Chapter 777: The Clear-Eyed Plant Spirit
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 777: The Clear-Eyed Plant Spirit
Ever since I proposed building a little cabin here that would belong only to Sister Bai and me, the idea had been taking root in my mind.
However, when I actually started planning the construction, I realized I didn't have much experience in architecture. I had gathered some experience building in the Expansion Realm, but that level of craftsmanship fell far short of the finished product we envisioned.
"It’s alright—if we don’t know how to build it, we can just take our time. There’s no need to rush," Sister Bai said comfortingly. "We’ll start by planning it out properly, figure out exactly what we need, and then get to building."
"True..." I looked around at the surrounding scenery, soaking in the purest beauty of the environment. The impulsive urge to start hacking down trees and building immediately faded away.
"In that case, why don't we start by planting a tree together?" I pulled out a primitive seed of the Omni-Link Main Network Tree. This was a first-generation seed, the kind with the highest "plasticity."
I didn't bring it out hoping it would construct some power network or root system here; rather, I hoped it could establish a symbiotic relationship with the ley lines of this dungeon world.
Currently, the relationship between the Omni-Link Main Network Tree and ley lines was one of consumption. The tree relied on the ley lines and their energy to convert ley energy, using that power to run various abilities and build functions.
But a dungeon world couldn't withstand that kind of strain.
If the Omni-Link Main Network Tree's growth model couldn't rely on the ley lines for sustenance, it would require an external energy supply.
"Planting a tree?" Sister Bai looked at the seed I seemed to have prepared long ago and didn't think too much of it. "We really should plant one as a memento. What kind of seed is this? For you to bring it out at a moment like this, it must have a very special meaning."
"It’s an Omni-Link Main Network Tree. You could say it was a little spark of inspiration I had back then," I explained.
While the Omni-Link Main Network Tree was the type that could grow massive in just a few months, its growth would become incredibly slow without the sustenance of ley lines.
"An Omni-Link Main Network Tree? Xiao Han, are you planning to introduce a power network and a root network here?" Sister Bai naturally knew what this tree was, which was why she asked.
However, she didn't object to the idea.
"Of course not. If I did that, it would only accelerate the depletion of the ley line tributaries within this dungeon world. What I want to do is better maintain this world's ley lines. Speaking of trees that can maintain world ley lines, what comes to mind, Sister Bai?"
"The World Tree of the Forest Elves!" Sister Bai answered instantly; after all, it was far too famous.
When it came to plant technology, the Forest Elves were the undisputed masters.
Furthermore, it wasn't as if the Elven races didn't progress; it was just that their philosophy of development focused more on symbiosis with nature. Rather than "plant technology," they preferred to call it "plant-affinity Spirit Magic."
And if one were to speak of beings capable of repairing world ley lines, the Elven World Trees were the most ancient species that coexisted and thrived alongside them.
"Exactly. Although the Omni-Link Main Network Tree isn't a World Tree, I believe that as a fellow plant, it can achieve similar capabilities," I said firmly.
I had the confidence to back up my words.
The original technique I used to modify the Omni-Link Main Network Tree was derived from my Tree of Great Knowledge as a prototype. That was how the Omni-Link Main Network Tree gained its current form.
As my understanding of the [Transcendent Knowledge] represented by the Tree of Great Knowledge deepened, I more clearly understood the trait it embodied.
[Plant Growth].
This could be described as a process, or summarized as a characteristic.
As Dean Mei had said back then, if this [Transcendent Knowledge] had been crafted into a Great Spellbook by an ordinary witch, it likely would have become a plant-type Great Spellbook, rather than the more abstract Tree of Great Knowledge I possessed now.
But ultimately, the traits of the [Transcendent Knowledge] manifested by the Tree of Great Knowledge could also be applied to the logic of general plant growth.
"Hmm? Sister Bai, what are you looking at?"
Just as I was about to plant the seed, I noticed Sister Bai’s gaze fixed on a certain spot.
"I saw some interesting things left behind," Sister Bai said with a smile.
"Interesting things?"
"I’ll go take a look."
