Chapter 257: The Forest

The massive bronze dragon war spirit suddenly shrank.

Luo De, beneath it, sucked the war spirit into his body like a vacuum.

Kalist stepped forward.

"How do you feel? Any abnormalities?"

"I've never felt better—perfect ritual. I've never met a mage as powerful as you."

The elf still wore a sour expression, utterly unimpressed by his flattery.

"The ritual data and values you gave me are only meant to stabilize war spirits of humanoid size. No one has ever directly used a bronze dragon like this. You'd best check yourself carefully. Of course, I'm not concerned—I just want experimental data."

Xiao Ke also walked over.

She opened her small palm, and five tiny butterflies, formed from pale yellow spiritual light, fluttered out and gently landed on Luo De's body.

Instantly, one felt as if bathed in spring breeze, nourished throughout the body.

【Light Spirit Protection】.

A native spiritual technique activated when Luo De pushed Xiao Ke days ago.

Those spiritual light butterflies were an extremely rare natural light spirit; mere physical contact could heal, drawn to Xiao Ke by the attraction of 【Light Spirit Protection】.

Luo De felt even his spirit was healed.

A refreshing sensation.

He suddenly thought of something and, as he took the shirt Xiao Ke offered, whispered softly by her deer-like ear:

"This move is good—use it when you can't take it anymore. See if it restores your stamina instantly."

"Get lost, perv!"

Xiao Ke blushed, clenched her tiny fist, and punched him.

Kalist frowned, watching them whisper and touch each other, a dull unease stirring in her chest.

She couldn't help speaking up to draw attention:

"By the way, the spiritual accumulation in this forest is growing fast—it's nearly ready to ascend in rank."

Luo De paused: "Can a forest ascend in rank?"

He hadn't known that.

He did know spiritual accumulation was rapid—he'd poured plenty of growth spirit into the forest's trees.

The girls in the forest had also benefited, each accelerating their spiritual or magical accumulation to some degree.

Speaking of which, one must again praise the greatness of the Molar Earrings.

Two days ago, the girls who helped Luo De digest spirit all saw notable improvements.

Tally and Pan Ni both reached the peak of the sixth tier, within reach of the seventh.

Xiao Ke leapt an entire major tier, reaching mid-fifth tier.

Amy and Vivian, both seventh tier, had larger spiritual capacity and saw no tier change—but their growth was certainly substantial.

"The elves' techniques? Humans who delight in destroying nature would never understand."

Kalist snorted. "And besides, did you think I had you buy those spell materials for nothing?"

Luo De had long grown fond of the elf's sharp tongue and paid it no mind.

Instead, he felt a small warmth in his chest.

"You spent so much money for my forest—I'm touched, what should I do?"

"For you? Hmph. I told you before: elves' spirit and magic are tied to nature. I'm using this forest's ascension ritual to advance to seventh tier."

Kalist said coldly.

There was one thing she didn't say aloud.

After living in Windwall Forest this long, she found herself, for reasons unknown, growing wary of the high-handed elf elders.

This ascension ritual was meant to secure a fallback path.

Even if the elf elders later expelled her and reclaimed her magic for the Emerald Court's nature, Windwall Forest would still be her refuge.

As for whether the forest warden here would agree—

Just look at how he stares at her thighs and chest—he'd be thrilled if she stayed.

Thinking of this,

Kalist's mood lifted, and she hummed a rhythmic tune.

Thirteen, the mouse girl trailing behind her, had sharp hearing and heard the hum.

She mimicked it, confused but earnest.

"Don't copy me!" the elf snapped.

The humming stopped instantly.

Luo De chuckled: "Don't be so harsh. Thirteen has no soul—she's less than a child."

"No one understands how souls form. A healthy body and mind might still give rise to one. I must teach her from the start. The forest ascension ritual has many stages and takes time—it's a perfect chance to practice. Come learn every day when you can, understood?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Master Kalist."

With the ritual settled,

Luo De naturally went to entertain his guests.

Xiao Ke disliked such scenes and returned to the forest with Bond and the giant squirrel Cui Qian.

Kalist remained where she was, still recording data even after the ritual ended.

When he arrived at Henry's Farm,

Cat-girl Koi, mage Doris, and Pan Ni were seated around a table.

Nearby, the purified ghouls, clumsy as ever, were fumbling with brewing black tea.

Doris and Koi stared at the tea before them, their eyes twitching, too afraid to pick up their cups.

The ghouls had been purified—but their rotting flesh and blood flakes still hadn't been cleaned, dropping bits into the tea with a crunch.

Pan Ni, upon seeing her master, leapt up, face alight with excitement.

"Master!"

Oh no, Master smells so good~ I can't hold back~~~

Luo De nodded.

"Miss Koi, Miss Doris, thank you for waiting."

Doris noticed no girls followed him and felt a pang of disappointment.

Can't embarrass him in front of others. But a female ghoul will do.

"You're also from Deepwater City, right? How was the journey?"

After greeting the two ladies,

Luo De sat in the seat Pan Ni had just vacated, while Pan Ni stood respectfully behind him—if only she wouldn't keep staring at the back of his neck.

"Terrible. Asheron is far more chaotic than I imagined," said Cat-girl Koi.

"I recently encountered a group of Wendigos who migrated from Gem City—they complained bitterly about cults and civil wars along the way."

He glanced at the foul tea in his cup.

He poured it out.

Pan Ni sighed: "Ah."

"Tally."

"Yes."

At the call, the succubus glided smoothly from the shadows onto the ground.

Today she wore the attire of a mature maid: pale skin, striking beauty, golden hair neatly pinned back, radiating efficiency.

More importantly, her bosom, still prominently raised even beneath the thick maid's dress.

Koi and Doris stared, wide-eyed.

They compared it to their own.

Hmph! Useless fat!

It seemed Tally intended to stick to her maid persona today.

She smiled gently, efficiently removed the tea cups filled with debris, and began brewing fresh tea with practiced skill.

Doris watched, growing more anxious for Lily.

She skipped the pleasantries.

She pulled out the square crystal directly.

"I'll be blunt, Mr. Luo De: the emerald pod inside is from Lily. But as her close friend, I can't stand your promiscuity. This crystal is my test for you—remember, even a seventh tier can't open it! This has nothing to do with Lily—blame me alone!"

(End of Chapter)