In the end, the golem was overwhelmed by the combined assault of Onkie, Elmont, and Wander. These were three sturdy and strong Ensouled that wouldn’t lose to the golem in a one-on-one fight. After wrestling in the dirt for a while, the elemental was finally subdued.
Zachary held up the newly occupied soul orb with a wide grin. He finally had a proper defender in his squad, one that he could freely reveal to others without worry. It was also an elemental type, known for their versatility and high levels of talent. Their bodies could suffer damage beyond beast or plant types and still be fine. Because they were born from the elements, they could learn new abilities and master their element far easier.
Such Ensouled were priceless in the Old World. There was only demand but no supply. They were almost impossible to produce through known means. A mountain rich in Eternum might not produce a single earth elemental in a hundred years. A vast ocean teeming with life might never give birth to a water elemental. To humans, it seemed like pure chance.
“Wander, why does it feel like we’ve been quite lucky after leaving the ruins?” Zachary wondered out loud.
“Wahaha, that’s because you found me. I am a very lucky turtle.”
“Onk! Onk!” Onkie snorted and shook her head.
She could understand Wander but she could infer many things from his tone and smug expression. Naturally, she was unsatisfied.
Zachary laughed, “Yes, yes, it’s all thanks to your luck. But Elmont also did well, great job.”
He patted the treant. It creaked slightly as it swayed from side to side. Its leaves and branches rustled, content in the knowledge that it had served its summoner well.
Elmont was different from Oakley. Although they were both treants, Elmont had a thicker trunk and sturdy limbs. It was also much shorter than Oakley and only slightly taller than Zachary. Regardless, he was happy to have another treant in his lineup.
“Don’t forget Archer. It also did well.” Wander said, “Right?”
“Shee…”
The spider quickly climbed up a tree and away from the turtle. No doubt it was still unhappy about its flowers being eaten.
“Don’t run, Archer. I won’t bite!” Wander said and then laughed.
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“Shee!” Archer hissed angrily but didn’t come down.
Zachary shook his head, helpless at Wander’s antics. Instead, he focused his attention on the white flower. He wanted to try something he hadn’t been able to the prior nights. Before Wander realized what was happening, Zachary sliced the stem of the flower with his knife and took it away.
“Hey!” Wander barked, “That was mine!”
Wander tried to climb up Zachary’s legs but he was a turtle and not a monkey so he was unsuccessful. Zachary held the flower out of reach. He walked over to the tree where Archer was with Wander biting at his heels.
“Archer, do you want to eat this?”
Its eight black eyes shined with excitement and it nodded vigorously.
“Go ahead, take it.”
He offered the flower and it was quickly taken away. He wanted to see what effect consuming this special flower would have on Ensouled. Obviously, it had no effect on Wander but Wander was already at the limit of the novice rank whereas Archer was still at the Six Paths Novice Rank.
Archer hung upside-down from the tree trunk and ate the white flower. Its mandibles tore the petals off one by one. It chewed slowly, keeping eye contact with Wander all the while as if to make a point.
“Jerk.” Wander muttered and turned his head away.
Zachary paid no heed and kept his attention on Archer. At first, there was no reaction. The spider seemed pleased with itself. It cleaned its face after a good meal. It then groomed its body after losing many leaves due to the battle. Now, instead of covering its whole body in thick foliage, there were bare patches where the carapace underneath could be seen. These would take a day or two to grow back in.
After a long pause, just when Zachary was getting bored, Archer stirred and let out a cry.
“Shee… Shee!”
Zachary sensed it as well from their shared bond. Its body was surging with Eternum which came from the flower within its stomach.
“Shee!” Archer shouted energetically and landed on the ground.
It spun around several times as its whole body quivered. Soon, new leaves started to sprout from its body and limbs. The bare spots were all covered up and then some. On top of that, several flower buds grew out and blossomed before everyone’s eyes.
That wasn’t all. Archer’s soul cultivation surged. Eternum poured in through its six open pathways and toward the seventh one which had yet to be unlocked. After only a brief show of resistance, the seventh soul path opened to the world. It was almost effortless.
“Awesome!” Zachary praised, “So the flower had this kind of effect. It can improve one’s physical condition as well as advance their soul cultivation. Wander, why didn’t you say anything?”
“What! How is that my fault?”
Zachary sighed, “Fine, fine. But no more eating that white flower. It will help the rest of the squad reach the peak of the novice rank in no time at all. It will save us a lot of time.”
Wander still didn’t seem happy so Zachary patted his head, “Don’t you want to reach the adept rank and see what the next rank holds for our eternal summon?”
“… yeah?”
“Then we will have to poke a tiger’s ass. There is a lot of danger and uncertainty involved. Blue has already identified several potential targets. If everyone is at the Eight Paths Novice Rank, it will give us the best possible chance at taking down an adept rank beast.”
Wander nodded, “You’re right. Big bro is right. Nothing else matters besides reaching the adept rank. That’s when the real battles will begin.”
“Well said!”