Wizard: Starting from Escape from the Thorn Garden

Chapter 162 Gift

A terrifying purifying and annihilating energy swept through the entire cave, yet cleverly bypassed Kate, Ashe, and Amber, demonstrating Kate's exquisite control over her power.

The enormous, pulsating cocoon of nightmares twisted violently, expanded, and became transparent in the light, before finally collapsing and dissipating—completely erased from the drawing paper as if wiped off by an eraser.

Along with the core of the dream demon seed's consciousness, which emitted its final, desperate scream, it was utterly annihilated from the level of existence by this supreme energy containing the power of reincarnation, reduced to nothingness.

The light gradually faded away—

The cave became empty and eerily quiet.

All the nightmare visions, evil energies, and twisted existences vanished, as if they had never existed.

All that remained was a huge, smooth, mirror-like spherical space, as if all traces of it had been completely "erased" by some absolute force.

Even the cave's original natural structure was reshaped by this force.

The air was filled with a rare and absolute sense of "nothingness" and "purity," an "emptiness" that even made people feel slightly uncomfortable.

The Seed of Nightmare, along with its lair, was completely wiped out from the very essence of existence by Kate's overwhelming attack.

It's over. It's truly over.

Kate slowly lowered his hand, his face slightly pale and his breathing somewhat disordered. That attack had almost drained most of his mental strength and energy, putting a great strain on his mind.

But his eyes shone brightly, filled with the joy of victory, a great sense of accomplishment, and a sense of relief.

Aisha and Amber breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing extremely tired yet excited and thrilled smiles.

Ashe's light dimmed considerably, and Amber even became somewhat unsteady on her feet, using her staff to support her body.

"We—we did it! We really did it!" Amber's voice trembled with excitement, and she was almost crying with joy.

Kate nodded, carefully and repeatedly sensing every inch of the surrounding space to confirm that there was no trace of the nightmare left, and that the suffocating evil pressure had completely disappeared.

He walked to the center of the cave, where only a slightly sunken pit remained, radiating a faint warmth—the place where the energy had finally been annihilated.

At the bottom of the pit, there seemed to be a tiny, crystal-clear speck of dust, like the purest amber, reflecting light faintly in the empty cave.

That was the most primal, harmless crystallized remnant of the "dream" rules, stripped of all will, left behind after the Seed of Nightmare was completely purified and annihilated. It was also the only "trace" it left behind, as if it were the last proof that it had ever existed.

Kate carefully collected the dust into a specially made rune crystal bottle.

This may serve as a reference for him to further study the rules of dreams and improve his understanding of the cycle of reincarnation in the future.

Stepping out of the cave, Echo Valley remained the same, but the unsettling, oppressive, and eerie atmosphere that had permeated it had completely disappeared. The air had become much fresher and clearer, and one could even hear the normal chirping of forest insects and birds from afar.

The afterglow of the setting sun filters through the gaps in the trees, casting warm dappled light, as if heralding a new, hopeful dawn for the tranquil forest.

Kate glanced back at the deep, purified cave entrance, knowing that this long and tumultuous affair...

The calamity that had affected countless lives has finally come to a true and complete end.

Twisted walls of flesh and blood, disgusting fungal carpets, grotesque phantoms—all traces of the Nightmare Demon's existence have vanished.

Instead, there was a huge spherical cavity that had been forcibly enlarged, with a smooth, mirror-like inner wall, as if it had been instantly forged by some kind of extreme energy.

The cavity was filled with a strange atmosphere of "emptiness" and "purity," as if even the finest dust and energy ripples had been completely smoothed and neutralized, leaving only the most primal and pure space and earth vein energy to flow slowly and carefully anew.

The suffocating gray-green mist and the soul-piercing murmurs in the air vanished completely, leaving only a faint trace of...

The refreshing feeling, similar to that after a thunderstorm, is a temporary phenomenon caused by the instantaneous purification of highly condensed energy.

In the center of the cave, the enormous, pulsating cocoon of nightmares, radiating endless evil, had vanished without a trace.

It was as if it had never existed.

Only a faint, rapidly dissipating, and cold fluctuation, filled with resentment and disbelief, remained in the air, proving that a terrible consciousness had been completely extinguished there.

Ashe's Starry Sky Barrier and Amber's Life Roots lost their target and slowly retracted.

