"Delighted to oblige." Chen Yu bobbed his gel body up and down, indicating a nod.
Eserin gave a slight nod in return, pushed open the wooden door of the farmhouse, stepped onto the dew-drenched green grass, and headed straight for the shaded path leading to the outskirts of the Rootwhisper Forest.
"Hmm..."
Little Ka had been lying on the grass in the yard, idly poking at ants in the clover with its claws, amusing itself.
Seeing Chen Yu emerge, it immediately perked up, scurried over on its short legs with eager attentiveness, lowered its body, and allowed Chen Yu to hop easily onto its back.
"Little Ka, let's go!"
"Kaka!"
Little Ka immediately set off after them.
On the shaded path, the golden morning light, like melted honey, spilled onto the canopy above, making each green leaf appear to glow from within.
Eserin walked ahead, holding her staff, her silver hair standing out vividly against the interplay of morning light and green shadows.
Behind her, Little Ka observed the morning forest with curiosity, listening to the chorus of insects and birds. Noticing it was falling behind, it quickly hurried to catch up with that conspicuous flash of silver, and soon they emerged at the forest's edge.
"Your Excellency, we've arrived," Eserin said without turning her head.
Hearing this, Little Ka unconsciously slowed its pace, giving Chen Yu time to slowly survey the surroundings.
This was a relatively sparse woodland, also the area where the Oak Guards typically rested and kept watch.
Looking further out, to the west lay the swamp with its faint miasma and dense reed beds. In the distant forest, the vague shadow of a castle's outline could be faintly seen.
This was precisely the fortress Chen Yu had built on their inevitable path to protect the Dryad domain and guard the planar rift.
Looking east, the view was blocked by a range of dark brown rocky mountains.
Beyond the narrow canyon passage known as the "Riftrock Pass" lay the lair of the Goblin Army.
However, the troubles these loyal Oak Guards faced were far from limited to the swamp and goblins;
sometimes they even had to drive away undead creatures that wandered out from the depths of the Dark Realm.
Though not as ancient as War Treants, they were still battle-hardened veterans. Looking closely at their bark, one could see various ugly, small burls and scars.
These were the medals symbolizing their guardianship.
Ahead, Eserin's pace seemed leisurely and slow, yet she quickly passed through the Oak Guards who swayed their branches in greeting, finally stopping before an oak tree with a rather distinctive appearance.
The reason it was special was that on some of its higher branches and twigs, clusters of silver oak leaves grew, as if forged from moonlight.
They reflected a soft, mysterious luster under the morning light, interwoven with the green leaves, creating a strange yet harmonious beauty.
Eserin gently placed her palm on the rough bark of this silver oak, closed her eyes, concentrated, and carefully sensed the condition of the energy circuits within its trunk.
A moment later, she opened her eyes.
"The energy circuit construction is complete, the alchemical formulas have achieved dynamic equilibrium. If that mysterious energy can take effect, theoretically it should form a perfect energy cycle with Fardoern."
Fardoern?
Was that the name of this silver oak?
While he was still admiring this oak tree shimmering with a brilliant silver glow in the sunlight, Eserin spoke up with a serious expression.
"Before proceeding with the experiment, I'd like to confirm with you, Your Excellency, what specific type and strength of spell effects can the Magic Leaves you provided activate?"
These talismans?
Chen Yu thought about it;
there seemed to be quite a variety.
For example, the common "Green Vine Talisman" among wood-type talismans was more akin to the simplest natural spell, "Entangling Vines."
However, unlike "Entangling Vines," which required existing plant matter to cast, the "Green Vine Talisman" could conjure energy constructs of vines from nothing.
Besides that, there was the "Evergreen Talisman" capable of healing wounds.
The "Wood Thunder Strike Talisman" that summoned greenish lightning, possibly with additional intimidating effects against evil beings.
The "Spring Breeze Crossing Talisman" that could stimulate the vitality of spirit herbs in a small area, making them grow rapidly, and possibly having a calming effect on the mind.
