Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19: 019: Twisted Tree Spirit

The seemingly withered old tree suddenly sprang to life and launched an attack on Lynch.

But Lynch wasn't the least bit surprised. After all, the Soul Crystal, as a parasitic lifeform, clearly needed a host to survive, and it was impossible for him to think of this old oak as a dead object merely because it appeared desiccated.

Wizards perceive the world with knowledge, not their eyes.

"So it truly is a Twisted Tree Spirit?"

From his vantage point on the slope earlier, Lynch had already speculated about the identity of this old oak, with the Twisted Tree Spirit being one of his prime suspects. _{freёwebnovel.com}

This is a type of magical creature native to forests, whose physical appearance closely resembles that of an ordinary oak tree. However, upon maturity, it secretes its life essence to make its branches wither and bark dry up, disguising itself as a completely dead tree.

In the Dark Forest, vitality and peril coexist. Often, the places that appear lush and thriving are the most dangerous, whereas these seemingly lifeless old trees are more likely to lull living creatures into a false sense of security.

When exhausted creatures drag themselves to what they perceive as a safe spot to rest, a seemingly dead old oak tree is undoubtedly the least alarming choice. But as they approach, that is precisely when the Twisted Tree Spirit feasts.

The soul sparks surrounding other withered trees in the area numbered only a handful, yet the sparks blooming around this particular tree were abundant. It's important to know that Corrupted Tree Demons feed on soul sparks, and they usually harvest them as they mature. For sparks to grow to dozens in quantity, there could only be one explanation.

The Corrupted Tree Demon had been devoured.

The elemental concentration in this area was average, unlikely to harbor any overly powerful creatures. Coupled with the presence of this disguised withered old oak and the inducement of Corrupted Tree Demons being drawn here to be eaten, it wasn't difficult to ascertain this old oak's identity as a Twisted Tree Spirit.

"Hiss hiss! Ee-yah!"

Perched on Lynch's shoulder, Parker reacted immediately, raising its head and stretching its limbs while flapping its wings, ready to fly out and engage the creature in battle at Lynch's command.

"Stay calm, Parker!"

Lynch restrained Parker's battle-hungry tendencies. The Twisted Tree Spirit was a genuine Mid-level Apprentice Level magical being, far more formidable than a Corrupted Tree Demon. Before unlocking its Breath ability, Parker might not be able to triumph in a direct fight.

More importantly, the main objective right now was to retrieve the Soul Crystal, not to get embroiled in combat.

Ignoring the creature, Lynch issued another command to Parker and shifted his full attention to the tree trunk, quickly wielding his Rune Pen to continue inscribing the Magic Array.

Meanwhile, after its sneak attack had failed, the Twisted Tree Spirit promptly changed its approach, extending four or five branches all at once to fiercely lash at Lynch, clearly opting for a more aggressive strategy.

"Whip! Whip!"

The branch, as thick as two fingers, sliced through the air like a slave master's whip, producing sharp, ear-piercing crackles that sent chills down one's spine. From the sound alone, it was evident that a solid strike could incapacitate a person instantly.

Under such intense attacks, the transparent Element Barrier flickered with magical brilliance, and what was even more frightening was that the frequency of the Twisted Tree Spirit's strikes was increasing steadily, causing the barrier to shimmer incessantly.

An average person, or even a green apprentice like Lynch, would have likely been deeply unsettled upon witnessing such ferocious strikes—knowing that there was defensive magic in place wouldn't alleviate the underlying tension.

But Lynch remained completely unperturbed, not even sparing a glance at the tempestuous attacks from outside.

This was because he understood perfectly well that, as a Mid-level Apprentice Level magical creature, the Twisted Tree Spirit's maximum attack strength would not exceed 8 degrees, whereas the Rock Element Defense Scroll he activated could withstand magical attacks below 15 degrees.

With nearly double the defensive energy, the Twisted Tree Spirit could shred its branches to tatters, but it still wouldn't be able to penetrate this protective layer.

That said, Lynch couldn't afford to grow complacent. After all, the Defense Scroll's duration was limited to 15 minutes, and if he couldn't retrieve the Soul Crystal within this timeframe, he wouldn't be in such a comfortable position.

Time ticked by.

A minute...

Two minutes...

The disruptive energy of the Magic Array had begun to take effect, creating invisible ripples that radiated across the tree trunk. The blue crystal embedded at the center of the trunk started to tremble as well.

Aware of Lynch's intentions, the Twisted Tree Spirit's attacks grew increasingly frantic, gathering an additional seven or eight branches to furiously strike at Lynch.

Although the Soul Crystal is a parasitic lifeform, it can share soul energy with its host while attached. Should Lynch remove the Soul Crystal from the Twisted Tree Spirit, its soul energy would plummet irreversibly—a fact that drove the Spirit into madness.

Three minutes...

Five minutes...

The relentless barrage intensified further. Perched on Lynch's shoulder, Parker's agitation mounted; it paced incessantly and its abdomen oft-exuded a glowing red light.

The Fire Dragon Lizard's combative disposition made it crave constant action—either battle or death. Being cornered to endure such passive battering was immensely vexing for it. Were it not for Lynch's Spirit Imprint forcibly restraining it, Parker would have charged out long ago.