Chapter 2206: Chapter 2207: Little Whirlwind

Soon, Angel had an answer.

The battle between the Sand Hawk and the unknown wind elemental creature ended with the victory of the Sand Hawk. When the Sand Hawk triumphantly trapped its opponent in a sand cage, Angel finally saw the true form of the opponent.

It was a small blue whirlwind in the shape of an inverted triangle, about the length of an adult’s forearm.

At a glance, it was clear that this was not a mature wind elemental creature.

This was a wind elemental spirit still in its sprite stage.

At this moment, the wind spirit’s eyes were in the shape of mosquito coils, evidently in a state of fainting, which allowed it to be captured by the sand cage.

"So it’s a little elf." The Sand Hawk also noticed its opponent in the cage, its tone slightly peculiar.

Having recently gained a deep understanding of the ecology of elemental creatures, Angel could also understand the peculiar tone in Sand Hawk’s voice.

Previously, the Sand Hawk must have thought that the wind elemental creature intruding on the Baya Desert was provoking it, perhaps even a spy, as it had initially mistaken Angel and Dangross for such.

But upon seeing the opponent was a little elf, the Sand Hawk understood it was definitely a misunderstanding.

Perhaps elemental creatures from different regions oppose each other, but irrespective of the type, they are very protective of elemental sprites as they represent hope.

The Sage’s care for the little elf earlier is further evidence of this.

In this context, no elemental creature from any region would send a sprite to provoke, much less as a spy. After all, ninety percent of the little elves are naïve and ignorant, thus sending such spies to rivals equates to giving gifts for free.

Even little elves with Spirit Intelligence like Dangross, their minds aren’t fully developed, seen as children by mature elemental creatures.

Therefore, seeing itself in a battle with an "ignorant child," the Sand Hawk naturally felt embarrassed.

Moreover, it’s normal that this "child" doesn’t know the no-flying rule of the Baya Desert. After all, that’s an adult matter.

While the Sand Hawk was examining the little elf in the sand cage, Angel also flew over on the Gondola.

"Why did this wind sprite break into the Baya Desert?" Angel curiously asked. Normally, elemental sprites’ nature leads them to gravitate toward comfort zones. For wind spirits, that would be the core of White Cloud Village. The Baya Desert is filled with strong earth energy, making it unlikely for a wind spirit to intrude.

The Sand Hawk shook its head: "I don’t know. Maybe it ran away from home?"

The chance of an accidental intrusion is low; even if a wind spirit were lost, it wouldn’t wander into the territory of other elemental creatures.

The Sand Hawk also knew that the Monarch of White Cloud Village, unlike the Gust Prince from Storm Ridge, is extremely gentle in the wind creature community and could never drive away a sprite-period child.

Therefore, this wind spirit entered the Baya Desert by its choice.

Having a subjective intention yet choosing to leave White Cloud Village for the Baya Desert is quite illogical.

In the Sand Hawk’s view, this is probably a child running away from home in a fit of pique. After all, a child’s temperament fluctuates more than an adult’s.

Looking at the fainted little creature in the sand cage, Angel couldn’t help but feel that its eyes were slightly wet, perhaps just an illusion.

Angel: "Without discussing why it came to the Baya Desert, what do you plan to do with it?"

The Sand Hawk was also troubled by this question.

Ultimately, it’s a little elf, weak in combat, immature thoughts, likely a runaway, and it surely didn’t know the layers of rules set by the Sandstorm Lord. Charging it with a series of crimes seemed too much, even to the Sand Hawk.

But it did commit an offense, and letting it go lightly might seem overly lenient. If word got out, it would undermine the Sandstorm Lord’s prestige.

In such conflicted emotions, the Sand Hawk was also unsure of how to handle it.

"How about this, sir? Please watch over it while I consult with The Sage."

With Angel’s approval, the Sand Hawk temporarily placed the sand cage on the Gondola and then made a nosedive, plunging into the ground from the sky dome above.

While the Sand Hawk sought advice from The Sage, Dangross hopped onto the table, circling the sand-formed cage to get a clear view of the little elf inside.

The more he looked, the brighter Dangross’s eyes became.

When Angel wasn’t paying attention, Dangross stealthily inserted a finger into the cage, but before he could do anything, he let out an "ouch" and jumped back.

