As the carriage drew closer, the scene ahead came into Leilin's view.
In the middle of the road stood a colossal ancient tree.
Its green branches stretched outward in every direction, forming an enormous canopy, with long vines hanging down from it.
On the massive trunk, there was a pair of eyes and a mouth that resembled a human face — except the eyes glowed green.
Near the branches, small winged creatures fluttered about, with green skin and humanoid shapes, completely naked.
"A Treant!" Leilin exclaimed, then let out a bitter laugh. "Wasn't the area around the Academy supposed to be completely cleared? How is this thing still here?"
"An apprentice of the Black Bone Forest Academy?" The great tree spoke, and the other winged creatures turned their gaze toward him.
"I'm just a minor apprentice who's about to leave. Could you perhaps clear the road? I'm willing to pay a price!"
Leilin made one last attempt.
"Any creature that tries to leave the Dark Forest shall die!"
The tree's voice boomed so loudly that it made Leilin's eardrums ache. At the same time, a green vine descended, and hanging from it was a human corpse — completely desiccated, wearing the grey apprentice robe of the Black Bone Forest Academy.
"Big brother! Stay and play with us!"
At that moment, one of the small spirits from the Treant flew down and spoke to Leilin in a sweet, childlike female voice. It was so captivating that Leilin felt a slight daze, as though this voice belonged to the most important person in the world. A faint thought crept into his heart — maybe staying here wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Warning! Warning! The host is under the influence of an enchantment!" The Chip's voice rang out, pulling Leilin back from the illusion.
"It actually tried to bewitch me!" A flash of anger crossed Leilin's face.
"Chip! What are the scan results?"
"Sugol Treant — Strength: 5, Agility: 0.5, Constitution: 9.8, Spirit: 3.5. Skills: Blood Drain, Vine."
"Green Tree Spirit — Strength: 0.9, Agility: 2.5, Constitution: 1.5, Spirit: 3.1. Skills: Enchantment."
"According to records, Green Tree Spirits share a symbiotic relationship with Treants. Typically, the Green Tree Spirits lure creatures into the Treant's attack range, and the Treant does the hunting."
The Chip's notification sounded in his mind.
"The Treant's strength and constitution are too high, and its size is too great — there's no way around it!" Leilin's expression was calm. "Looks like I have to fight."
"Starting with you — how dare you try to enchant me!"
"Vital point identified! Wind force calculated! Trajectory adjusted!"
Leilin suddenly raised his arm, revealing a hidden crossbow, and pulled the trigger.
Whoosh! A black streak pierced the air and struck the Green Tree Spirit dead center.
The bolt lodged in the spirit's right chest. Tears welled in the creature's eyes as a green, sap-like liquid flowed from the wound and dripped to the ground.
"Tiiris! That human killed Sister Tiiris!" From the crown of the tree came the Green Tree Spirits' shrieks, filled with terror and hatred.
"You dare kill my daughter?!" The Treant roared in fury, lashing a massive vine at Leilin.
"Hyah!" Leilin urged the carriage backward, dodging the vine-whip.
"According to the Chip's calculations, the Treant's vine has a maximum attack range of only twenty meters! Its movement speed is very slow — that's its greatest weakness!"
Leilin drew the Cross Sword from his belt, secured the carriage, and jumped down.
"I only asked to pass. Since you won't listen to reason, then force will have to settle this!"
"You killed my precious Tiiris! I'll turn you into a mummy and hang you on my body for a hundred years!"
The Treant's underground roots burst from the soil, and it rose upright like a human, charging after Leilin.
"That speed? You've got to be kidding me!" Leilin laughed, then blurred forward and charged at the Treant.
A green tree-lash whipped toward him. Leilin rolled on the spot, dodging the blow.
Crack! The green vine smashed into the ground like a whip, leaving a deep crater.
Leilin swung his Cross Sword horizontally at the vine, the silver-white blade striking its surface and leaving only a shallow mark.
A tremendous counterforce jolted through his arm, and several dark shadows appeared behind him.
"Rear attack detected! Optimal response: turn fifty degrees right and leap!" The Chip's prompt came through.
Leilin deflected one vine with his sword, then pivoted right and leaped, evading the ambush from behind.
"Father! We're coming to help you!"
About seven or eight Green Tree Spirits dove down with their wings spread, holding tiny bows that looked like toys. But when Leilin saw the dark green liquid on the arrows, his expression changed.
"Poison!"
He pulled a purple potion vial from his belt pouch and hurled it hard toward the spirits.
Crash! The glass shattered, and a cloud of purple smoke rose, taking the form of a harpy. The harpy opened its mouth and let out a piercing shriek!