Although Wild Willow City couldn't be considered tall, from the outside, it was definitely the most vibrant city on the continent. Dense emerald green vines covered the entire city wall, to the point that the bricks below couldn't be seen. Thus, there were always people who mistakenly thought that this city wall was a miracle created by the elves using a secret technique.
Hundreds of years of fighting and killing didn't leave any traces on these tender vines. On the contrary, they seemed to be even more vibrant. Only the former invaders knew how terrifying it was when these vines waved their arms.
Not far from Wild Willow City, Sunier stared blankly at the green barrier in front of her. In her childhood memories, the elves relied on this indestructible wall of life to defend against countless enemy attacks. Unless the Tree of Life withered, these green vines would have endless vitality. No matter how strong the enemy was, they could only stop in front of these seemingly weak creatures.
The Tree of Life propped up the sky of Wild Willow City, and these vines were the tentacles of the Tree of Life. Every elf who grew up in Wild Willow City, even after hundreds and thousands of years, would still remember this side of emerald green that could never be erased.
Sunier looked into the distance. That person was still fighting for his life in the dark underground city. He was always like this, taking on the most dangerous missions while she could only watch from afar, unable to do anything.
Sunier believed that in terms of speed of improvement, she was already one of the best among the elves. However, compared to that man, she had unknowingly been left behind by a large distance. Sunier's lips curved into a smile. She really couldn't help but feel proud of him. This kind of man, she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to find another one like him in the entire continent. Thinking about this, Sunier couldn't help but feel a trace of sweetness in her heart.
However, in the next moment, when she thought about what she was about to face, Sunier's mood immediately fell. Her mouth was filled with bitterness. Test? Was she really at the age to accept the test? Sunier knew in her heart that the First Elder probably knew about the matter between her and Han Jin, so he came up with this excuse to let her return.
Previously, Sunier had been delaying because she knew that with her status, even if the First Elder tried to stop her, he wouldn't really do anything to her. However, when she saw Han Jin's lonely figure walking towards the unknown danger, Sunier had already made up her mind. 'I don't want to be the woman behind you. I want to be with you, no matter where we are, no matter what we face.'
Was this a trial? That's good too. If I don't do this, how can I improve my strength as quickly as possible? Sunier withdrew her gaze from the distance, took a deep breath, and walked towards Wild Willow City step by step.
At the same time, on the city wall of Wild Willow City, a male elf suddenly opened his eyes wide, as if he had seen something unbelievable. He stretched out a hand and pointed at the city wall. His mouth was so wide open that a fist could be stuffed in.
Another elf beside him noticed his companion's abnormality and patted him on the shoulder in confusion. "Seth, what's wrong?" Under normal circumstances, elves, regardless of gender, were very elegant and would rarely make such exaggerated movements.
"She … She …" The elf named Seth was already incoherent. He could only point at the bottom of the city as if something strange had happened there.
The elf couldn't help but look in the direction Seth was pointing. In the end, he was just like Seth, standing there with his mouth agape. After a while, he finally reacted. "Sunier! Sunier is back!! "
"What? Sunier is back?! "
"That's great! Sunier is finally back! "
Suddenly, the city wall was in a mess. Sunier stood there for a while before someone shouted, "What are you all standing there for?! Hurry up and open the city gate! "
A few elves rushed down the city wall in a flurry to open the gate. Sunier looked up at the elated faces of her people on the city wall and couldn't help but smile. They still hadn't changed. They were always making a fuss over small things. In the past, Sunier was just a green fruit. She didn't understand why these young elves always surrounded her and did strange things. She just watched them for fun. However, what Sunier didn't know was that her knowing smile would often make some young male elves so excited that they couldn't sleep the entire night.
Now that Sunier understood and understood, her heart was filled with Han Jin's figure. There was no room for anything else. She didn't know if it was the elves' misfortune or Han Jin's luck.
When the city gate opened, Seth was the first to run out. However, when he broke through the layers of resistance and rushed to Sunier, he realized that he didn't know what to say. He could only stand there helplessly and look at Sunier nervously.
