375 Ritual, The Boon, And, The Price
An elf emissary entered Selena's chamber, bearing the message of her mother, Elf Queen Ilyndra's decision. The Eldest Princess nodded gravely as she listened to the message.
Once the emissary had left, Selena signaled to Wang Jian by tapping on the bracelet, informing him that she was alone, and it was safe for him to return.
As Wang Jian reappeared in the chamber, Selena shared the news.
"My mother has decided to perform the 'Verdant Resurgence Ritual.' It is a powerful Elven ritual that awakens the World Tree and harnesses its incredible power. The ritual requires gathering the life force and spiritual energy of all the elves within the forest and offering it to the World Tree. In return, the World Tree grants the Elf Queen a single, mighty boon."
"A Boon? What kind of boon?" Wang Jian asked rather curiously.
"Anything that is within the capabilities of the World Tree. However, considering the heavy price of that boon, it is very rarely used by the elves," Selena responded grimly.
Wang Jian's eyes narrowed upon hearing her words, "I see…"
The setting sun cast a warm, golden hue across the enchanted Elven Dominion as Selena made her way to the site of the Verdant Resurgence Ritual. Her steps were graceful, her long gown rustling softly as she moved.
In just a single day, the incineration curse had spread to ten percent of the Elven population, causing immense suffering and turmoil. The urgency of the situation was clear – if they did not resolve this crisis swiftly, the entire Elven Dominion would be on the brink of death.
As Selena arrived at the ritual site, she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The ritual was an ancient and sacred practice, rarely performed by the elves due to its significant cost.
Meanwhile, Wang Jian watched the proceedings from a concealed vantage point, curious about the ritual and intrigued by the enigmatic power of the World Tree's boon. He knew he needed to learn more about the World Tree's power and how it would be harnessed.
As Elf Queen Ilyndra arrived at the ritual site, Wang Jian watched with rapt attention, marveling at her beauty. Her ethereal, otherworldly appearance took his breath away.
Her flowing blonde hair and piercing blue eyes were enchanting, but it was her seductive allure that drew his attention the most.
A wicked and depraved smile curled on his lips as he decided that he would make Elf Queen Ilyndra his own, no matter what it took. The lust in his eyes burned as he imagined her beneath him, succumbing to his desires.
Meanwhile, the beautiful elves gathered at the ritual site, dressed in elegant and intricate gowns that accentuated their ethereal grace.
Elf Queen Ilyndra stood at the center, flanked by her daughters, who radiated a similar otherworldly beauty. The rest of the Elven Dominion's important members, followed by the regular elves, took their positions in the elaborate ritual formation.
The ritual began with a melodic chant, the elves' voices weaving through the air like a song of nature itself. The atmosphere grew charged with energy as the participants invoked the life force and spiritual energy that flowed through their veins.
Wang Jian could sense the immense vitality and spiritual energy radiating from the bodies of the elves. It was a palpable force, a testament to the elves' deep connection with their enchanted forest and the World Tree.
As the ceremony continued, Elf Queen Ilyndra's voice rose above the rest. Her chants carried a unique power, resonating with the ancient magic of the World Tree.
Wang Jian observed curiously as the ritual reached its zenith.
The energy swirling around the participants intensified, and a radiant, emerald glow enveloped the entire area. The verdant light emanated from the World Tree itself, responding to the elves' call.
The power of the elves' collective offering began to flow toward Elf Queen Ilyndra, who stood at the center of the ritual. It was a sight of breathtaking beauty.
Elf Queen Ilyndra, surrounded by the radiant light, uttered her wish with a determined voice, "I wish for the World Tree's protection to cleanse our forest of the incinerating curse and to ensure that it can never harm our people or our enchanted forest again."
As her words hung in the air, the mysterious energy from the World Tree spread like a tide across the entire Elven Dominion. It flowed through the enchanted forest, purifying the land and the elves who dwelled within it. The incinerating poison Wang Jian had developed was not merely dispelled; it was eradicated from the very essence of the Elven Dominion.
The enchanting forest and all its inhabitants developed an immunity to not only the specific curse that had plagued them but also to poisons of a similar category. It was as if the World Tree had bestowed upon them an impenetrable shield of purity and protection.