Both of them were panting heavily, exhausted, staring in disbelief at the empty scene before them, their eyes filled with shock and bewilderment at surviving such a disaster.

Aisha carefully sensed her surroundings, her tone certain: "The spatial structure is stable, the source of the nightmare contamination has disappeared—the energy reaction has returned to natural peace. Target, annihilation confirmed."

Kate stood there, slightly out of breath, her face a little pale.

The "Return of All Things to Nothingness" attack just now almost drained his recently recovered spiritual energy, and the Heart of Reincarnation also dimmed slightly, but its core structure was exceptionally stable, and even became more condensed due to this extreme use of power.

He did not immediately lower his guard.

"Its ability to conceal itself is too strong now that it has acquired the rules of dreams. I need to double-check."

Within his eyes, four colors of light—silver blue, emerald green, gray, and amber—slowly rotated. The perception of the Heart of Reincarnation and the newly mastered "Mind Weaving" ability were elevated to their peak, like the most sophisticated radar.

Scanning and analyzing every inch of space, every flow of energy, and even the deeper levels of the subconscious and dream dimensions of this area again and again.

[Comprehensive Scan of the Seed of Origin Initiated]

[Material level: No abnormal energy aggregates or life remnants were found.]

[Energy Level: Nightmare-related pollution index returns to zero; leyline energy flow resumes its natural cycle with no abnormal fluctuations.]

[Spatial aspect: The structure is stable, with no hidden cracks or folded spaces.]

[Mental/Dream Level: No residual autonomous malicious consciousness detected; the disturbance in the collective unconscious is rapidly subsiding; the ripples of the nightmare have completely dissipated.]

[Conclusion: The Seed of Nightmare, all its derivatives, and its nest structure have been confirmed to be completely annihilated, with no risk of remnants.]

Once, twice, three times —

With utmost patience and rigor, Kate repeatedly confirmed the information from every angle until finally, the Heart of Reincarnation provided a steady response, and the Seed of Origin gave a cold, definitive conclusion. Only then did he finally let out a long, genuine sigh of relief.

My tense nerves slowly relaxed, and a strong sense of fatigue welled up in my heart, but even more so, I felt a sense of relief and the joy of success.

"It's confirmed," Kate turned around, giving Aisha and Amber a weary but incredibly clear smile. "It's dead. Utterly dead. The nightmare of the Silent Forest is over."

"Very good!!!"

Amber paused for a second, then burst into a huge cheer, tears welling up instantly—tears of joy and catharsis.

She threw down her staff, rushed over, and hugged Kate's arm tightly, crying and laughing at the same time: "We did it! Kate! Ash!"

We did it! The forest—the forest is saved!

Although Ashe remained calm, a sense of relief and satisfaction flickered in her silver eyes as she nodded gently.

"Let's go, it's time to take this message back." Kate patted Amber on the shoulder, her tone gentle.

When they emerged from the cave and breathed again the still chilly but no longer malevolent air of Echo Valley, they felt as if they had been reborn.

The message was transmitted back to the Eternal Song Tree first through a special method using amber.

When Kate and her two companions returned to the settlement, they were greeted by a scene that defied description.

Almost all the light fairies, whether elders, guards, or ordinary elves, gathered in the vast open space beneath the Eversong Tree.

Instead of cheering, they fell into a profound, almost pious silence.

Each elf had their eyes closed, their heads tilted back, tears streaming down their faces, yet they wore smiles of immense happiness and peace.

They are experiencing the changes that come from the depths of their blood and the very source of their souls.

The invisible, oppressive, and despairing gray haze that had shrouded the tranquil forest for who knows how long was rapidly melting away, like snow in spring.

The forest's "breathing" became incredibly smooth and light, brimming with vitality.

That purest life energy, originating from the lungs of the world, flows unhindered into every leaf, every drop of spring water, and the heart of every spirit.

Many of the magical plants, whose leaves were originally curled and dull, are now unfolding at a speed visible to the naked eye, radiating brilliant green and a soft halo.

Even the Eternal Song Tree itself, its crystal-clear trunk has become more translucent, the light flowing inside is more magnificent and warm, and the natural song emanating from its branches and leaves is ethereal and melodious, spreading in all directions.

This is a fundamental healing and recovery for the entire ecosystem!

