Chapter 575 - 573: Elf Royal City and Pixies
"Are the Elf Royal Family all like that?"
Walking through the Elf Forest, Hilia glanced back at the polluted area that hadn’t reached this side yet and shook her head.
"Too arrogant, no wonder they got beaten by the Holy Court to the point where they only have a tiny piece of land left, not even comparable to the smallest human empire."
Since they don’t want her help, no matter how kind Hilia is, she wouldn’t bother to lend a hand.
If that Elf Elder came over for a look and then left without interfering with her actions, there’s a chance Hilia might continue the purification.
But since the other party specifically came, arrogantly instructing her to ’leave’ Elina, even using Gold Coins to bribe people, she had no choice but to leave.
Hilia took out a Gold Coin; it was the ’interest’ she collected while returning that bag of Gold Coins.
"100 Gold Coins are too much. If I took them, I wouldn’t be able to be friends with Elina, but taking one Gold Coin is fine."
Hilia tucked the Gold Coin away, humming a tune, strolling through the Elf Forest.
She hadn’t forgotten her goal for this trip.
However, before searching, she had one thing to do.
That Elf named Lana, she still felt somewhat fond of.
Hilia had asked Rose to leave a spirit mark on her, and now she was following the coordinates provided by the mark, planning to check on Lana’s situation.
"Given the situation at that time, if Lana is still struggling, she probably got affected by the pollution too, though not too severely. Of course, pain is still pain."
Those pollutants, once separated from life elements, actually had no significant effect on the body. Once life elements integrated into an elf’s body, they had completed the enhancement; the rest was fighting the pollution.
At first, the fight was fine, with the implication of training, but as the pollution invasion extended over time, the effects of training would rapidly diminish, replaced by a declining state.
After all, not everyone has Phil’s physique, which can use pollution to strengthen the body.
Others consuming pollution randomly would only deplete their bodies and might need several years of recovery if they’re not careful.
Just to be safe, Hilia decided to go have a look.
"Going by the coordinates, Lana seems to have been taken back to the Elf Royal City."
Hilia looked at the map displayed on her wristband.
"Might as well take a stroll in the Elf Royal City before the pollution ravages it." She hadn’t visited the elves’ cities during her time in the Elf Forest.
The Elf Royal City is the largest and most renowned city in the Elf Forest.
Rumor has it that the city is built entirely relying on the forest, especially the Royal Court, which is built directly on an immense tree.
Hilia had admired this for a long time.
Following the map, Hilia soon arrived outside the Elf Royal City.
It was nighttime by now, and the Elf Royal City was veiled in a faint green barrier, glowing softly and beautifully.
The trees around the city also emitted a gentle glow due to the dense natural and life elements.
It’s very beautiful.
Hilia looked towards the city entrance; it had already closed since it was nighttime.
"I’ll go tomorrow then, one day isn’t a problem."
Hilia thought, then came to the city outskirts, summoned her Magic Puppet, and started setting up a tent.
Outside the Elf Royal City, there were many treehouses and tents.
This place attracts not only foreign tourists but also native elves who long to enter, with countless elves wanting to go into the city all the time to seek blessings and opportunities.
"The Elf Forest is indeed beautiful, but it won’t be long, at most by tomorrow afternoon, before the pollution reaches this place."
Looking at the various glowing trees around, Hilia used the photo function on her wristband to capture them and save them within the device.
A silent night passed.
The next day, Hilia queued up to hand over the Gold Coin she took yesterday, smoothly entering the city—turns out, kickbacks are normal no matter where you are.
The city guards rely on this skill to make a living.
Upon entering the Elf Royal City, she was greeted by a dream-like scene.
Between the enormous trees, treehouses formed, seamlessly integrating with the trees.
There were many tiny little spirits flitting about, fluttering their wings between the treehouses.
These small spirits emitted a faint glow, resembling fireflies, adding a unique color to the Elf Royal City.
"It’s indeed very beautiful."
Rose chuckled, "But it won’t be long before it’s covered by pollution."
Hilia looked at the small spirits flying around in the sky and curiously asked, "Rose, are these small spirits the same species as elves?"
Rose shook his head, "Of course not. These small spirits are tree spirits, a unique species born from the elves’ Holy Tree, an elemental creature, only found around the Holy Tree."
"Is the Holy Tree the one at the Elf Royal Court?"
"Yes, it used to be. Not sure if it still is now."
Rose didn’t give a definite answer.
After all, with so much time passed, who knows what’s changed with the elves.
"I guess it probably still is..."
Hilia wasn’t sure either.
Watching the carefree spirits, Hilia worriedly thought about the incoming pollution that would soon ravage this place, "Will the pollution kill these small spirits?"
Rose smiled slightly, "That’s not so easy. Elemental creatures are naturally resistant to demonic qi pollution. It’s not easy for it to invade their bodies. At worst, they can retreat to the Holy Tree and hide under its canopy; they’ll be mostly fine."
"What happens if a small spirit unfortunately gets polluted?" Hilia asked.
Rose thought for a moment and said, "There’s no saving them; they’ll die immediately."
"Is it that severe?"
"Yes, when elemental creatures are invaded by other energies, it disrupts their structure, much like having their DNA destroyed, leading to a painful death."
"What’s DNA?"
"It’s something you don’t understand."
Hilia: "..."
Seeing Rose didn’t intend to explain further, Hilia obediently fell silent.
She sensed for a moment, then looked towards the direction of the Elf Royal Court.
"Lana seems to be in the Elf Royal Court, just perfect for going over to have a look."
Passing through the magnificent Elf Royal City, watching various elves and individuals of other races of differing heights and sizes coming and going.
The Elf Royal City is open to tourists, people from other race empires can enter and enjoy once they receive permission.
It’s said that outsiders were once banned from entering until later when the elves’ decline, coupled with fiscal difficulties, prompted them to open up.
A very practical reason for opening up.
But it’s very effective.
Admiring as she went, Hilia slowly arrived beneath the Elf Royal Court and looked at the enormous Holy Tree before her.
"Now the question is, how to get inside."
Hilia fell into contemplation.