Chapter 83: Elf Heart
The Water Elf elder was the first to break the silence. Her voice was somewhat aged, yet still pleasant to hear. She said politely, “I am the Water Elf elder. My name is Water Linglong. We’ve already heard about you from Village Chief Water Star. She should have told you how important the Ocean Heart is to us. The few of us old folks came here because we want to see whether there’s a way for us to reach a unified decision—one that satisfies your friend, and also lets us achieve our original goal.”
I smiled slightly and said without hiding anything, “I know the difficulties your Elf Race is facing. You want to communicate with the Water God because you hope to find a way to restore your Elf Race’s reproductive ability and continue surviving on the Jin Yuan Continent. Am I right?”
The elders looked at each other, all seeing surprise in the others’ eyes. They clearly hadn’t expected me to have already seen through their real purpose. Water Linglong nodded. “Since you already know, there’s no need for us to keep hiding it. That’s right—we do want that. Demon Race friend, do you know? The number of elves is weakening at a rate of ten to twenty percent every hundred years. If this continues, in just a few hundred years, there will no longer be any Elf Race left on the Jin Yuan Continent.”
I nodded. “I understand your hardship. Every living creature has the right to exist. But I have a concern. If the Elf Race restores its reproductive ability, with your innate advantages, you might recover rapidly in not too long and become another powerful force beyond the Three Great Races. When that happens, the Jin Yuan Continent will become even more chaotic. That’s something I don’t want to see. So I can’t agree to your request.” I stated my thoughts plainly, hoping to cut off their intent.
The Wood Elf elder, also a woman, said, “Child, I am the Wood Elf elder. My name is Mu Rou. What you said makes sense, but you’re thinking too far ahead. Even if our Elf Race regains its strength, that would be thousands of years from now. I think you’ve seen it too—our Elf Race has no strong desire to contend for supremacy, and we would never invade others. We simply don’t want the Elf Race to die out like this. So we truly hope you can help us with this.”
What she said did have its reason. While I was hesitating, the Fire Elf elder said, “Child, I am Huo Yun. Mu Rou is right. We can guarantee to you that, for generation after generation, the Elf Race will never participate in any war on the continent. Right now, our Elf Race has one hundred and thirty-one Elf Envoys, twenty-six Great Elf Envoys, and five Elf elders. As long as you help us with this, during your lifetime, we are willing to be at your disposal.”
That condition truly tempted me. I had already seen the strength of Elf Envoys. Five Elf Envoys together were absolutely no weaker than Demon Race fallen angels or human dragon knights. A Great Elf Envoy should at least be able to fight a fallen angel to a draw. As for these five Elf elders, they likely had the ability of Dragon Generals. With strength like that, even if they tried to seize things by force, they would have a strong chance of success—of course, the Sea-Blue Stone wasn’t in my hands, so even if they wanted to seize it, they couldn’t.
If such a powerful force were under my control, then wouldn’t that mean…
Just as my heart started to stir, the Earth Elf elder—an old, small yellow elf—spoke. “What Brother Huo Yun said is right. We can swear the Elf Race’s highest oath here.” He sighed and continued, “Child, I, Earth Elf elder Tu Tun, am telling you sincerely: we never intended to make the Elf Race strong to some extreme degree. We only hope the Elf Race can maintain the balance of the biological chain. That’s enough. By ‘balance of the biological chain,’ we mean that the number of newborn elves can match the number of elves who die. If the Elf Race restores its reproductive ability and our numbers reach a certain point, we will definitely restrict reproduction.”
Tu Tun’s words genuinely moved me, and I nodded unconsciously.
Seeing hope, the Wind Elf elder said, “I, Wind Elf elder Feng Shuang, can guarantee that not a single word Elder Tu Tun said is false. And to compensate your friend, we are willing to give her the Elf Race’s most precious treasure—the Elf Heart—until her life ends. Only then will we retrieve it.”
I asked in surprise, “Elf Heart? What is that?”
