Chapter 754: Chapter 349: The Warlock Who Bears the Fate of the World (Part 2)

The majority of the mutant beasts appeared fairly docile, even more tame than before the mutation, but this abnormal phenomenon made Selena even more uneasy.

Selena couldn’t determine how long this docility would last, nor could she predict if more dangerous mutated creatures would appear.

She turned around and looked at her two students behind her.

"O’Don, Wright, conduct a thorough investigation of the surrounding area."

Selena raised her hand to point towards the depths of the forest,

"Record all types of mutant creatures, their activity range, and behavior patterns."

"Understood, Wise One."

Wright immediately took out parchment and a charcoal pen, ready to record the observations at any time.

O’Don was responsible for vigilance.

The three of them walked along a path trodden by Hunters into the forest.

In less than half an hour, Selena was attracted by a figure on the tree—a giant squirrel about the size of a medium-sized dog.

Most bizarrely, its back had grown pale blue scales that glistened with a metallic sheen under the sunlight.

The squirrel turned its head and curiously stared at Selena and the others with its round eyes.

But it showed no aggression, instead tilting its head and making a few curious chittering sounds.

O’Don took a few steps forward trying to get closer; the giant squirrel immediately turned and jumped to a higher branch, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"The extent of mutation is more severe than expected."

Wright quickly noted down the observations on the parchment,

"Size increased six to seven times, reptilian scales appeared, and behavior patterns remained docile."

Selena nodded and continued walking forward.

In the next hour, they discovered more mutated creatures one after another.

Hares had grown bony protrusions resembling antlers, the feathers of wild chickens had transformed into a vivid mix of purple and gold, with tail feathers nearly dragging on the ground.

In addition to the mutation of beasts, there were also plants.

The forest, where ordinary shrubs should have grown, was now home to strange plants with leaves emitting a faint glow.

Some had bloomed with fist-sized flowers, the petals glistening translucently.

Selena quickly walked up and carefully plucked a leaf, bringing it to her nose to sniff.

A refreshing breath surged directly to her mind.

"Is this... Moon Crystal Grass?!"

Selena’s voice was filled with evident excitement.

The two students behind her were noticeably stunned; Wright was full of shock, "You mean the main ingredient for making Spirit Calming Potions, Moon Crystal Grass?"

"Yes, the mutated form of Moonflower Grass, Moon Crystal Grass!"

Upon confirmation, Selena’s face also showed uncharacteristic excitement,

"Just the scent alone can invigorate the spirit, and the Magic Power concentration has increased by at least tenfold!"

She stood up and quickly surveyed the surroundings; the entire area was full of them.

At least fifty plants!

Truly shocking!

Rare herbs, which originally required meticulous cultivation in specific environments, were now growing naturally in this forest!

"Wise One, look over here!"

O’Don’s voice came from not far away.

Selena propped herself up with her cane and walked quickly toward him.

O’Don was crouched by the roots of an ancient oak tree, pointing to a cluster of mushrooms growing in the crevice of the roots.

The mushrooms were deep purple all over, with silver spiral patterns on the caps.

Selena drew in a sharp breath.

"Deep Blue Spore Mushrooms."

Her voice trembled slightly, "These exist only in ancient texts, a precious herb capable of helping intermediate apprentices break through... cough, cough, cough!"

The rapid breathing caused Selena to start coughing violently, and O’Don quickly patted her back to help her catch her breath.

"Are you all right, Wise One?"

O’Don looked at his teacher with concern, having never seen her like this before.

"It’s nothing, sigh."

Selena sighed, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, "If only I’d had this type of herb back then, I wouldn’t have..."

Before she could finish, a rustling noise suddenly erupted from the tree, and a thick vine shot out from behind the trunk!

The vine moved with extreme speed, heading straight for Selena’s face!

In a moment of crisis, Selena quickly raised her cane, and a semi-transparent shield unfolded in front of her!

"Bang!"

The vine slammed heavily into the shield, which immediately shattered into countless points of light!

The vine tried to lash at Selena again, but O’Don grabbed it!

"Rip!"

