Another day passed and night came again. Zachary was once again watching over the curious flower and the stump it grew out of.

“What do you think about it?” He asked.

“What do you mean?” Wander responded.

The turtle was on the ground, hiding next to the stump as usual. Despite the distance, they could still converse through their souls. This was another strange benefit of the eternal soul bond. He wasn’t able to do this with Yaoyao as if she was summoned, they could only converse with their voices.

“I mean, you’ve eaten three flowers, one for each night. Does it have any special effects? Do you feel different?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

“Nothing? Do you feel stronger? More alert? Or maybe a change in your soul cultivation?”

“Nope.”

“Alright, then don’t eat the flower tonight. We’ll let someone else eat it and see what happens.”

“Wait, that’s no fair… Big bro, let’s talk about this…”

Wander complained loudly for a long time. Zachary mostly ignored him and kept watch over their surroundings. It was quiet. The flower had not bloomed yet.

At first, he thought this flower might be an Ensouled. But upon closer examination, it wasn’t the case. It was just a plant without a soul. Plant types were far more difficult to understand than beast-type Ensouled. All beasts would have a soul as long they reached a certain size. This wasn’t the case for plants and fungi.

For example, this area was filled with giant trees, strange vines, and countless species of plants and fungi. Most of them weren’t Ensouled. But creatures like flower demons and treants did exist elsewhere. Oakley and Elmont were relatively young but they were able to form individual souls. Zachary didn’t know why.

“Watch out, the flower is blooming,” Wander warned through their soul bond.

A few breaths later, the gorgeous white flower with five petals once again appeared. He once again felt the wave of Eternum and smelled its sweet fragrance.

The dark jungle soon came alive in response.

"Rahh!" A low growl came from one side of the grove.

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The underbrush rustled and the ground slightly trembled. A black shadow came into view, a heavy-set beast of unknown origin or species. Its raw power was evident in its heavy footsteps. It crashed towards the white flower like nothing else mattered.

"Aw! Aw!" A different set of cries came from another direction.

It was too dark to see very far but there had to be at least three.

"Rahhh!"

"Aw! Aw!"

The noises grew to a crescendo as the two sides headed for a collision, both drawn by the blooming flower.

Suddenly, a flash illuminated the grove. Three beasts that were like short, slender horses appeared amidst the darkness. They had coats of ebony black hair, interrupted only by a singular curved horn on their forehead that gleamed with white light.

There was another burst of light. This time, Zachary was able to follow the trajectory of the ray of energy as it slammed into a wall of dirt and moss. He sucked in a breath. This was a golem, a being born out of the earth and nature. This was not a beast type or plant type but an elemental type. They were rare and incredibly valuable.

"Rah! Rahhh!"

The golem made of earth bellowed in anger and perhaps pain. It slowly raised a pair of thick arms to try and protect its head. It then kept walking toward the flower.

The trio of horses continued their barrage. Their horns glowed like crescent moons, brightening the night over and over. But they failed to slow the golem whose movements were slow but filled with a steady strength that didn’t wane.

Zachary eyed the horses with even more fervor than the golem. Horses were among the first species of Ensouled tamed by human summoners. They had always been popular across the Old World. Even if they had no offensive prowess, they could be used as mounts, something that he currently lacked.

“Aw! Aw!”

The three horses circled their larger foe. Their attacks seemed to cause it pain but failed to bring it down. Their own bodies were far more fragile so they dared not get close. They could only look on in anguish as the golem reached for the flower.

Hong!

Its thick, three-fingered hand collided with a green, semi-transparent shield that appeared out of nowhere.

“Rahhh!” The golem roared furiously.

It drew its arm back and swung down with heavy force, bashing the glowing barrier with all of its strength.

Hong!

Aside from strong ripples of Eternum, Wander’s shield held firm. Both sides were at the novice rank. Although the golem was a rare Ensouled, Wander was even better.

“Time to act,” Zachary muttered.

He brought out Onkie, Elmont, and Archer in quick succession.

“Archer, target the closest horse. Fire away!”

“Shee!”

A flurry of leaves flew out wildly, spraying a wide area. The horse in question leaped away in fright, suffering no more than some small cuts.

“Onkie, tackle it! Elmont, go help Wander!”

The battle devolved into chaos. It was difficult to see clearly. Wander dutifully protected the flower while Elmont wrestled with the golem. Both of them fell to the ground but neither could get the upper hand. Elmont was quicker and nimbler but the golem, with its body made of dirt and moss, was almost impervious to injury.

On the other hand, Onkie and Archer’s fight was over before it began. The trio of horses turned tail and ran as soon as Onkie charged towards them. Onkie couldn’t do anything as she was far too slow to catch up. Instead, she suffered from friendly fire after straying into the path of Archer’s leaves.

“Onn! Onn!” Onkie complained loudly.

“Archer, stop attacking! Guard this spot!” Zachary instructed. He then hopped down from his hiding spot and rushed towards the flower. “Come, Onkie. I know you’re angry. Go beat up that golem!”