Chapter 464 - Official Formation of the Druid Circle

The opponents weren’t just ordinary servants of Moando, they might even be Moando’s higher-ranking servants or even great servants.They dared not let such beings approach and launched an attack immediately.

Four of them dug up a clump of soil from the ground, rubbed it back and forth, and it turned into a huge, irregular boulder.

Without question, they must possess the Special Ability to Hurl Boulders, a common Special Ability awakened by Treants.

The most bizarre was the remaining Treant.

This Treant had a quite distinctive form, with a lower half incredibly thick and solid, while the upper half consisted of two thick and symmetrical forks, resembling a gigantic slingshot.

And indeed, it was so.

This Treant was using its own body as a massive slingshot, with two tendons that appeared to be made from the hide of a Giant Dragon, stretching on its branches with a squeaky sound as it was pulled by its roots.

Facing such a giant weapon, Gaven’s scalp tingled, and he would bet that it was loaded with more than one stone projectile.

Normally, these Treants were very slow in doing anything.

But when it came to battle, especially against the followers of Moando, the God of Corruption and Degeneration, their response was extraordinarily fast.

They didn’t give Gaven a chance to reveal his identity—in this situation, even if he did reveal it, it was likely that they wouldn’t believe him.

They trusted more in their own feelings—their sense of Corruption Power.

"Luna, energy shield."

Gaven shouted, as he activated his combat armor and drew out the Crown Shield.

At the same time, he pulled out a huge Ghost Cloak, one that could cover both him and the Half-Moon Colt, and their figures began to diminish.

Yet the fading was much slower than usual, because they were now in the Holy Land, rich with Holy Light Power.

The terrifying whoosh of the boulder splitting the air reached their ears.

"Dive!" Gaven issued a new command to the Half-Moon Colt, which caused her to hesitate for a moment.

In such a situation, shouldn’t she be trying her best to ascend?

But out of trust in Gaven, as well as her duty as a mount, she tucked in her wings, and the Natural Power surged forth wildly as she charged towards the direction of the Treants.

The next instant, the Half-Moon Colt realized why Gaven had made this decision.

The dive accelerated faster than ascent, especially with the help of a Natural Sprint. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NovᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet

What was most important, the Treants seemed to have anticipated their move, predicting that the enemy would ascend to avoid the rocks.

Most boulders aimed above where Luna had previously been positioned.

If she had rashly ascended just a moment ago, at least one boulder the size of a millstone would have made close contact with her.

Even though she now activated her Natural Shield and Natural Regeneration, she didn’t dare to absorb such a heavy hit straight on; strong regenerative abilities didn’t mean she was immortal.

They avoided the attacks of the four Treants hurling boulders, but they could not escape the onslaught of the gigantic slingshot.

Gaven was right, the Treant slingshot didn’t shoot out a single massive rock, but a lot of them, each no larger than an adult’s fist.

However, the lethality of a stone didn’t rely entirely on its size but also on the force with which it was shot out.

This could be discerned from the whooshing noise they emitted.

Hundreds of shards formed a massive barrage of stone projectiles.

Gaven experienced firsthand the feeling of being unavoidable, the same his targets must feel faced with his Crystal Cluster attack.

All they could do was have the Half-Moon Colt tuck in her wings to protect her vulnerable parts from being hit.

At least half of the projectiles that struck them simply passed right through.

The Shadow Cloak’s abilities were working.

Gaven and Luna were in a shadow state, spending half their time phasing in and out of the Shadow Plane, which allowed them to dodge a portion of the attack.

But unfortunately, this barrage of rocky projectiles was the perfect counter to such abilities.

You could dodge half, but you would still have to take the rest.

At least ten projectiles struck Gaven and the Half-Moon Colt.

The huge life barrier in front of the Half-Moon Colt was riddled with holes upon impact.

Thankfully it was an energy shield, which merely got pierced, not shattered.

Speaking in terms of data, the impact of these projectiles was reduced by ten points of attack power.

Even so, the Half-Moon Colt grunted with each impact, as most hits resulted in fractures and torn muscles.

Most were in less crucial areas, while any stones aimed at head vulnerabilities were blocked by Gaven with the Crown Shield.

As for Gaven, he was as unfazed as if nothing had happened, which was thanks to the mighty Damage Reduction of his combat armor.

To injure him, at the very least he’d need to be directly hit by one of the massive boulders hurled by the Treants.

"Get through."

Because they dived, they were too close to the Enlightened Trees and Treants.

The somewhat slow-reacting Enlightened Trees also began their attack, lacking Special Abilities but still capable of throwing stones, simply picking up rocks from the ground or digging up earthstones at their feet.

Twenty or thirty Enlightened Trees coordinated with five powerful Treants to attack.

The thought alone was enough to make anyone’s scalp tingle.

Flying anywhere now would be the wrong choice.

The best option would be to dive into the sealed dungeon.

"Mr. Gaven? Is that Mr. Gaven? Don’t attack, it’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, he’s one of our own."

"Everyone stop, stop right now, he’s the Mr. Gaven Nort you’ve all been wanting to meet."

August, Kregi, and Olive emerged from the sealed dungeon.

Deep and Ian ran over from the direction of Rose Tower.

Both parties called for a halt at the same time.

The Treants and Enlightened Trees that were preparing to launch a second attack couldn’t help but stop in their tracks.

