Pillar of Yita

The rain did not last long.

The bonfire flickered on and off throughout the night until only embers were left, with wisps of smoke rising, permeating with a faint fragrance of some commelina plant.

The morning rainforest carried a dim, unclear state, while Mount Pieriad still loomed ominously, the peak covered by clouds and mist.

The lizardmen did not regard the mountain as sacred and named it after one of the giant kings - Pieriad, because when it gets angry, it gathers storm clouds between heaven and earth, unleashing a torrential flood upon this land.

Fang Hong had witnessed yesterday’s torrential downpour.

The rainwater it brought flooded the valley under the night sky, coming swiftly and departing just as quickly.

After the rain, every patch of broad leaves accumulated water, and with a touch of the hand, the droplets fell like mercury spilling on the ground.

Tianlan used her hand to playfully flick the leaves, attempting a prank on Gita.

But Miss Natural Historian reacted quickly, with a flick of her hand as the droplets fell, her Magic Guided Book rustling as pages flipped. A stream of spells flew out, entwining her delicate fingertips, transforming the water splash into an icicle, shattering on Tianlan’s chest.

The shattered icicle knocked the latter onto the ground, where she sat stunned for a moment, then looked up at her, in an incredulous tone:

”Gita, have you become this powerful?”

Tianlan then realized that her prank had been exposed and couldn’t help but touch the back of her head, chuckling sheepishly.

But Gita helped her up, ”I didn’t notice it was you, Fuli, are you hurt?”

Tianlan patted her chest, brushed off the ice shards, and shook her head indifferently.

”What spell was that?” she asked, somewhat curious.

”That was a short sentence, a spell to turn water into ice and counteract. The former is a simple word magic principle; you can understand it as an adage spell. The magic power consumed depends on how much effect was created; turning some water splashes into icicles only requires a few Me’elos of magic power.”

”M, Me’elos?”

Gita explained carefully like a true good student to Tianlan: ”Me’elos relates to the ’M’ on your Magic Guided Reactor, and its etymology comes from the tunes and talismans in the Numelin Elf language, referring to the magic power conjured by each single magic word, also the basic unit of ether.”

”As for the counteraction spell...”

”Enough, enough,” Tianlan, already overwhelmed, quickly interrupted her, ”I’ve understood. It’s a powerful spell, right?”

Gita lightly blinked her black-and-white eyes, wanting to say that in the Level 3 spell system of Magic Guided Art, it was merely the simplest type.

But she remained silent, knowing her companion was simply impatient to listen further, so she didn’t speak again.

She used to prefer long descriptions to enhance the power of the Magic Guided Book until that Archmage opened another door for her.

After relearning how to use short sentences to achieve desired effects, her spells became more practical than before.

But sometimes, she truly missed her teacher, though unfortunately, the time he stayed with them was too short.

The sound of birdsong layered and surged in the rainforest, and as dawn broke, everyone’s task was heavy; they had to pass through the valley and then climb higher along the western slope of Mount Pieriad.

There, they would cross a mountain pass and reach the plateau plains amidst the mountains, the Savanna Belt.

They packed up their tents, shook off the water drops on top of them, checked their blankets and sheets for insects, and their boots for coiled poison snakes.

The group known as ’Walnut Underground’ did not sleep very soundly last night; normally, at their level, they rarely ventured far away from towns, at least not into such high-level areas.

Although the nighttime flooding did not bring beast hordes, the subtle forest sounds were enough to keep them from sleeping.

Already accustomed to outdoor life, Parker was serene, merely complaining about the night’s terrible temperature.

The Big Cat sat on a log, placing the Holy Sword beside him, ignoring the blooming wild rose; it looked no different from an ordinary longsword.

Long before everyone else woke up, he had already smoked a pipe.

The ’Walnut Underground’ group looked up to the Big Cat with admiration, envying his calmness and elegance.

”Obey the will of the wind, be free,” the Lion Paladin tapped the chests of these young ones with his paw, ”Lady Marlan taught us not to fear or hesitate.”

Fang Hong watched this scene, shaking his head, as if seeing his past self.

Once upon a time, Mr. Big Cat was synonymous with mastery in his eyes, even appearing more reliable than Miss Atira.

The companions of ’Walnut Underground,’ named after dry fruits and nuts, ranged from Zaozi to Pecan, and even one called Titanium Pea.

Zaozi was a little fatty, who at this moment pointed in a direction and asked:

”What, what is that?”

A vague sound came from afar.

Fang Hong stopped, looking into the forest at the slow-moving gray-white tree wall, and replied:

”It’s only Grey Treants, common in peat swamps. They are high-level but neutral creatures, rarely attacking people unless provoked.”

The Big Cat blew a smoke ring, gazing in that same direction, ”Compared to them, their relatives, the Withered Treants, are much more ferocious. Though only less than Level 20, the Withered forests are places even Level 30 adventurers dare not tread lightly.”

”Where are they going?” Little Fatty asked again.