Geralt quickly retreated, his longsword falling, scattering countless black feathers.
Several Leshens struck by the slash fell to the ground, yet this still couldn't stop the momentum of the subsequent flock.
Boom!
Raising his hand, Igni flared, and Geralt unleashed another Sign.
The flock of Leshens dispersed rapidly in the conflagration.
Crackle~ Crackle~...
The sound of dense trees snapping and cracking came from below.
Geralt looked down, and the soil on the ground was rapidly rising in strips, as if countless intertwined giant earthworms were about to break through the surface.
"Damn it..."
Muttering, Geralt turned and ran quickly.
He had long anticipated an attack involving root entanglement and had created distance to prepare.
However, he had overlooked the immense amplification of this move by the life energy within the ancient forest.
The roots that the Leshen was currently growing underground were almost identical in diameter and length to the exposed thick roots of the native giant trees.
Such thick roots led to a significant increase in the attack range.
Bang! Bang! Bang!...
Intertwined giant roots erupted from the ground in a spiral.
Glancing back and realizing he couldn't dodge in time, Geralt first cast a Quen Sign to ward off damage, then lunged forward.
But before he could land, he was ensnared by the tightening spiral roots around his waist, and he was hung upside down in mid-air.
Whoosh~ Bang!
From the distant bushes, Epona noticed Geralt's unusual state and immediately fired a signal flare for help.
"It's not desperate yet, little girl is too impatient..."
Geralt muttered, and facing several thick roots rapidly closing in, he raised his hand and cast another Igni Sign.
Boom! Fire flared.
The dark green bark on the surface of the roots immediately charred, then turned into fine black particles, and began to crackle apart section by section.
Geralt reached for his lower back, drew the hunter's knife gifted by Li Fan, and began to cut at the roots entwined around his waist.
Crackle~ Crackle~...
The sound of bark bursting open was heard, and the roots, whose growth had just been halted, surged again with renewed vigor.
Geralt then realized that the Leshen's amplified abilities in the ancient forest were not limited to attack range but also included powerful regeneration.
"Epona's signal flare just now was for help, right?"
Geralt muttered, and then he was tightly grasped by the encircling roots.
Wail~ Wail~...
The Leshens, with their dry, hoarse cries, swarmed in at the same time.
Coo~
A dim silver light appeared.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
As several sharp arcs flashed in mid-air, a large number of Leshens fell to the ground.
Geralt noticed that the roots binding him were being severed, so he flipped over and landed, activating his Witcher senses and focusing on the sky.
A large bird resembling an owl, with its belly distended into a sphere, appeared in his vision.
"What a robust bird..."
Geralt wasn't sure of the origin of this invisible giant bird, but it had indeed helped him, at least proving it hadn't been misled by the Leshen.
Coo~
Yeyue didn't understand what Geralt was saying, assuming he was expressing gratitude, and responded.
The Leshen, perhaps sensing a change in the situation, quickly retracted all its spreading roots.
A moment later, dozens of Jagras appeared from various parts of the jungle, surrounding Geralt, clearly controlled by the Leshen.
As Geralt was still figuring out how to deal with them, Yeyue folded its wings and performed a ground-slamming dive.
Bang! The Jagras beneath its backside immediately collapsed.
But to Yeyue's surprise, the other Jagras did not flinch and continued to advance resolutely, looking for an opportunity to attack.
At this point, the Leshen also noticed Yeyue's presence.
After observing for a moment, a magical light flashed in the hollow eye sockets of its skeletal mask, and its body, formed from twisted branches, suddenly surged with dark energy.
Hiss~ Whoosh~
The Leshen transformed into a cloud of black smoke and disappeared from its spot.
Coo? Coo!
Yeyue's large red eyes widened to their limit.
It had always been the one to move stealthily and unseen.
Now, a monster disappearing into thin air before its eyes was a great shock.
Whoosh~
A crisp impact sound came from the side.
Yeyue turned its head and saw a totem adorned with skulls on the grass in the distance.
Although Geralt was surrounded by Jagras, he had been tracking the flow of the black mist and accurately determined the Leshen's reappearance location.
"Behind you! Big bird!"
