Chapter 933. Temple Evolution.

Chapter 933: Chapter 933. Temple Evolution.

Author Note: Ahem. This Chapter is a complete transformation of ALL temples. Now they follow a structure, and much more. It’s much cleaner. I’ve added the changes that affect Liu Shu’s stats to the Excel sheet as well, so yeah, I won’t miss anything... I hope.

It took quite a long time to organize everything, think of the evolution paths, etc. Anyway, this Chapter is for those Dears who really like skill changes, etc. There is little to no plot advancement other than some reactions to the temple changes from people around. Just some fun snippets to make the MASSIVE stat dump feel amenable. Haha.

(I’ve also tried to compare what they were before with what they’ve become with arrows and such. Idk if it is cleaner or not, to be honest. It might’ve been better to just upload them without arrows... Anyway, tell me if you prefer with or without them.)

EN~JOY!

***

Liu Shu was 355 years old when her domain, quite literally, trembled. It wasn’t subtle either. All World Trees, Life Trees, and anyone above Level 100 were startled and began looking around, their senses perceiving the changes.

The first thing they felt was many of Liu Shu’s blessings leaving their bodies.

[You’ve lost <Mortal-Growth Blessing>.]

[You’ve lost <Fatebrushing Blessing>.]

[You’ve lost <Ingenuity Blessing>.]

[You’ve lost <Realms Blessing>.]

[You’ve lost <Eternity Blessing>.]

[You’ve lost <Faith Blessing>.]

[You’ve lost <Order Blessing>.]

For a second, everyone felt their hearts drop to the pit of their stomachs. Just for that moment, they thought that something had happened to Liu Shu, the Heavenly Willow. Even Zaros and the others, who were on the front lines, felt their faces pale for a few seconds.

Liu Shu, meanwhile, was dazed. Even her Avatar stopped, her eyes staring at the void. The Sylvans around her panicked a little.

"L-Liu Shu!?"

"Love! What’s wrong?"

Liu Shu didn’t answer for a few seconds, and when chaos was about to descend, the world stopped. It was a momentary freeze that affected the whole domain, as if something had unlinked and relinked.

This was caused by the deep effects the new <Temples> had on Liu Shu’s core existence. Once that happened, the first of all of them transformed. Seen from outside, it was an incredible spectacle.

"Ah... My babies have finally evolved. No wonder it took so long."

Hearing Liu Shu’s words, they instinctively looked toward the <Temples>.

Liu Shu’s initial <Life Temple> bloomed like a massive flower. Its structure and all linked <Temple Seeds> transformed as pure ternary essence poured into its foundation.

Within seconds, the structure became a gorgeous black-and-green lotus, with opposite-colored spots cycling around each other. The lotus was over 500 meters tall, towering above most of the golden Sap City’s <Lignified Structures>.

Everyone noticed, their eyes widening.

[Congratulations!...

That voice snapped everyone out of their daze and made them look at their system.

...You’ve gained blessing: <Mortality Blessing (S- Rank)>.]

***

<Temple Of Mortality>

Life + Death + Reincarnation | Nemesis Path

<Mortality Blessing (S- Rank)>: While under its influence, you become an inherent part of the Mortality Cycle, naturally healing all non-mortal injuries with enough time. *NEW* Additionally, your soul is reinforced in preparation for its next reincarnation according to your accumulated Karma. There is a faint chance of becoming <Mortality-Touched> and gaining a <Title> with the same name. While under the effects of the Blessing or the Title, you gain:

Learning and comprehension of Life-, Death-, → Life-, Death-, Soul-, and Reincarnation-aligned Aether, spells, or principles increase by 400% → 1000%.When killing a creature not under this Blessing, you may absorb a portion of its fading vitality to restore health and accelerate regeneration. *NEW* Killing beings whose deaths benefit the Mortality Cycle may also reduce accumulated negative Karma.All Life-, Death-, and Soul-related healing, weakening, purification, decay, and restoration effects become 25% → 40% stronger.Resistance to Death-aligned → Death-aligned energies, Soul attacks, decay, rot, miasma, curses, and similar effects increases by 30% → 50%.Natural lifespan increases by 40% → 70%.Experience Points required to improve Life-, Death-, Soul-, or Reincarnation-related skills are reduced by 20% → 25%.*NEW* <Mortality Resonance>: When witnessing a birth or death, you gain a temporary increase of 20% to Life-, Death-, and Soul-related skill effectiveness. This effect cannot stack and lasts for one hour.

