CHAPTER 419: CHAPTER 391: VINE DEMON GARDENER

Da Fei advanced toward the small wooden hut he discovered deep in the mysterious forest. Along the way, the radar remained blank. Third-grade, second-grade seeds truly couldn’t be detected by an Advanced Treasure Appraiser. Well, out of sight, out of mind.

When Da Fei arrived at the small wooden hut, the door creaked open, and a Vine Demon NPC appeared, "It’s been a thousand years, and finally, a visitor arrives. I’m Tamilia, the gardener here. I believe a hero like you didn’t get lost and stumble here by accident?"

An NPC, huh? Even better!

Da Fei hurriedly said, "I was sent by the Lumang Tribe Chief, Lady Tachiusu, to find the Vine Forest. Though the journey was arduous, I finally made it here."

The gardener pointed at the sky flashing with thunder and said solemnly, "The demons will soon find this place and destroy everything. Hero, you don’t have much time left. What do you plan to do?"

A plan? Damn! What plan could I have? The real question is, what are your plans?

Da Fei’s mind turned, and he replied, "Lady Tachiusu asked me to collect some Holy Vine Seeds, and since the demons are coming, Miss Gardener, what do you intend to do?"

The gardener shook her head and sighed, "I, born from the essence of the Holy Vine’s flower, am a Vine Demon. My soul is one with the Holy Vine. If the Holy Vine is destroyed, I will die along with it—"

Hearing this, Da Fei’s eyebrows twitched! Is this Vine Demon about to issue a mission to fend off the demon invasion? Am I a god?

At that moment, the gardener’s tone shifted, and with a serious expression, she said, "However, I refuse to accept death; more so, the destruction of the Holy Vine. Since you’re here for seeds, could you please collect the Holy Vine Heart? The Holy Vine Heart is the seed that carries the legacy of the Holy Vine’s life, residing in the Holy Vine Space. With it, the Holy Vine can be replanted, and I can continue growing it as a gardener!"

—System Prompt: You have received the quest "Collect Holy Vine Heart" from Vine Demon Gardener Tamilia. Would you like to accept it?

—Task Hint: You must successfully obtain the Holy Vine Heart from the Holy Vine Space before the demons invade the Vine Forest.

Da Fei suddenly realized! This Holy Vine Heart is definitely that first-grade seed, right? Damn, I don’t even need to look for it. An NPC directly gives me a quest and directions! So, as long as I find this seed, she’ll be mine too? Wahahaha! No matter how difficult this quest might be, it sure beats directly confronting the demon invasion! Agree!

The gardener, unable to contain her excitement, said, "Hero, the fact that you reached this place proves your extraordinariness. I believe you can extend the life of the Holy Vine. Let me guide you!" After she spoke, she pulled out a shimmering green Magic Wand. Waving it, a rippling Space Gate appeared.

The gardener said deeply, "Hero, please!"

The scene changed, revealing a vast thorny forest shrouded in red light and a bloody mist! A sinister aura hit them!

—Task Hint: Vine Demon Gardener Tamilia has joined your team. If Tamilia dies, the mission fails!

What? She’s at risk of death too? Da Fei exclaimed, "Where is this? The Holy Vine Space?"

The gardener answered solemnly, "Yes, just like the World Tree possesses various spaces, the Holy Vine, as a plant with divine power, also has its own space. Although it’s not as grand as the World Tree, it’s sufficient to contain its entire body. This thorny forest before you is the Holy Vine! As early as a thousand years ago, during a war, the Holy Vine was tainted by the Demon Race. To prevent further contamination spreading to the Vine Space, the Holy Vine sealed itself in its own space."

Da Fei realized this was why he couldn’t see the legendary Holy Vine upon entering the Vine Space. But if that’s the case, doesn’t the Holy Vine become an enemy?

Da Fei hastily asked, "Will we be attacked by the Holy Vine?"

The gardener earnestly replied, "Yes! Including me! That’s why we need your help, hero. However, after a thousand years of confinement, the Holy Vine’s power is not what it once was. We have a chance! Our greatest threat comes from the demon worms parasitizing the Holy Vine. They vary in size and are numerous, so be vigilant!"

Da Fei nodded repeatedly. Demon worms? My Little Fei is an expert in dealing with those! But now, without the World Tree Fruit providing unlimited mana regeneration, its Petrification Aura can last only a bit over a minute, which is a problem. Better save it for emergencies.

"Well then, hero, if you’re ready, let’s set out!"

Counting both you and Little Fei, I’ve only got three troops. How else can we prepare? Let’s go!

—System Prompt: You have activated the God-level Reconnaissance Skill "Phantom March," and your army has entered Stealth State.

Heh heh! I’m a God-level Hero, with God-level Skills on the road! Not only that, but my sentinel skill, Stealth Master, enhances the Stealth effect, along with the newly comprehended "Aura Shield." My stealth now goes beyond God-level! If I can’t sneak through, who else can?

Now, Da Fei, with his group of three, ventured into the Thorny Forest, where overhead branches intertwined. Each thorny branch was as sturdy as a tree, with dagger-like spikes emitting eerie green light, countless beetles as large as dogs, and scorpions patrolled back and forth on the branches.

More eerily, these thick thorns were subtly swaying! Obviously not blown by the wind, Da Fei couldn’t even imagine the devastation if such substantial thorns crushed down. An army, no matter how vast, would be doomed instantly.

In short, this place was absolutely unsuitable for armies to sweep through. Only a stealth player like me could pass through, right?

Just as Da Fei was secretly rejoicing, a sudden flash of red light exploded in front of him!

—System Prompt: Reconnaissance Skill Warning! A powerful enemy is lurking ahead!

A lurking enemy! Da Fei immediately stopped and retreated a few steps! Staring at the open path ahead, then at the red frame continuously flashing on the radar mini-map, Da Fei was reminded of the time he encountered the Anemone King Boss!

Da Fei hurriedly asked the gardener in surprise, "There’s an enemy lurking ahead; what do you think it is?"

Tamilia frowned and said, "It could be a Cannibal Vine lurking underground or a leader-level giant scorpion buried below. They hunt passing enemies by sensing ground vibrations. Our Vine Demon race flies, so we’re unaffected. But for you, hero, better take a detour!"

Damn it! Even with my Super God-level Stealth, masking scents couldn’t overcome their vibration mode!

Da Fei frowned, "Is it possible we’ll encounter ambushes if we take a detour?"

Tamilia sighed, "It’s uncertain. This is my first time venturing this far into the forest with you, hero!"

Damn! You really miss your troops when you need them, huh! If I had more, I could send a cannon fodder to trigger and eliminate it. If I had more Vine Demons, perhaps they could continue carrying me with flying vines? Hmm, flying? I can fly!

I have the Spiderman Artifact "Cliff Walker Backpack"! Da Fei looked up at the dense network of vines overhead. Isn’t this my smuggling ceiling?

Da Fei laughed heartily! With this web backpack, I managed to steal Leviathan’s Egg, let alone now with God-level Skills for protection. I’d like to see who could stop me!

(Caught a cold, have a runny nose, not in great shape) (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)