Although Yeyue didn't understand the meaning of Geralt's words, it sensed something approaching from behind.
Whoosh~ The black mist reformed, and the Leshen reappeared. As its branch-like hands, sharp as knives, were about to thrust forward, its blurred head suddenly twisted, directly facing backward.
Looking at those large red round eyes, the Leshen was perhaps surprised by such a bizarre creature and paused for a moment.
Yeyue's body immediately twisted, its wings flapping rapidly as it spun.
To counter the blade-like wing slashes, the overwhelmed Leshen could only quickly swing its arms, constantly using regenerating branches to defend itself.
Yeyue felt it couldn't break through, so it continued to increase the speed of its wing flaps.
Coo! Coo! Coo!...
The Leshen felt increasing pressure, and just as it felt it could no longer keep up, it glanced down and saw the opponent's constantly trembling, round belly.
Swoosh~
The tip of a branch pierced into it.
Coo!
Yeyue let out a cry, and the flapping speed of its wings immediately slowed considerably.
Whoosh~
The withered bone totem made a rattling sound in the gentle breeze, and a dark red magic circle appeared beneath it.
"It's a dark magic ritual, not good..."
Geralt parried a Jagras with his sword and rushed out of the encirclement to provide support.
Once the dark magic ritual was completed, not only would the big bird be controlled, but the Leshen would also gain the ability to regenerate before the big bird was killed.
Seeing that its wing slashes were becoming weaker due to its injuries, Yeyue fully unfurled its folded composite wings.
Then, its entire body began to sway rhythmically with its head.
The things in the Leshen's eyes gradually receded and disappeared, leaving only the constantly swaying silver silhouette.
The dark magic ritual stalled.
Swoosh~
With its forearm drooping, the sharp branch that had pierced Yeyue's belly slid out, and the Leshen fell into a deep slumber.
"Hypnotizing the Leshen, an unprecedented magic."
Geralt, cautiously probing forward, said in disbelief.
At this moment, Li Fan and Eudora descended from the sky.
"Is this the monster that's been causing trouble in the ancient forest?"
Eudora asked after landing and observing for a moment.
"Yes, according to the investigation by Epona and me, all the anomalies were caused by the Leshen. It is currently in a dormant state, be careful not to wake it."
Geralt informed them.
"I didn't expect you to know the Sleep Slash style too."
Eudora said with surprise.
"Sleep Slash style... this is not a good time to attack. To completely resolve the issue, you'll need to wait for me to destroy the bone totem first."
Geralt explained.
"Totem..."
Eudora was puzzled.
"Go ahead, Geralt, we won't interfere."
Li Fan assured him.
"It seems that to deal with the monsters in their world, one must master a corresponding hunting system."
Eudora speculated.
"That's right, and that's precisely what Commander Frae is most worried about."
Li Fan agreed.
"Looking at it this way, to dismantle that bone totem, one would surely need specialized moves similar to fire magic."
Eudora looked at Geralt in the distance and became expectant.
Geralt approached the bone totem, stared at it for a moment, then kicked it.
Whoosh~ The bone totem, lifted from the ground, flipped several times in the air and landed in the distant jungle.
"Alright, I overthought it."
Eudora said with a hint of helplessness.
"The next step is to deliver a heavy blow, preferably one that can scatter the Leshen and eliminate any possibility of escape."
Geralt, returning, offered his suggestion.
"Then leave it to Eudora. Geralt, let's withdraw for now."
Li Fan said.
"Uh... wouldn't it be safer if we stayed together?"
Geralt asked with a hint of confusion.
"No, she can't fully control that greatsword on her back yet. It's better to stay far away."
Li Fan advised.
Geralt crossed his arms and pondered for a moment, then followed Li Fan's advice.
Whoosh! Boom! A vertical burst of crimson flame flashed briefly, followed by a deafening roar.
The ground trembled briefly, and a shockwave carrying a large amount of leaves swept over.
"A slash with immense power. Thank you for your advice, Li Fan."
Geralt, watching from a distance, expressed his sincere gratitude.
"Is this kind of power considered strong?"
Li Fan tentatively asked.
"Of course, it is. It's just that the method of application is too singular... Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot that this type of move wasn't designed for combat with others."