Water Star explained from the side, “The Elf Heart is also a gemstone. Inside it exists the foundation of our elves—five different elements. The most miraculous part is the teleportation formation inside the Elf Heart. With the approval of the five elders, the Elf Heart can, at any time and any place, use a certain incantation to summon any one of the Elf elders to provide help.”
I sighed inwardly. To obtain the Ocean Heart that could change the elves’ fate, the Elf Race was willing to pay such an enormous price.
I said calmly, “Five Elders, aren’t you afraid you’re entrusting this to the wrong person? If I use the Elf Race’s power to carry out some evil purpose, you’ll regret it when it’s too late.”
Water Linglong smiled slightly. “Child, we old folks have all lived past six hundred years. I can tell that although the killing intent on you is heavy, your nature is kind. And since you can even ask such a question, it proves you have no such plan at all, doesn’t it?”
I looked at Mo Yue. She sent her voice to me, “Husband, the elves are really pitiful too. Go and ask Sister Zi Xue.”
There shouldn’t be any problem on Zi Xue’s side. I still had that confidence. I clenched my teeth and made up my mind. “Fine. In that case, I agree. The Elf Race truly isn’t a race that should go extinct. But you must keep what you just said. Also, I can’t absolutely guarantee that I can get the Ocean Heart back for you.”
The five elders looked at each other, and joy showed on their faces. The five acted as one, raising their voices together:
I, Water Linglong (Mu Rou, Huo Yun, Tu Tun, Feng Shuang), swear under the witness of the Water God (Forest God, Fire God, Earth God, Wind God). We are willing to guarantee this with the inheritance of the elf bloodline. As long as we obtain the Ocean Heart and allow the Elf Race to multiply, we are willing to have all elves follow Lei Xiang during his lifetime. No matter what difficulties arise, we will help him unconditionally, and we will lend the Elf Heart to Lei Xiang’s friend until that person’s life ends. Furthermore, we hereby guarantee that no matter how many years pass, the Elf Race will never intervene in any war between races on the Jin Yuan Continent.
At the same time, the five Elf elders bit open the middle finger of their left hand. Five drops of blood floated out. Under their control, the five drops fused into one in midair. The five shouted together, “Contract.” The blood immediately gave off five-colored light, forming a beautiful symbol in the air before slowly disappearing.
Seeing them willing to do this for their people, I was deeply moved as well. I said solemnly, “Since the five elders trust me like this, I, Lei Xiang, swear in the name of the Mad God that I will definitely retrieve the Ocean Heart and the other two secondary Hearts of Water and hand them to the Elf Race. If I violate this oath, heaven and earth will abhor me.”
The five elders smiled faintly and nodded together.
Water Star asked in surprise, “Brother Lei Xiang, do you worship the Mad God? Does the God Realm have such a god?”
I said proudly, “Of course it does. The Mad God Theomandis is a First-Rank Deity of the God Realm.” Only after saying it did I realize I had misspoken.
Sure enough, the elders all asked in surprise, “What is a First-Rank Deity?”
I said awkwardly, “That’s just my own way of evaluating gods in the God Realm. Fine—since the oaths have been sworn, when do you want the Ocean Heart?”
Water Linglong said, “The sooner the better. Just now, when you swore, you said you were also willing to help us obtain the secondary Hearts of Water. Is that true?”
I smiled. “The oath is already sworn, of course it’s true. Village Chief Water Star, you should still remember what that Demon Race member said back then. After some time, I’ll be heading to the Demon Race. I’ll take the opportunity to retrieve those two Hearts of Water for you. Only then will it be a complete set of divine artifacts. Otherwise, how could I accept such a heavy gift from the Elf Race? Within two to three years, I will definitely return the Ocean Heart and those other two secondary Hearts of Water together. But you must strengthen your defenses. If other secondary Hearts of Water are stolen again, I may be powerless.”
Water Linglong said, “Thank you for the reminder. We will. We elders have already decided to safeguard the existing four Hearts of Water together until the set is complete. Child, do you know? You’ve brought hope to the Elf Race.”
