Chapter 245

The western end of the White Continent.

Translation: "Western end of the White Continent." Actually "West end of White Continent" = "Western end of the White Continent." So "The western end of the White Continent." We'll keep concise: "Western end of the White Continent."

The boundless sea of trees, with towering blue‑sky trees visible everywhere, is the territory of the Sacred Elf Empire.

Translation: "The endless sea of trees, with towering blue-sky trees visible everywhere, is the territory of the Sacred Elf Empire." Actually "Sacred Elf Empire" = "Sacred Elf Empire". We'll translate: "The boundless forest sea, with towering sky-reaching trees seen everywhere, constitutes the territory of the Sacred Elf Empire."

In the Elf Empire, the forest sea is not a special landform but a common one.

Translation: "In the Elf Empire, the forest sea is not a special landform but a common one."

The domestic forest coverage rate has nearly reached one hundred percent.

Translation: "The forest coverage rate domestically has nearly reached one hundred percent."

In the deepest part of the forest sea, there is a giant elf city built in the upper layer of the forest, called Duretan Gesen.

Translation: "Deep within the forest sea lies a massive elf city built in the upper layers of the forest, called De Rui Tan Blessing."

In Elvish, 'Gesen' is the pronunciation of a blessing, so the capital's name means 'the earthly blessed land of Duretan'.

Translation: "In Elvish, 'Gersen' is the pronunciation of 'blessing,' so the capital's name means 'the Mundane Blessing Place of De Rui Tan.'"

The forest rains frequently, often drizzling endlessly.

Translation: "The forest rains frequently, often drizzling endlessly."

Even in clear weather, the sky is piled with thick clouds, making it hard to see an endless blue sky.

Translation: "Even on clear days, the sky is piled with thick clouds, making a boundless blue sky hard to see."

This day is just like usual, another cloudy sunny day.

Translation: "This day was no different from usual—another cloudy clear day."

Aoooo~~~~~~

Translation: "Aooooooo"

Suddenly, a long, resonant roar broke the forest's silence, startling a flock of birds like a dark cloud.

Translation: "Suddenly, a long, resonant roar shattered the forest's tranquility, startling a flock of birds like a dark cloud."

Immediately following, a massive green creature over 20 meters in both length and width burst from a thick 'cloud mountain' and dove toward a towering tree at least 500 meters high in the forest sea below.

Translation: "Immediately following, a dark green creature over twenty meters long and wide burst from a thick 'cloud mountain,' swooping down toward a towering tree at least five hundred meters tall in the forest sea below."

The creature's speed was so great that even its surroundings were surrounded by plumes of thick white vapor.

Translation: "The creature's speed was so great that puffs of dense white vapor appeared around its body."

At the same time, the creature emitted strands of emerald‑green light that enveloped its body and merged with the white vapor, forming splendid emerald‑green light mists.

Translation: "At the same time, the creature emitted strands of emerald light that enveloped its body and merged with the white vapor, forming splendid emerald glows."

Whooo~~~

Translation: "Whooo"

In the roar of the fierce airflow, the creature swooped onto the treetop in an instant, began to slow down, and finally landed on a massive branch over 15 meters in diameter.

Translation: "Amid the roaring airflow, the creature swooped onto the treetop in an instant, began to decelerate, and finally landed on a massive branch over fifteen meters in diameter."

As the creature came to rest, the light mist gradually dissipated, revealing its true form.

Translation: "As the creature came to rest, the light mist gradually faded, revealing its true form."

It was a large, dark‑green lizard with wings.

Translation: "It was a large, dark green, winged lizard."

Oh, no, in the White Continent this should be called a flying dragon, or a green dragon.

Translation: "Oh, no, on the White Continent this should be called a flying dragon, or a green dragon."

It had a ferocious, huge head covered with a pair of sharp rune dragon horns.

Translation: "It had a ferocious, massive head adorned with a pair of sharp rune dragon horns."

Dense, the scales naturally grew with runes, dark‑green and shifting light and dark with each breath.

Translation: "Dense, naturally grown rune-covered dark green scales that brightened and dimmed with its breath."

Its muscles bulged all over, giving it a streamlined body bursting with visual explosiveness.

Translation: "Its muscles bulged explosively, giving it a streamlined body bursting with visual impact."

Most remarkably, the giant flying dragon's chest bore two rows of huge air vents on its wind‑facing side.

Translation: "Most remarkably, the giant flying dragon's chest, facing the wind, bore two extra rows of huge spiracles."

With each inhale and exhale, it produced a 'whoosh‑whoosh' airflow sound.

Translation: "With each inhale and exhale, it produced a 'whoosh' of airflow."

