Chapter 2314: Chapter 2315: Etiquette

Leaving the salt lake like a mirror reflecting the sky, Angel boarded the Gondola with Rhein and Sanders.

As soon as they got on the ship, Dangross, somewhat frightened, jumped up from the tabletop and scampered along Angel’s robe to hide behind him, trembling as it peeked out a half palm to observe the newcomers.

Cubic also showed a bit of timidity, but it was more composed than Dangross. Moreover, it wasn’t near the table but was lying on the ship’s edge, so it didn’t flee but continued to lie still and observe everyone like Dangross.

Angel smiled, glancing at Dangross, without forcibly pulling it out.

Turning to look at the two Wind Element creatures outside, "Speedy, head to Green Forest Domain. Lobal, as before, guard and observe."

With these words, the Gondola, under Speedy’s control, took to the sky.

Only once they entered a steady flight phase did everyone begin to converse.

Rhein, smiling, looked at the surrounding element creatures and jokingly said to Angel, "You’ve gathered quite a few elemental partners."

Angel shook his head, "They are not yet my elemental partners."

"Oh?" Rhein: "Then how come they are on your ship?"

Angel explained briefly, then introduced the element creatures on board to Rhein and Sanders, clarifying their origins and why they were on the ship.

Rhein realized, "I see."

After a pause, Rhein said with a slight regret, "Actually, I think this little hand called Dangross has quite a unique appearance. If its energy and talent are sufficient, you might consider it."

Rhein had an old friend, a Wizard from the Noah Family, nicknamed Black Earl, infused with several ’consciousnesses’ into his flesh, allowing most parts of his body to separate and form independent entities. Last time Rhein visited Black Earl, he was chatting with him while sitting on a rocking chair by the fireplace, and his right hand had detached to write diligently on a distant table.

Seeing Dangross as a solitary right hand reminded Rhein of Black Earl, thus feeling some familiarity.

"This Cubic is also nice; it should be well-received if you bring it out," Rhein then looked at Cubic, "There’s a tea party soon; you might consider Cubic. Maybe some witches will fancy you then."

Angel didn’t react much to Rhein’s words, but Cubic and Dangross felt a stir in their hearts.

They naturally understood what Rhein meant. They realized the concept of elemental partners when watching the trilogy.

Because they understood the meaning of elemental partners, they experienced intense psychological activities.

Yet, their inner thoughts differed; Cubic pondered, whereas Dangross appeared somewhat anxious.

Just then, Sanders spoke, "You mentioned before you’ve picked an elemental partner. Isn’t it them?"

"No, I have someone else in mind," Angel nodded.

"I see," Sanders did not ask further, since Angel already had a plan; naturally, he would unveil it someday. Moreover, Sanders indeed noticed that Angel did not seem to covet these two elemental sprites, suggesting they might not suit him.

Rhein: "Then you must show me what kind of elemental partners catch your eye."

Angel: "That has to wait until I succeed."

While they were conversing, Cubic and Dangross’s feelings changed once again.

When Rhein mistakenly thought Cubic was Angel’s elemental partner earlier, Cubic felt a bit reluctant. It didn’t dislike Angel but hadn’t considered becoming Angel’s elemental partner, preferring to return to White Cloud Village to be with Kamil. But if Angel insisted on taking it as an elemental partner, considering their recent camaraderie, Cubic would seriously think about it.

Now that Angel clearly stated he hadn’t chosen it... Cubic was not relieved but instead felt slightly gloomy.

Dangross experienced an even greater psychological shift; it didn’t fully understand its inner thoughts, but it confirmed that when Rhein mistook it for Angel’s elemental partner, it felt secretly delighted. Yet, when Angel denied it, its heart felt empty.

This feeling of emptiness even surpassed the fear of the two humans who had just boarded the ship.

In the slightly odd atmosphere, Angel introduced Rhein and Sanders’ identities to the elemental creatures.