Angel turned to see Dangross curling his index finger, hopping around the table.

Upon closer inspection, Angel saw remnants of yellow sand on Dangross’s finger, eroding its "skin". Observing the flow of sand within the cage, Angel roughly guessed the cause.

Dangross must have foolishly touched the sand cage.

Dangross was, after all, under his care, and seeing him in pain, Angel couldn’t ignore it.

He reached out, picked up Dangross, and amidst its teary eyes, checked its index finger carefully.

The remaining sand seemed to have an elemental absorption ability, constantly devouring Dangross’s flames.

The absorption ability of the sand likely had a limit and would saturate shortly. However, by the time it did, Dangross’s index finger would likely be significantly damaged.

Although Angel wanted Dangross to learn a lesson, he sighed, remembering Mr. Magu’s entrustment. He grumbled at Dangross for causing its misfortune and lightly tapped the table, producing an almost invisible ripple that slowly spread.

As the ripple passed over Dangross’s finger, the sand suddenly shook and fell off.

Angel used vibrational frequency to shake off the sand.

"Next time you act recklessly, you’ll face the consequences yourself." After rescuing Dangross’s finger, Angel sternly reprimanded.

Dangross pouted and murmured a complaint: "I just wanted to try and see if I could make it my follower..." If he could recruit a non-fire elemental follower, he’d surely have a grand return to the land of fire.

Angel hadn’t anticipated Dangross’s craving to "recruit followers" driving its actions and couldn’t resist scolding: "You only take advantage of others’ difficulties. Instead of using sneaky methods, focus on improving yourself. If you truly want followers, use strength to win them over. Just like this—"

As Angel spoke, he summoned a Hand of Magic to firmly press Dangross onto the table.

Dangross struggled briefly before giving up. He knew Angel wouldn’t harm him, plus Angel had just saved him, so enduring a few nagging words was no big deal... And what Angel said seemed to make sense.

Winning followers through strength isn’t a bad idea.

However, being in the sprite stage, improving his strength would take time until reaching maturity. But who knows when that would be?

Is there any other way to mature quickly?

Dangross’s thoughts began to wander.

Angel knew that a single Hand of Magic wouldn’t hold Dangross down. He initially planned to reinforce discipline with a firm hand during Dangross’s struggle. However, to his surprise, Dangross resigned itself like a salted fish and stopped resisting, seemingly daydreaming.

Angel’s anger was stuck in his chest, unable to find an outlet to erupt. So, in his fury, he used the Hand of Magic to crush Dangross a few more times, who was oblivious and let himself be kneaded like a dough.

Watching Dangross with that unflappable demeanor, Angel finally could only take a deep breath and decide not to bother anymore.

At this moment, the Wind Elemental Spirit inside the sand cage began to recover from its dizzy "spiral eyes" and returned to normal.

Angel also noticed the abnormality inside the cage.

It seems that this little guy is about to wake up.

Just as Angel thought, the little whirlwind opened its eyes. The first thing it did upon opening its eyes was look around, and upon seeing itself confined in a cage made of flowing sand, a clear panic appeared in its eyes.

The little whirlwind tried to rush out, but as soon as it touched the yellow sand, the wind element within it began to be absorbed.

Angel was also curious about what it would do in this escape-proof situation.

Two seconds later, the disproportionately large eyes of the little whirlwind began to fill with mist.

Five seconds later, accompanied by a cry of "waaah," two fountain-like streams of tears burst from the little whirlwind’s eyes.

Angel: "..."

Leaving aside how a Wind Elemental Spirit could cry tears, Angel really hadn’t expected that the first thing this little guy did was start bawling.

This was the first Elemental Sprite he had seen that could cry.

Angel suddenly remembered that earlier, when he observed the little whirlwind’s eyes, he had noticed some slight moisture. Could it be that this little guy had already been brewing tears while it was unconscious?

The more the little whirlwind cried, the more aggrieved it seemed, and the louder it cried, even awakening the meditating Dangross.

"What’s going on with it?" Dangross looked at the little whirlwind in the cage with surprise and doubt.

Angel shrugged: "I don’t know, maybe it got scared and started crying?"

"Scared crying? What’s crying?" Dangross looked at Angel, puzzled.

"It’s an emotional outlet for sadness or joy."

"Huh? You can cry for both sadness and joy?"

