This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 93 (Patreon)

The Death Canopy was like a budget version of the Undead Cataclysm, a poor man's curse of the undead.

Any living being within the range of the Death Canopy had their life force slowly drained until they became undead themselves, with the only notable effect being a slight reduction in movement speed. The curse was excruciatingly slow, and even a robust third-tier man could jump around inside the Death Canopy for five or six minutes without harm.

Matthew, however, was still in the early stages of mastering the "Undead" domain.

Even after activating the domain, he only received half of the damage reduction, which, on one hand, showcased the domain's power, and on the other, confirmed its limitations.

"If I delve deeper into the Undead domain, I might be able to instantly dispel this Death Canopy upon activation," Matthew thought as he stepped into the Death Canopy.

In that moment, the whip in his hand became scorching hot.

...

"The King's Demeanor (Domain Resonance): While active, when you walk among a large number of undead, you will gain the following two effects:

Majesty: You possess the initial majesty of an Undead King. All lower-level undead must bow to you, performing three rounds of bows before they can attack you.

Repel: Your actions will carry the effect of "Undead Repel" on lower-level undead, even a simple gesture will intimidate them, causing them to step back at least five paces."

...

Domain Resonance was a phenomenon that occurred between a specific domain and a particular weapon.

The "Scolding of Wussell" was an exclusive weapon for necromancers, and it was originally wielded by an experienced necromancer. The resonance between it and the Undead domain didn't surprise Matthew.

He only had a vague sense that the power within this whip had not yet been fully unlocked. As he lashed out at the undead, he felt a rush of exhilaration but also a slight sense of distance between himself and the weapon.

Matthew knew that many weapons, even if they hadn't been fully attuned, would still possess a trace of sentience. If he couldn't grasp this strand of sentience, it would be challenging to make the weapon truly bow to him.

"After I go back, perhaps I can try using the 'Balance' domain to communicate with this weapon. Balance includes 'mediation' between people and 'resonance' between people and objects," Matthew mused.

"In legends, many artifacts and high-level magical items, even after acquisition, require a lengthy 'attunement period.' This necromancer's specialized weapon might have a similar temperament."

In his thoughts, Matthew strolled leisurely through the Death Canopy, riding his bone dragon.

Originally, a group of undead began to rush toward him from all directions, but under the influence of the "King's Demeanor," they involuntarily knelt before him, repeatedly bowing their heads.

Seeing this, Matthew simply dismounted and walked toward the undead. The ones who hadn't bowed yet quickly did so, while those who had bowed were pushed back by the "Repel" effect.

Among the undead, there were a few high-level zombies and skeletons who were immune to the King's Demeanor. However, they were blocked by the other undead and couldn't move forward, so they could only watch Matthew walk down the red carpet.

For a moment, wherever Matthew passed, the undead under the Death Canopy parted ways. They either stepped aside or bowed their heads, and those who had not bowed were punished with more standing.

Occasionally, a few audacious rebels and rogues were slapped into pieces by the diligent bone dragon that followed behind Matthew.

Matthew moved unhindered through the Death Canopy, as if he were strolling through his own backyard.

After a few seconds, he found the senior necromancer who was hiding among the undead.

The man appeared to be on the brink of death, his appearance frail and feeble.

"Ah, the King's Demeanor," the necromancer, Porter, gazed at Matthew with a complex expression. "I haven't seen that in many years. The last time was on a woman named Wussell. Your whip looks just like hers. Are you related to Wussell in some way?"

"Wussell was my senior," Matthew replied cleverly.

The convenience of this answer lay in the fact that it could be explained in two ways afterward:

Wussell was an intimate friend of Old Falon. Old Falon, in a way, could be considered Matthew's senior in Rolling Stone Town. So, it could be rounded up that way.

In other words, Matthew wasn't really familiar with Wussell; he just respected her as a senior.

Porter clearly understood this and sighed helplessly, saying, "You are indeed a cunning young man. Jennings' death at your hands wasn't unjust. At your age, all I knew was brawling and jealousy."

