IRM Chapter 132

Seeing that Dominic had no objections, the others had no opinions either. For them, any task in the academy was extremely easy. If it weren’t for the limit on the number of tasks they could select each time, they could speed-run several years’ worth of tasks in just a month.

Going to the Elven Forest didn’t require much preparation. They waited until Brandon returned from the Northland, then set off on their journey.

The Elven Forest was located in the eastern part of the Demon Sword Continent. It was a beautiful and vast forest where gentle breezes and warm sunshine prevailed year-round, flowers bloomed fragrantly in all seasons, and soft winds rustled the emerald leaves—a peaceful paradise for living creatures to dwell in tranquility.

Their task this time was to capture a small creature called the Moonlight Phoenix-tail Butterfly. These creatures usually danced through the jungle on moonlit nights, and the powder on their wings was a primary ingredient for a precious potion.

Because making the potion only required a tiny bit of wing powder, which could grow back after a few days of being scraped off, the academy’s requirement was to capture it alive and bring it back to the academy in perfect condition.

That’s right… the task sheet specifically said “attend to.”

These small creatures were extremely delicate. When capturing them, they couldn’t be contaminated with even a trace of magic, sword energy, or blood… And on the journey escorting them back, they had to prepare the most fragrant flower nectar, the freshest morning dew, and the softest grass blades.

Ji Chi and the others only thought to learn more about the task target after accepting the mission. Now it was too late to change tasks. Thoroughly annoyed, they all coldly declared that whoever proposed it should be responsible.

Ji Chi: “……”

Ji Chi swallowed a mouthful of blood in frustration, teeth itching with anger at these ungrateful little bastards who turned their backs on him.

The teleportation array for the Elven Forest was set at the entrance. Apart from this lone teleportation array, there wasn’t a single place on the entire forest map where one could quickly arrive.

This also revealed the elves’ character—they disliked humans’ self-important inventions, worshipped nature, loved running freely through the forest, and didn’t welcome disturbances from outsiders.

Of course, Dominic was an exception. He loved the convenient magical inventions of Saint Trilley Royal City. If given the chance to choose again, he would become a mage without hesitation, then solve everything by lying down and chanting spells.

Evan estimated the distance between them and the task area on the map, saying helplessly, “Looks like this journey will take quite a bit of time.”

Hearing his words, Dominic squinted his layered wrinkled eyes and smiled, “Don’t worry, I have a solution.”

He pulled out a small teleportation device from his magic bag and waved it in front of them. “I had my sister place another teleportation device in our tribe. Once both devices are activated together, we can teleport directly to the elven tribe.”

Ji Chi curiously examined the palm-sized device in his hand. In the years he’d been away, Saint Trilley had really developed many novel things. “Won’t the device in your tribe be discovered? Teleportation arrays light up and aren’t easy to hide, right?”

Dominic shook his head. “Her device is like mine—it won’t normally be discovered. But even if it is discovered, no one will say much about it…”

Too lazy to explain further, Dominic gripped the button at the very bottom of the teleportation device and gave it a gentle twist. A layer of ghostly blue light appeared on the device, casting a circle on the ground.

They stood in the circle waiting, but after a long time, nothing happened.

Brandon stared blankly, unable to help asking, “Will this really work? Otherwise, should we just have Evan draw a teleportation array?”

Evan glanced at him with a smile and refused mercilessly, “Teleportation arrays aren’t omnipotent. I’ve never been there—how could I possibly teleport there? Aren’t you afraid I’d teleport everyone to the abyss?”

Brandon’s face was full of trust. “Of course not! You’re Chief Evan after all.”

Dominic interrupted their conversation in time, frowning as he said, “My sister is a bit careless. She probably didn’t notice the device lighting up… But that’s not right. I heard from the dwarf merchants that this device also has an audio reminder… Let’s wait a bit longer.”

They waited again for a long time. Dominic collected the device with a heavy heart, his eyes rarely tinged with confusion and panic. He pressed his lips together, looking thoroughly dejected. “Forget it… Let’s set out first. We’ll try again on the road.”

He curled his fingers around his lips and whistled loudly toward the depths of the forest.

This time they didn’t wait long. A group of elegant white figures came running out from the dense forest, their clear hoof beats treading on people’s heartstrings, inexplicably conveying a sense of free and unrestrained joy.

They were a group of beautiful unicorns.

The snow-white unicorns were covered in a sacred, hazy luster, and the white horns on their foreheads emitted a gentle, soft glow.

They were happy to see Dominic and gathered around, wanting to rub against the comfortable aura on his body.

But before they got close, they were attracted by another wonderful aura.

Dominic’s outstretched arms froze at his sides. Following their gaze, he looked at Ji Chi in shock.

At this moment, Ji Chi was still looking down, pondering what method to use to capture the phoenix-tail butterflies and bring them back to the academy. When he raised his head, he found himself looking into several pairs of bright, shining large eyes.

Ji Chi paused and couldn’t help stepping back a few paces. “What do they want?”

Dominic looked somewhat resentful. He glanced at Ji Chi faintly and asked sourly, “Did you put on some fragrance? Why would they be drawn to you…”

Seeing an elegant and proud unicorn pass by her side, Saintess Coralie couldn’t help reaching out to touch its back. Unexpectedly, it immediately saw through her intention and gracefully avoided her, even turning its head and snorting disdainfully.