"Be careful then! I’ll plant this seed first." Watching Sister Bai suddenly depart, I gave a light wave of my hand. The power granted by an earth-system spell loosened the soil at my feet, and a hole opened in the ground as if it had been dug out.
I dropped the seed in, and the hole gradually healed over. Then, a small, localized rainfall dampened the patch of earth.
My powerful perception allowed me to feel the state of the seed underground. Immediately, I began applying complex induction techniques to modify it.
After all, if an Omni-Link Main Network Tree didn't undergo induction, it would overdraw the potential of the ley lines.
I chose this spot because it was the very center of this dungeon world, the area where the ley lines converged most densely.
While it couldn't compare to the ley line hubs in the Expansion Realm, it was already the best location in this entire dungeon world.
Next, I took out my Book in the Box and flipped to the later pages.
Generally speaking, my Book in the Box was quite empty; most of the time, there was nothing inside. However, when it was first designed and crafted, every page was made of a special material that served as an excellent sealing medium.
I took it out because I needed to retrieve something very precious sealed within.
One of the World Three Source Elements: a Transcendent Origin Crystal.
This was the primitive energy that, in the Expansion Realm, could trigger the growth of an entire vein of transcendent crystals from just a small fragment.
I intended to use this to provide the energy for the Omni-Link Main Network Tree.
However... the Omni-Link Main Network Tree could never withstand such a high-energy crystal directly. It needed a conversion process, and the medium for that conversion... would still be the tree itself.
The Omni-Link Main Network Tree was originally designed as a structure for energy conversion, but as a seed that had just entered the soil... it certainly couldn't bear it yet.
But that was fine. I had plenty of time.
If I wanted to, I could afford to spend several days focusing my energy here.
Before long, to make the induction and modification easier, I floated on my side in the air, just a tiny distance above the ground. My eyes were fixed on the slightly bulging mound of earth, as if witnessing the eruption of plant life.
"Xiao Han? What are you doing? You’re almost lying on the ground."
"Sister Bai, you’re back?" I looked up at her. Right now, Sister Bai had her hands cupped together as if hiding something, wanting to give me a surprise.
"Yep! Guess what I found?" Sister Bai stepped forward playfully, looking as happy as if she had stumbled upon a hidden treasure.
"Wait... Sister Bai, you didn't find a Plant Spirit, did you?" I recalled the hint Dean Mei had given me when I first arrived here—that this world fragment was once used to raise Plant Spirits, and that traces of them might still remain.
"You guessed it that quickly?" A flash of surprise crossed Sister Bai’s eyes, and she admitted it quite openly.
"Yeah, this used to be a ranch where the Wizard Academy raised Plant Spirits. Dean Mei hinted that there might be some left over, but I hadn't found any until now." I stood up and walked over to Sister Bai, my eyes full of anticipation. "Let me see! I’ve never seen what a Plant Spirit actually looks like. Is it one of those tiny ones?"
"It is indeed a tiny one." Sister Bai nodded and opened her hands.
Suddenly, a figure darted out from her palms. Even though it was fast, I still managed to see it clearly.
It was indeed a petite, humanoid creature that fit human aesthetics.
The whole thing was only about the size of an open hand. Two pairs of translucent wings, like those of a dragonfly, beat at an incredible speed. Its burst of speed was truly impressive.
"So this is a Plant Spirit?"
I watched the spirit fly away freely from Sister Bai’s hands, a look of wonder flashing in my eyes.
"Are you just going to watch her leave, Xiao Han?"
"Well, yeah. If I catch her by force, will she actually listen to me?" I watched the Plant Spirit fly high into the air. I saw a pure quality in her, similar to that of the Fool's Dream clan.
Seeing her stop high up and turn around to study us with a gaze that was both innocent and curious, I knew these Plant Spirits were still quite... simple.
Simple is good. I like creatures like that—and if they’re cute, even better.
"I suppose so. So, do you plan to just let them roam free here? Plant Spirits are natural spirits born from the wood element. Without human intervention, it would take a very, very long time for them to gather into a community. If you leave them be, they won't bring you any benefits or gains; they’ll just be ornaments you see once in a while."
