Chapter 973: The Arrogant Elf

Elves and dwarves are both hegemons of the Third Epoch; the two races have been opponents and enemies for millennia, and when the epochs changed they each suffered fatal destruction, retreating to their homelands on the Old Continent.

But today, their situations are different.

Dwarves are holed up in underground fortresses of the Shi Jie Shan Mai, and due to a lack of territory and resources they now have fewer than three million people, facing severe survival problems.

The elves' homeland Aoroan is entirely different.

Aoroan, also called the "Demite" subcontinent, spans nearly half an Empire, with fertile land and abundant resources, and lies at the far western edge of the Old Continent. Apart from the "Nasvika Wildmen" in northern Aoroan, elves have almost no other enemies and can develop in peace.

The ten elf Kingdoms have a total population exceeding twenty million.

The strength of these over twenty million elves can match four to five hundred million humans, and their high‑end combat power ratio is astonishing.

If Aoroan had not repeatedly fallen into civil wars, splitting into ten kingdoms and hampering elf recovery, reaching fifty million elves would not be a problem.

Even so, the elves' current strength far surpasses that of the dwarves.

The two races are no longer on the same level.

Lei En allows dwarves to take part in opening the New Continent and grants them territories because the two sides have been long‑time allies with pleasant cooperation, but most importantly, he is confident he can keep the dwarves in check and firmly hold the New Continent's rule.

It's different when it comes to elves.

Putting strength aside, even in terms of wisdom, dwarves aren't stupid; there are many treacherous dwarves, but generally the dwarf race is straightforward, with clear likes and dislikes, and not much scheming.

Elves are the opposite; politely they're called clever and agile, bluntly they're full of tricks.

The smarter they are, the more they love to stir trouble; if they can't trouble enemies, they'll trouble their own.

Or they'll specifically target their own.

During the Third Epoch, the elves' overall strength was actually far greater than the dwarves', the gap was huge, but because elves were constantly embroiled in internal strife and rarely united, they ended up sharing the world evenly with the dwarves, a stalemate.

In the New Epoch, just as elves showed a hint of recovery, they began internal fighting again.

Elf history is essentially a chronicle of civil wars.

In short.

Elves are a troublesome bunch who love to cause trouble, yet they possess great wisdom and power, capable of massive destruction!

This trait also appears among blood elves; the title "Regent" is the result of internal struggles within Eternal Song City.

Since there is a Regent, where is the real king?

Lei En can probably guess, but he's never been interested in asking. Over two hundred thousand blood elves are already a hassle; if Aoroan's elves also join the opening of the New Continent, who knows what chaotic mess might arise.

Moreover, why should he let elves participate?

Aoroan has a huge number of elf Grand Mages, led by Taikelis; there are dozens of Grand Mages above Thirty‑level, which is terrifying.

If elves refuse to serve humans and try to turn the tables, Lei En lacks confidence he can keep them in check; even if he suppresses them, endless trouble would follow.

It would be better to refuse from the start, nipping the trouble in the bud!

Lifelin knows her own race well and has suffered because of it; seeing Lei En's expression change, she sighed and said, "The Regent told me that if you can erect a magical torchlight array in Lobost, handing the city over to elves for re‑governance, Aoroan is willing to pay any price, including Gold Shield, alchemical materials, magical knowledge, and even dispatch a mage corps to the New Continent to serve you."

Lei En, hearing this, shook his head; the elves have been scheming from the start.

He asked, "That elf mage corps must be very powerful, right?"

"Yes." Lifelin nodded, "Led by three Grand Mages, it includes a hundred legendary mages and a thousand senior mages."

"Heh…" Lei En sneered.

"Such a powerful mage corps is truly mouth‑watering; when interests align they might serve me, but if conflict arises they'll be the ones delivering my end."

Lifelin's face froze; she hadn't thought that far, but Lei En's words weren't impossible.

No.

Given elf ways, the chance of this happening is great!

