Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2494: Chapter 2495: Mastery of Balance

Toby heard that Tree Spirit wanted to separate him from Angel, and immediately chirped in protest. It’s not stupid; how could it not see that Tree Spirit wanted to divide and retaliate?

However, upon hearing Angel say that he would personally deliver him to Greya, Toby finally calmed down a bit.

Greya was also family to him, and he believed that with Greya around, Tree Spirit wouldn’t torment him! Toby was full of confidence, but he forgot that lately, Greya and Angel played roles where one was the bad cop and the other the good cop, and Greya was the one playing the bad cop...

After finishing his conversation with Tree Spirit, Angel was ready to take his leave and head to Illusion Demon Island to hand Toby over to Greya.

However, before leaving, Angel suddenly thought of something.

”Lord Tree Spirit, do you know what’s going on with Dangross at the moment?” Angel took Dangross out from his bracelet. It looked perfectly fine as a whole, and its internal flames were quite active, but it was inexplicably in a dormant state.

Tree Spirit glanced at it and said gruffly, ”It’s absorbed too much life energy and is now digesting it.”

After a pause, Tree Spirit squinted its eyes: ”Those two followers of yours have gained quite a harvest this time. It’s just a pity that my Life Pool was exploited like this.”

Seeing Tree Spirit’s slightly off mood, Angel quickly said, ”I’ll forgo the compensation from those patients and consider it a gift to Lord Tree Spirit. I’ll take these two away now and ensure I won’t return here anytime soon!”

Tree Spirit: ”What do you mean by ’won’t return here anytime soon’? Are you implying you want to bring them back?”

Without responding, Angel swiftly ran up the spiral staircase.

The Life Pool clearly benefitted Toby and Dangross immensely; how could they not return? However, any return would have to wait until after Lord Tree Spirit’s anger subsided.

Standing by the Life Pool, Tree Spirit watched Angel quickly departing, sighed helplessly.

Tree Spirit had left Angel alone by the Life Pool with the intention of nurturing him, but the biggest winners turned out to be those two followers.

Tree Spirit turned back and gazed at the Life Pool, which was still shimmering gently, and waved a hand lightly.

With a rush of water, in a short time, the previously visibly shallower pool was restored to its former fullness.

”Sigh, there goes another five hundred years of savings,” Tree Spirit said, looking slightly pale.

”Another five hundred years of savings? It’s not five hundred years of cultivation. For you, it’s just a small portion of Life Force. With your thousands of years of accumulated life, what does this amount to?” a deep voice resonated from behind Tree Spirit.

Tree Spirit turned to see a pure white dove fly into the space, landing on a wooden post.

As the pure white dove landed, it transformed into a tall, elegant figure—Rhein.

”Since you think it’s no big deal, why don’t you compensate me?”

Rhein: ”Angel just said that the reward for treating those patients would be transferred to you. Among them, there are a few hidden tycoons, enough to cover your losses.”

Tree Spirit frowned: ”The materials that group of Wizards can offer are insignificant, and someone like Duncan is destitute; as a summoner, all he can summon are skeletons.”

Rhein: ”Duncan is indeed specialized in Skeletal Summoning.”

”Then you admit Duncan is poor?”

Rhein fell silent. Regarding other Wizards, he couldn’t speak with certainty, but Duncan he knew well. Summoning Wizards are among the most costly professions; each summoning consumes either their blood or costly casting materials. The combat power is strong, but the expenses are like running water. This also leads many Summoning Wizards to be forced to become Black Wizards, summoning in blood sacrifices, eventually being hunted by major Witcher Organizations...

Rhein: ”Don’t talk about Duncan; you should focus on Bodeia.”

Among the six Wizards treated by Angel, there was one Wizard Angel wasn’t very familiar with, the one Rhein had just mentioned—Bodeia.

Tree Spirit: ”’Blood Medium’ Bodeia? Are the rumors about him true?”

Bodeia’s reputation in the Barbarian Cave isn’t prominent, his strength is average, but behind him stands a very ancient family—the Lips Wizard Family.

