196: Elves and Dwarves

Three days later, Melissa took Ariya and left the Red River Fortress, heading north into the Black Mountain Range to search for their homeland, the Verdant Holy Land.

The three days of instruction greatly benefited Rein and Alistair, giving both of them a clearer understanding of the road ahead.

Alistair also successfully broke through to High Gold Rank, further increasing her strength.

Although Rein did not break through to Gold-rank Peak, his foundation became more stable, strengthening his underlying capabilities.

After Melissa took Ariya and left, Rein did not venture out again. He struck while the iron was hot, taking out the broken law crystal fragments to meditate and cultivate, continuously improving his strength.

During his trip to the Sub-plane, Rein obtained two complete law crystals as well as more than ten broken law crystals.

Rein's current strength was just right to use these broken law crystals to aid his cultivation and improve his power.

Although the effect of the law crystal fragments was far inferior to that of a complete law crystal, these fragments could be used one after another without quantity restrictions; as long as Rein had them, he could continuously use them to increase his strength.

The law crystal fragments were also Gold Rank Wondrous Items, offering remarkable effects. Coupled with the fact that Rein was in peak condition after just receiving Melissa's instruction, his strength increased rapidly through their combination.

Alistair did the same as Rein. Instead of mourning Melissa's departure, she immersed herself in cultivation, and her strength soared.

Rein and Alistair also exchanged insights from time to time. Both were geniuses among geniuses, possessing unique perspectives on cultivation.

Alistair cultivated a special secret technique of witches, inherited from the mysterious Legendary Witch Sylan.

The special profession and secret technique inheritance broadened Rein's horizons, and mutual verification provided him with many insights.

Just as Rein felt he was about to break through to Gold-rank Peak, Anatolis, whom he had been expecting, came knocking.

Looking at the middle-aged man in black, nearly two meters tall, with a cold and handsome face, Rein spoke with some uncertainty.

"You are, Senior Anatolis?"

The aura emanating from the man indicated he was Anatolis, but Rein had never seen Anatolis in human form before.

"How is it? This form isn't bad, right?"

Anatolis stepped forward to show Rein his new appearance. After breaking through to Legendary, he could now use Transformation Magic to change into human form.

"You successfully broke through?"

Rein reacted, feeling both nervous and excited inside.

"Yes, I succeeded, Rein kid!"

"I never thought I would see this day. Over the past two hundred years, I've seen too many geniuses stuck at Gold Peak, unable to cross that hurdle until they died of old age. I can't believe I actually crossed it."

Anatolis had successfully broken through yesterday, and only after stabilizing his strength and emotions did he rush to the Red River Fortress.

After the initial joy and excitement passed, Anatolis was left only with deep emotion. His former close friends and relatives had all fallen at this barrier, turning into dust.

Now, only he had survived and crossed that barrier which once seemed insurmountable.

Looking at Rein's familiar face, Anatolis recalled the brothers he had adventured with back then.

"Rein, my successful breakthrough was entirely thanks to your law crystal. Otherwise, I might never have crossed this threshold, even upon death."

"I said that once I succeeded in breaking through, I would always protect you and the Red River Territory. Now that I have succeeded, I will stay here with you indefinitely."

"Senior Anatolis, you are my Ancestor's brother and my Elder. With your protection, the Red River Territory will surely become even more prosperous."

With Anatolis present, Rein's confidence immediately solidified. The situation in the Red River Territory stabilized, and Rein's sense of security instantly rose by a level.

After Anatolis arrived and expressed his desire to reside permanently in the Red River Territory, Rein had a separate residence built for him in the eastern area of the Red River Fortress, according to Anatolis's request.

In the following days, Rein, Alistair, and Ross consulted Anatolis regarding several cultivation issues.

Kapdo could not improve further due to his curse, and his path of cultivation was completely severed, so he didn't need to listen to this. The remaining people, like Cecilia, were too low-level, not even reaching Gold Rank, and would not be able to comprehend the teachings. Currently, only Ross and Alistair were qualified to receive Anatolis's instruction.

Although Anatolis originated as a magical beast, the transcendent path for humans and magical beasts seeking to comprehend laws and break through to Legendary was not significantly different, so Anatolis's instruction was highly beneficial.

Attending the lectures alongside Rein and the other two were Reck and Anatolis's three Gold Rank Descendants.

Half a month later, Rein successfully broke through to Gold-rank Peak. The remaining few, including Reck and the others, also saw improvements.

Feeling that he had reached saturation point with Anatolis's teachings and needed time to slowly digest and absorb them, Rein stopped bothering Anatolis and returned to his own meditation and cultivation.

While Rein was deeply immersed in cultivation, major events were frequently occurring in the royal capital, Golden City, thousands of miles away.

Half a month ago, a team of elves emerged from the Endless Forest outside the southern border of the Kingdom of Asriel. This team claimed to be special envoys sent by the Silver Moon Queen of the Elven Kingdom, arriving to visit the Human Kingdom.

After receiving permission from the Golden King, the Elven Delegation traveled north all the way to Golden City.

The appearance of the Elven Delegation drew the attention of several Grand Dukes in the south and aroused the curiosity of the Golden Royal Family and the major nobles on the Golden Plains. Various rumors spread, making Golden City extremely lively for a time.

On the other hand, the constant appearance of spatial rifts and Plane Passages caused unrest in the four borders of the kingdom, and the frequent troop movements within the Golden Royal City also brought some turmoil to the long-peaceful Golden Plains.

Cultists and followers of the Demon God mobilized, attempting to muddy the waters. Ordinance Knights launched attacks everywhere, and small-scale battles occasionally erupted within Golden City.

Amidst this complex situation, the Declaration of Severance of Diplomatic Relations sent by the Eight Peaks Mountain Dwarf Kingdom arrived in Golden City and was placed on Golden King Bjorn's desk.

"Is His Majesty Barbos truly determined to do this?"

"Yes, Your Majesty Bjorn. Our King has made his decision. A dwarf's spoken word is like a hammered iron; it will never be taken back."

Although the Dwarf Special Envoy was only half the height of the nearby Golden Guards, his presence was extremely powerful, and the law aura occasionally appearing around him indicated that the dwarf before them was a Legendary Expert.

"The friendship between humans and dwarves began in Ancient Times and has lasted for more than ten thousand years. Why must His Majesty Barbos terminate this ancient friendship?"

Bjorn rubbed his brow. He did not want relations with the dwarves to end here. This was not just a matter of severing ties; once confirmed, the subsequent impact would be enormous.

Given the current situation, Bjorn truly did not want such an event to happen.

"Your Majesty, I must remind you that the friendship between dwarves and humans began tens of thousands of years ago, but due to the inherent greed and cunning nature of humans, relations have been severed multiple times, and there was even a period in history when humans and dwarves fought."

"Dwarves know who their friends are and who their enemies are. Among humans, there are heroes whom dwarves respect, and enemies whom dwarves despise."

"The friendship between Eight Peaks Mountain and the Kingdom of Asriel began with His Majesty Asriel. He was a hero respected by the dwarves. According to the original agreement, the friendship between Eight Peaks Mountain and Asriel existed only because of His Majesty Asriel."

"Now, His Majesty Asriel has been deceased for over a thousand years. According to the agreement, we could have severed ties with you a thousand years ago, but Our King merely could not bear to do so."

Despite the Dwarf Special Envoy's seemingly rough and savage appearance, he spoke eloquently, citing scriptures and making points that left Bjorn unable to refute him.