Chapter 2148 - 53: A Gunshot Rings Out (Part 2)

Short Beard witnessed this scene with a long sigh, and a look of resolve surfaced in its wooden eyes, as though it lost all hope in these humans—it raised its arms and waved away the two blocking its path, then plunged its arms into the soil. A verdant green glow surged forth from the chest of the Ancient Treant, and in an instant, the surrounding fast-growing thorns withered away, causing the members of the Holy White Stone Guild suspended above to fall one by one.

But they even forgot the pain—each person lifted their head to witness this scene, which seemed oddly familiar to them.

...

Fang Hong, Alice, and the Big Cat People, along with Gita and Gulang, skidded down along the dark forest, arriving at the forest's edge, witnessing such a scene.

Although they promised to leave Gulang at the entrance, when the time came, the Dwarf Goblin couldn't rest easy about its master—the Heart of Tree, Moenyalit; mainly because it feared being alone, it hesitantly followed along.

Fang Hong had already seen the battle below through the Clockwork Fairy, but he didn't recognize that the opponent was Short Beard, who had saved the Holy White Stone Guild previously that day. Instead, Alice recognized it instantly. Seeing the Ancient Treant's action, the Nightingale Girl became anxious, gritted her teeth, and drew her dagger to charge forward.

But the Big Cat People grabbed Alice's arm from behind and pulled her back: "Don't rush."

"That's Short Beard," Alice showed urgency for the first time, "It saved us; I can't just stand by and watch it die here!"

"The Twilight Guild just clashed with us earlier; there were three of them. You should know their level," the Big Cat People calmly stated, while gazing with gray eyes beyond the grove, "And now there are over twenty outside. Are you sure about this?"

Alice bit her lip, understanding that rushing forward would be futile.

Reed seemed exceptionally composed: "We need to find a better point to intervene."

"But there's no time..."

The Big Cat People seemed to discern the girl's deliberately aloof demeanor beneath her kind nature, shook his head: "There's still a chance for change; I suggest you watch patiently for a bit longer."

Alice was slightly taken aback and instinctively looked ahead.

While Fang Hong acted as though he hadn't heard their conversation, his gaze fixed forward as he silently waved behind him—amid the darkness, four Constructs glowing red slowly emerged from the bushes.

Changes suddenly occurred in the direction visible to the trio.

As Short Beard gradually merged with Nature, becoming a part of the earth, suddenly a thunderous roar emerged from behind it, the Captain of the Holy White Stone Guild's form grew larger, akin to a small giant, with Berserker blood surging vigorously within him, he let out a fierce shouts as he charged, crashing headlong into the Ancient Treant.

An enraged Berserk impact of triple strength made Short Beard stagger, its branches and claws withdrew from the soil, interrupting the spell, and the force of Nature flowed back to the earth's core. Short Beard glared angrily at the opponent, saying with fury: "Are you going to stop me too!?"

"Enough," the Captain of the Holy White Stone panted, fixing his bloodshot eyes on it. His muscles bulged, nearly tearing his war robe, turned to face the people from the Twilight Guild on the high ground, shouting loudly: "Enough!"

"You've obtained the task item," the Captain of the Holy White Stone replied with labored breathing, "There's no need to eradicate everything, you may leave this place."

A heavy thud sounded, the last Tree People Guard, having turned to a charred block, rushed forward a few steps before collapsing.

The battle ended, and a temporary quiet enveloped the area. Members of the Holy White Stone Guild picked themselves up from the ground, looking towards their Captain. Time Reflection gripped his Magic Guided Wand tightly, watching this scene with grit teeth, longing to throw his weapon to the ground.

What was the point of such combat for them?

Short Beard looked at his young kin, a hint of sorrow gleaming in its wooden eyes. It glanced at the humans blocking its path, then spoke hoarsely: "... Holy Chooser, that's not a task item, that's the Heart of Chongshan, don't let them take it away... It is crucial for Nogness's Ether Balance..."

"Don't listen to its nonsense," the man on high ground spoke indifferently: "They're just Tree People, in other words, monsters outside of civilization. Their ancient legends are mostly exaggerated—although it's certainly a valuable item, Heart of Chongshan—holding endless strength. With it, we might even bring the Floating City back into existence."

He looked with a hint of obsession at the box in his hand, then shifted his gaze to the opponent: "Although, without this, how could we use our share of the mining area to exchange it with you. Exchange is equivalent, you won't regret it, will you?"

"I said, enough," the Captain of the Holy White Stone coldly stated: "I don't care about what you need, nor do I plan to regret. But since you've obtained what you want, leave this place."

"We plan to leave," the man replied: "But Captain, do you think these Tree People would let us go peacefully?"

"You absolutely cannot leave," Short Beard answered hoarsely: "The Heart of Chongshan must remain here."