Walker Of The Worlds

2740  The Chalice Top Forest

Lin Mu and the group departed the Emerald Canopy Forest and headed east once they had finished their period of relaxation. Along the way, Lin Mu had taken the opportunity to collect various materials from the forest, including entire trees as well as their wood and leaves. He was particularly fascinated by the unique characteristics of the translucent leaves, which shimmered like polished emeralds when caught in the light.

He speculated that these leaves might have a unique use in formations. Their transparency and thickness could allow for multiple layers of runes to be inscribed without interference, something that was often problematic on regular paper or other materials.

 Traditional parchment was too thin, causing overlapping runes to disrupt the formation's integrity. Thicker materials could be used, but they often proved costly and had suboptimal Qi transmission. These leaves, however, might serve as a perfect middle ground—flexible, naturally resilient, and abundant.

Of course, one could simply use gems or refined crystals for high-tier formations, but their costs were significantly higher. The leaves, on the other hand, grew in vast numbers, making them a far more practical alternative for certain applications. Lin Mu tucked them away in his spatial storage, eager to experiment later.

Fascinated by what he had already encountered, Lin Mu couldn't help but wonder what other peculiar flora and fauna he would discover in his journey. The Jiu World was filled with an endless variety of plants, some with uses yet to be uncovered.

Their next destination was the Shanxi Imperial Capital, situated far to the east of Ram Orchard City, nearly fifteen thousand kilometers away. Unlike most capitals that were strategically positioned at the center of an empire or kingdom, the Shanxi Empire's capital was located near the eastern coast.

This unique placement was due to historical reasons—when the rebellion that led to the empire's founding had begun, this was where their power base had been established. Rather than shifting the capital inland for defensive purposes, they chose to preserve their roots and maintain their original seat of power.

Ordinarily, empires avoided placing their capitals near coastal regions due to the risk of attacks, whether from foreign invaders or aquatic beasts. However, the Shanxi Empire had no such concerns.

The oceans of the Jiu World were relatively stable, with the strongest aquatic beasts concentrated around the polar regions. Additionally, the closest major landmass across the ocean, the Grand River Continent, lacked a unified power that could pose a threat. That continent was primarily home to non-human races and spiritual beasts who preferred to remain secluded rather than engage in conquest.

Thus, the eastern coast proved to be a safe and strategically sound location for the capital. Any administrative difficulties arising from its placement had been largely mitigated through the use of advanced teleportation arrays, allowing swift and efficient travel between key locations.

 Furthermore, the western front of the Shanxi Empire remained unthreatened due to the ongoing conflict between the Fu and Wa Empires on the Fuwa Continent. Their internal strife kept their resources and manpower tied up, making it clear that the Shanxi Empire was the dominant power in the world.

As they traveled, Lin Mu and his companions encountered a variety of landscapes—lush forests, vast plains, rolling steppes, and treacherous swamps. Of all the regions they passed, none were as bizarre and fascinating as the Chalice Top Forest, home to the infamous Swamps of the Gulper Goose.

After three weeks of travel, they finally approached the outskirts of the Chalice Top Forest.

"There it is!" Meng Bai exclaimed excitedly, pointing ahead.

Lin Mu narrowed his eyes as he observed the strange expanse before them. "How peculiar…" he muttered.

While he had read about the unusual trees that populated this forest, seeing them in person was an entirely different experience.

The Chalice Top Mahogany Trees dominated the landscape, their massive canopies forming a surreal, almost alien sight. Unlike conventional trees, their upper branches curved inward, forming natural bowl-like depressions at the top, while their edges rose like the lip of a chalice. This unique structure allowed rainwater to collect within them, turning the trees into enormous, living reservoirs.

From the air, the canopy appeared to be a sea of verdant cups, some glistening with clear rainwater while others contained a more viscous, brownish liquid.

Meng Bai furrowed his brows in confusion. "What's that stuff in the middle of some of those trees? It doesn't look like water."

Daoist Chu stroked his beard as he observed the strange pools. "Is it just muddy water from the rains?" he speculated.

"No… I think that's their sap." Lin Mu retrieved a jade slip from his spatial ring and scanned its contents. "Yes, that's their sap."

"Sap? Shouldn't that be oozing from the bark instead?" Daoist Chu asked, puzzled.

Lin Mu nodded. "Normally, yes. But the Chalice Top Mahogany Trees have a peculiar method of secreting their sap. Instead of allowing it to drip from their trunks, they release it into their cup-like tops. It serves as an attractant for birds and insects, which then assist in pollination."

"I see… But wouldn't they need flowers for that?" Meng Bai asked, tilting his head.

"Good point," Daoist Chu agreed. "I don't see any flowers either."

Mahogany trees were known for their bright and conspicuous blossoms, which made them easy to spot. Yet here, amidst the dense canopy, there were no apparent signs of flowering.

"Not for this particular species of mahogany," Lin Mu explained. "Their flowers are incredibly small—barely the size of an olive—and are hidden beneath the leaves. We won't be able to see them from above. But if we get closer and look from beneath the chalice, we should be able to spot them."

Meng Bai's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Can we take a look?"

"Sure," Lin Mu agreed, seeing no harm in indulging the boy's curiosity.

SHUA!

Little Shrubby lowered his altitude, bringing them just a few meters above the treetops. Now that they were closer, the intricate details of the trees became even more apparent.

"Oh! I see them now!" Meng Bai exclaimed.