"Reply to the Regent for me; I don't need Aoroan's support." Lei En said without hesitation, his voice deep, "The New Continent is a human continent; when the Elf Empire abandoned this land, it ceased to be the elves' concern."

Lifelin nodded.

She had fully considered the issue from Lei En and Gotham City's standpoint, a worry appearing on her face; just as she was about to speak, she noticed Lei En's gaze shift to a corner of the hall, watching someone.

Three figures materialized.

Two of them were blood elves; Lifelin knew them well—one was the Regent As Qiongge himself, the other the highest‑ranked Grand Mage Romans of Eternal Song City.

The third was also an elf, but she had never seen him before.

He was tall and muscular, clad in an ornate magical robe, wearing a pointed winged crown, wielding a staff; his handsome face bore a pair of pale‑violet eyes, but his expression was very displeased, radiating strong magical flux.

High elf Grand Mage!

Lifelin's complexion changed dramatically; she hadn't realized her home concealed three Saint Rank powerhouses, including an unfamiliar Grand Mage.

Instantly, anger rose in her.

As Qiongge and Romans, the two blood elves, wore slightly awkward expressions.

"I disagree!"

The elf Grand Mage stared at Lei En, head held high as if looking through his nostrils, speaking in high elf language: "The New Continent's past, present, and future forever belong to the noble elves. Consul, though you are powerful and hold a high rank among humans, you cannot change this fact."

Lei En ignored the Grand Mage.

In fact, when he emerged from the portal, he had already sensed the three elves, but pretended not to know, wanting to see what tricks they were up to.

"Regent, I didn't expect you to have a peeping habit." Lei En said expressionlessly.

"Um…"

As Qiongge's remaining single eye filled with shame, yet he could not explain his actions. He originally didn't want to do it; it was the elf Grand Mage's idea, and he swore the invisibility spell would never be seen through.

"Consul." As Qiongge forced past Lei En's mockery and introduced, "This is the Phoenix King's envoy, Modante Grand Mage."

Modante reluctantly nodded at Lei En.

"I have met the Consul."

Lei En still didn't look him straight in the eye; this was the second elf Grand Mage he had seen, but his perception differed vastly from the first, Taikelis.

Ai Lun E Si has a saying:

Elves look at other races with their nostrils, while high elves look at other elves with their chins.

Mo Dante displayed the arrogance of high elves to the fullest.

Although elves are the race that has the greatest impact on the Ai Lun E Si world and have contributed the most, the culture, art, architecture, magic, and philosophy they created have reached their pinnacle in every aspect; even today, humans of the New Era are deeply influenced, and humans can be said to be students of the high elves.

But the arrogance that is ingrained in high elves is truly unbearable.

Dwarves and elves became enemies, supposedly due to a minor linguistic misunderstanding; after learning of it, the high elves still refused to apologize, the misunderstanding grew, eventually turning into a great war between the two races, forging a blood‑deep hatred that could never be eased.

Lei En got a firsthand lesson today.

Clearly the elves were asking a favor, yet Mo Dante showed a sour face, and I truly don't know why the Phoenix King would send him as an envoy.

Or perhaps Mo Dante is the best‑behaved high elf the Phoenix King could find?

Lei En found it amusing and asked:

"The New Continent belongs to the elves; do you think that's a fact?"

"Naturally so."

Mo Dante answered as if it were obvious.

Lei En thought any more words would be a waste of breath, looked at the helpless Asi Qiongge and said, "Consul, please return. Since the elves already possess the New Continent, what more is there for us to discuss? I wish you all sweet dreams."

Asi Qiongge immediately became frantic.

Blood elves are also a branch of high elves, but after struggling for survival on the New Continent for millennia, hardship taught them to be more pragmatic, grinding away their lofty arrogance. Though they still retain elven pride, they have also learned to be wise and capable.

"Please do not be angry, Consul. Grand Mage Mo Dante merely has little contact with humans, so his etiquette and words may have been offensive; please do not mind,"

Asi Qiongge strained to explain.

