Immortal Druid

The former members of the Dark Order gathered at the edge of the Hermit Sage Forest under Hao Lei's leadership. They stood in uneasy silence, their eyes shifting between the Willow Order cultivators stationed nearby and the endless sea of trees behind me. Some appeared nervous. Others looked resigned. A few carried the hollow expressions of men and women who had already accepted whatever fate awaited them.

I planted my staff into the ground and faced Hao Lei.

"Thank you for coming, Hao Lei. I haven't forgotten our arrangement."

Hao Lei cupped his fist. "This one asks for Sage Wo Li's patience. The individual I wish to have resurrected has not yet been secured. I am still making preparations."

I nodded. "As long as you remember your end of the bargain."

That was enough for now.

As requested, Hao Lei had brought his followers to me as quickly as possible. The Willow Order required their assistance in dismantling the Dark Order's remaining infrastructure. Hidden bases, secret routes, resource caches, sleeper agents, and countless other problems could be solved far more efficiently with the cooperation of former insiders.

Because of that, the removal of their Dark Seeds had been delayed.

It was a practical decision.

Hao Lei had personally assisted the Willow Order in hunting down Dark Order remnants. Thanks to him, the campaign progressed far faster than anyone had anticipated. I would have participated in the hunts myself, but the Willow Order repeatedly insisted they could manage the task without me.

Perhaps it was pride.

Perhaps they wished to prove their worth.

Or perhaps they wanted to regain the trust they had lost.

I had been harsh when I lashed out at them. Looking back, some of my words may have cut deeper than intended. Even so, the things I said needed to be said.

As I raised my staff, dozens of Thorn Whips erupted from the earth in a sudden, violent surge. The former Dark Order cultivators stiffened at the sight, several instinctively stepping backward, but it was already too late. The thorn-covered vines shot forward before they could react.

"Wait—"

"Senior, please—"

"Ah!"

The thorn-covered whips wrapped tightly around their bodies, restraining them with unyielding force. Panic rippled through the crowd as the vines slithered relentlessly toward their abdomens. Then the extraction began. The thorns pierced deep into flesh, and waves of agonizing pain exploded across the gathering.

"AAAAARGH!"

"My core!"

"It hurts!"

The cultivators screamed as the Dark Seeds were forcibly dragged from their bodies. Blood-stained robes and soil alike as disgusting black masses emerged from within them. The process was far gentler than simply ripping the seeds out, but there was no way to make it painless.

Gradually, the cries began to change.

One cultivator stared at the pulsating black tumor dangling before him.

"T-That's it?"

Another blinked repeatedly.

"The pressure... It's gone."

"I can breathe."

A Nascent Soul cultivator clenched his fists before laughing weakly.

"For the first time in years..."

Not everyone accepted the process so calmly. Several cultivators reacted on pure instinct, surging with spiritual energy as they attempted to fight back, their weapons flashing in defiance. But the Thorn Whips immediately tightened in response, pinning the struggling cultivators firmly in place before they could accomplish anything.

"Stay still," I said. "You'll only make it worse."

At the same time, I cast Lifepulse. Emerald light spread across the gathering. The life energy flowed into their bodies, accelerating the healing. Torn flesh closed. Internal injuries stabilized. Exhausted meridians recovered enough to prevent lasting damage.

Nearby, Jia Ping immediately got to work.

"I will begin examining the post-removal effects of the Dark Seeds," she declared. "Record everything. Physical symptoms, cultivation fluctuations, mental state, and spiritual recovery rates. I want comprehensive reports."

She moved from patient to patient while several Willow Order disciples followed behind her.

"Signs of lethargy."

"Noted."

"Cultivation has decreased."

"How much?"

"Approximately one minor realm."

Another cultivator raised his hand weakly.

"I feel exhausted."

Jia Ping nodded.

"Expected. Continue monitoring."

The Willow Order disciples busied themselves assisting patients, recording observations, distributing medicinal resources, and helping those too weak to stand. There were far more subjects than I had initially anticipated.

