Chapter 694: Countess Lifulin

Oukule sent a blood‑elf ranger through the magic gate, and shortly after the ranger returned with news.

"Lord Reslin," Oukule said respectfully, "the lady countess has invited you to visit the Santara Residence, but only you may enter…" At this point his face grew tense as he looked at Yizite, fearing the Saint Rank strongman's anger.

The Santara Residence is a hidden place of the blood elves, known to very few outsiders.

Countess Lifulin could never casually let strangers in, and moreover, there are no Saint Rank strongmen in the Santara Residence; if this Zhuoer were hostile to the blood elves, it would be a terrible disaster.

The other few people also would not be provoked, and naturally they must be kept outside.

"Is this the blood elves' way of receiving guests?"

Berak immediately expressed dissatisfaction, and several teammates were also displeased; although they understood the blood elves' reasons for caution, being turned away at the gate was ultimately disheartening.

Oukule felt bitter inside, yet had to explain, "Everyone, please forgive our predicament. The Santara Residence is an important site for the blood elves; in the past, transcendent beings were invited in, but they later caused us much trouble and almost revealed the location of the Santara Residence."

"Do you think we would leak the information?" Berak retorted.

The blood‑elf mage wore a troubled expression, finally gritted his teeth and nodded, "Yes, that is precisely our concern; please understand."

Berak let out a cold laugh.

He originally had no such intention, but now seeing the blood elves so guarded, he instead thought of doing it.

Just as he was about to flare up, Yizite placed a hand on Berak's shoulder, gave him a slight shake of the head, and then said to Oukule, "Since we are not allowed in, let it be. Rest assured, we will not disclose the Santara Residence's location to anyone."

Oukule's hanging heart eased, and he bowed in gratitude, "Thank you for your leniency, sir."

The dark elf said little, looking at Reslin.

Reslin had originally been trying to find a way for everyone to enter, but seeing Yizite voluntarily give up, he stopped worrying further. He knew Yizite was warning him to be cautious, so he nodded, "Wait for me nearby; I'll be out soon."

"Alright." Yizite took Berak with him and withdrew from the blood elves' encirclement.

Axina and Daonsos also left together.

"Lord Reslin, please." Oukule asked the surrounding blood elves to step aside, waved his hand, and the vines split to form a wide passage.

He led the way ahead, stepping into the magic gate.

Reslin passed through the gate, and the scene before him changed; he found himself in a bright interior, walls without windows, a crystal lantern lighting the ceiling, a flat floor etched with a close‑range teleportation array linked to the magic gate.

"This must be Aibolaken's dungeon."

"Only we don't know how deep it is?"

A group of blood‑elf guards surrounded them, their gazes full of vigilance and a hint of curiosity. Oukule said again, "Sir, please follow me."

He guided Reslin to the only door out of the room.

Then, standing at the doorway, he turned back and said, "Welcome to the Santara Residence."

Reslin's view cleared; a magnificent holy temple interior unfolded before him, his position at a side doorway offering a full view of the temple. The structure was oval, over three hundred meters long at its ends, supported by massive pillars that upheld a dome dozens of meters high, as if standing inside an ancient arena.

Above the dome hung two rows of crystal lanterns, emitting dazzling light that illuminated the space like daylight.

In the middle of the floor below lay a small plaza paved with neat stone slabs, a magical fountain at its center, clean and tidy streets surrounding the plaza, beautiful flowers planted along the streets, each tree meticulously trimmed, the air fresh with no hint of staleness.

On both sides of the street stood exquisite houses with a distinct elven style.

Every household displayed ornate drapes at its doorway, embroidered with intricate patterns; the architecture favored red tones, with corridors, towers, terraces, courtyards, and so on—each a masterpiece yet blending seamlessly with the surroundings.

Magical constructs could be seen everywhere on the street.

Arcane golems patrolled fixed routes, their bodies over four meters tall, their steps thudding heavily; autonomous sweeping brooms continuously cleaned the streets; Arcane energy permeated the air, emitting a hazy glow, dreamlike and ethereal.

Such a marvelous elven dwelling, if not known beforehand, would be hard to imagine, yet it lies deep underground, the depth unknown.

Reslin's face showed admiration, "What a beautiful home."

"This is merely a residence," Oukule said with restrained pride, "Our home is in Eternal Song City; if Lord Reslin has the chance, you may go see it."

"I look forward to it," Reslin replied politely.

Oukule, whether out of showiness or other reasons, did not use teleportation but led Reslin on foot through the blood‑elf residence. Walking on the immaculate streets, few blood elves passed by, yet many turned back or paused, casting surprised glances.