I must admit, it did put him in a bit of a bind; Lei En looked at the faces of both sides' allies and finally nodded, indicating it was fine.

On the contrary, Mo Dante looked at Asi Qiongge with contempt, letting out a cold snort through his nostrils.

Fortunately, he did not speak recklessly again.

Asi Qiongge breathed a sigh of relief and, to prevent Mo Dante from speaking, hurriedly said, "Consul, this proposal to cooperate with you reflects the Willpower of Phoenix King Ai Ba Nu En. Upon learning of the New Continent's situation, the Phoenix King overrode all objections, decided to return to the New Continent, and brought great sincerity…"

His words were cut off by Lei En, "No need to continue."

"Regardless of any sincerity, I'm not interested," Lei En said resolutely. "Relying on myself alone, I can reclaim the New Continent."

"If Aoroan's support is available, reclaiming the New Continent would not only be easier but also faster," Asi Qiongge urged. "All the elves seek is merely the city of Polost."

Lei En asked coolly, "My New Continent—on what grounds should it be given to the elves?"

Asi Qiongge's expression froze.

"But… but…"

He was at a loss for words, repeating several "but"s without finding another reason.

Mo Dante finally seized a chance to interject, lifting his head: "This is the Phoenix King's Willpower." His expression made it seem as if the Phoenix King were the most magnificent and noble being in the world; the Phoenix King's Willpower is inexorable, and even if it harms others, they should feel immense honor.

"The Phoenix King has nothing to do with me."

Lei En sneered and blurted a profanity in the high‑elf tongue.

"You!"

Mo Dante instantly erupted in fury, as if gravely insulted, massive magical currents surged from his body, and he raised his hand toward Lei En, ready to cast an instant spell.

"Stop!"

"Don't act!"

Asi Qiongge and Grand Mage Luo Mans shouted in alarm, sprang forward to stop Mo Dante, but in the next instant they found the entire world fell silent; everything became immobile, even their own thoughts slowed to a crawl.

Time Stop!

Mo Dante's expression also shifted dramatically; he is a level‑26 Grand Mage who has undergone eight Soul Transformations, granting him decent resistance to Time Stop.

Although he cannot move, his mind continues to function, and he can still channel mana to cast spells.

His instant spell still completed!

It is an eight‑ring "True Word: Soul Rift," a spell Mo Dante excels at in mental magic; he did not intend to kill Lei En, and knowing Lei En is a Holy Soul Wizard, the Soul Rift cannot kill the target. He only wanted to give this clueless human a profound lesson, to let Lei En know that this is the fate of those who dare disrespect the Phoenix King.

The intangible ripple of the Soul Rift solidified within the Time Stop.

Lei En's body swelled to three meters tall, his head nearly hitting Li Fulin's ceiling, and he stepped toward Mo Dante, his chest crushing the Soul Rift as if a gentle breeze—having no effect at all.

Three seconds later.

He arrived before Mo Dante, towering above, looking down on the Grand Mage.

Under the horrified gazes of four elves, Lei En extended his right hand, seized Mo Dante's throat, and lifted him up.

The Time Stop ended prematurely.

Simultaneously, an invisible force field radiated from Lei En, nullifying all constant spells and magical items within its range.

Nine‑ring Anti‑Magic Field!

Asi Qiongge, Luo Mans and Li Fulin found they could move, but Mo Dante had already fallen into Lei En's grasp. Like many high‑elf mages, Mo Dante practiced both magic and martial arts, being both a powerful caster and a top‑tier elven warrior, possessing power comparable to Legendary High‑rank.

Yet he was like a rooster with its throat grasped; no matter how desperately he flailed his legs in mid‑air, he could not budge Lei En's hand.

"L…et… go… me…"

Mo Dante rasped.

Suffocation made his face turn blood‑red, and the anti‑magic field prevented him from casting any spell.

In fact, Mo Dante also had a constant nine‑ring interdimensional teleport on him; a mere thought could trigger it, and the anti‑magic field could not stop it, but after activation it failed to work, which made him realize that the entire three‑hundred‑mile expanse of Gotham City was sealed off by magical torchlight.

