Thalia passed her hand through her red hair and sighed. "Liu Shu, look, I like you quite a lot. However, you need to understand that each of the Empires has a central World Tree that is tied to them deeply. The reason that our powers have the leisure to give you the ability to expand here as long as you don't touch our territory is simply because the continent we are in doesn't have a 'main' World Tree."

Liu Shu listened to her words and asked. "So, this continent is quite wild in that sense. What is stopping those World Trees from expanding here?"

Thalia rolled her eyes. "Do you think I know about the secrets of the possibly most ancient beings in our world? I don't know. I just know that this continent, even when mostly controlled by the , is relatively one of the freest. Of the other six continents, four of them are completely dominated by a 'main' World Tree, while the last two have powerful non-Arborarchy governments."

Kael added. "One of those four continents is entirely controlled by the Nexus, by the way."

Flor blinked. "Wasn't their ideology something like human supremacy? Even then, they have a World Tree themselves?"

Kael shrugged. "The intricacies of the higher echelons are a mystery for most, Flor. We are just subordinates following orders."

Flor sighed and leaned back, looking at both of them with a complicated expression. "If we don't accept, will you stop supporting us?"

Kael and Thalia smiled, and Thalia answered. "We won't really stop supporting you. However, instead of complete support, only our branches will help you."

Flor blinked. "Huh?"

Kael grinned. "What? Did you expect us to be so heartless? As Thalia said, we like Liu Shu quite a lot, so we will not stand on the sidelines while you get overrun." Kael sighed. "However, the support we can give you is extremely limited. At most, five people, us included, together with 500 more troops with a Level 20 average. That's the maximum aid we can give you if you don't accept."

Thalia added, seeing Flor's pleasant surprise. "If you accept, the numbers can become five or six times higher."

Flor paused and hummed. "Each of your powers has around 25 powerhouses laying around ready for battle?"

Thalia smiled proudly. "Being part of the main Empires opens the doors to many resources."

Flor laughed faintly. "I see." Then, she stayed silent for a few moments. She smiled a bit sadly and said. "I guess that we won't be able to have as deep of a cooperation as I anticipated. I appreciate that you will keep part of your forces around even then."

Kael crossed his muscular arms and commented. "I admire that from you, Flor. Sticking to your beliefs with courage and determination. Although they might be a straight path toward a cliff, no one will really become successful unless they take the risk."

Flor shook her head. "It's not courage that pushes me; it's Liu Shu." Flor sighed. "That pretty World Tree is my race's home and the source of everything we've achieved in the last years. If she burns down, we will burn down with her."

Liu Shu listened, but she didn't change her opinion on the matter. She could compromise on anything except constricting her innate freedom as a World Tree.

[Congratulations on completely assimilating the ! It has become your domain and your influence in the land will bring it several benefits.]

Out of nowhere, this System message popped into her sight, surprising Liu Shu. 'Oh?'

[Assimilation of a is the first step in the journey of a World Tree. Having assimilated the will give you a special