Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience

Chapter 777: Chapter 31: Fanatic Knight and the Covenant Priest

A few hours later, Ancient Forest, at the outer edge of the "Heart of the Giant Tree" node.

The dense shrub suddenly emitted a violent "crackling" sound, the branches were forcibly torn open, and two figures stumbled out of it.

It was Avery and her Guard Knight, Kent.

At this moment, they were no longer composed as before. Avery’s dark green Wizard Robe was torn in many places, stained with mud and dark, seemingly dried bloodstains, her hair was disheveled, her cheek had a small scratch, and her breathing was slightly rapid, her sharp eyes filled with exhaustion and urgency.

As for Guard Kent, his situation was even more miserable. His entire left arm, from shoulder to fingertip, was showing an extremely unnatural, terrifying state as if melted like a high-temperature candle.

The skin and muscles seemed to have lost their original form, twisted and fused together, and a thick ink-like strange pattern was quickly spreading over the melted part towards his torso and neck, where the flesh emitted a subtle "sizzling" sound, exuding a scorched smell and the cold aura characteristic of Dark Energy.

This was a highly profound Dark Curse Spell, its Mystical Power level vicious and domineering. If it weren’t for Avery sacrificing her own Mystical Magic to continuously suppress Kent’s shoulder with gentle yet firm Radiant Energy, constructing a temporary barrier to delay the curse’s erosion, Kent would have long turned into a pool of filthy dark water.

"Kent, hold on!" Avery supported the almost feeble Guard Knight, her voice hoarse from urgency yet still carrying undeniable resolve. "We’re almost there, as soon as we return to the castle, there will definitely be a way to remove this curse!"

Kent’s face was ashen; the excruciating pain made his forehead veins bulge, cold sweat soaking his underlayers. He shook his head with difficulty, his voice so weak it was barely audible, "Miss... Miss Avery... leave me... I... I can’t go on... you must hurry... go... return... to the castle..."

However, before he could finish speaking, a cold and familiar chuckle swept across the woodland like a chilling north wind:

"Leave? Hmph, there’s nowhere for you to go!"

Along with the voice, several powerful presences descended from the sky with oppressive momentum, landing firmly in front of them, blocking their path. The leading figure was indeed the Freemasonry Church Knight, Puriman, whom they had encountered earlier in the Crystal Ancient Tree core region.

At this moment, Puriman’s image had changed from before. On the skin exposed outside his Armor, clear bright red patterns like lava veins appeared, and these patterns were not static but slightly pulsating, emitting an intense and unstable energy fluctuation.

This was the distinctive feature of the Freemasonry Church "Faith Knight", transformed into a weapon of war through some forbidden ritual that forcibly integrates Power of Faith with the body.

The complex Mystical Power structure of the bright red patterns on Puriman further signified his Level—

Fanatic Knight!

Infused with Mystical Power, this is a powerful existence and a top killing tool in the church.

Avery’s heart sank abruptly, her face became extremely unpleasant. A Fanatic Knight in full condition, plus the exhaustion from previous pursuit and the need to divert attention to suppress the curse on Kent, the situation was extraordinarily dire.

At this moment, another voice, with a feigned sigh, came from behind Puriman:

"Avery, relinquish futile resistance. You have no chance. In light of our past relationship, I can appeal to the church to grant you a dignified conclusion."

As he spoke, a man in a bishop-level Priest Robe with black as the base and embroidered with dark red complex patterns slowly emerged from a group of ordinary priests. The thick and solid Mystical Power fluctuation around him clearly identified him as a strong figure.

And when Avery saw the person’s face clearly, her pupils shrank to pinpoints, as if witnessing the most improbable scene, exclaiming that once familiar name:

"Leonard?!"

...

Starshine Castle, in an office within the core area of the Tavendish Family.

The Old Wizard Blair stood by the window, looking out at the seemingly still orderly scene within the castle, gently exhaling. He turned to the two young apprentices standing by his side, his tone carrying a subtle urgency, asking, "Are the two envoys from Jade Land, Lady Flora and Archbishop Saul, both settled? Have they safely left the Ancient Forest?"

One of the apprentices immediately responded respectfully, "Yes, Mr. Blair. We hosted with the highest ceremony standards and personally escorted them onto the Magic Energy Flying Airship headed for the border, watching the airship ascend and depart firsthand, ensuring no risk whatsoever."

Upon hearing this, the perpetual worry-wrinkled face of Blair finally relaxed a bit, and his perpetually tense shoulders slightly eased. He nodded lightly, revealing a rare genuine sense of ease and hope in his eyes.

"Very well... well done." He murmured softly, then instructed the apprentices, "Prepare to encrypt and relay this good news to Miss Avery promptly. Let her know that on our end... we have finally achieved substantial progress."

He turned around, as if his gaze penetrated the walls, looking in the direction of the distant Jade Land, his voice brimming with uncontainable excitement: "This meeting went far smoother than expected. After several rounds of negotiation, the alliance framework is essentially secured."

In the Old Wizard’s mind, the matter was crystal clear: now, just await the final confirmation from Mr. Lynch, the Witch Master reigning over Jade Land, then cooperation can commence promptly. Given Lynch and Miss Avery’s past ties with the Tavendish Family, this final confirmation is almost certain without any surprise.

After all, given the current downtrodden and precarious state of their Wizard Family, Lynch’s willingness to send such important envoys for negotiations was by itself an unmistakably friendly signal. As for the negotiations concerning resources, taxes, or even loyalty duration, Blair sees clearly—rather than Lynch’s intentions, it is perhaps more the necessity for Witch Master Lynch to strive for necessary interests and position for the overall Jade Land, a requisite process for the greater good.

With this thought, even Blair’s aged face showed a long-lost smile of anticipation. He imagined the beautiful future where, supported by the powerful external force from Jade Land, the Freemasonry Church is expelled from the North, ancient Wizard Families regain glory, and the Ancient Ruins land returns under their control...

Yet, just as this hope ignites—

"Boom!!"

A dull yet penetrating loud noise, mixed with faint cries and commotion, suddenly sounded outside the castle, interrupting his thoughts.