109: Chapter 109 Reveals the Secret Treasure and Materials for Making Dolls

Passing through the light gate, a scene resembling a hidden paradise appeared before his eyes.

They stood in the depression connecting two large mountains.

Looking from afar, the farmland resembled a staircase, stretching upward from the foot of the mountain on the left along the sloping terrain, where farmers were bent over, busy harvesting the first season of ripe wheat.

The mountain on the right had similar farmland, but on a slightly smaller scale. The low stone houses of the Resistance Army members were scattered haphazardly on this side, occupying part of the mountain.

Perhaps due to the special effect of the Magic Array, while withered yellow leaves danced in the wind outside, the inside was lush with foliage.

Zhang Mu looked out; the V-shaped valley was filled with emerald green leaves that warmly embraced the golden yellow of the wheat, and faint wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of the pointed-roof cottages scattered across the slopes.

Having taken in his surroundings, he looked up at the sky.

Sunlight fell normally; no Magic Array outlined by complex and strange patterns was visible, suggesting it was in a standby state.

After standing there for a short while, several Resistance Army members wearing linen short-sleeved shirts and shorts ran over from the fields halfway up the mountain.

They were pleasantly surprised by Domit's return, pulling at his arm and telling him what had happened since he left the base, while curiously glancing at Zhang Mu and Lia in his arms.

Domit seemed eager to lead Zhang Mu to see the leader of the Resistance Army.

After a few quick words, he instructed them to settle the village woman and keep the young Soldier, who had already removed his armor, under guard.

Then, pulling Zhang Mu along, they walked up the mountain on the right along the winding ridges of the terraced fields.

The mountain wasn't very high, but it wasn't short either.

Fortunately, both were Professionals; they quickened their pace and reached the summit in about half an hour.

According to Domit, the leader lived at the summit not to show off his status, but because it was convenient for him to climb the mountain, so he left the lower houses to the ordinary people.

Zhang Mu had noticed this. Along the way, the farmers swinging their sickles in the fields became more robust the higher they went.

Continuing on, they bypassed several thick trees and ascended to a small platform along steps carved directly into the mountain.

A somewhat simple stone house stood there, with a few wooden stools and a stone table in the open space in front of the door. Against the right wall of the house, a row of farm tools leaned neatly.

"Mr. Mi He, I'm back."

Shouting as he walked, the two reached the middle of the small courtyard, and the door pushed open from the inside as an old man slowly stepped out.

He wasn't actually that old.

There weren't many wrinkles on his face, his bald chin was clean-shaven, and his gray hair was trimmed short and neat. He was dressed like the farmers working in the fields, wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt for easy movement.

Domit beamed with a smile as he introduced Zhang Mu beside him: "This is the one I mentioned to you..."

"I know," he said with a smile. "You've been traveling outside for several years; go home and see your children first."

This meant he wanted to talk to Zhang Mu alone. Domit wasn't stupid and turned to leave.

"Mr. Zhang Mu." Mihe bent down to pick up two wooden stools, walked to the edge of the platform, placed them side by side, sat down, and beckoned him over.

Zhang Mu didn't refuse and sat on the wooden stool next to him while holding Lia. The summit, being the highest point, offered an excellent view, overlooking the entire valley.

"You're here for the treasure of the Silent Forest, aren't you?" Mihe seemed to be a straightforward person, getting straight to the point.

"Yes," he admitted readily out of instinct, then turned to look at him in astonishment. "How did you know?"

"The Lake Kingdom was the Lake Empire many years ago."

"Later, something unknown happened, and the powerful empire's capital was captured by enemy forces overnight. The royal family was slaughtered, and only a few lucky survivors fled to this land beneath our feet and established the Lake Kingdom."

"What does this have to do with the treasure?"

"Child, don't be impatient." Mihe pressed his hand down slightly in front of his chest. "At that time, the strongest Magic Family of the Lake Empire surrendered to the enemy country."

"But after the enemy country occupied the entire territory, they sent an army to suppress them."

"The patriarch and several powerful clan members broke through the siege with the family treasures, searching for the displaced royal family of the Lake Empire."

"Unfortunately, their injuries were too severe. By the time they fled to the Silent Forest, they were almost at their last breath."

"Ultimately, they chose to bury the family treasure somewhere in the Silent Forest."

Scratching his face, Zhang Mu asked curiously, "How did the word get out?"

"If it's really as you said, no one should know this news, since only their clan members were present at the time."

"It's been too long; no one knows the reason anymore." Mihe shook his head. "Besides, there are many rumors about treasures on the Saul Continent, and I've only heard of it as well."

Zhang Mu wasn't surprised by the latter half of the sentence.

Improving strength was the main theme for Professionals on the Saul Continent, so treasures that could help were naturally something everyone was passionate about.

After getting drunk in a tavern, treasures were the best thing to brag about to show off one's skills and knowledge.

After pondering for a moment, since he had only heard rumors, Zhang Mu, who had the treasure map, had no interest in asking him more about the treasure.

"These." Zhang Mu shifted the sleeping Lia from his left thigh to his right and pulled a piece of paper from his Storage Pouch. "Do you have a way to get the materials on this list?"

Scanning the paper, Mihe frowned. "Hmm... most of these can be obtained from the outskirts of the Silent Forest, but the Storm Bear's hide..."

And the tail stinger of an Earth Scorpion can only be found deep within the forest."

After saying this, he looked up at Zhang Mu. "I can't sense your mana fluctuations, but I don't think someone your age could be a Magister."

"Are you using a magic item?"

"I'm an Apprentice Magician." Zhang Mu reported his upgraded status after the battle at Bala City.

"Then, please don't go to your death."

"I have my ways." He pointed to the paper in Mihe's hand. "Help me collect the other materials. Of course, I will pay a reasonable price."

"Hmm..." Zhang Mu fumbled in his Storage Pouch for a while and pulled out a few bottles of healing potion. "Are these okay?"

"They're considered precious potions, but the Resistance Army rarely sees combat; we don't really need them." He stood up, resting his hands on his knees. "Since you are Domit's guest..."

"I'll take care of the materials for you as a greeting gift."

"That won't do."

Zhang Mu, who hated owing favors the most, shook his head vigorously. "Do you want any other potions?"

Mihe, who had turned to leave, paused. "You're an Apothecary?"

"I suppose."

"Mr. Zhang Mu, please don't tease an old man."

An Apothecary brewing potions requires powerful Mental Energy to control the fire temperature, and a magician's level cannot be low.

Renowned Apothecaries are basically Magisters or above, so it was normal for him to be skeptical.

"My time is tight; I don't have time to joke with you."

Mihe clearly didn't believe him and asked with a smile, "Song of the Forest?"

"Deal."

Zhang Mu had learned Song of the Forest from Potter; it was a potion that promoted plant growth. Its level wasn't high, but because it was almost useless to Professionals, very few people knew how to brew it.

Zhang Mu guessed that he wanted to use it to increase the yield of the wheat in the fields.

Seeing him agree so readily, Mihe's expression was clearly stunned. "Mr. Zhang Mu, lying is a loathsome and base act."

"And as I said, the materials can be a greeting gift."

Ignoring his somewhat blunt tone, Zhang Mu stood up. "Except for the bear hide and the tail stinger, I'll leave the other materials to you. As for the potion, give me two days."

With that, he held Lia tightly and headed down the mountain to find Domit to arrange a place to stay so he could quickly brew the potion.

Then he would make time to collect the bear hide and tail stinger to refine the Owl puppet as soon as possible.