Return Journey (Please Follow)

Having withdrawn his power, the utterly exhausted Lin Feng knew that he still could not truly wield the great might of authority as an Adeptus could.

Visions were already powerful enough in the eyes of ordinary people, but in the game's text, they were merely "fragments" of an Adeptus's authority.

If an Adeptus's authority were a gemstone, then although Lin Feng was far beyond a mere fragment, he was probably only at about one-third of its level.

Though one-third of a "god" was still utterly crushing to ordinary living beings, if that was all he had, it would not be enough to confront the almost godlike Withering Manifestation head-on.

Setting aside his thoughts, Lin Feng began examining the world before him after it had been purified by "life."

The once-crimson sphere had become lush green once more. Tree trunks that had withered because of the Withering sprouted with life again beneath the authority's influence. In the center of the cave, the dried-up pool had been filled by sweet dew flowing from a spring. Everything brimmed with the breath of life, utterly different from the twisted, ominous scene before.

"Thank you, mighty Nara. Thank you for everything you have done."

"Apam Woods Spirit has been freed from the burden of Marana. She is very happy, Apam Woods Spirit."

"Gogo Nara is a hero and a friend. We will offer you our blessings during the Utsava Festival."

Looking at the Apam Woods Spirit, whose condition had never been better after being nourished by authority, the three little ones all offered Lin Feng their thanks and blessings.

Frankly accepting the little ones' praise, Lin Feng left the three of them, who were talking with Apam Woods Spirit, and set off on his return journey.

It had just fallen night when he arrived at Apam Woods, yet as he departed, a streak of golden-red light had appeared on the horizon. Bathed in the first ray of morning sunlight, Lin Feng felt better than ever.

After a battle that could even be called easy, Lin Feng had confirmed the extent of his current strength—he was already close to standing at the pinnacle of the mortal world. Aside from the servants of the gods and Snezhnaya's high-ranking Fatui Harbingers, no non-divine entity could threaten Lin Feng any longer.

The might of a single element was already this great. Lin Feng eagerly anticipated what he would be capable of once he gathered all seven elements and complete authority.

Having confirmed that no Withering would appear in the Avidya Forest region again for some time, Lin Feng felt heartfelt joy, even though he had left his post as a Forest Ranger.

Feeling the reward granted to him by Apam Woods Spirit, Lin Feng knew that he would become even stronger after the Utsava Festival.

Going straight back would be a little boring, so Lin Feng recalled some information about boss monsters that he had obtained earlier by gathering the elements of the entire Apam Woods.

Interested in boss creatures, Lin Feng planned to head to a nearby underground cave and meet the boss-class elemental lifeform responsible for regulating the ley lines there—the Electro Regisvine.

Sumeru's underground passages stretched in every direction. Even exploration experts could easily lose their way, but for Lin Feng, who could directly obtain information through the elements, finding the Electro Regisvine, which stood out vividly in Elemental Sight, was effortless.

Without any concern about getting lost, Lin Feng relied on his powerful physical abilities and flexible Vine-creation ability to race toward the nearby Electro Regisvine at high speed.

Inside the spacious underground cave.

Lin Feng inspected the Electro Regisvine before him, bound to the ground by countless Vines and completely unable to move.

He was somewhat amazed by nature's wondrous craftsmanship.

Though it had no power to resist when facing him, the Electro Regisvine's status panel was actually quite impressive:

Individual Information: Elemental Lifeform—Boss—Electro Regisvine

Level: 63 (As the leader of Electro Element predatory plants, the Electro Regisvine takes root in the ley lines. The ley line energy it regulates can animate plants and enrich the soil. If one cannot destroy the Elemental Shield protecting it, even someone far stronger than it will find it difficult to defeat.)

Element: Electro

Traits: Electro Elemental Affinity 7, Electro Elemental Resistance 6, Elemental Protection 6, Focused Lightning 6, Core Transfer 6, Falling Lightning 5

Emotion: Fear

Favorability: 20 (It fears your power. Submission to higher lifeforms is an elemental lifeform's instinct.)

Although its level was not high, the Electro Regisvine possessed formidable actual combat abilities thanks to its exaggerated Elemental Shield and high-level Elemental Affinity.

Perhaps because elemental lifeforms that grew from Whopperflowers were not unique, the Electro Regisvine was not as powerful as Lin Feng had expected. Therefore, after realizing that its enemy's control over the elements far surpassed its own, the Electro Regisvine, fearful of Lin Feng's strength, expressed its submission.

Lin Feng had not intended to subdue it in the first place. These giant elemental plants all had their own duties. They rooted themselves in the ley lines and regulated the elements within them, which was greatly beneficial to the world in the long run.

Considering the Electro Regisvine's immense size and inconvenient mobility, Lin Feng ignored its submission but still released it from its restraints.

Curious about how the Electro Regisvine felt to the touch, Lin Feng walked right up and reached out to touch several dark-blue leaves at its roots.

Understanding the gap between them, the Electro Regisvine remained completely still and allowed Lin Feng to stroke its body.

Numb.

Lin Feng withdrew his hand, which had been repeatedly struck by tiny arcs of static electricity, and concluded that the Electro Regisvine had absolutely no talent for being a pet.

Xiao Bai also curiously jumped onto it from the side. As a result, his fur instantly puffed up, turning him into a white hedgehog.

"Squeak!" Xiao Bai leaped away in alarm and swore never to approach such a strange purple plant again.

Seeing its good attitude, Lin Feng left behind some pure Dendro Elemental Power to help it grow.

After bidding farewell to the somewhat reluctant Electro Regisvine, Lin Feng set off on his return journey. With his curiosity satisfied, he was in quite a good mood.

Seeing that night was about to fall, Lin Feng took out a tent and food from the dream space and enjoyed a hearty meal with the long-awaiting Xiao Bai.

After using a Dendro Element version of an electric mosquito swatter to kill the nearby insects, Lin Feng lay on the grass and gazed at the dazzling star-filled sky, bright as the Milky Way.

Although the heavens were false, their dazzling beauty was real. Lin Feng, who had spent most of his previous life shut inside his home, had never seen a night sky as brilliant as Teyvat's.

Breathing in the fresh forest air, Lin Feng gradually began to feel sleepy. He called back Xiao Bai, who had been running around everywhere, raised a Dendro Elemental barrier, and slowly drifted into sleep.

It would be nice to have a cook by my side. I'm getting tired of eating prepared meals every day. Half-asleep, Lin Feng's thoughts wandered aimlessly.

Within the familiar green dreamscape, Nahida sat beside Lin Feng, listening somewhat absentmindedly as he recounted what he had seen and experienced along the way.

Ignoring Lin Feng's hand resting atop her head, Nahida found herself longing for such a life. She could only appear in other people's dreams and had never personally experienced what true travel was like.

That was why she had always been fascinated by Lin Feng's stories of travel.

What is the scenery by the roadside like? What people and little animals did you encounter along the way? How was the weather? Where did you camp and rest? What kinds of food did you eat?

The Lesser Lord Kusanali's questions seemed endless. When she was asking them, she would not run away even if Lin Feng patted her head or Ears.

Knowing of Nahida's deep yearning for freedom, Lin Feng moved the implementation of a certain plan up on his schedule.