Ryun's attention was completely focused on the spirit flowers and spirit plants, so he truly did not notice the little crawlers hiding within the miasma forbidden land…
It was also fortunate that Nanaise stayed in the sky and did not come down, otherwise a sudden surprised female voice in such a lifeless place would surely frighten the young girl.
"It turns out it's a slug… Next time, don't startle me like that… Hearing a sudden voice in a place like this, I thought I had seen a ghost…" Ryun could not help but complain.
"Ah… It's precisely because I encountered you in a place like this that I was so surprised… Sorry, sorry…" The little slug hurriedly apologized and admitted its mistake.
Ryun waved his hand, then picked up a spirit plant with soil still attached and asked, "Are you staying here to guard this spirit plant?"
"Guard… It's not exactly guarding… I need to search for food within Shikkotsu Forest, and this spirit plant is one of my target foods. However, since Lord Ryun got to it first, this plant definitely belongs to you…"
The slug had many, many clones, and its traces could be found everywhere in Shikkotsu Forest. The spirit flowers and plants scattered within the miasma were one of the Great Slug's important food sources.
"These spiritual flowers and plants are all your food?" Ryun was somewhat surprised. This slug's diet was too good, wasn't it? No wonder the Great Slug's main body could possess an exceptionally massive size and such powerful healing abilities.
"Yes, yes. The miasma of Shikkotsu Forest is very special and very terrifying. Ordinary lifeforms can hardly set foot in such a dangerous place, even insects cannot survive within it. But these things have no effect on me, so many spirit flowers and plants end up benefiting me in the end, haha…"
The little slug was very talkative, and its voice was soft and gentle, sounding very pleasant to the ears.
"So that's how it is…"
Ryun nodded in sudden understanding. Hearing these words, he now understood why Shikkotsu Forest had a situation of 'one dominant force'. A single slug supporting the name of a sacred land, it seemed this sacred land favored only it.
"Lord Ryun, how do you have time to come to Shikkotsu Forest to dig up plants today? These little things aren't worth you getting your hands dirty personally, are they?"
The slug was somewhat curious about Ryun's purpose for coming here. After all, so-called spirit flowers and plants were very precious to ordinary people, but to someone of Ryun's level, they were no different from roadside weeds…
Spirit flowers and plants would be of little use to him even if he ate them. After consuming that ultimate divine fruit, he already possessed an immortal, undying divine body.
"I have a habit of cultivating flowers and plants. When I see these spiritual plants, I can't help but want to pack them up and take them away…" Ryun stated frankly.
"Ah, I see… I know the locations of quite a few spirit flowers and plants. I haven't consumed those spiritual roots yet. If Lord Ryun likes them, I can gift them to you." The little slug said generously.
Actually, the great and small slugs were essentially the same consciousness, their memories were shared. The little slug was both a clone and the main body, so it naturally had the authority to make decisions.
"No need. Those are your food rations. I won't take what someone else treasures…" Ryun waved his hand.
He had already dug up quite a few spirit flowers and plants and was too lazy to collect any more.
Next, Ryun expressed his desire to meet the Great Slug's main body. The little slug indicated that its main body was at the center of Shikkotsu Forest and was ready to receive him at any time.
Ryun teleported to the sky. Taking his daughter, he performed a long-distance Body Flicker Technique and arrived at the central area of Shikkotsu Forest.
"So… so big…"
Looking at the white slug as massive as a mountain before them, its enormous body constantly undulating, Nanaise could not help but let out a gasp of surprise.
"You two have come from afar. I apologize for not welcoming you properly…" The giant slug raised half its body, speaking in a human language, its voice soft and pleasant.
"Great Slug Sage, there's no need for such formalities. Are you busy right now?" Ryun looked at some animals gathered around the Great Slug and was curious about the reason for their gathering.
"Most of these children came to me seeking healing for their injuries. Some are fleeing from natural predators and have come near me to temporarily avoid danger." The Great Slug explained gently.
Among the animals nearby, many were fierce beasts and birds of prey. Yet, without exception, they all appeared very docile. Even if there was prey within easy reach nearby, they dared not show their ferocious claws and fangs in front of the Great Slug.
Because this area for several miles around was the territory of the Great Slug Sage. Conflict was not permitted here, and most living creatures of Shikkotsu Forest understood this rule.
Under Ryun's gaze, the Great Slug Sage separated a portion of itself into clones. As if no one else was present, it began healing the injuries and illnesses of those creatures who had come seeking help. This scene made Ryun and his daughter marvel repeatedly.
"Great Sage, do you treat fierce beasts too?"
Nanaise watched as a slug clone was treating a one-eyed fierce tiger and could not help but ask.
"Heaven granted me the power of healing precisely so that I could save lives and heal the wounded… In my eyes, they are all merely the injured. There is no distinction between fierce and gentle, good and evil…" The Great Slug said softly and gently.
In the eyes of all living beings in Shikkotsu Forest, this slug symbolized a merciful mother. It could heal all injuries and pains, and it would also embrace and respect all living creatures. Even the most ferocious wild beasts would calm down upon seeing it.
The Great Slug's kindness and universal love have been spread across this land for thousands of years. Trust has been deeply imprinted into the very bloodlines of all living beings in Shikkotsu Forest.
"This is the second time you have been severely injured. You cannot engage in high-intensity battles anymore, because your body is nearing its limit…" After healing the fierce tiger, the little slug clone gently advised.
The fierce tiger gently licked the little slug clone once, then turned to face the Great Slug and bowed its head in respect. Immediately after, it ran with large strides into the depths of the dense forest.
Ryun and his daughter quietly observed this scene. In their hearts, they gained a whole new understanding of Shikkotsu Forest and the Great Slug.
The Great Slug basically healed the injuries and illnesses of living creatures without seeking anything in return. However, occasionally, some spiritually awakened beasts, when coming to the Great Slug for healing, would voluntarily bring precious spiritual items.
Ryun saw an injured white ape. When it came to the Great Slug for help, it proactively offered up a bright red, strange spiritual fruit. The Great Slug calmly accepted the spiritual item and, just like with other creatures, separated a small clone to treat the white ape's wounds.
The slug treated the fierce tiger and the white ape with the same care. It would not give the white ape special treatment because of a spiritual fruit, nor would it treat the tiger negatively for not offering one. Its love for the living beings of Shikkotsu Forest was equal.
Some small birds would proactively bring ordinary wild fruits to the Great Slug. Some animals, like rodents, would offer tender leaves, mushrooms, and similar food to this mountain-range-sized Great Slug.
The Great Slug lazily lay on the ground, allowing small animals to climb onto its body and feed it. The small slug clones diligently healed the injuries and pains of the multitude of beings in Shikkotsu Forest. This harmonious and friendly scene deeply touched the heartstrings of the father and daughter.
Hearing the place name 'Shikkotsu Forest', one would immediately think it sounded eerie. Ordinary people hearing this name would first associate it with a dangerous place… Yet, it was precisely here that was crowned with the name 'Sacred Land', and a single Great Slug became the most representative summoning sage beast of this place.
"So this is a sacred land."
Ryun now understood the origin of the name 'sacred land' and why a single Great Slug could support an entire sacred land.
Shikkotsu Forest indeed favored the Great Slug Sage, but the Great Slug Sage likewise favored all living beings here.
The place perceived as the most ferocious in the eyes of the world actually nurtured the kindest sage beast. The wonders of nature gave Ryun deep feelings. His state of mind was also influenced by the sage's sacred land at this moment. The Great Slug Sage's healing talent could not only treat injuries and illnesses but could also suppress evil thoughts in people's hearts and purify their souls.
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