The Witch Hunter System
chapter-864

After Senior Willowthorn finished talking to Vaan, he turned his attention to Emerald.

He may have given his attention to Vaan first out of respect for his noble past, but Emerald's existence was what truly mattered to him and the rest of the Wood Spirits living in the Garden of Thyia.

He had more knowledge than the rest of the Wood Spirits in the Garden of Thyia. Thus, he could quickly tell what she was.

However, like the other Wood Spirits, he also had the same doubt, albeit briefly.

Heaven's Chosen Wood Spirits had a unique power and influence over other Wood Spirits. However, their innate control over other Wood Spirits wasn't meant to make them rulers of the Wood Spirit Race but revered like its creators.

They weren't born to lead but deserved all the respect as one and more. They were sacred beings among the Wood Spirits.

Upon close inspection of Emerald, Senior Willowthorn gradually understood the underlying reason behind her weak influence despite being a Heaven's Chosen Wood Spirit.

At the same time, Senior Willowthorn couldn't help but sigh sadly. He understood that Emerald, being a Wood Spirit from the outside world, had suffered greatly in the past.

"Elder Spirit, do you know what this Little Fairy is? Is she truly a Heaven's Chosen Wood Spirit?" the Sunflower Spirit inquired shortly after Senior Willowthorn canceled his aura- infused sound barrier.

Although he wasn't sure what the Elder Spirit said to the human, the Sunflower Spirit, along with every other Wood Spirit, was more eager to learn the Elder Spirit's evaluation of the Little Fairy.

"Indeed, this Little Fairy is a Heaven's Chosen Wood Spirit, also known as a Holy Wood Spirit within our Wood Spirit Race, an existence more sacred than Royal Wood Spirits," Senior

Willowthorn acknowledged before sighing softly and sadly.

"However, Little Fairy had experienced soul-and-body-splitting suffering in the past. Most likely, some vile being had captured her and refined her for their selfish benefit. It is a blessing that we can even see her back in one piece."

"Even so, much of her innate abilities had been lost or weakened to the point that you all see now," Senior Willowthorn explained.

"What!"

The Elder Spirit's words quickly made every Wood Spirit feel shocked, enraged, and also powerless.

They were taught that Wood Spirits were only seen as valuable cultivation resources in the outside world. Their only fate was to be refined if other beings caught them.

It seemed the teachings of the Elder Spirit were true.

Even so, they had been living within the Garden of Thyia all their life. They couldn't understand how anyone could be so cruel as to refine another living being, especially one as pure as Wood Spirits.

More importantly, it was even their most sacred type of Wood Spirit, the Holy Wood Spirit. How unacceptable!

Suddenly, the Wood Spirits started glaring at Vaan with suspicion.

"What the hell are you all thinking? Banish the thought immediately! No one is to disrespect this Human!" Senior Willowthorn quickly scolded the Wood Spirits upon noticing their thoughts.

"But, Elder Spirit, you said the Holy Wood Spirit suffered refinement at the hands of another being...!" a Wood Spirit mentioned, feeling angry yet helpless.

The Wood Spirit wished it could have suffered in the Holy Wood Spirit's place instead. "That is the undeniable truth," Senior Willowthorn acknowledged before sternly saying, "But what do you think body-and-soul-splitting suffering of refinement is? Do you think the Holy Wood Spirit would be one piece after such cruel refinement if not for an act of grace and benevolence from her savior?!"

"This Human has used his own soul force to patch up the Holy Wood Spirit's damaged soul and made her whole again! Without this act of kindness, the Holy Wood Spirit wouldn't have long to live in this world!"

"He is her savior, and that also makes him our biggest benefactor! He is an honored guest who deserves our utmost respect! Do you understand?" Senior Willowthorn strictly stated.

"W-We understand, Elder Spirit!" the Wood Spirits quickly answered.

At the same time, they looked at Vaan in a new light, and their attitude towards him completely changed.

Being the savior of a Holy Wood Spirit was on a whole different level of status than being the friend of one. The two couldn't be mentioned in the same breath, especially given the situation of the current tribe of Wood Spirits.

"Child, I know you are one of our most sacred Holy Wood Spirits even if you have been weakened, but I still have to check. Do you have the [Plant Compendium] ability?" Senior Willowthorn inquired.

The [Plant Compendium] was the unique ability of the Holy Wood Spirits and the most distinct proof of their sacred status. After all, it was an ability that could create the seed of new life for plants and Wood Spirits alike.

Even one-of-a-kind plants or Wood Spirits would not face extinction after death as long as the Holy Wood Spirits had their genetic information in the [Plant Compendium].

"Myuu!" Emerald answered.

Senior Willowthorn's eyes lit up with ease and relief before announcing, "This is a day worth celebrating. With the arrival of the Holy Wood Spirit, our Mother Tree has hopes of revival!" "Everyone is to treat the Holy Wood Spirit and her savior with utmost respect during their stay," Senior Willowthorn instructed before adding, "Is that clear?"

"Yes, Elder Spirit!" the Wood Spirits answered.

Even without the Elder Spirit's instruction, they would have done so either way since they had confirmed the Holy Wood Spirit's status and understood what the Human had done for her.

"Please follow me, Junior Vaan. I'm sure you still have a lot of questions, but allow me to show you the hospitality of our Wood Spirit Tribe," Senior Willowthorn requested before mentioning, "This Old Man can see that you are in a [Spirit Contract] with the young Holy

Wood Spirit."

"However, you have yet to achieve a Wood Spirit Body to provide a suitable dwelling for her. This is rather unacceptable to us, Wood Spirits. As such, please let this Old Man help you with that first," Senior Willowthorn said.

Vaan was immediately pleasantly surprised by this.

He had been wondering how he could acquire some precious magical plants from the Garden of Thyia to forge his Wood Spirit Body without offending the Wood Spirits.

However, he didn't expect the issue to resolve itself by meeting with the Wood Spirits.