<Mortality-Touched>: You may convert Phoer Body Essence into Aether Mana or Anima Energy at an exchange rate of 5:1 → 3.5:1. You may also burn fragments of your lifespan to gain a temporary surge of power, suffering permanent, unhealable damage proportional to the sacrifice. *NEW* Additionally, your soul retains a faint imprint of its accumulated experiences after death, increasing the likelihood of retaining fragments of memories, affinities, or instincts during your next reincarnation.

***

Everyone’s jaw dropped. Every number and description was crazy, but what was the most ridiculous thing was the lifespan. Liu Shu already had a buff that increased lifespan and reduced aging in her <Talent>, so combined with the new 70% here... Even a normal Level 0 human could almost live to 200 without much effort.

As for the rest, especially the unique <Mortality-Touched>, they were effects that caused them to drool.

But this was nothing but the start.

Even as everyone was digesting, Liu Shu’s seven daughters were ruthless, and the next one completed her transformation.

The temple of <Destiny> became a gorgeous, white, gold, and pink tree with a towering canopy as large as her sister. Full 500 meters high.

[Congratulations! You’ve gained blessing: <Fateweaving Blessing (S- Rank)>.]

***

<Temple Of Fateweaving>

Destiny + Prophecy + Causality | Synergy Path

<Fateweaving Blessing (S- Rank)>: While under its influence, you become increasingly attuned to the threads of fate and the causal relationships connecting past, present, and future. *NEW* You may instinctively recognize opportunities to influence unfolding events, weaving favorable outcomes through your own actions. There is a faint chance of becoming <Fateweaving-Touched> and gaining a <Title> with the same name. While under the effects of the Blessing or the Title, you gain:

Comprehension of Destiny-, Fate-, Probability-, Prophecy-, → Destiny-, Fate-, Probability-, Prophecy-, and Causality-aligned Aether, laws, or principles increases by 400% → 1000%.You gain enhanced <Prophetic Glimpses>, revealing short-term future possibilities *NEW* and the actions most likely to influence them. Clarity scales with perception, comprehension, and relative influence over the individuals and events involved.Actions taken during pivotal or fated moments gain a 25% → 40% increase in effectiveness, accuracy, or success rate. *NEW* Consecutive actions contributing toward the same desired outcome gain slightly improved synergy.*NEW* Once per day, you may subtly weave fate to alter a single outcome in your favor, converting a failure into a partial success or mitigating a disastrous result. The alteration may also influence minor preceding circumstances, provided the overall causal chain remains plausible. *NEW* This effect fails against existences whose influence over fate substantially exceeds your own.Resistance to fate interference, destiny manipulation, probability distortion, curses of inevitability, and forced causality increases by 30% → 50%.Experience Points required to improve Destiny-, Fate-, Probability-, Prophecy-, or Causality-related skills are reduced by 20% → 25%.*NEW* <Fateweaving Resonance>: When two or more of your deliberate actions contribute toward the same objective, you gain a temporary 20% increase in the effectiveness of subsequent actions supporting that objective. This effect cannot stack and lasts for one hour after activation.

<Fateweaving-Touched>: You gain a passive awareness of major branching outcomes, instinctively perceiving which decisions may carry significant long-term consequences. *NEW* Additionally, you can faintly perceive the causal threads connecting your past actions to present circumstances, allowing you to recognize opportunities to guide events toward a desired future. *NEW* This perception does not reveal exact outcomes or guarantee success.

***

Fortuna thanked the branches above her that she was a tree, because she saw some of the Star Chart Newts around her trip or collide with each other from shock. Some of them even fainted.

This <Temple> was no longer as vague as somewhat manipulating luck. No. This was full-blown fateweaving. You couldn’t guarantee outcomes yet, but its effects, affecting the entire population, were monstrous enough that no one could measure how deep its impact would run through society.

They also noticed the <Resonance> was not a special <Title>. Everyone had this new <Temple> entry.

And it was while the Star Chart Newts were tripping about that the third one blossomed.

The <Craft Temple>, now evolved far beyond its initial effects, has finally merged with the <War> concept. Its body grew, gorgeously slick like an industrial tree. Its bark was harder than metal, and its leaves were deep brown to red. Under its surface, sap flowed like molten magma.

