[The Redwood People chose us as their god, so Embrace Light will not interfere.]
The Forest Ocean Spirit said: [I simply want to expand, to see this brand-new land and the creatures living upon it. This is permissible.]
[But if we join you and you allow us to spread too fast and too far, it may invoke a strike from Embrace Light.]
This was the worry of the Forest Ocean Spirit.
The worry was quite reasonable... just like a terrifying monster that has slaughtered countless gods telling you, ’Come out, don’t be afraid, you’re not an evil god, I won’t kill you.’ But anyone seeing the bloodstains on him and the skulls hanging from his body would instinctively back away, retreat to their home, and observe cautiously.
For those who desire longevity, caution is a necessary virtue.
Of course, Ian thought the Forest Ocean Spirit might be overthinking things, suffering from a mild case of paranoia.
Embrace Light dealt with far too many calamities on a daily basis. The Forest Ocean Spirit? What’s that to her? She wouldn’t have the time to concern herself with a harmless little cluster of plants.
Based on the Forest Ocean Spirit’s excellent self-management abilities over several hundred years (which might be considered "not long ago" in its perception of time) of remaining in the South Ridge, Ian concluded that Embrace Light was probably just issuing a warning to these peaceful alien visitors not to cause trouble rather than genuinely intending to destroy them.
After all, as the Forest Ocean Spirit itself said, Embrace Light places great importance on humanity’s own choices.
Just as the Redwood People had chosen the Forest Ocean Spirit, so Embrace Light didn’t interfere with the Spirit. If the Forest Ocean Spirit could govern the South Ridge well in the future, enabling people to live and work in peace, and everyone chose to worship it as a god... surely, that would be fine.
But the cautious and conservative Forest Ocean Spirit had suppressed its expansion for 400 years, waiting until this prophet appeared before they had the idea of ’asking about the situation and seeing if they could venture out.’
Steady. Way too steady. No wonder—they were plant-based lifeforms. Ordinary flesh-and-blood lifeforms simply couldn’t compare.
"In that case, you can send out an avatar to assess the situation."
Addressing the cautious Forest Ocean Spirit, Ian thought for a moment and offered a suggestion: "You should know as well that I can speak a bit with Embrace Light. The next time I encounter her, I’ll inquire about the situation regarding lifeforms like you."
"Moreover, as the prophet, I can also help evaluate the situation for you. Don’t worry once we cooperate—I won’t trick you."
[Prophet, your subtext is that if we don’t cooperate, you will trick us.]
The Forest Ocean Spirit reminded Ian: [We understand.]
"Haha, it’s not a big deal."
Ian waved his hand nonchalantly, saying, "You’ve observed me for so many years; you should know what kind of person I am. I’ve always leaned toward win-win solutions."
"Speaking of which, I’m curious about your thoughts—why are you so focused on the agricultural building? There shouldn’t be a shortage of plants in Terra’s cities, right? For instance, you can observe me and my brother Elan through flowers and plants. In theory, the entire city should fall under your domain, shouldn’t it?"
[It’s not the same.]
The Forest Ocean Spirit unexpectedly responded to Ian’s apparent digression: [We are an intelligent collective only as a cluster. Individual plants can only detect extremely faint vibrations; we merely ascertain your existence.]
[While cities contain numerous trees and flowers, their dispersal across the city prevents mutual connection; they’re simply landscapes.]
[The agricultural building, however, is different. A single building gathers a density of plants comparable to a vast wheat field. The plant density there even surpasses that of forests, and it’s located within human settlements.]
With this, the Forest Ocean Spirit reflected: [Such dense plant clusters are rare even in the wilderness of our homeland. Since the whole planet is fertile ground for us, there hasn’t been a need to consider stacking efficiency.]
[This is a technique that only humans could develop—or rather, a technique developed due to necessity. A fifteen-story agricultural building is enough to allow us to coalesce a faintly powered avatar.]
"Oh?"
Ian squinted, thinking deeply: "So that’s how it is... In that case, it’s quite convenient..."
After pondering for a while, the young man smiled at the Wooden Statue of the Holy Mother and said, "In the future, agricultural buildings will surely proliferate in the South Ridge. You might be able to observe humanity’s world through this without worrying too much about groups like Embrace Light or other human powerhouses noticing."
"In that way, you’ll be regulators of humanity’s production tools—not their gods."
"Honestly, what’s the good in being a god?" Ian shrugged. "Wouldn’t it be better to cooperate and coexist peacefully?"
[Agreed.]
The Forest Ocean Spirit thought for a moment, not immediately making a decision but also refraining from rejecting this time: [Indeed.]
As it spoke, the massive Wooden Statue of the Holy Mother began to disassemble, merging into the vine-covered ground: [You’re correct.]
[Let’s proceed as you suggested, Prophet. Meeting you has indeed been profoundly beneficial for our future decisions.]
[After consuming the Foreseeing Bifoliate, simply call upon us if you wish to communicate—we will respond. It’s not for one person alone; your brother also has the aptitude. If it’s not an issue for you, he may also become a chosen one.]
[We can cooperate.]
Ian’s conversation with the Forest Ocean Spirit went well, and he gained essential intel.
After leaving the underground cavity, Ian noticed the hill above the cavity beginning to sink slightly... Clearly, the complete manifestation of the Forest Ocean Spirit required specific environmental conditions and sufficient gathered Life Essence.
It seemed the environment’s limits were still a factor.
But that was of no concern since he had achieved his goal.
[Foreseeing Bifoliate]
[Third Energy Level · Spirit Essence Concentrate · Keystone · Edible]
[An intermediate extract formed by the Forest Ocean Spirit incorporating part of its Heart Light Body elements and merging with Life Essence. It possesses potent healing power; even in cases of severe injury or near-death, consuming it can heal most wounds. However, few regard it as merely a medical treatment.]
[Upon consumption, it significantly enhances Spirit Energy sensitivity and grants access to the Forest Ocean Spirit’s prediction database.]
[Contained Primordial Essence: 4318.9352 Keystone Units]
[...]
Though not directly related to the prophet, it was indeed a valuable treasure capable of substantially improving Spirit Energy abilities—on Terra, such treasures were far rarer and more precious than ordinary Magical Beast materials of the same level.
Still, now wasn’t the time to dwell on such matters.