"But come to think of it, if you really are a descendant of Wussell, then there might be some connection between us... Huh? Lord Blorken?"

Porter's face showed a hint of reminiscence, and he was about to continue when suddenly, his eyes widened, and he stared at Matthew's back.

Matthew's neck stiffened slightly, and he turned his head ten degrees, hesitating for a moment before turning it back.

In that instant, Porter's eyes displayed a trace of triumph. "You're still too young!"

In a split second, a spell he had secretly prepared burst forth—Fourth-tier spell: "Eisadro's Claw!"

It was a tentacle-like giant claw with gray-black circular spots and numerous tendrils on top, constantly waving in the air, resembling hungry tongues.

A powerful instant-death attack was aimed at the back of Matthew's head.

But at that moment, a purple light rose from Matthew. The Eisadro's Claw, still suspended in mid-air, suddenly self-destructed.

Immediately afterward, Porter's vision became blurred, intense pain surged through his nerves, his eyeballs throbbed as if he were about to faint.

After the pain came dizziness, followed by uncontrollable vomiting.

"Ugh! Ugh..."

Porter knelt on the ground, clutching his throat, vomit covering the ground.

Soon, everything in his stomach was emptied, and not much bile and acid remained.

But he continued retching violently.

In pain and disbelief, he lifted his head to look at Matthew.

The latter was looking at him calmly, as if he had seen the confusion in Porter's eyes.

Matthew gently explained, "Your performance was too exaggerated. I had no intention of turning around, but I thought, why not give you a chance?"

"Unfortunately, you were too greedy. You came at me with a Fourth-tier spell without considering why I dared to walk into the Death Canopy alone."

"Besides, who starts a fight without preparing a countermeasure beforehand?"

...

"Hint: You successfully used 'Spell Counter' to dispel the Fourth-tier spell 'Eisadro's Claw' by advanced necromancer Porter, who will now suffer severe Concentration Penalties!"

"Porter's lack of concentration is no longer able to maintain the Death Canopy, and it begins to dissipate."

"By successfully using 'Spell Counter,' you've made an advanced magician lose their combat ability, earning you the following attributes:"

Acting (Deception domain) +2;

Counter (Spell domain) +5"

...

Magician battles were indeed peculiar; some could be decided in just a couple of rounds, while others might drag on for days, with no clear winner in sight.

The highly respected Mr. Edson had given Matthew the ability to counter any Fourth-tier or lower spell, with the effect lasting for four and a half minutes. When the bone dragon broke through the wall, Matthew discreetly activated the counter spell.

Now it appeared that such combat spells, like "Spell Counter," indeed had remarkable effects in battles. After all, not every magician was as cautious.

Of course, Porter was in a special situation; he knew he was likely no match for Matthew but wanted to make a desperate attempt. Unfortunately, the result was less than ideal.

After the removal of the Death Canopy, the western side of the central tower was completely defenseless, and the undead, no longer protected by the canopy, were extremely vulnerable to the onslaught of jungle predators.

Soon, this became a breakthrough point. Two tribes of headhunters charged in through this gap.

The standoff in the vicinity of the central tower was once again broken, and the area near the tower descended into a fierce battle.

Matthew didn't charge in with them but instead brought Porter to the edge of the wall, intending to continue interrogating the necromancer.

However, it was at this moment that Porter suddenly looked behind Matthew again and said, "Lord Blorken?"

Matthew instinctively furrowed his brow.

But he quickly realized that this time, Porter wasn't acting. Behind him lay the jungle, and "Eye of the Jungle" was still active.

In that moment, Matthew clearly saw a figure in black robes hastily running from beside the wall while clutching a book.

Although the person only revealed half of his profile, Matthew was convinced that it was Blorken without a doubt!

"Strange."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Matthew swept his gaze across the battlefield, ultimately leaving Porter in the hands of a native of the Black Banyan Tribe, instructing him to deliver Porter to Lumiere.

He himself swiftly dashed outward.

Blorken didn't conceal his tracks.

Matthew, transformed into a raven, quickly found him in the desert to the east of the rainforest.

