Chapter 237 Taboo Topics

Seeing the tree man in front of him, Shane raised his eyebrows and instinctively showed a guarded posture.

But soon, Shane found that the appearance of this tree man was very different from other tree men.

Its bark was dry and shriveled, extremely rough, and showed a light red color.

Like the color of the mangroves living at the junction of land and sea.

The branches and leaves were yellow, unlike other tree men who maintained emerald green, and their vitality was extremely declining.

Like a piece of rotten and damp dead wood.

It can even be described as "ugly".

If it weren't for the pair of dim eye sockets and a small mouth on its old trunk, Shane would find it difficult to regard it as the same species as those tree men.

Although the appearance of this tree man was surprising, Shane was not a person who judged people by appearance.

He took the initiative to say: "Thank you for your help, senior."

"...Hmm?"

Hearing his voice, the decayed tree man was surprised: "This kind of sound...Have you swallowed the [Sea Sound Seed]?"

The reason why Xia En was able to master the ability of [Underwater Talk] was because he got the [Sea Sound Seed] given by Tracy in [Emerald Ancient City].

Now, listening to the tone of this tree man, it seems that he also knows this strange seed?

This point undoubtedly proves the connection between [Giant Wood City] and the elves.

Xia En nodded and admitted: "I did swallow one by chance."

"It seems that your origin is not simple."

The old tree man's eyes flashed with a faint light, and he continued.

"But no matter who you are, if you want to live, leave [Giant Wood City] as soon as possible."

"This is no longer a place for living people."

Xia En did not explain too much, just said: "I have a reason to go deep into this city."

A hint of surprise flashed in the old tree man's eyes.

He had clearly seen the scene of the whole forest being agitated just now, but this outsider actually had the courage to say such a thing?

This is not something that can be simply described as "courageous".

However, the old tree man had already exhausted all his strength just to maintain his own survival.

Saving this person was already a great kindness, and there was really no energy left to care about his affairs.

Thinking of this, the old tree man said directly: "In this case, I can only wish you good luck."

"This forest has long been the home ground of those betrayers. As long as you are in it, you will be discovered by them sooner or later."

"However, the wisdom of the forest is limited after all. If you disguise yourself as us, you can last a little longer... Do you understand?"

At first, Xia En thought that the old tree man was just saying goodbye.

But after listening carefully to these words, he realized that the other party was actually teaching him how to hide in the forest.

Xia En was in a strange mood.

This old tree man was like an awkward old man. He wanted to express goodwill, but he had to go around in circles.

However, combined with this detail and its help just now, Shane can basically judge that the old tree man is most likely a "good person."

No matter his appearance or personality, he is very different from those tree men who are willing to sacrifice other creatures at any time.

And...

"Traitor?"

Shaen noticed the word from the old tree man.

"Traitor, refers to those tree men who believe in the [Giant Wood God]?"

Shaen's mind flashed, and he quickly outlined the general outline of the matter: "Did the tree men betray their original beliefs? Betrayed the elf goddess?"

"In other words, this old tree man is still a supporter of the elf goddess?"

Shaen was about to ask when he saw a small tree man about two or three meters tall not far away, floating down from the sea like a jellyfish.

Compared with its kind, its body is naturally petite.

"Grandpa Hunter, I'm back!"

"Huh? This guy is..."

In the process of approaching the old tree man, the little tree man naturally discovered Shane's existence.

The face made of tree trunks showed a surprised look and exclaimed at the same time.

"Human! Grandpa Hunter, is this a human!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

The old tree man Hunter glared at the little tree man and looked around cautiously.

Fortunately, there were no tree men who believed in the [Giant Tree God] nearby, so no tragedy was caused.

The little tree man also realized that he almost caused a disaster, and hurriedly lowered his voice and said: "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean it."

"This is the first time I have seen a living human, so I am a little excited."

"Please introduce yourself. My name is Mumu. What is your name?"

