Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

Chapter 168. [Temple Of Summoning] Stunning Effects.

Liu Shu was thoughtful as she looked at the constructed building. The <Temple Of Summoning> that she finished was not giving her any notifications, even when she had completely finished everything. 

'What's wrong?'

The World Tree couldn't help but look around it as if she would see a loose wall or something. However, the tree-like Temple Of Summoning was perfectly constructed. Regardless of where she looked, she could not spot any mistakes at all. 'What if I send energy into the building? I already used another 100,000 Aether Mana Shards and Anima Energy Shards for the runes on the walls… However, nothing has activated, even after consuming everything.'

Liu Shu pouted. 'Did I waste all that energy for nothing? System! Wisdom! Help QAQ!'

[System Hint: <Temple Of Summoning> is incomplete. It needs a connection.]

The World Tree was confused. 'Connection? What type of connection?'

[System Hint: Unable to answer. World Tree Tianlian Liu Shu should discover it by herself.]

Liu Shu harrumphed, huffed, and puffed. 'Silly! Stuuuuupid! Stupid system! Never giving me answers! Hmph! Wisdom! Tell me!"

[...]

[Wisdom: <Temple Of Summoning> is related to…]

Liu Shu was dazed when <World Tree Wisdom> stopped speaking. 'Huh? Do you want me to answer? Then… It is obviously related to summoning.'

[Wisdom: Correct. <Temple Of Summonin> is related to summoning. Therefore, while it appears complete, it is not because of one simple reason.]

Liu Shu waited again, but since no answer came, she spoke. 'Do I need to summon something there?' 

[Wisdom: Correct.]

Liu Shu was dumbfounded. 'Really? Is it that easy? I've been looking at the building for three days straight, not knowing what was happening!'

[...]

The World Tree could feel the speechlessness coming from those three dots, making her feel a bit ashamed. 'Ahem! I am still the most clever Liu Shu! Anyway, let's get to it…'

With now an idea of what to do, Liu Shu channeled <World Tree Calling> onto the <Temple Of Summoning>. 

As soon as she did so, everything went silent. A massive aura descended from the sky that enveloped everything while Liu Shu's aura skyrocketed. 

This time, even the illusion skill on her flickered for a second, giving Flor a mini heart attack. She quickly checked on the other people looking and saw them blinking a few times. Her stomach tightened with worry, but seeing their faces show only confusion and return to normal later, she slightly relaxed. 'That was a close call…'

BOOM!

A massive aura explosion in the <Temple Of Summoning> occurred, creating a powerful wind shockwave that pushed everyone back one step. 

Then, they all received a notification. 

[You are under the influence of the <Temple Of Summoning>; you receive <Summoning Blessing>. Do you want to accept? You will be considered an ally when you accept]

<Summoning Blessing (D- Rank)>: While under the influence, you can have one summon out and avoid any Aether Mana or Anima Energy consumption. 

All ally-summon stats are increased by 20%.

Summon energy maintenance is 20% cheaper. 

The barrier between dimensions is faintly weakened in this area, making it easier for summoners to connect with other-dimensional beings.

NOTE: This buff will only be applied while you are allied with Tianlian Liu Shu. If you use the buff and then betray Tianlian Liu Shu, you will receive a curse for a month, which will negatively apply the stats above. 

Everyone felt their heart jump in fear. This buff was terrifyingly strong, and not only because of the effects. The influence that specialized buffs could give was nothing short of extraordinary. Just this buff alone could make Golden Forest Town a paradise for Summoning people, to the point that fighting the Golden Sap Town would make summoners from all around the continent upset at you.

While everyone outside marveled at the potency of this buff, Liu Shu was being flooded by notifications. 

[Congratulations on building <Temple Of Summoning (E Rank)>! You've received 1,000,000 Proficiency points!]

[<Runic Living Wood City> Tier Up has triggered! <Temple Of Summoning (E Rank)> is enhanced to <Temple Of Summoning (E+ Rank)>!]

[<Wonder Tree Building> activates! <Temple Of Summoning (E+ Rank)> is enhanced to <Temple Of Summoning (D- Rank)>]

[<Seedling World Builder> activates! 10% material cost reduction, returning materials, rounded down.]

[<Runic Living Wood City> second effect activates. You are able to choose a predetermined <Runic Field> to have active in your newly built <Temple Of Summoning (D- Rank)>... Error! <Runic Field> has already been chosen: <Ternary Bark Rune Field>. Do you wish to override?]

Liu Shu looked at the notification and asked. 'Is there any risk if I override?' 

[The newly offered <Runic Field> might not be as strong or suitable as the predetermined one.]

The World Tree got thoughtful and looked at the effects of the current Rune Field. While powerful, this <Runic Field> came with the Low-Rank House she built in the past. Therefore, she was quite sure that the <Temple Of Summoning> would have better options.

Of course, she had no basis for this assumption other than the building costs and the aura that came with it. <Summoning Blessing> affected herself as well, after all.

'Let's override it!'

[Understood! Options to override the <Ternary Bark Rune Field> are the following: <Summon Wisdom Rune Field> or <Summon Potential Rune Field>.]

