Chapter 71: The Elf

Beside the blond elf was a human woman.

The two were affectionate, laughing and chatting, looking just like a couple.

Humans and elves rarely pair up, for in the elves’ high standards and refined tastes, most humans are ugly as sin.

And this human woman’s appearance was no better.

Nearly fifty years old, her skin sagged, and her heavy makeup only made her look worse.

Yet this young elf gentleman looked at her with deep, unbreakable affection.

At the same time.

The human’s dagger was already inches from the elf’s lower back.

A petite halfling woman suddenly rushed out from the crowd.

With swift motion, she pinned the human to the ground.

“Don’t move!”

The dagger flew from his hand into the air.

Luo De, seeing it was close by and to avoid hurting others, reached out and caught it.

“Let me go! I’ll kill this pair of bastards!!”

The pinned human snarled furiously.

He glared hatefully at the elf and the woman before him, his eyes filled with venom.

The commotion didn’t draw attention from those nearby.

For at the other end, a metallic dragon had arrived from afar, its wings stirring violent winds as it landed slowly before the bronze dragon.

The two great dragons locked eyes for several seconds, then drew close affectionately.

“Ooooh—”

“Is it starting? Is it starting?”

“Mommy, what are the two dragons doing?”

The crowd’s uproar easily drowned out the man’s voice.

Wait a minute.

Can’t you leave kids at home for an event like this?

“Calm down, Mr. Bob! What you’re doing now won’t change anything!”

“But! But this damn elf stole my wife—my beloved Julian!”

By the end, he had no strength left to resist.

The halfling’s tone softened, and she murmured a few words of comfort.

The man began to weep quietly.

“What you need to do now is present proof of your wife’s infidelity to the court, file for divorce, and claim your rightful compensation.”

After being persuaded, the man finally calmed down.

Soon, accompanied by another male halfling, he left the Dragon Viewing Platform.

“What the hell! Why is there magic blur?!”

Tally shouted angrily.

She had left the shadows sometime earlier and now sat on Luo De’s shoulder.

In the distance, the two giants, after a brief moment of tenderness, quickly moved into the main act.

But just as their intimate parts were exposed, a mosaic-like blur appeared.

Gaima pointed to a sign beside the Dragon Viewing Platform.

There, clearly written: —Purchase High-Definition Magic Recording Stones at the Exit (Note: No Magic Blur).

“The lord of Jade City must be a genius businessman.”

Luo De smiled helplessly.

“Master! I want to buy one!”

“Fine, fine.”

Over there, a halfling girl approached.

Her expression was cool, her eyes blank.

“Thank you for your help, human sir.”

“What’s going on here?”

Luo De handed her the dagger.

“A regrettable love affair—the elf seduced his wife,” she sighed.

“An elf seduced a fifty-year-old woman? With all due respect, this woman isn’t even attractive.”

“Are you from outside? A tourist?”

Luo De nodded.

“Then that explains it. Wait until you’ve stayed in Jade City longer—you’ll learn what rank three on the ‘Prostitutes’ Least Wanted Race’ list really means: the elf race.”

“Hmm, that doesn’t match my impression of elves at all.”

The halfling girl wore neat travel gear, a staff clipped to her waist.

She pulled up her pant leg.

“Proud, proper elves certainly exist, but those who willingly enter brothels clearly don’t belong to that category—they’re too repressed, so their quirks are...” She trailed off. “Anyway, I’m done chatting. I must go. Thank you again.”

Luo De waved goodbye.

It was a minor incident, and it didn’t distract the crowd from watching.

About thirty minutes later.

The bronze dragon was done.

Then they turned away from each other and rested.

Of course, this wouldn’t be the end—they’d likely continue from morning until sunset.

The three who had already seen it had no intention of lingering and left the Dragon Viewing Platform.

Gaima had her own business and parted ways with them.

Luo De passed through the still-long queue.

He arrived at the exit sales counter.

On the table were recording stones labeled A through G.

He picked one at random.

High-Definition Magic Recording Stone (Note: No Magic Blur), Angle C—five Jin Along.

“...That’s pretty expensive.”

He reached for his coins.

“I’d recommend the F-angle one, sir.”

A flat, emotionless voice came from beside him—the cool halfling girl stepped out from behind the counter.

She now wore a server’s uniform.

“The F-angle shot captures the connection between the two great dragons more clearly.”

“...Oh, it’s you. I thought you were security or something.”

She gave a cocky smile, took the Jin Along Luo De offered.

But unlike her appearance, her words and actions were actually gentle and kind.

Tally immediately tried to open the recording stone as soon as she got it.

Luo De quickly stopped her.

“I’m sort of that too—are you here to ascend? Or did you come specifically for the Dragon Viewing Festival? By the way, I’m Lily.”

“Of course I’m here to ascend, Luo De.”

“Small world, Mr. Luo De—I know a group that comes to Jade City specifically for ascension. They’re holding a discussion tomorrow to prepare for the assessment. Want to join?”

As the half-dragon Xia Li had said earlier.

The Jade Domain had limited slots open to outsiders.

Luo De had Argyle’s letter of recommendation, so he didn’t need these.

“Thank you, but no.”

At that moment, another human woman in the same uniform approached.

She smiled warmly: “There are many seniors who’ve already entered the Domain—they’ll tell us exactly what to watch out for and how to pass the assessment. It’s very useful!”

“Not necessary, thank you.”

Honestly, it sounded like a sales pitch.

There were too many scams in this world—Luo De decided to be cautious.

He forced a awkward laugh and quickly left with Tally.

After he left.

The human server looked annoyed.

“What’s her problem? Not coming doesn’t mean you have to look like we’re villains.”

Lily ignored her.

She let out a quiet sigh.

"I've already brought in ten people—could you pay me my wage first?"

"Don't be like that, Lily~ If you bring in twenty, your pay doubles!"

"No need—I’ve earned enough from this job."

The halfling Lily silently removed her apron.

She raised her hand to tidy her short hair.

A pendant accidentally fell from her collar.

Plop—

The pendant opened.

Inside was a photo of a family of four.

This was the exact same photo found on the halfling Ali who had attacked the forest months ago.

(End of Chapter)