Shane looked at the little tree man named Mumu carefully and found that although its voice was young, its trunk was as thin as Hunter's, its bark was wrinkled, and its leaves were sparse and shriveled.

The whole body exuded a breath of aging and exhaustion.

This surprised Shane a little.

He thought that Hunter's decline was because he had lived for a long time and was about to reach the end of his life.

But judging from the similar characteristics of Mumu, it seems to be due to another deeper reason?

At the same time, Shane also noticed that Mumu's branches were obviously broken, as if they were broken by external force.

There were also several wounds on his body that seemed to have been whipped, but they were mixed with the wrinkled bark and difficult to distinguish.

Before Shane could answer, Hunter on the side suddenly changed his face and asked.

"Mumu, where did these injuries on your body come from? They bullied you again, right?"

Hearing this, Mumu's high mood suddenly dropped and he hesitated.

"No, no, my brother and sister are joking with me."

"They are no longer your brothers and sisters!"

Hunter's expression was solemn, with a hint of anger in his tone: "From the day they knelt down to the [Giant Wood God], they are no longer our kind!"

"But, Grandpa Hunter, why must we stick to our belief in the goddess of life?"

Mumu was confused and aggrieved, so she couldn't help but ask.

"Obviously as long as we accept the [Seed of Life] given by the [Giant Wood God], our bodies will not have to continue to rot, and we can become taller and stronger."

"Besides, grandpa, you can live longer..."

"Shut up!"

Hearing this, the old tree man Hunter finally couldn't help but said angrily: "You don't understand! This is a betrayal of God! One day he will be punished by God!"

"Besides, do you think [Giant Wood God] is a good thing? That guy..."

Hunter originally wanted to continue talking, but seemed to be concerned about the peaceful forest around him, so he finally just said.

"No matter what, as long as I am still alive, I will never allow you to accept the [Seed of Life]!"

"If you say one more kind word about [Giant Wood God], I will treat you as my grandson!"

"Don't let me see you again!"

Mumu originally wanted to care about Hunter, but instead, she was scolded so harshly, and her grievance suddenly burst out.

"Huh! If you don't see me, you'll see me! I'll go to the head office!"

After leaving these words, Mumu turned around and left.

"……you!"

The old tree man Hunter was stunned.

He vaguely felt that he had gone too far, but he had just scolded her, and with his temperament, it was impossible for him to soften his attitude on the spot and persuade Mumu to come back.

It wasn't until Mumu's figure disappeared from sight that Old Hunter let out a long sigh.

"Children today are becoming increasingly uneasy."

It turned to Xia En and said, "Sorry, I made you laugh."

"Old man, the relationship between you and your grandson is really good."

Xia En sighed softly.

Watching the quarrel between Hunter and Mumu, he inexplicably thought of some past events on earth.

Therefore, he knew that Hunter would never say such harsh words if he didn't really take it seriously.

Similarly, Mumu persuaded Hunter to accept the so-called [Seed of Life] for similar reasons.

But at the same time, Xia En was inevitably a little curious.

What exactly is this so-called [seed of life]?

It seems that it is because of its existence that the tree people have the ability to live such a nourishing life underwater.

In this case, why is Old Hunter so afraid of it?

"Ahem, young man, I want to ask you a favor."

At this moment, Old Hunter coughed twice and said, "My grandson has a stubborn temper. I don't know how long it will take for this awkward situation to subside."

"If those betrayers instill bad ideas and take the opportunity to plant the [Seed of Life], it will be over."

"I see that you are quite capable. Can you help me take care of it and give it some advice?"

The old tree man said this somewhat euphemistically, but Xia En immediately understood its intention.

Obviously, after saying these words, Old Hunter actually regretted it a little, but he just couldn't bear to apologize to his grandson.

That's why he approached Xia En, not only to protect Mumu, but also to act as a lubricant to ease the relationship between grandfather and grandson.

"He is indeed an awkward old man..."

Xia En thought to himself: "I'm afraid your grandson's character is just like yours!"

