Chapter 83: Chapter83-Whispering Forest

"John, just from the name, [blazing plains] sounds really hot, doesn't it? I hate the heat... Can't we just skip this place? Not every dungeon needs to be our first clear, right? I actually think it's nice to let other players have a go."

Exiled Immortal sighed, looking at the increasingly dense forest around them with some confusion.

"Also, are we really heading toward the blazing plains in this direction?"

"Of course not. There's something we need to do before we leave."

John turned to face Qing and Lily, speaking seriously, "Qing, Lily, and I still haven't obtained our second class change stones. Before we set off, we need to go through the Whispering Forest."

"No wonder. The Whispering Forest... it must be pretty terrifying, right?"

"It's indeed a bit terrifying, but only for outsiders. To the elves, the Whispering Forest is a sacred place."

Before John could explain, Elaria spoke up first, "The Whispering Forest was originally just a cemetery for the elves, where we buried our deceased. Over time, the souls of our ancestors chose to stay there, guarding the last sanctuary of the elves.

So, to us, the Whispering Forest is solemn and sacred, and no one is allowed to enter it!

Besides, I don't quite understand why the Whispering Forest holds such attraction for humans. It's just a graveyard."

"Well..."

John tugged at the corner of his mouth, unsure how to explain to Elaria.

He ended up using a random excuse to brush it off.

In truth, the second class change stone was almost unnecessary for John.

Having mastered all alchemy in this world, whether it was golemancy or contracting, John had already memorized their alchemical diagrams.

However, for Qing and Lily, the second class change stone was essential.

"Disturbing the rest of the elven ancestors, we deeply apologize, but Elaria, we truly have a compelling reason to go there, so..."

"No problem. If it's you, I believe our ancestors won't object. After all, you helped protect our habitat."

"Heh, no need to be so polite, sister. I don't know about anyone else, but I had a great time during that big battle!"

Qing patted his chest, grinning widely, "Just that one battle increased all my stats by at least a hundred points!"

"Alright, if your mouth gets any wider, we'll see your stomach. Tone it down."

John patted Qing's shoulder dismissively. Qing, a towering figure over two meters tall, immediately toned it down, covering his face and laughing lightly, looking both contrived and ridiculous.

Since Qing was rescued from the abyss by John, he had become John's ardent follower, obeying him without question.

Hearing this, John nodded thoughtfully and said in a serious tone, "Let's go and take a look. If they're up to no good, we'll just drive them away."

It was clear enough—these presences were most likely players who had sneaked in, hoping to obtain a second class change stone.

As for their methods, John had some knowledge from his previous life, but they were so cruel that even he felt uneasy.

"It seems we must strengthen the oversight of the Whispering Forest. I cannot tolerate anyone desecrating the resting place of our ancestors without permission!"

As they ventured deeper into the Whispering Forest, they followed a path and soon found many bloodstained footprints. The sole patterns indicated they were undoubtedly human.

"This... this is the blood of the elves?"

Elaria knelt, feeling the anguished cries of her kin emanating from the bloodstains, and her eyes immediately reddened.

"Someone... took my people, drained their blood to douse themselves, tricking the sleeping ancestors. Such a vile method!"

Sensing Elaria's rising anger, John quickly stepped forward and gently took her hand.

"Stay calm. With me here, I won't let them run rampant."

"I will make them pay!"

John suddenly felt a pang of regret. He now questioned whether it was the right choice to have Elaria leave the elven habitat to adventure with him.

The outside world, though beautiful, was also a cesspool of corruption and deceit. John worried that the harsh realities of the world would shatter Elaria's expectations and bring her immense pain.

"We'll have to take it one step at a time..."

John sighed lightly, following Elaria and continuing to track the footprints.

The deeper they went, the more Elaria's expression darkened, her eyes glistening with tears.

The number of footprints increased, and graves on either side had been dug up. White bones were scattered everywhere, some corpses not yet fully decomposed, left exposed and desecrated.

Seeing this scene, even Qing and Helena were filled with fury, let alone Elaria, the former queen of the elves, whose anger was already burning intensely!

"For their own selfish desires, they tortured my people and desecrated the remains of our ancestors. What won't these people do?

Unforgivable, absolutely unforgivable!"

[Ancestors sleeping here, awaken and punish the intruders, protect the sacred land of the elves!]

As she finished her chant, a formation under Elaria's feet burst forth with green light, resonating throughout the Whispering Forest.

In the next moment, a spirit warrior emerged from a tombstone, kneeling devoutly before Elaria.

"At the queen's command, we shall fight the intruders, no matter the cost!"