CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER49-THE WOUNDED EMERALD SPRITE

"Why?" Finn asked, puzzled.

"From your description, Chrisman’s Paladin Guardian Team has emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

"They carry an aura of killing intent with them, a force that naturally counters all forms of crooked and sinister practices."

Owen shook his head slightly, pondering how to deal with the Paladin Guardian Team.

"Ah, I see," Finn nodded in understanding.

"It makes sense to me that my older brother could resist the Hallucinogenic Miasma, but my foolish younger brother... it’s utterly impossible for him."

"Why is that?" Owen was now curious.

"My younger brother has never had any control over his lustful desires. Being a warrior, his passions are intensely strong and alarming."

"He impregnated a maid in the court when he was just twelve... Ha, if it weren’t for the mission at hand, I’d actually want to see what kind of ridiculous spectacle he would make of himself."

Owen did not respond, but his thoughts drifted to the mysterious hooded figure he had encountered earlier.

"It’s hard to say, really hard to say."

...

Chrisman stepped into the Dreamscape Valley, beholding the dreamlike scenery before him, his arms outstretched as if to embrace the entire world.

His Paladin Guardian Team followed behind him.

In the glow of the dawn, the formation of the Paladin Guardian Team was especially magnificent.

They were clad in armor that shone with holy light, wielding sharp longswords, their helmets adorned with feathers, and their faces covered with mysterious masks.

Their mounts were mighty warhorses, their hooves thundering, their presence imposing.

Each of these mounts was a spellbeast, the least of them being of gold-tier.

The Paladin Guardian Team was fundamentally different from other Princes’ Guardian Teams.

While most of the Guardian Teams served merely as a facade for the princes, Chrisman’s Paladin Guardian Team was bred for battle and killing.

They formed a massive square formation, each row filled with dozens of knights, their gazes cold, their expressions stern, as still as statues.

Their armor glittered in the sunlight, flashing like lightning streaking across the sky.

They held their long swords high, pointing to the heavens, their tips shimmering with a chilling light, ready for battle at a moment’s notice.

Gems were embedded in their helmets, shining brightly.

These were not just symbols of their noble and glorious status, but also magical stones that linked them together.

The sound of horse hooves on the ground was dull and heavy, like thunder rolling in the distance.

Their aura merged, creating a powerful atmosphere that made the air around them feel oppressive.

Those with sufficient mind power could see a dense red cloud above their heads.

This red cloud, burning like a fierce fire, emitted intense heat and a terrifying presence.

It swirled and tumbled, like a wild fire snake coiling in the sky.

The red cloud, formed from their murderous aura and morale, was a manifestation of their hardened spirit and training.

The paladin guardian team was undoubtedly an elite force.

Chrisman and his comrades were naturally unaffected.

The Hallucinogenic Miasma that entered their vicinity was devoured by the murderous red cloud above their heads, unable to penetrate their bodies.

...

The last to enter Dreamscape Valley was Oliver.

His setup was almost identical to Finn’s.

Thirty members of the guardian team, plus the mysterious hooded figure by his side.

"Wow, I’ve always heard that Dreamscape Valley is breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing it today, the rumors certainly hold true," Oliver remarked, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

The hooded figure beside him didn’t respond, simply taking a subtle breath.

With this action, the air around seemed to converge into a stream and flow into his nostrils.

"The air is poisoned," the hooded figure said in a deep, aged voice. "Have your men channel arcanergy. Do not breathe it in."

A chill ran down Oliver’s spine, his expression growing stern:

"Did you all hear that? Channel your arcanergy, don’t get poisoned."

He gazed into the depths of Dreamscape Valley, his face clouded with gloom:

’The secret realm is indeed dangerous. Fortunate to have the master with me.’

"The Third Prince is too kind. Let’s proceed."

...

Owen and Finn continued their advance into the depths of Dreamscape Valley.

The journey was relatively smooth.

Mainly because the danger level of the Dreamscape Valley secret realm was not very high; the spellbeasts they encountered on the road were no match for the guardian team.

Thus, Owen’s party didn’t face much trouble.

The guardian team members set up camp and rested briefly.