Sunier looked at her childhood playmate, and her gloomy mood eased a lot. She smiled and said, "Seth, you seem to have grown taller again."
"Yes, yes." Seth rubbed the back of his head and revealed a happy yet flustered smile.
"Hey! Sunier, you're finally back! " Immediately, the other elves pushed Seth aside and fought to greet Sunier.
Just as Sunier was feeling a little tired, a female elf in a white robe suddenly appeared on the city wall.
"Sunier, the great elder is waiting for you," the female elf said.
The city immediately fell silent. The elves who had been in high spirits earlier suddenly quieted down and made way for Sunier to enter the city. The great elder of the temple had a supreme position in the city. These normal elves would never be able to come into contact with such a high and mighty figure. When they heard that the great elder wanted to see Sunier, they all looked at her with envy.
Sunier, who was in the center of their gazes, smiled bitterly in her heart. If she could, she would rather not see him, but that was impossible. Unless she was no longer a member of Wild Willow City, no elf could resist or even dare to resist the summons of the great elder of the temple.
The temple was still the splendid and elegant building in Sunier's memories. It was as if it had gathered all the elegance of the world into one. Who knew how many elven sculptors had put in their hard work on it? Every line on the reliefs was still so vivid and lifelike.
The elves were truly a harsh race. Not only to others, but also to themselves. Even the stone steps under Sunier's feet were carved with exquisite patterns. Who knew how much manpower and resources had been used to build this enormous temple?
Sunier walked along the ancient stone steps into the depths of the temple. Bits and pieces of her childhood flashed through her mind. Sunier had grown up in this temple. Other elves didn't have such an honor. Everything was attributed to Sunier's bloodline, even though Sunier had never thought that she was any nobler than other elves. However, since the temple had made a decision, Sunier could only accept it. This seemed to have become a kind of habit for the elves. No elf had ever dared to try and resist the temple's decision.
Stepping through the temple's door, an incomparably fresh aura of nature greeted her. Sunier couldn't help but be absent-minded for a moment. How long had it been since she had come into contact with this kind of aura? That kind of refreshing feeling, like a spring breeze, could only be felt in this temple.
"Child, you've returned." The great elder of the temple stood up from his seat and opened his arms.
It was an ordinary greeting, but it made Sunier's heart ache. Tears almost fell from her eyes, and she couldn't help but throw herself into the great elder's arms. If an elf passed by at this time, they would be extremely surprised. Although the great elder had always been kind and benevolent, he had been in a high position for a long time, so naturally, there was a kind of dignity around him. It was only because Sunier had been brought up by the great elder that she dared to act so intimately. The great elder didn't seem to mind. If it were any other elf, they would have been so nervous that they wouldn't even be able to speak when facing the great elder.
"It's good that you're back." The great elder gently patted Sunier's back. "Sit down, child. You must be tired from the journey."
Sunier shook her head and gradually calmed down. She softly said, "I'm not tired."
"Child, quickly go and rest. How can you not be tired after such a long journey?" The great elder looked at Sunier lovingly.
"I'm really not tired …" Sunier paused for a moment, and hesitantly asked, "Great elder, you asked me to come back this time, is it really because …"
At this time, two female elves wearing white robes walked into the temple and placed plates of exquisite pastries on the table. Sunier shut her mouth. Although she was used to being casual with the great elder since she was young, it wasn't a good thing to let other elves hear the tone of doubt in her words.
However, the great elder didn't seem to care. He smiled and said to the two female elves, "Our Sunier is really smart. She discovered that I was lying to her so quickly."
The two female elves covered their mouths and chuckled. There was an indescribable ambiguity in their eyes when they looked at Sunier.
"Little Sunier, my child. You don't mind, right?" The great elder smiled even more kindly, "Who knows, maybe you'll thank me later?"
After hearing the great elder's words, although Sunier was very puzzled, the stone in her heart was finally put down. It seemed that the great elder didn't reject the matter between her and Han Jin. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so happy with her.
Once her mood improved, Sunier's mood returned to normal. It was as if she had returned to her childhood. She said with a slight pout, "Great elder, what's the matter? Hurry up and say it."
