Chapter 47 - 29: Druid Apprentice

Lin Yu didn’t stay in the Lord’s Mansion for long. He set out on foot for the Jade Sanctuary to begin his studies as a Druid Apprentice.

Lin Yu was now a Druid, though only a Druid Apprentice—not even a full-fledged one. Still, at least his stats had seen a decent increase.

[Name]: Lin Yu (Hero)

[Class]: Druid Apprentice, Lord

[Level]: 1

[Grade]: Useless (Gray)

[Attack]: 12 (212)

[Spell Power]: 12 (212)

[Speed]: 24 (224)

[Defense]: 6 (206.4)

[Health]: 62 (262)

[Skills]: None

[Druid Apprentice]: All base stats +10

[Lord]: While within the territory, all base stats +500. Gained the Hero Template upon changing classes.

(PS: Grades below Excellent are subject to stat penalties.)

Compared to the main heroes of his territory, Lin Yu’s stats were far worse. This was mainly because his Gray grade came with a significant stat penalty, making his overall numbers look pathetic even with the boost from his [Lord] ability.

Still, having successfully acquired the Hero Template, his stats had increased dramatically. At least now he wouldn’t be sent back to Cuiwei Star by a simple hug.

From now on, he would gradually grow stronger, his grade would slowly improve, and his potential was limitless (for a complete weakling).

Lin Yu walked into a large building in the Jade Sanctuary.

The building was situated beside the Jade Sanctuary’s library. Four massive, ancient trees formed its core structure; their branches and vines intertwined, cleverly shaping staircases, hallways, and the various floors and rooms.

The interior was bright, with sunlight filtering through the leaves to cast dappled patterns of light and shadow, illuminating one empty room after another.

This was the main instructional building of the Jade Sanctuary, tasked with training Druid Apprentices (Gray), Junior-tier Druids (White), and Senior-tier Druids (Green).

After reaching the Senior-tier Druid grade, any further advancement required real combat—fighting to accumulate experience—and independent study of the library’s advanced knowledge.

Unfortunately, Lin Yu was currently the only student.

The heroes in the territory who became Druids were all of at least Excellent grade, meaning they started out as Great Druids immediately after their class change.

Upon their class change, they were infused with the vast repository of foundational knowledge a Great Druid required. All they had to do afterward was familiarize themselves with these skills and information.

To learn more skills, they had to study on their own in the library.

And even if they wanted to come to the instructional building for a teacher’s guidance, it wouldn’t work.

The school didn’t accept Senior-tier Druids. Besides, they hadn’t studied there and had no student-teacher relationship with the faculty.

Lin Yu walked into a room on the first floor and called out, "Teacher Renado, I’m here!"

In the room, an old Tree-man waved his arm, which was made of vines, beckoning him to enter.

The old Tree-man was named Renado Usman. He had simply appeared here after the Jade Sanctuary was constructed. When Lin Yu had asked him how, Renado admitted that he didn’t know either.

"Lin Yu, today I’m going to test your knowledge of herbs and your ability to identify the traits of various Extraordinary Plants. If you pass, you can learn ’Nature Perception’ and ’Nature Communication’."

Lin Yu’s spirits lifted at the news. He took out a pen and paper, sat up straight, and prepared for the exam.

Renado produced a roll of exam papers and handed it to Lin Yu. Lin Yu’s face fell as he saw the thick stack.

’Who on earth makes you do a thirty-page exam?’

"Don’t panic. You just need to finish these questions this morning."

’That’s still so much...’ Lin Yu grumbled to himself.

Still, eager to leave his apprentice status behind, Lin Yu opened the test booklet and quickly got to work.

The questions were numerous, but they were no challenge for Lin Yu. Ever since changing his class, he felt his mind had become clearer, sharper, and much more intelligent.

Perhaps it was because he was no longer mortal after his class change, or because he was within his territory enjoying a massive stat boost, or maybe he was simply a natural at the Druid’s way of nature. Whatever the reason, he’d found he had a photographic memory when reading those incredibly thick textbooks.

Time flew by to the sound of furious scribbling. With an hour to spare before lunch, Lin Yu finished the last question.

After a quick review, Lin Yu handed the exam to Renado.

"Teacher, I’m finished!"

Renado accepted the exam, a faint light glowing in his eyes. The pages flew by with a rapid FLICK-FLICK-FLICK, and in less than a minute, he had reviewed all thirty.

"Not bad, not bad! All correct, though you were a little slow. You fell a bit short of my performance when I was your age, but it’s still quite good."

"Were you really that fast when you were young, Teacher Renado?"

"Of course. Back in my day, not only was I fast, I also comprehended ’Nature Perception’ and ’Nature Communication’ right from the exam itself. Then, I casually improved them into the current ’Nature Resonance’ and instantly promoted to Junior-tier Druid."

"Uh... Incredible! Truly incredible!" Lin Yu couldn’t fathom what kind of genius could comprehend new skills in the middle of an exam.

"Alright, go and rest. Come back to the classroom after lunch, and I’ll teach you ’Nature Perception’ and ’Nature Communication.’ If your talent is good enough, you might even learn them and advance your class today."

"And if my talent isn’t good?"

"Not good? If your talent isn’t up to par, it’s not unusual to be stuck for several years, or even a decade or more."

"Is it really that extreme?"

"So... Teacher, what do you think? How’s my talent?"

"Out with you! As if there’s any question about your talent. Now go get ready!"

Lin Yu was shooed out of the classroom by Renado. He could faintly hear Renado muttering to himself from inside.

"The Lord of the World Tree Territory... if even he has poor talent, then there’s no hope for anyone else..."

That afternoon, after eating lunch, Lin Yu returned to the classroom.

The classroom looked completely different. The few desks and chairs that had been sparsely arranged around his seat were now all gone.

In the exact center of the room was a huge Magic Array, pulsing intermittently with light.

"What’s this?" Lin Yu asked curiously, looking up at Renado who stood on the teacher’s platform.

"It’s a Magic Array to help you perceive nature. Don’t mind the details. In a moment, all you need to do is enjoy it."

"Are you ready? If you’re ready, go on in. Sit on the floor."

"What’s there to prepare for? I’ll just go right in!"

Lin Yu shrugged, walked directly into the Magic Array, and sat down on the floor in the very center.

"Then here we go!"

Renado waved his hands, tracing an arcane sigil in the air. The Magic Array activated under his guidance.

Lin Yu felt his mind sink. When he came to, his perspective had shifted completely. He felt as if his body had grown enormous, containing countless people and objects within it.

He focused his vision and realized he had become the Jade Sanctuary itself. The people moving about were those currently studying within its halls.

Nearby, a magnificent consciousness radiated a familiar warmth. Lin Yu unconsciously focused his attention on it and was immediately pulled in by the colossal presence.

The next moment, his vision changed again. This time, he had become even more vast.

’This feeling... it’s so strange, yet so familiar...’ Lin Yu cheered internally.

’Right, I’m supposed to be trying to comprehend ’Nature Perception’ and ’Nature Communication.’ Teacher Renado said to calm my mind and carefully sense my surroundings.’

’But... why is this feeling so familiar?’

’What is it?’

...

’Hm?’

’Wait, how is this so much like the feeling I get when I connect with the territory’s core and survey the land?’

’Right now, I am...?’ ...

Lin Yu looked down and was shocked to realize that his consciousness had traveled from the Jade Sanctuary into the World Tree.