Chapter 218

The news of the great victory at Howling Wind Pass spread like a spring breeze, sweeping away the gloom and fatigue that had lingered at North Wind Outpost for days.

Translation: The news of the great victory at Howling Wind Pass spread like a spring breeze, dispelling the gloom and fatigue that had lingered at North Wind Outpost for days.

The news of the great victory at Howling Wind Pass arrived like a spring breeze, blowing away the gloom and fatigue that had lingered at North Wind Outpost for days.

Ok.

Although the atmosphere in the valley was somewhat delicate due to the attribution of the "Life Essence," the shared victory and the persisting external threat kept the Guangtan Alliance and the Xingtong Clan in a superficial peace.

Translation: Although the atmosphere in the Glacial Valley was somewhat delicate due to the ownership of the Life Source Breath, the shared victory and the persisting external threat kept the Guangtan Alliance and the Xingtong Clan in superficial peace.

The Guangtan Alliance and the Xingtong Clan shared only a superficial peace.

Olaien Star-Eye led his people to the edge of the valley, where they held a brief and solemn elven memorial rite for the Ice-Sealed Throne and the dissipating Glacier Spirit.

Translation: Olaien Star-Eye led his people, holding a brief and solemn elven memorial rite at the edge of the Glacial Valley for the Ice Sealed Throne and the dissipating Glacier Spirit.

Olaien Star-Eye led his people to the edge of the Glacial Valley, where they held a brief and solemn elven memorial rite for the Ice Sealed Throne and the dissipating Glacier Spirit.

The shattered throne that fell into the abyss symbolized the end of an ancient guardianship, and it filled the hearts of those elves who sought ancient power with complex, ineffable emotions.

Translation: The shattered throne that fell into the abyss symbolized the end of an ancient guardianship, filling the hearts of those elves who sought ancient power with complex, ineffable emotions.

The shattered throne that fell into the abyss symbolized the end of an ancient guardianship, and it also filled the hearts of those elves who sought ancient power with complex, ineffable emotions.

After the ceremony ended, they did not linger, carrying a hint of regret and unwillingness as they quietly left the Ice Tower Forest and returned to their own stronghold.

Translation: After the ceremony, they did not linger, carrying a hint of regret and unwillingness, and quietly left the Ice Tower Forest to return to their own stronghold.

They did not linger, carrying a hint of regret and unwillingness as they quietly left the Ice Tower Forest to return to their own stronghold.

Before departing, Olaien and Li Qingxuan agreed to maintain communication and share updates on the Life Rune and the Corruption Root.

Translation: Before departure, Olaien and Li Qingxuan agreed to maintain communication and share updates on the Life Rune and the Corruption Root.

Olaien and Li Qingxuan agreed to maintain communication and share updates on the Life Rune and the Corruption Root.

After seeing off the Xingtong Clan, Li Qingxuan and the others began clearing the battlefield and preparing to withdraw.

Translation: After seeing off the Xingtong Clan, Li Qingxuan and the others began clearing the battlefield and preparing to withdraw.

After seeing off the Xingtong Clan, Li Qingxuan and the others began clearing the battlefield and preparing to withdraw.

The Ice Abyss fell silent, the Core was destroyed, and the threat here was temporarily lifted—but no one knew whether the False Emperor would react more fiercely because of it.

Translation: The Ice Abyss fell silent, the Core was destroyed, and the threat here was temporarily lifted, but no one knew whether the False Emperor would react more fiercely because of it.

The Ice Abyss fell silent, the Core was destroyed, and the threat here was temporarily lifted—but no one knew whether the False Emperor would react more fiercely because of it.

North Wind Outpost, as a forward stronghold, still needed to be retained, but the main forces had to withdraw and recuperate.

Translation: North Wind Outpost, as a forward stronghold, still needed to be retained, but the main forces needed to withdraw and recuperate.

North Wind Outpost, as a forward stronghold, still needed to be retained, but the main forces needed to withdraw and recuperate.

"Thanks to you all arriving in time," Li Qingxuan sincerely thanked Queen Aister, Zhao Ling'er, and Zhao Shuang'er.

Translation: "Thanks to your timely arrival this time," Li Qingxuan sincerely thanked Queen Aister, Ling'er, and Shuang'er.

Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shuang'er stood alongside Queen Aister, ready to support the defense.

Thus translation: "Thanks to your timely arrival this time," Li Qingxuan sincerely thanked Queen Aister, Zhao Ling'er, and Zhao Shuang'er.

Without the Tree of Life energy and Soul Resonance they brought, the Purification Spear could hardly have succeeded.

Translation: Without the Tree of Life energy and Soul Resonance they brought, the Purification Spear could hardly have succeeded.

Without the Tree of Life energy and Soul Resonance they brought, the Purification Spear could hardly have succeeded.