Geralt explained.
"It's alright, everyone's accumulated knowledge is different. It's difficult to correct it in a short period."
"Do you remember Ciri?"
Geralt's sudden question indeed stumped Li Fan.
"I don't remember."
"Although I don't know what you've been through, Ciri helped you when you were leaving."
"Then, if we find Ciri and ask her..."
"Alas~ I'm looking for her too."
Geralt sighed.
"Over there... does everyone remember me?"
Li Fan tentatively asked.
"Of course."
Geralt's answer was firm.
A world I've never visited, yet my past exists there, wearing equipment from the Monster Hunter world.
And in the end, I left...
Li Fan felt that no matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't comprehend such illogical events.
"Hey~ Where did the corpse go?"
Eudora's voice rang out.
The two immediately went to investigate.
Inside the indentation created by the charged heavy attack, there was nothing.
The Leshen's body, formed from twisted branches, had truly turned to ash.
After examining the scene, Geralt explained, "If your attack hadn't been so destructive, perhaps something would have been left. Now... it's hard to find anything."
"I originally wanted to carve out some monster materials as a souvenir."
A dejected Eudora re-sheathed her hunter's knife.
Having helped resolve the source of the anomalies in the ancient forest, given the Guild's attitude towards transmigrators, it was highly likely they would accept Geralt.
However, having killed people and carrying weapons used for killing eliminated that possibility, leaving Geralt without even the qualification to enter the Starry Base.
But he didn't seem to care much, as he didn't plan to stay long anyway.
At dusk, Epona, riding a Wyvern, landed on the coast.
"Here you go, Mr. Geralt!"
Epona said, handing a heavy bag of gold to Geralt.
Geralt took it, felt its weight, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Commander Frae is very grateful to you. He hopes we can cooperate again if there's an opportunity. I've also learned a lot through this collaboration."
Epona said gratefully.
"Me too, Miss Epona. This unexpected journey has allowed me to understand many things beyond my cognition, as well as the greatness of hunters."
Geralt finished speaking and turned his gaze to Li Fan.
"Have you found the monster that saved me?"
Geralt inquired.
"No, I only found a feather with transparent fluorescent powder. Based on your description, it should be one it dropped. Keep it as a souvenir."
Li Fan said, handing Yeyue's feather over.
Geralt took it, examined it for a moment, and put it into his waist pouch.
"Although you can't enter the Starry Base, you can reside in either the public camp or the Fire Village."
Li Fan informed him.
"No need, I need to go back now."
"So you have a way. I thought you'd have to wait for the next portal malfunction or be found by a sorceress."
Li Fan asked with some surprise.
"I have a teleportation talisman. Although it can't complete spatial teleportation on its own, it can inform someone with the ability to activate portals, like the sorceress you mentioned. Would you like to go back and see?"
Geralt extended an invitation.
"I'm doing well here, so I won't go. However, if it's convenient for you... it's best not to come here casually. The situation here might be a bit chaotic for a while."
Li Fan advised.
"Alright, I'll give you this teleportation talisman. I hope it will be of help someday."
Geralt said, handing a triangular stone with strange markings to Li Fan.
Whoosh~ Buzz!
A moment later, a portal that distorted the surrounding space appeared out of thin air on the coast.
Geralt nervously checked his equipment, ensuring nothing was loose, took a few steps back, and charged towards the spatial portal.
"Geralt! Remember to watch your landing height over there! Otherwise, it could be fatal!"
Li Fan reminded him.
"I will!"
Geralt responded, finished his run-up, and leaped into the portal.
Since they were already at the coast, the team decided to camp there for the night and have some seafood for a change of pace.
Late at night, Li Fan came to the beach alone and rubbed his hands in the air, conjuring a round ball of fur.
"So this wound is damage to the fat layer..."
Li Fan compared it with his handheld device and suddenly understood the meaning of the text description.
"Yeyue, don't suck in your stomach, I can't see the wound."
Coo~
Yeyue let out an unhappy cry.
"It's not that I insist on seeing it, but this wound description is too rare. It's the first time I've seen one that only injured the fat layer. I want to see what secrets lie within."