Oden’s hand flickered with white light, and he suddenly pulled hard to break the vines!

At this moment, more vines emerged from behind the oak tree, wildly whipping towards the three of them!

"Watch out!"

Wright shouted, the surrounding air suddenly turned cold, and a wave of cold air appeared before them!

The attacking vines rapidly froze, covered with ice crystals!

But soon the vines shook violently, the ice crystals scattered like snowflakes, and several vines broke free from the ice and continued to rush towards Selena!

Selena quickly retreated a few steps, raised her walking stick, and several orange-red flames instantly appeared in the air!

But the next moment she stopped casting spells, and a frost shield appeared in front of her, once again binding the vines!

"This tree is mutating into a tree demon, don’t kill it!"

Selena commanded, "Withdraw!"

Oden had already raised the warhammer, and flames were also igniting on the warhammer.

But upon hearing the teacher’s command, he had to give up the attack and quickly drew back.

But the dozen or so vines did not relent, rushing in like evil tentacles!

Wright raised his hand in anger, and several bolts of lightning flashed in the air, instantly hitting the vines!

The vines convulsed wildly in the electric currents, quickly retracting!

Lightning flashed and jumped along the vines, quickly spreading to the entire oak tree, and the bark instantly burned black!

Selena and the others took the opportunity to retreat to a distance of over ten meters away.

"I never expected to encounter such a mutated tree demon, just like described from ancient times in the classic texts... cough, cough, cough!"

Selena leaned on her walking stick, coughing violently, her face however carried a rich smile.

Wright hurriedly supported Selena, asking with concern, "Teacher, are you okay?"

Selena’s face was somewhat pale, she clutched her chest, breathing deeply twice.

Oden also came over, taking out a small bottle from his pocket

"Please drink some recovery potion!"

"I’m fine."

Selena waved her hand, "Just cast the spell too hastily, and also dissolved a spell."

The most effective attacks against plants are flame spells and life drain, but Selena didn’t want to destroy such rare mutated magic plants.

"Teacher, you really should address your health issues sooner."

Wright said in a low voice, advising, "Otherwise, it really will affect your lifespan."

Selena nodded and straightened her body, tidying up her disheveled robe.

Originally thought that after advancing to a higher level wizard apprentice, her lifespan would extend significantly, alleviating the decline of bodily functions.

Unexpectedly, forcibly advancing instead led to backlash from the chaotic magic power, causing damage each time she quickly cast spells.

No matter how long the lifespan, it can’t withstand frequent damage.

"Teacher, perhaps..."

Wright said seriously, "Perhaps we really can try the Natural Seed that Duke Luo De offers."

"Indeed."

Oden agreed, "Didn’t he say we could advance work credits to exchange for it?"

Selena looked down at her trembling hands, falling silent.

"I know you have reservations about this method."

Wright advised, "But Linda and Lusen have both exchanged for it?"

"Linda said the effects are very good, and Lusen feels nothing unusual, also said meditation efficiency has significantly improved."

"I think you should really give it a try," Wright said.

Selena looked up and smiled at her students, and said lightly, "Is it you who want that Natural Seed?"

"If it really has no side effects, no one wouldn’t want it."

Wright didn’t deny, he said directly, "And you have said many times that Luo De is beneficial to us."

"I don’t doubt him."

Selena sighed slightly, "I just can’t imagine how he obtained such a miraculous Natural Seed..."

The three of them suddenly fell silent, and the forest was silent.

Only the distant oak tree continued its activity, the shaking vines making a rustling sound.

"Perhaps, that’s his talent?"

Oden suddenly interjected, "Just like your talent for prophecy."

"Perhaps he wields powerful natural forces, harboring great magic power?"

Wright gazed at the distant mutated oak tree and Moon Crystal Grass, "Otherwise we can’t explain all this, why it happened just after Luo De comes."

"Yes, you might be right, Wright."

Selena nodded thoughtfully, "Like a warlock recorded in the texts, bearing the fate of the entire world."

"Let’s continue exploring here."

Selena leaned on her walking stick to stand upright, "After we return, I will consider the matter of the Natural Seed."