The new 500-meter-tall behemoth revealed itself and boomed out her blessing.

[Congratulations! You’ve gained blessing: <Mastery Blessing (S- Rank)>.]

***

<Temple Of Mastery>

Craft + Civilization + War | Synergy Path

<Mastery Blessing (S- Rank)>: *NEW* While under its influence, beings gain heightened craftsmanship, combat proficiency, and organizational capabilities, allowing them to advance their civilization through creation, cooperation, and conflict. There is a faint chance of becoming <Mastery-Touched> and gaining the corresponding <Title>. While under the Blessing or Title, you gain:

Comprehension and innovation in Craft-, Civilization-, → Craft-, Civilization-, and War-related techniques, technologies, and principles increase by 500% → 1000%.Construction, crafting, refinement, → Construction, crafting, refinement, and maintenance speed increase by 50% → 70%, *NEW* with an additional 20% efficiency when working on military equipment.Working → Working or fighting alongside allies increase efficiency, precision → efficiency, precision, and coordination by 35% → 50%, *NEW* improving both collaborative craftsmanship and battlefield formations.Crafted items have a 0.5% → 1% chance to gain a minor blessing, improving their quality by one sub-tier and granting a simple special effect. *NEW* Equipment used by its creator or a trained wielder gains 20% effectiveness.Created or maintained tools, structures, and devices gain 30% → 50% durability *NEW* and 20% functionality (excluding Temples). *NEW* During organized combat or territorial defense, your <Aether>, <Physique>, and <Anima> Stats increase by 15%.Organizational, technical, and military methods spread 20% → 35% faster. Experience Points required for Craft-, Civilization-, and War-related skills decrease by 20% → 25%.*NEW* <Mastery Resonance>: When three or more allies cooperate toward a shared objective, their relevant skills gain 20% effectiveness for one hour. During combat, their three primary Stats also increase by 20%. Cannot stack or activate more than once daily.

<Mastery-Touched>: You instinctively perceive structural flaws, tactical weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement in creations, formations, and combat techniques. *NEW* Your familiarity with equipment you create or modify deepens, improving its handling and allowing you to sense developing malfunctions.

***

This time, it was time for the military establishment to almost lose it. Forget the crafters, who were, by no means, calm. The soldiers and everyone in combat professions felt as if everything was suddenly flipped upside down, in a very good way!

The cheers of soldiers as they hugged each other were an emotional sight. They had never felt even an ounce of complaint, but this change made them feel seen by the Supreme Heavenly Willow. To say that the morale of the military was at an all-time high was not an exaggeration.

It was far from over, though. Everyone now understood what was happening, and their sights shifted toward the next <Temple>.

The temple bloomed. The <Temple Of Summoning> Liu Shu once built, now unrecognizable from its original form, transformed into a glorious blue, silver, and purple cluster of Night Sky Petunias blooming upward for 500 meters. Each gargantuan flower looked as if it was plucked straight from the cosmos.

[Congratulations! You’ve gained blessing: <Link Blessing (S- Rank)>.]

***

<Temple Of Links>

Summoning + Dimensions + Connection | Synergy Path

<Link Blessing (S- Rank)>: While under its influence, your connections with summons, dimensions, and other realms strengthen. Summoning bonds become more stable, subdimensions grow sturdier, and connections between separate spaces become easier to establish. There is a faint chance of becoming <Link-Touched> and gaining a <Title> with the same name. While under the Blessing or Title, you gain:

Comprehension of Summoning-, Dimension-, Space-, and Connection-related techniques or principles increases by 400% → 1000%.You may maintain up to 3 → 5 summons without consuming energy, provided their individual upkeep does not exceed your maximum sustainable output.All Golem-, Living-, and Dimensional-type summons gain 50% Stats and improved stability. *NEW* Their bonds become harder to sever.Summoning upkeep costs decrease by 70% → 85% *NEW*, while contract stability and energy-transfer efficiency increase by 30%.*NEW* Subdimensions and summoning spaces gain 50% capacity and stability. Creating passages between compatible spaces costs 30% less energy.*NEW* Summoning success and dimensional manipulation efficiency increase by 35%. Experience requirements for related skills decrease by 25%.*NEW* <Link Resonance>: When two or more allied summons or connected realms work toward the same objective, their shared connections gain 20% effectiveness for one hour, allowing limited energy and perception sharing. Cannot stack.

