Deep within the forest stood a colossal palace, tens of meters high.
This palace was not built with bricks or mortar, nor steel and cement. It hadn't even involved cutting down trees. Instead, it was entirely formed by the natural growth of several enormous banyan trees.
This was the headquarters of the Will of Nature, and also the imperial palace of the Moon Goddess.
The Moon Goddess reclined on a rattan throne, attended by beautiful, elf-like maidens. Some massaged her legs, others her shoulders, one painted her nails, and another peeled grapes and fed them, one by one, into the Moon Goddess's mouth.
If this scene were to feature a man, Wen Wen would undoubtedly decry it as the evil of feudalism. However, since it was the Moon Goddess enjoying the service, the scene appeared remarkably harmonious.
Outside the main hall, Yiyeta sat on a small chair, chuckling foolishly.
Before the Moon Goddess's arrival, their Will of Nature had been on the verge of collapse. Their final reserves, this very secret realm, had been targeted by a powerful, clandestine organization.
Many of the Will of Nature's experts had lost the will to see the organization grow, instead indulging in the pleasures of life, even opening a zoo in the human world and raising a small pony, into which they had injected their very essence…
The Will of Nature was a relatively peaceful clandestine organization, which was why the Hunter's Association, despite knowing of this secret realm's existence, had never harbored any ill intentions towards it.
However, while the Will of Nature was not an enemy to the Hunter's Association, it was also of no use to them, and thus the Hunter's Association did not actively protect it.
When an organization with a disaster-level expert set its sights on this place, intending to make it their base, some of the Will of Nature's strongmen naturally could have fled to avoid their power.
But if they had done so, the innocent and harmless beings residing here, both human and animal, would have become servants of that clandestine organization, and the natural landscapes that the Will of Nature had nurtured for millennia would have been destroyed.
Thus, Yiyeta had taken a desperate gamble, seeking to summon a deity affiliated with the Heavenly Sovereign.
Her efforts were not in vain; the Moon Goddess had descended and, after a period of service, decided to aid the Will of Nature.
Although much time had been lost, this secret realm was inherently a place that was easy to defend and difficult to attack, which allowed them to hold out until the Moon Goddess changed her mind.
Upon the Moon Goddess's arrival, she easily repelled the disaster-level expert. Then, under her call, many reclusive supernaturals of the Will of Nature returned to the secret realm.
The Will of Nature had regained its peak, becoming a top-tier clandestine organization. They would once again be great.
Just as Yiyeta was daydreaming of stepping on blasphemous blood and punching the Glorious Church, she suddenly heard a muffled thud.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"Did someone attack again?"
A long-eared, intellectual beauty with flowing long hair, dressed in a light blue gown, her eyes closed, tilted her ear to listen for a moment, her expression turning grim.
"The animals are very agitated. That loud noise was from explosives. I don't know why the guards didn't sound the alarm… The animals also say there's the smell of burnt corpses!"
Yiyeta leaped to her feet, black miasma emanating from her and coiling around everyone present before vanishing abruptly. She intended to lead the Will of Nature's experts to confront the intruders.
When they arrived in haste, they were met with a sight that made them stare in disbelief.
Wen Wen, Tao Qingqing, and a slender woman in golden-green armor holding a trident were seated around a barbecue grill, drooling as they watched a giant squid tentacle.
Beneath the grill burned flames far exceeding normal temperatures. Wen Wen had been using his abilities to control this flame, allowing the squid tentacle to cook as quickly as possible without burning or damaging the grill.
The slender woman holding the trident was Yuan Qiuyuan, the guardian of the Will of Nature, known as the Tides Sea.
As the owner of this azure lake connected to the sea, she could exert power far exceeding that of a typical True Order in this location.
When Wen Wen and the others entered earlier, Wen Wen had presented his Hunter's Association credentials, so she hadn't attacked him. However, upon seeing him barbecue the squid, she couldn't resist climbing out of the lake, intending to get a taste of this squid tentacle.
This secret realm was wonderful in every way, except for its bland food. Fruits and vegetables of all kinds… was that even considered food?
"Eh, why is it you?" Wen Wen and Yiyeta exclaimed simultaneously.
However, their tones differed slightly. Wen Wen knew this was the headquarters of the Will of Nature, but he hadn't expected to encounter Yiyeta so soon. This woman had a bad temper and enjoyed scolding people; he hoped she wouldn't disrupt his plans.
Yiyeta, on the other hand, was simply surprised. She truly hadn't expected to meet Wen Wen here.
"With so many of you, my squid won't be enough to go around. I can only cut a slice for each of you to try."
Wen Wen produced a small plate, sliced some squid, and had Tao Qingqing distribute it to everyone. Wen Wen himself gnawed on a small half of the squid tentacle.
"I've come to ask for your help this time. I need a cup of water from the Spring of Life, and I'd like to borrow your sacred land to complete a ritual."
"You're asking for a cup of the Spring of Life right off the bat. Do you know how precious that thing is?"
Wen Wen chuckled, "As precious as it is, I'm not taking it for free. Besides, even if you don't want to give it, it's fine as long as the Moon Goddess is willing."
"You…" Yiyeta gritted her teeth in anger, wanting to drive Wen Wen away.
A ethereal voice reached them, calming Yiyeta's fury. It was the Moon Goddess's voice.
"Let him come see me."
The several Will of Nature executives who had followed were astonished by Wen Wen.
Although the Moon Goddess appeared gentle, she was very particular about hierarchy and respect. If their address or attitude had been even slightly off, they might have been punished.
Yet, this fellow had casually called the Moon Goddess "sister," and not only was the Moon Goddess not angered, but she had also summoned him?
Wen Wen's eyes lit up upon hearing the voice. He gripped his chin and applied pressure, dislocating his jaw. He then forced the half-eaten squid tentacle down his throat, and with a click, popped his jaw back into place.
Everyone except Tao Qingqing instinctively touched their chins. Although Wen Wen had acted upon himself, it seemed to make them feel the pain as well.
"Let's hurry, don't keep Moon Goddess sister waiting."
The helpless Yiyeta could only sigh, leading Wen Wen and Tao Qingqing towards the palace with haste.
This was Wen Wen's confidence in ensuring he obtained the Spring of Life. The Moon Goddess was an old acquaintance of the powerful figure in the black robe within him, and while the Spring of Life was precious, it was actually a renewable resource. As long as he asked, the Moon Goddess should be able to give it to him.
Furthermore, even if the Moon Goddess happened not to be here, Wen Wen was confident he could acquire the item.
He had long prepared equivalent exchange. If the Will of Nature was willing to trade, that would be good. If they were unwilling to trade, then he would have to bring out another powerful figure.