Chapter 443: 443 Citrus Wart Tree
Chapter 443: 443 Citrus Wart Tree
Chapter 443: Chapter 443 Citrus Wart Tree
The Crowmen, who belong to a neutral tribe and live within Gaine Forest, do not have the protection of any ‘king’ and rely solely on their own ability to survive.
The massive disaster caused by the Old King has made them feel threatened by the prospect of ‘instant extinction’ for the first time.
At this crucial moment, a special messenger appeared, providing them with a new place to live and protection under a land deed. He also gave them full authority to manage the area dictated by the land deed without any restrictions.
Therefore, all the Crowmen have feelings of gratitude and respect towards this messenger.
……
“The advent of the Old King has continued to exacerbate the Great Elder’s deteriorating condition. Although we send people to take care of him periodically, based on the last reports we received, the Great Elder is in extremely poor health and won’t be able to hold on much longer.
Even if the messenger did not have the significant request of forging weapons, we would still bring you to see the Great Elder.
You have provided our tribe with a sanctuary, and the Great Elder is aware of this. He has always wanted to meet you… of course, once he sees you and expresses himself visually and verbally, he will likely exhaust his last bit of strength.”
“Alright… take me to see him.”
From the conversation above, it seemed that if he didn’t visit this time, he might not have another chance.
Moreover, Han Dong understood the intentions of Mr. Black and White perfectly.
Mr. Black and White himself has many duties in the Holy City and has to maintain his state of stargazing for a long time to predict any dangers the Holy City may face in the future.
He would never leave the Holy City under normal circumstances.
Accompanying Han Dong to the estate voluntarily, it was clear he had an agenda.
Since Mr. Black and White willingly brought up the ‘Great Elder’ matter, it indirectly revealed that the purpose of his departure from the city was to let Han Dong meet this Crowman Great Elder.
“Messenger and honored guest, please follow me.”
Miz Crow, Lance Crow, and Bai Cangya, three of the elders, personally escorted them to the ruins of the former Crowman tribe settlement.
Among them, Lance Crow was a centrist. While he did respect Han Dong, he was a devoted disciple of the Great Elder and disagreed with the idea of prolonging life. He wished for the Great Elder to return to the dust in peace.
Bai Cangya, on the other hand, had pure white feathers and a unique Wind Master ability and was one of the eldest, second only to the Great Elder.
The three elders, each at different levels of Demon, moved through the forest.
All the evil creatures and Wild Beasts retreated from their path.
The ruins of the Crowman tribe were built in a lush forestry area.
The trees in this area were larger and sturdier than those in other parts of the forest, making them a prime attraction for the Crowmen.
The Old King’s destruction had drastically transformed the entire tribe.
Only half of the Crowman wooden carvings at the entrance remained.
Many trees had fallen, causing the fine tree houses built on them to shatter.
Since the disaster, Han Dong had immediately provided the Crowmen with a new home, so no one had bothered to tidy up the dilapidated ruins, and various debris scattered across the ground.
“The Great Elder’s residence is in the ‘Citrus Wart Tree’ deepest in this area, so we still have a distance to walk.”
Suddenly, Mr. Black and White stopped.
A dark vortex twisted inward, and he disappeared in a moment.
Bai Cangya, shocked by Mr. Black and White’s ability, gave a thumbs up, mimicking human gesture.
“Caw… Is this a teleportation secret method!? A teleportation was completed in an instant without the need for prior positioning and formation drawing… Messenger, your teacher is incredible!”
In less than a minute, Mr. Black and White reappeared in his original position.
“Something was threatening your Great Elder. I’ve already taken care of it.”
“What!?”
Hearing this, Lance Crow, who was closest to the Great Elder, immediately spread his wings and flew fiercely towards the depth of the forest.
“We should follow them.”
Han Dong immediately sped up to arrive at the deepest part of the ruins.
A plump ‘Citrus Wart Tree’ covered in ‘wart-like’ structures stood there.
This type of living tree was rarely seen in Gaine Forest. Its robust defences allowed it to repel intruders with a strong adhesive seeping through the tree’s wart-like structures; it could even ignite the ‘warts’ to attack invaders when necessary.
However…
In front of the current ‘Citrus Wart Tree’ lay the bodies of numerous Wild Beasts, but they hadn’t died from explosive ‘warts’.
All the corpses had been invaded and torn apart by an ‘external force’, causing dozens of beasts to die simultaneously.
“Millipede tribe… these bastards dare to target the Great Elder.”
Gaine forest is extensive.
Besides the Crowman tribe, other evil creatures, Wild Beasts, or heretic groups also inhabit the forest.
Two Crowmen who were guarding the area today had been eaten by the Millipede, a creature with a half-human and half-centipede body, leaving nothing but a few skeletons and feathers.
The Millipede was wiped out in an instant by Mr. Black and White just before they infiltrated the ‘Citrus Wart Tree’.
“Thank you… sir.”
As soon as he heard the news, Elder Lance immediately thanked Mr. Black and White.
If it were not for his immediate action, if these creatures made their way into the tree, the Great Elder would inevitably die.
“These damn millipedes, they dared to kill our kin and try to seize the Great Elder’s body… After today’s event, we must make them pay!”
“Elder Lance, has the Millipede tribe done things like this before?” Han Dong asked.
“These millipedes with abnormal reproductive and regenerative abilities are extremely aggressive and invasive. They like to encroach on the territories of other tribes and prey on those in the forest who have no affiliation.
However, they mostly lurk underground and have no fixed home.
Even if we kill one of their elders and many tribe members, more disgusting insects will pop up in no time.
On the other hand, us Crowmen have strong detection abilities and can suppress them in terms of power.
As long as these bugs show signs of approaching, they will be detected in advance. Therefore, they seldom trouble us.
Unexpectedly, they are aiming for the Great Elder now.”
“Lance, let’s discuss the Millipede matter privately after the Messenger completes his task… Let’s go in and see the Great Elder first.”
“Alright.”
With the elder’s identification, the ‘Citrus Wart Tree’ immediately opened a spacious entrance, allowing the group to enter.
A living tree cave.
Han Dong soon understood why they would house the Great Elder here.
The emaciated Great Elder lay within a plump wart of the tree cave.
His body had very few raven feathers left and was covered in soft tree roots.
The unique characteristics of the ‘Citrus Wart Tree’ allowed it to absorb and break down ‘fog energy’ from the environment.
A portion of the fog energy was directly input into the Great Elder’s body, maintaining his vitality.
Just as Han Dong stepped into the room,
Snap… a wart burst open!
Immediately, the Great Elder’s body sprouted a full set of new raven feathers.
His eyes, which looked as if covered by a white mist, slowly opened.
With the support of the roots, he slowly shifted his body to a sitting position and, with his last ounce of energy, gave a greeting to Han Dong.
“Having the chance to meet the messenger before death… is my honour,” said Dya the elder.