Chapter 22 Teaming Up with an NPC (Vote for Recommendations!)

Hidden quest?

The three other players were initially stunned when they heard Dema's words, and then delighted:

"Really?"

"Are you sure, bro?"

Dema thumped his chest and said,

"Absolutely! I've been gaming for years, and I've seen this type of game mechanic more times than I can count!"

"But didn't Brother Mu say 'Elf Kingdom' can't be judged by conventional wisdom..."

someone whispered.

Dema was taken aback.

He coughed awkwardly and then waved his hand with a bit of embarrassment, saying,

"Well, well! How do you know if you don't try?"

After speaking, he excitedly glanced at the Oak Guardian who was quietly waiting for their response, and reminded his teammates,

"I'll handle the negotiation, you guys just follow my lead and keep quiet! If we get a good deal, we'll split the rewards evenly!"

The remaining three players nodded and fell silent.

They trusted Dema fairly well. Although this guy was a bit of a clown, he had a sense of loyalty.

"Have you finished discussing?"

At this moment, the deep voice of Berserker also resounded from above.

Dema's eyes darted around, and then he started laughing slyly.

He wanted to appear harmless and earn the Oak Guardian's favor, but somehow, his originally handsome elf looks combined with his demeanor always gave off a comically sleazy vibe.

"Ahem, hello! We've finished discussing. Um... may I ask, are you the Oak Guardian?"

Dema imitated the other by drawing a tree-shaped symbol on his chest.

However, the motion was quite awkward and looked particularly amusing.

Berserker paused and responded,

"That's right, I am the Silver Oak Guardian, named Berserker. I've been tasked by the Mother Goddess to track the divine relic."

"Wow! Silver? What level is that?"

"Berserker? Uncle B?"

"You know, he does kind of resemble that..."

Hearing the Oak Guardian's response, the other players couldn't help but whisper.

Dema turned around and glared at them, making a "shush" gesture, then turned back to Berserker, rubbing his hands together, and cheerfully said,

"Ah, so it's Lord Berserker, cough cough… uh… my apologies... Is this the divine relic you mentioned?"

Saying this, he took out the light green crystal he had just found in the Goblin's ashes.

The Oak Guardian's eyes flashed, and he nodded,

"Indeed."

It really was that!

Dema's heart fluttered.

He pondered for a moment, cautiously double-checking,

"You said... you could fulfill one appropriate request for us?"

Berserker glanced at him, nodded, and said meaningfully,

"Yes, appropriate."

He emphasized the key point.

Being glanced at by the Oak Guardian, for a moment, Dema felt as if his thoughts had been seen through entirely.

He shuddered, coughed a couple of times, and extinguished his earlier greedy intention.

He hesitated a moment, then finally gritted his teeth and said,

"Could you... tell us what this is?"

He was gambling that this unknown crystal was the key to unlocking a certain storyline!

Judging by the Oak Guardian's stance, acquiring the divine relic was likely out of the question for them.

In that case, if it was indeed a hidden quest, it definitely had something to do with the relic's information!

After hearing Dema's words, Berserker paused and asked,

"Is this your request?"

Upon hearing his question, Dema's spirits lifted.

There's hope!

Being able to continue the conversation indicated that the direction he chose was right!

His excitement grew.

The other players also realized this. They exchanged glances and saw a hint of anticipation in each other's eyes.

They all nodded collectively, then said in unison,

"Yes! Please tell us the origin of this divine relic!"

After hearing the player's response, the massive Oak Guardian extended his hand toward Dema.

Initially stunned, Dema then understood. He then took out the crystal and placed it in Berserker's giant hand.

Having retrieved the divine relic, Berserker once again drew a tree-shaped symbol on his chest, and then passionately exclaimed,

"This is the Divine Blood Crystal, leftover from the Mother Goddess's divine battle a millennium ago, helping Her restore strength faster."

It was actually meant for the Goddess to regain strength?

Upon hearing this, the players were all shocked internally.

Then, they suddenly recalled the main storyline of 'Elf Kingdom' —

To aid the ancient deity, Eve Yggdrasil, in regaining power and revitalizing the Elf Clan!

Could they... have actually stumbled upon a hidden quest?

Their hearts raced with excitement, and they felt a hint of anticipation.

After speaking, Berserker glanced at the players, his deep eyes revealing a trace of admiration,

"Chosen Ones, thank you for your assistance. Your integrity and bravery are commendable. I will head to the Natural Temple to report the recovery of the relic to the Mother Goddess, while also reporting your merits. Would you be willing to accompany me?"