Saintess Coralie withdrew her hand, the corner of her mouth lifting in a cold smile. A ring of white holy light rose around her, and her black hair and red eyes transformed into blonde hair and blue eyes in the holy light—she had forcibly suppressed her demon bloodline.

The unicorn’s eyes brightened. It eagerly moved back and ingratiatingly rubbed its smooth horn against her hand.

These beautiful creatures were very friendly toward these people, actively lowering themselves and exposing their beautifully streamlined backs.

Dominic straddled the lead unicorn and looked them over several times, muttering, “How strange. This is the first time I’ve seen them accept outsiders. Well, not having to expend energy appeasing them isn’t bad either…”

Unicorns were the darlings of the forest. When galloping through the dense woods, flowers, grass, and trees all made way for them. Even the snarling man-eating flowers retracted their drooling fangs and quietly lowered their heads.

They were like a group of pure white spirits, freely sweeping past every babbling stream in the forest.

The location of the Moonlight Phoenix-tail Butterflies was near the center of the Elven Forest, not far from where the elven tribe was located. At the unicorns’ speed, it would only take three or four days to get there.

During this time, Dominic would take out his teleportation device to fiddle with from time to time. He used up all the magic crystal energy embedded in it, but there was still no response.

Gradually, he became uneasy.

This unease came not only from the unresponsive device but also from the surrounding environment, which made Dominic’s nerves taut.

They had rested in the jungle for the past two nights. The jungle at night was dark and quiet. For intruders, the Elven Forest was actually quite perilous, because most of the creatures here didn’t like being disturbed by outsiders—they viewed outsiders as a kind of pollution.

Fortunately, Dominic was with them. He was one of the Mother Tree’s most beloved children, born with the Mother Tree’s soothing aura. Thanks to him along the way, they were able to avoid numerous conflicts.

However, Dominic gradually noticed something wrong. Whether it was an illusion or not, he felt that the creatures in the forest were now particularly sensitive and irritable. Although they didn’t immediately attack them, they were vigilantly watching their every move from the shadows.

This feeling of being watched was too oppressive. Dominic frowned for several days straight, with shadows appearing beneath his eyelids.

On the morning of the last day, he finally couldn’t bear it anymore. While his companions were still sleeping, he pressed his palm against a large tree nearby and closed his eyes to carefully sense.

The moment he calmed his mind, a burst of noisy, sharp cries instantly flooded into his mind—

“Uncomfortable…”

“Why abandon us?!”

“It’s so uncomfortable, please come quickly…”

“They won’t come! We’ve all been abandoned!”

Countless wails, angry roars, and screams exploded in Dominic’s mind. He quickly pulled his hand away, suddenly clutched his head and knelt under the tree, a painful moan escaping his lips.

“Domi? Domi, what’s wrong?!” The first to wake was Linton. Seeing Dominic’s condition, he was so frightened he didn’t even put his shoes on properly, stumbling over to his side and anxiously supporting his shoulders.

His cry of alarm woke the remaining companions. They gathered around the suffering elf, watching him with concern and at a loss.

“I have to go back…” Dominic’s emerald eyes held pain and confusion as he murmured, “I have to go back right away.”

Ji Chi thought of something and furrowed his brow tightly.

Has the abnormality appeared so quickly…

He turned around and decisively packed up all their camping supplies. “Let’s put the task on hold. We’ll head to the elven tribe at top speed.”

They didn’t dare delay any longer and quickly mounted the unicorns. Ji Chi summoned wind spirits that danced and spread out before the unicorns.

The wind spirits in the Elven Forest were exceptionally powerful. They intertwined and wove together, gradually forming a wide, flat cyan-colored road. The road extended from the ground all the way to above the forest, finally forming a flowing ribbon in the air.

The unicorns were initially hesitant and fearful, but soon discovered this road wasn’t dangerous—in fact, it allowed them to run even more freely and quickly. Excitedly, they stepped onto it and galloped forward, treading upon the emerald forest sea.

The morning’s dawn light had just risen, gilding every branch tip and green leaf with a layer of golden light. The entire forest sea shimmered and sparkled, rising and falling with the wind, splashing with glimmers of light.

It should have been a breathtakingly beautiful scene, but no one appreciated it, especially Dominic, whose face was almost pale and transparent.

With the aid of the wind spirits, they quickly completed the remaining journey, arriving at the very center of the Elven Forest—the elves’ tribe—before noon.

The unicorns descending from the sky startled quite a few elves. They perked up their pointed ears and stared wide-eyed, watching them gallop past.

“Who are those people? How can they command unicorns?”

“It seems to be Lord Domi. I just saw the Elven Bow on his head.”

“So Lord Domi has returned? How wonderful! The Queen has been thinking of him!”

The pure white unicorns passed by exquisite tree houses one after another. The wind they stirred in passing made the swings tied to tree branches gently sway.

The tree houses ahead became fewer and fewer. The view suddenly opened up for a moment, and a towering giant tree abruptly entered their line of sight.

The giant tree blocked out the sky and sun. The area covered by its pavilion-like canopy was estimated to be about half the size of Saint Trilley Royal City. Below the giant tree was a pool of clear, fresh water, surrounded by various precious flowers and plants.

Around it also floated hazy points of fluorescent light, within which the faint shapes of fetuses could be seen.

It was the Mother Tree. It looked prosperous and flourishing, but Ji Chi’s breathing inexplicably caught. He knew—the Mother Tree had already begun to have problems.