Chapter 220: Hidden Hand

Soon.

The treatment for the flower spirit Nikel was finished.

After performing various healing rituals, he established a spherical field to encase the emerald limb and stabilize its current state.

"Done."

He stood up and turned toward Luo De: "I'll give you some maintenance tonic later—apply it three times daily, make sure it soaks into the roots, don't overdo it; the patient's condition is still weak, and if you over-supplement and kill them, it'll be a problem."

Nikel was still responsible, listing each precaution one by one.

After he finished speaking at length.

Luo De thanked him.

Nikel waved his hand: "No need. I'm doing this for the sake of this squirrel. If you really want to thank me, and you find a stable, habitable dimension, let us know—there'll be generous rewards."

I do know.

I was just there not long ago.

The 【Cat Spirit Paradise】 is small in scale, but it's a rare stable labyrinth—if you can ignore its shrunken labyrinth rules.

But this is the Cat Spirits' territory; Luo De couldn't tell anyone about it.

Oh, by the way.

There's also the Crystal Wing Clan's Flawless Crystal Ground. The portal to the other dimension inside the demon nest has been sealed—no one knows if they can stabilize the labyrinth.

In fact, many people refer to labyrinths as 'dimensions.'

But whether they're truly the same thing, mages still haven't fully figured out.

For example, the Tree Realm has many who suspect its origin was once a labyrinth.

The flower spirit Nikel noticed his expression and paused.

"You really know?"

Luo De was startled, frowning tightly.

Mind reading?

No—though due to the projection summoning, he couldn't gauge the flower spirit's strength, his extremely high mental resistance shouldn't leave him completely unaware of such an attempt.

Nikel quickly explained:

"It's not a mental spell! Many misunderstand—actually, we flower spirits can read 'pollen essence' from various lifeforms, sensing their emotions and vague psychological states. Do you understand?"

Like pheromones?

Luo De looked at the elf Kalist.

She nodded in affirmation: "The flower spirits' innate spiritual art, 【Pollen Essence Reading】, does have this ability—perhaps inherited from their ancestral bloodline. Some insect races possess similar traits. Don't worry; their reading is extremely limited, nowhere near as potent as mental spells."

The elf whispered the latter part close to his ear.

A breath like orchids brushed across his face.

Fine.

With his current physical state, Luo De could naturally control such outwardly emitted pheromones.

He gathered his will, halting their leakage.

He looked again at the slightly tense Nikel.

The flower spirit was already excited—clearly, he cared deeply about finding a home.

"I do know, but I'm sorry—it's already the habitat of another race."

"That's fine, we can coexist. We're willing to pay rent."

Luo De shook his head: "I don't think they'd agree."

The unique manifestation of the Cat Spirits made him dare not even speak their race's name.

The Joyful Court had many races and no shortage of experts.

If someone with ill intent saw profit in the Cat Spirits and came to capture them all, the blame would fall squarely on Luo De.

"Could you connect me with them?"

Luo De shook his head: "Mr. Nikel, the Joyful Court is too powerful. This is just a small labyrinth—it can't possibly hold all of you. I'll keep an eye out for other stable labyrinths for you."

Nikel blinked, stunned.

Then he sighed, slapped his forehead, and apologized:

"Sorry—I got too eager. Forget what I said before. As an apology, I'll leave you two projection seals. If any tree in the forest has trouble, just summon me."

Saying this, he didn't linger.

After reminding the giant squirrel Cui Qian to honor her promise, he bid everyone farewell.

Then he vanished, as if extinguished.

On the ground where he disappeared, two reddish-brown petals and seven or eight vials of pale green maintenance tonic remained.

Those two petals must be the projection seals.

Luo De didn't rush to pick them up.

Though Nikel was a decent trading partner, his current situation might force him to violate professional ethics.

No one is saintly, and everyone has moments when they're powerless.

Luo De: "Kalist, please check them."

The giant squirrel Cui Qian wasn't foolish—she trotted over, worried: "Is there a problem?"

"Just a small suspicion—not necessarily true. Don't worry."

As she spoke, she handed her a small biscuit.

Cui Qian pondered, but unconsciously took the biscuit and crunched it down.

Only after swallowing it did she realize—she moaned, crumbs spilling from her mouth: "Mr. Luo De! You ruined my diet!"

Luo De laughed, patting her squirrel head.

Over there, Kalist's analysis was complete:

"The maintenance tonic is fine. The two projection seals carry hidden tracking spells."

Luo De sighed.

"Should we remove them?" the elf asked.

"Yes. Leave no trace."

"Hmph, like you need to tell me."

Ignoring Kalist's sarcasm, Luo De crouched and patted Cui Qian's head.

The giant squirrel's face showed regret.

"I never thought Nikel was this kind of flower spirit!"

"It's not your fault. No problem—I was careless. I didn't know flower spirits could read pheromones."

"I'll never invite him back to the Tree Realm again! Mr. Luo De, you won't kick me out, will you? I haven't even lost weight yet…"

Luo De smiled: "Stay as long as you want. Go anywhere you like."

Tally leaned over, grinning: "I suggest you come to our bed. The master's got size and skill—he'll make you happy. Besides, we've never tried squirrel before."

Before she finished, the succubus got her face pinched and a knuckle-rap on the forehead from her master.

Hearing this, Cui Qian blushed, covering her cheeks with both tiny paws.

She stammered: "No way, Mr. Luo De! Absolutely not~ Even if you insist, you'll have to turn into a squirrel first~"

Luo De: "..."

After tidying everything up, night had fallen.

Luo De prepared to return to the forest ranger's cabin to rest, naturally inviting Vivian along.

But Vivian was uneasy about the emerald limb's condition and decided to keep watch overnight.

The tree spirit loved trees—he let her have her way, not pressing further.

Then the question arose:

Tonight—should he first feed Tally, then go find the ghoul Pan Ni, or go straight to Tally and start a three-person party?

As he pondered this,

Luo De, when he reached two hundred meters from the ranger's cabin, noticed someone inside.

Oh?

Kalist again?

Definitely not.

She went to deal with the tracking seals.

Then could it be Xiao Ke?

Before his trip, the half-deer had promised to come replace Bond's duty.

Luo De's eyes brightened slightly; he intensified his spiritual perception.

But the result was disappointing.

The spiritual presence inside was familiar—definitely someone he knew—but it carried a unique undead aura found only in the forest.

"In spirit form? It must be Krist."

Coincidentally, Pan Ni had reported that the banshee hadn't returned to sleep in her house lately—perfect chance to ask.

(End of Chapter)