Magic Farm 161

Chapter 161 The Greenlute People

By the time Qi Yu appeared at the gates of his territory, not only had he himself made all the necessary preparations, but the demon vines and other inhabitants were also ready to switch into combat mode at a moment’s notice.

Even the plant sprites wanted to join in the excitement.

However, Qi Yu remembered that this race’s talents were purely supportive; even the Emerald Bees were stronger in combat than they were. He simply shooed them off to the garden to amuse themselves.

There was still no sign of strangers at the gate.

But when Qi Yu extended his spiritual sense, he saw a line of… dwarves?

These dwarves stood about as tall as Qi Yu’s waist, their features much like those of humans, except their skin was a deep green, and their hair was a mass of yellow-brown curls, with long, slender limbs.

He counted them: there were twenty dwarves in all, each with a bundle strapped to their back, as if they had come from afar on a long journey.

He felt a little more at ease—none of these dwarves had a particularly strong aura; the most powerful among them was just about approaching third-rank strength.

He waited another ten minutes or so before this group finally emerged from the snowy expanse.

It was clear they too had noticed this territory, so out of place in the world of ice and snow.

Qi Yu heard them give a cheer and quicken their pace toward him.

As they drew near, they caught sight of Qi Yu, robed in his mage’s cloak, his features hidden from view.

The dwarves’ expressions visibly became much more respectful.

“Greetings to you, esteemed Mage,” the leading dwarf said with admiration. “We are the Greenlute people from the north. The bitter cold and heavy snow have crushed our homeland, and we have been forced into wandering.”

As he spoke, the group of self-proclaimed Greenlute dwarves cast their eyes repeatedly across the territory, gazing longingly at the lush demon vine fence and the faint glimpse of blooming flowers within.

The survival panel popped up a message:

[Greenlute Tribe: The Lute people are divided into different groups by skin color. The Greenlute are skilled at tending plants and cleaning forests, but their intelligence is not high.]

Qi Yu stared at the words “intelligence is not high” for a moment in silence.

Seeing that Qi Yu did not speak, the Greenlute seemed to grow anxious.

“Merciful Mage, please take in these poor wanderers. We are willing to become your servants and tend your land.”

Qi Yu refused: “No strangers are allowed to enter my territory at will.”

He heard a chorus of disappointed sighs.

The leading Greenlute pleaded, “If that is so, then please allow us to settle near your territory.”

It was obvious they had not given up hope.

Qi Yu replied, “Do as you wish.”

He only cared for his own territory; beyond its borders was the Star Forest’s free zone, which had nothing to do with him.

He turned to leave, sensing the Greenlute’s eyes lingering on him for a long time.

.

Walking into the garden, Qi Yu thought for a moment and opened the 01 Survival Squad chat:

[I Love Survival Games: Today, a group of strange dwarves appeared outside my territory. They call themselves the Greenlute, wandering here from afar.]

[Need Some Money to Save the Day: Ahhh, natives? Dwarves? What do they look like?]

Qi Yu found the focus of this question a little odd, but answered anyway:

[I Love Survival Games: They reach up to my waist, have green skin, yellow hair. Twenty in all, the strongest is nearly a third-rank warrior, the weakest is first-rank.]

As soon as he said this, the previously curious group members immediately grew alert.

[Tranquility Brings Far Reaches: Twenty people, highest at third rank, lowest at first rank—such strength, in this whole region, probably only you, Game, can say for certain you’d win. If they have ill intent, it could be trouble.]

[Brother Civil Engineer: What do they want?]

[I Love Survival Games: They wanted to enter my territory, to be my servants. I refused.]

[Tranquility Brings Far Reaches: Mm, refusing was right. All our territories have defensive measures; if they really mean harm, at least we can defend ourselves. Once they’re inside, it’s much more troublesome.]

[I Love Survival Games: I’ll also say a word in the regional channel.]

01 Region Channel:

[I Love Survival Games:.]

[Roach Tastes Weird: Eh, it’s rare to see Game Boss appear in the region channel at this hour.]

Qi Yu didn’t waste words and briefly recounted what had just happened.

[Grind King: Damn, a whole group of strong local non-humans? That’s scary.]

[Jiangnan Misty Guest: I was just about to post—Game Boss beat me to it.]

[Jiangnan Misty Guest: I ran into three mutant creatures this morning. The survival panel even gave a warning, saying the heavy snow has driven them to wander in search of food.]

[Jiangnan Misty Guest: I reckon this kind of thing will only get more common. Everyone, stay alert.]

[Grumpy Old Bro: Looks like our Star Forest is really about to get “lively.”]

But it wasn’t all bad news.

[Jiangnan Misty Guest: I killed those three mutant creatures and got an “Adventure Shard.”]

Adventure Shards were from the previous Safe Day event.

The prize wheel had disappeared after Safe Day ended, and everyone thought it was a limited-time event.

Now, it seemed, maybe it would return after all?

[Grind King: Okay, then! I don’t mind more monsters, as long as there are rewards for killing them.]

[Grind King: If there are hidden rewards, even better! Waiting for mutants to come to me is too slow—I’ve decided to start going out exploring every day.]

[Roach Tastes Weird: As expected of you, Grind King. How are us laid-back folks supposed to survive?]

Qi Yu’s attention was also drawn by “Adventure Shard.”