Most were Core Formation cultivators, but there were also Nascent Soul cultivators.

Removing so many Dark Seeds at once would provide Jia Ping with a wealth of information.

Eventually, I turned my attention toward Hao Lei.

"You aren't an exception," I said as Hao Lei stepped forward without hesitation.

"I am ready," he declared.

Good. His case required considerably more care than the others. I summoned a single Thorn Whip, and the vine swiftly wrapped around his waist before a sharp thorn sank into his abdomen. Hao Lei’s muscles immediately tensed as I extended my senses into his body. The Dark Seed had burrowed deep into his core; removing it carelessly could cripple him permanently.

Slowly and with great precision, I maneuvered the vine around the repulsive growth. Once I located the points where it attached to his cultivation foundation, I summoned Raindrop Edge. Thin blades of condensed water materialized around my fingers, and one by one, I severed the connections. The process was painstaking, but the moment the final attachment snapped free, the Thorn Whip yanked the Dark Seed from his body.

Hao Lei released a strained grunt. “Ungh...”

Sweat covered Hao Lei’s forehead, and his face had gone deathly pale, yet he remained standing with unwavering resolve. The grotesque tumor-like mass hanging from my vine pulsed with black veins that throbbed across its surface. Then, to my disgust, a face emerged from the fleshy orb. Its eyes snapped open, and a jagged mouth split apart as the creature released a piercing, otherworldly shriek.

I grimaced. "Disgusting."

The Thorn Whip tightened with a sickening crunch, exploding the Dark Seed into a pulpy mess. Before any fragment could escape, I conjured a Sunlight Orb, its brilliant golden radiance swiftly engulfing the remains. The creature’s piercing shrieks cut off instantly, leaving nothing behind but silence.

Hao Lei stared at the ashes before wincing. "That was an unpleasant sight."

"It wasn't exactly pleasant for me either."

I cast Lifepulse on him. The healing energy flowed through his body and accelerated his recovery. Once I was satisfied he would survive, I turned around and began walking deeper into the forest.

"Walk with me."

Hao Lei silently followed.

The atmosphere was surprisingly peaceful as we walked through the forest. Birds chirped cheerfully overhead while leaves rustled softly in the gentle breeze. It felt as though the forest itself welcomed my presence as branches bent aside, roots withdrew into the earth, and flowers gracefully shifted out of our path.

Using phytokinesis, I guided the vegetation away without any conscious effort. At the same time, geokinesis smoothed the uneven terrain beneath our feet; stones sank into the soil, small bumps lowered themselves, and the ground practically built a clear road for us as we continued onward.

After several minutes of silence, I finally spoke. "Hao Lei, what do you think our relationship is?"

He answered immediately. "That of a ruler and his servant."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop the flattery."

The former Dark Order cultivator looked genuinely confused.

I sighed. "I'm serious."

"..."

"I don't trust you," I suddenly remarked, earning a surprised look from Hao Lei. I don't trust your judgment. I don't trust your past. I certainly don't trust your ability to make good decisions given where those decisions led you. But I'm willing to take the risk."

His expression shifted slightly. "Because of my story?"

"Partly," I glanced toward him. "You gave me a sob story. A decent one, too. But that's not the main reason. You helped bring down the Dark Order. You didn't just talk about doing the right thing. You actually did it. Of course, in a compromising position that didn't paint you as a good person, but still, you acted, and actions matter more than words to me. That doesn't mean I trust you, Hao Lei. It means you've earned the opportunity to prove that trusting you wasn't a mistake."

Hao Lei lowered his head.

This time, there was no flattery in his voice. "Then I will do everything in my power to ensure it was not."

I used Nature's Stride.

The world blurred around me as nature answered my call. One moment I stood within the Hermit Sage Forest, and the next I found myself atop a mountain overlooking the endless canopy below. The sea of green stretched beyond the horizon, swaying gently beneath the afternoon wind.

A heartbeat later, Hao Lei appeared behind me.