The Lips Family has always been a vassal of the Barbarian Cave, producing quite a few renowned Wizards, the most famous of which is Rhein’s mentor and the former Controller of the Barbarian Cave: ”Touch of Nature” Audrich.

And regarding Bodeia, there’s a widespread rumor that he passed the Lips Family’s internal assessment and entered the treasure trove left by Audrich.

If this rumor is true, perhaps Bodeia has a treasure that can be... no, that can be exploited.

Tree Spirit, pondering over this, was already thinking about how to strategize with Bodeia.

Rhein: ”Angel has agreed, right?”

Tree Spirit: ”You specifically came with Illusory Spirits just to ask this? Didn’t you hear earlier?”

Seeing Rhein silently looking at himself.

Tree Spirit sighed and nodded: ”He agreed.”

Rhein breathed a sigh of relief: ”That’s good. Make arrangements for him to leave as soon as possible, preferably today.”

Tree Spirit frowned: ”Are they coming so urgently?”

Rhein: ”It’s Dororo’s prophecy; when they come, snow will have already covered the entire plateau. I estimate it’s around these two days. The sooner he leaves, the sooner he can avoid those people.”

”Anyway, when they come in groups, we kill them in groups; why does Angel need to leave?”

Rhein shook his head: ”Killing them is easy, but what if they have tools like the ones used against City Lord Rosen? The best strategy is to make sure they can’t find Angel.”

Tree Spirit thought about it and agreed; those lunatics were reckless and fearless, plus there was that terrifying arrow that could rend the void. If anything went wrong, the consequences would be unthinkable.

To avoid such a scenario, it would be best to avoid confrontation temporarily.

Conveniently, Esos had brought up an alchemy task, which could be seamlessly assigned to Angel.

”This time, I’ve notified City Lord Rosen and the Extreme Church. Once any trace of the Seed group is found, we’ll be able to pinpoint their locations. No matter where they hide, even if it’s in the endless void, we can destroy them! At least, for the short term, we won’t let them dare invade the Southern Domain again!” Rhein spoke with immense confidence.

”Let’s hope to suppress them as much as possible, but it needs to be controlled,” Tree Spirit wasn’t too optimistic, as having read the ”Culori Chronicles,” he knew that even in the Origin World, they couldn’t fully eradicate those who worshiped Seed. So, with the Seed arriving this time, they could only try to suppress them without fully exterminating them, because once this wave is eliminated, more Seed followers will come to aid. Future Seed followers may not just be ordinary apprentices or Wizards; legendary Seed followers might appear, hence suppressing them and driving them away without obliterating them requires precise control.

Making them fear the Southern Domain, or at least reluctant to contaminate it in the short term, is their ultimate goal.

As for whether leaving hidden threats will harm Angel, that’s not much of a concern, since Angel was implicated by City Lord Rosen from the beginning. Once the major Witcher Organizations start taking action, these Seed followers will naturally divert their attention from Angel, the ”pawn,” which in turn provides the safest protection for Angel.

However, that’s a discussion for later. Right now, Angel is still within their investigation scope, and since they already have people heading towards the Barbarian Cave, it’s better for Angel to temporarily leave.

...

Angel didn’t know Lord Rhein’s sincere intentions. If he did, he’d probably be more moved and immediately fly to the Tidal World. He certainly didn’t want to deal with those lunatics who open the Seed channel at the slightest disagreement and pull people into the so-called ”Divine Country.”

After all, the Seed is an unsolvable disorderly object. Even if it affects him at the edges, he’d cry his heart out.

Angel is currently leaving Illusion Demon Island.

Greya, with Toby, is right behind him, preparing to send him off.

”You should have heard what I just said through Lord Tree Spirit.” Greya walked while gnawing at her left hand.

The scene was so bizarre that Angel could only turn his head away: ”I heard.”

”You brought me back from the brink of madness, and I remember that favor.” Greya shrugged: ”But, I owe you so many favors already, tangled and never-ending. Owing one more or one less makes no difference.”

