Tree Spirit, out of curiosity about what happened after Culori returned from the ruins three hundred years ago, took the Chronicles from Angel’s hands and started reading without hesitation.
Tree Spirit initially had a mindset of "snooping on legendary gossip," but he was stunned after just two pages.
In Culori’s Chronicles, he unexpectedly saw information about Audric and Marisha?!
Tree Spirit repeatedly reviewed the records Culori made of Audric and Marisha, emotions flickering in his eyes.
Having lived a very long time, Tree Spirit witnessed the ebbs and flows of the Barbarian Cave. Nearly every talented individual from the Barbarian Cave grew up under his witness, including Audric and Marisha.
Especially Audric; as the former Controller, Tree Spirit had a particularly close connection with him.
Because Audric possessed a rare affinity with nature, Tree Spirit had been paying attention to him since he was a young boy. Later, Audric became the Controller, and almost every reform and policy of his was executed by Tree Spirit. Their collaboration reached a point where they could understand each other’s intentions with just a glance.
However, there is no such thing as a feast that never ends. After Audric broke through to become a Legend, he left the Barbarian Cave to seek his future path.
Since then, Tree Spirit has almost never heard any news about Audric.
Unexpectedly, he saw his old friend’s name in Culori’s Chronicles this time.
Tree Spirit gazed at the names of Audric and Marisha for a long time before abruptly closing the Chronicles: "I believe Lord Rhein would also be very interested in Audric’s news. I shall go and tell him now."
Angel was a bit surprised that Tree Spirit, after only reading a page or two, was already planning on finding Rhein without finishing the whole book.
Angel could not grasp or empathize with Tree Spirit’s sentiments, but since Tree Spirit had decided, Angel would not interfere.
Angel: "I sensed two hours ago that Lord Rhein had already entered the Wilderness of Dreams and hasn’t left yet. If you wish to find him, you should go there."
Tree Spirit nodded, preparing to put on a monocle. However, he did not activate it immediately and instead looked at Angel: "Can you use the Dream Conch to drag this Chronicles into the Wilderness of Dreams?"
Angel: "It’s possible, but it’s actually not necessary to complicate things. I can recreate the Chronicles using an illusion technique just as well."
Tree Spirit realized this too; he intended for Rhein to read the Chronicles, and recreating it with an illusion technique would suffice. With this in mind, Tree Spirit said no more and directly entered the Wilderness of Dreams.
Angel followed Tree Spirit inside as well.
Because Rhein was currently near the Colosseum in the southern city, Angel and Tree Spirit appeared in a deserted alley outside the Glorious Cathedral adjacent to the Colosseum.
Tree Spirit looked towards the magnificent architecture of the Stone Pillar Colosseum in the distance, puzzled: "Why would Rhein go to the Colosseum, could there be another duel with a Demon Hunter?"
"Lord Rhein is not alone; there are others with him." Angel paused: "The Stone Pillar Colosseum is a high-magic area; Rhein should be bringing them to familiarize themselves with the virtual magic power."
Dumatin, Kaylar, Nightsevil... these were names Angel recognized, and there were a few powerful wizards he hadn’t met but knew of by reputation.
They must be the newcomers Rhein was bringing into the Wilderness of Dreams this time.
"I see." Tree Spirit came to understand and, without further thought, walked towards the Stone Pillar Colosseum.
Angel followed Tree Spirit, but after only a few steps, Angel’s expression suddenly froze.
A special alert message echoed in his mind: "Attention, a marked individual has entered the Wilderness of Dreams!"
The message blinked three times before disappearing.
By the authority of the Gate of Dreams, Angel had marked several specific individuals. Since Rhein, Ironclad Granny, and Tree Spirit were all still in the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel knew without investigating who this marked individual was.
Sanders had entered.
Sanders had been away for several days and, though he had entered several times, Angel had always missed him.
Now that they were simultaneously present, Angel decided to first check on Sanders’ situation.
Angel conveyed his plan to Tree Spirit, who nodded indifferently but requested Angel to recreate Volume 14 of the Culori Chronicles before departing.
Angel recreated two illusionary Chronicles and handed them to Tree Spirit, then summoned a gust of wind to fly towards the Sky Tower.
Upon arriving at the Sky Tower, Sanders was in Frode’s office, writing something with a pen.
Perhaps sensing the wind outside the balcony, Sanders raised his head.
His previously tense expression eased slightly upon seeing Angel.
He set down the pen and welcomed Angel inside.
"You came at the right time. I was contemplating leaving a message or asking Ironclad Granny to find you," Sanders said as he returned to his desk, casually gesturing with the paper he had been writing on.
Angel could clearly see his name written on it, indicating that Sanders did have something important for him, even to the point of leaving a message.
Could it be that the mentor had already encountered Sumishe and needed to use the Nightmare Domain of the Wilderness of Dreams to help Sumishe repair the crumbling Nightmare?
Angel voiced his query.
Sanders, however, shook his head: "I haven’t met Sumishe yet, but it should be soon. I’ve already picked up a trace of them. I came to find you for another important matter."
When Sanders spoke of this, his expression was extraordinarily serious, making Angel also become more solemn.
"Not long ago, I passed through Chaos City Market—this is a wizard market east of the White Eagle Principality," Sanders paused: "In Chaos City Market, I obtained a piece of information through a secret channel, suggesting that in the past couple of days, unusual individuals have been frequently appearing near the Void of Sky Mechanical City. Based on the informer’s description of these people’s attire, I’m almost certain they are Budding followers."
"Currently, after the Star Observation Day, major wizard organizations are conducting secret searches for Budding. However, most are finding some Budding followers on overseas islands, and they are mostly mortals."
"Those who can stand in the Void and target Sky Mechanical City are very likely extraterrestrial Budding followers. Their strength is unknown, but since they dare not directly attack Sky Mechanical City, it’s inferred they likely don’t exceed the energy level of Second Level True Knowledge."
"My concern isn’t Sky Mechanical City; I’m worried that since these Budding followers have revealed themselves, the time they’ve targeted you is also approaching. After all, in Dororo’s prophecy, it’s clearly stated that Budding followers will eventually come to the Barbarian Cave. So, you must be careful."
Angel responded solemnly, "Understood. I will be cautious."
After a pause, Angel asked, "Since Budding followers have already appeared, has City Lord Rosen received any news on this matter?"
Angel was well aware that the Sprout Cultists’ greatest hostility was directed at City Lord Rosen. In the entire matter, he barely had a presence. Even if they intended to deal with him, they would certainly try to tackle City Lord Rosen first, regardless of success or failure, before turning their attention to him.