Complaints are complaints, and for the sake of Hunter's previous help, Shane will definitely help him.

"give it to me."

After saying that, Xia En was ready to catch up in Mumu's direction.

"Wait, don't move yet, I'll give you some disguise."

Later, Old Hunter picked some branches and leaves from nearby trees and decorated them with Shane.

Not long after, Xia En completed a very rough disguise.

It looks like...

how to say……

Kind of like Vietcong in the jungle?

Although from Xia En's point of view, this disguise could not be more clumsy, anyone can see the difference between him and the tree man.

But according to Hunter, this level of camouflage is enough to hide the will of the forest.

If it encounters other tree people, it can quickly pretend to be a harmless bunch of flowers and plants.

Xia En endured the strange feeling and walked through the underwater forest.

Needless to say, after being covered with this layer of leaves, most of the looming malice around him has indeed dissipated.

Don’t worry about whether it’s ugly or not!

Just tell me if it works, right?

…

…

It didn't take long.

Xia En caught up with the little tree man Mumu.

In fact, at the speed of this little tree man, he couldn't run very long.

At this time, it was leaning against a big tree, kicking the sand under its feet and humming.

"Humph, stinky grandpa, bad grandpa!"

"It's obvious that I can't hold on much longer, yet I still refuse to use the [Seed of Life]."

"No matter what side effects there are, it's better than dying, right?"

As he spoke, Mumu's tone suddenly dropped.

"I just want grandpa to live..."

At this time, Xia En came out of the woods and asked directly.

"What exactly is the [Seed of Life] you mentioned?"

"Wow!"

Mumu obviously didn't notice the disguised state before, and Shane was startled and said in surprise.

"You...are you the human just now?"

"Why did you become like this?"

Shaen's mouth twitched, and he didn't want to answer this question.

Mumu seemed to be very interested in humans, and immediately came up and wanted to touch him with his hands.

This feeling is somewhat similar to the feeling of people going to the aquarium to see those rare animals.

And after getting close, Shane saw Mumu's rough and decayed body and the scars more clearly.

--Those seemed to be the marks left by the vine whip.

Shaen immediately thought of the means of attack of other tree people.

Obviously, those who hurt Mumu were those tree people who accepted the [Seed of Life].

Shane couldn't help asking, "Why did those tree people beat you?"

"Alas, isn't it because my grandfather and I refused to absorb the [Seed of Life]?"

Mumu sighed and said, "Do you know why I swam down from above?"

Shaen cooperated, "Why?"

"Because we tree people without the [Seed of Life] want to live in the sea, we have to regularly go to the waters near the sea surface to absorb sunlight and store energy."

Mumu explained, "It was while absorbing sunlight that I met the tree people who believed in the [Giant Tree God]..."

"Anyway, it was a satire on us being old-fashioned and not knowing how to adapt."

"But one of them was really rude and cursed Grandpa Hunter. I couldn't help but say something back to him, and that's it."

Mumu looked a little sad and puzzled.

"Sometimes I really don't understand. It's only been a short time since those guys received the [Seed of Life]."

"How can they turn around and say such vicious words?"

Xia En said: "Maybe all traitors are like this."

"So, [Seed of Life] can solve the problem of you tree people living in the sea water?"

"But aren't you and Hunter still alive? Is it because of... the power of the Elf Goddess?"

"Hiss..."

Hearing the name "Elf Goddess", Mumu's face suddenly changed, and he quickly covered Xia En's mouth with his hand.

"Are you crazy! How dare you say that name here?"

"Her has become a taboo topic in our city."

"Once discovered by other tree people, they will be taken away directly by the executioner!"

Xia En was surprised.

He didn't expect that a name could make Mumu react so much.

But it can also be seen from this that [Giant Wood City] has strict control over beliefs.

The tree people who still believe in the Elf Goddess are very likely to be regarded as heretics!

This also indirectly shows that the relationship between the [Giant Wood God] and the Elf Goddess is not harmonious.

Just then.

There was a rustling sound in the forest nearby...