RNP Chapter 840 The Situation of the World Tree
Chapter 840 The Situation of the World Tree
(This chapter was written hastily to get the perfect attendance bonus for this month. I had to catch up on the chapters I missed yesterday, and there wasn't enough time for me to write another chapter. So this chapter was entirely run by AI. I'll add more later. You can read it when I update tomorrow.)
As the first rays of dawn pierced the thin, veil-like mist above Sumeru City, Ying and her companions walked slowly along the stone-paved path toward the Institute of the Church—a sacred academic temple hailed as the pinnacle of wisdom on the continent of Teyvat. Sunlight streamed onto the towering dome, its gilded patterns shimmering in the light, as if the entire building were whispering ancient secrets of knowledge. The massive archway, like the open mouth of a behemoth, welcomed every seeker of knowledge, while the stone statues standing on either side of the entrance were the embodiment of sages of the past, silently guarding this sanctuary of thought.
The air was filled with the interplay of the fresh scent of herbs and the ancient aroma of ink from parchment scrolls. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the Tree of Wisdom in the courtyard, like the chanting of long-lost incantations. Students moved about in twos and threes through the corridors, some hurrying along with books, others sitting in groups discussing, their voices—debates, laughter, and the rustling of pages—creating a unique academic symphony. Their robes fluttered in the wind, and the badges of their schools of thought on their chests shimmered with different lights: the rational blue of the Reason School, the insightful eye of the Clarity School, the life-giving green ring of the Elementary School… Each symbol represented a way of thinking, a path to exploring the essence of the world.
Ying stood in the center of the square, gazing up at the towering Central Library, a surge of emotion welling up within her. She had heard Nasita mention that it housed the most complete collection of documents and texts since the founding of the Seven Kingdoms, even including some forbidden knowledge long forgotten by the world. Now, she was no longer the novice traveler relying solely on intuition, but an explorer burdened with a mission, seeking the truth. She gently stroked the hilt of her sword, her gaze resolute.
“This place is even more magnificent than I imagined.” Paimon flew in mid-air, her eyes shining like stars. “Do you think there might be books that record the ‘Secrets of Sky Island’? Or legends about the ‘Primordial People’?” She circled excitedly, almost bumping into an old scholar carrying a thick book.
Kong walked beside her, his expression slightly complicated. He had once wandered the shadows as a messenger of the abyss, but now he stood proudly in this bright hall of knowledge, as if from another world. "I never thought that one day I would stand here in this capacity," he said softly, his tone carrying an indescribable sense of emotion.
Just then, a series of crisp footsteps came from the side. Tinari, holding a recorder's tablet and wearing the uniform of a Patrol Officer of the Church, approached with a smile. "Welcome to the Church, travelers. The Sage has been waiting for you in the Palace of Wisdom for some time. She has important information to share with you." His voice was gentle yet undeniable, as if it could penetrate through the chaos of thoughts and reach the very heart.
Guided by Tinari, the group traversed layers of academic areas, passing the alchemy lab, the elemental calculation hall, and even the outer perimeter of the forbidden book chamber. Each place was orderly, yet concealed hidden secrets. Occasionally, mechanical constructs could be seen delivering messages through the corridors, or a student using grass elements to catalyze the rapid growth of experimental plants—a dazzling spectacle.
Finally, they arrived at the gates of the Palace of Wisdom. Two massive doors inlaid with mithril slowly opened, revealing a domed hall with a sphere of light suspended in the center, formed from pure knowledge and constantly displaying runes and images—one of the materialized projections of Narcida's consciousness.
"You've arrived." A gentle and calm voice rang out, and the figure of the Grass God quietly appeared. "This time, I need your help to unravel a history that has been deliberately buried. And the clues to all of this are hidden in the 'Memory Corridor' at the deepest part of this academy."
Ying took a deep breath and gripped her brother's hand tightly. She knew that entering the Order of the Church was not just entering a school, but also opening a door to a mystery interwoven with the past and the future. And their journey had only just begun.