Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 420 - 405: Disobeying Orders

Aiden thought for a moment, then took a few peculiar items, which he couldn’t comprehend, out of his Magic Spirit Bag and placed them inside.

"One of them is a set of Martial Arts engravings, which he should like. Oh, and he probably has friends and relatives..." Aiden muttered as he took out several Spirit Land Jades, all of which had a Spiritual Qi concentration over 50 times that of regular High-level Spiritual Land Jades, and placed them together inside.

"He’ll definitely be very happy." Jax smiled, though his heart was bitter.

The client he had painstakingly spent money to acquire was now snatched away by his boss, who spent even more money.

Aiden noticed Jax’s unease, patted his shoulder, and said, "Since you’ve already ascended to Innate, it’s time to advance your position in the line of succession."

"Thank you, cousin." Jax brightened up.

Jax cheerfully stowed away his Magic Spirit Bag, thinking that he still had some High-Energy Sea Shells in hand, which he could casually give to Zhou Leng.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rao Mingxian looking somewhat lost ahead and recalled that Rao Mingxian and Tu Rong had known each other for a long time. He walked over to chat with Rao Mingxian.

"Elder Gong died in battle; don’t take it to heart. After all, he was arrogant and insisted on provoking Zhou Leng. Even Aiden didn’t dare to mess with him, who does he think he is? You were wise not to join the others in attacking. It’s a good thing you’re alive; otherwise, you wouldn’t have known what happened."

Rao Mingxian sighed, "I also advised them that Zhou Leng’s team is very strong, with a Bone Forger Inheritor Giant Bear Druid and a female elf carrying a Legendary Longbow. They didn’t listen and charged ahead, resulting in their deaths."

"You can’t blame yourself for that." Jax said.

Rao Mingxian asked, "Where’s Tu Rong? I haven’t seen him."

Jax sighed, "He and a team member went out to investigate, but later disappeared somehow. It’s quite regrettable."

"Yes, quite regrettable indeed."

The two of them kept their unspoken thoughts to themselves and walked on in silence.

Zhou Leng and his group ran swiftly, running for quite a while, leaving everyone more puzzled.

It’s been such a long time, yet there’s no sight of the Tree-man army.

Logically, even if the Tree-man didn’t dispatch an army due to such a major event occurring here, they should have sent some Grandmasters to investigate.

But it seems like no one cares about what happened in Flute Forest.

The group discussed for a while and used magic to send messages remotely, inquiring about the situation.

After a good ten minutes, the Demon Spirit Masters and Elf Mages gradually received information, gathered together, and everyone fell into a long silence.

Neither elves nor Tree-men spoke a word.

During the days when everyone was deep underground, the Celestial Calamity Envoy dispatched Demon and giant insect allied forces, capturing all the elf settlements, slaughtering numerous forest tribes, and launching a massive hunt.

This hunt was unprecedented in scale, with numerous giant insects on the move.

The once-proud elves fled in disarray, some escaping to Tree-man tribes, others to the Shuizhou Demon City base of Tree-men, and then heading to other worlds.

Current intelligence indicates that the elf population of several million now barely exceeds a hundred thousand.

The elves who originally intended to return to the Elven Undercity felt a deep sorrow.

Their homeland is unreachable.

Silver Lake Moon whispered, "Duke..."

Zhou Leng said, "Let’s temporarily stay at the Tree-man base and consider the rest slowly."

"Yes."

Zhou Leng sought out Silver Lake Wind and asked, "Do our elves have any Demon Spirit Artifacts that can carry people? I need to transport a group of living people from one place to another for just a short period, half a day at most."

Silver Lake Wind replied, "If it’s a space treasure, it must be at least a Half-Divine Artifact. We used to have it, but not anymore. There are other methods, like casting a spell for fake death, resizing people, then sealing with magic, and finally using a curse spell to petrify or turn them to wood, or even contain them within a Magic Artifact. Once they reach the destination, the spell can be released. But, is it really necessary to go through such trouble?"

"I want to use this method to take some elves to another place without external detection," Zhou Leng answered.

Silver Lake Wind hesitated, looking at Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng continued, "I will take Silver Lake Moon and the Prophet’s Guard and let them live in a place much more beautiful than the Tree-man World."

"Can you say where exactly?"

"I can’t say, but after Silver Lake Moon arrives, I’ll have her send you a message using a Magic Artifact to ensure safety."

"Can two Grandmasters be dispatched to join?"

"Of course."

"Alright. Once you make a decision, we’ll coordinate with you to relocate."

"Won’t you contact other elf villages?" Zhou Leng asked.

Silver Lake Wind sighed and said, "There are no longer complete elf villages; now all elves have scattered everywhere. Our Silver Lake Tribe is probably the most complete tribe at the moment."

"What about the treasures of the elves?" Zhou Leng asked.

"We’ll think of finding them after some time."

"When I advance to Grandmaster, we will search for them together."

"How should the other elves be resettled?" Silver Lake Wind asked.

"I mentioned before, you should lead some elves to seek refuge in Dragon Country, join the United Front Department. I hope you won’t disclose our actual relationship to the outside world. I want you to live safely in Dragon Country and lend me a hand when I need you."

"Of course, you are the noble Elf Duke; if there’s trouble, the entire elf race will surely assist wholeheartedly."

"When will the ceremony for the Elf Prince be held?"

Silver Lake Wind cleared his throat and said, "Once we regain the ancestral lands, we’ll certainly commence the ceremony."

Zhou Leng already saw through their careful balancing act but was too lazy to care. With Silver Lake Moon present, the elven race would not overturn the heavens.