I laughed. “Grandma who’s over six hundred, don’t get emotional yet. It’s still too early to say these things. Thank me after everything settles.”
Elder Mu Rou said, “Good. Then we’ll wait for your good news.”
I nodded. “Alright. Since things here are settled, we’ll take our leave. Once I gather everything, I’ll bring it straight here.”
Water Linglong smiled slightly. “No need to trouble yourself. Didn’t we promise to lend you the Elf Heart? With the Elf Heart, you can summon any one of the five old folks at will and hand the items to us.”
Mo Yue frowned. “Didn’t we agree you’d only fulfill your promise after we retrieve the items? If you give us the Elf Heart now, aren’t you afraid we’ll run?”
Water Linglong shook her head. “I believe you won’t misuse the Elf Heart. Besides, the five old folks are here to keep watch. With the Elf Heart, if you encounter danger, we can help as well.” As she spoke, she turned to look at the other elders, as if seeking their consent.
The other elders nodded in unison.
The five highest leaders of the Elf Race all extended their left hands, palms up. They began chanting in the elf language. Their chanting was so fast that we couldn’t hear it clearly at all.
Water Star said, “Once you receive the Elf Heart, you will be the Elf Race’s closest friend. The elders are using their power to summon our elves’ original strength and create the Elf Heart. The incantations chanted in the elven tongue are the most powerful magic of our Elf Race, but only Great Elf Envoys and above can use it.”
The aura of magical elements emanating from the five elders shocked me. Even if I transformed into a fallen angel, if we compared magic alone, I might not match even one of them. With such terrifying magical ability, they had to be at the level of Magic Mentors. There might even be one or two among them who were Grand Magic Mentors. The Elf Race—a race that had vanished from the continent for years—actually hid such immense power.
As the elders chanted, light spheres appeared above each of their left hands. According to the different elemental control, they were blue, green, red, yellow, and cyan. The glow of the five spheres grew brighter and brighter. When each sphere reached the size of a human head, the five elders shouted together and lifted them overhead. The five-colored light shot toward the center, and a tiny multicolored light gradually appeared in midair. As the five spheres dimmed, the multicolored sphere in the center grew stronger and stronger. Sweat appeared on the elders’ foreheads. It seemed forging this so-called Elf Heart was truly exhausting.
Water Linglong was the first to withdraw. She severed her connection to the multicolored sphere and murmured continuously, changing hand signs without pause. Blue symbols emerged one after another from her hands and flew into the multicolored sphere. It lasted a full tea’s time before she finally stopped. She took two small breaths and shot a strand of blue light from her hand to support the sphere.
Next was Mu Rou, doing the same. Then came Huo Yun, Tu Tun, and Feng Shuang, each in turn imprinting different, complex symbols into the sphere.
When Feng Shuang finished last, the bodies of the five elders burst with different colored flames of light. They compressed the terrifying energy sphere with all their strength. The five-colored glow grew weaker and weaker. Finally, after the elders’ final strike, the five-colored glow vanished. A transparent five-colored crystal slowly flew toward me. I caught it in one hand.
The crystal carried a faint warmth. An extremely strange feeling flowed into my body, as if the various elemental energies around me had drawn closer. I held it in my palm and looked at the transparent crystal. A faint, indistinct five-colored mist swirled around it, giving it a hazy beauty. I found that when I focused my attention on it, it was as if I formed an inexplicable connection with the five elders.
After completing the creation of the Elf Heart, all five elders sat down, exhausted, panting heavily.
Water Linglong transmitted her voice to me, “Child, hold it well. Don’t lose it. When you need our help, you only need to chant: ‘Elf Heart, heart follows spirit’s movement; Gate of Space, open in an instant,’ then add one specific final word. For example, if you want my help, add the word ‘water’ at the end. If you want Elder Mu Rou’s help, add the word ‘wood’ at the end. Understand?”