Reslin also observed them.

Blood elves are about the same height as humans; their appearances are striking—handsome men, beautiful women, slender builds—hardly anyone looks ordinary.

Their professions are mostly rangers; roughly four out of ten are rangers.

The remaining include two mages, one assassin, and three of an unknown class wielding blood‑colored holy light; a high proportion, second only to rangers in number.

Conversely, the renowned spell‑breakers of Ai Lun E Si are rare.

Close observation of these blood elves wielding holy light shows they are markedly stronger than their kin, clad in armor, bearing heavy two‑handed swords, clearly possessing formidable melee power. The blood‑colored holy light also grants them healing abilities; they are strong, highly defensive, and can heal, making their overall strength far surpass that of rangers and assassins, nearly comparable to mages.

Blood‑elf holy‑light knights?

Reslin clicked his tongue in wonder; unsurprisingly, this class likely originated recently among blood elves, so outsiders are unaware.

The Soul Eye discovered that all blood elves wielding holy light have unstable mental states.

They are plagued by some mental affliction, a latent risk.

Even so, the blood elves' racial talent far exceeds that of humans; almost every one possesses transcendent power, and the fact that mages alone account for nearly twenty percent already leaves humans far behind.

Their long lifespans leave no weaklings among the elves.

These blood elves are even more elite; close to half possess high‑tier strength.

Reslin followed Oukule along a passage, arriving at another slightly smaller underground town.

Oukule did not conceal anything; he told Reslin that the Santara Residence has four such underground spaces, all interconnected, which were developed after they uncovered Aibolaken's subterranean ruins, a project that took over a hundred years.

The Santara Residence, like other elven cities, is built with a magical energy network, and all activities depend on magical energy.

The vast majority of blood elves reside on Novafax Island, also known as Revenge Island.

Outposts like the Santara Residence are built by blood elves in many locations across the New Continent; their sites are hidden, populations vary, and they are not necessarily underground.

However, Oukule did not disclose how many blood elves are inside the Santara Residence.

In fact, even without his words, Reslin could calculate it. Before the All-Seeing Eye, nothing can be hidden.

The Santara Residence houses between one thousand and one thousand five hundred blood elves.

This is an unfathomable transcendent force.

"We've arrived." Oukule stopped before a luxurious towering building; at the entrance several Arcane puppets were on guard, and beside them a full squad of blood elf guards wielding holy light kept a wary yet curious watch over the unfamiliar Reslin.

"Lord Oukule, the Countess invites you and your distinguished guest inside," a blood elf stepped forward.

Going inside, they passed through corridors and gardens, finally reaching a reception hall deep in the garden, where Reslin caught sight of a female blood elf seated inside.

She was more beautiful than her kin, a rarity even among elves; her dark‑red hair was neatly tied back, revealing a fair neck and a pair of long pointed ears. A faint red glow shimmered in the depths of her eyes, her tall, well‑proportioned figure was clad in fitted magical armor, and a fierce aura could not be concealed, leaking out unconsciously.

Reslin felt a slight stir; this must be Countess Lifulin.

On the way here, Oukule had mentioned that her full name is "Lifulin *Qingge", of noble birth, inheriting the family's count title, and holding a very high status among blood elves.

The Sangtela Residence was founded single‑handed by Countess Lifulin.

The Soul Eye saw that Lifulin also wielded crimson holy light, and it was the strongest Reslin had ever encountered, already reaching Legendary Peak.

After Reslin entered, the female elf rose to greet, "Baradash, Maranorei."

"Honored lady," Reslin nodded in reply.

A red glint flickered in Lifulin's eyes as she realized she could not gauge Reslin's strength, even though Oukule had already sent someone back to inform her of this and bought time for preparation; yet upon actually seeing him, she was still greatly surprised.

Moreover, Reslin was only one of the unfamiliar visitors.

At this moment, the legendary wizard of the Sangtela Residence was remotely monitoring the others outside, especially that Saint Rank Demonic Hunter, which made Lifulin extremely wary.

"Please sit, Reslin."

Lifulin showed no enthusiasm, a cold indifference that kept others at arm's length, and asked directly in the Empire tongue, "Do you come from Weizelan?"

"Indeed," Reslin produced his badge and flashed it.

Beside Lifulin stood a male blood elf, whose face was extremely youthful though he was over six hundred years old, an eighteenth‑rank wizard, whose status appeared just below the Countess.

The blood elf wizard nodded slightly, confirming to the Countess that the badge was genuine.

