Chapter 173: Chitchat and Methods to Enhance One

The elderly gentleman Humbert sat on a brown leather sofa beside Luo De.

"Fried Argyle's transformation into a demon has shaken the nerves of the new leadership in Stormwind City. Though he was a marginal scion of the Argyle family, they fear provoking the ruling faction within the family. As interim administrators of Stormwind City, they decided to handle it swiftly."

Witch Demia: "And Lucius, the rebel in Coral Bay—a tiefling mage allied with Hell—is naturally suspected of involvement."

Luo De plucked a crystal grape from the fruit platter beside him.

Soft and limp.

Supposedly grown by farmers in Shi Ying Town; seems like a poor variety.

North of Coral Bay lies a place called Jin Yang Highlands, a highly developed agricultural region.

In past years, at this time, various crops would pass through the trade road before Coral Bay, cross the Twilight Hills, and arrive at Shi Ying Town's exit with fresh fruit.

But this year, the Ruins Brotherhood has been lurking unpredictably on the Twilight Hills, occasionally ambushing and robbing travelers, so there's far less now.

Luo De: "With such a clear-cut case, what's left to negotiate with Stormwind City?"

Demia: "It's still because of the internal unrest. The city's situation is worse than imagined—even now, they can only spare two sixth-rank high-tier experts."

"Two sixth-rank high-tier experts?"

Luo De shook his head.

Useless.

Elder gentleman Humbert: "Mainly to probe the enemy's strength. The blockade inside Coral Bay is too tight, and bards' reports are unreliable—they might exaggerate to gain reputation and join forces with Shi Ying Town for investigation. On one hand, they want to drag in the land-dwelling naga who've done nothing so far; on the other, they clearly hope to ride on your reputation, Master Luo De."

Luo De chuckled lightly but said nothing.

As for Shi Ying Town and the forest matters—he'd lived here many years, had feelings for it; defending his home was only natural.

But if you expect me, a forest warden, to reclaim lost territory, we must carefully weigh the costs and benefits.

Humbert clearly understood his meaning and dropped the subject.

He shifted to recent gossip:

"By the way, those nagas caused a scene at city hall this morning, claiming a precious gem merchant claiming to be from Shi Ying Town swindled their weapons and armor."

Demia smiled: "Where would Shi Ying Town get an official precious gem merchant?"

"Exactly. I knew immediately they'd been scammed—hehe, last night, Master Luo De's tree spirit friend scared them half to death; this morning, they were completely stripped of their former arrogance, only daring to mutter insults during their outburst."

This matter involved Luo De.

The items were still in his spell satchel; he chose not to comment.

Demia: "No wonder I saw several reporters from the press on my way here. Soon, the Snow Hill Evening News will have another fraud case to report."

They chatted for a long while.

Seeing night had fallen,

Luo De and Demia had a simple meal at a small eatery beside city hall.

Why only the two of them, and not Luo De, Demia, and Humbert together?

Because the old turtle-man Humbert wanted to enjoy more private, sweet moments with his stepdaughter before her husband arrived in Shi Ying Town.

The old lecher still had his lustful ways—anyone could sense his vital energy had weakened slightly.

Luo De had absolutely no interest in such unhealthy romantic entanglements.

Windwall Forest.

Bai Yu District.

A newer, larger magical treehouse had already been built here.

Serving as a temporary medical facility for the orc Amy, the zombie Selena, and Tally.

When Luo De entered carrying pastries, desserts, and dinner staples, the aroma instantly filled the entire house.

The little mare acting as temporary nurse poked her head out from the partition and rushed out in delight.

Elf Kallist and the half-deer Xiao Ke also paused their healing spells and left their patient partitions.

The four gathered around a table outside the treehouse.

They lit the 【Brightening Spell】, ate while listening to the night insects' chirping.

Tally, who suffered the lightest injuries, naturally clung to her master.

But powerful healing spells induced intense drowsiness; she shrank her succubus form to a petite size and dozed off in Luo De's lap.

Her horns softened when relaxed, pressing gently against his shoulder—no discomfort at all.

Luo De gently patted her back, like soothing a child.

【Tally's obedience toward you +3; current obedience: 78】

Kallist frowned: "Seventh-rank Hellfire injuries are hard to treat—even with decent flame resistance. Until she's fully recovered, avoid vigorous activity during meals."

Before Luo De could react, Xiao Ke's face turned bright red. "Kallist, Bond is right here!"

But Bond, head down, ate silently, ignoring everything around him.

Didn't care at all.

"Is this some secret? All living beings must consume appropriate food to survive. For succubi, it's merely appetite. Bond, sit up straight and eat!"

The elf's expression remained blank.

Xiao Ke paused, murmuring: "Merely appetite?"

Then she stole a glance at Luo De.

Sensing her gaze, the forest warden, who had been sneakily pinching the succubus's tiny buttocks, smiled at her.

"There's fern and mushroom soup—you said you liked this, right? And here, honey soufflé."

The half-deer couldn't help but grin: "Y-you still remember what I like to eat?"

"Of course. I remember every forest dweller's favorite dishes. Look—this is Bond's favorite wild-herb beef roll; that's Kallist's favorite moongrass-simmered silver trout and emerald salad."

The elf, elegantly placing a silver trout piece into her mouth, froze.

The half-deer instantly bristled: "Disgusting! Stalker!"

Bond corrected: "Wrong, Luo De—I like all these dishes!"

"Alright, alright." Luo De laughed and patted her head.

Soon,

Everyone finished eating.

Satiated, Bond sprawled out like a corpse.

But Xiao Ke pushed her up to help clean up the dishes.

Kallist: "Human, you defeated a seventh-rank—yet you have no injuries at all?"

"No injuries, but I used a spell that drained immense spiritual energy—it took me five full minutes to recover."

Five full minutes?

After using high-tier spells, most can't get out of bed for weeks. Five minutes is more than enough.

Kallist didn't care about such trivial details.

She murmured a spell and cast 【Physique Analysis】 upon him.

"Muscle strength, bone density, internal organ condition—all fine. In fact, far stronger than a typical sixth-rank, with no hidden injuries."

Luo De: "I want to enhance my physical essence—any suggestions?"

【Blessing of the Celestial Tree】 is my current ultimate technique.

But using it leaves me useless for five minutes—this side effect is unbearable.

To eliminate these side effects, I must begin with my bodily essence.

"Permanent magical potions, rigorous warrior training, elemental resonance within the body, pacts with high-tier beings, bloodline awakening, consuming divine herbs—those are the only options."

Kallist pulled a test tube from her spell satchel—half-filled with bubbling red liquid.

"Drink it."

Luo De obeyed.

(End of chapter)