You don't cast spells by the rules at all, do you?

The taste is average, like chicken breast, but it doesn’t taste as good as it smells. Maybe it’s because there’s no seasoning?

Sean took a bite and threw it away, looking a little disgusted. He clapped his hands and called out to everyone, "Keep going? We're almost there."

Young eagles are really bullies, and seeing their companions all roasted, the few birds that were lucky enough not to attack Sean fled in panic, screaming and flapping their wings, flying as fast as they could. One of them was so panicked that it hit the tree trunk, fell down with a "bang", and hung on the branch, then turned back to look at Sean in a very human way, flapping its wings and running again.

Johnson reacted, his face flushed with excitement: "So you can do magic!"

This further proves that the rumors about the grove are true!

Sean just turned fire into arrows, that was so cool!

But he was not envious.

Because it's his turn to be cool soon!

Sean knew that nothing he said at this point would change Johnson's mind, so he didn't answer.

The Fountain of Enlightenment was indeed very close to them. After walking for a whole night, they calculated the distance and knew they should be almost there.

The sky was already turning pale, as if symbolizing that hope was just ahead.

But Sean knew that things were not that simple.

He became more and more convinced that this was a setup.

The young eagle should have lived in the wild bird forest, why did it run here?

Want to move house on a whim?

No, birds love their nests more than humans do.

Sean was more inclined to another possibility - a more powerful enemy had invaded the place that belonged to them.

Someone has taken over the magpie's nest.

Sean was even more certain of this, especially when they finished the last stretch of the road and finally saw the grove that Chris had been to at dawn.

Because he saw more than just the grove.

There are also crows circling above the woods like dark clouds.

……

Chapter 12 Encirclement and Suppression

"So many crows..."

"It's truly spectacular."

It is difficult for people who have lived in cities for a long time to see such a flock of crows. Looking at the crows flying in groups like migratory birds, Conina couldn't help but sigh.

The forest seemed to be glowing, with tiny fireflies lingering in the gradually dispersing night. From afar it looked both mysterious and dreamy.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

After seeing Sean's incredible magic skills, Johnson's enthusiasm for the woods reached its peak. He couldn't wait to grab Jenny's hand and run into the woods.

"Hey, wait, be careful!" Genado shouted.

Johnson said without even turning his head: "It's okay, the intelligence says the grove is safe."

That’s indeed what the intelligence said, but it also said that the young eagles in this area only live in the wild bird forest, which can be reached by taking a detour. What’s the result?

Words are dead, but forests are alive, and exploration intelligence is never 100% accurate.

If it weren't for Sean, they would probably have been besieged by a flock of young eagles and would have been in great danger.

But it is precisely because of this that Genado doesn't know how to persuade Johnson not to be impulsive.

Sean has personally proved to them that wizards really exist in this world.

In other words, the rumor that there is a spring in the grove that can awaken people's magic power is very likely true.

Genado had a complicated expression. He was not a fool. How could he believe that manipulating fire to kill a young eagle was just a magic trick? It was just that this matter was beyond his current knowledge and it was difficult for him to accept it for a while.

The worldview that Wilson had built over the past few decades was also shaken, but his reaction was different from that of Genado. After being shocked, he gradually became fanatical.

When an ordinary person accidentally comes into contact with the mysterious and extraordinary, and the opportunity is right in front of him, how can he overcome the strong curiosity and desire in his heart and turn a blind eye to it?

Can't do it.

At least he couldn't.

"I told you, you might die." Sean reminded again.

If everyone didn't take his words to heart before, now they must re-examine the warning contained in this sentence. Sean didn't scare them. Touching the mystery could really lead to death. Maybe that's how he got here.

but--

"People can die at any moment."

This time it was Jim who answered him.

Jim was not infected by Sean's "magic" and Johnson's enthusiasm and lost his mind. On the contrary, this was a choice he made after careful consideration. He used to be a mercenary, and even though he has changed his career now, he still loves adventure.

Those who love adventure never stop because of danger.

In this respect, he is the same as Wilson.

That's why they joined the Adventure Club and came to the Blackberry Rainforest.

"You guys take your time to think about it, I'm going over first, hey."

Jim greeted everyone with a smile, put on his shotgun and walked towards the woods.

Wilson had been thinking about the beautiful and hot Conina all the time. Before leaving, he left Conina with a serious expression: "When I become a wizard and come back, I will take you to a more exciting adventure next time!"

Then he turned around and followed Jim.