"You dare to come after me alone. Quite gutsy," Blorken commented while clutching the purple book in his arms, his eyes glaring darkly at Matthew.

But Matthew merely observed him, his eyebrows furrowing rapidly.

In the next moment, he suddenly dashed toward Blorken!

Blorken hesitated briefly, muttering incantations under his breath, and a green light descended from the sky.

It was a group of venomous snakes!

However, Matthew boldly leaped upwards, transforming into a moon bear. With a swift, coordinated motion, he leaped over the snakes.

Blorken attempted to cast another spell, but Lady Wraith's "Dirge of Doom" was already upon him. With the piercing, mournful wail, a grotesque and horrifying visage materialized before his nose.

"Blorken" staggered backward, nearly out of control.

Splat!

The moon bear landed, its hind legs sinking slightly into the sandy dune. However, that didn't prevent it from grabbing "Blorken" by the collar.

With this, "Blorken" could no longer maintain the illusion of his transformation.

The black robe slowly receded, replaced by a nearly invisible white veil.

The ugly face of the death mage, who had appeared moments ago, was transformed into the alluring form of a sizzling fae descendant.

"Fae sorcerer?" Matthew inquired. "Did Blorken have you assume his appearance to distract us? "

The fae sorcerer displayed a coquettish expression. "Oh my, you hurt me! If you release me first, I'll tell you everything and do anything you want."

But she hadn't finished her sentence.

Before she could respond further, the bear grabbed her by the neck, forcefully pushing her head into the sandy ground.

"Charm doesn't work on me. If I sense any magical activity, I'll rip your head off."

Matthew pressed down for over a minute before yanking the fae sorcerer's head out of the sand. Then he issued a cold warning, "Your body is quite suitable, and my army of undead lacks a female fae. I've heard that the bodies of fae descendants sometimes give rise to rarer 'Death-Announcing Faes.' Do you think you have that potential?"

The fae sorcerer now had a frightened expression on her face. Her cheeks, once charming, were now covered in dirt and scratches. While spitting out pebbles, she struggled to breathe and, in the process, swallowed even more dust.

"Don't... don't kill me!"

"I'll tell you anything you want to know!"

She looked terrified.

"Ask, and I'll answer. Now—name, identity, origin, and why you joined the Dragon Cult?" Matthew didn't intend to give her time to think.

Perhaps the proximity of the bear breathing down her neck was putting considerable pressure on her.

The fae sorcerer replied without hesitation, "I'm Bai, from a reclusive fae tribe north of the desert. Our ancestors hailed from the Arcane Wilderness."

"I joined the Dragon Cult three months ago. The reason I joined was... well, it was to... get in bed with Blorken."

Matthew thought for a moment, nodding, "Seems like you didn't succeed."

Bai, looking frightened, gazed at him, then with increased curiosity in her eyes, asked, "How did you know?"

Matthew replied nonchalantly, "Anyone with a closer relationship to Blorken, like you did when disguised as him, would've known to button the two rows of buttons on the inside of the jacket."

Given Blorken's display of compulsive behavior, it was impossible for that situation to occur. So, Matthew instantly saw through her disguise.

This was a vulnerability in transformation magic. Personal habits were hard to change, and it was clear that this fae had little experience in adventure or battle.

Matthew continued to question, "Why did you take on Blorken's appearance? And where is Blorken now?"

Bai replied, "Blorken is gone; no one knows where he is. That day, he left with over a hundred people, and while those people returned, he disappeared without a trace. The ones who came back reported that Blorken had gone to trade with the Cataclysm Cult. He won't return to Dragon Hatchery anytime soon. He left us a message saying that if Dragon Hatchery was attacked and they couldn't hold it, they should try to withdraw."

Matthew asked, "So why didn't you all withdraw?"

Bai cursed, "It's all because of those two dumb loyal guys! So annoying! There were different interpretations among us about the message Blorken left behind. He had said, 'If a formidable enemy attacks, do your best to hold out. If it's impossible to hold, prioritize saving your lives and withdraw as soon as possible.'"

