Firstborn of the Holy Temple and the Ghost Fairy

Li Wen didn't read further; she could already guess the ending.

A Wild Mage facing a Spellbreaker, someone who could detect and even counter magic, had no chance of winning. Spellbreaker wasn't a class, but a title. During the gradual decline of the Noradun Empire, the various churches began invading the west. Facing Noradun's powerful magic, the Holy Temple trained a group of knights specifically to counter mages. This strategy proved highly effective, and the training methods persisted even in later generations, with those who completed the training being called Spellbreakers.

The Holy Temple's "Firstborn"? How could he be here?

Li Wen's mind was filled with questions.

If "World Tree: Origin" was truly just a game, then Moriah Enoch was a significant figure, even within the entire game's storyline. He was known as the Firstborn of the Holy Temple, a Stage Six Crimson Shepherd, the most outstanding Templar Knight, who had completed all of the Holy Temple's special training. He served the Secret Church, and it was said that the blood of heretics and demons staining his hands was enough to dye the entire Kanan crimson.

In the not-too-distant future, after Arthur's conquest, Moriah was one of the commanders of the Red Knight Legion tasked with eradicating the Dark Dawn. Even further down the timeline, when Sin City launched its final counter-offensive against Kanan, it was he who single-handedly held off and killed several Demon Sages and the Bloodlust High Priest.

And as for Li Wen, he was practically an old acquaintance. Saying "old acquaintance" might be an exaggeration, but Moriah Enoch had indeed hunted her for a considerable period in Li Wen's previous life.

Back then, Li Wen hadn't joined the Strategy Group yet. She had just suffered a setback and was racking her brain to improve her strength, even resorting to using a forbidden ritual to gain a power boost. Moriah happened to be passing through the city she was in and coincidentally stumbled upon Li Wen performing an evil sacrifice.

Unsurprisingly, the Firstborn of the Holy Temple launched an attack on the perpetrator of the evil sacrifice. Li Wen had no room to argue and was nearly decapitated. After a brutal, one-sided battle, Li Wen was utterly defeated but managed to cling to survival.

For a period afterward, Li Wen was continuously hunted by Moriah until she was forced to leave the mainland. As for why he pursued her so relentlessly, Li Wen didn't know, but he was just a mad dog of the Church, after all; there was no need to understand.

Now, encountering her "former" enemy in such an unexpected place, Li Wen felt fear of him suddenly going berserk while also pondering his intentions.

Moriah at this point in time shouldn't be as outrageous as he would become later. At the very least, he shouldn't have started the Holy Temple's pilgrimage yet, meaning his level wouldn't exceed thirty at most. Although Moriah habitually wore knight's armor, he wasn't of the Judgment or Guardian Paths, but a Sacrificial Fire Priest of the Sacrifice Path. Wearing knight's armor was merely a lingering habit from his training at the Holy Temple.

A Stage Three Sacrifice Path? What kind of combat power could that have?

Moriah at this time shouldn't be killing every heretic he saw, so he definitely wasn't on a mission for the Secret Church.

Perhaps it had something to do with that Ghost Fairy, Granny Marsha?

Li Wen didn't dwell on it. She didn't want anything to do with any crazy Church fanatics in this life. It was best to finish her business while Moriah was busy dealing with that Wild Mage.

So, she didn't hesitate and walked straight towards the Ghost Fairy's residence.

The Gnome had said that Granny Marsha lived in a treehouse, and the only treehouse Li Wen saw in the entire Goblin Market was this one.

Its trunk was an oak tree large enough for dozens of people to embrace. Normal oak trees didn't grow this large; it was likely the work of goblin magic. The treehouse was built in the canopy, with a wooden staircase connecting it to the ground below.

There was no one around, perhaps because no one dared to disturb the Ghost Fairy. Li Wen walked up the stairs and gently knocked on the door.

But there was no response.

Li Wen, not wanting to waste time, tried to open the door. Finding it unlocked, she pushed it open and entered.

"Is anyone home? I'm looking for Granny Marsha."

The inside of the treehouse was a small space. It was less like a dwelling and more like some evil wizard's laboratory.

The most striking feature was a large cauldron. It wasn't lit, and it contained a thick, viscous, bright yellow substance that barely resembled a liquid. Not far from the cauldron was a shelf for ingredients, divided into two sections. The top held various dried plants and animal carcasses undergoing preservation, while the bottom contained animal organs preserved in liquid. Li Wen saw various organs and viscera from many intelligent races, even a human head.

Besides that, there were various alchemical equipment and tools. Li Wen glanced over them casually, not paying them much mind.

The entire treehouse was empty. The only strange thing was a mirror placed in a corner. It was positioned subtly, easily overlooked, but it reflected everything in the room, including Li Wen, who had just entered.

Li Wen looked at her reflection in the mirror, and the reflection looked back at her.

"Such an impolite thing."

The reflection spoke.

Li Wen wasn't surprised. Ghost Fairys were also called Mirror Sprites. It was said they could enter unknown worlds through mirrors, which was the basis of their ability to appear and disappear at will.

"Hello, I'm just here on business. I mean no harm."

"I haven't received any guests for over a hundred years."

Ripples appeared on the surface of the mirror, and a bloated, ugly face accompanied by a gaunt figure emerged from it.

Its head was much larger than a normal person's, its nose sharp and hooked like a giant claw. Its mouth stretched all the way to its ears, revealing rows of withered, yellow fangs. The image of a witch from folklore was probably similar to this.

"Rules are always meant to be broken," Li Wen said.

"And what right do you have to make me break them?" Granny Marsha slowly walked to the cauldron. Her steps were heavy, yet her figure was as light and ethereal as a phantom. She picked up a bowl and spoon coated in filth, scooped a spoonful of the thick soup from the cauldron, and tasted it with a smack. "Golden Spruce Root, simmered and infused with the fragrance of Bloodthirst Grass and Belladonna Juice. A truly lingering taste."

"A powerful hallucinogen?" Hearing the ingredients, Li Wen tried to guess the purpose of the soup.

"No, it's the Soul Return Secret Medicine." The Ghost Fairy grinned. "You know some basic alchemy, but not much."

Li Wen didn't know the use of this Magic Potion. She guessed it was a formula the Ghost Fairy had researched herself, so she steered clear of the topic.

"I need the Shadowfall Potion. I heard you might be able to refine it. If you can, I will offer you a satisfactory reward."

"Shadowfall Potion? Are you trying to advance to Shadow Assassin, or enter the Shadow Realm? Ha, whatever... I do know how to make this potion, and I can help you refine it, but I have one condition: you have to help me kill the Paladin at the door first." The Ghost Fairy grinned.

Before Li Wen could even react, the door behind her was shattered by a sword light, burning with a fearsome, blood-red flame.