Chapter 1505

Your Highness need not be so formal.

You are Xiao Ying's chosen partner, and also the direct disciple of Shuangmian Lord—call me Sister Dai.

Daela's serene face broke into a gentle smile as she stepped aside to lead the way.

Please follow me; the Sovereign has been waiting long enough.

The three walked toward the palace along the platform.

The elf guards along the way wore light armor, their qi refined, their gazes sharp yet not aggressive.

Even the weakest among them were at the Cosmic Stage!

Xu Jingming even faintly sensed the presence of some Immortal Stage beings!

Using Immortal deities as guards? The Elf Royal Family truly is extravagant.

Xu Jingming marveled inwardly.

The palace entrance had no heavy doors.

Instead, it was naturally divided by hanging vines of luminous white, adorned with tiny star-shaped flowers emitting a soft glow.

Passing through the vine curtain, the interior opened up before them.

The great hall was vast and open, its ceiling composed of countless transparent crystals.

Outside light poured in, refracted by the crystals into a mosaic of colorful radiance, softly illuminating every corner.

The floor was covered in deep green velvet carpet, flanked by statues of past Elf sages.

Each statue differed in form, yet all carried a tranquil, wise aura.

The air carried a faint sandalwood scent, along with an indescribable, primal tranquility rooted in life's origin.

At the far end of the hall, a figure sat upon the Jade Wang Zuo.

She wore a luxurious dark green gown, its hem trailing on the ground.

Her silver hair flowed like moonlight, lightly bound by a circlet woven from vines.

Her features bore seven or eight tenths of resemblance to Yueying, yet were far more mature.

She did not deliberately radiate pressure; simply sitting there, she naturally exuded a dignity that overlooked the stars.

She was none other than the current Sovereign of the Elf Realm, the Undying Master—Elena Yongge.

Yueying stepped forward quickly and whispered, "Mother."

Yongge lifted her eyes, her gaze first falling upon her daughter, her dark green eyes softening with a gentle smile:

"You're back."

Then her gaze turned to Xu Jingming.

Her gaze was as still as a deep pool, yet seemed to pierce through all appearances, reaching straight to the essence.

Xu Jingming walked forward steadily, took a few steps, bowed slightly, and spoke clearly and respectfully:

"Student of the Eternal Star Alliance, disciple of Shuangmian Lord, Xu Jingming, pays homage to Sovereign Yongge."

This time, he was not merely representing himself.

He represented his teacher, Shuangmian.

Therefore, before this Elf Sovereign, he did not adopt an overly subservient posture.

The great hall fell silent, save for the faint wind and bird calls from outside.

Upon the Wang Zuo, Yongge silently regarded the tall, spear-like figure below.

After a long while, a faint, elusive smile touched her lips.

"Xu Jingming..."

She softly spoke the name, her voice like a forest spring—melodious, yet carrying the calm authority of long-standing supremacy.

"You're not unattractive; no wonder my daughter has taken to you.

But obtaining the Eternal Core won't be that simple."

Yongge looked at Xu Jingming, her elegant, opulent face wearing a smile as she said:

"Very well,

since you are a disciple of Master Shuangmian, I won't make things difficult for you.

If you can attain one of the T3-level supreme arts created by my ancestors on the Sacred Stele,

then I will agree to exchange it for the Eternal Core."

As Yongge finished speaking, the great hall fell silent.

Xu Jingming furrowed his brow, silently wondering what the Sacred Stele was.

Beside him, Yueying spoke up anxiously, her voice filled with concern:

"Mother!

The Sacred Stele is our clan's sacred relic—only those with Elf blood can comprehend it!

Jingming isn't of our race; how can he attain a supreme art from it?

This condition... is far too harsh!"

Almost simultaneously, a cold, urgent mental whisper echoed quietly in Xu Jingming's mind.

It was Yueying secretly explaining:

'The Sacred Stele was forged collectively by our ancestors, imbued with countless sages' cultivation insights and supreme art legacies.

Comprehending the Sacred Stele does offer a chance to awaken the supreme arts sealed within.

But one must possess Elf blood, with one's life origin resonating in harmony with the Stele, to even activate its legacy!

Without Elf blood, the difficulty of comprehension increases a thousandfold or more!

Moreover, the Stele's legacy possesses its own sentience—it will not respond at all to those outside our race!'

Since the Sacred Stele was erected, no foreigner has ever successfully comprehended any supreme art, let alone a T3-level profound supreme art!

So that's how it is.

Xu Jingming's heart suddenly understood.

The Sacred Stele... the ancestral inheritance ground of the Elf Clan, with bloodline as the key.

Such stringent conditions are virtually equivalent to declaring that foreigners may not comprehend it.

It seems the Elf Monarch never intended to truly exchange the Eternal Core with me from the start.

The so-called trial was merely a polite excuse for refusal.

Just as his thoughts raced, upon the Wang Zuo.

Yong Ge's clear, melodious voice sounded again, calm in tone:

"Xu Jingming, you are the current number one prodigy of the Star Dome Academy.

The direct disciple of the Frost Crown Dominator, your talent surpasses all peers.

This little difficulty... surely cannot stop you."

She leaned forward slightly, her luxurious emerald-green robe rippling with soft luminescence.

"Isn't that right?"

Xu Jingming lifted his head, meeting her gaze.

Yong Ge's eyes were deep emerald, like ancient pools holding boundless forests.

Beneath their calmness lay vast vitality and wisdom forged by ages.

At this moment, those eyes regarded him silently.

Amid her regal elegance, her gaze subtly revealed a faint, mature woman's charm and amusement.

It was not deliberately displayed allure, but the poise of one who knows she holds absolute control.

Xu Jingming's expression did not change; meeting her gaze, his voice was steady and powerful, echoing clearly through the hall:

"Yes, my lord."

He paused briefly, then continued, his tone calm yet carrying a latent, sharp edge:

"However, my lord just said that comprehending one T3-level supreme art would suffice.

May I ask one more thing: if I were fortunate enough to comprehend a supreme art from the Sacred Stele... of a higher rank, what then?"

The atmosphere in the hall subtly stiffened.

Yue Ying stared at Xu Jingming in surprise; Dai La's serene face also flickered with astonishment.

Upon the Wang Zuo, Yong Ge paused, slightly startled.

Then her lips curved upward, revealing a nearly amused smile.

She leaned back slowly into her chair, her fingertip brushing the natural wood grain of the armrest, her voice carrying unquestioning composure:

"Oh? Higher? Very well."

Her gaze settled on Xu Jingming, emerald eyes shimmering with light:

"If you truly can do it,

you need not go too high—just comprehend one T2-level supreme art from the Sacred Stele.

I will make an exception.

At that time, the Frost Crown Dominator's exchange condition is void.

I will personally bestow upon you the Eternal Core, without any further conditions."

The Sacred Stele has stood in the Elf Clan's holy city for countless ages; the bloodline barrier has never been broken by a foreigner.

Without Elf Clan bloodline, one cannot even awaken the legacy within the Stele, let alone comprehend a profound T2-level supreme art?

This is the source of her confidence in offering such a generous condition.

Xu Jingming could never comprehend a supreme art from the Sacred Stele.