After the green dragon came to a complete stop, it lowered itself, and the scales on its back rose like exploding pine cones, then parted like living things to either side, finally revealing two elves emerging from within.

Translation: "After the green dragon came to a complete stop, it slowly crouched; the scales on its back rose like an exploding pine cone, then parted like a living thing to either side, finally yielding two elves from within."

They were Brian and Sisi, who had recently been envoys to Vylan and the Radiant Empire.

Translation: "They were Brian and Xixi, who had just returned from a mission to Weilan and the Radiant Empire."

The two elves dismounted from the dragon's back one after another; upon landing, Sisi gave a cold stare and turned away.

Translation: "The two elves dismounted from the dragon's back in turn; upon landing, Xixi turned away with a cold expression and walked off."

Brian spread his hands helplessly.

Translation: "Brian spread his hands helplessly."

He gently patted the green dragon beside him, then took out a palm‑sized emerald crystal from his cloth pouch and offered it.

Translation: "He gently patted the green dragon beside him, then took out a palm-sized emerald crystal from his cloth pouch and offered it."

"Ilyeros, thank you very much for your help; this is my reward for you."

Translation: ""Ireilos, thank you very much for your help; this is my payment for you.""

The stone rose on its own, flew into the green dragon's huge mouth, and then the dragon emitted a deep but gentle human voice.

Translation: "Shitou rose on its own, flew into the green dragon's huge mouth, and then the dragon emitted a deep but gentle human voice."

"Brian, you seem to have made Sisi unhappy."

Translation: ""Brian, you seem to have made Xixi unhappy.""

Brian spread his hands: "She's just like that; even a trifle the size of a feather can upset her, as if the whole world owes her and must coax and indulge her."

Translation: "Brian spread his hands: "She's just like that; even a trifle the size of a feather can upset her, as if the whole world owes her and must coax and indulge her.""

"Before it didn't matter, but this time it's serious; I was a bit firmer, and she ignored me."

Translation: ""Before it didn't matter, but this time it's serious; I adopted a slightly firmer attitude, and she stopped speaking to me.""

After saying that, he added: "I guess she won't bother with me from now on."

Translation: "After saying that, he added: "I expect she won't speak to me from now on.""

The green dragon Ilyeros said: "I remember you used to like her and tried every way to win her favor."

Translation: "The green dragon Ireilos said: "I remember you used to like her, trying every way to win her favor.""

"Why don't you go comfort her?"

Translation: ""Why not go comfort her?""

"No need; ignoring me is better, and it actually saves me a lot of time and effort."

Translation: ""No need; it's better if she ignores me—it actually saves me a lot of time and energy.""

The green dragon shook its head: "Brian, it seems you've fully grown up, and that makes me happy."

Translation: "The dragon shook its head: "Brian, it seems you've fully grown up; that makes me happy.""

"However, in these long, dull years, we still need some fun, and Sisi is a great source of joy."

Translation: ""However, in these long, uneventful years, we still need to find amusement; Xixi is a fine source of joy.""

"When she's silent, her beauty alone can lift people's spirits."

Translation: ""When she's silent, her beautiful visage always lifts people's spirits.""

Brian still wore an indifferent expression: "Yeah, but only when she's not talking."

Translation: "Brian remained indifferent: "Yeah, but only when she's not speaking.""

"Moreover, in the human world, beauty is worthless because humans have developed astonishing shape‑shifting arts."

Translation: ""Moreover, in the human world, beauty is worthless, because humans have developed an astonishing transformation technique.""

"Those short‑lived species really can cause trouble." The green dragon shook its head with a look of disdain.

Translation: ""Those short-lived species really can stir up trouble." The green dragon shook its head with a look of disdain."

"Alright, let's not talk about her anymore; I need to report the situation to His Majesty."

Translation: ""All right, enough about her—I need to report the situation to Your Majesty.""

The green dragon spread its wings: "Well then, farewell, Brian of the Strathdeerlin family."

Translation: "The green dragon spread its wings: "Then farewell, Brian of the Te Lao De Lin Si family.""

It didn't fly away; instead, it folded its wings and walked slowly along the aerial green‑shade corridor formed by the giant tree trunks, heading to its nest lodged in the tree trunk.

Translation: "It didn't fly away; instead, it folded its wings and walked slowly along the aerial green corridor formed by the giant tree trunks toward its nest lodged in the tree trunk."

Brian watched it go, then walked up the rotating steps on the giant tree trunk toward a higher, denser canopy.

Translation: "After watching it depart, Brian also followed the spiral steps on the giant tree trunk upward toward the denser, higher canopy."

