Above the mage

Chapter 266 Sunefa

"Since Elder Donald has said so, I shall give it a try." Grant thought for a moment, finally made up his mind, raised his head, looked directly at Donald sitting in the main seat, and said slowly and deliberately.

"Huh?!" Grant's response was clearly beyond Donald's expectations, leaving him momentarily stunned.

No, I dare to praise you because I have ulterior motives. Why would you dare to agree?

A hint of suspicion and insecurity flashed in his eyes.

Sunefa also lowered her gaze and gave Grant a deep look.

Of course, she would fully support Grant, who was "one of her own".

"Since Elder Grant has the idea and confidence, let Elder Grant give it a try first. If he can't solve the problem, then we'll think of another way," Sunai declared, outlining the plan.

"Then let's call it a day."

After speaking, Sunafa was the first to stand up and leave the council chamber without looking back.

Grant followed closely behind, getting up and leaving with Sunefa.

"Elder Grant, when do you plan to go see the Ice Jade Phoenix Tree?" After leaving the Elder Hall, seeing that no one else was following, Sunafa stopped and turned to ask Grant, who was behind her.

"War Mother, I need to find a helper first." Elder Grant didn't hide anything from Sunafa and spoke the truth.

"With my limited experience in growing Golden Glory Wheat, I dare not say that I can find the problem with Ice Jade Phoenix Tree. However, I know an expert in this field who is probably the most likely person to solve the problem of Ice Jade Phoenix Tree right now."

Grant hesitated for a moment, but decided to refer to Flora as a "person".

Yes, the "expert" Elder Grant thought of was none other than Flora, who had solved his problem with the golden wheat pest.

"Elder Grant actually knows someone like that?" Sunefa raised an eyebrow unconsciously upon hearing this, somewhat surprised.

Such a person is probably even rarer than Zhenbing in the North.

"He's from out of town," Grant explained.

Gao De, Loich, and Catherine were still waiting at their lodgings for Elder Grant's good news.

Finally, Elder Grant did come to visit, but it wasn't good news.

"You're here to see God?" Loich asked in surprise after learning Elder Grant's purpose.

Elder Grant nodded. "Something urgent has happened in the tribe, and we need his help."

"I'll call him, you wait a moment." Although she was curious about what it was about, Loych was very mindful of boundaries and didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she immediately got up to find Gao De.

Watching Loich's departing figure, Elder Grant secretly rejoiced, thankful that he had been kind enough to God earlier.

Putting everything else aside, just the fifteen drops of second-tier ice marrow as a token of gratitude should leave a good impression on the other party, right?

Before long, Loich arrived with God.

"Did the elder want to see me about something?" Not only was Loych curious, but God was also completely baffled and asked as soon as he sat down.

"Yes, and it's urgent. After thinking it over, I realized that only you can help me." Elder Grant said very sincerely.

"What exactly happened?"

"Our clan's Ice Jade Phoenix Tree has been having problems lately, but we can't find the specific reason, let alone know what to do." As he said this, Elder Grant glanced at Flora, who had been sitting on God's shoulder and had come in with him.

Flora was also listening attentively to Elder Grant's words. When their eyes met, Flora tilted her head, feeling that the other's gaze was too intense.

"I know that Lady Flora is skilled in planting. Although the Ice Jade Phoenix Tree is the guardian tree of our clan and holds a very high status, it is ultimately a high-level magical plant, which is also a type of plant. This is exactly what Lady Flora is good at. Could you please take a look at it?"

Elder Grant turned his gaze back to God and earnestly made his request.

Gao De waved his hand and said, "Since we're asking Lady Flora for help, we should of course ask Lady Flora first."

Solving Jin Huimai's problem before was helping him. He and Flora are like family, so there's no need to be polite.

However, since helping Elder Grant find the problem with the Ice Jade Phoenix Tree is not directly related to him, he should naturally ask Flora for her opinion.

After speaking, Gao De looked down at Flora on his shoulder.

The little one was already sitting upright, chest out and head held high.

"Would Lady Flora be willing to help?" God asked in a low voice.

"Is there money to be made?" Flora stared wide-eyed at Elder Grant.

"Money?" Elder Grant didn't react.

Flora, however, pretended he didn't understand and earnestly explained to him, "Money is for buying food, renting a house, and buying new clothes; it's a good thing."