Once they left, only three people were left in the team of seven.

Cornina hesitated, and her right eyelid twitched violently.

Women are more curious than men, and she also wants to see if this world is really that magical. But her intuition tells her that Sean is right. The grove hides deadly dangers beneath its dreamy appearance, and if she goes in, she may never get out.

Sean made the decision for her.

Because Conina has always been nice to him since they met.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Did you bring a rope?"

Cornina didn't understand, but nodded anyway: "I brought it, why?"

"Want to try bondage?" Sean asked.

Conina: “?”

Gnado: “Are you asking me?”

Sean: "?"

Conina: “Yes!”

She ignored Genado and answered without hesitation, her peach blossom eyes sparkling.

This guy... finally figured it out?

After agreeing, Conina frowned again: "Wait, you don't want to have one last good time before you die, do you?"

Sean: "..."

"Just say so."

Conina didn't understand: "You knew it was dangerous, why did you go? Can't you just not go?"

"No." Sean shook his head.

Those who have been targeted have no choice, and he is never one to sit and wait for death.

Sean set up the tent on the spot.

Genado scratched his head slightly embarrassedly: "Should I step away?"

"No need." Sean said, "Just stay outside and wait."

Gnado: “Huh?”

Does this mean he should eavesdrop?

Conina blushed slightly and gave Sean a coquettish roll of the eyes: "Bad guy, I didn't expect that you look serious but play so wildly. Are all of you novel writers like this?"

Sean deadpanned, "You can refuse."

"No." Cornina showed a shy expression, "Actually, I like it this way too."

Sean: "..."

The tent was quickly pitched.

"You tie me up or I tie you up? I'm fine with either." Conina's eyes moved, and the look she gave Sean was almost tearing her eyes out. She took off her coat, and the mature suspenders automatically slid down, revealing her round and white shoulders.

"Let me tie you up." Sean said.

"Okay." Conina threw a wink, "Mr. Sean, you don't have to pity me."

Sean: "Don't worry, I'm never too harsh on you."

Conina thought he was joking, but when Sean really started to do it, she realized he was serious. He had no mercy on her and tied her up like a suckling pig. The two-finger-wide hemp rope was tightly wrapped around her body, as if it was going to sink into her skin. Her long white legs were stretched to strips of flesh.

Bundling is really just bundling.

Poor Conina still wanted to use her body to keep Sean from taking risks. She was confident in her skillful posture and would make Sean unable to extricate himself. But after Sean tied her up, he did nothing and just left her and left the tent.

Conina: “???”

"Sean, come back here!"

Sean: "No, I'm fine now."

Conina: “???”

"I'm not well yet!"

"That's your own business."

Genato, who was standing under a tree smoking, was stunned when he saw Sean coming out: "So soon?"

He took out a box of Mustang cigarettes from his pocket and handed it to Sean: "Want one?"

"Thanks." Sean declined and asked, "Do you want to come with me?"

Gnado said nothing. He looked at the woods dotted with fireflies and took a deep puff of his cigarette, so hard that even he, a heavy smoker, couldn't help coughing. Then he threw away the cigarette butt with a look of frustration and relief, stamped it out with the sole of his shoe, and said, "Forget it. I won't go."

He smiled and said, "My husband is still waiting for me at home. My life now... is pretty good."

"You made the right decision." Sean said, glancing at the tent. "Take her away from here after daybreak. Don't talk to anyone you meet on the way. Forget about what happened today."

"Okay." Gnado seemed to have guessed something. He glanced across the wild bird forest and then back at Sean, saying solemnly, "Good luck to you."

"Take care of yourself."

"You too."

Genato watched Sean leave, looking at his straight back, moving forward resolutely, and slowly disappearing into the grove.

……

the other side.

There was a thin mist in the woods.

Wilson and others have found the source of enlightenment.

The spring itself is not difficult to find.

They are all people with experience in outdoor adventures. As long as they hear the sound of water, they can find the water source.

This is a very beautiful place. Although there are no fantasy creatures such as unicorns and elves, there are butterflies, birds, countless fireflies and fragrant flowers and plants all over the ground. With the lingering mist, it looks like a wonderland in fairy tales.

The center of the lawn is naturally sunken and filled with clear spring water.

It was already dawn and the moon in the sky had long disappeared, but under the spring, there was a full moon, emitting a faint glow, making the entire pool of water brighter.

"Amazing."

Johnson asked excitedly: "Do you think there is really a moon hidden under the water?"