A Tree Come to Life? Warrod's Mischievous Streak
Lucy stopped and turned around, shouting loudly behind her.
"Jiang Bai!"
Jiang Bai was engrossed in watching when he heard the shout, so he turned his gaze away and slowly strolled forward.
"What's wrong?"
Lucy stood with her hands on her hips, her face full of helplessness, and pointed to the two people behind her who were still spitting at each other with their foreheads sticking out.
"Can't you ask them to stop for a second? They've been making noise since we left town; my ears are about to fall off."
Jiang Bai had his hands in his pockets, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if he were watching a good show.
"It's okay. Don't you think it's a sign of their deep affection? If they ever stop arguing, that would mean there's a serious problem."
Wendy stood to the side and chuckled awkwardly, fidgeting with her luggage straps.
"Brother Jiang Bai is sometimes exactly the same as Sister Erza in this respect."
Lucy sighed, completely giving up on the idea of having Jiang Bai act as a peacemaker.
After calming herself down, Lucy quickened her pace to catch up with Jiang Bai and asked the question that had been lingering in her mind.
"Never mind, but Jiang Bai, are those Ten Wizard Saints we're going to really that strong?"
"After all, the guild leader said that old man Warrod is the fourth-ranked of the Four Heavenly Kings of Ishgar."
Jiang Bai strolled leisurely, his gaze sweeping over the distant, rolling green hills.
"He does have some skill."
"However, you shouldn't think of the title of the Ten Wizard Saints as too sacred."
Jiang Bai stated the operational logic of the mainland's top leadership in a calm and unflappable tone.
"Those who are selected certainly have some skills, but individual combat strength is only one part of the reference standard. More importantly, it depends on their influence and prestige among the various kingdoms."
Lucy blinked, somewhat confused.
Jiang Bai then added.
"If we were really only looking at pure destructive power and strength, Uncle Gildarts would have been forced into the list long ago, and his ranking would definitely be very high."
"As for my own situation, those stubborn old men on the Magic Council never actually intended to give me that title in the first place."
"Old Master Makarov has already taken up one spot. According to convention, a guild cannot have two Ten Wizard Saints at the same time."
Jiang Bai spread his hands.
"But back then, I almost killed Jose, the leader of the Phantom Lords, on the spot, and the whole continent was in an uproar."
"If the Magic Council doesn't bestow this vacant title of the Ten Wizard Saints upon me, all the mages on the continent will doubt the Magic Council's authority and the fairness of its selection process. They are forced to accept it by the circumstances."
Lucy stuck out her tongue instinctively after hearing that.
The absurd act of crippling the Ten Wizard Saints and then forcibly seizing power is something probably only Jiang Bai could pull off on the entire continent.
Amidst Natsu and Gray's escalating bickering, a small, somewhat low wooden cabin slowly appeared at the edge of the plain ahead.
The wooden cabin sits on the edge of a sunny hillside, surrounded by lush shrubs and blooming wildflowers. Two green branches even grow on the roof, giving it a very natural feel.
Wendy walked in front, pointed to the building with her right hand, and turned her head with a happy expression.
"Look! Isn't that the destination we're looking for?!"
Natsu and Gray both shut their mouths and quickly followed.
The group passed through the wooden fence and walked quickly to the door of the cabin.
Lucy gently pushed open the half-closed wooden door, poked half her body in, and politely greeted them loudly.
Hello! Excuse me! Is anyone home?
"We are mages from the Fairy Tail guild, and we have been here on your assigned mission!"
The interior furnishings were extremely simple and plain, filled with potted plants and wooden shelves.
Beside the window at the far end of the room stood a strange figure with its back to everyone.
Upon hearing Lucy's shout, the figure did not immediately turn around, but instead raised its withered, twig-like arm and placed a finger to its lips.
Shh! Don't speak!
An old, hoarse voice slowly echoed in the empty room.
The figure was still facing away from the door, holding a tin kettle in his right hand, slowly watering the potted plants on the windowsill.
"Plants and other living things all prefer a peaceful and tranquil environment."
"If you understand, then shut your annoying mouths right now!"
Harsh and cold words came crashing down on me.
Lucy was so frightened that she immediately covered her mouth with both hands, freezing in place and unable to move.
Wendy, somewhat bewildered, clutched the hem of her skirt.
However, less than two seconds had passed.
The old man by the window suddenly put down his tin kettle, turned around, and his previously serious face instantly broke into a bright and comical smile.
The old man waved his hands merrily in the air, letting out a light, frivolous laugh.
"Just kidding! Pfft!"
"Plants, trees, and shrubs actually love listening to lively human sounds! Haha!"
Lucy's hands froze at her mouth, and her lips twitched violently twice.
At this moment, the Fairy Tail members finally got a full look at the client's face.
It was the face of a kind and gentle old man, but strangely, the top of his head was bald with several thick tree trunks attached to it. His whole body, from the texture of his skin to his skeletal structure, looked like a hundred-year-old tree that had been pruned into the shape of a human.
Natsu rubbed his chin with his right hand, leaned forward to examine the area closely, and exclaimed on the spot.
"The tree has become a spirit?!"
Gray covered his forehead with one hand, utterly speechless.
"What on earth is this old man up to?"
Lucy wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and couldn't help but mutter to herself in a low voice.
"Is this prankster old man... really Ten Wizard Saints famous throughout the continent?"