Chapter 183: Stone Breath
Chapter 183: Stone Breath
Mountain Shelter...
Upon hearing this greeting, an idea formed in Lindsey's mind.
Looking at the earthen body of the being before him and the friendly green marker on his map, he asked, "Are you an elemental being? And of the Earth element?"
The elemental being, still seated on the ground, acknowledged, "As you can see. Given the blessing you possess, I'm sure you don't need me to introduce my kind to you."
Lindsey now understood the source of the being's goodwill.
【Mountain Blessing】
【Enhances the perception of Earth elementals and increases initial favorability with Earth-aligned elemental life.】
Solamo's blessing from their farewell still held.
And unlike the glacial elemental, who could only perceive this effect, the Earth elemental before him had its initial favorability directly heightened.
This was the true reason the Vine Elder was sent and the prompt was issued.
...
Lindsey quietly brought his middle and index fingers together, twirling them three times.
Hong, standing beside him, immediately understood the secret signal.
This was the code they had agreed upon.
After the unexpected encounter on the cliff, Sai realized the problems caused by information asymmetry.
To change someone's mind in a short time, he knew he didn't possess Yuri's brainwashing techniques.
So he took a simple approach.
He made an agreement with Hong and established a secret hand gesture.
The meaning of this gesture at this moment was to indicate that the being before them was safe and that force should not be used.
The elemental being spoke again, very politely asking Lindsey, "Human, may I inquire about the source of your blessing?"
Lindsey replied immediately, "It was given by an elder named Solamo, who is also an elemental life."
The existence of the Mountain Spirit was too ancient, and the current public opinion was not friendly towards such beings, so Lindsey only mentioned the name.
...
"Forgive my ignorance, but it must be a great being."
Indeed, this elemental life in the Black Mountain World did not know of Solamo, and after a moment of thought, it shook its head in regret.
Lindsey did not dwell on this topic.
He directly changed the subject to their current situation:
"So you specifically sent this Vine Elder to warn of danger because of the blessing I possess?"
The elemental being shook its head again, "Not entirely."
"This blessing from your kind lets me know that you are a friend of the Earth."
"But beyond your safety, I truly do not wish for anyone else to enter the forest."
Lindsey raised an eyebrow, "And the reason?"
"Please allow me to introduce myself," the elemental being said with a calm tone, "The grand forest's surface world is governed by the Treemother, thriving for thousands of years. And under this development, the underground world has also undergone changes."
"In one awakening, the mountain stone spirits led by me stabilized the veins of the earth, supporting the life between the trees..."
The mountain stone elemental seemed more accustomed to a certain rhythm of conversation, and it was about to delve into a lengthy recollection.
Hong couldn't hold back any longer and interrupted its description, "Hey, first tell us why we shouldn't enter the forest?"
The mountain stone elemental paused, but complied with Hong's request, "This is purely out of goodwill."
"The grand forest is under the control of the Treemother, and many awakened plants will react to humans, which will be noticed by the Treemother. Your rash entry is undoubtedly a path to self-destruction."
However, Lindsey refuted this answer, "A simple warning, there must be other methods."
"The one who sent us here must have had their reasons."
Lindsey stared at the Mountain Stone Elemental before him.
Though he didn't understand the physical state of this elemental being, he could surmise from its feeble appearance, even when it barely stood up, that this creature was weak.
"To bring such dangerous beings before us, you must have had your reasons!"
"..."
For a moment, the Mountain Stone Elemental fell silent.
The two humans quickly shifted the topic, leaving it unprepared for the sudden change in pace.
But one thing must be acknowledged—the other's guess was correct.
The Mountain Stone Elemental's joints glowed for a few seconds, and instead of answering immediately, it posed a question:
"Humans, what is your purpose? Are you like those humans before, seeking to escape this world?"
Lindsey spoke a simple name:
"Dragon Beast."
The Mountain Stone Elemental's joints suddenly glowed intensely:
"Humans!"
"The power of that evil beast is not something you can resist!"
This time, Lindsey didn't take out the Radiant Bullet to convince the other as he did with the Mountain Spirit.
After entering the Black Mountain World, this trump card was destined for a specific fate.
It would only reappear in the blink of an eye.
Facing the Mountain Stone Elemental before him, Lindsey chose to respond with confidence:
"You are also not a match for the Dragon Beast, but you still chose to resist, didn't you?"
"..."
The Mountain Stone Elemental fell silent once more.
Lindsey's guess was correct, or perhaps this was the only outcome.
The beings nurtured in the great forest, the choice to flee their homeland, the feeble state, and the scarcity of manpower.
These conditions converged.
It could only be those who resisted the Dragon Beast but faced defeat, and thus, the remaining power hid and escaped.
After a long while, the Mountain Stone Elemental spoke again:
"Humans, not even mentioning the Dragon Beast, you are not even a match for the Treemother."
Lindsey's tone was firm, and his gaze unwavering as he replied:
"This, I believe, is the reason you summoned us here."
"..."
"Your human minds are truly agile."
The Mountain Stone Elemental sighed, then added another piece of information:
"My knowledge may be inaccurate, but that evil beast's eagerness to advance might be due to your threat."
"Oh?" Lindsey raised an eyebrow.
The threat couldn't possibly come from the hidden border town, which was almost driven to the brink.
If the information was true, it could only originate from the other side of the world.
As Lindsey silently pondered the reliability of this news, the Mountain Stone Elemental continued:
"My fate is sealed, and I cannot offer you more help."
"But this item will definitely be useful on the journey, so please take it."
As the words fell, two aquamarine stone tablets appeared in the Mountain Stone Elemental's hands.
The Vine Elder beside him immediately stepped forward, taking the two stone tablets and presenting them solemnly before the two humans.
Lindsey received the small jade stone tablet.
[Artifact: Stone Breath]
[A special item that gathers Earth-type Essence. Upon possession, it can alter the owner's external aura.]
[A unique artifact, currently not sought after.]
"Final advice."
Lindsey observed the artifact in his hand, and the Mountain Stone Elemental finally advised:
"The Treemother has gone mad."
"As long as you don't approach her main body, you will be safe."
"Compared to that, the Dragon Beast's envoy might require more of your attention."
(End of Chapter)
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