Chapter 2160 - 57: Gift (2)

Fang Hong glanced at the people and then followed them.

The Tree People Elder walked ahead, neither hurried nor slow, but its strides were large, and the others needed to quicken their pace to keep up with it in the forest.

Accompanying him, besides Mei, were the invited Gita and the Big Cat People, and the uninvited Alice. The Lion Paladin was not particularly concerned about matters like these; he preferred to smoke his pipe alone. However, according to the Big Cat People, he was here to watch over their young Lord Captain. His exact words were:

"As a captain, you need a guardian, whether it's Gita, Tianlan, your Miss Ship's Officer, or our Miss Physician, none of them are suitable. This concerns the Seven Seas Traveler's dignity, so I must reluctantly take on the role."

"But aren't there still the Papalarians?"

"He reacts to Miss Mei like a mouse to a cat, would you really want him to go?"

"Then he might as well remain in confinement."

And so the two cheerfully decided the fate of the Papalarians.

The dense forest grew even darker, unlike the path they took last time to see the Heart of Tree. However, the Heart of Tree is the Overlord of the forest, it does not have to manifest on a particular tree. On the Giant Tree Hill, every Holy White Ancient Oak could be the vessel for the Heart of the Forest. In this Grey Forest, it must be similar.

Soon, they encountered Gulang again.

The saying 'first meeting unfamiliar, second meeting familiar' proved true as they met the Dwarf Goblin for the third time; thus, it was quite welcoming towards them. It trotted over and bent down to kiss the boots of the Big Cat People—it had intended to kiss Fang Hong and Alice's boots too, but both firmly refused.

Fang Hong refused because he was unaccustomed, Alice because she wasn't ready to change shoes yet. When it came to Gita's turn, the little girl dodged quickly, frightened. This left Gulang feeling hurt, its big, dark eyes blinking pitifully at them.

"Alright, Gulang, in our homeland, we don't have such customs, but that doesn't mean we don't respect you." Fang Hong had to explain to it. The Dwarf Goblin was delighted to hear this, for others rarely explained the reasons behind customary actions.

Explaining the reason was a significant respect for the Dwarf Goblin. Though Gulang was a bit silly, it could instinctively sense this respect.

Afterward, the party gained a member—the Dwarf Goblin Gulang who expressed gratitude continually along the way—for Fang Hong and company had helped its master, the supreme protector, Lord Moenyalit, an important task.

With the ever-chatting Gulang, the forest's tranquility was broken. But the Tree People Elder walked silently ahead, neither approving nor disapproving, as the Grey Treants were generally quiet, like Short Beard's kind of Treants were rare.

Fang Hong asked Gulang, "Gulang, what is Lord Moenyalit summoning us for?"

Upon hearing his words, Mei, walking alongside, turned her head to look at them, blinking curiously at the reason.

"It's good news, Gulang," the Dwarf Goblin promptly replied, "You and Gulang returned with that gemstone, Lord Heart of Tree is very happy, Lord Heart of Tree rewarded Gulang, and Lord Heart of Tree wants to reward you too. Gulang is bringing you to receive the reward from Lord Heart of Tree, Gulang."

Upon hearing it was related to a reward, Alice perked up and asked, "Gulang, what kind of reward?"

But Gulang disliked her, muttering, "Gulang cannot tell you."

Alice was so incensed she wanted to teach the Dwarf Goblin a lesson, but Fang Hong hurriedly held her back, and Mei also stopped her, saying, "Miss Alice, do not bully the weak."

Frustrated, Alice gritted her teeth and glared at the Dwarf Goblin, scaring it into hiding. Fang Hong helplessly comforted the little creature with a few gentle words before asking, "Gulang, what exactly is the reward then?"

But Gulang only shook its head, "Gulang does not know either."

Hearing this, Fang Hong nodded; it was within his expectations. Yet, he couldn't help but think the reward from the Heart of Tree probably wouldn't be disappointing, igniting a bit of curiosity in his heart.

They walked for a long time until they reached a secluded grove of ancient trees. They passed a wall formed by towering old trees; beyond it was an open space surrounded by ancient trees with a gray-white, withered oak tree at the center. The contrast between the black trees and the white oak was unique, like ghosts in a forest.

Fang Hong raised his head to see the full stature of this oak tree; it must have been tall and verdant before, with countless branches full of lush green leaves, but now these leaves had fallen, leaving only bare, gray-white branches, akin to a silent sculpture.

There were other people on the empty ground; Fang Hong looked at these people, slightly surprised. He had thought only he and Mei received the summoning from the Heart of Tree, but it seemed not so. These people had arrived even earlier, arousing some attention; a young man garbed as a Magic Guided Conductor glanced at them twice.

Beside the Magic Guided Conductor were several others, seemingly his companions, engaged in low conversation while occasionally he interjected. From the distance, Fang Hong listened to their voices, felt somewhat familiar, and after a while, remembered hearing that voice on the channel before.