"That’s not necessarily true." I looked at the cute little thing. If I didn't feel a sense of possessiveness toward such a cute creature deep down, then I’d be the one who was sick.
But these things need to be done step by step.
Even though the other party was just a simple-minded little Plant Spirit, my Heart Sense could still perceive her most primitive emotional expressions.
Or rather, even without Heart Sense, a little creature like this couldn't hide anything.
She had just been caught by Sister Bai’s cupped hands, but now that she had escaped, her panic was already being replaced by curiosity.
It reminded me of a "silly roe deer"—no wonder these creatures were so easily caught by Wizards and raised in world fragments like livestock.
"Come on... relax... I mean no harm..." I clapped my hands lightly, using the motion to draw the Plant Spirit’s attention while projecting as much goodwill as possible.
"She probably can't understand what you're saying, right? Besides... Plant Spirits that haven't developed a social community don't have their own language or writing," Sister Bai remarked from the side.
"True," I said, shrugging. Then, I remembered a spell I possessed.
A Consciousness Communication Spell.
A type of communication that bypassed language and went straight to the level of understanding.
This spell could even establish basic communication with dream creatures; I didn't believe the cognition of a Plant Spirit would be harder to reach than that of a chaotic, illusory dream creature.
I mean no harm. I won't hurt you. I tried to communicate using the most direct terms, devoid of any deep subtext.
The spirit seemed startled, sending back a wave of nonsensical, frightened feedback.
It’s me talking to you. I mean no harm. I made hand gestures while using the consciousness link, trying to establish a basic channel of communication.
You’re the one talking to me?
This time, after understanding my shallow meaning, the Plant Spirit responded through the consciousness link. Surprisingly, her expression was very clear—she wasn't the type that couldn't be communicated with!
Yes. It seems your communication skills are quite good. I mean no harm. Would you like to try chatting? I offered a kind smile and asked.
No... you’ll enslave me... and the one next to you! She’s the one who caught me! The Plant Spirit clearly still held a grudge against Sister Bai.
I won't enslave you. The ones who enslaved you were a different group of bad people called Wizards. Now those bad people have been driven away, and this land belongs to me, so I won't enslave you. As for my friend, please allow me to apologize on her behalf. She didn't do it on purpose.
But... but she’s still so scary... there’s a... um... anyway, a very, very scary feeling! The Plant Spirit pointed at Bai Yu, still speaking with lingering fear.
I looked helplessly at Sister Bai. It seemed her unique, terrifying Transcendent level—even without intentional pressure—had terrified this nature-attuned Plant Spirit.
She is my friend. She respects my choices, so for my sake, she won't hurt you. How about you become my friend too? That way, she’ll be your friend as well, and she won't hurt you. What do you think?
This... uh...
The little Plant Spirit’s tiny brain seemed to stall; she couldn't quite wrap her head around the logic for a moment.
After agonizing over it for a long time, she finally squeezed out one sentence.
Really?
Of course it’s true. We’re planning to build a little cabin here to stay in. If we’re friends, I can help you build a cozy little home here too. That way, you won't have to sleep in the grass and bushes every day. How about it?
Eh? No, no! Building a house... means cutting trees! You can't cut trees! No, no! The Plant Spirit immediately shook her head like a rattle in refusal.
Don't worry—I won't cut down any trees in this land. We’ll bring building materials from outside the world to make our cabin. I hurried to reassure her.
I wasn't joking about that. This world couldn't handle too much disruption, and building a house did require a fair amount of timber. While it might be negligible to the dungeon world, damage was still damage.
Look, I even planted a very special tree here. You should be able to feel its vigorous life force, right? How about you make your home in this tree when the time comes?
This... sniff, sniff... it’s a tree I’ve never seen before! It’s growing so fast! Um... can I really make my home in this tree?
The Plant Spirit summoned her courage, flew forward, and twitched her nose to sniff it. She seemed to have discovered something incredible before she finally asked.
Of course—but we have to wait for it to grow. Since you're willing to make your home here, does that mean we’re friends now?
Eh? I guess so... then... we’re friends!