After a dozen or so minutes, he arrived before a huge tree house.

Translation: "After a dozen or so minutes, he arrived before a huge treehouse."

This tree house is not only large but also very high, standing over four hundred meters above the ground, with clouds swirling around it, hence also called the 'Hall of White Clouds'.

Translation: "The treehouse is not only large but also very high, standing over four hundred meters above the ground, surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, hence also called the White Cloud Hall."

Remarkably, the tree house was not carved later; it grew naturally this way.

Translation: "Remarkably, the treehouse is not artificially carved; it grew naturally this way."

All the furniture, vines, and even the delicate fragrance inside the house are grown from the tree itself.

Translation: "Inside, all the furnishings, vines, and even the delicate fragrance are grown from the tree itself."

The tree house's entrance has no guards, only hanging rows of soft branches covered in leaves.

Translation: "At the treehouse entrance there are no guards, only hanging rows of soft, leaf-covered branches."

Brian stood on the circular platform of the tree houses, crossed his arms over his chest, and respectfully performed the Sun Elf's distinctive scholarly salute at the gate.

Translation: "Brian stood on the circular platform of the treehouse, arms crossed over his chest, respectfully performing the Sun Elf's distinctive scholarly salute before the door."

"Your Majesty Osera, good day."

Translation: ""Good day, Your Majesty Asela.""

Shhhla~shhhla~~

Translation: "Splash splash~"

The branches at the entrance retreated like long snakes to both sides, clearing a path forward.

Translation: "The branches at the entrance retreated like long snakes, clearing a path forward."

A slightly aged, gentle voice came from inside the house: "I'm on the second‑floor balcony, Brian."

Translation: "A slightly aged, gentle voice came from inside the house: "I'm on the second-floor balcony, Brian.""

Brian, familiar with the layout of the tree house, went straight to the center, took the spiral staircase upward, passed through the arch, and found a semicircular wooden balcony with a radius of about fifteen to sixteen li.

Translation: "Brian, familiar with the layout, went straight to the center, took the spiral staircase upward, passed through the arch, and found a semicircular wooden balcony with a radius of about fifteen to sixteen li."

On the balcony grew a round table, several benches; above them were dense shading branches, many of which bore ripe fruit.

Strangely, although the branches are identical, the fruits they bear are multicolored and each has a different shape.

When Bu Lai En arrived, a branch sprang to life and placed a dewy sweet melon into his hand.

Without Bu Lai En exerting any force, the melon fell automatically.

Bu Lai En was thirsty, so he eagerly ate it.

At the same time, a branch wrapped around behind him and built a temporary little vine chair on the ground behind him.

"Sit, Bu Lai En."

One of the benches slowly rotated, revealing a blond elder reclining on it.

The elder's appearance corresponded to a fifty‑year‑old human; his forehead bore some wrinkles, yet his blond hair remained thick, and his blue‑gold patterned eyes stayed bright.

He wore a deep‑green robe of a strange material, resembling both cloth and leaves.

He is the Sun God Ao Sela of the Holy Elves Empire. At this moment, he is also one of the empire's strongest Legendary mages, his base magical power reaching an astonishing Legendary 5.

Elves have always possessed Legendary power, but it was not stable. The emergence of the Legendary crystal remedied this flaw.

The reason he can maintain such a high Legendary rank without pressure is, of course, that Elves possess the resilient soul unique to the long‑lived race.

The powerful Sun God patiently waited for Bu Lai En to finish the melon.

"Bu Lai En, I see anxiety in your eyes—are things not going smoothly?"

Bu Lai En nodded slightly and began to report his experiences with the Natural Alliance and the Radiant Empire.

After speaking, he whispered, "Your Majesty, when I left, the young Duke was already preparing to be crowned co‑ruler of 'Aaron—Weilan'."

"He is far more troublesome than we imagined."

Ao Sela's expression did not change, and his tone remained steady: "Indeed, he is an outstanding mortal."

"What does he say about the three captured Great Tree warriors?"

Bu Lai En shook his head: "I don't know, because I cannot visit him."

"Otherwise he would surely seize me and use me as a political pawn against the Radiant Empire."

"But I am certain the three Great Tree warriors are alive, unharmed, merely restrained in freedom."

Ao Sela nodded: "As long as they live, consider it a field exercise."

He asked again, "Why did the Radiant fleet of the Gilded Strait retreat without cause?"

"I am similarly unclear, but from some side information it appears that Duke Weilan showed the Radiant Empire a powerful war artifact, and the latter, lacking the means to confront it, was forced to withdraw."

"A powerful war artifact?"

