Chapter 136: Thoughts

Chapter 136: Thoughts

Bran was someone who could take care of himself, but he absolutely could not take care of the world. He disliked restraints and troubles, so naturally, he would not bear such chains. Besides, why would other people need you to take care of them? Like this, where people gradually accepted each other through interaction, was what Bran liked to see.

The Ancient Tree asked curiously, “What are they doing?”

“Celebrating.”

“What’s there to celebrate? It’s not like they are the ones flying.”

Bran smiled, “They are just happy for a companion’s progress.”

“Would you be happy for me too?”

“Of course!”

The Ancient Tree said excitedly, “Right now, there is something you can be happy for me about.”

“What is it?” Bran put on a curious look.

“I already grew four legs.” The Ancient Tree’s canopy tilted back slightly.

“Mm, that’s great!”

Looking at the slightly tilted-back canopy, an idea popped into Bran’s mind. He suggested casually, “You need to grow a face.”

“Why? I don’t need one.”

“Sometimes, we have to talk face to face, right? How can I face you properly?”

“You just need to point your face toward me.” The Ancient Tree gave Bran a lesson in a disdainful tone.

Bran was speechless. After thinking for a moment, he continued, “Look, I have a face, and Huahua has one too. Right?”

“Mm!”

“As part of the family, shouldn’t you have a face too?”

“I should!”

After a while, the Ancient Tree asked, “You tell me, where should I grow my face?”

Bran examined the Ancient Tree carefully and finally suggested, “Below the canopy.”

“Good, I’ll grow it now.”

Bran gestured and said, “From now on, here will face the front.”

“Mm, I know.”

After making this suggestion, Bran began to feel anticipation inside. This was the most interesting self-awareness, this would be a true soul portrait.

…

These past few days, Zoya’s mood had been mixed. Since Bran set the code of conduct for the Ancient Tree, its behavior had become more predictable, and people didn’t have to worry too much about hammers falling from the sky. What displeased her was that the Ancient Tree followed the guest code for her, not the family or friend code.

She planned to improve their relationship. Even though she couldn’t spar with him like Bran did, she could talk. She was very good at that, at least better than Bran! In her eyes, Bran was just sitting there bored when he was with the Ancient Tree!

Hearing the cheers from the White Robes’ Settlement again, she couldn’t help but run over. She was curious and needed to ask Bran about some things, while also buttering up the Ancient Tree. This was the key to becoming part of Bran’s family!

After being here for a while, she roughly understood everyone’s standing in Bran’s heart. He seemed nice to everyone and spoke without reservation, but the longer time passed, the more one could feel a faint sense of distance. Except for Danny, except for the Black Cat Huahua, and this Ancient Tree, no one could truly get close to him. For her, Bran was just a bit more casual.

This made her unhappy. She had known Bran longer than this piece of wood.

She believed she had already gained Danny’s approval. The next key target was the Ancient Tree, and finally that cat.

Today, luck was good. She didn’t hear the whooshing wind or the loud clashes of blades and hammers in the courtyard, which made her feel at ease. Probably the commotion at the White Robes’ Settlement had interrupted Bran and the Ancient Tree’s sparring. So she quickened her pace and jogged over to Bran.

Bran smiled as he watched her run to his side and asked, “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to chat with you guys.”

“Are you sure? Don’t make him swing his hammer at you again.” After saying this, Bran couldn’t help but chuckle.

Ignoring Bran’s teasing, Zoya gestured toward the White Robes’ Settlement, “What’s happening over there again?”

“There!” Bran pointed to the sky, “Finally went up to the sky. People are happy for him.”

“Did you tell them the Wizard’s secret?”

“Not exactly telling. They gained inspiration during the exchange.”

Zoya snorted, then said, “The gap between your strengths is so big. Is there a need to exchange with them?”

“We walk two different paths. The strength gap doesn’t affect mutual exchange.”

“You’re all Wizards. How can there be different paths?” Zoya was a bit skeptical.

“I pursue the physical level more, while they pursue the spiritual level more.”

“Which path is better? Who is stronger?” Zoya looked curious.

“Don’t know.”

Zoya stole a glance at Bran and stated her purpose. “You can even teach the White Robes, former enemies. So, my family also has Wizards. Can they come to learn too?”

Seeing Zoya pretending not to care much, just asking casually, Bran laughed silently. He raised his hand and patted her head, saying, “As long as you want.”

“Really?” Zoya grabbed Bran’s arm tightly and confirmed again.

“Mm, not just your family. Any Wizard without ill intent.”

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Zoya no longer felt like staying. She dealt with things briefly and then went back.

…

Not long after Zoya left, Pachu entered the City Manor.

He looked serious now. After bowing to Bran, he said, “We have received much help from you, and we also know it’s nothing much to you.

We’ve been here for a while, and you have never asked for any repayment. Although we always worried you might propose some harsh conditions. But, after spending this much time together, we gradually understood that you never thought about it and didn’t care about these things.

However, you may not care, but we cannot accept it with a clear conscience.”

Looking at Pachu before him, Bran said, “Exchange itself is equal, and throughout this process, we all acted voluntarily. So you don’t need to overthink it or feel anxious.”

Pachu said sincerely, “We all know this is unequal because we benefited more. The recent performance of the White Robes, you must have seen it too.”

Bran sighed, “That is your own accumulation. It has little to do with me. In the same situation, Earl and those people have shown little progress.”

“No. Without your guidance, what good is accumulation?”

Bran smiled, “What do you wish to do then?”

“We want to repay you within our capabilities.”

Bran shook his head and asked, “Do you want to settle here?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s just for peace of mind, then serve this city. Start with Earl and those people. Try to give them some guidance. In a few days, there might be some new Wizards arriving, and we’ll leave them to you too.

Don’t find it troublesome. Observing and recording enough abilities, finding similarities and differences, can help us find a direction and promote the evolution of abilities.”

“Yes,” Pachu bowed and agreed.

…

After Pachu returned from the City Manor, the White-robed Ones gathered around, wanting to know the result as soon as possible. He looked around at his companions and then said, “Don’t worry, the Great Wizard has no other thoughts. He said: ‘If it’s just for peace of mind, then serve this city…'”