"Of course it's a good thing." The great elder chuckled and deliberately kept her in suspense.
"Are you going to say it or not? If not, I'm going to leave! "Sunier pretended to be angry and turned her body sideways.
"Okay, okay, I'll say it. If you don't say it, our little Sunier will really be unhappy." It seemed that the great elder was in a very good mood. He even joked with Sunier in front of the other elves.
"Didn't you notice anything different in the city?" The great elder asked Sunier with a smile.
Different in the city? Sunier carefully thought about it. Only then did she remember that the city seemed to be a lot more lively than before. Moreover, there were blooming flowers everywhere. It was simply a sea of flowers. One had to know that although Wild Willow City was decorated with flowers all year round, it had never been so extravagant. This was because it required the energy of the Tree of Life to support it. It was just that she was worried at that time and didn't take it to heart.
Now that she thought about it, it was indeed a bit strange. Sunier curiously asked, "Did something big happen in the city? It seems to me that they are celebrating something. "
"Of course they are celebrating. This is the most important thing in the history of our Wild Willow City." The great elder happily said.
Sunier tilted her head and thought for a moment. Then, her eyes lit up, "Could it be that they found the Spring of Life?"
"No, no." The great elder shook his head, "Although the Spring of Life is very important, compared to this matter, it seems to be a little bit lacking."
More important than the Spring of Life? Then what could it be? Sunier frowned and thought hard for a while. She really couldn't think of anything, so she simply gave up. "Are you going to tell me or not?"
"Hehe, why don't you think about yourself?"
"Me?" Sunier asked in surprise, "What do I have to think about? Just because I came back? How is that possible! "
"I told you that our little Sunier is the smartest. Look, you have already guessed half of it." The great elder smiled and said to the two female elves beside him.
"Of course, Sunier is not only smart, but also very lucky." The two female elves agreed.
"What is going on?" Sunier was very confused. Although she faintly felt that this matter was related to her, she didn't know what was going on.
"Do you still remember Prudence from the Southern Elven Forest?" Perhaps the great elder felt that he had already whetted Sunier's appetite enough, so he finally began to reveal some useful information.
"Prudence? I remember, of course I remember. " How could Sunier not remember? He was her idol when she was young, a legendary figure among the elves. He also had the same divine bloodline as her. He was extremely powerful, handsome, graceful, and was second to none when it came to commanding troops. He was simply the synonym of perfection. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was the dream lover of thousands of elven girls.
"He is now in our Wild Willow City." The great elder threw out an earth-shattering news.
"He came to Wild Willow City? What is he doing here? " If it was in the past, Sunier would have been overjoyed by this news. However, now that she had Han Jin, she no longer had the slightest bit of interest towards this legendary elf. Although Prudence was able to break through the barrier of the eleventh step and become a twelfth step powerhouse in just a few hundred years, this was indeed an amazing feat among the elves. However, compared to Han Jin? If Han Jin was given a few hundred years … Sunier couldn't imagine how powerful Han Jin would become in the end.
"Of course he will come, because our little Sunier is here."
"Me?" Sunier was suddenly very surprised, "How is that possible? I don't even know him. "
"You want to know him? Isn't that simple? I will immediately call him over. If he knows that you are here, I can guarantee that he will rush over as fast as he can. " The great elder turned his head and said to the two female elves standing on the side, "You two go call Prudence over. Tell him that the person he wants to see the most has arrived."
The two female elves complied, then turned around and walked out of the temple.
"Wait a minute!" Sunier suddenly stood up. From the words of the great elder, she had already sensed a hint of an ominous feeling.
The two female elves stopped and looked at the great elder with inquiring eyes.
The great elder's gaze focused on Sunier for a moment, then he waved his hand and dismissed the two female elves.
"What's wrong? My child. "The great elder kindly asked.
"Can you first tell me, why did Prudence come to our Wild Willow City?"
The First Elder calmly picked up the cup of water on the side and took a sip before saying, "I'm here to marry you."
Although the great elder's tone was still kind, his words were like thunder that exploded in Sunier's ears. Her heart suddenly sank to the bottom. This news came too suddenly, and for a moment, Sunier didn't know how to react. She just stood there blankly.
