"System, didn’t you say the Tree of Life was sealed? Then how did the quality of its skills improve?"

[The seal on the Tree of Life only affected its power and consciousness. It did not affect its bloodline.]

"So that’s how it is."

Rios finally understood, and the doubts in his mind were swept away. The abilities of the Tree of Life were in no way inferior to his own as the Tree of Abyss.

Pulse of Life, which filled the healing and recovery gap he had been lacking; the terrifying Seal of Life, which covered both offense and defense while greatly expanding the versatility of his arsenal; and Blessing of Life, which would become tremendous support for his followers and allies. These three abilities had multiplied his strength yet again, making him even more eager to discover what secrets the Elven Queen’s unique body was hiding.

"System..."

Rios wanted to ask another question, but a voice interrupted him from behind.

"M-My lord... is that really you?"

Both Thandria and Queen Elena stared at Rios with faces burning red from embarrassment, yet neither of them could look away under the shock.

When Rios heard Thandria’s voice, he turned toward the two Elves behind him, and his expression instantly froze.

Only then did he realize that he was completely naked.

"Shit... this is embarrassing."

Rios hurriedly waved his hand and used a portion of Blessing of Life.

Life energy spread around him, causing the green grass beneath his feet to grow rapidly and wrap around his waist and hips, concealing his private parts and forming something resembling a pair of shorts.

Although Rios had never worn clothes before because he had been a tree, he still possessed the mind of a human. Now that he had taken on a human form, walking around completely naked would hardly be appropriate.

A mischievous smile appeared on his face as he walked toward Thandria and Elena. His embarrassment vanished completely.

Stopping in front of Elena, he smiled and reached for her veil.

Queen Elena’s body tensed. She wanted to raise her hand and stop him, but she did not dare.

Rios gently grasped the white veil and removed it.

His eyes slowly widened as he gazed upon what lay beneath.

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Ding!

[A unique body has been discovered!]

Name: The Pulsing Star Body (Immortal)

Status: Sealed

Quest: Form a relationship with Queen Elena to unseal the Immortal Body.

Reward:

1. Ten Abyss Bloodline Potions (Heaven)

Penalty: The Abyss Bloodline will be sealed.

Time Remaining: One month

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Rios never even looked at the system panel.

The sight before him was simply too overwhelming.

What he saw was not merely breathtaking beauty.

It was something entirely different.

Something far greater.

If Thandria’s beauty resembled a blue moon, then Queen Elena was like a blazing sun so brilliant that no one dared gaze directly at it.

Her face was flawlessly pale with a delicate rosy hue, her skin shining as though carved from polished crystal. She possessed full, sculpted lips with graceful curves and naturally lifted corners.

But the most captivating feature on her face was her eyes.

They resembled two blazing golden stars capable of burning anyone who dared look into them.

Barely a second passed before Elena shut her eyes and covered them with her hand, snapping Rios out of his daze.

He caught her hand and tried to move it away, but she resisted.

"My lord... please, don’t!"

Elena’s voice trembled with fear as tears silently streamed down her cheeks.

"What’s going on?"

Rios’s calm expression turned serious as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"My lord, please forgive Queen Elena. No one can look into her eyes for very long," Thandria explained anxiously.

"Explain."

Rios turned toward Thandria and released Elena’s shoulder as her tears continued falling.

"My lord, we believe Her Majesty is afflicted by some kind of curse. Anyone who stares into her eyes for more than a few moments begins burning from within by golden flames until someone extinguishes them... or the victim dies. We believe this curse is the price Her Majesty pays for the prophecies she receives."

System, what does this mean? Rios cursed inwardly. You told me her unique body was sealed, not cursed!

[There is no curse upon Queen Elena’s Pulsing Star Body. What she experiences is merely the result of being unable to control her Immortal Body. Because of the violent stellar properties of the Pulsing Star Body, weaker bloodlines cannot endure approaching her or meeting her gaze.]

"So I won’t have any problems around her since I possess an Immortal bloodline as well, right?"

Rios’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he asked.

[The Nine Great Trees possess the purest and most exalted bloodlines. Furthermore, Host, you possess two of those Nine Great Tree bloodlines and are therefore considered a mutated bloodline. Even if Queen Elena were truly cursed, your distinguished bloodline would greatly reduce its effects on you. Since she is not cursed at all, there is no need for concern.]

The system answered mockingly, amused by Rios’s ignorance.

"System, what exactly is a mutated bloodline?"

He had wanted to ask that question before but had been interrupted by the two women.

[The host should discover that for himself.]

The system replied impatiently before closing the panel in Rios’s face.

"What a bastard."

Rios cursed the system inwardly before turning back toward Queen Elena.

"There’s no need to worry. Your eyes may affect others, but they’re far too weak to affect me."

With complete confidence, he gently pulled Elena’s hand away from her eyes and looked directly into them with pride.

Elena gazed back at him nervously, prepared to shut her eyes again at the slightest sign of danger.

But nothing happened.

Seconds turned into moments as they stared into each other’s eyes like two devoted lovers.

Three full minutes passed.

Still, Rios remained completely unharmed.

Elena’s golden eyes slowly widened before narrowing again as tears welled up inside them.

Her body trembled.

Then she threw herself into Rios’s chest.

"It’s alright, girl... it’s alright. I’m here now. You can leave all your worries and sorrows to me. You won’t be alone anymore."

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Photos of Rios and Elena are in the comments.