Chapter 397 - 208: The Golden Oak Tree’s Request, Deliberation of the 4 Races (3)

Chapter 397: Chapter 208: The Golden Oak Tree’s Request, Deliberation of the 4 Races (3)

As precious as this piece of wood was, it wasn’t enough to compensate for his efforts.

Leiot clearly understood this and, unsurprised by Pei Ze’s words, said without hesitation, "I can have all my kin sign a contract with you, becoming your vassals."

Pei Ze shook his head again. "Not enough."

’Spirit Creatures are generally weak in combat. At best, they could serve as servants in the Wizard Tower, responsible for cleaning or tending to the herb gardens.’

’If they were to serve as a fighting force, only the Thorn Spirits and Solan Tree People would be of any use.’

’But most of them were only at the first or second-tier level of strength, with very few at the third tier. It still wasn’t worth a major effort on his part.’

Leiot fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "I can sign a contract with you, become your vassal, and serve you for a century. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?"

The moment he finished speaking, both Pasha and Cameron’s eyes went wide, and they cried out in astonishment.

"Elder!"

They wouldn’t have resisted becoming Pei Ze’s vassals.

After all, Spirit Creatures had a natural inclination to depend on the strong for survival, and the object of their allegiance would be a powerful Elemental Mage.

But for the exalted Elder Leiot to become a vassal as well... that was something they found hard to accept.

"It is of no concern." Leiot cut Pasha and Cameron off. "Sir Wizard is the youngest Elemental Mage I have ever met. I imagine that even within the Star Realm Alliance, his talent would be considered exceptional. Given time, his strength will undoubtedly far surpass my own. Becoming the vassal of a future top-tier expert is a boon for me, too."

"What do you think, Sir Wizard?"

A smile finally broke across Pei Ze’s face. "Deal!"

’A powerful combatant at the fourth tier, maybe even the fifth, becoming his vassal... Even if it’s only for a century, that’s an excellent deal.’

’For a long time to come, his Wizard Tower would have a powerful Guardian!’

Compared to the fealty of the other Spirit Creatures, Leiot’s own pledge was by far the most valuable reward for Pei Ze.

Of course, for a Golden Oak Tree with a lifespan measured in millennia, a century passes in the blink of an eye. The cost wasn’t too great for Leiot. Compared to being able to shelter his kin and find them a safe home, it was an incredible bargain.

"How many kin do you have?" Pei Ze asked.

It was Cameron who answered. "About thirty-five thousand. However, nearly sixty percent of them are small-bodied creatures like Flower Fairies and Light Spirits."

Pei Ze nodded slightly. ’Nearly sixty percent... that’s a little over twenty thousand. A population of tiny Spirit Creatures that large is only equivalent to two or three hundred adult humans in terms of mass.’

’On top of that, small Spirit Creatures like the Thorn Spirits aren’t very large either.’

’All told, the total mass of the Spirit Creatures in the forest was probably equivalent to less than ten thousand adult humans.’

Even so, the cost to transport that many individuals across planes would be astronomical.

And that didn’t even account for Leiot, an absolutely enormous Golden Magic Tree.

’If he were to try and move them all to Chenxi City using a Plane Teleportation Array, even twenty or thirty million Magic Stone Coins wouldn’t cover the cost.’

’The best way would be to house them all inside the Wizard Tower and then teleport the tower itself. The cost would be much, much lower that way.’

As his thoughts raced, Pei Ze formed a plan. He spoke in a solemn voice, "I can help you leave the Ancient Forest Plane, but not right now. I need time to prepare."

Leiot understood. After all, transporting tens of thousands of living beings across planes was no small feat.

"How long will it take?"

Pei Ze considered for a moment. "A year or two."

’A year or two should be enough time for him to build his own Wizard Tower.’

Leiot fell silent again, apparently weighing whether he and his kin could hold out for that long.

After a moment, he sighed, his tone heavy. "Very well. I will lead my kin to the Red Agate Mountain Range. We will fend off the Alien Insect Army there and hope we can last until your return."

"I’ll be as quick as I can," Pei Ze said, his expression grave.

’Now that the deal was struck, he would not go back on his word.’

’If his Wizard Tower wasn’t ready in time, he would just have to ask his mentor for help. He would fulfill his promise to Leiot one way or another.’

Back at the entrance to the village, Pasha and Cameron still looked somewhat dazed.

In just a short time, their fates had changed dramatically. The shock of it all was difficult for them to process.

The two of them stood at the entrance for a good while after Pei Ze had departed, only gradually returning to their senses.

"Cameron, are we really leaving?" Pasha asked in a low voice.

Cameron glanced at her and sighed.

"What other choice is there? We’re no match for the Alien Insects, and no other race can defeat them. Leaving this plane is our only option."

Cameron gazed in the direction Pei Ze had gone, his expression complex. "We’re far luckier than the other races. At least we have a chance to leave this plane and survive."

"Besides, becoming the vassals of an Elemental Mage is a good thing for us. With the protection of a Wizard, we won’t have to worry about attacks from other races anymore."

Pasha considered this, and much of the anxiety in her heart faded away.

Looking on the bright side, this might even be a great opportunity for them.

"Let’s head back," Cameron said. "We need to tell everyone and start preparing for the migration."

Pasha nodded hurriedly.

The main Alien Insect Army could attack the forest at any moment. Every day they delayed the migration was another day spent in peril.

...