"My child, haven't you always dreamt of marrying a great hero since you were young? After so long, I have finally fulfilled my promise. In the younger generation, there is no one more outstanding than Prudence. "The great elder said with gratification.
"But … But … I already …" Sunier was so anxious that she couldn't even speak.
"Don't worry, child. Sit down and talk slowly."
Sunier slowly sat back down on the chair, but her heart was in a mess.
"My child, you aren't too happy, are you?" The great elder said with a smile, "It's no wonder. You don't know how popular Prudence is in the Elven Forest. I spent a lot of effort to convince the elders of their tribe. Although I offended many elves from other tribes, for our little Sunier, it was all worth it."
Sunier bit her lips and lowered her head. At this moment, she really didn't know what to say. Was she really going to reject the great elder who raised her? Sunier really couldn't open her mouth. After all, the great elder was sincerely looking out for her. However, marriage was something that Sunier absolutely couldn't accept. On one side was her lover, and on the other side was her family. Sunier was caught in a dilemma.
"Oh …" The great elder suddenly patted his forehead as if he suddenly realized something. "Look at me, I'm really old now. I didn't even think of this."
Sunier still sat there with her head lowered, not saying a word.
"I know, for you, this is a bit hasty. You're a girl, so it's inevitable that you'll feel embarrassed at this time. But fortunately, there are still seven days before the wedding. You can meet Prudence whenever you're free. We can't let our little Sunier get married to a strange elf, right? "
After that, the great elder talked a lot, but Sunier didn't listen at all. Her mind was full of how to reject this strange marriage. When she left the temple, she forgot to say goodbye to the great elder and just walked straight out.
The great elder looked at Sunier's absent-minded back, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared. A trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.
"Honorable Ampdula, why did you give her time to think?" A voice suddenly came from behind the pillar.
The great elder coldly snorted, "Do you think the elves of Wild Willow City are just for you to take whatever you want?"
"You know, that's not what I meant." The owner of the voice came out from behind the pillar and bowed deeply to the First Elder. When he raised his head, a handsome face that was not tainted by the mortal world was revealed.
"I raised Sunier, and no one knows her better than I do. If you insist, it will only backfire."
"Actually, it doesn't matter if she doesn't agree, right? The wedding will be held as scheduled anyway. "The man looked in the direction Sunier had left with a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
"That's not necessarily true." The great elder said worriedly, "It seems like her feelings for that human lord are not ordinary. I know Sunier, and if she's really stubborn, no one can persuade her."
"Not even you?" The handsome man asked in surprise.
The great elder's face turned cold, and he said in a cold voice, "Is this only my problem? Prudence, as the descendant of the gods and the hope of the elven forest, you can't even conquer a girl. Won't people laugh their heads off if they hear about this? "
Prudence helplessly spread out his hands. This man, who was so handsome that he looked like a demon, had an indescribable charm in his every movement.
"You see, you won't even let her see me. How can you talk about conquering her?"
The great elder pondered for a moment, and said, "Wait a little longer. She hasn't calmed down yet, and if you go there, it will only backfire. But … shouldn't you fulfill your promise now? "
"As you wish." Prudence bowed to the great elder, "We'll get it done in the shortest time possible."
The great elder watched as Prudence slowly disappeared down the stairs, and said slowly, "Lydia, go and keep an eye on Sunier. Don't let her do anything stupid."
"Great elder, we're already forcing Sunier. If she finds out … I'm afraid it won't be good." Lydia slowly walked out from the green.
The great elder hesitated. Sometimes, Sunier's character was very strong. She would rather break than bend, just like two years ago when she angrily ran away from Wild Willow City. He could use her feelings to force Sunier to obey him, but if he used other methods, the consequences would be worrying.
"That's good too. Let her walk around for a few days and relax." The First Elder nodded slowly.
"Great elder, I've already told you some things, but I have to remind you again. That human lord has recruited many strong people!" Lydia said softly, "The best way is to postpone the wedding. Prudence has been waiting for a long time, and I don't think he'll mind waiting for another year or half a year. We'll see how that human lord reacts before we make a decision. Otherwise … when the time comes, there won't be any room for negotiation."