The Treant resembling a giant slingshot voiced its unmistakable surprise, "He’s the one who proposed the Enlightenment theory? The initiator of the Druid Circle? The Purifier of this land? Why would he associate with Moando’s servants?"

"Moando’s servants?"

Upon hearing the name Moando’s servants, most people present instantly showed a change in expression, particularly the Thorn Spirits and August, who deeply understood what the name signified.

They were just about to ask if there had been some mistake when their attention was captured by the peculiar appearance of the Half-Moon Colt and the terrifying fluctuations of Corruption Power emanating from its body.

"Are you Miss Luna? How did you change into what you are now? Has the Seed of Moando inside you been activated? No... that’s not it, you are not a servant of Moando. Inside of you, there’s not only the power of corruption but also the power of life... What exactly is going on?"

August’s expression was exceedingly complex, with concern and guilt overriding his shock.

The last question was posed somewhat forcefully and was not directed at the Half-Moon Colt, but at Gaven.

There was a strong sense of accountability in his tone.

That was because August was the very Paladin who had brought Luna back to Hammer of the Holy Light Abbey.

Luna’s biological parents were purified by him, and he felt a deep and innate guilt towards the Half-Moon Colt.

Although they belonged to different species, it wouldn’t be too much to say their relationship was like that of father and daughter.

Any father would seek accountability from someone who appeared to have wronged his daughter, especially after not seeing her for several days and finding her drastically changed.

"It happened like this..." Gaven detailed the entire course of events, including Luna’s general abilities. There was no need to hide anything about this matter, at least not from the people present, as none of them would likely have any connection with the God of Corruption.

"There’s such a thing? I’ve only heard that the God of Corruption and Degeneration corrupts the forces of nature, transforming them into the power of corruption. I’ve never heard of the corruption power being transformed back into natural force."

"The fact is right before us, I already felt that in addition to the power of corruption, she also had natural power. I just thought she was transforming the natural power into corruption power, not expecting the situation to be completely the opposite."

"This ability is practically the nemesis of the God of Corruption and Degeneration. The corrupted areas in the forest now have hope."

"Miss Luna’s current condition exemplifies the path of the Natural Cycle. She absorbs the Corruption Power and then converts it into natural force through fusion with the light. Isn’t this the very essence of our surrounding environment, the foundation upon which nature exists?"

"Miss Luna, may I ask, what does it feel like to have the Corruption Power transformed into Natural Power within your body?"

"Right now, do you feel the influence of Corruption Power? Or, somewhere deep down, do you hear the call of some sinister voice?"

"What state would you say your body is in now – that of an animal, or a plant?"

"Zhao Huai, that question is quite impolite."

"Please forgive me, Miss Luna, I meant no offense. I’m merely exploring the issue. If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer."

Compared to August and his company, these five Treants were far more interested in the Half-Moon Colt.

To be precise, they looked as if they had found a treasure.

They surrounded her completely, paying no attention to Gaven – whom they had initially been eager to meet.

Compared to his enlightenment theory, Luna’s unique and precious condition was more worth their study and learning. If they could possibly find a way to rapidly purify the corruption power during this opportunity, they could better heal the forest.

While the Half-Moon Colt was entangled with those Treants, August took the opportunity to pull Gaven aside and urgently whispered, "About Luna’s origins, did the Grand Inquisitor tell her everything?"

Having already understood the whole story, Gaven naturally knew what August was concerned about and quietly replied, "Everything has been told. Don’t worry, Luna’s mind is much broader than you think, especially after she has just faced the power of the Seed of Moando. She understands the difficult choice you had to make back then. If it wasn’t for you, she would have become a puppet of Moando a long time ago. Although she didn’t choose to become a Holy Warrior as her main profession, her thoughts are those of a qualified Holy Warrior."

"That’s good, that’s good. It’s fine as long as she doesn’t fall into internal conflict and self-reproach." August breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t worried that Luna would become estranged from him upon learning the truth, but afraid that she wouldn’t be able to accept it.

That the Holy Warrior who had cared for her for so many years was the real ender of her parents’ lives.

To worry for others before oneself.

That is the supreme moral quality of a Holy Warrior, not achievable by the ordinary person.

Having finished his conversation with August, Gaven returned to the side of the Half-Moon Colt and said, "My friends, let’s calm down for a moment. Luna has just gained new abilities; it’s only been half a day, so much is still uncertain, and precise answers cannot be given to you.

Since you have all appeared here, you must have been invited by Mr. Ian to form the Druid Circle.

Why don’t we table our questions for discussion and research within the Druid Circle, what do you think?"

The moment Gaven saw these Treants, he knew why they had come.

When it came to forming the Druid Circle, the Thorn Spirit Druid Ian was far more invested than he himself was.

"This suggestion is excellent, I agree."

"That is exactly what should be done."

"I too agree."

The other Treants expressed their agreement one after another.

Gaven’s gaze turned to the Thorn Spirit Druid, "Mr. Ian, would you do me the favor of introducing these esteemed individuals?"

"Of course!" The Thorn Spirit Druid nodded repeatedly and, pointing to the Treant resembling a slingshot, said, "This is an elder Treant who has over a thousand years of history just from the enlightenment into a Treant. He has witnessed the opening of the Valley, the establishment and decline of Mystorno, and is the most powerful Treant within a few hundred miles radius, well-versed about the conditions here. His name is Treebow."