Ao Sela lightly flicked his hands resting on his abdomen and sighed, "These short‑lived races truly love to cause trouble, always creating things of such massive power that even they cannot control them."

"Watch, these beings will one day be destroyed by their own creations."

Bu Lai En did not know how to evaluate that remark.

After all, for Elves, he, not yet a hundred years old, is still quite young.

In terms of temporal experience, he pales in comparison to the elf elder before him, who has lived lucidly for nearly three thousand years and existed for almost seven thousand years.

Thus, he asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, what should we do?"

"Of course we must find a way to return these short‑lived races to simplicity, lest they create uncontainable things that ruin everyone's days."

Ao Sela wore a look of obvious certainty.

He continued, "But the short‑lived races' power does indeed grow rapidly, and they are numerous. Direct confrontation would cause us great losses."

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "General Ba Ke across the sea is also a restless fellow. He loves battle and has recently raised a fairly strong army."

"Take a few days' rest, then travel to the opposite Storm Continent and discuss cooperation with General Ba Ke."

Bu Lai En was startled: "Your Majesty, General Ba Ke is indeed restless, and his nature is cruel and vile; what if he turns against us?"

Ao Sela grinned and suddenly raised his hand.

A branch instantly obeyed, placing a peculiar round token about half a palm's size onto his hand.

"This is the Truth Seal left by De Rui Tan; it has recently begun responding to my summons."

"The Lord of Truth, our guardian deity De Rui Tan, the Crowned One, told me he will return in the near future."

Bu Lai En was taken aback: "Near future—how near?"

For Elves, 'near future' is a very broad concept; one year counts, ten years as well, and in some extreme contexts even a hundred years is considered near.

Ao Sela thought for a moment and said, "Based on Your Majesty's tone, it seems a moderate near future—about five to ten years."

"And this five‑thousand‑year long pilgrimage has greatly enhanced the Crowned One's power, wisdom, and knowledge, successfully elevating him into the ranks of the Strong Gods."

"Even the master of General Ba Ke is no match for the Crowned One."

"Therefore, Ba Ke will faithfully honor the contract, unless it wishes to die."

This news brought a smile to Bu Lai En's heart; he naturally understood what a 'Strong God' meant.

It is the classification of power levels used by deities and demons, with a step every three grades.

They are, in order, 'Weak, Lesser, Ordinary, Excellent, Strong, Great, Supreme'.

According to this scheme, mortal Legends can only reach the first two tiers.

For example, Duke Weilan is a Weak God, while Sun God Ao Sela, a Legendary 5, is a Lesser God.

Of course, mortals differ from deities, so this is an imperfect analogy.

De Rui Tan originally possessed medium divine power, at Legendary 10, and now has broken through to Strong divine power, meaning he wields might beyond Legendary 12.

In comparison, the master of Demon General Ba Ke, Devouring Great Demon King Nuoma, only has Legendary 11 strength, which is merely Excellent divine power.

Among deities and demons, the hierarchy is extremely strict; the weak never proactively provoke the strong.

Yet a hint of unease immediately resurfaced.

"Will the Crowned One's return mean he will lead us to continue ruling this world?"

Ao Sela nodded: "Exactly, this is De Rui Tan's plane; it naturally belongs to De Rui Tan."

Those short-sighted, short-lived species are nothing but plane parasites; they will ultimately be cleaned up.

After he finished speaking, he saw Brian's face not showing joy but some worry, and he immediately startled: "Brian, what are you worried about?"

Brian gritted his teeth and voiced his irreverent thought toward the gods: "Your Majesty, it's already been a full 5000 years since Your Majesty departed."

Five thousand years is indeed not short; I fear the present Your Majesty may not be the same as the former Your Majesty.

So I worry; this may not be a good thing, but could instead be a disaster.

Gods and demons are essentially non-human void beings, capable of shifting roles at any time.

Osella naturally understood, for he had once had similar thoughts, and even now he still harbors similar worries.

He had already figured it out.

"Brian, we actually have no choice; we can only accept."

Osella pointed at himself, then at Brian.

"Our bodies and souls were all created by Your Majesty, and Your Majesty has countless ways to control us."

"Therefore, to preserve even a shred of our own free will, the only way is to submit completely to Your Majesty."

"After all, power above Legendary 12 is a might that we mortals can never oppose."

Brian understood, let out a soft sigh, his youthful face showing resignation: "Your Majesty, I understand."

"Good."

Osella encouraged: "Work hard, young one; even as strong as Your Majesty De Rui Tan, in the mortal realm faithful apostles are still needed."

"You are a talented youngster; De Rui Tan will easily notice you and will surely bestow upon you supreme glory."

(End of chapter)