Looking at Dangross’s curious face, Angel suddenly didn’t know how to answer. How could he explain the concept of crying to a Fire Elemental being?

"Can you cry when not sad or happy?"

"...You can too." Angel already felt that Dangross’s wrist might have been covered with question marks.

To help Dangross understand what crying was, Angel thought about it and decided that using a skit might be the best presentation. So, he gently pointed at Dangross, and a Power of Nightmare Illusion entered its body.

Dangross was instantly frozen, entering the world of Illusion Techniques.

Meanwhile, the Sand Hawk that had sunk underground to transmit messages suddenly leaped from the solidifying ground.

With dust wrapped around it, the Sand Hawk soared into the Sky Dome, landing directly on the bow of the Gondola.

Once the Sand Hawk settled, it heard the crying wail and turned to look at the little whirlwind in the cage: "Huh, why is it crying?"

Angel: "Do you know what crying is?"

The Sand Hawk nodded: "Although I can’t cry, I know the little grass on the green meadow can cry. I’ve also heard the Water Elemental Spirits cry the most, but their tears don’t gain sympathy because they are made of water."

Angel nodded understandingly. It seems Elemental Creatures also have the concept of crying, but Dangross, being a Fire Element being, doesn’t understand. Mr. Magu should also know what crying is, but in the Fire Element realm, teaching Elemental Sprites about crying is quite difficult.

The Sand Hawk watched the little whirlwind for a while and softly said: "It’s still young, probably scared to tears. However, this is the first time I’ve seen a Wind Elemental Spirit cry."

In his heart, Angel silently agreed: I agree.

The Sand Hawk ignored the bawling little whirlwind and turned to Angel: "I’ve already inquired about the opinion of The Sage."

"Oh, what is Mr. Platinum’s decision?"

"Since Mr. Pat intends to go to the White Cloud Village, The Sage hopes you can escort this Wind Elemental Spirit there and hand it over to His Highness Soft Wind."

Angel pondered for a moment; he roughly understood Platinum’s intent.

After all, the little whirlwind defied the rules of His Highness Sandstorm. Simply letting it go wasn’t good, but the little whirlwind was merely a little elf; excessive punishment would lead to ridicule.

Taking it to the White Cloud Village and returning it to Soft Wind Urano himself to handle not only punishes the little whirlwind but also demonstrates the Storm Ridge’s stance and gives a favor to His Highness Soft Wind.

Additionally, it also helps connect Angel with His Highness Soft Wind.

In short, it’s a win-win situation.

Once Angel realized this, he naturally wouldn’t refuse: "Alright, I can escort it back to White Cloud Village."

As Angel finished speaking, the little whirlwind in the yellow sand cage also heard it and immediately shook its head, crying and shouting: "I don’t want to go back, let me out, I don’t want to go back!"

The little whirlwind has Spirit Intelligence; its voluntary choice to leave White Cloud Village had already been guessed. So, the sudden outburst from the little whirlwind did not cause much stir.

The Sand Hawk turned his head sharply to the little whirlwind: "You don’t have to go back, but you trespassed into the Baya Desert and defied the Sandstorms’ rules. I can send you to His Highness Sandstorm to be imprisoned in the quicksand prison. For your offenses, only fifty years of imprisonment are needed."

"Fif-fifty years?!" The little whirlwind stiffened, tears still clinging to its eyes.

"Yes, so your choice is to be escorted back to White Cloud Village and let His Highness Soft Wind punish you, or I, by the rules, take you to see His Highness Sandstorm?"

The little whirlwind: "I...I don’t want to go back, and I don’t want to be imprisoned for fifty years."

"There’s no such perfect scenario." The Sand Hawk spat sharply, "I’ve decided for you, back to White Cloud Village you go! You’ll thank me then."

Though only a little elf, the little whirlwind was so intimidated that it started weeping again.

The Sand Hawk ignored it and spat out a glowing sand grain from its mouth to Angel: "This is from The Sage to be given to His Highness Soft Wind, containing The Sage’s words to him."

This sand grain seemed to be the medium for communication among desert creatures, similar to the sparks in the Fire Element realm.

Angel would have difficulty deciphering its content, but Soft Wind Urano should have no problem.

Angel accepted the sand grain and nodded: "Alright, I’ll pass it on to His Highness Soft Wind."

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