“This… is it really okay?” Gar peered through the door crack, worry etched on his face as he watched the scene inside. “It looks like he’s about to be devoured.”
Nova and Nightowl beside him could offer no reassuring answer.
Evan’s room had completely transformed. Dense creamy-white mycelium filled every corner, even sealing the windows.
In the center stood a massive cocoon woven from layered mycelium. Evan’s body was encased within, only his face exposed—expression still the absolute calm of deep coma.
No longer needing care, the fungal mat sustained his physical vitality.
No. 10 was also inside the cocoon, maintaining long-term deep connection with Evan.
Occas guarded outside, his presence calming the other three Silver Thorn members.
Meanwhile, in the overmagic library, No. 10 strained to suppress the excitement and joy nearly overflowing!
Worthy of an opportunity even the Fungus Lord called “precious”!
Just reading a few books, No. 10 realized their value!
Merely these few yielded fresh insight into mana—like discovering another broad path. If it could absorb this endless sea of books…
No. 10’s perception extended upward. The ring-shaped wall of shelves seemed infinite. For ordinary beings, despairing volume impossible to finish in a lifetime.
Fortunately, it wasn’t human!
Moreover, it had the Fungus Lord’s support!
Unlike Lin Jun splitting more Puchi projections, No. 10’s consciousness projection expanded into a gigantic Puchi—nearly reaching library terrain limits.
Four, ten, hundreds… countless flexible sturdy mycelium tentacles extended from its massive mushroom body, reaching all directions and levels of shelves.
Each tentacle seized a glowing book. Knowledge absorbed instantly.
Of course, it didn’t forget Evan.
The mage consciousness still mechanically taking and reading books high above was seized by one tentacle, pulled down, and sealed completely within No. 10’s now immense Puchi body.
Evan’s soul weakness root: limited mental power forcibly connected to information far exceeding processing capacity—essentially like abyss sacrifices dying from brain overload.
But abyss was instantaneous overload; here total volume far beyond ordinary soul limit.
Now, No. 10 enveloped Evan with its vast soul, isolating library contact. His condition would naturally stabilize.
As for truly waking him?
No. 10 didn’t know. Lin Jun currently didn’t much care.
Saving Evan was mere slogan—acquiring knowledge the goal.
When learning neared completion, Lin Jun would try saving. Success or failure—worst sacrifice one D-class personnel.
…
No. 10 couldn’t return to envoy for now.
But always quiet, preferring unnoticed corners. Normally only Pink Puchi and few Mushroom Tribe exchanged simple words.
All “own mushrooms”—casual greeting sufficed. Outsiders couldn’t detect No. 10’s quiet departure from envoy.
Meanwhile, envoy-elf negotiations neared end.
Final agreement: kingdom no longer obstructed elf-Hero contact, even willing assist where possible.
In exchange, elves strictly limited contact numbers and strength levels. If Hero explicitly refused, elves couldn’t force in any form.
Core Hero agreement known only to both high levels. Public results: elves dispatching magic array experts to aid human new defensive line, plus routine resource exchange and power balance terms.
Elf team needed preparation—depart with Inanna’s envoy after Dwarven Ranges visit, returning kingdom.
Negotiations concluded—envoy soon leaving Elf Forest.
Hugging Sword Saint Puchi, absentmindedly pinching its mycelium feet, Galadriel felt reluctant.
But Mushroom Tribe currently kingdom allies in prosperity—not Inanna’s property.
Keeping this special Puchi required its own consent.
Alas, even offering personal treasured finger-thick S-grade magic crystal gift, Fourteen remained unmoved.
Watching Fourteen’s resolute back, short legs marching to rejoin envoy, Galadriel lightly tsked.
That decisive damn back—so like that dead man!
As for Elven, he felt finally endured to end.
Being hugged and kneaded wasn’t bad—occasional fine. But becoming fully manipulated doll—even No. 4 wouldn’t like, let alone Sword Saint!
He naturally felt for Galadriel.
Yet past or present, Galadriel couldn’t leave Elf Forest to wander with him.
His past duties—eradicating cults, resisting demons, honing sword—now new Puchi path—all far beyond romantic love. Impossible stay forever in forest for personal emotion.
Moreover, Puchi body lacked worldly desires. Those romantic throbs—mere hazy remnants from human days.
Now toward Galadriel—perhaps mostly faint appreciation for old acquaintance and past times.
Finally, watching departing envoy, Galadriel could only sigh softly, murmuring near whisper: “If only Fourteen could swap with No. 1…”
Clearly, her understanding of Puchis’ keen perception was insufficient.
Escorting envoy departure, tentacle wrapped No. 4’s, earnestly discussing future cooperation—No. 1 suddenly stiffened: “???”
…
Lin Jun originally monitored envoy, even planning control Sword Saint Puchi body to leap back into Galadriel’s arms for reluctant farewell.
Purely to deepen elf leadership’s favor and ties to Mushroom Tribe—all long-term benefit considerations.
However, a key monitored area suddenly unexpected incident—forcing temporary reprieve for Sword Saint.
That unexpected place—happened in Elf Forest too.
…
Divine Tree Underground City, spiral deepest.
Empty circular lawn center still lonely divine tree sapling, seemingly eternal.
Next moment, lawn edge air rippled like water. A figure appeared.
An elf.
Emerald eyes like new leaves, face utmost beauty even among renowned elf race—yet male.
Simply flexed limbs and fingers, as if readjusting to body, then strode away without hesitation.
Pale pilgrims guarding outside parted path.
He walked quickly, even urgently—as if escaping before certain existence noticed.
Alas, not far—most unwelcome sound beside him.
Puchi—
(End of Chapter)
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