If there had been others here, they would have easily determined that the daring nymph had died in an instant; her body had lost its life, leaving only the undecaying shell innate to elves.
However, at this moment, Moanda's consciousness was otherwise.
From life to death, and from death back to life, she felt as if she had relived the process of 'birth' once again, and at a certain moment, the nymph felt she had touched a vast and great consciousness. The gap between them was so immense, like a grain of sand to a mountain, a drop of water to a river, yet they were also so similar and close, making Moanda feel such peace and beauty.
Gradually, their consciousness began to intersect and fuse. Moanda felt herself growing stronger every moment, yet something intangible was being separated out. Stranger fragments of memories began to flood in, some pitch black, others warm and comfortable as if soaked in liquid, and even one interrupted in the process of gestation, planted on a high mountain by a goddess in a green dress.
In just a brief moment, Moanda experienced tens of thousands of years since the birth of the Golden Apple Tree, yet this vast memory brought her no sense of shock.
Because it was so monotonous and dull, monotonous growth, monotonous fruiting, receiving no more attention than necessary, it lived a long life as still as dead water, stirring not a single ripple.
Until this moment, when two real consciousnesses were born from its hazy instincts, everything changed. One was the Outsider, who brought with it change and hope; the other shared Wisdom, yet it was still naive and ignorant—the original entity.
"This is, the authority of a god?"
Consciousness returned from the vague to the clear. Gradually, Moanda began to feel her own 'body' again, and the new consciousness that was tightly 'adhered' to her. But she couldn't concern herself with it, for with it came a sense of power she had never imagined before.
She did not know how strong this surge of Divine Power was, for the nymph had never before felt the power of the gods. But at this moment, Moanda felt she could move heaven and earth.
Because the most important thing was how to contain her new 'main body'. There weren't many things in this world that could allow the Golden Apple Tree to move without harming its Vital Essence. Fortunately, the Seed of All Things did not come to this world alone.
"Life Vase, now that the Golden Apple Tree has gained consciousness, it is time for you to return to your true master. Gaia, to claim you, obliterated the potential transformation of the Divine Tree, but now, I am your rightful owner."
With a slight tremor of her consciousness, Moanda silently sensed the location of the Divine Artifact. It shouldn't be far, placed in the Oracle of Delphi instead of Mother Earth to receive offerings, just so long as she—
"Hm?"
Startled, Moanda sensed that the Life Vase had not disappeared. However, at this moment, the reborn nymph suddenly discovered that the artifact did not seem to be in the Oracle.
Within the Temple of Delphi, Moanda only felt the power left there by the gods, but not a hint of the Divine Artifact's essence. And the current location of the Life Vase...
Looking at the empty space before her, and guided by a subtle connection, Moanda suddenly realized that the artifact symbolizing 'Life' seemed to be right before her eyes.
"Have you sensed it already? Well, it is true that you now have more rights than Gaia to wield it. Hehe, and to think, I merely came to 'borrow' Gaia's artifact, and I ended up witnessing this. This is truly beyond my expectations."
With a faint laugh, the initial disguise dispersed, and Moanda finally 'saw' the figure in front of her and the emerald vase in his hands. Or to be more precise, the figure had never concealed himself; he merely stood there, allowing all things in the world to overlook his presence.
Perhaps cautious of Gaia's remaining power, the figure simply stood there quietly. He did not approach further, instead, looked with interest at the grandeur of the Golden Apple Tree before him, given the day's events, it was an eye-opening experience for him.
"Now, tell me, what were your plans after leaving here?"