"A lunatic. Why is the great elf Lydia so worried?!" The great elder sneered.
"Lunatic?" Lydia frowned.
"You don't know? That lunatic actually ran to the Underground City alone. Haha … Zagunéd, the distant ancestor of the Blood Clan, Alquete, also rushed to the Underground City. There were also six Abyss Demons. If he's not a lunatic, then what is he?" The great elder's eyes were full of sarcasm.
"But from Sunier's expression, I don't think she's worried about that human lord."
"What does she know?"
"Sunier was raised by you, so you know Sunier better than we do. For the past two years, Sunier has been with that human lord. I think she knows him better than we do! When you told Sunier to marry Prudence, her reaction was enough to prove her feelings for that human lord. If there was really danger, would she be so calm? Would she return to Wild Willow City? "Lydia said softly," Maybe … what you think is impossible will happen! Great Elder, you should reconsider and postpone the wedding. "
"No!" The Great Elder said in a resolute tone, "You know that I need Prudence's help, and … Dismark's messenger has already arrived."
Lydia sighed softly and said no more. Her eyes flashed with worry, but she had no evidence to prove her judgment. Everything was based on her intuition. She hated Dragon Knight Guevara, Majordomo Gail of the Capital of Elements, Magus Genius Yalina, Archbishop Jeddis, and a Thunder Titan the most. These powerful people had gathered around young Raphael. It was a clear sign that something was going to happen!
* * *
Sunier walked on the streets of Wild Willow City in a daze. All the noise around her seemed to be far away from her, and she could no longer hear anything. Only the words of the great elder lingered in her ears. Sunier hated the Blood of God that she had, which was envied by countless elves. She knew very well why the great elder did this. The union of two elves who also had the Blood of God was not as simple as one plus one equals two. Their strength would be enhanced to a certain extent. Of course, it was nothing to Sunier, but to Prudence, who had already become a super-class master, it was extremely significant. It meant that he could break through the bottleneck and even become a demigod master!
More importantly, without exception, their descendants would become geniuses among geniuses. The Blood of God would be perfectly integrated in their descendants, and they could even inherit the innate gift of the Ancient Great Elves: the Eye of God!
Legend had it that the Ancient Great Elves possessed the Divine Eye. As long as their target was locked on by them, it would be difficult for them to escape even if they fled to the heavens or the earth. However, the reason why such a powerful and almost abnormal talent was not passed down had been buried in the long river of time.
Elves who had the Blood of God were already very rare. It was easier said than done to find a male and female elf of the same age who also had the Blood of God. Moreover, after the baptism of time, the various elven tribes had gathered and separated, and many things could no longer be verified. Some elves who had lived for hundreds of years suddenly discovered the Mark of God on their children, and only then did they realize that they were the descendants of the God of War Abraham and the Elf Messenger Doreen.
It was not easy for elves to reproduce. Apart from the fact that a considerable number of elves were unable to conceive in their lifetime, a large part of the reason was that elves who had passed a certain age would lose the ability to conceive, even if they still looked very young.
Prudence was already a little old, which was why the Great Elder was so anxious to find Sunier. If Prudence was the hope of the Southern Elven Forest, then his child with Sunier would be the hope of all elves. Of course, similar hopes had been dashed many times, but this time was different. Finally, a descendant of the gods had become a super-class master. Almost all the elves believed that the union between Prudence and another descendant of the gods would fulfill the dream of the entire elven race.
It was because she understood the significance of this that Sunier did not know how to reject the Great Elder who had cared for her since she was a child. If Sunier's life could be exchanged for the strength of the elves, then Sunier would not hesitate to die for it. However, everyone had a pure land in their hearts that could not be sullied by anything.
Sunier now hoped that Han Jin would suddenly appear by her side. Faced with the difficult problem in front of her, Sunier was really exhausted.
Sunier was walking aimlessly when a figure suddenly blocked her path.