<Summon Wisdom Rune Field (D- Rank)>: All summons under the effects of <Summoning Blessing> will have their wisdom increased over time, limited by the potential of the summon and Tier of the Rune Field.

<Summon Potential Rune Field (D- Rank)>: All summons under the effects of <Summoning Blessing> will have their potential increased over time, limited by the innate wisdom of the summon and Tier of the Rune Field.

Liu Shu felt her mind hurt. Both <Rune Fields> sounded so tempting. 'It is almost worth it to build two <Temple Of Summonings> to have their respective auras interact with each other.'

[Request Impossible. Tianlian Liu Shu doesn't have enough strength or wisdom to keep up two <Temples> running simultaneously.]

This message stunned Liu Shu. 'What do you mean?'

[Tianlian Liu Shu will have the ability to build one new <Temple> per major <Energy Cycle>.]

Liu Shu asked, curious. 'What are <Temples>?'

[Wisdom: <Temples> are buildings with extremely powerful effects. They affect the World Tree that builds them and also the creatures that follow that World Tree. They are also able to curse creatures who betray the World Tree.]

The World Tree looked at that and paused. 'Wait, won't this reveal that I am a World Tree to those who know about <Temples>?'

[Wisdom: Unable to answer. <Temple> related information is almost non-existent.]

Liu Shu sighed. 'Ugh… Flor won't be happy about this…'

The World Tree looked at the building, and in the end, she chose to go with the <Summon Potential Rune Field>. While wisdom was essential, Liu Shu knew that potential ruled even above it. Unlocking potential also proved that it could increase intellect and wisdom, as it did in the Rose Fairies case. Flor was a clear example. 

Speaking of the appearance of the building, the <Temple Of Summoning> was majestic to look at. With a pristine white and green bark, the tree-like structure was shaped like an entanglement of trees, forming the shape of a giant mausoleum with a wide and verdant green canopy that ethereally glowed green. 

<World Tree's Endless Library> was a mix of brown and white colors as well, with an elegant and aristocratic shape and several pavilions. In the middle, there was an open space where a large garden full of flowers grew, giving the surroundings a calming and serene aura. 

In the town that had beautiful but overall common-looking tree-houses, these two buildings stuck out like a sore thumb. Exquisite architecture and rune crafting left the onlookers awestruck. 

Liu Shu hummed and thought about what Summon she should deploy. After all, thanks to the building, she now had the ability to summon one of them permanently. 'Do I call one of those two? But…' The World Tree remembered how much they grew on the other side. Summoning them where she was would stump their progress and eventually push them to become weaker. 'I should summon a new one and keep it here permanently until they are a bit weak comparatively. Then, I'll summon a stronger one and continue replacing them like that.' 

Then, Liu Shu looked around and saw Flor glaring at her. It was clear that she was not happy. Like a child who did something wrong, Liu Shu communicated with Flor. 'Um… Hello, Flor.'

Flor raised both her eyebrows, her arms still crossed. "Hello."

Liu Shu would've winced if she had a human body. 'I am sorry…'

Flor spoke flatly. "Oh. Why?"

Liu Shu muttered. 'I should've told Flor before I spent so much energy.'

Flor wanted to keep an angered face, but she just couldn't. Although it was for Liu Shu's own good, it was the truth that she was trying to restrict a World Tree from doing things that were normal for the mythical being. 

World Trees were creatures that stood out even when doing the simplest things. They were just wonders of nature that made themselves known because each of their steps was a massive stomp that made the earth around them tremble, alerting everybody.

Could Flor blame Liu Shu? She really couldn't. She was practically blaming Liu Shu for breathing too loudly. However, Flor was scared that everything would crumble down. She was scared for her cute little tree that had grown so big. "Liu Shu, you did nothing wrong. However, try to… I don't know…" 

Flor sat on a table and leaned on her hands. "Liu Shu, is there a way to avoid these aura bursts? You almost revealed yourself. Your illusion skill flickered for a fraction of a second, revealing your true body. Some of the Explorers were also looking your way, so I don't know if they know or not."

Liu Shu answered softly. 'If I take longer to do things, I should be able to avoid powerful energy bursts.'

Flor smiled. "I know I am asking for a lot, love. But could you do that? I've received a report, and we really can't afford to be discovered right now."

Liu Shu asked, curious. 'A report? About what?'

The Rose Fairy Queen laughed. "I thought you would know because you are always listening. It seems that you were really focused on building the Temple and Library."

Liu Shu made cute affirming noises. "Mhm! I was very focused!" 

Flor explained as she flew toward a map of the surroundings. "There are a few suspicious groups that have appeared here, here, and here. Their groups have several high <First Energy Cycle> beings; there are even sub-cycle people. To control all of these, there is probably one or more <Second Energy Cycle> beings manipulating things from behind."

The World Tree heard Flor and spoke. "Wait, let me check the nearby area." Then, she spread her aura outward, taking in all the information about her surroundings. She was surprised to notice several groups of people with decent strength roaming around. 'When did these people come here?'

Curious, she zoomed in on one of the groups and listened to their conversation.