Chapter 375: The State of the Elder Council

A surge of magical energy.

The female elf, ambushed, slipped into unconsciousness and fell limply from midair, crashing onto the grass and sending clumps of turf flying.

Luo De watched this bizarre internal conflict with cold indifference.

"What's the meaning of this?"

Bernhard landed slowly.

With a light lift of his palm, the force field of the Mage's Hand materialized out of thin air, pinching Ashli like a chick.

Fortunately, they weren't high up, and the elf's frame was sturdy enough—Ashli was merely disheveled, with no serious injuries.

"This is Ashli, the third elder's daughter. If I leave Bicui Court, I cannot let the state of Windwall Forest leak. This girl must not be allowed to live. Sorry for the disrespect before the Forest Warden."

Luo De couldn't help laughing twice.

"Your Bicui Court isn't an impenetrable fortress either. In the end, it's just like what the half-deer folk say—caught in chaos. Why should I help you?"

"Whether I help or not is purely an exchange of interests. Please, Forest Warden, take a look."

With that,

Bernhard tossed over a magical satchel, which Luo De caught effortlessly in one hand.

He opened it.

Brilliant golden light illuminated his face, radiating renewed brilliance.

Moreover,

Inside were vast quantities of Bicui Court crop seeds. Like the elves and druids, they excelled at tending plants—their seeds yielded enormous harvests and required no specific weather conditions; even blizzards and sandstorms couldn't crush them. They were nearly impossible to buy outside.

Even in the Magic Control League, certain high-yield crop varieties were strictly banned from sale—no one knew why.

Luo De was tempted.

He raised an eyebrow: "You elves are truly peculiar."

"You needn't answer me right away. Wait until Miss Kalistre completes her ritual—it won't hurt. I'm sure her account of Bicui Court's situation will be more trustworthy than mine."

Bernhard said.

Luo De had no objection. He watched as Bernhard sat down on the spot and resumed being a power source.

The overly effeminate male elf also settled down, half-closing his eyes and standing motionless.

Someone in the forest sensed the commotion—or perhaps Yuna had alerted them to come assist.

Those who arrived shortly after:

Zombie Selina and her temporary minion, the Mind Flayer Hart.

Oona, the rabbitfolk who hid in the forest tending to the soul of the fungus creature Scarlett.

Xiao Ke, the half-deer folk lurking at the forest's edge, peering secretly.

Bernhard's eyelid twitched.

A seventh-rank zombie, a sixth-rank half-deer, an eighth-rank rabbit mage, and an eighth-rank octopus-headed monster?

The cool, calm elf broke into a cold sweat.

Where are you planning to attack?

He couldn't ask that—these ambitious types usually resented others commenting on their troop movements.

After quietly waiting for nearly two hours,

The spiritual energy spilling from Windwall Forest reached its peak, as if solidified, igniting the entire forest like a blazing torch.

Then, the ritual's light suddenly flared.

It sucked back the scattered spiritual energy like a vacuum cleaner, locking and fixing it in place.

As the light gradually faded, all the fluctuations settled into stillness.

When Luo De looked at the forest again, he could now clearly see that every tree's quality, condition, and spiritual energy had risen a full tier.

At the same time, Kalistre, like Luo De, precisely controlled every strand of magic and calmly ascended to the seventh rank.

She turned, glancing back at Luo De with a hint of pride.

"Very good."

Luo De clapped, smiling.

Then he stood shoulder to shoulder with the approaching elf lady, facing the quiet Bernhard.

"Congratulations, Kalistre. You've successfully entered the seventh rank."

The male elf calmly offered his congratulations.

His tone was familiar—he clearly knew Kalistre from before.

"You know each other? Not another fiancé, are you?"

Luo De laughed.

Kalistre shot him a furious glare: "Elves in Bicui Court are rare enough—what's so surprising about knowing each other?"

Beside her, Tally rolled her eyes, feigning pouty annoyance: "Master's jealous of this stinky elf? No jealousy, no jealousy, please~~"

She tugged Luo De's arm back and forth, then suddenly hugged it tightly against her chest, squeezing it firmly.

Bernhard looked from Luo De to Kalistre.

Suddenly, he understood, and volunteered an explanation:

"Kalistre and I were classmates at school. There's no other connection between us. My apologies for the misunderstanding."

"No need to explain—I have no other connection with him either!" Kalistre said coldly.

As she spoke, she shot Luo De another glare.

But to Bernhard, that glare was indistinguishable from affectionate coquetry.

"No wonder, Mr. Luo De. Kalistre was a renowned prodigy at school—her magical knowledge surpassed even her instructors. With you, she truly is a match made by heaven."

"Hahaha—"

Luo De couldn't hold back his laughter.

It wasn't because he was flattered by Bernhard's words.

It was simply that elves rarely flattered anyone—it looked absurd.

Kalistre glared at Luo De's laughter, her face sour—but a faint blush crept up her ears.

She quickly suppressed it.

She coldly eyed the fellow elf: "Is this necessary? Do elves of Bicui Court really need to flatter this badly?"

"Yes."

Bernhard said plainly.

"The Elder Council has changed—especially after Elder Manla's death. They've grown more volatile and autocratic, terrified of betrayal and loss of control. Do you know how many elves were exiled last month? Or why? Heh—I don't have the courage to speak such shameful things in front of outsiders."

"What happened?"

"The elite elves sent by the Elder Council to seize the sacred spark-infused blood of Mystera… were annihilated."

"."

Kalistre was philosophical about victory and defeat, but total annihilation was excessive.

This was the highest level of combat on the continent—those sent wouldn't be useless.

And elves, as long-lived beings, had ample experience and survival techniques; even in the worst case, total annihilation was nearly impossible.

Bernhard shook his head: "Perhaps the high-rankers still fighting in the Abyss know what happened—but we don't."

Luo De, sensing their serious tone, stayed silent.

He turned to the succubus clinging to his arm: "Who was Elder Manla again? Why does that name sound familiar?"

"Master forgot? The elf elder drained dry by succubi—remember, we met his illegitimate daughter during the maze infiltration."

"Illegitimate daughter? Oh—that half-elf investigator from the Magic Control League…"

The half-elf wasn't ugly, but she looked quite aged—Luo De had little memory of her.

Kalistre spoke with the fellow elf about the Elder Council's changes and current state, appearing deeply nostalgic and concerned.

Then she secretly sent Luo De a 【Far-Speech Link】.

【Kalistre: This one is a melee mage who cultivates both spiritual and magical energy. His combat power exceeds a normal seventh-rank. Enslave him.】

(End of Chapter)