Chapter 3: Sapient Life
Five million years was an inconceivable amount of time for mortal creatures, but for the present Daozi it had passed by surprisingly fast.
His perception of time was completely skewed after taking over as the Heavenly Dao. When creating this realm, he had been hyper aware of every passing second, but during the recent wait he was only really conscience every hundred thousand years or so. Granted, this was largely because nothing had happened in that time.
It really brought into perspective the chasm between mortal and immortal life.
"If this is what the previous Heavenly Dao had to deal with, then I really can't blame it for being so hands off."
But at least the long wait had finally resulted in something.
In one of the many peripheral forests stood an imposing tree about five meters tall. Its bark was a deep crimson, and its crown adorned with an array of golden leaves. Compared to the surrounding forest shrubs it stood out like a sore thumb.
Yet, more noteworthy than its striking appearance was the trees central branch, which was currently swinging around in the air.
It had to be known that wind did not exist in the spatial bubble. So, it should have been impossible for anything to move in this lifeless forest.
Fortunately, his vision was not limited to the material plane.
He saw a spiritual vortex forming above the forest, channeling the spiritual energy in the air into fuel for the tree. The amount of loose energy that had accumulated within the spatial bubble was terrifying, and with nowhere else to go, this ocean of energy was gradually being sucked into the spiral.
Using the spiritual energy as nourishment, the tree was slowly evolving into a higher life form. The swishing branch was only the most basic instinct. As time went on it should gain the ability to think and reason. Making it truly sapient.
"Haha, intelligent life will soon be born!"
With nothing else to do, Daozi diligently waited.
One month passed. Three months passed. Six months passed. Twelve months passed.
Over the past year the vortex went from encompassing a three-meter-wide area to stretching over two kilometers. Most of the realms spiritual energy was already converging on the crimson tree. Consequently, the large flow of energy sent ripples throughout the material plane, causing mountains to crack and rivers to flood.
The convergence of spiritual energy would always lead to a certain level of imbalance and destruction, but there really wasn't anything he could do about it. Once this energy was produced there was no way for him to manipulate it. Much to his chagrin.
If he was insistent on stopping the spiritual vortex, then that would require removing the source of the disturbance. Which in his case would necessitate using Divine Merit to strike down the crimson tree.
Though how much of an idiot would he have to be to kill his first lifeform for the sake of some inanimate dirt and grass? Energy would always converge during breakthroughs, so unless he wanted a world devoid of fighting power, it would be best to not intervene.
Luckily the tree seemed to have no problem absorbing all this energy. During these twelve months it grew to a staggering fifty meters, casting a shadow over the surrounding foliage. It exuded a heavy aura, one that radiated majesty and power.
Finally, after a year of continuous strengthening there was a change in the situation.
The two-kilometer-wide spiritual vortex started rapidly shrinking as the energy funneled into the tree. Cracks tore through the earth and entire meadows were ripped apart by the phenomena.
Looking around the spatial bubble, he could sense that half of the accumulated spiritual energy had been consumed.
A sigh reverberated throughout the heavens as a voice fell; "Substituting Divine Merits for spiritual energy really isn't easy."
At least it worked out in the end.
He continued to focus on the tree, scrutinizing every change that took place within.
The sudden influx of spiritual energy flowed into the tree's core, where the high concentration led the intangible spiritual energy to gain material form and liquify. As soon as the liquid appeared it began to circulate throughout the tree.
When it entered the trunk, the tree became impenetrable. When it entered the leaves, an enchanting fog arose. When it entered the roots, the ground was dried of its resources.
Each revolution brought about a fundamental change to the tree.
On the tenth revolution the spiritual liquid returned to the crimson tree's core, where it began to rapidly condense.
The once plentiful liquid was quickly consumed and turned into crimson-gold crystals. These crystals in turn began to form a sphere.
Compared to the original formation of spiritual liquid this process went considerably slower.
A hundred days passed.
On the hundredth and first day, two slits suddenly opened up on the base of the trunk. A pair of glowing orbs curiously scanning the outside world from within the opening.
[Congratulations - Intelligent Life has Arisen!]
