Chapter 202

Marcus and his party's arrival was like a stone tossed onto a calm lake, the ripples spreading through the hearts of the Guangtan Alliance's leadership.

The metal piece engraved with a twisted eye symbol brought an indescribable weight.

In the council hall, the metal piece was placed at the center of the table, its symbol like a cold eye staring at everyone present.

Li Qingxuan, Huang Rong, Li Feifei, the Tongxu Clan Chief, and Queen Aister wore grave expressions, while Chen Xiulan and Li Jing sensed the surroundings warily.

"This symbol… is filled with ominous and ancient aura," Queen Aister's silver eyes narrowed, her fingertips tracing the symbol's edge, feeling the barely perceptible lingering energy. "Our ancient texts have no clear record, only a vague sense that a terrifying aura remains above it."

The Tongxu Clan Chief hummed, his stout fingers drumming on the table. "Whatever its origin, this thing feels just like those bastards hiding in the shadows pulling the strings! Sneaky! It must be the mark of that so‑called 'Shadow Hall'!"

Li Qingxuan remained silent, his Spiritual Power subtly probing the metal piece.

The faint ripple indeed shared the same source as the aura of the Grey Shadow and the hidden hand driving the Corruption Tide, yet it was more restrained and older, as if it had accumulated countless years of resentment and obsession.

He vaguely sensed that the origin of this 'Shadow Hall' was likely far more complex and far‑reaching than they imagined.

"The other side sent two consecutive anonymous messages—first warning about the 'Corruption Root', now proposing 'cooperation'," Li Feifei sorted through the information. "They don't seem united internally, and they are extremely wary of whatever lies beneath the northern Ice Glacier, to the point of needing external aid."

"Cooperate? With the tiger's skin!" the Tongxu Clan Chief's voice boomed, his dwarf bluntness evident. "They tried to wipe us out with the Corruption Tide before! Now that we're a hassle, they want another method? Who knows if they're trying to lure us into that damned place up north and finish us off!"

Huang Rong analyzed calmly: "The Tongxu Clan Chief's words have merit; we must stay on the highest alert. Yet the information they provided aligns with Marcus's encounter and rumors on the World Channel. Beneath the northern Ice Glacier there must be massive danger and opportunity. If even the 'Shadow Hall' finds that danger troublesome, it could threaten the whole region. Intervening early to gather intelligence is far better than passively awaiting disaster."

Queen Aister nodded slightly: "Danger often coexists with opportunity. That 'Night Elf Camp' suddenly raised a discussion about the 'Life Mother Tree'; the timing is so coincidental, it must be linked to the northern disturbances. Perhaps we can find some long‑lost clues up north."

Li Qingxuan listened to the discussion, his gaze returning to the symbol on the metal piece.

He had a hunch that this 'Shadow Hall' shared some similarities with himself, suggesting a deeper connection, though the veil of mystery still prevented him from seeing through it.

"Regardless, we must clarify the situation in the north," Li Qingxuan finally spoke, his voice steady. "We cannot entrust the Alliance's safety to the enemy's 'goodwill' or to an unknown threat that may never arrive."

He pointed to the map: "Here we establish a 'North Wind Outpost'. It need not be large, but it must be sturdy and concealed, providing us with early warning, intelligence, and a strategic buffer."

He looked at the Tongxu Clan Chief and Queen Aister: "We need the dwarven brothers' construction skills and the elf sisters' scouting and nature‑communication abilities."

The Tongxu Clan Chief scoffed at the idea of cooperation, yet was enthusiastic about building the outpost: "Leave it to us! We'll guarantee you an iron‑clad stronghold!"

Queen Aister also nodded in agreement: "I will dispatch our finest hunters and druids."

"For this northward expedition, I will lead the team myself," Li Qingxuan said, looking at Huang Rong, Chen Xiulan, and Li Jing. "Rong is in charge of reconnaissance and support, Xiulan handles vigilance and long‑range aid, Li Jing manages mobility and information relay. Our primary task is to establish the outpost, gauge the situation, and avoid large‑scale contact unless absolutely necessary."

"Feifei, you stay at the central base, coordinate everything, continue trying to trace the anonymous source, and negotiate and transact with external forces."

The orders were swiftly transmitted, and the Guangtan Alliance resumed its efficient operation.

The dwarf craftsmen selected materials and drafted plans; the elves organized gear and communicated with the wolf pack; Li Qingxuan used the time to restore his Spiritual Power and consolidate his strength.

Meanwhile, deep within the unknown shadow dimension, lay the core sanctuary of the Shadow Hall.

Life Mother Tree

Night Elf

"The Corruption Tide plan failed; the target's strength exceeded expectations, and we have confirmed control of the 'Divine Realm' power," the voice of the Shadow Eye said, still cold but a bit faster. "The 'Corruption Root' disturbances beneath the glacier have intensified, and the seal's loosening is far beyond predictions. Small units of the 'Ice Wraith' legion have already spilled out, and their traits… pose a threat to us as well."

The Shadow Blade emitted a cold, metallic snarl: "We warned that driving a tiger to swallow a wolf was too risky! Now the tiger hasn't swallowed the wolf, but has instead awakened something even more troublesome!"

"Enough." The Shadow Sovereign seated at the head slowly spoke, his voice bearing an ancient‑wearied depth. "The plan deviated, yet it confirmed the target's potential. To awaken and grasp the second‑stage Divine Realm so quickly… his talent may be higher than we anticipated."

His shadow‑cloaked gaze swept the other four: "Do not forget our mission, and the humiliation and hatred carried in our blood. We are the remnants of the Former Lord, forced to lurk in the shadows, barely surviving. The New Ruler is tyrannical, sees us as rebels, and slaughters us indiscriminately. Only by gathering strength and overturning his rule can we restore our clan's glory and appease the spirit of the Former Lord in heaven!"

His voice carried a barely perceptible excitement, a secret and obsession buried deep within the soul of every true core member.

They were not merely a chaotic evil organization, but a band of exiles bearing a sea of blood‑deep vengeance and a mission of restoration.

Harvesting resources and courting the strong, everything was aimed at amassing power to resist the newly‑seated usurper who murdered the former ruler.

"Guangtan Fortress is rich in resources, and its lord has great potential. If we can win him over, or at least align his goals with ours, it would be a huge aid against the New Ruler and his lackeys," the Shadow Throat rasped. "The northern 'Corruption Root' and Ice Wraith are variables the New Ruler never anticipated, and also our opportunity. Using their force against theirs is the best strategy."

Second Stage Divine Realm

"It is both a test and an olive branch," the Shadow Sovereign said in a low voice. "Send him north to witness firsthand the deeper horrors sprouting under the New Ruler's reign. Let him understand that clinging to a corner will ultimately lead to ruin. Only by uniting all possible forces can we, under that lingering shadow, carve out a sliver of survival. Continue to monitor, and at the right moment… we can reveal some non‑core 'truths' to draw him in."

Shadow currents rippled as the five shadows' forms slowly faded, the sanctuary returning to silence, only the ancient hatred and heavy mission flowing silently.

New Ruler

Li Qingxuan led an elite squad, braving the increasingly biting north wind, stepping onto the land shrouded in ice, snow, and the unknown.

They did not know that they were inching toward the heart of a massive vortex woven with ancient hatred, brutal rule, and an apocalyptic crisis.

And the Shadow Hall's gaze from a distant past lingered behind layers of mist, guiding them toward the crossroads where destinies converge.

(PS: Sending out some free chapters generated for love — it gives the author more motivation to write. Those who enjoy this book, please leave a review. Thank you, everyone.)