Two weeks later, Leyvi's group finally arrived at the edge of the colossal tree's immense shadow. They stopped atop the highest hill nearest to the boundary of the shade, seeking a vantage point to observe the surroundings and assess the situation before proceeding.
Everyone spread out, their eyes scanning the alien landscape before them, each making their own observations.
The edge of the shade was not a fixed line. It shifted gradually with the sun's movement across the sky, a creeping tide of darkness and light.
"I still can't believe a tree this big actually exists," Leyvi muttered, craning his neck to look straight up at the stark division between brilliant sunlight and profound shadow.
Because the canopy was so impossibly high, to his unaided eyes it was only an expanse of darkness blotting out the sun. Even with his spiritual sense stretched to its limit, he could only begin to perceive the first of the enormous branches and gargantuan leaves at a height of roughly thirty kilometers.
Within the group, only he possessed a spiritual sense powerful enough to perceive the canopy. Core Formation Realm cultivators typically had a range of only a few kilometers.
Even Crown Prince Dastan, now a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, could not see the canopy with his spiritual sense, as his range extended no more than fifteen kilometers.
"Those leaves are so big," Leyvi marveled, his focus on the distant, leafy expanse. "I wonder if a leaf that large could kill someone if it fell? Wait..." He looked down, scanning the ground beneath the tree's vast shadow, but saw no fallen leaves of any remarkable size.
"It doesn't seem like any leaves fall at all," he observed. "Well, this isn't a normal tree. This tree is an extremely powerful living creature, after all. It makes sense that it wouldn't allow any part of itself to be shed so carelessly." He continued his quiet assessment of the titanic being before them.
"Brother Leyvi, you can see that far?" Bodo asked from beside him, his voice filled with astonishment. He could not see any leaves at all.
"Eh? You still didn't know? My Spiritual Sense range is over fifty kilometers," Leyvi replied. This fact was hardly a secret within the group anymore.
"What? Fifty kilometers?" Bodo exclaimed, then his expression turned to one of pure confusion. "Uhh... How far is that, Brother Leyvi?" he asked innocently, scratching his head.
Leyvi almost stumbled. What do you mean, how far is that? Do you not understand distance? A sudden thought struck him. Wait a minute. This guy was raised in the mountains by a bunch of demonic beasts his entire life. Don't tell me...
"Brother Bodo, can you read?" Leyvi asked, wanting to confirm his suspicion.
Bodo's hulking frame seemed to shrink a little, and he looked down with a hint of shyness. "Brother Leyvi, I don't know how to read. Nobody ever taught me. Many people call me stupid because I can't read."
"I see. So you have no basic education," Leyvi said, the pieces falling into place.
He had not expected this. Even he and Anda, growing up in an orphanage, had been taught to read and do simple arithmetic as children.
"Dohoho... My masters only trained my body," Bodo explained with an awkward laugh. "When I left my home mountain, I saw many symbols for the first time. They made me dizzy."
"Alright. Don't worry," Leyvi said, giving Bodo a reassuring pat on the back. "I can teach you how to read and understand numbers while we are staying here. It's not that hard."
"Really? Dohoho! Brother Leyvi, you are the best!" Bodo exclaimed, his joy immediate and overwhelming. "I wouldn't be stupid anymore! I can finally be smart!" In his excitement, he turned and gave Leyvi a massive, enthusiastic bear hug with his powerful arms.
"Bo... do... let me go... too... tight!" Leyvi gasped, his words squeezed out as he felt the air being crushed from his lungs. Even his tough, cultivated body struggled to endure the pressure.
"Oh no! Brother Leyvi, are you alright? I am sorry!" Bodo exclaimed in panic, immediately releasing his hold. Leyvi crumpled to the ground like a limp piece of paper.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hill, Anda was deep in conversation with Tamina.
"What are they doing over there?" Anda asked, turning her head as she was momentarily distracted by the commotion between Leyvi and Bodo.
