“Are these two little girls still not done after talking for so long? They’re really going to let me freeze out here!”
Bai Li waited at the edge of the forest, bored out of his mind.
He couldn’t help but kick a small pebble by his feet.
The pebble rolled a few times without stopping, only to be kicked back by him again.
He finally understood why children loved doing this.
Kicking things a few times when one was frustrated really did help relieve boredom.
The stone rolled under a large tree.
He kicked again but missed, hitting his foot squarely against the tree trunk instead.
“Ow, ow, ow! That hurts!”
A crisp, playful female voice suddenly rang out, and Bai Li jumped in surprise.
‘What the hell? Did this tree turn into a spirit? It can talk?!’
He raised his foot to kick it again, but a hurried shout immediately came from the tree.
“Stop kicking! If you kick me again, I won’t be polite!”
This time, he pinpointed the direction of the voice.
Bai Li looked up and was stunned.
Silver-white hair hung down to her waist like a veil woven from moonlight.
Pointy elf ears were hidden among the strands, and a pair of emerald-green eyes glared at him fiercely.
Her pretty face was puffed up like a pouting little bun.
“Where did this little monster come from, daring to barge into our Forest of Spirits and trample on the trees?”
Bai Li quickly waved his hands in apology.
“Ah, sorry. I’m with my daughters… uh, something happened, and we’re here to hide for a bit. I really didn’t mean any offense!”
“You have daughters at such a young age?”
The elf girl raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down.
“If you’re not lying, then hurry up and leave, or I’ll call my clansmen!”
“Wait a moment, I would like to chat with this child for a bit.”
A voice so gentle it could melt water suddenly drifted over.
Bai Li looked left and right, but he couldn’t see a single person.
“Stop looking around, little monster. This is my mother’s Voice Transmission,” the elf girl on the tree said, crossing her arms.
Bai Li’s heart was in turmoil.
‘The Mother of Elves? Isn’t that the Saint Tree? What does the Saint Tree want to talk to me about?’
“What is your name?” the gentle voice sounded again.
Bai Li paused for a moment before changing his response.
“My name is… Lüer… no, my name is Bai Li.”
“Bai Li, your soul is truly interesting.”
“Interesting?”
“I see a human soul wrapped within you, yet it’s contained inside a shell of the Three Monster Tribes. You must have gone through a lot of hardships in this life.”
Bai Li was shaken.
He quickly said respectfully, “Yes, Lady Saint Tree. I will go back and tell my companions right away so we can leave the forest.”
“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave,” the Saint Tree’s voice carried a hint of a smile.
“You possess a trait that is one-of-a-kind in this world. It truly is fascinating.”
Bai Li was confused.
“Lady Saint Tree, you mean…?”
“If you ever find yourself with nowhere else to go in the future, come to my Forest of Spirits. I am willing to protect you. Little Bai Li, go and reunite with your friends first.”
“…Thank you for your generosity, My Lady!”
Feeling like he had been granted a massive reprieve, Bai Li took off running.
Who would have thought that kicking a pebble would nearly poke an elf’s nest?
It was both funny and frustrating. He didn’t take the Saint Tree’s words to heart.
He wasn’t from this world, so it wasn’t surprising that the Saint Tree, who was nearly a demigod, could see through him.
After Bai Li left, the elf girl, Aila, looked on in disbelief.
“Holy Mother! You’re actually going to break a 100-year-old rule to shelter a monster like that?”
The Saint Tree’s gentle voice sounded certain.
“Aila, be more respectful. She might be the second Destined One invited by the Goddess.”
Aila almost fell off the tree in shock.
“What? A Destined One? How can a monster be one! That’s just too absurd!”
“You must remain calm and composed when facing things. There are many wonders in this world,” the Saint Tree’s voice added a hint of amusement.
“If she truly is the Destined One, perhaps I could find a mother for you, Aila.”
Aila’s face instantly turned bright red, and she stuttered, “…No, that can’t be!!!”
—
Bai Li rushed back to the cave in a panic.
As soon as he entered, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Ziya! Baining! Are you done discussing? It turns out we’re actually in the Forest of Spirits! I just ran into an elf. Pack your things and let’s run!”
His face was full of panic, and a few bits of grass were stuck to his forehead.
Seeing him look like a startled bird, Baining couldn’t help but burst into laughter and explained slowly.
“Pops, what are you panicking for? We finished our discussion a long time ago. This is indeed the Forest of Spirits. Those pointy-ears might look fierce, but they’re just trying to scare you. The elf race loves peace more than anyone. We haven’t done anything bad, so they won’t just attack us. Put your heart at ease!”
Hearing this, Bai Li’s tense shoulders relaxed by half.
“Is… is that so? Still, it’s not right to overstay our welcome on someone else’s territory. We should still leave quickly to avoid any unnecessary complications.”
“Pops is right. Then come with me now. Let’s go home!”
Baining hopped to his side and shook his arm.
Ziya watched the two of them, her eyes turning slightly red.
She stepped forward and gently hugged Bai Li’s waist, her voice soft and slightly nasal.
“Then, Father, I’ll head back to the Dream Demon Kingdom first. You must be happy with Sister Baining!”
Bai Li’s heart warmed.
He reached back and hugged her tightly, patting her back with a solemn promise in his tone.
“Be good, Ziya. Once I restore my original form, I’ll definitely visit the Dream Demon Kingdom to see you as soon as possible! I’ll make sure to spend more time with you then.”
Ziya buried her head in his chest, her heart filled with a mixture of emotions.
‘Father, oh Father. Your words are heartwarming, but this business of returning to normal might have to wait until your next life…’
She quietly sniffled, suppressing her disappointment, and made a plan in her head.
‘I’ll trust Sister Baining for now. Once she gives Father back to me, I’ll make sure to stay by his side.’
She let go of Bai Li and forced a smile.
“Then I’m leaving, Father. You two take care as well!”
Bai Li nodded.
Watching Ziya turn to leave, he felt a bit of a tug at his heart and waved.
“Be careful on the road! Send a message anytime something happens!”