Chapter 204: Business Trip

The eastern lands of Ethelon border the Heavenly Flower Kingdom, but Luo De is now in the Windwall Forest at Ethelon's westernmost edge.

It's not exactly far, though.

It's just crossing the entire territory of Ethelon, the largest kingdom on the continent today.

By the way, the location isn't in the Heavenly Flower Kingdom—it's to its east.

So that means crossing the Heavenly Flower Kingdom as well, the fourth-largest territory on the continent.

Naulin saw him hesitate, assumed he was unwilling, and immediately pouted: "Master, what's wrong? Even if you don't want to, it's fine! Naulin will go look again! Waaah!"

Luo De smiled.

He wanted to pat her head, but his hand passed through her spirit form, touching nothing.

"Of course I'm not unwilling—I'm just thinking about how to plan the route. First, tell me the exact situation."

The 【Jade Broken Branch】 still isn't fully cultivated; long-distance travel isn't convenient.

But with the Unlimited-Distance Teleport in the Magic Control League, it's doable—just a bit more Jin Along.

Naulin then explained the mission:

"It's simple. Naulin has already arranged everything. Master just needs to go over there and retrieve it. Waaah… I'm so sorry, Master, for a slave like me ordering you around."

Luo De waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind.

He cared more about the strength level there.

Hearing this question, Naulin replied: "Don't worry, Master—it's a very weak Cat Tribe. Master can do as he pleases—no, wait! Please don't do as you please! Save your essence for Naulin!"

She nearly shouted the last part, her face flushed red.

Naulin: o(*////▽////*)q

"Very weak?"

Weak, and just a simple courier pickup.

Sounds like a relaxing little trip.

More importantly—Cat Race? Hehehe.

Who doesn't like cat-girls?

()

Luo De immediately agreed.

After chatting about the details, he bid Naulin farewell.

Early the next morning.

He went to the Magic Control League to inquire about the cost of using the 【Ultra-Distance Teleport】 as an employee.

The price depends on distance.

The small settlement on the eastern edge of the Heavenly Flower Kingdom—Olive Town—cost 1, 20 Jin Along after discount.

Luo De: (⊙_⊙)

So expensive?

That's that profitable?

Magic Control League employees must pay heavily to use the 【Ultra-Distance Teleport】 outside of missions; Luo De had been employed too briefly to qualify for free uses—he needed a full year.

He'd hoped to find a nearby mission he could piggyback on, but unfortunately, there weren't any.

He had no choice but to swallow the cost.

This only made him more eager for the 【Jade Broken Branch】.

That noon.

Luo De, accompanied by Tally, used the Magic Control League's 【Ultra-Distance Teleport】 and arrived smoothly at Olive Town, the small settlement on the eastern edge of the Heavenly Flower Kingdom.

"I feel like I've arrived at another Shi Ying Town," Tally said.

The two stood side by side, observing Olive Town—its houses, clothing, and ethnicities barely different from Ethelon's.

Ethelon, as a continental superpower for many years, had deeply influenced the culture and customs of surrounding regions—and the entire continent.

This place was merely smaller in area and population than Shi Ying Town.

Hearing Luo De's explanation, the succubus looked bored.

She leapt into her master's shadow: "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when we meet the cat-people. Or wake me up when you've lured a cat-girl into bed."

Luo De ignored her.

Succubi are a shallow race—their minds hold only essence and appetite; they can't appreciate this familiar yet distinct cultural atmosphere.

Luo De wasn't in a hurry to find the wilderness labyrinth.

After all, he was only here to pick up a parcel; if all went well, he could even return the same day.

But then again.

Since he'd come all this way, he might as well stay until the three-day limit of the 【Ultra-Distance Teleport】 expired.

Looking at the scene before him, Luo De felt a sense of unreality—he hadn't expected to be this far away so suddenly.

He wandered leisurely, stopping and starting as he pleased.

He bought a new set of stylish accessories in town, paused to watch farmers at work in the fields, then purchased some crop seeds.

He sampled local snacks and dishes, and whenever he found something good, he packed it into a magic box with preservation effects.

Finally, he went to a tavern for a glass of classic Giant Wine, nibbled on the complimentary bar snacks, and listened to gossip.

Luo De felt his mood lighten considerably; the worries of the past few days had finally dissipated.

He felt something stir—two spirit seeds suddenly sprouted in his palm.

"Perhaps mood affects the birth of spirit seeds?"

After a long while.

He opened the 【Far-Speech Chain】 to communicate the route with Naulin.

Normally, even the 【Far-Speech Chain】 couldn't function over such distances—but Naulin had recently devised a ritual that temporarily extended its range for five days.

Soon, Luo De found the labyrinth site on the back hill of Olive Town, still undiscovered by humans.

The entrance was a hidden cave, less than half a person's height—requiring crawling to enter.

Luo De always maintained dignity.

So he pulled Tally out, had her shrink her form to crawl inside, while he remained calmly within his shadow, his clothes and hairstyle untouched.

After passing through the narrow passage, a spiritual glow flashed.

The scenery ahead opened up—bright, soft light poured from the sky, bathing the lush forest in warmth.

Luo De stepped out of his shadow.

His eyes brightened—he always felt at ease around forests.

He pressed his fingers against a nearby tree, gently stroking it.

The power of 【Tree's Blessing】 activated swiftly; this untouched forest poured forth 【Growth Spirit】 in abundance.

"Hmm, good."

Tally looked around: "Where are the cat-people?"

Rustle—

No sooner had she spoken than sounds of movement came from the vegetation ahead.

Luo De's perception swept over them.

Their spiritual class was weak—only high-level fourth tier.

As beast-people, most possessed the spiritual art 【Biological Camouflage】, which blurred perception.

He couldn't discern their full form, only that they were small in stature.

He adjusted his collar.

"Don't rush, Tally. Girls don't like impatient men."

"That's not true, big brother—Tally loves it when the pervert brother rushes," Tally purred with a seductive smile.

Today she was playing the little sister role—not just in appearance, but in clothing too, nearly identical.

"You're an exception."

Rustle—

The grass swayed.

"Meow—"

A soft, kitten-like meow echoed.

The next moment, five or six figures dashed out.

But when Luo De saw who they were, his smile froze, his hand still halfway adjusting his collar.

Tally's eyes widened.

After a long pause, she said incredulously: "I don't think these are cat-people… Wait—did your real goal all along have something to do with them?"

Ahead,

A group of fluffy cat-fairies bowed respectfully.

Cat-fairies are a sentient race whose appearance is nearly identical to ordinary cats.

The only two differences: they stand on two legs, and are larger in size.

In short, they're a standing-cat race.

They have nothing to do with "cat-people."

(End of Chapter)