The Soul Eye sensed a brief emotional ripple in both, clearly they were familiar with the Weizelan badge. From this it could be inferred that the blood elves knew well the construction of the new‑town Fu Kong Cheng on Shield Island, and had even had contact.

Reslin was not surprised at all.

The construction of the new‑town Fu Kong Cheng took over twenty years, and the Sangtela Residence was founded more than a hundred years ago; such a massive development so close could not be hidden from the blood elves.

Maintaining her aloofness, Lifulin said lightly, "Traveling guests, if you seek clues about the Fu Kong Cheng from me, you'll likely be disappointed."

"Sir, since the Fu Kong Cheng leapt away three years ago, it has not reappeared," Oukule added from beside.

Reslin felt a slight disappointment.

He had thought the blood elves invited him into the Sangtela Residence because they possessed useful clues to tell him.

The Soul Eye saw that the other party was not lying.

"Lady, how much do you know about the new‑town Fu Kong Cheng?" Reslin asked. Since he was already here, he might as well get the full story and perhaps uncover something useful.

"Not very much," Lifulin said. "I know what you intend to ask. When the Weizelan Wizards built the Fu Kong Cheng on Shield Island, I was initially opposed, but later, considering that a floating city could sweep away enemies and even threaten the Heavenly Disaster Legion, I tacitly allowed your construction—neither opposing nor interfering."

"But later…"

The blood elf snorted coldly, looking displeased, "That floating city not only failed to clear the Undead Army, but fell into the hands of the Heavenly Disaster Legion. Had I known, I would never have permitted you to build it."

"I am sorry for that," Reslin said without defending himself.

The responsibility for the loss of the new‑town Fu Kong Cheng indeed lay with Weizelan, though it was secretly plotted by Speaker Mo Dela and Mo Du nobles, unrelated to him; but to the blood elves there is no distinction—both are Weizelan Wizards who caused a great blunder.

The blood elves' greatest enemy is the Heavenly Disaster Legion, a blood‑deep, unending hatred.

That is why they renamed themselves blood elves.

Originally, the blood elves were already stretched thin against the endless Undead Army, struggling for over three thousand years, with Revenge Island breached many times and countless kin lost. Now the Heavenly Disaster Legion has obtained a floating city, further worsening the blood elves' plight.

Should the Fu Kong Cheng ever appear over Revenge Island, it would be a catastrophe beyond measure for the blood elves.

Lifulin harbored no hatred toward the Weizelan Wizards, which was relatively restrained.

She surveyed Reslin again, then suddenly said, "Reslin, with your strength, your standing in Weizelan should not be low, right?"

Reslin nodded silently.

"Are you a member of the Six‑Man Council?" the Countess asked again, "May I meet Anxiwodasi?"

"I can," Reslin replied.

He probably guessed her intention; no wonder she would expose the Sangtela Residence just to invite him in.

Indeed, Lifulin said, "The Heavenly Disaster Legion obtaining the Fu Kong Cheng places an inescapable responsibility on Weizelan. Regarding this, the Regent believes the blood elves have no right to hold them accountable, and internal affairs should not be interfered with by outsiders, but I have a different view. If, someday in the future, the Legion's Fu Kong Cheng attacks Revenge Island, I hope Weizelan will lend its strength to resist."

"After all, this is the evil result you caused, so you must bear responsibility."

As she spoke further, Lifulin's tone grew increasingly solemn.

She stared intently at Reslin, expecting him to object, but unexpectedly Reslin immediately agreed, "That is proper; Weizelan will not shirk responsibility."

The three blood elves in the reception hall were astonished.

"Can you make the decision?" Lifulin arched her slender eyebrows, "Don't you need to consult Anxiwodasi?"

"I seek the Fu Kong Cheng's trail precisely to eliminate it," Reslin replied calmly, "That is also the Willpower of all Weizelan Wizards."

"Very good!"

Lifulin was very pleased with this stance; the chill in her eyes softened slightly, "If Weizelan has this attitude, I am reassured."

She turned to Oukule and said, "Let the guests inside."

Puzzled, Reslin watched as Oukule left the reception hall and returned quickly. Behind him followed seven or eight figures, all human Wizards. Among them was a tall female wizard he knew well, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, eyes shining like starlight, her beauty unparalleled, standing out like a crane among chickens.

Reslin couldn't help but exclaim, "Peralysis, why are you here?"

"To adjust my schedule, it's been too hectic. I'm currently five chapters behind… *head in hands*…"

(End of Chapter)