Returning to the group, Cyan Flame approached.

"The family has sent someone to contact me to leave as soon as possible. The Tree-man World will soon erupt in endless warfare, with Demons and giant insects sweeping across," Cyan Flame said.

"Is there no other possibility?"

"None." Cyan Flame sighed.

"A pity." Zhou Leng looked at the Tree-men in the group.

The tree-men were full of concerns, only Xiaoyong remained cheerful and carefree.

Zhang Xiaoxiao walked over and whispered, "Brother Zhou Leng, Uncle Tong is coming to pick me up. We’re leaving first."

"Is it safe? There are giant insects and demons everywhere here now."

"They don’t dare to provoke the Huang Meng Sect," Zhang Xiaoxiao said proudly.

"That’s good. Please send my regards to Uncle Tong.

"Hm." Zhang Xiaoxiao froze for a moment, looking at Zhou Leng questioningly.

Zhou Leng took out some chocolate and handed it to Zhang Xiaoxiao.

Zhang Xiaoxiao wore a small, awkward expression that said ’I’m not a child,’ but did not refuse, carefully placing it in the Magic Spirit Bag.

"You are too thin, eat more, cultivate well..."

Zhou Leng nagged slowly, like an old man.

Occasionally, Zhang Xiaoxiao nodded gently.

Zhou Leng’s tone was very much like a grandmother’s.

When parting, Zhou Leng hesitated for a moment, and said, "Don’t go to extremes if something happens. Zhang Xinglie and I are both thinking of you."

"Hm."

Zhang Xiaoxiao nodded gently, waved her hand, and left with the people from the Huang Meng Sect.

Zhou Leng occasionally turned his head to look at Zhang Xiaoxiao until their group became small dots in the distance and met another group, only then did he feel at ease to continue forward.

When the sun slanted west, the group ran out of the seismic range, and more flowers and grass appeared on the ground.

Suddenly, the tree-men became agitated.

"Move!"

Many tree-men said nothing, heading in one direction.

Vigorous Root ran over and said, "Zhou Leng, Cyan Flame, you go ahead, we are going back to assist the Vigorous Tribe."

"Your tribe is also under attack?" Zhou Leng was puzzled; the Vigorous Tribe was a large tribe with strong capabilities.

Vigorous Root said, "Yes."

"Let’s go, I’ll join the battle too." Zhou Leng hesitated for a moment, recalling how they and Xiaoyong had rescued him, he also prepared to go.

Vigorous Root shook his head and said, "This time is different from the past, the human race and the Demon Spirit Masters have already withdrawn from the Vigorous Tribe."

"Why?"

Vigorous Root sighed and said, "The Tree-man Elders are too stubborn, thinking that aligning with other races is too costly, believing our race can defeat the tree-men. Moreover, I’ve just sent back the message from the Tree-men Holy Land that in a few more years, when the Holy Land reopens, our tribe can quickly cultivate a large number of Legends or even multiple Demigods, and by then, we will not fear the giant insects."

Zhou Leng sighed, unexpectedly the Tree-man Race was holding onto old ways even at this critical juncture.

The conditions given by the human race and Demon Spirit Masters to the tree-men have always been generous, nearly equally beneficial without any inequity.

However, due to differences in culture and perception, many things humans and Demon Spirit Masters consider normal are unacceptable to tree-men.

Zhou Leng said, "Even if they haven’t formed an alliance, we’re still teammates. I won’t leave at such a time. Let’s move."

"Okay!" Vigorous Root said.

"I’m coming too," Cyan Flame said.

"Take me along," Silver Lake Moon said.

Silver Lake Wind’s face changed and he said, "No! Our elf race is already depleted, if any losses were to occur joining this battle, how could we face the ancestors? All elves are forbidden to join the battle and must go to the Tree-man Base. Lord Zhou Leng, please think about the future of the elves."

Zhou Leng pondered for a moment and said, "Silver Lake Moon, you don’t need to come, follow the elves to the Tree-man Base, and wait for my news."

"No, I have a Half-Divine Artifact, I can protect you, I’m not leaving," Silver Lake Moon stubbornly stuck her neck out.

"That is an order."

"I refuse the order," Silver Lake Moon’s tone was resolute.

"Are you certain you’ll disobey?" Zhou Leng’s gaze turned cold.

"For you, I am certain," Silver Lake Moon’s eyes were clear.

Zhou Leng gave Silver Lake Wind a look.

Silver Lake Wind took the cue, suddenly casting a spell.

Silver Lake Moon’s eyelids fell, about to fall asleep.

But in an instant, light shone around her, dispelling the spell, and Silver Lake Moon’s eyes widened, immediately understanding, looking at Zhou Leng, she smiled slightly.

In her clear eyes, the blue sky was reflected.

Silver Lake Wind said helplessly, "With the Platinum Robe present, we cannot do anything to her."

Zhou Leng said, "Oh, then start with those residual-bodied elves, kill them one by one until Silver Lake Moon agrees to leave."

Everyone was astonished, not expecting Zhou Leng to issue such an order.

Silver Lake Moon said calmly, "Go ahead and kill, even if you kill all the elves, it cannot shake my resolve."

Zhou Leng looked at Silver Lake Moon, and so did everyone else.

At this moment, everyone realized that she was no longer that ordinary Innate elf, but the Elf Saintess.

Zhou Leng had no choice either and looked at Silver Lake Wind and the other Grandmasters.

The other elf Grandmasters furrowed their brows, having not anticipated the situation spiraling out of control.

This Zhou Leng must have used despicable means, leading the well-being of the Elf Saintess to turn out like this.

Sneaky and cunning.