Now those two fools just latched onto 'do your best to hold out.' So here we are, and even I couldn't run away!"

Matthew found it even more bewildering after hearing this.

With Blorken's meticulous nature, why would he leave such an ambiguous command to his subordinates?

Either the command itself was flawed, or Blorken was in an indecisive state when writing it. He must have had other things on his mind, and his Dragon Cult didn't matter that much to him.

In his mind, the image of Emma floated again.

For some reason, that seemingly friendly skull had always left him with an extraordinarily sinister impression.

"In my opinion, Blorken probably won't return. He must have obtained something valuable in the trade with the Cataclysm Cult, something that's enough to make him abandon the foundation of the Dragon Cult. I guess it's related to that skull he's always holding close."

Bai added.

Matthew inquired, "How much do you know about that skull?"

Bai shook her head and said, "Not much, but someone warned me when I just joined the Dragon Cult, saying it's the thing Blorken cares about the most. Honestly, it's surprising that it has come to this. Blorken has put so much effort into the Dragon Cult, why would he suddenly disappear?"

"In any case, if you despise the Dragon Cult's actions, please spare me. I only joined three months ago, and I haven't done anything bad yet."

She looked at Matthew pleadingly.

Matthew didn't respond to her.

He gently slapped the sorcerer's head, causing her to go dizzy, and then transformed her back into her human form. He tied her hands with a rope.

After completing these actions, Matthew intended to return to the battlefield. However, just a few steps out, a figure appeared on a nearby sand dune, holding a bow and arrow high.

"Let her go!"

An elf archer aimed at Matthew's head, her voice cold. "Don't question my accuracy."

Matthew turned ninety degrees slowly, facing Eilissima. "You can try if your arrows will work on me. Or perhaps, you only care about the life of her companion?"

As he spoke, several figures rushed from the direction of the Dragon Hatchery.

Leading the way was Lumiere, carrying two people on his shoulders. On his left was the still-vomiting death mage, Porter, and on his right was the large and bloodied Dragonblood Warrior, Quanbordetra, who had passed out, with blood oozing from his mouth.

Following him, Li Weiqi, using "Divine Stride," moved ahead.

"It wasn't wise to go after Blorken alone, Matthew. Although you notified us in time, if something had delayed us, things might not have gone well," Lumiere commented, relieved to see that Matthew was unharmed.

Matthew replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Blorken probably won't show up here."

Following that, Bobo, Hu Yi, and Layla's figures appeared within Matthew's view.

Matthew swept his gaze over the entire team and couldn't help but ask Bobo, "Where's Reiga?"

Bobo hung his head, offering no response.

Matthew refrained from asking further, turning his attention back to Eilissima. "See, your companions are all in our hands, so there's no need to aim an arrow at me."

The half-elf archer scanned the surroundings. "They are just my colleagues. I apologize, Bai, I did my best."

With that, she took a step back and disappeared behind the sand dune. When everyone reached the spot, they only saw a black hole being gradually filled with sand.

"Did Blorken truly abandon the Dragon Cult like this?"

"It's unbelievable, just like someone telling me that Reiga gave up on Rolling Stone Town!"

On the way back, Li Weiqi grumbled, "So we went all the way to the rainforest, and we didn't even get to see Blorken's face?"

Matthew chuckled and replied, "There will be other opportunities."

While they were speaking, they returned to the outskirts of the Dragon Hatchery.

The central tower was now entirely occupied by rainforest creatures and Jango people.

The Dragon Hatchery was in chaos. The rainforest beasts, lacking proper leadership, were recklessly causing destruction. They circled the high tower, venting their resentment.

Suddenly, a loud rumbling sound emanated from the eastern side of the central tower.

Following that, large wooden structures started collapsing, with dust falling in clumps.

Amid the flying sand and dust, a massive head was revealed in the high tower. It seemed to have been awakened by the commotion outside, and it couldn't help but lift its head and let out a deep hum!

Roaring waves of sound gushed from the high tower. Nearby rainforest creatures stiffened and dropped to their knees involuntarily!

Matthew focused his gaze. It was...

A dragon!

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