"Consul, have mercy!" Asi Qiongge pleaded anxiously.

Li Fulin and Luo Mans also voiced their pleas, fearing that Lei En would choke Mo Dante's throat outright, which would incur the Phoenix King's wrath.

Lei En remained unmoved, stared at the Mo Dante in his hand, and suddenly laughed, "I've heard that elves evolved from trolls, that all elves are branches of trolls—wonder if that's true?"

The elves present all changed expression, for this is the most taboo topic among their kind.

The origins of elves are a myriad of conflicting theories.

There is a widely spread theory that about ten thousand years ago, during the Second Era of Ai Lun E Si's world, a troll tribe migrated to Moon Lake, settled on the magical‑energy‑rich lakeshore, and generation after generation were bathed in magical energy, and after more than three thousand years the first High Elves were born.

Then the High Elves branched out; some evolved further into Moon Elves and Silver Elves, while others regressed into Wood Elves and Wind Elves.

But regardless of the branch, they are all descendants of trolls!

The vile, filthy trolls being the ancestors of noble, beautiful elves? Elves, of course, could not accept this theory; despite many ancient records and archaeological finds supporting it, they flatly deny it, firmly believing they were created by Father God Asurilon together with the Dark Moon Goddess.

The troll origin theory is taboo knowledge among elves.

Anyone who dares to bring it up before elves commits the gravest provocation and insult, and must pay with blood, even their life.

Usually only dwarves would use this topic to enrage elves.

Lifelin, Asjong, and Romans, the three blood elves, fell silent. Having fled the elves' homeland Aoroan, they knew the taboo but felt little.

Modante's reaction was extremely intense; he frantically slapped Lei En's palm, yet could not utter a word.

Lei En grasped his throat, his hand unmoving, and calmly said, "If you acknowledge that trolls are the elves' ancestors, I will spare your life today."

In his struggle, Modante's eyes blazed with boundless fury, but it was to no avail.

Death was closing in.

Modante tried to speak but no sound came; gradually his struggle grew weaker, and his consciousness grew hazy.

"Are trolls the elves' ancestors?" Lei En asked again.

His voice pierced directly into Modante's mind; on the brink of death, the Willpower of the High Elf Grand Mage finally shattered, and he shouted, "Yes!"

Lei En released his grip.

Modante fell to the ground, breathing heavily, feeling the air's sweetness for the first time in his life.

After a dozen seconds, he realized what he had done.

"Under the threat of death, noble elves and lowly trolls are no different," Lei En's voice rang again, mocking, "I thought, Grand Mage, you would rather die than submit; it seems I overestimated your character—high elves are no better."

"You…"

Modante leapt up, pointing at Lei En, his face flushing red again, "You forced me to say it; it wasn't my intention."

Then he noticed Lei En holding a mirror crystal; Lei En had recorded the entire scene.

Turning his head, he saw the three blood elves looking at him with strange expressions.

Modante's mindset completely collapsed.

He was so ashamed he wished to crawl into the ground, tried to teleport away, but found the spatial spell unusable, as Lei En maintained an anti‑magic field.

As long as Lei En publicizes the contents of the mirror crystal, he will have no foothold left in Aoroan.

Thinking that, Modante's limbs went cold.

"You are provoking a terrible enemy and have lost a powerful ally," he said trembling, "I am the Phoenix King's envoy, representing Aoroan; one day you will regret your disrespect toward the elves today."

"I would rather be an enemy of the elves than ally with them."

Lei En dismissed the Grand Mage's threat, and sternly warned, "Go tell the Phoenix King that the New Continent is my domain. Without my permission, if elves from Aoroan dare set foot on the New Continent even once, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Get lost!"

Lei En finished the insult and waved his hand.

Modante and the two blood elves' surroundings shifted, and they found themselves thrown into the wilderness outside Gotham City; a few steps forward would take them beyond the boundary of magical torchlight.

(End of Chapter)