Queen Aister shook her head slightly, a hint of fatigue and relief in her silver eyes: "Defending our home is our duty. I just didn't expect the enemy we face to have such an astonishing origin."

Translation: Queen Aister shook her head slightly, a hint of fatigue and relief in her silver eyes: "Defending our home is our duty. I just didn't expect the enemy we face to have such an astonishing origin."

A hint of fatigue and relief shone in her silver eyes; defending our home is our duty, but I never expected the enemy we face to have such an astonishing origin.

She looked at Li Qingxuan with a questioning gaze, asking, "That wisp of Life Essence..."

Translation: She looked at Li Qingxuan, her eyes questioning: "That strand of Life Source Breath……"

"It has merged with me and cannot be separated for now," Li Qingxuan said candidly, "but it seems to enhance my perception of life force, perhaps helping with future cultivation of the Tree of Life or even searching for the rune's true form."

Translation: "It has merged with me and cannot be separated for now," Li Qingxuan said frankly, "but it seems to enhance my perception of life force, perhaps helping with future cultivation of the Tree of Life or even searching for the rune's true form."

Perhaps it will help with future cultivation of the Tree of Life, or even in searching for the rune's true form.

Queen Aister nodded and asked no further questions.

Translation: Queen Aister nodded and asked no further.

Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shuang'er gazed curiously at Li Qingxuan, feeling that the lord elder brother's aura had become more moist and unfathomably deep.

Translation: Zhao Ling'er and Zhao Shuang'er gazed curiously at Li Qingxuan, feeling that the lord elder brother's aura had become more moist and unfathomably deep.

The lord elder brother's aura seemed to have become more moist and unfathomably deep.

A few days later, Li Qingxuan led the main force that had participated in this Core battle onto the return journey to the Guangtan Alliance.

Translation: A few days later, Li Qingxuan led the main force that had participated in this Core battle onto the return journey to the Guangtan Alliance.

The main force that had participated in this Core battle embarked on the return journey to the Guangtan Alliance.

North Wind Outpost left behind the necessary garrison and dwarf engineer, with Boulder Stonehammer in charge, continuing to fortify the works and monitor the glacier's movements.

Translation: North Wind Outpost left behind the necessary garrison and dwarf engineer, with Boulder Stonehammer in charge, continuing to fortify the works and monitor the glacier's movements.

They left behind the necessary garrison and dwarf engineer, with Boulder Stonehammer in charge, continuing to fortify the works and monitor the glacier's movements.

The return journey was much easier than the outward trip.

Translation: The return journey was much easier than the outward trip.

Along the way, stray Ice Wraiths could still be encountered occasionally, but they seemed to have lost their command, moving sluggishly and were quickly cleared away.

Translation: Along the way, occasional stray Ice Wraiths could still be encountered, but they seemed to have lost command, moving sluggishly, and were quickly cleared away.

Stray Ice Wraiths, moving sluggishly, were quickly cleared away.

The remnants of the once-active Black Blade and that strange green-veined creature also vanished, clearly the fall of Howling Wind Pass dealt them a heavy blow.

Translation: The remnants of the once-active Black Blade and that strange green-veined creature also vanished, clearly the fall of Howling Wind Pass dealt them a heavy blow.

The remnants of the once-active Black Blade, along with that strange green-veined creature, had vanished—clearly the fall of Howling Wind Pass dealt them a heavy blow.

When the familiar massive defense system formed by three cities appeared on the horizon, everyone let out a sigh of relief, and a sense of homecoming safety welled up.

Translation: When the familiar massive defense system formed by three cities appeared on the horizon, everyone let out a sigh of relief, and a sense of homecoming safety welled up.

When the massive defense system formed by three cities appeared on the horizon, everyone let out a sigh of relief, and a sense of homecoming safety welled up.

Guangtan Fortress, Iron Anvil Fort, and the Moonlight Ring still stood tall and steadfast.

Translation: Guangtan Fortress, Anvilburg, and Moonlight Ring still stood tall.

The city walls seemed higher and thicker, the soldiers on patrol full of spirit, and seeing the returning troops, the walls burst into loud cheers.

Translation: The city walls seemed higher and thicker, the soldiers on patrol full of spirit. Seeing the returning troops, the walls burst into loud cheers.

The city walls seemed higher and thicker, the soldiers on patrol full of spirit, and seeing the returning troops, the walls burst into loud cheers.

The gates slowly opened, with Li Feifei, Tongxu Clan Chief, and Jiang Xiu'e leading the rear members who had long been waiting outside.

Translation: The gate slowly opened, with Li Feifei, Tongxu Clan Chief, and Jiang Xiu'e leading the rear members who had long been waiting outside.

Li Feifei, Tongxu Clan Chief, and Jiang Xiu'e, leading the rear members, had long been waiting outside.

"Welcome home!" Li Feifei smiled with a relieved expression, though her eyes were a little wet.

Translation: "Welcome home!" Li Feifei's face bore a relieved smile, though her eyes were a little wet.