Hearing Flora say this, Elder Grant finally realized what she meant, and then spread his hands with a wry smile, saying, "Lady Flora, there is no such thing as currency in the North."

"No~" Flora drawled out.

This means "why".

"However, if Lady Flora can help solve the problem of the Ice Jade Wutong, I can offer Ice Marrow."

Seemingly worried that Flora wouldn't understand, Elder Grant added, "In the North, you can also buy food and rent houses with ice marrow."

"Ice marrow is money!"

"almost."

Flora beamed with joy.

Gao De lowered his gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips, and couldn't help but praise, "Lady Flora has a wise mind."

The little one was even happier.

"Then let's leave it to Lady Flora." Flora readily agreed.

Gao De was also very impressed, never expecting that Flora's abilities would be useful twice in such a short time in the most desolate northern region.

"When can Lady Flora depart? What needs to be prepared?" Elder Grant asked hurriedly after the "deal" was concluded.

"Now is fine, Lady Flora doesn't need to prepare."

"Then I'll leave it to Lady Flora." Elder Grant solemnly bowed to the tiny figure, which was no bigger than his finger.

"Hmph~"

"Then I'll be going." Elder Grant immediately stood up, and it was clear that he was actually very anxious.

Gao De also stood up, "I want to go with her."

"Of course," Elder Grant replied politely.

With a broad smile, Gao De praised Flora again through telepathic communication: "The dignified elder is so polite to me. I am truly benefiting from Lady Flora's kindness. Moreover, with the Ice Marrow, this family is now being supported by Lady Flora."

"Master, I'll take care of you!" Lady Flora was overjoyed and even more proud.

"Okay." Gao De was momentarily dazed, then quickly and cheerfully replied.

Following Elder Grant, God was able to enter the very heart of Phoenix.

As they walked, crossing several ice walls, the concentration of magic energy increased progressively.

Later on, hunters in armor began to appear, patrolling and guarding the area.

Clearly, this is a restricted area, and ordinary people are not allowed to enter.

After crossing another ice wall made of icicles, we finally entered the very heart of Phoenix.

He could already see a faint magical energy flowing and swirling before his eyes, making him feel as if he were in a sacred place.

"Is this the core spiritual land of Phoenix?" Gao De felt the increasingly dense magical energy in the surrounding air and couldn't help but take a deep breath.

The next instant, an intense magical power he had never felt before filled his mouth and nose.

In that very short moment, Gao De even felt that his cultivation method had improved.

"This is a fifth-tier spiritual land?" he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Yes," Elder Grant nodded, a hint of pride in his voice, "this is the heart of Phoenix."

"Do you see that? That's the Ice Jade Wutong Tree." He pointed to the deepest part of the spiritual land, which was also the very center.

There stood a strange tree made of ice crystals, its crystalline light shimmering in the sunlight.

From afar, the strange tree appeared radiant and crystal clear, emanating a soft glow. It didn't look like a tree; it looked more like a goddess.

Gao De's gaze was completely drawn to the Ice Jade Wutong.

"The Ice Jade Wutong has always been the guardian tree of our clan. Of course, the one in front of you is not the one from ancient times," Elder Grant explained to God and Lady Flora.

This is actually quite secretive, but since we've already invited the two of them here, there's no need to hide anything anymore.

"After the Iceborn bloodline began to decline, the original Ice Jade Wutong mother tree also started to have problems. Its power began to disappear rapidly for no reason. In the end, it only had time to split off a sapling before it turned into ice crystals and disappeared completely."

At this point, Elder Grant couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"The Ice Jade Phoenix Tree is naturally capable of gathering ice elements. Its saplings take root in this sacred land, gathering ice elements and, at the same time, gathering magical power."

"Because the source of this sacred land is actually the Ice Jade Wutong Mother Tree."

"After the Ice Jade Wutong Mother Tree disappeared, the magic power in the spiritual land also began to dissipate rapidly. If it weren't for the saplings gathering the magic power, this spiritual land would have ceased to exist long ago, let alone maintain its current fifth-tier spiritual land status."

As they were talking, they arrived at the foot of the Ice Jade Wutong Tree.

Only when he got this close did Gao De realize that there was another figure under the Ice Jade Wutong Tree.

Upon closer inspection, it was a woman, tall and slender, dressed in a dark blue-black battle suit and wearing a large cloak that fluttered slightly in the wind.