Cubic and Dangross merely nodded, as Speedy couldn’t speak, so the responsibility of communication fell on Lobal.

Lobal’s tail head was much better at communication compared to the two elemental sprites, brightening the somewhat dull atmosphere with just a few words.

Moreover, Lobal’s tail head had the bearing of a sage and was a native elemental creature; it provided a clearer and more authoritative introduction to the Tidal World compared to Angel.

Rhein and Sanders also enjoyed communicating with Lobal.

Nevertheless, they noticed that Lobal mixed some personal matters in their communication. For instance, Lobal repeatedly mentioned an Element Lord named Hurricane Hypollo, seemingly wanting to pave a path for its lord.

While they could discern Lobal’s underlying intention, they did not mention it; they had a good impression of Lobal’s tail head and indeed planned to visit various Element Lords in the future; meeting this Hurricane Hypollo first wouldn’t hurt.

Thus, under Lobal’s tail head’s unilateral data transmission, the Gondola glided over unknown mountains, heading towards the Green Forest Domain.

Throughout the journey, Sanders and Rhein had a sense of wonder; this world was extremely fertile.

From what was visible in the land of anonymity, this place was actually very suitable for human habitation. In subsidiary worlds, it belonged to the top resource-rich territories.

If you factor in the elemental territory, this place becomes even better.

The land of anonymity could house mortals, while the elemental territory could develop certain areas into wizard domains, fitting the current survival situation in the Wizards’ Realm.

The transcendent and mortals actually complement each other; aside from the top transcendent ones, ordinary transcendent beings also require mortals to supply their living needs and to select seedling from mortals. Hence, most Witcher Organizations have a certain number of mortals nearby.

Even Barbarian Cave, the Witcher Organization located in the Pamiji Plateau, has the nation of Earth’s Heart guarded by mortals.

Therefore, places where mortals can live and also benefit wizards are excellent. And the Tidal World is undoubtedly such a treasure land.

The only regret is... it’s too good here.

Ordinary good is within an acceptable range, but ’too’ good naturally attracts desires from various parties unless Barbarian Cave can possess overwhelming strength; otherwise, monopolizing it is impossible. Establishing a wizard domain and gathering mortals to guard it is also difficult.

While expressing their feelings, they traversed the land of anonymity and arrived at the Green Forest Domain.

Upon reaching the Green Forest Domain, Sanders and Rhein fell silent. Before, they envisioned the situation of the elemental territory but didn’t expect... the real elemental territory to be innumerably better than they imagined.

The natural aura in the air was so thick it was almost condensing into water.

From the thin mist of the Green Forest Domain, one can discern that this mist is not real but rather an ultimate manifestation of natural power.

This is even more exaggerated compared to the Tree Spirit’s true form—the Eternal Tree.

Of course, the Eternal Tree can achieve similar effects, but there’s no need, and it would only increase consumption.

But the Green Forest Domain is different; it naturally harbors so much wood elemental energy. Elemental tides bring a terrifying amount, and wood creatures can autonomously emit a certain degree of natural power, creating a virtuous cycle that forges a Green Forest Domain impossible to replicate externally.

While skimming across the sky of the Green Forest Domain, some tiny green light dots drifted over.

Rhein waved his hand, and these light dots landed on his hand. Upon careful inspection, he discovered that these green light dots, about the size of Dust, surprisingly had eyes and mouths.

"This is a type of spore-type wood creature." With Rhein’s vast knowledge, he made an accurate deduction.

After determining the identity of the green light dots, Rhein was even more amazed.

The floating green light dots in the air were countless, which means they might all be a kind of wood creature.

Do not underestimate them due to their small size, as they can be cultivated, and upon maturation, they will possess great power.

Such a terrifying number of wood creatures is unimaginable in the outside world, but here... they’re akin to Dust.

"The extraordinary attainments cultivated over thousands of years have become commonplace here." This disparity left even Wizards like Rhein and Sanders astonished.

