Chapter 246: Refusing the Request

【Symbiotic Decay】 is ultimately a derived skill of the Plague Domain.

Its control over plague naturally remains at an extremely high level; the half-werewolf druid had only been lightly infected, and she had long been suppressing it with her formidable constitution.

At the same time, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Druids have exceptionally high resistances, especially those focused on the 【Wild Shape】 path—how could they not even handle such a minor plague?

He voiced his question directly.

"You may be interpreted as provoking me, human."

The she-wolf's tone wasn't serious; she sighed:

"Only a Domain can oppose another Domain. Not everyone can earn the favor of a Domain as you have."

That was true.

Of all people who can currently use a Domain, Luo De knows only two: the eighth-rank mage who unleashed the Great Inferno in the open labyrinth, and the Plague Mage Amel.

Apparently, Domains must be rare things.

"Alright, don't let the wound touch water until it's fully healed—the Domain has made its resistance extremely low."

Luo De instinctively slapped the she-wolf's belly.

In his past life, he had owned a dog; whenever the dog lay beside him, he'd always sneak a pat.

At that moment, Oja had just bitten into the wild fruit offered by the giant squirrel Cui Qian and was startled into a jerk—the fruit fell from her mouth.

But it was fine.

The half-werewolf wasn't that petty; she merely gave him a brief glance, her expression filled with the same resignation and wariness as a Zijia dog's.

Luo De felt a faint nostalgia and laughed twice.

He had no intention of staying long.

He'd only come to lend a small hand.

After a few casual words, he rose to leave.

Sensing his departure, the half-werewolf Oja seriously called out to him—even changing her form of address.

"Guardian of the Woods, please wait—I have a request for you."

"Go on."

Luo De had already guessed she had something to ask.

After all, this half-werewolf's attitude had improved considerably since before.

"One of my druid friends is trapped in Coral Bay, held captive by the dark elves. I wish to entrust you and your companions to help rescue her."

"A druid? Are there druids in Coral Bay?"

Luo De asked, puzzled.

Shiying Town has abundant trees—no need to mention the vast Windwall Forest to the west, the Twin Fingers Mountain to the north, or the Claw Valley highlands to the south, all thickly forested.

Coral Bay, however, is barren; most of its surroundings are bare hills.

Decades ago, there was a forest there, but it lay beside a trade route, inhabited by large numbers of kobolds and treants, severely disrupting merchants.

The then-governor of Coral Bay was a legendary mage who, in a fit of rage, burned the entire forest to the ground.

The forest vanished; the legendary mage was killed the next year by an unknown curse.

Some say he angered extreme druids by burning the forest, and that's why he met such an end.

"There aren't any. One and a half months ago, my friend voluntarily entered Coral Bay to mediate the conflict between the dark elves and Stormwind City."

"The Balance Association?"

The she-wolf nodded, picked up the wild fruit from the ground with her mouth, bit into it, and juice filled her mouth.

Luo De couldn't help but shake his head.

The Balance Association is an organization founded by certain neutral-aligned druids; unlike most druids who remain aloof, they adopt a selfless, impartial, and benevolent stance, intervening in major events to mediate disputes.

It's roughly similar in nature to the Gnomes' Brotherhood of Justice.

But the Brotherhood of Justice is even more inclined to favor the weak and doesn't oppose crime—they often rob the rich to help the poor, doing so every few days.

Yet precisely because the Balance Association's ideals are so lofty, its members often get themselves into dire predicaments.

"How did your friend choose to mediate?"

"She chose to fast and sit in silence outside the dark elves' dwelling."

Luo De slapped his forehead.

What good is this rescue, other than wasting air?

"That hardly counts as being trapped, does it?"

"Originally, no—but the dark elves' leader took a fancy to her. After launching a Fengkuang pursuit, my friend declared she would sacrifice herself and become the leader's wife if the dark elves left Coral Bay. The result? The leader was enraged and imprisoned her in Coral Bay's underwater prison, where she is daily torn apart by sirens."

Luo De: "..."

"So she's been torn apart daily—and still alive?"

Oja seemed equally exasperated. "She's seventh-rank; she won't die so easily. Besides, later, when the leader saw her suffering and bleeding, he flew into a rage and slaughtered every siren that bit her."

Ah.

My head hurts.

What is this, a romance novel plot?

I almost feel like defending the sirens.

Luo De waved his hand and outright refused Oja's request.

Come on—risking myself and a forest girl for something like this? Impossible.

Oja understood it was somewhat absurd; if not for her friend's plea, she wouldn't have wanted to get involved either.

She sighed and let it go.

Several days later, at night.

Luo De lay on his bed, with Tally and Vivian on either side.

Drenched in sweat, they leaned against their master.

The bed was littered with stains, messy, the blanket kicked to one side.

Luo De gazed at the beautiful moon outside the window while caressing Vivian's chest.

Hmm.

Perfect elasticity and texture.

"Tally, hand it to me."

"Okay~~"

She passed it over.

Luo De squeezed the slime, comparing its texture to the tree spirit's.

Hmm— Buruweiweian.

Vivian's stamina isn't strong; she falls into exhaustion after satisfaction.

Now, as Luo De gently squeezed her, she felt no discomfort—only a faint sense of security.

Her face pressed against his neck, breathing softly—she was already asleep.

【Life Spirit】 has reached an unprecedented 342 points. Come on—I refuse to believe I can't get something useful.

First came 【Primary Luck】.

Nice!

Luo De shouted inwardly.

Followed by 【Rapid Division】【Advanced Repair】【Clinger】【Mind Link】.

The first three are common slime skills—no need to elaborate.

But 【Mind Link】 is interesting.

【Mind Link: Establish a mental connection with a specific creature, sharing vision, perception, or emotion】

Luo De nodded.

If he could enslave it, and then have the slime form a 【Mind Link】 with him, it would effectively grant him access to all its abilities.

(End of Chapter)