His movements were slower than usual. The recent removal of his Dark Seed had clearly taken a toll on him, but he concealed it well.

I rested both hands atop my staff and stared toward the distant horizon.

"Hao Lei."

"Yes?"

I glanced toward him.

"What do you think our relationship is?"

For the first time since I had met him, Hao Lei hesitated. His answer came much more slowly than before, perhaps because he had finally realized I wasn’t looking for flattery, or perhaps because he understood that what I truly wanted was honesty.

"A transactional relationship," said Hao Lei with a stern expression. "I provide my loyalty so long as it serves my interests. You provide what I seek. I intend to remain loyal until I obtain what I desire. After that..."

He did not finish the sentence, since he didn't need to.

I nodded slowly. “I see. If that’s the case, perhaps I’ll hold on to my power of resurrection and refuse to bring your wife back.”

The reaction was immediate. Hao Lei’s eyes widened, fear flashing across his face before confusion took over. “W-What?” Genuine panic filled his voice. “How did you know?”

I scratched my cheek, unsure how to respond. That was honestly becoming a difficult question to answer. My Voice of the World ability had grown increasingly unreasonable lately. The voices I heard continued growing louder and clearer. At first, I could only hear animals. Then plant life. Then parts of nature. Now? I could hear practically everything.

I glanced toward Hao Lei, and his clothes immediately began speaking.

The outer robe sounded particularly pleased with itself.

"Look at me. Such magnificent tailoring. Such elegance. Such refinement."

Another layer of clothing underneath sounded equally smug.

"The robe gets all the attention. Yet who rests against Master's glorious physique? Me."

A sleeve nearby sounded almost offended.

"No appreciation. None. I complete the entire outfit."

Then another piece of clothing suddenly adopted the tone of a tragic poet.

"No one understands my suffering. I embrace his body every day, yet I can never truly possess him."

The belt chimed in.

"Our relationship is forbidden."

I stared blankly at Hao Lei. His clothes were idiots. Complete idiots.

This was a recent development, too. Several months ago, none of this would have happened. Now I had to endure the internal drama of a man’s wardrobe. With a sigh, I rubbed my forehead.

"Did you know that items have souls?" I asked out of context.

Hao Lei blinked. "...What?"

"Not all souls are equal. Some are weak. Some are strong. Sometimes all it takes is enough sincerity. Given enough time, even mundane objects can develop a spark of thought not unlike spiritual beasts."

His expression suggested he thought I had finally lost my mind. I couldn’t really blame him. Slowly, my gaze shifted toward the ring hanging from a necklace around his neck. Unlike his clothes, the ring was very quiet. The voice I heard from it carried only pain, longing, and grief.

"Ren Lan..."

"I miss you."

"Master still waits."

"Master still hurts."

"He smiles for others."

"He cries when no one sees."

"Ren Lan..."

The voice echoed endlessly, like a song trapped within a broken heart.

I looked toward Hao Lei. "That ring is precious to you, isn't it?"

Almost immediately, his hand moved protectively to the necklace, fingers closing tightly around the ring in a subconscious, defensive action. It was the instinctive gesture of someone shielding something truly irreplaceable.

I nodded toward it. "I can hear your ring singing its sorrow."

"I have no intention of cheating you," said Hao Lei, his voice carrying unusual sincerity. "I plan to leave my subordinates in your care. I fully intend to fulfill my end of our agreement. The loyalty of my people will be yours, for mine surrenders itself to you. This life. It isn't for my wife. She's a mortal woman—"

I immediately cut him off. "If she were a mortal woman, then why resurrect her at all? Mortality awaits mortals. Death is part of their journey. More importantly, enough time has already passed. By now, she should have crossed the gates of the Underworld. Even my resurrection may not be capable of bringing her back."

“No,” Hao Lei replied almost desperately, the word leaving his lips before I could even finish. “No. I will make it work. Please.”

The composed former Dark Order commander vanished entirely. Only a grieving husband remained, raw and vulnerable.

“You gave me your word,” he pleaded.