However, they had reached the core of the Green Forest Domain, surrounded by many wood creatures, so they maintained their calm and composed demeanor.

Soon, the gondola flew close to the Lost Forest.

As soon as they landed, Rhein and Sanders sensed many gazes from the dense forest, stealthily observing them.

Presumably, these were all wood creatures.

According to usual practice, they would at least root out these lurking gazes, but being newcomers with the intention of peaceful negotiation with Nami Midori, they refrained from action against the elemental creatures of the Green Forest Domain, pretending not to notice them.

Angel also noticed those gazes: "Because Lord Nami Midori resides nearby, usually, there are no elemental creatures around. Recently, as Lord Nami Midori awakened, His Highness Maoye often visits here, so the wood creatures have increased."

Elemental creatures possess wisdom and curiosity. Previously, they viewed the Lost Forest as forbidden territory and dared not tread nearby, but with His Highness Maoye frequently coming over, it naturally sparked curiosity among the elemental creatures, which is why this scene unfolded.

"No need to mind them; let’s proceed." Angel gestured to everyone to head toward the Lost Forest.

Angel initially intended to take them to meet Nami Midori, but sensing that Nami Midori hadn’t logged off from the Wilderness of Dreams yet, he decided to lead them to Palysanya instead, as he vaguely felt a familiar aura nearby.

As they entered the Lost Forest, the mist thickened, signifying a stronger presence of natural power. Simultaneously, the oppressive force of Nami Midori came forth.

"Nami Midori’s oppressive force is quite interesting," Rhein murmured. For the first time, he was experiencing the oppressive force of a half-step legendary level elemental creature.

Though the oppressive force wasn’t substantial, there was a faint sense of immense grandeur, as if an inverted forest loomed overhead.

It felt akin to authority bestowed by nature.

Without further comment, they traversed through the mist and soon arrived at the open area where Palysanya resided.

The hazy mist severely limited visibility, but Angel could still faintly see two towering tree shadows at the center of the open area... huh, two shadows?

One is Palysanya, but who is the other tree shadow?

While Angel speculated internally, everyone felt a surge from the ground. Something seemed to be rushing swiftly toward their location from underground.

Both Rhein and Sanders furrowed their brows, although they took no action, firstly because they didn’t expect a sudden battle here, and secondly, even if a battle erupted, they wouldn’t fear.

The surging ground wave stopped as it reached them.

Soon after, a plethora of sturdy roots broke through the ground, flailing like tentacles with a menacing vibe. This feeling vanished as the roots combined and intertwined.

The roots formed archways.

More than twenty root archways stretched from directly before them to the mist’s end.

"What’s this?" Rhein slightly furrowed his brow.

Above the archway, a mouth appeared out of nowhere, emitting a peculiar laugh: "Ha ha ha ha ha~~ Are humans again? This time Angel brought back two humans."

"One is the Controller of the Barbarian Cave, and the other is my mentor." Angel softly called out its name: "Palysanya."

"Was this your purpose for going out?"

"Yes."

Palysanya sighed gently: "Come on in. Distant Guests, His Highness Maoye and I are inside waiting for you."

His Highness Maoye! Angel understood why he saw two tree shadows in the mist earlier; the other was Leaf Groot.

The group stepped onto the archway path.

As each archway was passed, the previous one vanished, returning underground.

Walking along, the gateways disassembled as they went.

"It has quite a sense of ritual," Sanders whispered.

"A ceremony? Perhaps. This is the Guard of Honor, a welcoming ritual," said the mouth above the archway. "You are the third to receive this ritual from me in nearly a thousand years."

"A ritual?" Sanders asked, "Who were the first two to receive the Guard of Honor?"

As the conversation ended, they arrived at the presence of Palysanya.

Palysanya closed the last archway and said, "The first was Mr. Feng, and the second is the little trickster beside you."

The ’little trickster’ Angel remained silent.

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