Chapter 24: The Tree Spirit

When he returned to the forest guard cabin, the sky had not yet lightened.

After washing his body, Luo De stepped out to find Tally sitting on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, calm and composed.

In her hand was a bundle of hemp rope.

This was unlike her usual behavior—normally, as soon as she returned to the cabin, she couldn’t resist demanding essence.

Tally saw Luo De emerge.

She slipped the hemp rope around his neck and led him step by step to the bed, making him sit.

She stood atop the bed, so that Luo De’s head was level with her lower abdomen.

“Little dog, you’ve been bad today, interrupting Miss’s words.”

She looked down at him, gently stroking his head.

“So what do you want to do to punish me?”

Luo De grew interested and decided to play along with her.

For a time,

scolding and commands echoed continuously from the forest guard cabin.

The rhythm of life never ceased until dawn.

One hour after dawn.

Luo De rose as usual and practiced his breathing technique.

During his patrol of the Bai Yu district,

he briefly counted the magic traps purchased from the goblin Pete, then placed them at various points around the forest entrance.

These magic traps had one advantage:

their attack power was weak, but they made loud noises—designed primarily as warnings.

They would not trigger for spirits below third rank; for those above, they activated with different manifestations.

This was mainly because Windwall Forest was part of the daily life of Shi Ying Town residents.

Hunters like little Tang Mu often came inside.

At that moment,

the nearby tree glowed with green light, forming a spiritual portal.

Wei An stepped out from within.

“Wei An, good morning.”

Luo De was already used to her appearances.

The tree spirit’s innate spiritual art, [Tree Walker], allowed her to move through trees without harming them.

“Luo De, what are you doing?”

As she spoke, she stepped closer and nestled into his arms.

She made as if to kiss him.

Then Luo De pressed his fingers against her cheeks.

The flesh squished under his fingers, plump and soft—far cuter than her usual cold demeanor.

Wei An: “?”

“I’m covered in sweat.”

With his recent spiritual advancement, the strength of shared skills had steadily increased.

Among them was Tally’s [Enchanting Bodily Fluids].

Tally herself had become increasingly uncontrollable in the latter half.

Luo De feared his sweat might affect the tree spirit.

Wei An shook her head upon hearing this and moved in to kiss him.

Luo De quickly surrendered—whether intentionally or by accident, he didn’t know.

He simply let go.

After all, Wei An’s lips were soft, and her touch was dry, like a gentle breeze brushing his face.

It shouldn’t have any effect.

“Mm!”

A damp lick suddenly swept across his cheek.

Luo De turned in surprise to look at Wei An, who had just pulled away.

“Luo De, sweat, want to taste.”

Ah.

I must have stirred her curiosity.

If I hadn’t mentioned the sweat, Wei An might never have licked him.

“It’s fine, as long as you’re okay.”

At the same time, seeing that Wei An showed no signs of being enchanted, he finally exhaled in relief.

Yet the next moment,

Wei An’s elegant brows furrowed.

Her hands fidgeted anxiously against her chest.

Her long, vine-wrapped legs unconsciously pressed together.

Even her elfin ears flushed with a tempting pink.

Luo De covered his forehead.

This was the downside of [Enchanting Bodily Fluids] being a passive skill.

“Wei An, today, will follow, Luo De.”

She did nothing more—only her tone grew softer, sweeter.

Much better than Tally’s dramatic, desperate state after being enchanted.

Luo De nodded to her.

Her current state was fine if she stayed by his side.

He swung himself onto his horse.

Just as he reached for the reins,

a body fragrant with tree sap pressed into his arms.

“Wei An, want to ride horse.”

As she spoke, she subtly leaned back, resting against his chest.

Her body remained tense until Luo De silently consented, then relaxed.

Luo De’s expression turned strange.

This was something Tally usually did—now that someone else was doing it, he felt oddly unsettled.

Wei An still wore her sleeveless linen tunic.

The neckline was still too large for her; when Luo De looked down, he could trace her collarbone downward, catching sight of her bouncy little white orbs.

Seeing Luo De motionless, Wei An turned her head.

Her long elfin ears brushed against his lips.

Before Luo De could react, Wei An let out a soft moan—as if touched at a sensitive spot.

The sound was sweet and innocent, utterly unlike her usual coldness.

Luo De took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

“Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

After careful feeding over time, Bang De quickly grew fond of Luo De.

This had much to do with [Medium Intelligence].

[Growth Spirit] had rebuilt to 13 points.

It was time to use it.

Also, on the way back to the forest guard cabin, Luo De learned something.

Wei An had no [Growth Spirit].

That was strange.

[Growth Spirit] arose from the combination of [Tree’s Blessing] and the breathing technique.

The breathing technique could be ruled out here.

Tree spirits were born with the innate ability to absorb spirit—breathing techniques were instinctive to them.

Luo De suspected it was due to the enslavement spell’s shared skill.

Perhaps his [Tree’s Blessing] was the complete version, while Wei An had yet to fully unlock her own potential.

But given Wei An’s laid-back nature, it might take her a hundred years to unlock it.

The two chatted casually along the way.

Soon they arrived at Bang De’s stable.

As for Tally,

the satisfied succubus was fast asleep inside the cabin.

Bond immediately wagged his head excitedly and nuzzled Luo De nonstop.

“Good boy—”

To quickly bond with this future centaur warrior, Luo De had done plenty: feeding him, rubbing his back, bathing him, making his bed, and sleeping beside him.

“Show some spirit, Bond—let’s become a centaur today, okay?”

Luo De smiled as he stroked him, pouring in [Growth Spirit].

【‘Growth Spirit’ used successfully, Bond grew successfully】

【Physical stats increased, potential improved】

【Skill acquired: Gluttonous and Lazy】

【Details: Outside of combat, Bond’s appetite increases and he becomes even lazier.】

【Remaining ‘Growth Spirit’: 12】

“Is ‘Gluttonous and Lazy’ even a skill?”

Luo De muttered a curse under his breath.

Gluttonous and Lazy? That’s just Tally. I don’t want to raise two Tallys.

Try again.

【‘Growth Spirit’ used successfully, Bond grew successfully】

【Physical stats increased, potential improved】

【Skill acquired: Child of Freedom】

【Details: Bond grows weary of his current life and begins to yearn for life beyond the stable. If not freed, he may fall ill.】

【Remaining ‘Growth Spirit’: 11】

Luo De: _

Bond, who had been so excited moments ago, now grew listless.

His eyes, once sparkling with intelligence, gazed longingly toward the distant forest.

Luo De suddenly felt like an old father.

Helplessly, he looked at the child who would soon leave him.

(End of Chapter)