Chapter 145: Sourness

"But isn't Calyste helping you with spell research?"

"Calyste is only staying in the forest temporarily; she might return to Bicuiting any time. Besides, I don't feel right constantly troubling her."

The witch Dimeya opened her mouth but said nothing.

He let out a bitter smile and shook his head.

"You're surprisingly slow, Mr. Luo De."

Luo De paid no mind to her words.

He began instructing Pan Ni on key matters regarding the farm's construction.

Mainly, until a spell suppressing the ghoul plague aura is developed, do not let them work to save money.

Pan Ni herself, as a ghoul mage with considerable power, has already gained self-control through recent efforts.

At this stage, we can only hire people.

Faced with the reprimand, Pan Ni was unusually anxious and fearful.

Since the farm started losing money, she's acted as if she'd committed a capital crime—almost every time she sees Luo De, she kneels and begs for mercy.

"How is Sharon doing?"

Luo De had gone to help treat the dog-people girl Sharon's illness.

After enduring the agony, she had grown emaciated and pale within less than a month.

Her muscles, spirituality, and magic were all severely affected.

It was hard to imagine that merely being lashed across the mental dimension could produce such dire consequences.

Fortunately,

the 【Grass】 domain's regeneration and primordial enhancement proved highly effective.

After several rounds of treatment, her illness was fully cleared.

She could now eat independently without relying on the 【Life Nectar】 healing spell.

"Thanks to you, Sharon will be able to get out of bed in a few days. But it's a pity the plague melted over half her magic pathways—her magic accumulation will likely be capped at third-rank from now on."

The witch Dimeya's face darkened with sorrow.

Once, Sharon's talent, while not the absolute best, was still among the top in Bahadur Magic Academy.

Later, she withdrew from the academy due to certain events and let her spellcraft stagnate—what a pity.

"By the way, there's another matter I'd like to discuss with you."

Dimeya quickly pulled herself together—after all, as long as her life was secure, everything else could be negotiated.

"Go on."

"I was thinking—could we promote the Cutting Maze as a new attraction to draw tourists? If it goes well, perhaps we could even create a new festival."

Again?

Luo De couldn't help but feel exasperated.

People on this continent were far too fond of festivals.

"I don't mind, as long as tourists don't disturb the residents inside. But won't the land naga, who are about to settle in the Death Desert, object?"

The witch let out a light laugh, laced with disdain.

"The Death Desert is merely borrowed land from our Aitheron—we have no need to consult her. Still, for the sake of neighborly harmony, we'll give a small cut."

Of course, you'll receive your share of the ticket revenue, Mr. Luo De, and we'll construct a 【Distance Teleport】 route for access.

Since she had already arranged it,

Luo De didn't bother asking further.

He returned to the forest warden's cabin.

Tally naturally pulled down his pants.

She opened her mouth to bite, but was coldly pushed away.

The succubus pouted, clearly displeased.

"Tally worked so hard last night—won't you reward me at all?!"

"Strictly follow the one-meal-per-day rule. Besides, there are others here."

The zombie Selena stood to the side, motionless, expressionless.

"She's a zombie, you know, Master. Though zombies and ghouls are both undead, ghouls still retain some senses—male ghouls can even produce something. But zombies? They're nearly complete corpses. And she's even used magic to block emotional transmission."

Selena nodded, expressionless.

Miss Tally is correct. Aside from vision, I lack most senses. But the magic blocking emotional transmission was solidified in my youth, so its effect isn't perfect—it occasionally leaks a little.

Hearing this, Tally smiled and added:

"Vivian should feel threatened—there's someone in this forest with the same setup as her."

She stepped forward and unceremoniously stripped Selena's clothes off.

"Hmm, well, in the forest, her figure doesn't pose a threat."

Withered.

Skin and bones.

Beneath the loose black robe was the underdeveloped frame of a girl aged eleven or twelve.

Clearly, since transforming herself into a zombie, her body had ceased growing.

Moreover, half her face was burned away.

Luo De had briefly considered tasting a zombie—but seeing her, he lost all interest.

He was about to take her to wash up,

when a 【Message Spell】 voice reached his ear.

It was the elf Calyste.

She wanted him to come to the Sand Willow District.

Most matters concerning the 【Dark Vortex Rift】 Sandstorm Ritual had been resolved.

What could possibly be happening in the Sand Willow District?

Luo De instructed Tally to take the zombie to wash up, then used 【Tree Walker】 to travel.

Soon,

Sand Willow District.

The elf Calyste stood before a young sand willow sapling.

This sapling differed slightly from the others—its bark was mottled green and white, gently rising and falling as if breathing, occasionally emitting a "gaa" sound like a frog.

Luo De immediately understood.

She had successfully developed a magically modified sand willow—and had come to show off.

"You're here."

She feigned disinterest, gazing into the distance.

"I heard from Dimeya that the land nagas will be settling in the Death Desert soon. Nothing much—just wanted to discuss how we should handle the forest's edge."

In truth, she was continuously casting spells on the sapling, dazzling magic particles falling like snowflakes onto its surface.

Luo De internally sighed, amused, and played along.

"There's truth to that… Wow, what's this? It looks completely different from other sand willows."

Calyste let out a soft hum.

"Just a little trick."

She lifted her head slightly. "The water mist frog and sand willow have been merged—this not only stores spirituality but can also deploy a water-based barrier when threatened."

"Incredible!"

Luo De genuinely praised her.

After all, what he needed external aids to accomplish, this elf had achieved entirely on her own.

"No wonder you're Calyste—you managed such a daunting magical experiment all by yourself!"

Facing the flattery,

the elf showed no outward reaction—her expression remained cold.

But Luo De had known her long enough to see the hidden pride and delight in her gaze.

Suddenly,

her expression froze.

"You brought another girl in?"

Clearly, as a mage with countless tricks, Calyste had placed many watchers throughout the forest.

"Yes, a researcher. She'll be in charge of spell research from now on. I feel bad constantly troubling you."

Hearing this, the elf's face turned cold.

The earlier pride and delight vanished instantly, replaced by her usual aloof, distant demeanor.

"Oh, really."

(End of Chapter)