Chapter 373: Exchange

The wind direction changed tonight, unusually free of that gray, hazy sandstorm.

Beneath the clear moonlight.

Two slender, cold figures stood motionless in the air above Shi Ying Town.

Zoom in closer.

Long elven ears, a foul expression—these were the two elves from BiCui Court.

And the direction they faced was precisely the Windwall Forest to the west.

A tangible pale green spiritual energy drifted on the wind, blazing upward like torches.

This forest on the frontier was no ordinary woodland—it already possessed the potential to become a forest like BiCui Court's.

Both elves showed signs of surprise.

The Windwall Forest's history is short; establishing a forest in just a hundred years isn't hard, but reaching the maturity of BiCui Court's thousand-year-old trees in a century is absurd.

"Bernhard, what do you think?"

The female elf spoke.

The male elf named Bernhard raised a hand to smooth his hair, tousled by the night wind—his demeanor subtly effeminate.

"The trees here are common species, planted merely for windbreak and soil stabilization. That they've absorbed so much spiritual energy is already incredible; to reach this level of spiritual leakage, someone must be assisting the forest's ascension."

"Ascension?"

The female elf gasped, "That's BiCui Court's technique—how could the forest warden possibly know it?!"

"I didn't say it was the warden."

Bernhard shook his head, his gaze calm as he looked at his companion:

"Ashley, why did you suddenly bring up the warden?"

Ashley's expression stiffened, forcing herself to suppress it.

She said, "He's famed throughout Shi Ying Town; nearby newspapers boast he defeated two seventh-rankers at sixth-rank. Naturally, I wanted to test his mettle."

"Did you?"

The elf girl nodded, then immediately shook her head.

Bernhard let out an "Oh" from his throat: "So, did you or didn't you?"

"The forest spirits drove me away. She's mid-seventh rank, nearing high-seventh. I'm only sixth."

"There's a seventh-rank forest spirit inside? That's surprising."

Ashley wasn't surprised.

Her companion was steady by nature and had once studied in Jewel City during Elder Zhang Quan's tenure in the BiCui Court Elders' Council—he was experienced.

Lately, he'd been occupied with the mission assigned by BiCui Court, leaving no time to care about surrounding matters.

But the girl was different—she was young, only 130 years old.

Naturally, she was curious about everything around her.

Bernhard made no comment on her actions, instead steering the topic back.

"It's an elf—specifically from BiCui Court. This elf seeks to use the Windwall Forest's ascension to break free from the Elders' Council's control."

"Break free? Control? I don't understand."

The very young elf girl asked innocently.

Elves always wore stoic faces before outsiders, but around companions, they revealed a touch of endearing foolishness.

Bernhard looked at Ashley, his gaze deep.

After a moment's silence, he asked:

"What do you think we should do, Ashley."

"According to elven law, this elf's actions are equivalent to betrayal. We should capture her and return her to BiCui Court, where the Elders' Council will strip her of her natural magic and exile her."

Ashley thought for a moment, then recited the elven law she knew.

Bernhard did not refute the daughter of the Third Elder—he nodded: "Do as you say."

"But what about the warden? Will he let us do this? After all, he's from Aiselong."

"Aiselong has depleted its forces in Dusk City, possibly crippled its core, and now controls its territory weakly. Warlord fragmentation is only a matter of time. This frontier town's so-called warden exists only in name. Shi Ying Town's city hall has close ties with him—they likely share this view. They dare not provoke BiCui Court now. We can proceed as planned."

Ashley nodded, excited: "When do we act?"

"With spiritual leakage this intense, the ascension ritual must occur within the next two days. We'll approach then."

"Why wait for the ascension ritual?"

"The forest's ascension ritual is no trivial matter—the elf will be severely weakened. That way, there'll be no resistance."

"But what about the warden? If he's truly as strong as the newspapers claim, you're seventh-rank and I'm sixth—we won't be enough."

"Why fight? Shi Ying Town lacks money, food, weapons, resources—people are resources too. We'll trade resources. Then we'll inform the Elders' Council about this forest, letting them seize it during Aiselong's chaos—another great achievement."

Elves excel at restraint and avoid using external objects, but that doesn't mean they won't pocket something valuable.

Especially older elves—all of them, without exception, are obscenely wealthy.

Ashley's face lit up with joy.

She waved her tiny fist, excited: "Just wait—see what Mother says about me being lazy now!"

Bernhard's expression remained bland, showing no change.

Two days later.

At the forest's edge.

Kali stepped forward, scattering silver-white powder as she walked.

Today, she had tied her golden hair into a neat, high ponytail.

Even in winter, she wore her white-and-green magical bodysuit, topped only with a short, furry vest that lifted her waistline, accentuating her perfect proportions.

Mouse Girl No. 3 followed behind her, dazed and clutching a jar filled to the brim with the same silver-white powder Kali carried.

No. 3 stood over 1. meters tall—only slightly shorter than the beastman Amy in the forest, and half a head taller than the elves.

Her legs were long, full, and well-proportioned; her sleek steel tail occasionally flicked through the air, then curled around her thigh, leaving faint indentations in her flesh.

According to Kali, this thing refused to cut her hair—her bangs hung down, covering half her eyes.

She looked a bit like the alt-types Luo De had seen in his past life.

"Done?"

Luo De lay sprawled on Vivian's soft, pillowy thighs, idly playing with the forest spirit's fingers.

Tally sat beside him, gently punching his leg with her tiny pink fists.

She kept asking if he was comfortable.

These past few days, their master's meals had been cold—utterly devoid of love or emotion, even the process rushed through.

Afterwards, he'd immediately seek out the forest spirit or the half-deer woman for a second round.

When Tally cleaned up afterward, she clearly sensed that her master's essence tasted far more delicious when with the other two girls. The succubus regretted it bitterly, nearly crying.

So lately, she'd gone mad with flattery, even overcoming her innate laziness—working tirelessly, never refusing.

It was a classic case of chasing her husband to the funeral pyre.

"Mm."

Kali glanced at his decadent state, her face slightly displeased.

(End of Chapter)