Finn, sitting in the tent, pointed at the map of Dreamscape Valley:

"Master, according to our current pace, we should reach the heart of Dreamscape Valley in three days."

He tapped on the gem icon marked on the map.

Owen glanced at the map with little interest:

"It seems Dreamscape Valley is not too dangerous. As long as we avoid trouble, the Second Prince should easily obtain what he desires."

Finn cracked a smile, exhaling deeply:

"Let’s hope so. Let’s not run into any trouble."

As the two were drinking and resting, a patrolling member of the guardian team entered:

"Your Highness, we’ve found an injured emerald sprite."

Finn’s brow slightly lifted, feeling a headache coming on.

It was exactly the kind of trouble he feared.

"Where did you find it?"

"3,000 meters away, under a tree on the moss-covered stones."

"Sharp eyes you have," Finn said, rubbing his nose bridge, clearly unsure of what to do.

Owen understood Finn’s dilemma.

When they had entered Dreamscape Valley, Raymond had warned them.

Emerald sprites must not be killed or provoked; clearly, they hold privileges within Dreamscape Valley.

Now, with an emerald sprite in trouble, to help or not?

Ignoring it might mean missing an opportunity.

But taking action could bring more trouble.

If the sprite is healed, well and good. But if not, that could lead to serious problems.

And most crucially, intervening in this matter could delay their mission...

Finn, frowning and grinding his teeth, finally said:

"Bring it here for a look."

"Yes."

It wasn’t long before the guardian team member returned, his hands empty.

"What about the emerald sprite?"

The guardian team member opened his hands:

"Right here."

In his palm lay a leaf, and on the leaf was the emerald sprite.

Finn’s mouth twitched in disbelief, "Is this how you treat an emerald sprite?"

Owen and Diana leaned in closer, examining it carefully.

It was no bigger than a finger joint, a miniature humanoid creature with limbs and facial features, and pointed ears.

Its tiny body was covered in wounds, with green blood oozing from deep gashes.

Its skin was as pale as paper, its normally crystal-clear body now dim and lusterless, like a piece of jade eroded by time.

Its eyes were tightly shut, long lashes casting shadows on its face, making it appear even paler.

"How pitiful," Diana murmured, her maternal instinct flaring as she clenched her fists to her chest.

Owen, glancing at Diana, didn’t say much, continuing to focus on the emerald sprite.

Its wings were folded beside it, the once vibrant green feathers now dull and colorless.

Owen, with his detailed observation, noticed a deep wound on its wings, emitting an evil aura that was chilling to the bone.

Being a descendant of the Gold Divine Dragon bloodline, he was particularly sensitive to these deeply hidden evil presences.

"This wound looks like it was made by a sword. It must have gone through a tough battle," Owen deduced, stroking his chin.

Finn, looking at the half-dead state of the emerald sprite, urged anxiously:

"Then hurry up and save it!"

Diana waved her hand, her arcanergy surging:

"I’ll do it!"

Streams of white light emerged from her, brushing over the surrounding flora.

In the blink of an eye, the plants withered, their life force swiftly drawn away.

Owen’s eyelids twitched slightly:

"This is... wood-based advanced magic: Life Force Stripping Spell!"

"Good eye, sir," Finn grinned again. "Although the name sounds ominous, this spell is a genuine wood-based healing magic. It essentially draws life force from plants to heal the injured. I didn’t expect the lady saint to possess such a skill."

Diana continued to channel her arcanergy, the white light absorbing life force and turning a lush green before flowing into the emerald sprite’s body.

The Life Force Stripping Spell was indeed powerful.

As the emerald sprite absorbed the green arcanergy, it began to radiate a bright green glow.

"It’s working, it’s working!" Finn clapped his hands joyfully.

But before Finn’s joy lasted too long, the green light on the emerald sprite gradually faded away, and with it, the abundant life force.

"Huh?" He was confused.

The Life Force Stripping Spell was a potent wood-based healing method.

It could save a dying person by drawing the life force from an entire forest, as long as there was a breath left in the wound.

Yet, now it seemed ineffective on the emerald sprite.

Owen’s eyes gleamed, his gaze deepening:

"Such a ruthless method, they intend to doom it to death!"

"What’s going on?"