Chapter 270: Future and Capture

Dark Elves share the same low fertility rate as Elves.

The Emerald Court, the largest gathering place of Elves, is fine; at least the ecology is stable and the environment safe.

The former, driven into the Underdark, is terrible.

All manner of ferocious creatures dwell there: Deep Scourges, Beholders, Mind Flayers, and Worgs.

The terrain is rugged and steep; tunnels stretch for miles, sometimes expanding into spacious caverns, sometimes contracting into narrow spaces; it can be said that finding a place suitable for survival is very difficult.

Add the lack of light, which breeds all kinds of strange, poisonous fungi and mosses, making them impossible to guard against.

Thus, the race's numbers are even more scarce.

Besides, they are a group full of resentment and unwilling to follow rules, rarely gathering together.

A nest numbering in the tens of thousands has not appeared since the Dark Elves emerged.

So the current situation is due to external factors.

That is, the Lolth, my lord, whom they worship.

After long pleading, Lolth, my lord, bestowed a spell for rapid breeding.

The number of Dark Elves increased greatly because of this.

But as a reward here, every Dark Elf born from this spell must undergo an 'assessment' before reaching adulthood.

Those who pass are granted a small portion of Lolth's bloodline power, while those who fail will undergo a twisted, grotesque spider transformation.

The two sisters, Yufi and Watching Yuna, both failed the assessment, becoming despised lowly slaves.

"Take it to Anas, my lord! Watch your mouth! Don't say 'sister, sister' all day long; Yufi is still alive only because of Lolth, my lord! Is it not good to spend your remaining life properly?"

The gaunt head chef, while grumbling curses, placed the meals in stacks onto Watching Yuna's tray.

He paid no mind to her small face being pressed into a tight frown by the weight.

Each word shot into her heart like an arrow.

Yes, the lifespan of a spider-transformed Dark Elf will be drastically reduced.

Even if they escape, the two sisters have only a few years left to live.

Watching Yuna said nothing.

Her mind echoed with the scenes her sister Yufi had described.

She bit her teeth, determined to escape.

Carrying the tray, she advanced along the path.

She arrived at the door of the boss, Anas.

Watching Yuna immediately heard the muffled voice of a human man.

"This is the eighth-tier legendary spell 【Sunfire Burst】. This is 【Burning Cloud Art】. I have contained the domain. My lord, you only need..."

She didn't hear clearly, but could distinctly hear the names of the two spells.

Knock, knock, knock—

She knocked on the door; the discussion ceased abruptly.

Watching Yuna poked half her body in as before: "My lords, it is time for the meal."

The female leader, Anas, nodded.

She looked at the human mage wearing glasses, her expression proud and cold: "Mr. Wilson, let us stop here for now; our meal time has arrived."

Dark Elves still maintain the arrogance of traditional Elves.

They very much like to interrupt negotiations or arrive late to important meetings in inexplicable ways to demonstrate their control and superiority.

Watching Yuna had learned this under her parents' teachings.

That is, to make the other party know 'our own rules are greater than all'.

The mage frowned slightly, clearly already knowing this.

He did not intend to let this negotiation drag on too long.

"Leader Anas, you should know that the other party does not originate from the real dimension like us; those cosmic beings are formed from emotion, their reproduction speed far exceeding yours; even if they are currently barely evenly matched, sooner or later they will..."

Watching Yuna ignored him.

She arranged the plates on her own.

"I said let us stop here for now, Mr. Wilson."

Anas remained calm; she gave a cold glance, revealing a hint of eighth-tier aura.

"This..."

"Watching Yuna, take Mr. Wilson to rest."

Watching Yuna paused, realizing she could use this opportunity to explore that secret passage.

"Understood."

That human mage named Wilson said nothing more; he stood up, glanced at Watching Yuna's massive spider body, and revealed a hint of piercing disgust.

Anger and humiliation surged in Watching Yuna's heart.

But she did not show it; at this moment, she had already resolved to put aside all the glory of her former life as a Dark Elf and live with a new mindset.

Thus, after quickly bringing this human mage to a suitable resting room, she immediately set out to explore that possible unmanned secret passage.

Half an hour later.

Watching Yuna looked at the gray sky outside the giant nest with a face full of surprise.

Two gray-white full moons seemed to radiate colorful light.

She had successfully walked this dusty, remote path; no one guarded it! No one passed through!

"It works! This path is viable!"

All the fantasies in her mind of her sister escaping seemed to become within reach at this very moment.

"You damn well can run, Amel!"

Rod leaped into the air.

His feet erupted with two powerful thrusts from the 【Repulsion Art】, exploding two clouds of white mist in the air, propelling his entire body forward a great distance.

His right hand strained forward.

He was just about to grab the 'Sharon' ahead.

His fingers even felt the texture of the linen on her clothes.

Boom—

Her body exploded, turning into a spherical ethereal form.

She dodged.

Then her flight speed suddenly doubled, and she shot away into the distance with a whoosh.

"Finally caught you, little thing!"

This move, the 【Aether Form】, was not the first time she had used it during the hour-long chase.

Amel had used escape spells including but not limited to 【Gem Jump】, 【Illusion】, 【Phase Gate】, 【Leyline Blink】, 【Lower Realm Speed】, and 【Transposition Trick】.

She had also simultaneously used hindrance methods including but not limited to 【Bio-Field】, 【Web Spell】, 【Wall of Gears】, 【Stasis Spell】, 【Abyssal Mirage】, 【Petrification Spell】, and 【Isolation Spell】.

Although Rod had torn through them one by one, they had indeed bullied him, a spiritual warrior lacking pursuit means.

Moreover, Sharon's current body did not need to use mana, but rather the aether of cosmic energy, making her completely fearless of dimensional suppression here.

And at this moment.

Rod watched as the 【Aether Form】 was used again.

Joy immediately filled his brow.

【Aether Form: Temporarily sacrifice spellcasting and physical attacks to transform into a spherical ethereal form.】

"Cannot cast spells! I've been waiting for this moment!"

The skills he had been holding back erupted instantly.

【Maintain Domain】 was flung out.

Preventing her from exiting the 【Aether Form】.

【Gravity Chains】 and 【Gravity Well】 were flung out together.

Gravity systems have always been a good means to counter flight spells; even if you are in an ethereal state that ignores physical damage, it won't work, as spiritual energy can precisely capture it.

A dozen or so purple spiritual chains broke through the air, snapping shut on the spherical ethereal form.

Boom!!!

Plus the powerful pull of the 【Gravity Well】, instantly forcing her flight spell into a stun.

"Not done yet!"

Rod raised his right hand.

The slime, Little Black, was already lying on it, looking like a black glove made of fluid metal.

【Mind Link】 successful!

Little Black!

【Gravitational Wave】!

Hum—

The purple gravity spiritual light blazed intensely!

The 'Sharon' in 【Aether Form】 could no longer withstand the suction, shot backward with a whoosh, and was grabbed by Rod with one hand.

(End of Chapter)