I nodded, very interested as I played with the Elf Heart in my hand.
Water Linglong continued transmitting, “Also, as long as you chant, ‘Elf Heart, heart and spirit as one,’ it will attach to your body. If you don’t use the release incantation, even if you die, it won’t fall off. The release incantation is: ‘Elf Heart, heart gathers, spirit departs.’ You must remember it.”
I murmured, “Elf Heart, heart and spirit as one.” The Elf Heart flashed with light and suddenly vanished into the air. I felt something appear over my chest. I hurriedly touched through my clothes. Sure enough, the Elf Heart had already attached itself to my skin.
Mo Yue walked over curiously. “Husband, let me see.”
I said, “Elf Heart, heart gathers, spirit departs.” With a flash of light, the beautiful Elf Heart reappeared in the air before me. Mo Yue stared at it in a daze, as if mesmerized.
I smiled slightly. “How about I give it to you?”
Mo Yue shook her head. “No. This is what you’ll use to trade with Sister Zi Xue for the Ocean Heart. How could I take it? Put it away. We should say goodbye to everyone too.”
I silently chanted and put the Elf Heart away, then said to the five elders and Water Star, “Then I won’t disturb you. Once there’s any progress, I’ll notify you immediately with the Elf Heart.”
The five elders all stood up. Water Linglong said, “We’re all a bit tired, so we won’t see you off. Village Chief Water Star, do it on our behalf.”
Water Star nodded respectfully and extended a hand toward me. “Please.”
Mo Yue and I bowed deeply to the five elders. These elders who had devoted their whole lives to their race truly deserved admiration and respect. The five elders smiled and returned the salute together.
After leaving the elf village, I looked back at Water Star at the village entrance and waved to her again. Elf Race, don’t worry. I will definitely bring you hope of survival.
Holding Mo Yue’s hand, I walked forward with firm steps.
As we walked, I said to Mo Yue, “Yue’er, you won’t blame me for agreeing to retrieve those two secondary Hearts of Water without asking you first, will you?”
Mo Yue smiled slightly. “Of course not. Setting aside that they’re things in Uncle Su Cha’s hands—even if they were in Father Emperor’s hands, I would still help you get them. You always look cold on the surface, but I know you have a passionate and kind heart.”
I neither confirmed nor denied it. I kissed her forehead.
Mo Yue said, “Uncle Su Cha too—he actually kept something so precious and didn’t tell Father Emperor. If Father Emperor found out, he’d definitely give him trouble.”
I asked, a little puzzled, “Yue’er, why do I feel like you don’t actually hate Prince Su Cha that much? Isn’t he completely opposed to your father?”
Mo Yue sighed. “Even though Uncle Su Cha is completely opposed to Father, he treats me very well. Since I was little, he’s always doted on me. Every time he saw me, he’d bring me tasty things or fun things. When I was young, I often sat on his shoulders causing trouble all over the palace. Sometimes I even peed on his neck. Even then, Uncle Su Cha never got angry. Later, after I grew up, Uncle Su Cha still treated me well. Sometimes, when he and Father argued fiercely over political views, as long as I stepped in, he would compromise. So I’ve always had feelings for him that I can’t cut off. I’m not like Father—I don’t view him as an enemy.”
So that was it. From Mo Yue, I learned another side of Su Cha. It seemed that if I ever faced him in the future, for Mo Yue’s sake, I should spare him. He treated Mo Yue so well; I should give something back.
Thinking that, I smiled and said, “I originally planned that when I went to the Demon Race, I’d help your father deal with Su Cha as my betrothal gift. Looks like I need to change my mind.”
Mo Yue jumped in fright. “Husband, you absolutely must not kill Uncle Su Cha. He’s not really that bad.”
I pinched her cute little nose and said indulgently, “Got it.”