Seth, who had just returned from his shift, saw Sunier, and his eyes lit up at first, but then they dimmed. He knew that the princess of Wild Willow City, the proud daughter of the heavens, would not have anything to do with him, now or in the future. The longing he had when he was young had finally disappeared the moment Prudence arrived at Wild Willow City.
"Congratulations …" After a while, Seth finally said in a submissive tone.
Sunier forced a smile. "What's there to congratulate me about?"
"Aren't you going to be with Prudence from the south …" Before Seth could finish his sentence, he was frightened by Sunier's angry expression and shut up.
"Don't mention that guy to me!" Sunier said in annoyance.
"What? Don't tell me … you don't want to? "Seth said carefully as he observed Sunier's expression.
"Why should I want to?! Why do all of you think I should be with that damned guy?! Don't I have the right to choose?! " Sunier's anger exploded. Luckily, they were in a secluded area, and not many people passed by.
"No, no, that's not what I meant." Seth was frightened and hurriedly comforted Sunier. "Who said you don't have the right to choose? Even the Great Elder can't force you on this, right?"
The tears that Sunier had been holding back finally fell from her eyes, and she slowly squatted on the ground as she cried. "But he forced me …" Sunier had always been strong. If it had been Han Jin, she would definitely have held back her tears, but she let down all her defenses in front of her childhood playmate because she knew that Seth would never look down on her. Actually, Han Jin wouldn't either, but Sunier hoped that she could become Han Jin's capable partner, comrade, and wife. She wanted to play all three roles well and not be a burden to anyone. Therefore, in front of Han Jin, even if she had tears, she could only let them flow in her heart, just like how she had never confessed about the dangers of the trial.
"Don't be like this, Sunier. There will be a way." Seth squatted in front of Sunier and felt his heart ache as he watched her shoulder twitch non-stop.
"What can there be … The Great Elder raised me for so long. How can I make him sad?" Sunier choked out.
"Then why are you unwilling to be with that …" Seth couldn't think of any reason. In fact, no one in Wild Willow City believed that Sunier would refuse such a great opportunity.
"But … I already have someone I like …"
From Sunier's explanation, Seth learned that Sunier had already become a partner with a human. When he heard this, Seth couldn't help but feel bitter. So even without Prudence, an insignificant elf like him still wouldn't have had a chance.
However, strangely enough, when he heard that Sunier didn't have any feelings for Prudence, who appeared out of nowhere, Seth felt much better. He didn't know why, but he suddenly had a thought that it would be better for Sunier to be with that human.
"Seth, can you help me think of a way?" Sunier was desperate. Seth was just a normal elf in front of her. What could he do to interfere with something that would affect the interests of the entire elf race?!
However, Seth was a very honest person. He actually frowned and racked his brains, not realizing his identity at all.
After a long time, just as Sunier's legs were numb from squatting and she was about to stand up and walk around, Seth suddenly asked, "Sunier, why don't you go to the trial?"
"Trial?"
"That's right. Think about it. After you go in, it'll take at least a few months before you come out. Didn't you say that Raphael is an overlord? And he's very powerful! If you don't go back for that long, he'll definitely send someone to look for you, right? When that happens, the Great Elder won't be as insistent as he is now, right? " Seth's mind seemed to have suddenly become smarter. His words were also clear and logical, which made Sunier look at him in a new light.
"That's right!" Sunier suddenly felt her vision brighten. After all, Han Jin was no longer the destitute aristocrat of the past. Any one of the top-tier experts by his side could cause a certain amount of pressure to Wild Willow City. If Han Jin gathered all his forces and flew above Wild Willow City on the God of War, Sunier wasn't sure if Wild Willow City alone could withstand Han Jin's fury.
When that happened, the Great Elder wouldn't risk the risk of war to forcefully separate her and Han Jin, right? Sunier thought as a long-lost smile appeared on her face.
Of course, the prerequisite for all this was that Han Jin had to be able to settle the matters in the Underground City in time. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to leave to look for her. However, there was no better way now. Sunier couldn't bear to reject the Great Elder in person.
