Chapter 214

The air in the Glacial Valley seemed to solidify, permeated with a mixed smell of gunpowder, rotting juices, and ice and snow.

The cracks on the Ice Sealed Throne spread like a spiderweb, stinging everyone's eyes.

That brief cooperation just now did not dispel each other's wariness; instead, it made Olaien Star-Eye more clearly realize the terrifying potential of the power Li Qingxuan wields.

"Cooperation, fine." Li Qingxuan broke the silence first, his tone carrying an indisputable calm, "But the premise is information sharing, shared goals. Just how much do you, the Xingtong Clan, know about this place, about the 'Corruption Root,' and about the 'Primordial Rune'? I want the truth."

Olaien drew a deep breath, knowing that further prevarication at this moment was pointless.

He glanced at the dim throne and the still-thrumming Ice Abyss, then said in a low voice: "My clan's ancient prophecy tablets record that at the world's beginning, the 'Primordial Rune' maintained the balance of all things. The rune fragment representing 'Life' is closely tied to the elves' origin—the Life Mother Tree. But in an ancient catastrophe, the mother tree collapsed, and the rune fragments were lost as well."

He pointed to the Ice Abyss: "The power permeating this place, and what the throne suppresses, is essentially an extremely foul force that tries to devour the origin of life—the 'Reverse Life' force. Our clan's classics call it the 'Breath of Extinction.' It is utterly opposed to the power of the 'Life' rune, and they mutually restrain each other. We suspect this place may be sealing the key related to the mother tree's collapse and the rune's loss, and perhaps… it could lead us to clues for retrieving the 'Life' rune fragments."

His explanation partly corroborated what Ice Soul and the Shadow Hall had said, but the focus was entirely different.

The Shadow Hall and Ice Soul emphasized the False Emperor's conspiracy and the change of order, whereas the Xingtong Clan paid more attention to the loss of the Life rune and the Mother Tree.

"So, your goal is to find the Life rune fragments and restore the Mother Tree?" Li Qingxuan pressed.

"This is the Xingtong Clan's ultimate goal, pursued generation after generation." Olaien openly admitted, his gaze sweeping over the throne again, "And this throne, along with the 'Breath of Extinction' beneath it, is very likely the key among keys. I just didn't expect it to be far more dangerous—and… alive—than anticipated."

He glanced at the Ice Abyss with lingering fear.

The information quickly coalesced in Li Qingxuan's mind.

The Xingtong Clan's goal was not entirely aligned with destroying the core and opposing the False Emperor, but there was room for cooperation in dealing with this immediate shared threat.

The ancient elf knowledge they possessed, especially regarding the mutual restraint of Life Energy and Extinction Energy, might prove helpful.

"I can agree to a temporary cooperation to jointly deal with the core beneath the Ice Abyss." Li Qingxuan set the condition, "But during the operation, you must follow my unified command, share all knowledge about this place's seals and energy structure. Moreover, after the core is destroyed, we need to share any clues regarding the Life rune."

Olaien's brow furrowed slightly; he obviously resisted taking orders, but seeing the indisputable Li Qingxuan before him and the others eyeing him tigerishly (especially the two star-spirits with odd auras), he weighed the pros and cons and finally nodded: "All right. During the resolution of this place's threat, the Xingtong Clan will cooperate with your actions. However, the attribution of the rune clues will be discussed later."

A fragile, temporary alliance was barely achieved under the immense external threat.

Next, the two sides began exchanging information.

Yanxin Runesmith shared the Shadow Hall's analysis of the core's energy structure, pointing out an internal highly condensed 'will node,' an extension of the False Emperor's will and the hub of its power; destroying it is key.

At the same time, the core's exterior is protected by layers of extinction energy and solid ice, making a direct assault extremely difficult.

Olaien then provided the Xingtong Clan's research on how life energy and extinction energy mutually restrain each other.

They possess an ancient joint ritual that can gather life energy to form a 'Purification Spear,' which has extremely strong penetration and purification effects against extinction energy.

However, performing this ritual requires a vast amount of life energy as a guide and support.

"Life energy……" Li Qingxuan mused, looking at the two star-spirits, "Yan Xin, Wind Whisperer, Shadow Hall—can you provide energy support?"

Yan Xin shook his head: "The power of the star-spirits leans toward darkness and stars; its nature differs from pure life energy, so forced conversion is too inefficient."

Olaien interjected: "The best energy source is the Tree of Life itself, or…… highly condensed life essence."

His gaze once again flickered over Li Qingxuan, apparently still eyeing that hint of Tree of Life aura on him.

Li Qingxuan directly ignored his hint, his thoughts racing.

The Tree of Life sapling at Guangtan Fortress is too far away, and its energy level insufficient.

Highly condensed life essence…… He suddenly thought of Queen Aister and the sisters Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shuang'er's Soul Dancer ability; their Soul Resonance can draw upon and elevate spirit and life energy.

If we could bring them here to cooperate with the Xingtong Clan's ritual, perhaps we could simulate a Purification Spear of sufficient strength.

But this would take time, and it would also require diverting part of the core's power from the battlefield at Howling Wind Pass.

As he weighed his options, the Wind Whisperer, who had been eyes closed communicating with the wind elements, suddenly opened his eyes, voice urgent: "Not good! I sense a large number of Ice Wraiths and those green-veined creatures gathering from multiple directions toward the Glacial Valley! The quantity…… is huge! Moreover, several strong individual energy responses are rapidly approaching! We're surrounded!"

Almost simultaneously, Li Jing returned via Void Shuttle scouting, her face grim: "The Ice Tower Forest Passage surrounding the Glacial Valley has been sealed off; it's the people of Black Blade and some fellows in ice-blue priest robes guiding the monsters! We're trapped here!"

Obviously, the core's anomaly and the earlier battle thoroughly roused the False Emperor's forces in this place.

They not only have to face the threat of the core erupting prematurely, but also contend with the external encirclement!

Internal troubles and external threats instantly drove this fragile alliance into desperation!

Li Qingxuan's eyes turned icy; he swiftly made a decision: "Yan Xin, Wind Whisperer, assist Elder Aurelion, using the available conditions to set up as many defensive and disruptive barriers as possible to buy time!"

"Li Jing, return at once to the North Wind Outpost and inform the Copperbeard Clan Chief and Queen Aister that the total assault on Howling Wind Pass is moved up! Have them spare no effort to seize Howling Wind Pass as quickly as possible and destroy the enemy's command hub! At the same time, have Feifei try to send Queen Aister and Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shuang'er over via the Void Passage! We need their strength!"

"Huang Rong, Xiulan, organize the defense; we must hold this place, stand fast until reinforcements arrive, or…… before the core fully erupts, find a chance to destroy it!"

Orders were issued one after another; everyone realized the urgency and sprang into action.

Olaien Star-Eye watched Li Qingxuan remain calm amid danger and swiftly deploy his plans; a flicker of something unusual crossed his eyes, and he finally set aside certain thoughts, beginning to direct his people to cooperate with Yan Xin in setting up elven barriers.

Outside the Glacial Valley, the howls of Ice Wraiths and the squirming sounds of green-veined creatures grew nearer, like a tide of death surging from all directions.

Beneath the Ice Abyss, that dark green light also began to flicker and swell unstably once again.

The moment that would decide fate arrived ahead of schedule.

(PS: Feel free to send a little love-powered electricity; the author will be more motivated if you do. If you like this book, feel free to leave a rating—thanks, everyone.)