Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Heart of the Forest

Through the hole in the iron box, a faint purple glow from the signal flares shimmered softly. Although he didn’t know much about the Dark Elf clan, from Lingxiao’s tears and Lingxi’s many stories, he sensed that this family was deeply united and held a devout faith in the gods. He seemed to feel that within this small signal flare was a trust in one’s companions.

One morning, in the headmaster’s office atop the Magic Academy, Bai Shengye politely knocked and entered. Headmaster Yunlan was facing the bright floor-to-ceiling window, watching the students below playing freely on the field.

“Good morning, Headmaster,” Bai Shengye greeted, still dressed in his fitted white robe that made his tall figure all the more striking.

Yunlan turned around with a gentle smile. “Bai Shengye, is there something you need?”

“Oh.” Bai Shengye retrieved a vial from the medicine box he carried and handed it to Yunlan. “Actually, I noticed on the very first day of the term that your health seemed poor—perhaps some lingering ailment that’s built up over the years. So, I took the liberty of preparing a tonic to help you recuperate. I hope it might be of some benefit.”

Yunlan accepted it. “You’re very thoughtful.”

“It’s nothing, really. Most of the ingredients are herbs I brought from the Snowlands, quite different from those found in the Central Continent. They might have surprising effects. There’s even a soul-nourishing herb to replenish your energy—Hei Yu and Lingxiao’s tears helped me find it.”

“To have an alchemist among our students is an honor for the Academy. I’ve heard Master He Yin is guiding your studies? He’s rather advanced in age and not a specialist in alchemy—are you sure he’s able to teach you properly?”

“Master He Yin is a scholar of vast learning, and I respect him greatly. The Academy’s library houses many ancient texts on potion-making. The path of an alchemist is, after all, one of researching formulas and illustrations. I’m fortunate to have Master He Yin’s guidance; he’s been a tremendous help.”

“That’s good. Otherwise, I’d have to persuade that old man not to mislead his students,” Yunlan joked kindly.

Bai Shengye found Headmaster Yunlan’s humility a bit overwhelming, making him feel slightly embarrassed. “You’re too kind, Headmaster. If you feel any benefit after taking the medicine, I’ll bring more in the future. And please, try to get more rest and not work so late.”

He gave the advice with the gentle persistence of a physician.

“All right,” Yunlan replied with a warm, patient smile. “But I recall during the initial assessment you displayed an affinity for the ice and snow element. Are you not considering specializing as a mage?”

Bai Shengye paused for a moment before answering simply, “I only wish to be an alchemist.”

“May I ask why?” Yunlan inquired gently.

Bai Shengye’s eyes grew earnest. “In my family—the House of the Immortal Apothecary—there is a saying: ‘No matter the pretext, all acts of killing are evil.’ As an alchemist, I believe one should focus solely on the craft of healing and saving lives. Great power can easily make one lose their original purpose.”

Yunlan was briefly taken aback. He hadn’t expected such clarity from one so young. Soon, though, he smiled in approval. “I respect your choice, and I look forward to your future achievements.”

After spending some time training in the Twilight Forest, Hei Yu had stabilized his cultivation at the mid-level mage stage. Now, he was ready to advance deeper into the forest, to seek greater power.

“Now that I’ve reached the mid-stage, I’m on the verge of unlocking the second seal. More importantly, I must seize every moment to grow stronger—so I can see Xiaoyu again as soon as possible.”

At dusk, the three-person team assembled as usual on the hillside. Hei Yu’s expression was grave. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke. “I want to explore the heart of the Twilight Forest during today’s training. You don’t have to come with me—you can stay in the Green Wilds or on the outskirts of the Twilight Forest…”

He hadn’t finished when Lingxiao’s tears interrupted, “The core is too dangerous! The Twilight Forest is only for late-stage intermediate mages, and the heart is for those near the peak. If we go too soon, we’re courting death!”

“Don’t worry. I just want to try. If it’s safe, I’ll bring you both tomorrow,” Hei Yu replied.

Shenzai Guo considered for a moment. “The greatest risk is encountering a beast that’s cultivated for over a thousand years. Still, I believe you can protect us, Brother Hei Yu. I want to grow stronger too—I’ll go with you!”

Lingxiao’s tears saw the eager light in Shenzai Guo’s clear eyes and steeled herself. She had longed for strength but had always been unwilling to take risks. Coupled with her recent frustration at being defeated by Bai Xie’s gang, she finally declared, “Fine, let’s go!”

This leap took them farther than ever before. The core of the Twilight Forest lay backed against a high mountain, damp and windless, shrouded in mist, the woods dense and the earth thickly carpeted with fallen leaves.

The three descended and moved forward cautiously. Here, the moonlight did not penetrate. The air was heavy with the scent of decaying roots and rich earth. The luminous plants were even scarcer than at the forest’s edge, making the darkness more absolute.

They kept their steps light, alert to every change, their senses strained. In the trembling shadows, powerful and unknown beasts seemed poised to strike at any moment, filling the woods with an ominous dread.

“Don’t let your guard down,” Lingxiao’s tears warned. “Even mages from the Divine Realm come here to hunt in teams.”

She cast out her perception net and walked ahead, suddenly signaling them to halt.

“There’s someone up ahead—a mage, I think.”

“A mage? Who else would be out here so late?” Shenzai Guo whispered.

“We’ll take to the trees and circle around,” Hei Yu said. The others nodded in agreement.

They moved swiftly, leaping onto sturdy branches. Lingxiao’s tears swung from limb to limb, aided by her binding chains, while Hei Yu and Shenzai Guo used their wings to fly. They climbed high, vaulting from one treetop to the next, drawing closer to the spot Lingxiao’s tears had indicated.

Holding their breath, they peered down through the dense foliage. Below, a strikingly handsome young man with silver hair and white robes strolled leisurely through the forest. Tall and graceful, he carried a medicine basket on his back and brushed aside shrubs with his fingers, searching for rare herbs.

“Bai Shengye?!”

Lingxiao’s tears recognized him instantly. “Why is he here? Isn’t he an alchemist? Isn’t he afraid of the danger?”

Most people assumed alchemists were weak in magic and lacked combat skills, suitable only for support roles in the rear.

Without hesitation, the three jumped down from the trees to the ground. None of them noticed that not far from the branches where they had just perched, a massive wasp nest was suspended, buzzing ominously. The branch that had supported their weight had swung violently, causing the one bearing the nest to sway as well.