Chapter 24: The Tree Spirit's Bad Habit

When he returned to the ranger's cabin, the sky had not yet brightened.

After Rod finished washing himself and came out, he saw Tally sitting on the edge of the bed with one leg crossed over the other, perfectly at ease.

In her hand was also a bundle of hemp rope.

This was unlike her usual behavior; normally, as soon as she got back to the cabin, she could never resist demanding his essence.

Tally saw Rod come out.

She slipped the hemp rope around his neck and led him step by step to sit on the edge of the bed.

She stood on the bed; at this moment, Rod's head was at her lower abdomen.

"Bad puppy today, daring to interrupt the Young Lady's words."

She looked down at Rod, gently stroking his head.

"Then how do you want to punish me?"

Rod's interest was piqued, so he simply played along with her antics.

For a time.

The ranger's cabin was filled with a rising and falling chorus of scolding and commands.

The rhythm of life did not cease until dawn.

One hour after dawn.

Rod got up as usual and practiced his breathing technique.

During his patrol of the Bai Yu district.

He did a quick count of the magical traps purchased from the goblin Pete, then set them at various points around the forest entrance.

These magical traps had one advantage.

Their attack power wasn't strong, but they made a lot of noise—warning-type traps, primarily.

Moreover, creatures with accumulated spirituality below the third tier wouldn't trigger them; those above would trigger different manifestations.

The main reason was that the Wind Wall Forest was part of daily life for the residents of Shi Ying town.

Hunters like little Tom would always come in.

At this moment.

The great tree beside them shimmered with green light, forming a doorway of spirituality.

Vivian stepped out from within.

"Vivian, good morning."

Rod was long since used to her appearing like this.

The tree spirit's innate spiritual art, 【Tree Walker】, allowed her to pass through trees without harming them.

"Rod, what are you doing?"

As she spoke, she walked into Rod's embrace.

She made as if to kiss him.

Then Rod pressed a hand against her cheek.

The flesh pinched up between his fingers looked plump and squishy, far cuter than her usual cool composure.

Vivian: "?"

"I'm... covered in sweat."

With the recent increase in spirituality, the intensity of the shared skills had also been steadily rising.

Among them was Tally's 【Charm Body Fluid】.

Tally herself had become increasingly uncontrollable in the second half.

Rod was therefore afraid the sweat on his body might affect the tree spirit.

Upon hearing this, Vivian shook her head and leaned in for a kiss.

Rod quickly gave in, unsure whether it was intentional or accidental.

In any case, he let go.

After all, Vivian's lips were very soft, and they only lightly brushed against his face, like a breeze passing by.

It probably wouldn't have any effect.

"Mm!"

A moist lick suddenly swept across his face.

Rod looked in surprise at Vivian, who had just pulled away.

"Rod, sweat, want to taste."

Ah.

I was the one who stirred up her curiosity.

If he hadn't mentioned the sweat just now, Vivian probably wouldn't have licked him.

"It's fine, as long as you're okay."

At the same time, seeing that Vivian didn't seem to be charmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the next moment.

Vivian's beautiful brows furrowed.

Her hands restlessly pressed against her chest.

Her slender legs, wrapped in spiritual vine-silk, unconsciously pressed together.

Even her elven long ears were tinged with a tempting pink.

Rod covered his forehead with his hand.

The downside of the 【Charm Fluid】 passive skill has now surfaced.

"Vivian, today, will follow, Rod."

She made no further moves, her tone merely growing a bit softer and sweeter.

Much better than the desperate, life-or-death state Tally was in after falling under the charm.

Rod nodded at her.

With her current state, it was good to have her by his side.

He swung himself onto the horse.

Just as he was about to pull the reins.

A body carrying the fresh scent of trees squeezed into his embrace.

"Vivian wants to ride."

As she spoke, she subtly leaned back, resting against the chest behind her.

Her body remained tense throughout, only relaxing once Rod gave silent permission.

Rod's expression was strange.

This was something Tally would normally do; now that it was someone else, it felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Vivian was still wearing that sleeveless linen shirt.

The neckline was still a bit large for her; with just one downward glance, Rod could follow her collarbone all the way down to see that pair of elastic little Bai Tu.

Seeing Rod remain still, Vivian turned her head.

In the process, her long elf ears brushed against his lips.

Before Rod could react, Vivian let out a low moan as if touched on a sensitive spot.

The sound was coquettish and innocent, very far from her usual coldness.

Rod took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

"Let's go."

"Mm."

After some time of careful feeding, Little Little Bangde quickly became close to Rod.

This had a lot to do with 【Moderate Spiritual Intelligence】.

【Growth Spirituality】 had re-accumulated to 13 points.

It was time to use it once.

Additionally, on the way back to the ranger's cabin, Rod learned something.

Vivian actually did not possess 【Growth Spirituality】.

That was strange.

【Growth Spirituality】 stems from the combination of 【Tree Blessing】 and breathing techniques.

The role of breathing techniques could be ruled out here.

Tree spirits are a race born capable of autonomously absorbing spirituality; breathing techniques are a natural instinct for them.

Rod guessed it was related to the skill-sharing effect of the 【Nu Yi Zhou】.

Perhaps the 【Tree Blessing】 on his body was the complete version, while Vivian had not yet fully unlocked her abilities.

However, given Vivian's laid-back personality, it would take her a hundred years to unlock them.

The two chatted casually along the way.

They soon arrived beside Little Little Bangde's stable.

As for Tally.

This satiated succubus was fast asleep inside the wooden cabin.

As soon as Little Little Bangde saw Rod, he excitedly wagged his head, constantly nudging him.

"Good boy—"

To quickly build a relationship with this future centaur warrior, Rod had done no shortage of feeding, back-scrubbing, bathing, bed-making, and even sleeping together.

"Pull yourself together, Little Little Bangde. Shall we become a centaur today?"

While smiling and stroking, Rod injected 【Growth Spirituality】.

【【Growth Spirituality】used successfully, Bang De Cheng Gong】

【Overall physical ability increased, potential enhanced】

【Skill acquired: Gluttonous and Lazy】

【Details: During non-combat times, Little Little Bangde's appetite increases, and he becomes even lazier.】

【Remaining 【Growth Spirituality】: 12】

"Gluttonous and Lazy counts as a skill?"

Rod cursed silently.

Gluttonous and Lazy is just Tally! I don't want to raise two Tallys.

Again.

【【Growth Spirituality】used successfully, Bang De Cheng Gong】

【Overall physical ability increased, potential enhanced】

【Skill acquired: Child of Freedom】

【Details: Little Little Bangde feels weary of his current life and begins to yearn for life outside the stable; if not released, he may fall ill.】

【Remaining 【Growth Spirituality】: 11】

Rod: _

Little Little Bangde, who had been excited just moments ago, now grew despondent.

Its eyes, gleaming with a spark of wisdom, gazed expectantly toward the distant forest.

Rod suddenly felt like an old father.

He looked helplessly at the child he would one day have to leave behind.

(End of chapter)