<Link-Touched>: Dimensional skills gain 20% → 30% effectiveness, and developing a personal realm becomes easier. *NEW* You may also establish a persistent link between two compatible spaces under your control, allowing limited exchanges of energy, information, or small objects.

***

This time, it was both summoners, World Trees, and the ant colonies who cheered. Even the everworking ants raised their jaws and clanked them in happiness at the gift given by their Eldest Sister.

Ignatia laughed as she hugged Liu Shu and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Baby."

Liu Shu giggled. "You should say that to Little Link as well."

"Of course, your sisters and I will go later to pamper her. I will leave several ants to take care of her gorgeous flowers!"

The World Trees, and even Tree and Stella, were delighted, as this helped them to a level beyond words.

The next one was the baby Liu Shu was, personally, the most excited about. What happened at the next temple stole everyone’s breath.

The <Temple> bloomed upward like a massive eastern dragon made of flowers, then began chasing itself through its vines. It moved so fast it caught up to its own motion, creating a three-dimensional tree in perpetual motion that constantly changed form. Its colors, a mix of lilac, gold, and white, made everyone stare, mesmerized by the constantly moving structure.

[Congratulations! You’ve gained blessing: <Infinite Eternity Blessing (S- Rank)>.]

***

<Temple Of Infinite Eternity>

Eternity + Infinity | Synergy Path

*NEW* <Infinite Eternity Blessing (S- Rank)>: While under its influence, beings gain a deeper connection to the endless flow of time and the boundless potential of existence. Temporal abilities become stronger and more stable, while the limits of personal growth and energy circulation become easier to approach. You gain 100% resistance to adverse <Eternal> energy effects. There is a minuscule chance of becoming <Infinite Eternity-Touched> and gaining a <Title> with the same name. While under the effects of the Blessing or Title, you gain:

*NEW* Comprehension of Eternity-, Time-, and Infinity-related energies, techniques, laws, and principles increases by 1000%.Temporal buffs you give or receive last 50% → 100% longer, while temporal debuffs you inflict last 50% → 100% longer.All temporal effects gain 25% → 40% potency *NEW*, while temporal manipulation costs 20% less energy.*NEW* <Aether>, <Physique>, and <Anima> increase by 15%. This bonus also applies to living structures and World Trees.*NEW* Maximum Ternary Essence capacity increases by 20%, while energy regeneration increases by 250% and circulation efficiency increases by 25% (Efficiency Doesn’t Affect Perfect Cycles).Temporal interference resistance increases by 25% → 50%, *NEW* and Experience Points required to improve Eternity-, Time-, or Infinity-related skills decrease by 25%.*NEW* <Infinite Eternity Resonance>: When maintaining an ability, Domain, formation, or other sustained effect for at least one minute, its stability and energy efficiency increase by 20% for one hour. This effect cannot stack and can activate once per day per individual.

<Infinite Eternity-Touched>: You may perceive time at different rates according to your circumstances, greatly enhancing your ability to respond to rapidly unfolding events. *NEW* Additionally, you can briefly accelerate or decelerate your personal perception of time, and sustained abilities under your control gradually become more energy-efficient the longer they remain active.

***

It wasn’t just Liu Shu. All Explorers, soldiers, and practically absolutely everyone were stunned. This <Temple> was not as niche as its previous version. Not in the slightest.

It gave stats, domain strengthening, ternary essence capacity, and many more interesting buffs that could benefit everyone from Level 1 to Level 300 or more.

Liu Shu giggled, delighted by her baby’s evolution path.

The next temple that bloomed was, in most people’s opinion, the most beautiful. As it bloomed upward, its form reminded everyone of a certain someone.

Where the <Faith Temple> had been, a gorgeous willow tree with flowing light orange leaves and divine sap pulsing through its surface in purple entered everyone’s sight. That wasn’t only it. Surprisingly, the structure’s trunk gained a faint but clearly distinguishable feminine figure resembling Liu Shu’s main body.

[Congratulations! You’ve gained blessing: <Divinity Blessing (S- Rank)>.]