She shook her head slightly and turned her attention back to Tamina, resuming their conversation. "We'll be staying here for the time being, so I will be counting on you to make a hideout for us inside this hill. I have already asked Ava to help you." She gestured toward Ava, who was standing nearby, keeping Barbara company as the scholar investigated something in the distance.
"No problem. I am a pro at this by now," Tamina replied with a confident smile. "Tantan can help me too. Are we planning to stay here for a while?"
"That depends," Anda said. "We need to investigate and gather thorough information about this place first. A year ago, Senior Lapin mentioned that many groups had already formed around the tree. We need to learn about all of them. Also, if there is anyone you specifically want to search for, just tell me. Our group is likely among the last to arrive here. Anyone we can't find has probably already perished." She laid out their immediate priorities clearly.
Tamina nodded in understanding. That was indeed the most prudent course of action. Approaching any established group without prior knowledge was unwise. As for the people she wanted to find, there were three individuals from her own household she hoped to locate.
Her royal fiancé also wished to find his Royal Guards, but they had to be extremely cautious. It was entirely possible that the assassins hunting him could be impersonating one of his own men. In fact, Tamina believed it would be much safer not to contact the guards at all. Remaining unrecognized was the superior strategy.
Although Dastan was now a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, the methods employed by skilled assassins trained from childhood without regard for their own lives were terrifying. If they lacked the physical power to kill directly, they could employ deadly poisons, dangerous spirit artifacts, lethal formations, or other insidious means. Being a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator only increased one's chance of survival if targeted; it did not guarantee it. That was precisely why disguising themselves was their best solution: to avoid being targeted altogether.
After all, the assassins likely would not have guessed that their plan was already exposed, and one of their primary targets had already altered his appearance.
"Who will you send to conduct this investigation and information gathering?" Tamina asked.
"Sigh... who else can we send except for my husband?" Anda replied with a soft exhale. "His Spiritual Sense is the only reliable method we have for a spying mission at this moment."
"I suppose that's true," Tamina conceded. During their long journey, they had all come to rely on Leyvi's vast spiritual sense to detect and avoid dangers long before they became threats.
After their discussion concluded, Tamina immediately got to work. Hollowing out the hill and creating a spacious cave mansion for the entire group was not particularly difficult for her now. She had, after all, trained her excavation skills in the top-grade spirit stone mine, where the earth was far tougher than the normal soil here. She had essentially trained in the most difficult landscape possible. Without skimping on details or safety, Tamina efficiently created a large, well-designed cave mansion within a single day.
Once the cave mansion was completed, the group entered and each chose a personal room before gathering again in the main hall.
Anda laid out and explained their immediate plan. She then assigned Ava to accompany Leyvi on his scouting mission to assist him, citing that Ava's incredible speed might prove useful. Internally, she also hoped that by spending more time together, Ava might finally fall into Leyvi's clutches.
Ava squinted her eyes, looking at Anda with deep suspicion. She could practically feel the panda woman scheming something.
If it were possible, Anda would have liked to join Leyvi herself, but she had no choice but to remain with the group. Her unique ability was essential for sensing the intentions of anyone who might approach their hideout later.
"Dohoho! Madam Anda, can I join Brother Leyvi to gather information secretly? It sounds fun," Bodo asked excitedly, raising his large hand like an eager student.
Everyone turned to look at Bodo with identical expressions that silently asked, are you serious? His massive, hulking frame would attract attention from kilometers away.
Seeing their collective reaction, Bodo laughed awkwardly, his shoulders slumping a little. He knew it was not a feasible idea.
"Hahaha! Sorry, Brother Bodo. It looks like I can't teach you how to read for now," Leyvi said, stepping in to diffuse the moment. "While I am gone, please take care of everyone here. I am counting on you."
Bodo's expression immediately brightened again. He thumped his broad chest with a solid thud. "Brother Leyvi! Leave their safety to me! I won't disappoint you! Dohoho!"
Anda chuckled softly to herself. Her husband certainly knew how to cheer up the big man quickly.