each other regardless of their injuries. Ignatia felt her little fairy sit on her shoulder, her soft body leaning on her head. Flor smiled and spoke.

"We did it." Picking up her little fairy and hugging her tightly to her chest. Ignatia laughed.

"We indeed did. Good job, Flor." The fairy buried her face in Ignatia's neck, exhausted.

"Mhm." Liu Shu observed the battlefield, and without interrupting the celebrations, she silently killed all remaining people hidden within the starships of the Nexus. She, as their World Tree, was naturally willing to sweep those remnants without interrupting their mood. Like always, she was their silent protector and their vanguard. Such was the role Liu Shu believed a World Tree should fulfill. Being both the shadow and guiding light of her people, with her canopy being a sign of peace and protection.

"Thank you, Ophion. You worked hard." Ophion hissed softly, his massive body showing several scars and bald patches where flesh was slowly regenerating.

"No problem, Liu Shu. We are yours, so this is our duty." Many Arboreal Winged Serpents were not too happy about Liu Shu's ability to summon them at first. However, Liu Shu had proven that when Liu Shu summoned them, it was not as cannon fodder, but as true helpers. Moreover, she didn't abuse her summoning skill to the point that the Arboreal Winged Serpents were not about to urge Liu Shu to use them more often.

Plus, as the <World Tree Calling> strengthened, those connected could feel and perceive Liu Shu to a certain extent. They could all feel how much Liu Shu cared for them. Therefore, the Arboreal Winged Serpents would always answer Liu Shu's call. Therefore, the Arboreal Winged Serpents would fight, putting their lives on the line. Liu Shu used her roots to pat these adorable winged serpents, making all of them hiss in delight.

"So cute~." Warlya, having fought alongside these serpents, smiled at them as well.

"Thank you for protecting us. Without you, many more would've died." Ophion looked at the heroic World Tree and nodded. Then, they all slithered back toward the green portal. Seeing the serpents leave, the army people waved their arms at them, shouting words of gratitude like seeing off heroes. So, carrying their battle scars, the Arboreal Winged Serpents returned home. Liu Shu looked around and stretched her roots slowly to "pick up" all the stray starships.

"Go rest. Leave this place to me. Once you've recovered, you can come back and pick up the things here. Lastly…" The World Tree's voice spread throughout her domain, sounding gentle, calm, and soothing.

"Thank you for protecting the Golden Sap Empire… Thank you for protecting me."

"Long Live the Heavenly Willow!" Slowly, everyone left alive returned to the few dozen starships left functional on their side for a return trip. Meanwhile, Liu Shu made sure to take care of the battlefield loot and also shifted her gaze toward another part of the battlefield. Obsidianis and Seraphina stood among hundreds of thousands of corpses, the starships having all been destroyed or neutralized by them. Looking at these two, Liu Shu honestly felt a faint headache. She didn't know how to deal with them.

However, it was the truth that they helped her. So, after much struggling, Liu Shu chose to give them a vote of confidence. Her strange feeling of trust toward them also played a part in this decision.

"Seraphina, Obsidianis, thank you. Please come to my home planet, Ceperet. I'll be waiting for you there." The two Sylvans felt as if they were granted a holy reward and quickly nodded, flying toward their starship at ridiculous speed. Their enthusiasm made Liu Shu somewhat speechless.