Chapter 404: Dual-Trait Treasures

【【Treasure Addiction】activated successfully】

【Granted the item "Binding Silk Ball" a new treasure trait: Pressure Gag】

【Details: The gray squirrel Cui Qian sometimes mistakes this item for her beloved chewing stone, leaving behind a trace of "affection" on it, which was successfully captured by 【Treasure Addiction】.】

【The new trait "Pressure Gag" forms an invisible spiritual sphere that forcibly jams into the target's mouth, prohibiting oral skills such as biting and breathing. Note: If the target's bite force reaches a certain threshold, this skill is exempted.】

Hmm.

Binding plus gag.

Luo De slightly imagined the scene of the black dragon Mikhail being restrained by this thing.

A bit too much to look at.

But this skill can at least counter dragon breath to some extent—though I wonder if it can withstand a dragon's bite force.

"Indeed, a good item against dragons."

Luo De felt pleased and couldn't help rubbing Cui Qian's puffed cheeks.

"Right!"

Cui Qian tilted her head proudly, "Your humans' knowledge, connections, and skill are all so limited—come to Cui Qian for help! Hahaha—"

"Awesome, awesome—but where did you get this thing?"

"Oh, the World Tree's branches extend to every plane and alternate universe, and there's always a disgusting giant spider spinning foul webs along the branches. Our gray squirrels sense the World Tree's aversion, so we clean them up periodically and bundle them into this."

"I see."

The giant spider—that's Rose.

Does she covet the World Tree?

Probably.

Cui Qian once said the dark elves had invaded the Tree Plane several times, but were driven off by a ninth-rank druid guarding it.

As the original faith of the dark elves and an active force in the outer planes, nearly all her actions can be assumed to follow her orders.

Fortunately, she seems to have little interest in the material dimension.

Luo De played a bit with Cui Qian and Bond.

He gave them some snacks and magic rings before leaving.

He was just about to use 【Chain of Far Speech】 to consult Kali on agile magical creatures when—

She contacted him first.

—The elf Bernhard has come to visit.

At the forest's edge.

Violent spiritual fluctuations appeared on the trunk of the outermost giant white elm, Bai Yu.

Whoosh—the opening of a green spiritual void.

Luo De's tall figure stepped out, each step stirring the air, steady and imposing.

"The tree spirit's 【Tree Walker】?"

Bernhard, waiting quietly nearby, exclaimed in surprise.

【Tree Walker】 is one of the tree spirit's exclusive spiritual arts; the hardest step for a mage is summoning natural forces.

Even if someone succeeds in summoning them, none have ever separated from the trees afterward.

A forest warden who can use it so casually—clearly not an ordinary person.

Bernhard became even more certain that attaching himself to the Wind Wall Forest and leaving the Emerald Court was the right choice.

Nearby, the elf Kalist, who had arrived earlier, heard her compatriot's exclamation and felt a faint, secret satisfaction.

But seeing the man walking toward her with a smile, she still couldn't help sneering:

"This guy always relies on trickery."

Luo De had just approached.

The ghoul Pan Ni jumped out from the side, snapped to attention, and saluted.

"Master! Pan Ni has successfully intercepted another illegal intruder! It's a blonde female elf!"

"That's a guest—and a man."

Bernhard was one of those androgynously refined elves, with long, soft hair falling past his shoulders.

Perfectly matching Luo De's stereotype of male elves as effeminate in the lurid serials of the Snow Hill Evening News.

Luo De stepped past the stunned ghoul and greeted the forest's new ally.

"Is everything going smoothly?"

This "everything."

Of course, it referred to handling the elder council's third elder's daughter, Ashli.

Bernhard was a traditional elf through and through, even in temperament.

He nodded, face cold:

"Rest assured, Mr. Luo De, the Emerald Court will learn nothing of the Wind Wall Forest."

"Good. When will the attachment ceremony be held? I'm always ready."

"I was just about to mention it—please allow me to move freely along the forest's edge each day this week."

"Of course. I'll have someone assist you."

Assist.

In other words, covert surveillance.

Even though we signed a soul contract, some precautions are still necessary, aren't they?

Bernhard knew it well.

"Then thank you, Mr. Luo De. By the way, here is a recording of dragon-slaying memories and experience—please keep it. If you have questions, feel free to ask me anytime."

He handed over a recording orb.

A video lesson?

That's new.

Luo De looked at Kalist: "You watch first?"

"Don't you know what 'efficiency' means, human? Everyone in the forest watches together."

"Fine. I plan to watch tonight with Tally and the others—play while watching. Join us?"

The elf lady's face froze, looking at him as if he were garbage.

"Go away."

Luo De succeeded in being annoying and laughed heartily.

Their relationship had improved since that unspoken "frog-hunting" request—before, he'd have gotten a fireball to the face for such a joke.

They quickly returned to business.

Luo De asked:

"Two learned elves, I'm seeking a magical creature or race with exceptional speed—preferably relatively common. Any recommendations?"

Though both were traditional elves, their reactions differed sharply.

Bernhard first humbly declined the praise, then fell into thought.

Kalist, upon hearing the compliment, let out a pleased hum, placed a hand on her hip, and wore a look of pride.

She spoke first with her own answer:

"Fairy dragons, feathered serpents, air elementals, adult or multi-armed terrestrial naga, shadow demons, and dark elves transformed like Yuna—all have excellent speed, due to their size and body structure. Fairy dragons, as small dragons, are naturally fast."

Having helped Luo De with two Soul Binding rituals, she knew what he was after.

"It depends on whether you want pure speed specialization or a balance of power and speed."

Bernhard could only smile helplessly.

"I know less than Kalist—I won't embarrass myself."

Luo De said it was fine and continued: "But ideally, a balance of power and speed."

"Then I recommend a cosmic entity called the Starry Ambusher. There's a specimen shop in the Magic Control League's market district—I recall they have a complete corpse specimen. It's expensive, though."

"You know about the Magic Control League?"

Luo De was startled.

"Thirty years ago, I served as a magical consultant for the Magic Control League's interdimensional cleanup team during explorations of several newly discovered planes."

Kalist raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference.

(End of chapter)