Yae Miko was shocked to hear that the Sumeru people actually imprisoned their own gods.
How much the Inazuma people respect and love their gods. The people of Inazuma have always believed in the Raiden Shogun and followed her to establish the current Inazuma.
But the Sumeru people actually imprisoned their own god. This is so treasonous and unethical. It is no different from imprisoning their own parents. Without the power of gods to protect humanity, would mankind be able to survive as safely as they do now? To say it is ungrateful would be an understatement.
At this time, Takumi entered a special area unique to Sumeru.
Extending from the power of the World Tree, this place lies between reality and illusion.
The memory of the world exists inherently between reality and illusion. It is this in-between state that can accommodate the endless memory of the world and use this power to distort and modify history.
If you compare the world to a computer, Tianli is the CPU and Windows operating system, the World Tree is the memory card, and the Demon Gods are the various software loaded in the Windows operating system.
It can be said that the World Tree naturally controls 20% of the authority of the world of Teyvat. And as the world of Teyvat becomes stronger, the World Tree will also grow. In the future, it might even modify the history of the lower worlds directly.
For example, the history of how the Demon Slayer World was born in 450, the history of how humans came into existence, and even the lies told in those worlds can all be tampered with by the World Tree.
In his plan, the 'World Tree' is a very important link, one that cannot be bypassed. Because this is a god-defying artifact that can modify the historical origin of the annexed world.
Takumi walked on the illusory roots spreading out from the World Tree.
The body of the World Tree lay right in front, and its dreamy pink crown could already be seen.
Soon, he arrived under the tree canopy, where the Dendro Archon, the Great Compassionate Tree King, was calmly waiting for his arrival.
Her appearance was exactly the same as Nahida's. She was young, with a pair of pointed elf-like ears, her long white to gray hair tied into a side ponytail, with the tips of her hair gradually turning green. A green leaf adorned her head, shaped like a light four-leaf clover. Her pupils were a light, soothing green.
Her small frame was covered in a green three-pronged cloak, with a white bud skirt and white pumpkin pants. Her attire, adorned with light gold patterns, displayed her nobility.
She appeared in the form of a young girl, yet her whole being was filled with a saintly love for the world.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, the cold emotions in Takumi's heart unconsciously calmed when he felt her presence.
Takumi exhaled: "The God of Wisdom, the incarnation of the World Tree, the Great Compassionate Tree King, the King of a Thousand Trees, the Lord of Dreams, the Queen of the Rainforest, the Sustainer..."
"To be honest, if I hadn't been so pressed by the fact that the lifespan of this world is coming to an end, my first step into the world of Teyvat would not have been Inazuma, but Sumeru."
The first words spoken by the Great Compassionate Tree King when she saw the young man standing in front of her were not surprising, but just as she was about to speak, he continued.
"Do you know why?"
The Great Compassionate Tree King nodded, and a voice that seemed to soothe the pain in one's heart came from her mouth: "I understand. Sumeru is too unsightly for you, and I can't help you at all. It is right for you to be angry."
She understood everything that this man had done in Inazuma and his will. Perhaps no one in the world understood him better than she did.
Takumi wasn't surprised. After all, the Great Compassionate Tree King was the incarnation of the World Tree, controlling the memory of the world, a power even the laws of heaven could not rival.
It can be said that heaven can be the highest throne, but the greatest authority in the world will always belong to the Great Compassionate Tree King.
Except for her, no one can control the World Tree. Even if the Great Compassionate Tree King were obliterated, the World Tree would automatically give birth to another Great Compassionate Tree King.
In other words, monarchs come and go, but the prime minister is always there.
"Sumeru's corruption is just one of the reasons. The most important reason is that you control 20% of the authority of the world of Teyvat."
Takumi said this as he knelt down and clasped the chin of the Great Compassionate Tree King with his fingers, making her lift her head and look into his eyes.
"When I annex a world, you will naturally gain 20% of the authority of that subordinate world. You are the only one who could compete with me in terms of power. Even if you fought me, you would undoubtedly lose."
"But this inability to control, and no matter how hard I try, 20% of my achievements would always end up as a gift to someone else. This makes me very unhappy."
The Great Compassionate Tree King looked at Takumi, tilting her head slightly. Her smile was full of a calming magic, and she reached out her hand to touch Takumi's chest.
"The fifth descendant of the world of Teyvat, and a person even more powerful than the first descendant, Phanes—could this be the source of the uneasiness and anxiety in your heart?"
"Afraid that I will escape from your control instead of the control of the heavens, you have regarded the world of Teyvat as your own, haven't you?"
Takumi just looked at the Great Compassionate Tree King.
To be honest, he could imagine how gentle the Great Compassionate Tree King in her girl form would be.
"That's right."
The Great Compassionate Tree King showed no negative emotions, remaining calm and gentle: "Since you have regarded the world of Teyvat as your own, then I am also a part of Teyvat. I am also yours."
Takumi remained calm: "But even possessions will bite back at their owners, just like Sumeru now. The country you established is ruled by a group of rebels, like blood-sucking parasites clinging to this land."
The Great Compassionate Tree King placed her small hand on his chest, looking into Takumi's eyes with her clear gaze: "If you are so worried, then make an eternal contract with me, just like the contract between the Moon Goddesses and the Star Envoy."
"Will this ease your doubts?"
Takumi was stunned for a moment.
An eternal contract like the Moon Goddesses and the Star Envoy? Wasn't this essentially a marriage contract?
Before the Age of Ashes, Phanes had just arrived in Teyvat and began creating life. There were only four native gods in the skies of Teyvat: Arya, the Goddess of the Sky Moon, Sanada, the Goddess of the Deep Moon, Canon, the Goddess of the Crimson Moon, and the Star Envoy.
The three Moon Goddesses fell in love with the Star Envoy at the same time. But the power of the Moon Goddesses far exceeded that of the Star Envoy, and the three goddesses constantly competed for his love.
Istaru also took advantage of this to drive a wedge between the three goddesses, leading to a civil war, and eventually two goddesses and the Star Envoy fell.
Because the contract between the Star Envoy and the Moon Goddesses was an eternal contract between lovers, whenever one party died, the other would accompany them.
He just wanted to express his concerns about the authority of the World Tree, but he didn't expect the conversation to develop in this direction.
The Great Compassionate Tree King looked at Takumi, who seemed stunned, and she felt a little disappointed: "Does an eternal contract not appeal to you?"