The "Ten Thousand Trees Greet Spring Talisman" that could temporarily elevate the life tier and vitality of plants within a certain range, even granting ordinary plants temporary offensive capabilities or special effects.
To help Eserin understand, he replaced these talisman names with similar spell names, such as Entangling Vines, Cure Wounds, Call Lightning, Plant Growth, Greater Plant Growth...
Eserin's expression became thoughtful.
If the concept of Rune Oak Guards could be successfully realized, it meant that Treant units, originally positioned as melee tanks and physical damage dealers, could potentially transform into spellcasting mage units capable of ranged attacks.
This might pioneer an unprecedented trial for ancient trees.
Startled by her own idea, she couldn't help but take a deep breath.
This little lord might not fully understand what the birth of a high-tier unit akin to a War Treant signified.
That was an ancient power only the Ancient Tree Council might possess.
Eserin calmed her surging emotions, gently patted the trunk of the silver-leafed oak, and called out, "Fardoern."
The Oak Guard named Fardoern seemed to understand. It emitted a low hum and slowly lowered a branch to a height within Eserin's reach.
Eserin took out a crystal vial containing a viscous potion from her small pouch and carefully poured it onto Fardoern's branch.
Then, using a soft feather brush, she meticulously ensured every inch of bark and the veins of every leaf were evenly saturated with the potion.
Under Chen Yu's watchful eye, wherever the potion flowed, intricate and exquisite mana circuits gradually became visible.
These circuits, like living blood vessels and nerves, densely covered Fardoern's entire branch, even extending faintly towards the main trunk and roots, forming a complete energy conduction system.
With the preparations complete, Eserin opened her palm. Five Magic Leaves, as if attracted by the energy circuits on Fardoern, floated up shakily on their own and fused with the branch.
It looked as if they had grown there originally, appearing quite magical.
After completing this crucial step, Eserin took a few steps back.
Gazing up at the tall silver-leafed oak before her, her tone unconsciously carried a note of reminiscence and emotion.
"It's called Fardoern. It was a seed given to me privately by a relatively open-minded elder when I left the Ancient Tree Council years ago. It's grown so tall now."
"Silver-leaf Oak, a peculiar tree species. It's said to be a descendant of sacred oaks watered by Moonwell water in ancient times," she explained, pointing at the silver leaves. "This silver color is a symbol of its noble bloodline. Unfortunately, the seed I received wasn't of the purest lineage."
"Interestingly, some human adventurers who stumbled here by chance once encountered Fardoern and called it a divine miracle."
"Legends of the Silver Oak seem to have quietly spread among those adventurers."
Chen Yu recalled that in some fragmented adventure logs, there indeed was mention of a guild or exploration team named "Silver Oak Leaf" in the Outpost Ruins. So the origin was here.
His thoughts flashed by, and he refocused, lifting his round head. Along with Eserin, he looked up at the tall Oak Guard, observing its changes.
After the Magic Leaves fully integrated into the energy circuit, Fardoern's entire body trembled slightly. It began actively drawing in and releasing the sparse spiritual energy around it with a unique rhythm.
A faint spiritual glow naturally emanated from within, making it appear even more sacred.
More astonishingly, the leaves on its body, originally a mix of silver and green, were now visibly being tinted with larger areas of silver.
"Success?" Eserin asked in a focused voice.
"No, something is lacking."
Chen Yu could sense every pore on Fardoern that was "breathing" craving spiritual energy. But the spiritual energy here was far too weak, insufficient for it to complete its transformation.
He decided to give it a hand.
[Hixiulong Part One]
The phantom of the Hixiulong Tree sapling flickered past. The next moment, the soil where Fardoern took root seemed infused with boundless vitality.
The soil instantly became as fertile as black jade. The nourishing mana and spiritual energy were frantically absorbed by its roots.
An unknown amount of time passed. As if breaking through a certain threshold, the last green leaf on Fardoern's body was finally, completely dyed into a dazzling, radiant silver.
