91: Ignite the Leylines

Chapter 91: Igniting the Earth Vein

The battle concluded in the evening. Arthur had the bodies collected and then incinerated them.

Once the bodies had turned to charcoal in the flames, Arthur recited a prayer guiding them to the afterlife, facing the still-smoking remains.

After everything was done, he threw the torch from his hand, and before long, the flames ignited once more.

The evening wind carried scorching heat waves, and Hearthfire Village began to burn for a second time.

Flames shot skyward, as if ignited by the hatred contained within the land, devouring house after house like a hungry beast.

At this time, the sun was beginning its long descent in the west, and the sky gradually darkened.

The group set off again.

By the time they returned to Whispering Place, the sun had fully set.

The Priestess sighed repeatedly upon hearing of the tragic state of Hearthfire Village.

Night Mist not only took the living but also drew in the dead.

In recent days, attacks by undead creatures had been unceasing.

Initially, there were wandering zombies, but later they became ferocious Ghoul.

Every time night fell, the priests had to arrange for villagers to hide in the manor to escape those terrifying monsters.

Tonight was no different; the villagers were settled in the spacious great hall.

Arthur sent his subordinates to eat and rest, while he and the Priestess hurried to the temple.

“A tree that can understand human speech?” the Priestess asked as they walked. “Like those tree spirits that coexist with wood elves?”

“There’s still a difference,” Arthur replied. “Tree spirits and treants are two different kinds of beings.

The former belongs to the fey, while the latter is a plant.

As for this great oak, it’s closer to a treant.

Given more time—of course, for us short-lived races, this might take hundreds of years—it might truly become a treant.”

The Priestess smiled. “I thought I understood plants well enough, but I didn’t expect the differences between them to be so vast.

So, you plan to persuade it to share the power of the Earth Vein? Will that be dangerous?

You know, if it has a bad temper, we’ll be in trouble.”

Arthur slowed his steps. Although both he and the Priestess had cast Light spells, the stone steps at night were still slippery and difficult to navigate.

“Be careful, brother,” the Priestess also warned. “Some places are covered in moss.

I wouldn’t want you to take a bad fall halfway.”

Arthur couldn't help but laugh at that.

Unlike him, Flora was robust and agile.

Rather than casting divine spells, she preferred to don armor and use a flail to let the heretics personally experience the goddess’s might.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give it an offer it can’t refuse,” Arthur said. “I am curious, though,

In all these years, has no one noticed anything unusual about this oak tree?”

“It grows unusually tall, and its acorns are large and good. Other than that—you’ll see in a moment,” the Priestess replied.

The two soon arrived before the great oak tree.

The night wind blew, and the leaves rustled.

The Priestess spread her hands and said, “See, this is why this place is called Whispering Place.

We’re grateful for the acorns it provides, but we also wish it would be quieter at night.”

“That’s not quite what I understand by ‘whispering,’” Arthur said.

“I was just joking, brother,” the Priestess chuckled.

She gestured for Arthur to sit cross-legged with her. “We come here to meditate every day, and many people can hear a voice.

It guides us on the right path, preventing us from being misled by evil demons.”

This was why the priests here could collectively turn the entire manor into a sanctuary, Arthur mused inwardly.

“Empty your mind and feel it,” the Priestess said.

Arthur did as he was told.

Before long, a voice echoed in his mind.

“You—I sense the same power within you.”

The voice was slow, word by word, like an aging elder.

“This power originates from Mother Earth; it nourished you.”

Arthur began communicating with the other party directly in his mind.

“I know,” the other party responded.

“Do you have a name?” Arthur asked.

After a moment of silence, the voice spoke again, “I do not know my name.

Human, you desire this power? I cannot let you take it.”

“I’m not here to take it; I’m here to guide you on how to use it correctly.”

Another silence.

“If you don’t believe me, I can show you,” Arthur said, then opened his eyes.

Under the Priestess’s gaze, he walked towards the oak tree, holding the holy book.

The Earth Vein power contained within the holy book began to resonate with the Earth Vein energy underground.

Pale green light points, like summer fireflies, emerged from beneath the ground, growing brighter with time.

“earth mother above!” the Priestess exclaimed.

But in the next moment, the earth trembled violently.

She turned to look at the oak tree, only to see it slowly rising from the ground.

Its thickest branches transformed into two arms, and its roots intertwined, becoming two legs.

Everyone in the manor witnessed this marvel. Believers and priests alike prayed, chanting invocations.

Bruce, Flora, and Philip also joined in.

Drax and the dwarf watched everything with astonishment.

Airo, unable to enter the manor, watched alone from the rooftop.

Although the life energy emanating from the valley bottom filled her with disgust, she could not hide her excitement.

Ever since the holy book in Arthur’s hand absorbed the Earth Vein power, it had become a beacon in the darkness.

Evil beings instinctively feared this power; as long as the holy book existed, they would avoid it like the plague.

The oak tree’s voice echoed in Arthur’s ear: “You are right, human. You have awakened it. Let me help you.”

The oak tree wrapped its roots around the holy book, connecting it to the Earth Vein through its root system.

At the same time, another voice echoed in Arthur’s mind: Your power has increased; the daily amount of intelligence gained has increased, and you have gained the ability to merge intelligence.

After a long while, the Earth Vein of Whispering Place was completely ignited.

Positive energy enveloped the entire valley and surrounding areas.

The great oak tree returned the holy book to Arthur.

Just as Airo had said, this holy book was more like a container for storing Earth Vein power.

Once energy was infused, it only needed to be activated with a spell to release the energy, forming a protective circle to block and weaken evil creatures.

“Thank you, human,” the great oak tree said as it re-rooted itself. “I have left you a gift in the holy book.”

Arthur thanked the great oak tree, then asked, “I need to guide the Earth Vein energy to Lookout Fort. Do you have any good ideas?”

“Take my seeds, plant them, and I can guide this energy through my root system.”

“Excellent,” Arthur said, reaching out to pluck a few acorns from the nearest branch.

The Priestess came to Arthur’s side and said, “I don’t know how to thank you, brother.

You have not only given us a powerful new neighbor but also brought the entire Whispering Place under the goddess’s protection.

We can use a magic circle to gather this energy to block Night Mist.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur said, “I think I might just need that magic circle.”