Chapter 52: Concerning the Primordial Spirit

Zhai Guangyi was aware that the Forest Elves were searching everywhere for Spirit Trees—Liya was a prime example. Liya had said she would return to bring the Forest Elves back, but there had been no word from her since. Zhai Guangyi could only hope she was safe.

As for the matter of the Elven Divine Tree having gone mad, he suddenly recalled the story Qiqi had mentioned about her great-grandfather. If there was time later, he would need to ask her for more details.

After a moment of thought, Zhai Guangyi looked up at Feicui, who appeared rather impatient.

“One last question: how did those Primordial Spirits die?”

Zhai Guangyi was currently using this body, which, though not his True Body, had come at a great cost. Converting System Currency into Blessings could significantly strengthen his forces.

If this Primordial Spirit body carried high risks, then he needed to cherish his True Body all the more. Though immobile, it boasted exceptional defense and Magic Power, and its form could be regenerated through Spirit Fruit and the “World”—albeit at some cost.

“Because only Primordial Spirits can approach the Elven Divine Tree now; other creatures simply cannot get close. But every Primordial Spirit who made contact with the Elven Divine Tree died. That’s why I said it’s quite rare to see one.”

“Approach? Why would I want to contact the Elven Divine Tree? Do I have a death wish?”

Feicui shrugged and sighed at Zhai Guangyi.

“Everyone wants to save their master, especially a long-lived race like the Elves who once knew glory. Everyone wants to reclaim what they once had. Back then, even if you didn’t want to go, you’d be forced to. Pray you aren’t discovered by some fanatical Forest Elves, or you won’t have a choice.”

Recalling Liya, Zhai Guangyi thought she seemed quite fanatical—things might not end well.

“Alright, we’ve asked what we needed. Let’s go meet your Spirit King Tree.”

“Aren’t you also a guardian of the Elven Divine Tree? Why aren’t you forcing me to contact it now?”

Zhai Guangyi felt that answering one question only led to another.

“Because I know it’s impossible. If it were possible, Primordial Spirits several times stronger than you would have succeeded long ago. The Lord Divine Tree nurtured so many Primordial Spirits, each far more powerful than a newborn like you. It can’t be done—Primordial Spirit bodies are too fragile to withstand the Divine Tree’s power.”

This time, Feicui didn’t seem impatient; instead, he appeared somewhat melancholic, speaking slowly to Zhai Guangyi.

“Then let’s head back…”

Zhai Guangyi had just been thinking of first bringing the Black Bear Clan back to his True Body when news arrived from there.

According to Little Husky Two’s report, the Goblins on the other side of the river were no longer gathering. Instead, they had bypassed the Divine Tree’s territory and were advancing westward—directly toward Zhai Guangyi and his group.

Perhaps after the last battle, they had learned the range of Sylph’s Magic Power coverage, staying just outside it. Without environmental advantages, the Storm Demon Wolves couldn’t serve as effective combatants, leaving them to watch helplessly as the Goblins marched their way.

This news, of course, couldn’t come from Zhai Guangyi’s mouth. It had to be conveyed to Zhai Guangyi and his companions via the Magic Mirror by his True Body, Sylph.

The magical fluctuations from the Magic Mirror spread, and everyone reacted instantly. Xiong Er was the first to take it out and examine it. Xiong Batian still held her Spiked Club, remaining vigilant toward Feicui. Qiqi, like Xiong Batian, did not take out the Magic Mirror but instead stayed alert to their surroundings.

“The Sys—uh, I mean, Lord Divine Tree says that the Goblin army is shifting toward us.”

Zhai Guangyi’s expression darkened slightly. These Goblins were acting strangely—why would they suddenly change direction and head this way instead of attacking the True Body? Was it a coincidence, or could they somehow track their location?

“Goblins? Just crush those ants. Stop dawdling and let’s move.”

Feicui glanced at the Magic Mirror in Xiong Er’s hand, raising an eyebrow curiously before speaking dismissively.

“These aren’t ordinary Goblins. Most of them are Giant Goblins, and someone is leading them from behind.”

If it were just some ordinary Goblins and Giant Goblins, Zhai Guangyi wouldn’t be too worried. They were essentially experience packs—no matter how many came, they’d just be delivering themselves. In fact, Zhai Guangyi almost wished more would come, as Xiong Batian and the others had grown considerably from fighting them.

What Zhai Guangyi feared were the Mage behind Shabi’s Magic Mirror and the Demon God who had bestowed the Blessing upon Shabi. He had no idea how powerful they were.

Now that they had shifted their focus away from the True Body, it was a good thing. The True Body was far more important than this current form, after all, as the ‘World’ could only reside within it.

“Goblins led by someone? That must be the Demon King’s army. Goblins are the best expendable troops for war—they grow fast, reproduce quickly, have low intelligence, and are naturally good Materials for Soldiers. But you don’t need to worry too much. Goblins are still Goblins; even a swarm of ants is just a swarm of ants.

As for the Demon King’s powerful followers, they probably wouldn’t dare come here. The Deep Forest is the Dragonkin’s territory. Generally, overly powerful beings only dare to linger on the outskirts; they wouldn’t venture inside.

So, what exactly did you do?”

When Feicui mentioned “wouldn’t dare venture inside,” Xiong Er suddenly let out a stifled “pfft” but quickly pursed her lips to hold back her laughter.

Zhai Guangyi knew her mind wasn’t entirely normal, so he ignored her and answered Feicui truthfully.

Although Feicui seemed irritating on the surface, he was actually quite open-minded. He spoke frankly when needed and, most importantly, knew a lot. He didn’t seem hostile toward Zhai Guangyi and the others anymore. Even when he had attacked earlier, it was only to drive them away.

Zhai Guangyi briefly described how he and Xiong Er had encountered Shabi, as well as the incident with the Magic Mirror. As for the System controlling the Fire Spirit to hold off Shabi, he simply said that Lord Spirit Tree had intervened to help, allowing them to barely escape.

He also told Feicui about Shabi receiving a Blessing from a Demon God, hoping to hear his thoughts before deciding on their next course of action.

“That complicates things. I think I understand what they’re after. In the end, it’s because of you, Primordial Spirit.”

“Me? Why?”

Zhai Guangyi had never considered that he might be the reason. A chance encounter Inside the Forest was normal. Hunting magically powerful creatures to obtain Magic Crystals for growth and evolution was an utterly ordinary occurrence in the Forest.

However, in the battle with Shabi, Zhai Guangyi’s side emerged victorious. It is only natural that the forces behind Shabi would seek revenge, but why would it be because of his identity as a Primordial Spirit?

“I just mentioned that only a Primordial Spirit can approach the Elven Divine Tree. If you were merely an ordinary Forest Elf with powerful Magic Power and had killed Shabi, the Demon God would simply consider it bad luck and would not send anyone to the Mesopotamia Forest to trouble you. But you are something the Demon God needs, so the situation is entirely different.”