However, Wang Jian was not solely focused on the immediate results of the ritual. His keen eyes narrowed as he recognized that the mysterious energy granted by the World Tree to Elf Queen Ilyndra bore a striking similarity to the energy provided by his system.
This revelation held the promise of incredible possibilities, and Wang Jian knew that he had uncovered a secret that could prove invaluable in his future endeavors.
As the ritual concluded and the radiant energy began to subside, the elves who had gathered for the ceremony looked upon their queen in awe and gratitude. Their forest was cleansed, their people saved, and the incinerating curse eradicated. The World Tree had granted their wish, and they were filled with a profound sense of relief and reverence.
Elf Queen Ilyndra, along with her daughters, fell unconscious as the ritual concluded, their figures serene amidst the vibrant light that still enveloped them.
The members of the Elven race who were conscious acted swiftly, gently gathering their beloved queen and her daughters.
With care and reverence, they transported them to the Pearl Spring, a sacred pool known for its healing properties. The water of the Pearl Spring possessed unique restorative abilities, capable of mending various wounds and ailments. However, even this remarkable spring had its limits. While it helped to mend the queen and her daughters, it couldn't completely restore their health.
The reason for this incomplete healing became clear—it was the price the royal family of the elves paid for invoking the Verdant Resurgence Ritual. Their life force had been offered to the World Tree in exchange for the boon, leaving them weakened and vulnerable.
Elves, blessed with a greater life force than humans and deeply connected to the natural world, enjoyed an extended lifespan, which mitigated the consequences of the ritual to some extent. Still, it was evident that the sacrifice had taken a toll on the queen and her daughters.
Wang Jian observed this development with a growing sense of realization.
As the queen and her daughters lay unconscious, he understood that he now possessed an unparalleled advantage. No single individual within the Elven Dominion could challenge or harm him, even if they discovered his presence.
With this newfound freedom, Wang Jian decided to utilize his Qi and other abilities to their full extent. The first action he took was to extend his spiritual senses, enveloping the entire area with his awareness. He was curious about the condition of the elves and the state of the Elven Forest as a whole.
To his amazement, he discovered that, just as Elf Queen Ilyndra had wished, all the afflicted trees within the forest had made a complete recovery. The incinerating curse had been eradicated, and the enchanted forest was restored to its former glory. Even the afflicted elves had made a complete recovery.
However, Wang Jian's keen senses detected another peculiar development. The protective barrier that had previously prevented him from reaching the World Tree had weakened significantly.
It was a revelation that held immense significance, and Wang Jian knew that it was an opportunity he couldn't afford to ignore.
With newfound excitement, Wang Jian made his way swiftly through the enchanted forest, heading directly toward the World Tree.
Unbeknownst to Elf Queen Ilyndra, her decision to invoke the World Tree's power through the Verdant Resurgence Ritual had unintended consequences. While she had successfully eradicated the threat of the incinerating curse, the very method she had employed had pushed her people closer to submitting themselves to Wang Jian.
Wang Jian approached the invisible barrier that had previously prevented him from getting closer to the World Tree. With a surge of Qi and his Solar Flames, he shattered the barrier.
The sheer force he employed created a deafening commotion that reverberated through the enchanted forest, startling the nearby elves who sensed the disturbance.
Elves who were within the vicinity swiftly rushed towards the source of the disturbance, alarmed by the unusual occurrence. Their expressions reflected a mix of curiosity and concern.
However, by the time they arrived at the scene, the barrier had already reconstructed itself, barring their entry once more. Their attempts to cross the boundary proved futile, as the protective enchantment held strong.
As Wang Jian approached the World Tree, he couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur. The colossal tree stood as a testament to the power of nature and magic, its immense roots delving deep into the earth. The vibrant green leaves rustled with a soothing breeze, and the golden sap that flowed through its trunk shimmered with an otherworldly radiance.
As he drew nearer, Wang Jian was met with a sight that took him by surprise. A young woman, her hair a vibrant shade of green, appeared before him, her form ethereal and her presence an embodiment of nature itself.
This was a druid, a spirit closely connected to the World Tree and the magical essence of the enchanted forest.
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