"Nature's bounty—has returned—" an elderly elf murmured, tears streaming down his face.

"I—I had a very beautiful and sweet dream last night, without a trace of fear—"

A young light fairy girl whispered to her companion, her face flushed.

Elder Qingye, surrounded by Elder Chenlu and several other elders, quickly came forward to greet them.

The usually calm and wise elder had slightly red eyes and a trembling voice filled with barely suppressed excitement. He bowed deeply, deeply to Kate.

"Your Excellency Kate—no, my benefactor Kate! The Tranquil Forest will forever remember your kindness!"

All the elders behind him, including the chief priest of the withered tree whose expression was complex but eventually turned to relief and respect, bowed in unison.

All the light fairies turned to Kate, their eyes filled with the purest gratitude and respect.

Kate quickly stepped forward to help Elder Qingye up: "Elder, you flatter me. This is my duty. I am happy to be able to help everyone."

That night, the Eversong Tree held its grandest and most heartfelt celebration since the Darkness had engulfed it.

Without any complicated formalities, the elves spontaneously sang and danced, treating the hero with the purest morning dew and nectar.

The sweet nectar and the crisp morning dew seem to contain the energy of joy.

The following day, in the most sacred "Hall of Heart's Whisper" of the Eternal Song Tree, Elder Qingye, on behalf of the entire Light Fairy Tribe, held a solemn ceremony of gratitude.

"Your Excellency Kate," the Elder's voice was solemn and full of emotion, "you saved our homeland, and the Tranquil Forest can never repay this kindness. Please accept this small token of our gratitude."

He personally presented three items.

The first item, the largest fragment of the "Dream Core," was placed in a box meticulously carved from eternal living wood.

"This is the most crucial fragment of the Dream Core. It is destined to be yours and will be an excellent aid to your future exploration of the rules."

Only in your hands can it continue to shine, instead of fading into oblivion with the disappearance of the Nightmare Demon. Please accept it.

The second item was a strange fruit, about the size of a fist, perfectly round, radiating a soft, seven-colored hue, with what appeared to be liquid rainbow light slowly flowing inside—the Rainbow Life Fruit.

"This fruit is from the life vein node of the Eternal Night Forest, absorbing the essence of the stars and moon for thousands of years and the purest life dew. Guided by the Light Fairy with a secret method, it takes decades to nurture one fruit."

It contains a vast yet gentle source of life, capable of greatly nourishing the soul, tempering the body, enhancing understanding of the rules of life, and is a supreme treasure for solidifying the foundation when breaking through realms.

The third item was a small glass bottle containing a small portion of a viscous liquid that appeared to be formed from countless tiny starlight rays, constantly shifting between silvery-white and emerald-green hues—[Starry Morning Dew].

"This is the essence collected from the tender leaves at the very top of the Eternal Song Tree, bathed in the first rays of dawn, under a specific star array, and refined over a hundred years by combining the power of the stars."

It has an incredible nourishing and purifying effect on the soul, greatly enhancing the purity and recovery speed of spiritual power, and is especially effective in comprehending the rules of stars and moonlight.

These two treasures are supreme treasures that the Light Fairy clan keeps secret, are extremely rare, and are never shared with outsiders. Their value cannot be measured by ordinary magic stones.

Kate could feel the vast and pure energy contained within it, and her heart trembled, realizing how profound this gift of gratitude was.

He solemnly accepted it with both hands: "Thank you, Elder, and thank you for the generous gift from the Tranquil Forest."

The elder smiled with satisfaction and then gestured for Elder Morning Dew to bring over a large stack of books and crystals made of special leaves and luminescent crystals.

"Furthermore, our clan has decided to fully open our knowledge repository to you."

It contains fragmented notes from our people's past generations on natural magic, life cultivation, celestial perception, herbalism, and—partially obtained from ancient ruins—on high elf runes and contracts.

Hope this helps you on your journey.

This gift is also priceless, a crystallization of the wisdom accumulated by an ancient race.

Kate thanked her again sincerely.

For the next month or so, Kate did not leave immediately.

During the day, he immersed himself in the Light Fairy's knowledge library, eagerly absorbing this ancient race's unique understanding of nature and life, especially the secrets about communicating with stars, moonlight, and plants. These greatly broadened his horizons and resonated with his own life principles, bringing him immense gains.