[Influence has gone from 'None' -> 'Minor Reach']
[Gained 1 Divine Merit]
Intelligent life! He had finally done it!
With this his initial conundrum was over. As long as life existed in his realm there would always be a continues supply of Divine Merits coming in.
His influence had also risen from being non-existent to having some reach. He had undergone an all-around improvement.
A sense of achievement welled up within him. He had become quite stoic after transitioning into the Dao, but he still felt some pride fulfilling his duties.
"Now, what can you do?" He returned his undivided attention to the world's first mortal.
Other than the two slits that had appeared, the crimson tree was nearly identical to how it had been a hundred days ago. At least on the outside. But on the inside, it was an entirely different being, one that was as smart as any human.
Its eyes carried the unmistakable trace of intelligence as it took in its surroundings. The two glowing orbs swinging left and right.
Unfortunately, because the crimson tree couldn't actually move there wasn't much for it to do other than look around. But it did what little it could with great enthusiasm, its curiosity seemingly unsatisfied as it spent the next three days surveying the surroundings.
On the fourth day it finally delved into its core, toying around with the free spiritual energy. Whilst it lacked the necessary spells to utilize spiritual energy, that didn't stop it from experimenting with its innate abilities.
It expanded and contracted the fog, sucked a local river with a root and smashed big rocks against its tough exterior.
The experiments concluded on the seventh day when it couldn't find new things to play with.
On the eight day a pair of golden leaves abruptly shriveled up and got replaced by flower buds.
"Oh, what's it doing now?" He had been carefully watching the crimson tree for seven days now, but this was the first time it had done something he hadn't expected.
With great intrigue he watched as a pair of round fruits grew where the two leaves had originally been. They grew rapidly and after only thirty days had grown to an astonishing three meters.
The crimson tree shook its branches causing the fruits to fall off and bounce on the hardened soil below. One of them was a deep blue while the other a bright red. On Earth they could have been mistaken for a gigantic blueberry and apple.
However, unlike fruits on Earth these two swiftly sprouted a pair of stubby legs and arms not long after contacting the ground. A mouth and pair of eyes grew on their bodies as they quickly kneeled before the tree.
Had it already given birth to children? Well, he wasn't one to complain about blessings. If anything, the tree should have pumped out more.
As the sentient fruits kneeled before the crimson tree, the blueberry man was the first to break the silence. Standing up and focusing his torso-head combination at the towering piece of timber.
"Oh, the progenitor of life and most merciful of all - your humble servant Bluog is here to obey!" The blueberry, who called itself Bluog, raised its stubby arms towards the sky as it professed its loyalty.
As for the walking apple, it quickly followed suite after Bluog. "Oh, the one who cares for the dead and guides us all - your humble servant Auopi is here to obey!" The apple, Auopi, acted much the same as Bluog, keeping its arms raised and speaking with great enthusiasm.
The crimson tree remained silent.
Thirty minutes passed.
As Bluog and Auopi were beginning to question if they had done something wrong, a deep vibration rattled the surroundings.
"You can call me Weodrothis. I welcome you into this world. There is much work to be done." The trees voice directly echoed in the souls of both Bluog and Auopi. Each word sending ripples throughout the air.
They quickly contained their shaking and prostrated themselves once more, speaking together this time. "We shall obey your divine word! The realm of Weodrothis will be built in your esteemed vision! Just speak of what is required!"
Another thirty minutes passed.
Daozi couldn't help but chuckle. Listening in on the conversation was quite enjoyable. Seems like the sedentary nature of a tree was still deeply engrained in it.
From the conversation the world was also able to receive a proper name - Weodrothis. He was pretty happy with it. There was something poetic about the first world being named after its first inhabitant.
"Explore the woods." Weodrothis shook its canopy as its voice once again rattled the two fruit people.
Using a wisp of energy from its core Weodrothis manipulated a segment of fog to split open, allowing just enough space for the two of them to enter.
"We won't disappoint!" Accustomed to the strain brought about by Weodrothis's words, Bluog and Auopi were quick to pay their respects before scurrying through the open passage. Their stubby legs making for a comical sight.
At least they seemed quite determined not to disappoint their maker.
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