He still remembered the “scene” he had witnessed; from the Tree of Wisdom’s answer, he’d learned it might be the Star Forest.

But there were still many mysteries left unsolved.

If there were more adventure shard draws, perhaps he could see more.

At that moment, he instantly understood Grind King: as long as the rewards were good enough, the more mutant monsters, the better.

His personal panel popped up a new message with special effects.

At present, only one person on his friends list would trigger special effects.

[Your friend “Divinity Has No Form” has sent you a gift.]

[Divinity Has No Form: Breakfast!]

[Divinity Has No Form: You’ll definitely like it.]

Qi Yu opened it and received a plate of plump, white dumplings.

He did, indeed, like them.

He hadn’t even had time to thank Divinity Has No Form before he received a request to enter his territory.

Qi Yu: ?

He approved it.

A Second Divinity appeared, carrying a plate of dumplings.

A question mark slowly appeared above Qi Yu’s head: “Why didn’t you just bring the dumplings with you directly?”

Why go to the trouble of sending breakfast through the survival game first?

Dan Xingyu: “You don’t understand, it’s about the sense of ritual.”

“Were you happy to receive breakfast?”

Qi Yu nodded. “Happy.”

“Then, seeing me come to eat with you, are you happy?”

Qi Yu nodded again. “Happy.”

Dan Xingyu: “See, now you’ve experienced double the happiness, haven’t you?”

In truth, it was a lie—the real reason was that after delivering the dumplings to the local, he wanted to see him again.

So he brought breakfast over himself.

Qi Yu: …Forget it, I can never win an argument with him anyway.

He picked up his plate and went to the garden with Dan Xingyu.

There were several kinds of dumplings: shrimp, lean pork, egg.

As Qi Yu ate, he thought of the powerful figures he’d seen in the royal city of Ophirie.

The delicious dumplings suddenly tasted even better.

Just as well—he’d been meaning to tell Dan Xingyu about the Greenlute people, and now he could do so face to face.

Upon hearing it, Dan Xingyu immediately said, “We received a similar notice on our side. I was just about to head out exploring during the day.”

He had come in a hurry, and after breakfast, hurried back again.

Qi Yu was left a little bewildered, unsure what exactly he’d come for.

Because a group of strangers had arrived outside his territory, Qi Yu didn’t go out that day.

In any case, with the Tree of Life, the Tree of Wisdom, and the elemental spell formation, his territory was the best place he could find to train.

That night, Dan Xingyu came again.

Bringing dinner with him.

Qi Yu belatedly realized that the portal was indeed very convenient. Now, he and Dan Xingyu had become true “meal companions,” and it was much easier than communicating by message ball.

As usual, after dinner, Dan Xingyu left.

Qi Yu thought, sharing meals with a good friend every day felt pretty nice.

His good mood lasted until night fell.

Because of the Greenlute people, Qi Yu did not train beneath the Tree of Life that night.

He returned to his bedroom, sat on the carpet, and read for a while.

When it was about time, he turned off the light and lay down on the bed.

.

Outside the territory.

During the day, the twenty Greenlute had pitched tents and gathered plenty of firewood, looking every bit as if they truly meant to settle here.

Now, they were all gathered inside a single tent.

In the darkness, a shadow slipped in silently.

“I’ve been watching—the lights in the treehouse have gone out. The mage must be asleep.” The newcomer was one of the Greenlute.

“Boss, should we act tonight?”

The one called Boss hesitated. “He’s a third-rank mage. His territory’s plants are so lush—there must be magic arrays. Maybe we should observe for a few more days?”

“But it’s so cold outside. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

“So what if he’s a third-rank mage? Boss, you’re almost a third-rank warrior yourself, and there are so many of us.”

“Once we break in and kill the mage, this beautiful territory will be ours, heh heh.”

With such persuasion, the Boss was tempted.

“Fine, we’ll sneak in under cover of darkness. In the forest, we Greenlute have a natural advantage.”

There was a flurry of rustling in the tent, and soon several shadows slipped quietly into the night.

The moment the first Greenlute’s hand touched the fence, Qi Yu sensed it.

He told the demon vines not to move, and the energy tower did not attack either.

He waited until all twenty Greenlute had climbed inside.

Under the light of the luminous sunflowers, the group finally saw the territory in full.

A land brimming with flowers and life, making every breath come heavier with longing.

Even when Qi Yu’s figure appeared before them, the Greenlute did not bother to hide the greed in their eyes.

Of course, combining the survival game’s “intelligence is not high” assessment, Qi Yu reasonably assumed they were simply blinded by the territory’s beauty and bounty, unable even to pretend otherwise.

Qi Yu said, “You come to my territory in the dead of night—what is it you want?”

The lead Greenlute replied, “To kill you and become the new lord here!”

The others cheered behind him:

“Kill the lord! Become the new lord!”

Qi Yu: “…”

Countless vines sprang from the earth, winding around the Greenlute.

A bow appeared in Qi Yu’s hand.

He drew, nocked, and loosed—his arrow flew like a star.

With blinding speed, the Greenlute leader could not even react before the arrow reached him.

In the space of a single breath, the rest had only just been bound.

Their leader had already turned into a flash of white light.

[Author’s Note]

[Food][Food][Food]

If you’re reading this at night, maybe save it for breakfast [heart]