"But … Sunier, the trial is very dangerous." Seth looked at Sunier's happy smile and suddenly regretted his idea. Although it could allow Sunier to temporarily avoid her impending marriage, the trial wasn't a sightseeing trip. The slightest mistake could lead to a disaster. Over the years, who knew how many young elven geniuses had died on the path of the trial?
In this world, although good ideas came in all shapes and sizes, all bad ideas had one thing in common. Before you realized it was bad, it looked like a good idea.
Now, Sunier felt that Seth's idea was simply too good. She had completely overlooked the potential dangers of the trial. Moreover, the reason she had returned was to take on the trial and quickly increase her strength!
"Seth, do you know how to open the door to the trial?" Sunier wanted to open the door to the trial and dive in. She wanted to keep those annoying fellows and things as far away from her as possible.
"Sunier, have you really decided? If I wasn't lucky enough back then, I wouldn't have made it out alive. "Seth lifted his shirt to show Sunier the crisscrossing scars on his chest.
Sunier looked at the shocking scars on Seth's body and was stunned at first. Then, she asked in surprise, "Seth! You passed the trial?! "
Seth's expression was a little awkward, and he smiled bitterly. "If I passed the trial, why would I be standing on the city wall every day?"
"Didn't they say that as long as you can come out unscathed, you'll pass the trial?" Sunier asked in shock.
"It's not that simple. Only those who pick the seven-colored datura flower pass the trial, and that's the most dangerous place in the entire trial," Seth said with a pained expression on his face.
Sunier frowned. She quickly understood what Seth meant. Seth probably couldn't take it during the trial and backed out halfway. That was why he looked like that. No wonder. Sunier had been wondering why Seth was still a little soldier standing on the city wall.
After figuring that out, Sunier quickly comforted him. "It's fine if you didn't pass. As long as you're safe and sound, you can always go after you've become stronger."
Seth shook his head and remained silent. Actually, he didn't even have the right to participate in the trial back then. It was his own strong request that the elders reluctantly agreed. The reason was simple. Seeing his childhood playmate become a hero who could lead an army into battle made him feel an indescribable sense of loss. That was why Seth steeled himself and participated in the trial. He wanted to give Sunier a surprise when she returned.
However, hard work didn't guarantee results in many things. Seth failed, but he was lucky to be able to come back alive.
"We'll talk about my matter later. You, on the other hand, need to think carefully." Seth thought about his past and felt like it was a joke. He had gone through so much just to get Sunier's attention, but now …
Sunier nodded solemnly. Was the trial that scary? In comparison, even if it was ten times scarier, Sunier wouldn't change her decision.
Seth stared at Sunier for a while before letting out a long sigh. "Alright, I'll help you in."
"Thank you so much! Seth! Let's go now? " In her excitement, Sunier didn't notice that Seth had said to help her in, not take her in.
The trial illusion was the third most forbidden area in Wild Willow City, aside from the Tree of Life and the temple. No one could tell whether the world inside was real or not. If one were to say that it was real, there were all kinds of strange creatures that no one had ever seen before. Once one entered it, one would feel as if they had entered a completely foreign world. However, if one were to say that it was illusory, the damage that those vicious beasts could inflict on one would be incomparably real.
Every elf who successfully passed the trial became the best in their tribe without exception. Allowing the younger elves to go through the trial was the best way to improve their abilities. That was why Wild Willow City had always kept the trial environment strictly protected and didn't allow outsiders to get in.
However, Sunier didn't know any of that. She thought it was a place that anyone could enter, but she just couldn't find it.
On the way, Seth explained the various taboos to Sunier. For example, there was a type of scorpion with two tails that could emit lightning that could paralyze people for a short period of time. There was also a type of white tiger with two wings that could injure people with sound waves from afar. All sorts of strange creatures made Sunier secretly shocked, but at the same time, she also felt a little excited. Curiosity was part of everyone's nature.
On the other hand, Seth repeatedly warned Sunier not to get involved with the beasts inside as much as possible. Even the cute and harmless rabbit-like creatures could emit fatal rays from their red eyes. As for how to enter and exit the illusion, Seth explained it a few times and reminded Sunier not to move recklessly when she entered the whirlpool-like thing. Otherwise, there was a high chance that she would veer off course and never return to the real world.