”You certainly have... a carefree attitude.” Angel internally thought: Are you trying to be a perpetual debtor?

Greya: ”It’s not about being carefree. We’re practically tied on the same boat now. More or less doesn’t matter anymore. As long as you have a need for me, I will help you without hesitation, even without limits.”

”I never do anything without limits.”

Greya: ”I’m just saying, plus, my words earlier were just prelude. I’m just saying that owing you so much already, one more won’t matter.”

Angel looked at Greya in confusion: ”What are you up to?”

Greya didn’t speak. Instead, she mysteriously handed her left hand to Angel: ”Take a bite, just a bite.”

Angel quickly backed away.

Greya’s left hand is now a clean white bread stick, transformed directly from flesh during her battle with Darvasia.

When Angel first saw Greya, she kept taking bites occasionally, making his stomach churn.

Even though it’s bread now, it’s still your hand, isn’t it? How can you bear to eat it? And share it with others?

Greya: ”It really tastes good. If you’re doubtful, Toby!”

Toby chirped, flew down from Greya’s shoulder, and naturally began eating the left hand bread, devouring it so fast that half was gone in seconds.

Greya quickly halted him: ”Stop it. If you keep eating, it will take a day to restore. My research on it can’t wait a whole day.”

Yes, Greya’s bread hand can restore. After being eaten, it automatically regenerates, consuming Greya’s own energy and blood.

Which means, as long as Greya has abundant energy and blood, the bread hand never runs out.

”Toby, tell Angel if it’s good or not!”

Toby nodded enthusiastically at Angel, chirping excitedly and flapping his wings to suggest that Angel should try it.

Angel still shook his head, unable to get past this hurdle. No matter how it’s transformed, it’s still flesh.

”Is there any downside for others eating it?”

Greya: ”Rest assured, there are no side effects—only benefits. Otherwise, why would Toby eat it so happily?”

”What benefits?”

”You’ll know once you try it.” Greya stretched her hand to Angel.

The soft bread hand exuded a rich aroma, with a hint of orange fragrance, like a bread with an orange heart.

Angel swallowed, feeling tempted.

But ultimately, he righteously refused Greya’s temptation. He really did not want to eat someone else’s hand, and Darvasia’s powers might harbor risks that aren’t apparent now but can’t be dismissed lightly.

”If you don’t want to eat, fine.” Greya: ”However, I need you to do me a favor.”

Angel: ”What favor?”

Greya was about to speak when a figure suddenly flashed across the sky of Illusion Demon Island.

The figure descended slowly, without triggering the island’s restrictions.

Because it was Tree Spirit who had arrived.

Barbarian Cave’s three Ancestral Spirits are unimpeded in the Mirror World unless blocked by extremely special magical energy arrays.

”Lord Tree Spirit, why have you come?” Angel asked in puzzlement.

Tree Spirit gently handed an oil-paper letter to Angel: ”This was written by Esos himself. When the time comes, give it to his disciple. The person will understand. The disciple’s location is marked on the envelope, find it yourself then.”

”By the way, Esos mentioned that his disciple isn’t one to sit still, often traveling without notice. They may still be at the marked location, but if you arrive late, they might’ve left.”

”So it’s best you prepare to leave now.”

Angel frowned: ”Is it that urgent?”

Tree Spirit: ”It’s not about urgency; you could rest for a few days and gamble on whether they’ve left.”

With Tree Spirit saying this, Angel couldn’t possibly gamble with idle time.

”Alright then, I’ll bid Regina farewell after leaving the Mirror World and head over.”

Tree Spirit: ”Do you think the Mushroom Witch engrossed in her research has time to bother with you? This task won’t take long. You’ll likely finish before she’s done. Don’t worry about it there; my avatar is present.”

Angel thought for a moment and agreed: ”Alright then, I’ll leave now.”

As Angel spoke, he glanced at the envelope to confirm Esos’s disciple’s current location.

——Laksum Principality, Sandworm Market.