***

<Temple Of Divinity>

Faith + Divinity | Synergy Path

<Divinity Blessing (S- Rank)>: While under its influence, conviction crystallizes into power, *NEW* allowing beings to channel a fragment of divinity through their faith. Belief in gods, ideals, or oneself becomes a source of strength, reinforcing the body, soul, and spirit. There is a faint chance of becoming <Divinity-Touched> and gaining a <Title> with the same name. While under the effects of the Blessing or the Title, you gain:

*NEW* Comprehension of Faith-, Divinity-, Holy-, and Belief-related energies, techniques, laws, or principles increases by 1000%.Faith Essence generation and efficiency increase by 50% → 100%. *NEW* Faith-related abilities also gain 30% increased effectiveness.Once a month, you may invoke the presence of your chosen object of worship. Your <System Page> numerical values increase by up to 20% → 25% of the worshipped being’s Stats for two minutes, without exceeding 150% → 175% of what your body can bear. *NEW* For faith directed toward ideals or oneself, the enhancement scales with the strength and consistency of one’s conviction.Allies sharing a genuine cause with you may collectively absorb up to 10% → 20% of the damage you receive, distributing the burden among willing participants. *NEW* Damage sharing cannot be used to bypass fundamental differences in resistance or existence.*NEW* Resistance to mind control, illusions, despair, spiritual corruption, and faith interference increases by 50%. While acting in accordance with deeply held convictions, your three primary Stats increase by 10%.*NEW* Faith-based abilities, blessings, and divine manifestations last 50% longer. Experience Points required to improve Faith-, Divinity-, or related skills decrease by 25%.*NEW* <Divinity Resonance>: When three or more individuals sharing a genuine faith or ideal cooperate toward the same objective, their Faith-related abilities and resistance to spiritual interference increase by 20% for one hour. This effect cannot stack and activates at most once per day.

<Divinity-Touched>: Your faith becomes a stable foundation of your existence. Illusions, mind control, and despair-type effects cannot override your will unless their potency surpasses your Faith’s strength by 300%. *NEW* Additionally, you may manifest a faint Divine Presence aligned with your worshipped being or ideal, strengthening the resolve of nearby allies and slightly suppressing hostile spiritual influences.

***

The <Eternal Church> members fell to their knees, praying toward the manifestation, which was similar to Liu Shu’s main body but with its colors changed to ensure she didn’t misappropriate Liu Shu’s image.

Liu Shu naturally noticed her intent, and she almost ran over to hug her baby and squeeze her with a thousand root hugs. Forget almost, her roots hugged all her darlings tightly! Super proud of their changes.

As she did that, the final baby matured. When it grew to 500 meters, it didn’t inspire awe like those who came before.

The Temple’s structure was incredibly... uncanny.

Half of it looked like a gorgeous tree with a white trunk and black leaves. However, the tree’s branches and leaves felt odd; they looked unnervingly symmetrical. Each leaf was identical to the other, the distance between them identical to a mind-disturbing degree.

The other half was not any better. A white, twisting trunk that grew branches wherever it wanted entered their sights simultaneously. Its black leaves were all different: some bloomed from stems, others became flower-shaped, and a few twisted into one another as if they were ingrown.

Yet, right in the middle, a small section mixed black and white in the leaves and trunk, showing a perfectly normal tree.

The combination of the three parts that made it whole made people who looked at it too long feel a touch of vertigo.

Liu Shu tensed up and crossed her roots, hoping that her baby’s combination would result in something positive.

[Congratulations! You’ve gained blessing: <Change Blessing (S- Rank)>.]

***

<Temple Of Change>

Order + Chaos | Nemesis Path

*NEW* <Change Blessing (S- Rank)>: While under its influence, beings become attuned to the balance between Order and Chaos, gaining the ability to embrace unpredictable changes without losing their inherent stability. Beneficial abnormalities become more frequent, while destructive fluctuations are subtly restrained. You gain 100% resistance to ordinary <Order> and <Chaos> energy effects. There is a faint chance of becoming <Change-Touched> and gaining a <Title> with the same name. While under the effects of the Blessing or the Title, you gain:

*NEW* Comprehension of Order-, Chaos-, Change-, and Transformation-related energies, techniques, laws, or principles increases by 1000%.Random variance in the effectiveness of your actions ranges from -20% to +20% → -10% to +30%. Negative outcomes are less likely, *NEW* while favorable fluctuations become more frequent.*NEW* Every <Talent> or <Passive Skill> activated has a 15% chance to be cast a second time without additional cost. The repeated activation cannot directly harm allies unless deliberately permitted.Successful attacks have a 1% → 3% chance to generate a random elemental explosion with 50% → 100% of the original attack’s strength. *NEW* These explosions naturally prioritize hostile targets and avoid those you consider allies.Repeated actions gradually gain up to 25% → 35% increased efficiency and precision. *NEW* When an unexpected event disrupts your actions, you may retain up to 50% of your accumulated efficiency instead of losing it entirely.*NEW* Resistance to uncontrolled transformations, chaotic corruption, forced alterations, and destabilizing abnormalities increases by 50%. Experience Points required to improve Order-, Chaos-, and Change-related skills decrease by 25%.*NEW* <Change Resonance>: When an unexpected event significantly alters your circumstances, you gain 20% increased adaptability, resistance, and effectiveness toward overcoming the resulting situation for one hour. This effect cannot stack and activates at most once daily.

<Change-Touched>: You instinctively perceive irregularities in the natural order and can faintly distinguish beneficial changes from harmful abnormalities. *NEW* Unpredictable effects during combat, crafting, or spellcasting become more favorable, and you may occasionally stabilize an otherwise disastrous fluctuation before it fully manifests. Your existence also becomes more resistant to involuntary alterations caused by external Chaos influences.

***

Liu Shu threw her arms up with her <Avatar>.

"YES! YES! IT CAME OUT GREAT! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, MY BABY!"

This was exactly what Liu Shu had been expecting from the combination of Chaos and Order. A fun yet relatively harmless mix of both Blessings! Now, there was no need for Order Zones. She could finally spread the <Change Blessing> throughout her entire domain!

Moreover, with the <Fateweaving Blessing> helping people anticipate unfavorable outcomes, alongside the countless protections provided by her other <Temples> and her own abilities, the chances of a chaotic accident causing serious harm were incredibly low. At least, Liu Shu was confident that the combined effects would be more than enough to keep everything under control!

"Hehehe! Random explosions for everyone! HEHEHE!"

Liu Shu was so delighted that her massive roots reached toward Little Change and wrapped around her, giving the strange Temple an enormous hug.

"Ughhh! My baby is so good! Such a wonderful Blessing!"

The Temple of Change trembled happily, its orderly and chaotic halves swaying in completely different directions. Yet, strangely enough, neither movement interfered with the other.

The other six Temples watched their youngest sister being pampered and couldn’t help but laugh. Soon, all seven joined in, their enormous bodies swaying gently as their roots extended toward their mother.

Liu Shu noticed and giggled. "What is it, babies? Do you all want hugs too? Come here! Mommy has enough roots for everyone!"

However, instead of immediately embracing her, the seven Temples exchanged a peculiar resonance.

Liu Shu blinked. "Hmm?"

The next moment, seven different lights bloomed from their cores. Each carried a distinct energy, yet none clashed with the others. They flowed toward Liu Shu like seven gentle streams, entering her roots before spreading throughout her enormous body.

Ding~!

[Congratulations! You’ve acquired <Title: Mortality-Touched>!]

[Congratulations! You’ve acquired <Title: Fateweaving-Touched>!]

[Congratulations! You’ve acquired <Title: Mastery-Touched>!]

[Congratulations! You’ve acquired <Title: Link-Touched>!]

[Congratulations! You’ve acquired <Title: Infinite Eternity-Touched>!]

[Congratulations! You’ve acquired <Title: Divinity-Touched>!]

[Congratulations! You’ve acquired <Title: Change-Touched>!]

Liu Shu widened her eyes. "...OwO!?"

She looked at the notifications, then at her seven daughters. "Wah! You updated Mommy’s titles first!?"

The Temples swayed happily, their branches and flowers rustling as if answering the most obvious question in the world.

Liu Shu felt delighted, thrilled. ’Ah! I love my babies!’

She had built them, raised them, protected them, and watched them slowly grow into the magnificent structures they had become today. Seeing their evolution was already more than enough to make her happy.

Yet, here they were, offering their mother the greatest gifts they could give.

Liu Shu’s branches trembled softly. Then, her expression bloomed into an enormous smile. "Hehehe... My babies are really the best!"

Her roots surged forward, enveloping all seven Temples in a gigantic embrace.

"Mommy loves you all so, so, so much!"

And under the gentle laughter of seven enormous living Temples, the Heavenly Willow spent the next several hours doing something far more important than reviewing her newly acquired Titles.

She pampered her daughters.

A lot.