Mo Yue and I weren’t in a hurry to travel. Every time we reached a place, we would play for one or two days. It had been a long time since we’d felt this leisurely. Under our shared cultivation, my dark demonic power advanced even faster than when I used to train in bitter isolation alone. By the time we arrived at Stru Fortress, my Heavenly Demon Art had cultivated to the peak of the seventh level and hit a bottleneck. Mo Yue’s Four-Winged Fallen Angel Transformation had also stabilized, but because her foundation wasn’t very firm, her progress was slower than mine.
As for my Mad God Battle Energy, although I didn’t cultivate it deliberately, it still grew slowly every day. It circulated on its own at all times. I wasn’t anxious. I understood this wasn’t something that could be accomplished in a day or two. Since Big Brother Theomandis said it would take a hundred years to succeed, anxiety was useless. I might as well let it proceed naturally. By the time I succeeded, perhaps all my beloved women would already be unable to walk.
Right now, what I wanted most was simply to live a quiet, peaceful life with them.
After entering Stru City, I found there was no trace of smoke or warfare. The vendors and civilians inside the city all calmly went about their own affairs. Stru Fortress, this barrier, absolutely guaranteed their safety. Mo Yue was the same as before—once she reached Stru Fortress, she looked everywhere, searching for new and curious things.
Beastmen Kingdom, I’m back. I wonder what changes you’ve had in these past half a year. Being close to home, I couldn’t help missing everything about the Beastmen Kingdom even more.
“Husband, come look! This sword is so pretty!”
I smiled bitterly to myself. I knew the shopping frenzy was about to begin again. Just as I was about to walk over to Mo Yue, a troop suddenly appeared from the other end of the street. They were all dressed in Dragon God Empire knight gear, each riding a tall horse. It seemed to be a patrol unit. When civilians saw them, they automatically moved aside to clear the road.
The reason I stopped was because I saw the leader of that unit—Li Wa, whom I hadn’t seen in many days. After not seeing him for some time, his strength seemed to have improved quite a bit. There was a smooth sheen on his face, and he smiled as he greeted the civilians around him. Perhaps because he was a dragon knight, the people around him were very friendly. Some food vendors even offered him fine snacks, but he refused them all.
To be honest, I no longer felt the resentment I once had toward Li Wa after being defeated. Instead, I felt a bit ashamed. After all, the Zi Yan he loved most had already given her heart to me.
While I was distracted, Li Wa also noticed me. A height of two meters was very uncommon in the Dragon God Empire. And with experts’ auras drawing each other, his gaze snapped to me. By the time I thought of avoiding him, it was already too late. I could only look at him with some helplessness.
Li Wa clearly still didn’t know about Zi Yan and me. Surprise lit his eyes, and he spurred his warhorse and galloped over.
At that moment, seeing that I still hadn’t come over, Mo Yue ran out from that shop and called, “Husband! Husband! Why aren’t you coming over?”
Li Wa galloped up in front of me and pulled on the reins. The warhorse let out a long neigh. Its front hooves rose, then landed to the side. Li Wa laughed loudly. “Lei Xiang, it’s been a long time! Why are you here?”
Mo Yue looked at Li Wa strangely and asked me in a low voice, “Husband, who is he?”
I nodded slightly to Li Wa. “Senior Li Wa, hello. I’m just passing by. I came in to take a look.”
Li Wa jumped down from his horse and stepped forward. “Back then, in that battle, you and Zi Yan suddenly disappeared. I was truly worried for a long time. Later, Zi Yan came back and said she got separated from you. The Duke even asked us to search nearby for you for a long time.”
I said to Mo Yue, “Yue’er, let me introduce him. This is my Senior Li Wa from Tianshou Academy. Back then, he was the academy’s number one expert.”
Mo Yue giggled. “Even stronger than you?”
I lightly squeezed her hand and smiled. “Of course. I was Senior Li Wa’s defeated opponent. Senior Li Wa, this is my wife, Mo Yue.”
Li Wa looked at the stunning beauty before him with surprise, confusion appearing on his face. Mo Yue flicked her long black hair—down to her calves—and studied Li Wa with interest. Li Wa’s expression changed slightly. He grabbed my arm. “Lei Xiang, come. Let’s talk on the side.”
