195. Guests of Ionia

In the tranquil forest, a bird was flying joyfully. But the bird's joy did not last long, for it soon turned into deep doubt.

The birds saw large numbers of wild animals moving through the dense forest, roaming the wilderness in chaos, even briefly forgetting their predatory relationships in the food chain, and instead gathering together for a massive migration.

Birds, beasts, and even a large number of insects.

The bird landed on a tree branch, its feathers beginning to flutter. With a Shimmer of magical light, it transformed into a human with chameleon-like features...

To be precise, it's Vastaya.

As Vastaya, the girl is distinctly different from ordinary humans.

It has a tail that is neither too thick nor too thin. While its chest and inner thighs are human-colored, its shoulders and the ends of its limbs are covered with delicate, shimmering green scales that have a jade-like texture.

A flower was pinned to her head...

No, it's not clipped, it grows naturally.

With short blue hair falling behind her ears, Neeko gazed curiously at the migrating animals below.

As Vastaya of the Oovi-Kat Tribe, Neeko is exceptional; her tribal lineage alone can be traced back to the ancient Vastaya Shuray.

The Oovi-Kat Tribe settlement is located in one of the few areas in Ionia that is perfectly in harmony with the spiritual realm.

This perfectly coordinated and overlapping region is what makes the Oovi-Kat Tribe extraordinary. Therefore, their "Sho'ma," another name for their soul, can blend with the surrounding creatures and even mimic their appearance.

Now, Neeko could clearly sense the pervasive fear and panic that emanated from the spirits that permeated the entire woodland.

Even the slightest sensation sent chills down Neeko's spine.

In fact, because the fear and panic were so intense, Neeko was even unable to transform into their forms and see their memories—

Neeko had experienced this feeling once before. It was Neeko first time in a human town, and a flood of thoughts entered Neeko mind through the Sho'ma, leaving Neeko mentally reeling.

But even that time, it wasn't as intense as it is now.

It was as if... as if all life was about to die.

How strange, what happened here?

Neeko thought with some curiosity, her small face filled with great doubt.

Then, Neeko discovered something that didn't seem like something that ordinary creatures would be afraid of—

It was a lioness walking in the air, her feet treading on flowing light, majestic and awe-inspiring, her body engulfed in azure flames...

Or perhaps a magical beast like a female leopard.

Unlike ordinary wild beasts or even magical beasts, Neeko could sense Shimmer of intelligence in the eyes of this unknown magical beast.

Similarly, Neeko couldn't detect even the slightest trace of Sho'ma's aura on the lioness...

Is she soulless?

Neeko couldn't help but think that.

The unknown monster that Neeko saw was none other than Nedeli, who roamed the Miasma Jungle.

The Miasma Jungle is different from other areas because it is home to a large number of magical beasts, making it difficult for even a powerful figure like Jax to pass through unimpeded—because he is not a native of this place.

In this situation, with the protection of the wilderness, Nedeli became the best Watchers.

Out of her love for the wilderness, Nedeli did not allow the Void to slaughter the Miasma Jungle. Instead, she guided high-level magical beasts to attack the Void while constantly evacuating other wild beasts and low-level magical beasts.

However, as they moved through the Void, the high-level magical beasts gradually succumbed to their inner fear and began to scatter and flee. There was nothing Nedeli could do but try her best to guide the beasts away.

The reason for forcing the wild animals to migrate was not simply out of compassion. In fact, even now, as a wild animal, Nedeli still believes in the survival of the fittest.

In Nedeli's view, so-called civilization in human society is nothing more than a meaningless pursuit of self-sufficiency built upon basic needs like food and clothing. When faced with war and famine, everyone, even Yuan Chen, would follow their heart's choices and desires...

To be precise, Yuan Chen has already made his decision—the best proof of which are the rearguard soldiers he abandoned on the northwestern border.

But who can say that Yuan Chen did something wrong?

At least, the living don't have that right.

While thinking this, Nedeli was also calculating the migration routes of the wild beasts to prevent excessive trampling and deaths...

For no other reason than to prevent the Void from obtaining more food.

Every corpse left here becomes nourishment for the Void.

In other words, plants cannot migrate like animals, otherwise they would also take root and leave... And in fact, some ancient trees and other special life forms have indeed taken root and left.

He roared behind him, receiving Nedeli's command. Using the Elemental Drake materials handed over by Yuan Chen, he was able to advance from a Cheka Leopard to a Dragonborn Fire Leopard. The beasts responded with low growls, and then, their bodies wreathed in flames, they rushed into the forest to set the mountain ablaze.

In other words, there wasn't time; otherwise, Nedeli would have even planned to turn over the entire ground and dig out the insect eggs hidden underneath.

Just as everything was proceeding smoothly, Nedeli noticed a strange aura.

Looking down, Nedeli quickly spotted the little creature hidden in the shadows of the leaves, its large eyes blinking with curiosity.

That's... a human? No, it's Vastaya?

Nedeli raised an eyebrow, not surprised at all, as Vastaya were quite common in Runeterra. Especially in recent years, due to the exploitation of the woodlands by Piltover, many beasts and Vastaya settlements in the eastern and northern parts of Shurima had migrated south.

However, with the founding of Ixialia, the removal of the three major families from Piltover, the abolition of the Sun Gate, and Zaun regaining control of some ports, Piltover has now begun a new round of internal struggles.

At least until a new four major families or the king of the Twin Cities is identified, they do not have the extra energy to expand outwards.

Although Nedeli recognized her as Vastaya, she didn't recognize Neeko's race... The Oovi-Kat Tribe were truly a race that never interacted with the outside world until their extinction.

Although Nedeli didn't recognize him, Wilderness did.

Listening to the sound of the wind, Nedeli nodded thoughtfully.

"From Ionia... Yuan Chen's fellow countryman?"

Thinking this, Nedeli leaped into the air, transforming into a graceful Human Form and landing in front of Neeko.