They say the elves have just one real city.
There might be small settlements elsewhere, but only the one next to the Godwood Dungeon counts as a true city.
Lin Jun’s knowledge of the Elven Forest and its city came mostly from drunk adventurers bragging in taverns. Some swore they’d “been there” or “seen it,” while others claimed, “My friend went inside.”
But their stories were all over the place.
Some said it was a bunch of shiny crystal palaces hidden in giant tree branches. Others called it a maze made of living trees. A few even insisted it was an underground city with glowing moss everywhere.
A thousand drunk adventurers meant a thousand different elven cities.
Their status panels—mostly Bronze or Silver, with Gold ranks super rare—showed how much their words were worth.
This race, tucked away in the southeast corner of the continent and barely mixing with the world, didn’t have many elves leaving home. But that number was still way bigger than the outsiders who dared sneak into the Elven Forest and got out alive.
Lin Jun could probably dig up real info if he tried, but since his Scout Puffshroom was going to check it out himself, he didn’t bother.
On the way from the dungeon, Lin Jun spotted plenty of elves—not regular folks walking around, but sneaky figures hiding in tree branches or rock cracks. They were Silver to Gold rank, clearly organized lookouts.
The forest was also full of hidden magic circles, tucked away in corners. Nothing could hide from the Scout Puffshroom’s detection skills.
Still, nobody stopped Airaven.
Lin Jun wasn’t sure if just the path from the dungeon to the city was this heavily guarded or if the whole Elven Forest was like that. If it was the whole forest, no wonder so few intruders escaped.
Halfway through the trip, Airaven climbed a spiral wooden staircase wrapped around a huge tree. These trees weren’t as tall as the dungeon’s hundred-meter giants but still reached dozens of meters.
Up in the trees, Lin Jun finally saw elven buildings!
Treehouses, made from smooth man-made materials and branches shaped by magic, dotted the canopy. Spiral stairs linked treehouses up and down, while bridges glowing blue in the sunlight connected tree to tree.
The rest of the journey was through this “sky market” in the treetops.
More ordinary elves appeared, all super good-looking. Airaven, with the Puffshroom on her head, suddenly seemed kind of plain among them.
Still, Lin Jun noticed no elf looked as stunning as that Sirian guy—his looks were way above average.
The treehouses weren’t simple at all. They were fancier than Yafeng Town’s wooden houses, with shops for potions, bookstores with faint magic vibes, and stores full of weird trinkets.
The Scout Puffshroom even caught soft, pretty music and quiet chatter from what seemed like a tavern—totally different from the loud, rough vibe of the Rotten Willow Tavern.
At the end of the trip, where the giant tree forest met a cliff, stood a huge, grand palace glowing with gentle magic light!
On a high bridge, Airaven held the Puffshroom’s tiny feet on her head, her voice quietly excited: “Little Ji, welcome to—Ishildorin!”
Wow!
This was what a palace should look like!
Lin Jun had seen some cities and castles, but this elven palace blew them away in size and beauty. Still, he hadn’t visited the human capital, Oath City, or checked out demon or dwarf lands—maybe they had wonders just as cool?
Just as Lin Jun was curious about where Airaven lived, she started climbing down a ladder with the Scout Puffshroom and Fly-Fly, all the way to the ground.
Below the giant trees was a forest of regular trees. In a quiet, out-of-the-way spot, a lone little hut stood—Airaven’s home.
Before she could open the door, a voice called out nearby: “Airaven, you’re back! Control that bear of yours—it ate my Moon Velvet Flowers I worked on for two weeks!”
Airaven rubbed her hands, nodding a lot at the speaker, muttering so softly even the Puffshroom on her head could barely hear.
Luckily, the other elf seemed used to it and left after complaining.
Lin Jun didn’t know Elvish but saw Airaven get all shy around other elves. Not just now—on the road, whenever an elf talked to her, she clammed up.
Once the elf was gone, Airaven perked up, pushing the door open.
A white blur pounced at her!
[Race: Fluffball]
“Furball! Missed me!” Airaven hugged the fluffy, giant dandelion-like creature, rubbing her face in its thick white fur. Her voice was super sweet. “Good boy! So good!”
“Where’s Bubble and Little Bean?” Airaven spun around the hut with Furball, then peeked outside to search. Finally, a few hundred meters away, in a hidden burrow, she found her other two pets.
[Race: Shadow Marsh Python]
[Race: Earth Bear]
What kind of pets are these?!
Forget the giant python— isn’t that Earth Bear the same kind Dylan ran into?
Checking its panel, Lin Jun spotted the key skill—[Gravity Field LV4].
Nice!
A skill he didn’t have yet!
Airaven’s “friends” seemed pretty cool!
This Earth Bear was just over two meters tall—probably a young one?
Even with [Animal Friend], why not pick normal pets? Other elves had birds or squirrels, but Airaven’s choices explained why she didn’t live in the trees.
And how was that LV12 Fluffball still alive with these roommates?
“Oh! Bubble, Little Bean, you’re getting ready to hibernate, huh? That’s why you’re hiding… Little Bean, you got stronger…” Airaven mumbled, burying herself in the Earth Bear’s thick, warm belly fur, giggling happily.
Fly-Fly the parrot landed by the python’s head, chirping nonstop, sneaking glances at the Puffshroom…
(End of Chapter)
Comments