The cloak was also adorned with golden tassels, making it look exceptionally noble and luxurious.

The lower half of the outfit is a long skirt that reaches the ankles, with a wide hem that also flows in the wind, making it look light and elegant.

However, what attracts the most attention is the enormous ice bow, as tall as a person, that the woman carries on her back.

The moment Gao De saw the ice bow, he guessed the woman's identity.

Just then, the woman turned around, her deep blue eyes looking at him quietly.

The woman was extremely tall; her eyes were at the same level as Gao De's, looking straight ahead.

Their eyes met, and Gao De felt a chill run down his spine. Those deep blue eyes made him feel as if he had crashed into an icy lake.

It was only now that he could see the woman clearly, and a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes—he had heard that she was very young, but he never expected her to be so young, and even more stunningly beautiful.

His features were so exquisite that he didn't look like someone from the North at all. His skin was very fair and flawless, as if it had been sculpted from the purest ice crystals.

She was also tall, not like the tall people of the North.

Between the woman's fair brows, there was a mysterious and ancient totem that added to her noble and mysterious aura, giving her an indescribable sense of majesty and power.

"War Mother." Elder Grant bowed respectfully to the woman, his tone tinged with awe.

Sunefa glanced at God, then turned her gaze to Elder Grant, and asked calmly, "Elder Grant, is he the helper you found?"

Elder Grant showed a respectful expression and quickly replied, "War Mother, the helper I'm looking for is actually her."

He pointed to Flora on God's shoulder, "This is his pet, Flora, who is extremely skilled in planting."

"Hmm?" The woman looked at Flora with interest, then greeted her seriously, "Hello, I'm Sunefa."

"I am Lady Flora, and this is my mage." Flora was not intimidated at all. She flapped her wings and flew up, introducing herself in Ace language.

"I understand. There's been a problem with our clan's Ice Jade Wutong tree. The clan members can't handle it, so we need your help. If you can find the problem and solve it, our clan will be eternally grateful to you both." Sunafa nodded slightly.

Gaode nodded in response, then glanced at Flora.

Flora immediately understood and flew to the Ice Jade Wutong Tree, examining it from top to bottom as before.

Although Gao De wasn't as gifted as Flora, he had still studied [Plant Cultivation], so he subconsciously observed the situation of the Ice Jade Wutong in front of him.

The problem is actually quite obvious.

On the trunk of the Ice Jade Wutong tree, which is not very thick and seems to be carved from the purest ice crystals, you can see nearly twenty fine but distinct cracks.

A faint blue light emanated from the cracks.

It's like a spider's web appearing on a piece of fine porcelain. Although it doesn't seem very serious, it could very well shatter completely at any moment. No wonder Elder Grant was so anxious.

What could be the reason? Gao De racked his brains, but with his knowledge, he obviously couldn't come up with an answer.

Because the Ice Jade Wutong is the only magical plant in the world, it is completely different from ordinary magical plants. If its disease were a common disease, Elder Grant would certainly not need to ask for outside help.

So, we can only watch Flora's show.

Gao De wasn't worried, because Flora's abilities were enough to put his mind at ease.

In fact, Flora already had the answer. The reason she was still busy was entirely because of the story of the "young locksmith".

Finally, after "acting" for ten minutes, Flora felt she had had enough and flew back, landing on Gaode's shoulder.

"Lady Flora, how is she?" Elder Grant asked anxiously and worriedly.

The eagerness stemmed from wanting to know the answer, while the worry arose from the fear that something truly serious had happened to Bingyu Wutong.

Flora shook her little head.

"No problem was found."

"Ah?!" Upon hearing Flora's words, Elder Grant was utterly dejected, unable to conceal the disappointment on his face, and subconsciously murmured, "Even you can't do it."

"Because there's nothing wrong with it at all, isn't there?" Flora continued, tilting her head and looking at Grant with a puzzled expression, then at Sunefa, and said in a soft voice, "Why do you all think there's something wrong with it?"

Sunafa's eyes, which had always been as calm as an ice lake, stirred slightly. She parted her lips slightly and asked, "Why has the ice elemental power within the Ice Jade Phoenix Tree weakened so much, and why have cracks appeared on its surface?"

She did not question Flora's judgment, but instead asked for the specific reasons.

"Because it needs to advance, but its ice elemental power is insufficient."

(End of this chapter)