novelnext Chapter 119 Lake Spirits
Chapter 119 Lake Spirits
Chapter 119 Lake Spirits
Occasionally, a hint of confusion would flash in those bulging eyes—it was an instinctive, weak struggle, but it was quickly suppressed by a stronger will.
"To be honest," Garu said, squatting to the side, poking the water frog with his thick fingers, causing it to hop stiffly back a step, "this thing can actually find water? I think it's almost dying of thirst itself."
Kyle leaned against a tree, watching the water frog, and said, unusually, "Your abilities are quite varied."
Warrior's combat skills, druid's animal communication. Just how much have you actually learned before?
Xia Lin remained unfazed: "To make a living in a small town, you have to dabble in a little bit of everything."
"You've got quite a wide range of interests," Kyle said cryptically, without pressing further.
Just then—
"Croak!"
The frog suddenly croaked, and its leaping direction became noticeably more determined.
It no longer jumps around aimlessly, but instead leaps quickly in a straight line in a certain direction.
"This looks promising!" Xia Lin's eyes lit up, and she stood up. "Let's go!"
The three people and the crow followed the controlled water frog, passing through dense forests, dodging thorny bushes, and traversing bushes where the path was almost invisible.
finally-
"Splash—"
A clear sound of flowing water could be heard from ahead.
Garu paused, pricked up his ears, and then grinned: "Hey! There's water!"
Kyle raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze towards Xia Lin now showing a hint of surprise.
Xia Lin breathed a sigh of relief, quickened his pace, and pushed aside the last clump of plants obscuring his view, revealing a vast expanse of azure lake.
The lake water was so clear it was almost transparent; sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tree canopy, scattering shimmering gold across the surface.
The lake shore is covered with soft sand and gravel, and several weeping willow trees droop their branches into the water, swaying gently with the ripples.
But what's most eye-catching are those things on the lake surface—
"What is that?!" Xia Lin squinted.
Above the lake, a group of small, faintly glowing figures were swirling and dancing.
They are only about the size of a palm, with slender, human-like bodies and transparent, dragonfly-like wings on their backs.
Some of them emit a pale blue fluorescent light, while others are a soft pink or pale gold.
They chased and frolicked in groups on the lake, sometimes swooping down to skim across the surface, leaving a trail of glistening droplets, and sometimes rising into the air, spinning and dancing some kind of ancient dance.
"A little elf." Kyle's voice held a rare gentleness. "Or rather, a kind of forest fairy. They like to gather in places with abundant magic and pure water. They are quite rare."
Garu was also somewhat stunned, and said in a muffled voice, "I've only ever seen them in books before, I never thought they actually existed. I heard they're docile and won't attack people unless provoked."
"That's right." Kyle nodded. "They are nature's darlings, close to magic and also to kind creatures. It is said that those who see them will receive good luck."
Woody whispered on Xia Lin's shoulder, "Whether it's good luck or not, I don't know, but the magic in this place is definitely strong."
Xia Lin stared at the dancing sprites, then suddenly remembered something.
"Wait a minute," he turned to Garu and Kyle, "this kind of thing—doesn't anyone catch it? I mean, sell it for money or something?"
Garu paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Kyle also slightly curled the corners of his mouth, his expression as if he were looking at a newcomer who didn't know the rules.
"Pfft—if any druid heard you say that, they'd definitely challenge you to a duel."
"What?" Xia Lin raised an eyebrow.
"The forests and lakes that typically nurture these magical creatures are protected by the forest itself." You know, it's the kind where—you might be fine cutting down a tree here, but if you dare touch these little things—
—
Kelton paused, then lowered his voice: "The entire forest's hostility will come at you. Trees will lean, vines will entangle, wild beasts will swarm you, and even the path beneath your feet will turn into a maze. Experienced adventurers wouldn't touch this kind of thing; do they have a death wish?"
"Moreover, all major powers—the Adventurers' Guild, the Church, and the Mage Tower—have explicitly prohibited the capture of natural magical creatures such as sprites."
Anyone who dares to sell in the market will be targeted the next day. There are people secretly trading in the black market in the upper district, but once discovered, the consequences are dire—" She made a throat-slitting gesture.
Xia Lin understood.
I understand. It's like a rare wild animal from a previous life, the kind that's nationally protected and can't be touched.
"Never mind then." He decisively withdrew his gaze. "Just looking is fine."
Suddenly remembering something, Garu said, "Oh right, I heard my teacher say before that places where these little things appear often hide good things underneath—magic energy gathers there, making it easy for magical treasures to be born. I wonder if there are any at the bottom of this lake?"
Xia Lin's heart skipped a beat.
Lake bottom? Treasure?
He recalled those Western legends from his past life—the goddess of the lake gifted King Arthur with the sword, and the warriors dived to the bottom of the lake to obtain the divine weapon—although most of them were made up, what if they were true?
Woody tilted his head, as if recalling something: "Hey, now that you mention it, I'm reminded of a legend. Something like 'The Whispers of Lake Mestle' or something—"
It spoke slowly in the tone of a bard: "It is said that long ago, there was a lake called Misdra, and at the bottom of the lake was a city of water spirits called Etheron."
Later, the entire city-state sank to the bottom of the lake, cutting off all contact with the outside world.
A group of abyssal merfolk occupied the ruins, poisoning the lake with contamination magic and attacking the inhabitants living along its shores. The water spirits, unable to drive them away alone, had no choice but to appeal to humans for help.
"A warrior dived to the bottom of the lake, defeated the merman leader, purified the polluted node, and helped the water spirits reclaim their home."
In gratitude, the Water Elf Elder forged a Tide Sword capable of manipulating water using coral and moonsilver, and also gifted him a Star Core Amulet capable of casting healing spells.
After Woody finished speaking, he glanced at Xia Lin and asked, "So, are you tempted?"
Garu's eyes lit up, and he jumped to his feet: "The Tide Sword! The Star Core Amulet! If this is real..."
He rolled up his sleeves, making a move as if he was about to jump into the lake.
"Stop!" Kyle grabbed his arm, his eyes full of helplessness. "Can't you use your brain?"
Nine out of ten of these legends are made up by bards to scam money for drinks! You actually believe them?
Garu reluctantly pulled his hand away, muttering, "What if—what if this is true—"
Xia Lin looked at the azure lake and quickly made plans in his mind.
Treasure hunt underwater?
The risk is too high.
We don't know how deep the lake is, or whether there are any dangers at the bottom.
If they were to encounter some kind of water monster, or a corrupted fish-man like in the legends, given their current state—having just gone through a fierce battle and not yet fully recovered—they might not be able to handle it.
>