I sighed, the sound carried away by the wind. “Fine.” Hao Lei looked up at me with renewed hope. I pointed my staff toward him, my expression growing serious. “But understand this: I cannot promise success. There are times when my powers fail.”

The hope in his eyes faltered.

“I will do everything within my power,” I continued, the words coming straight from the heart. “But I am not omnipotent.” No matter what others believed, no matter what stories people spread, and no matter how many miracles I had performed, there remained things beyond even me.

After a moment, I continued. “Regardless, that isn’t why I asked you to come here.”

Hao Lei frowned, clearly confused.

I turned toward the forest below and softened my voice. “Hao Lei, you believe our relationship began with a transaction.”

“It did,” he replied.

“I disagree.”

The answer surprised him. Bringing someone back from the dead had never been a mere business arrangement to me. It never had been, and never would be. I gazed toward the horizon.

“Resurrection is personal. When I bring someone back, I become responsible for them. I become responsible for the lives they touch from the countless consequences, the futures they will create, and the people they might save or harm. Everything.”

Understanding slowly dawned in Hao Lei’s eyes.

“You need something from me,” he said.

I smiled. “There it is.” I nodded. “I do.”

“What?”

I faced him directly, my expression sincere. “Hao Lei, I want you to become my eyes and ears.”

His eyebrows rose, the request clearly catching him off guard. “What would I need to do?”

“Observe. Listen. Report. I’ll provide fair compensation, and I’ll become a pillar you can rely upon.”

That earned a visible reaction from him, because I meant every word.

“Hao Lei,” I said, extending my hand toward him, “I am asking you to become my ally. This path will be dangerous. You could lose your life, and the people around you could suffer as well. Even knowing that, would you accept?”

I paused, giving him space to consider. “It’s fine if you refuse. I will still honor my promise. No matter your answer, I will do everything within my power to help you bring your wife back. But if you accept, I promise you my full support.”

Not as a ruler, master, or benefactor, but something far more meaningful.

“And I will treat you like family.”

Hao Lei looked deeply conflicted, his face a storm of emotions, but he soon resolved himself. With a heavy breath, he dropped to his knees before me, bowing his head low.

“Lord Wo Li… I am not a good person,” he said, voice thick with shame. “I’ve done terrible things to survive. I’ve hurt people. I’ve taken from people. I tried to follow a code, some semblance of honor, but life in the cultivation world was never easy. I stained my hands more times than I can count. Despite all that… would you still accept someone like me?”

I remained silent for a moment, listening to his clothing, his person, and the wind itself. His robes whispered with quiet pity for the man who wore them, lamenting the weight he carried. His footwear lamented how many places this man had walked, how much he had helped others even while surviving in darkness. The ring around his neck cried softly of the unfairness he had suffered, of losses too heavy for any one soul. And the wind itself whispered to me that a small star of misfortune had long hung above the man’s head, yet he had never fully become a demon.

I guessed this was one of the silver linings of my Voice of the World ability growing stronger. The voices revealed truths no ordinary gaze could uncover.

I looked down at the kneeling man and spoke clearly. “Hao Lei, I accept you.”

His head lifted slightly, eyes glistening. “Then please accept my kowtow. Thank you… for taking me in.”

He kowtowed three times, pressing his forehead firmly to the ground with each bow. It was earnest, heavy, and full of resolve.

Rising slightly, he asked, “What would you have me do?”

I smiled faintly and declared, “My first decree is this: spread your roots across the six continents. Become my eyes and ears. Walk where I cannot, see what I cannot, and hear what others would hide.”

I raised my staff toward the heavens, my voice ringing with purpose. “I declare my intention to the heavens that I will take a firm step forward in truly knowing this world. I declare my ambition to leave this world a better place than I found it.”

I thumped my staff once against the earth. My shadow churned violently as Shadow Elementals stirred to life within it, and the sky above was suddenly blotted by a swirling murder of crows.

“And above all,” I added with a lighter tone, a small grin tugging at my lips, “I wish to enjoy the fine delights of camping in every corner of this world.”

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