When it was close to dusk, Sunier and Seth arrived at a place not far from the trial door. Seth looked up at the sky. Coincidentally, the guards should be changing shifts at this time.
Sunier followed Seth into a dark alley with many twists and turns. Along the way, Sunier wanted to speak a few times, but she was interrupted by Seth's hand gestures, which made Sunier very depressed. Seth only stopped when they reached a corner.
Both of them could hear the sound of footsteps gradually fading away from the courtyard on the other side of the wall, accompanied by the sound of chatter and laughter. Seth listened for a while, and when there was no more sound in the courtyard, he turned around and said urgently to Sunier, "Don't worry about anything. Once I open the door, you just rush straight into the whirlpool. Leave the rest to me!"
Sunier looked at Seth in confusion, not understanding why he was so nervous. Just as Sunier was about to say something, Seth had already climbed onto the wall and anxiously shouted in a low voice, "Hurry! It's going to be too late! "
Sunier didn't have time to think, so she had no choice but to jump up as well. Only then did she realize that the courtyard was surprisingly spacious. It was a few hundred square meters in size, but there was only a small building in the middle.
Before Sunier could take a closer look, Seth had already jumped down. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he sprinted towards the building in the middle of the courtyard, shouting as he ran, "Hurry! It's this door! "
Hearing Seth's anxious shout, Sunier also became inexplicably nervous. She quickly jumped down and followed Seth closely.
Just then, angry shouts came from outside the courtyard. "What are you doing?!" "Stop!"
However, Seth, who was running in front, turned a deaf ear to those shouts and only kept running with his head down. Sunier had no other choice. Although she didn't know why Seth was using this method, stopping now was obviously not a wise choice. Sunier had no choice but to follow behind Seth helplessly.
Just as the two of them were about ten meters away from the building, the courtyard door was knocked open with a bang, and dozens of fully armed elves rushed in.
Seth suddenly roared angrily. His entire body leaped high into the air, and he viciously slammed into a large jade door on the building.
Instantly, screams of shock rang out, not only from Sunier, but also from the elven guards that had rushed in.
"Do you have a death wish?!" The elven guard in the lead drew the bow in his hand with lightning speed, and with a whoosh, an imperceptible ray of light pierced through the air and chased after Seth's body in the air.
Seth's body slammed heavily into the jade door. No one knew how much strength he had used, but the door was actually smashed into pieces.
Such a tragic scene shocked Sunier. What was going on? Why did it become like this?
Seth propped himself up. His eyes, ears, mouth, and nose were all bleeding. He shouted at Sunier, "Quick! Go in! "
"You dare?!" The elven guard in the lead raised his bow again and aimed at Sunier. The other elven guards also drew their bows, and the tips of their arrows locked onto Sunier at the same time. Then, the elven guards were stunned. "Sunier?!"
"Don't … Shoot her legs! Don't let her in! "the elven guard in the lead shouted.
The arrows pierced through the air with a series of sharp whistles. The sudden sense of crisis woke Sunier up as if she had just woken up from a dream. She sped up in an instant to avoid the seemingly weak arrows and rushed into the house.
The entire house was empty except for a white whirlpool on the ground that seemed to have a life of its own.
"Go in! Go in quickly! "Seth's voice was already hoarse, and the sound of arrows whistling through the air was heard again.
Sunier quickly jumped into the whirlpool. In an instant, a gentle white light shone from the center of the whirlpool and gradually expanded until it filled the entire house. Before Sunier lost consciousness, she turned her head to look and saw an unforgettable scene. Seth's body was pierced by several arrows, and fresh blood kept flowing out of his wounds. However, the most unbelievable thing was that Sunier clearly saw that Seth didn't seem to be in pain at all. Instead, his face was filled with relief, as if he had finally fulfilled his wish …
(A 12,000-word chapter, including the one in the wee hours of the morning, is equivalent to five chapters. I'm exhausted and dizzy. It's time to lie down and sleep. I don't even know how long I'll sleep …)
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