During this time, she had held the central command, coordinating all sides under immense pressure; now seeing Li Qingxuan and the others return safely, her anxious heart finally settled.

Translation: During this time, she had held the central command, coordinating all sides under immense pressure; now seeing Li Qingxuan and the others return safely, her anxious heart finally settled.

She had held the central command, coordinating all sides under immense pressure; now seeing Li Qingxuan and the others return safely, her anxious heart finally settled.

The Tongxu Clan Chief slapped Li Qingxuan's shoulder hard, his voice booming: "Good job, kid! You really took down that big lump up north! Now who'd dare look down on our Guangtan Alliance!"

Translation: Tongxu Clan Chief slapped Li Qingxuan's shoulder hard, his voice booming: "Nice job, kid! You really took down that big lump up north! Now who'd dare look down on our Guangtan Alliance?"

You really took down that big lump up north! Now who'd dare look down on our Guangtan Alliance!

Jiang Xiu'e took Li Qingxuan's hand, examined him up and down to confirm he lacked no arms or legs, then chided: "No more reckless adventures like that next time!"

Translation: Jiang Xiu'e took Li Qingxuan's hand, examined him up and down to confirm he lacked no arms or legs, then chided: "Next time, you're not allowed to take such risks!"

They examined him up and down to confirm he lacked no arms or legs, then chided.

Feeling the care of his family and the cohesion of the alliance, Li Qingxuan felt warm in his heart, and the fatigue from days of campaigning seemed to dissipate somewhat.

A grand victory banquet was held in the central square of Guangtan Fortress.

The food might not be especially exquisite, but it was plentiful and filling; the dwarves' ale and the elves' fruit wine were supplied without limit, and the atmosphere was extraordinarily lively.

The warriors loudly discussed the icy snows of the north, the powerful Ice Wraiths, and that heart‑pounding final battle, especially the feat of Lord Li Qingxuan unfolding his divine realm and joining forces with the elves to destroy the core, which was being embellished and sung about; his prestige within the alliance reached a new height.

However, beneath the surface of the celebrations, the undercurrent continued to surge.

After the victory banquet, the core members gathered in the fortress council hall.

Li Feifei first reported on the alliance's developments during this period.

With ample resources and a relatively safe environment, the construction of the three cities progressed rapidly, the population grew steadily, and military training proved highly effective.

The dwarves' forging workshops and the elves' enchanting skills combined, beginning to produce higher‑quality standardized equipment.

But she also brought less‑optimistic news.

"In the World Channel, discussions about our alliance, especially about you, Qingxuan, are increasing." Li Feifei called up the organized information: "'Realm Powerhouse,' 'Destroying the Unknown Terror,' 'Subduing the Elves and Dwarves'… these titles have spread our fame far and wide, but they have also attracted more attention. Some major powers, including the Elizabeth Camp we previously contacted and the Iron Wall, have become more enthusiastic, yet also more cautious, as if they are reassessing our strength and position."

"Furthermore," Li Feifei's tone grew graver, "sporadic reports say that similar pollution zones caused by the 'Corruption Root' have also appeared in more distant continents; although their scale is not as large as ours, their nature is similar."

"The False Emperor's tendrils have probably already reached every corner of this world."

The Tongxu Clan Chief snorted: "What's there to fear? One comes, we fight one; two come, we fight a pair!"

Queen Aister furrowed her brows slightly: "A tall tree attracts wind. Although we are strong now, if we become the target of everyone's ire, or if the False Emperor focuses his attention on us, our situation will become extremely difficult."

Li Qingxuan nodded; these were all within his expectations.

He pondered for a moment, then said: "Low‑key development and consolidating ourselves remain the top priority. Externally, we can appropriately open trade in some peripheral resources to show goodwill, but core technology and strength must stay secret. Internally, we must accelerate army building and the cultivation of experts, especially training in Ice Wraith resistance and extinction‑energy resistance."

He looked at the crowd, his voice firm: "We have no retreat left. The False Emperor's desire to destroy us will not die; only by continually growing stronger can we survive this world‑engulfing storm, until… we possess the power to face Him directly."

In the days that followed, the Guangtan Alliance entered a new round of painstaking development.

Li Qingxuan then began to devote himself to studying the strand of "Life Source Breath" within his body, and attempted to combine the ancient knowledge about the use of the "Seed" transmitted by the Ice Soul and the Shadow Hall with his own 【Weird Divine Realm】, seeking a breakthrough.

However, the peaceful days did not last long.

One month later, Li Feifei brought an urgent message that came through the encrypted channel of the Trading Platform, originating from the Shadow Hall.

The content of the message caused Li Qingxuan's pupils to contract sharply:

"The False Emperor is furious…… the "Eye of Reckoning" has locked onto the coordinates of this world…… three years…… at most three years…… his expeditionary force…… will inevitably descend……"

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