Chapter 67: Jungle Gate
Misty Forest.
This is a vast primeval forest, similar in nature to the Misty Forest, both of which are places inhabited by special creatures. Soren is currently surrounded by intertwining ancient trees, with the branches in front of him forming a shape reminiscent of a large gate. At first glance, it seems ordinary, but entering it reveals an entirely different world.
This place is called the “Jungle Gate.”
It is a gift left behind by the Nature Deities and a world cultivated by the Treants.
Or rather, it is an independent half-plane, a unique semi-plane established on the Material Plane, connecting to elemental planes based on the Misty Forest. This area is close to the center of the Misty Forest, and the surrounding mist can affect others’ minds, causing even high-level professionists to experience hallucinations. Usually, very few people can come here. Soren is also here to see if he can reap some special benefits.
The Jungle Gate is a special half-plane.
Its existence relies on the roots of a giant ancient tree, which has long since died but still retains immense power, allowing the “Nature Guardian” to transform it into an independent half-plane. Even wild Druids must obtain the collective consent of the High Council members to enter. This is because it is a resting place for many Treants, and within the Jungle Gate lies a great secret.
This was once a legendary-level large instance.
The term “instance” is what adventurers call it; many things in this world are non-reproducible, making the concept of “instances” somewhat of a joke.
Recorded instances are extremely rare, with team challenge levels typically above level 15.
Moreover,
Most places that can be called “instances” are independent half-planes.
For instance, the Modo city that Soren currently rules and the Wizard Tower in the Shadow Plane. The Chess Half-Plane, secret laboratories, and so on, in earlier terminology, could almost all be considered legendary-level challenge instances.
The Jungle Gate has not yet undergone mutation.
After the outbreak of the Saint’s Cataclysm, many places suffered irreparable damage due to enormous energy fluctuations. The battles of the gods left the Material Plane full of holes. As such, the Jungle Gate is likely to experience some terrifying upheaval in the future, affecting the Treants with frenzied power, causing them to hate those who damage nature. In the future, the entire Misty Forest may become a dangerous zone with a challenge level above 12.
Of course,
It is still relatively peaceful here now; the Jungle Gate has not been destroyed, and the structure of the semi-plane remains stable.
One of Soren’s reasons for coming here personally
is to sneak into the interior of the Jungle Gate. There are some things here that interest him.
Curious artifacts that can enhance attributes!
It has been mentioned before that items that can increase attributes are extremely rare in the entire Material Plane, and such items are very precious even to deities. Just so happens, there is such an item within the Jungle Gate, which is of significant value to Soren!
However, it is already chaotic here.
Now that he is trying to sneak in, he is a bit worried about alerting the Nature Guardian with a profession level of 36, but taking a little risk is still worth it.
——“Saint’s Form!”
——“Wanderer’s [Divine Profession Domain]!”
The Wanderer’s Divine Profession Domain grants Soren an extra stealth bonus, and he carefully senses his surroundings. Then, he slowly steps through the gate formed by the branches in front of him.
The space distorts.
In the blink of an eye, Soren has appeared in another space.
All around him are lush trees. Unlike the severely damaged surroundings in his memory, which were filled with burned deadwood, the interior of the Jungle Gate is vibrant with life. In the furthest reach of Soren’s vision, there is an oak tree towering hundreds of meters high. This is an oak-wise being with a challenge level of 21, one of the guardians left behind by the Nature Deities.
Treants.
This special form of life species, although rarely seen by others, still retains some extremely powerful beings.
Treants can also be advanced professionists.
If Soren remembers correctly, this sleeping oak-wise being has the following profession levels: 10th-level Druid / 10th-level Arborist / 5th-level Oak Wise / 1st-level Nature Guardian.
Its total profession level is 26, with a challenge level of 21.
Over time, Treants receive the gifts of nature; many are born with the abilities of Druids and the special advanced profession of Arborists. If it weren’t for significant weaknesses, their challenge levels could be even higher.
The interior of the Jungle Gate is very quiet.
There aren’t many animals living here; only countless ancient trees exist. Ordinary people entering would feel a sense of intoxication from the excess oxygen.
Most of what is in front of him is oak.
Oaks are one of the easiest trees to turn into Treants. Relying on god-level perception, Soren can easily detect at least a dozen Treants nearby with biological levels above 10.
A clear river flows down from distant mountains.
Soren carefully avoids the Treants’ perception and gradually delves deeper into the Jungle Gate.
This place has not yet been destroyed by war, so the map in his memory is of no use. What lies before him is still a tranquil paradise, with Treants quietly sleeping here.
“Giggle!”
“Don’t make a fuss! Talinti! If you’re naughty again, I’ll get angry!”
A crisp laughter comes from ahead, and Soren alertly fades into the shadows, inching closer.
Three lovely and enchanting figures appear ahead.
They look somewhat like elves, wearing beautiful long dresses of red, yellow, and green, and they are currently playing by the riverside, their graceful forms exuding an indescribable charm.
Dryads.
One of the residents of the Jungle Gate.
If the war has not reached here yet, then most of the dryads in this area are still alive, making this a place with the most dryads living in the Material Plane.
They are the companions of ancient trees, beautiful offspring nurtured by nature.
Dryads cannot leave their companion ancient trees for too long, so the ancient trees they rely on should be nearby. Soren quietly observes for a while, not disturbing these playful beautiful dryads, but continues to wade deeper into the interior of the Jungle Gate along the river.
At the deepest part of here,
Which is where the Nature Guardian sleeps, there is a special pool left from ancient times. The essence of life cultivated within it is habitually referred to by the outside world as “Water of Life.”
This is Soren’s target.
A special artifact that can permanently increase one’s lifespan and additionally enhance constitution by 1 point.
Soren’s current constitution is 24 points.
As profession levels increase, acquiring attribute points becomes increasingly difficult. If he can obtain the Water of Life in advance, he can directly gain the capabilities of epic constitution.
Moreover.
For deities, longevity and eternal youth may hold little value, but for other beings, they are invaluable.
As an avatar of a deity, the only thing that could threaten Soren here are those powerful Nature Guardians.
………..(To be continued ~^~)