Simultaneously, Chen Yu's vision blurred with a twist of light and shadow, rapidly coalescing into a semi-transparent panel:
——
Reputation Title: Arcane Ancient Tree Sapling
Acquisition Condition: An Oak Guard must construct a complete energy circuit capable of connecting to Magic Leaves, absorb sufficient arcane energy to complete its metamorphosis, thereby touching the essence of nature.
Title Effects:
Note: This is the convergence of nature and arcane wisdom. When an Oak Guard comprehends the essence of energy, it embarks on the arcane path that transcends war.
——
"Arcane Ancient Tree..."
Chen Yu subconsciously uttered the name.
Eserin was momentarily stunned, then chuckled softly. "That name is indeed very fitting."
This power neither purely stemmed from bloodline nor was it traditional arcane mana. Calling it "arcane" was just right.
So, had they succeeded?
Had they pioneered an unprecedented new path for Oak Guards?
Incredible.
The entire process had gone much more smoothly than even the most optimistic scenario she had imagined.
Since when had uncovering ancient tree knowledge become this easy?
Eserin suddenly felt a slight dizziness, as if she were in a dream.
But soon, her attention was drawn to Fardoern, who was filled with joy over its new life.
The newly born ancient tree sapling was swaying its branches, eagerly testing its newly acquired magical power.
[Cure Wounds]
Gentle, life-filled green light flowed like water into the scars on its body. The ugly burls visibly peeled off one by one, revealing fresh, tender bark growing underneath.
Then, it slightly raised the branch bearing the runes, its posture solemn, like a pilgrim engaged in sacred prayer.
[Call Lightning]
A faint crackling sound filled the air. Purple plasma rapidly gathered at the tip of the branch, then erupted as a blinding flash of greenish lightning.
"BOOM!!!"
With a loud explosion, a half-human-tall, sturdy rock not far away was instantly blasted into pieces, rubble flying everywhere.
Moreover, likely due to the special nature of the "Arcane Ancient Tree," the power of this lightning bolt was noticeably greater than the original power of the Wood Thunder Strike Talisman.
This undoubtedly qualified as an Elite Professional-level mage.
Chen Yu's eyes lit up at the sight.
The great thing about Arcane Ancient Tree units was that, theoretically, as long as suitable Oak Guards and sufficient resources were available, more could be cultivated.
And if enough ancient trees were cultivated, he could even assemble an entire army of them.
"Eserin, for an alchemical ritual like Fardoern's, how long does it take to complete one tree?"
Eserin snapped back to reality and shook her head slightly. "It's not a matter of time. The key lies in the ancient resin required to draw these energy circuits, which is quite rare."
"This resin is only produced by certain ancient tree species blessed by nature. Its collection and refinement are extremely difficult. Even the Rootwhisper Forest can't produce much in a year."
"For Fardoern's experiment, the territory's stock of ancient resin has long been exhausted. If we want to continue drawing circuits, we must purchase it from outside, especially from those rather exclusive natural elven tribes."
She cautioned, "I hope you are mentally prepared. The market price for this material is... quite steep."
Hearing this, Chen Yu immediately felt troubled.
Alright... indeed, powerful strength always seems to equal a hefty price tag.
This was yet another money-burning bottomless pit project.
No, the treasury really can't hold on much longer. Must find ways to increase income and reduce expenditure.
No, mainly increase income! Need to make money!
Just as Chen Yu was agonizing over the nearly depleted treasury, news suddenly arrived from the Eastern Swamp.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the pointy-teeth are here again! They're saying something about... 'having important intelligence and further cooperation intentions,' wanting to chat with you in person. Another pointy-teeth fellow came with them this time."
Pointy-teeth?
Chen Yu was momentarily confused, then it clicked.
The big benefactor... ahem, ahem, their esteemed and generous vampire clan allies had returned.
This was truly wonderful news.
Chen Yu instantly felt his mood shift from gloomy to sunny, his round body rippling slightly with happiness.
Hehe, thank you, Viscount Casimir, and that new friend...
Coming all this way just to deliver shiny, glittering Gold Coins and precious magical materials to him. How embarrassing.