As soon as his words ended, a few lines of system prompts appeared in Dema and the others' field of vision, accompanied by a pleasant sound:

{"Ding——Berserker's favorability toward you has increased by 20 points, and your relationship is now friendly."}

{"Berserker invites you to form a team, do you accept?"}

Team up?

The players' eyes lit up.

'Elf Kingdom' had a team system. After teaming up, the experience gained would be evenly distributed based on team contribution, and the mini-map would be shared.

However, previously, only players could form teams with each other, and this was the first time an NPC had proposed teaming up!

At that moment, the players were almost certain they encountered a hidden quest!

Dema and the others were almost overwhelmed with joy. They nodded repeatedly, afraid the Oak Guardian might change his mind,

"Accept! We accept!"

"Excellent!"

The massive Oak Guardian nodded.

He bent down slightly, making a gesture to invite them,

"Climb on, it's a long journey, and I'll carry you back."

He could do that?

The players glanced at each other, even more excited.

Having the Oak Guardian as a mount, this was a rare opportunity!

Indeed, a hidden quest truly was a hidden quest — and even before it officially started, they could experience having a Silver Mount!

Imagining the expression on the other players' faces when they returned to camp riding on the Oak Guardian's shoulder, they were almost laughing out loud.

"Let's go! We're getting on!"

They cheered and, like agile monkeys, climbed up the Tree-man's branches onto his shoulder, sitting down excitedly.

"This height is amazing!"

"Uncle B is the best!"

"Move over a bit, I want to sit on the side and see the view!"

The players were overjoyed.

"Hold on tight, we're heading out."

Seeing the players seated, Berserker slowly stood up and started towards the World Tree...

...

Elf Forest, beneath the World Tree.

Everything here was already very different from more than ten days ago.

With the addition of magic and sword skills, along with continuous effort, three hundred players had finally taken Tianchao people's penchant for infrastructure to the extreme...

After several days of construction, the camp beneath the World Tree had undergone a tremendous transformation, and the elf town envisioned by game designers like Cuckoo Bird had finally taken shape.

At the center of the town was a small and exquisite Natural Temple, dedicated to the ancient deity Eve Yggdrasil, which was also the residence of the Natural Saintess, Alice Wind.

In front of the temple was a vast bonfire plaza, which could accommodate up to a thousand people. Additionally, Alice had constructed a Teleportation Array here, leading directly to player respawn points on the World Tree.

Centered around the plaza were four roads extending outward, with diverse and distinctive wooden houses lining the streets, each belonging to different players, many of which included their own courtyards.

Vaguely, a uniquely styled novice village had gradually taken shape...

At this moment, it was afternoon.

Countless players in the town remained busy, performing various construction tasks to gain experience.

"Boom..."

"Boom..."

Suddenly, a rumbling noise came from the distance, that grew closer, resembling the footsteps of some giant creature.

"What's that sound?"

The players stopped what they were doing, raised their heads in curiosity, and looked towards the source of the sound...

In the southeastern forest of the town, the rustling sound suddenly arose, and a flock of startled birds flew up from it.

Then, a gigantic Tree-man, over thirty meters tall, pushed through the branches and emerged from within.

This massive Tree-man was so majestic that it instantly captured the attention of countless players upon appearance.

"Whoa! What is that? A Tree-man?"

"No, it's an Oak Guardian! I saw one near the safe zone's edge! Tremendously powerful!"

"Why is he coming to the camp?"

The players fell into a hubbub, filled with extreme curiosity.

"Wait a minute... aren't those people on his shoulder Dema and the others?"

Suddenly, someone sharp-eyed spotted the people on the Oak Guardian's shoulder and exclaimed in disbelief.

With this, the players were stunned.

As the Oak Guardian approached, the cheeky yet blissful expression of Dema fell into everyone's eyes, causing an uproar among the players,

"Oh my god! It really is this guy!"

"It really is them! How did they manage to get onto the Oak Guardian's shoulder?"

"That's so cool! So jealous!"

"What happened with them?"

"Dema! Dema! How did you guys pull this off?"

In an instant, the players abandoned their work and swarmed around, curious and excited.

Receiving those envious, jealous, and admiring looks mixed with curiosity, Dema stood up while holding onto Berserker's treetop.

He placed his hands on his hips, tilted his head, and said proudly,

"Hehehe! We triggered a hidden quest!"

Hidden quest?

With these words, the players erupted into excitement.