As his authority receded, exhaustion washed over Lin Feng.
He knew very clearly—he still hadn't wielded his power like a true Archon would.
To ordinary people, a Vision was already overwhelmingly powerful.
But in the language of the game, a Vision was nothing more than a fragment of a god's authority.
If a god's authority were a gemstone, then Lin Feng right now… wasn't a fragment, but perhaps one–third of a gem.
A third of a "god" was still enough to crush most living beings—yet it was far from enough to face a true "Embodiment of the Withering" head-on.
He pushed the thoughts aside and took in the transformed scene before him.
The once-crimson sphere had turned green again.
Trees that had been drained dry by the Withering now sprouted tender shoots under the blanket of his authority.
The dead, dusty pool at the center of the cavern brimmed anew with springwater.
Everything pulsed with life—so different from the twisted, ominous wasteland it had been moments ago.
"Thank you, great Nara. For everything—thank you."
"She has shaken off the burden of 'Marana.' 'Varuna' is happy now, happy."
"Great Nara is a hero, a friend. During the Festival Utsava, we will bless you."
The three tiny Aranara crowded around him, showering Lin Feng with gratitude and praise.
He accepted their words with a smile, then left them to speak with the now-purified "Varuna," stepping onto the long path home.
By the time he exited the Ashvattha Temple, it was almost night.
But as he neared the forest's edge, the horizon glowed with the first sliver of dawn—golden and warm.
Bathed in the morning light, Lin Feng felt lighter than he had in ages.
After a battle that could only be described as effortless, he finally understood his current place in the world.
—He now stood at the peak of mortal power.
Aside from true divine envoys and the high-ranking Harbingers of Snezhnaya, no non-divine existence could threaten him anymore.
And this was only with one element.
He couldn't help wondering what he would be like once he gathered all seven elements—once his authority became whole.
He had confirmed that the rainforest would not produce another Withering for the foreseeable future.
Even though he was no longer technically a Forest Ranger, a genuine sense of satisfaction warmed his chest.
And from the faint blessing Varuna had left within him, he knew:
After the upcoming Utsava Festival, he would become even stronger.
The road back was a bit dull.
Thinking of the information he had briefly gleaned from gathering the rainforest's elemental energy, Lin Feng remembered something else—
There was a nearby cave that housed a boss-level elemental lifeform: the Electro Regisvine.
Might as well take a look.
Sumeru's underground was a labyrinth even for expert explorers.
But for someone who could directly read elemental flow, finding the glaringly obvious thunder signature in Elemental Sight was trivial.
With his physical strength and vinecraft movement techniques, Lin Feng sped toward the cave with ease.
Inside the vast cavern—
Lin Feng stood before a colossal purple plant, completely immobilized by countless vines wrapped around its trunk.
The Electro Regisvine swayed weakly, unable to move even a millimeter.
Nature truly was full of wonders.
Even though it was helpless before him, its status panel was impressive:
[Entity Info: Elemental Lifeform — Boss — Electro Regisvine]
Level: 63
(As a predatory plant embodying Electro, the Regisvine is rooted deep within the ley lines. Through its regulation, it vitalizes soil and promotes growth. Unless its elemental shield is broken, even beings far stronger than it will struggle to defeat it.)
Element: Electro
Traits: Electro Affinity 7, Electro Resistance 6, Elemental Ward 6, Cluster Lightning 6, Core Shift 6, Falling Thunder 5
Emotion: Fear
Friendliness: 20
(It fears your power. Submission to higher lifeforms is instinct for elemental beings.)
Its level wasn't outrageous, but with its massive shield and high elemental affinity, its actual combat power was considerable.
Still, since this type of Regisvine wasn't unique by nature, this one wasn't as powerful as the original. And once it sensed how absurd Lin Feng's command over the elements was… it submitted instantly.
Lin Feng had no intention of killing it.
Monsters like this were part of the world's ecosystem—they anchored themselves to the ley lines and kept the elemental flow balanced.
Since its size made it nearly immobile anyway, Lin Feng simply released his vines.
Curious, he stepped forward and touched a cluster of its deep indigo leaves.
His hand immediately tingled.
Yep.
Absolutely zero potential as a pet.
Little White hopped forward to try as well—
Its fur puffed up instantly into a white electro-sphere.
"Squeak!!"
Little White bolted away and swore never to touch weird purple plants again.
Amused, Lin Feng left behind some purified Dendro energy as a gift to help the Regisvine's growth.
After saying goodbye to the reluctant elemental giant, he resumed his journey.
His curiosity satisfied, his mood soared.
As night approached, he summoned a tent and food from his dream space, sharing a long-awaited meal with Little White.
He swatted the nearby insects with a Dendro-infused "mosquito zapper," then lay down on the grass.
Above him, the sky stretched like a shining river of stars.
Even if the firmament was false, the beauty was real—something his shut-in past life had never allowed him to see.
Breathing in the crisp forest air, Lin Feng felt sleep tug at him.
He called Little White back, raised a thin layer of Dendro shielding around the camp, and slowly drifted into dreams.
If only I had a cook with me… I'm getting tired of premade meals.
The drowsy thought echoed as he fell asleep.
Green dreamscape, as always.
Nahida sat beside him, listening intently as Lin Feng recounted everything that happened over the day.
She quietly ignored the hand he placed on her head—she was used to it by now.
To someone who could only appear in the dreams of others, who had never traveled herself, Lin Feng's stories were irresistible.
What did the scenery look like today?
Who did you meet?
What animals live along the path?
What was the weather like?
Where did you camp?
What did you eat?
The little Archon always had endless questions.
And when she was asking, even if Lin Feng rubbed her head or tugged lightly at her ears, she wouldn't dodge.
Understanding the deep longing for freedom hidden in her heart, Lin Feng finally moved an old plan to the very top of his list.
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