I turned to Mo Yue. “Yue’er, wait for me in the shop over there. I’ll catch up with Senior Li Wa for a bit and then come find you.”
Mo Yue was a little unwilling, but she still turned and went.
Li Wa also told his men to wait, then pulled me into a small teahouse. His face no longer held the delight from when he first saw me. His expression was serious. The moment we sat down, he questioned me, “Lei Xiang, what is this? Why did you say that girl just now is your wife? Then what about Little Sister Zi Xue? I went to the duke’s mansion twice. She still can’t forget you. You can’t let her down.”
I shook my head. “Of course I won’t let Zi Xue down. My relationship with Yue’er happened with Zi Xue’s agreement. Both of them will marry me and become my wives.”
Li Wa froze. After a long while, he finally came back to himself. He punched my shoulder and laughed. “You brat—impressive. Killing two birds with one stone. You’re really enjoying the ‘blessings of the man of Qi.’ But won’t it be too unfair to Little Sister Zi Xue?”
I smiled. “Of course not. My love for them is the same. Besides, Mo Yue’s family background is not inferior to Zi Xue’s.”
Li Wa sighed. “You really have ability. I’m far behind in this area. The first time I saw Zi Yan, I fell for her. But after chasing her for so many years, she still treats me coldly, with no response at all. I don’t understand. What’s wrong with me? Why won’t she accept me?” As he spoke, Li Wa lowered his head in pain.
It was clear he truly loved Zi Yan. But this was something I absolutely could not yield. My feelings for Zi Yan were not the least bit weaker than his, and the one Zi Yan loved was me. Faced with Li Wa’s pain, I could only remain silent.
To make him feel better, I changed the subject. “Senior Li Wa, how have things been at the fortress lately? Nothing happened, right?”
Li Wa shook his head. “The Demon Race and Beastmen have been very well-behaved lately. Only a few days ago did I learn that our Dragon God Empire actually has a Saint Dragon Knights Corps. The entire corps is made up of Dragon Generals. With that powerful force, how would the Demon Race and Beastmen dare to invade lightly? I really don’t understand why the higher-ups don’t send them to wipe out the demons and beastmen. Oh, right—when did you come back?”
I nodded. “So that’s how it is. I haven’t been back long. Back then…” I repeated the same lie about how I escaped and returned. “…That’s how it was. Since I’ve been away from the academy too long, I don’t want to go back and continue studying. So I’ve been traveling around. Senior, Yue’er is still waiting for me. I won’t delay your patrol.”
Li Wa stood up. “Alright then. If you need anything in the future, come to the fortress’s military headquarters to find me. With your skill, if you join the army, you’ll definitely get a good position. Come work under me.” He looked sincere, as if he truly hoped I would stay.
I shook my head. “I still need to go to Mo Yue’s home once. We’ll talk about those things later. If there’s a chance, I will definitely come find you.”
As we spoke, we walked out of the teahouse. Li Wa leapt onto his horse, exchanged a few more polite words, then led his men away.
Watching his retreating back, I sighed and walked into the small shop Mo Yue had entered earlier. Mo Yue had her back to the door. She was playing with something, looking as if she couldn’t put it down.
“Yue’er, what did you take a liking to?”
Hearing my voice, Mo Yue turned around and waved the thing in her hand. “Husband, come look. This sword is so pretty.”
I walked to her in a few steps. When the shop owner and clerks heard Mo Yue call me “husband,” they all showed expressions of envy and jealousy. I had seen this countless times and didn’t care. I took the item from Mo Yue’s hand. It was a narrow sword, very similar in appearance to the one Mo Yue currently used. Its length and width were about the same. The sword was milky white, seemingly carved as a whole from some kind of ore. Its style was simple and elegant, indeed attractive.
But it felt extremely light in my hand, as if it had no weight at all. I asked the owner, “How much is this sword?”