72: Chapter 72 Su Wan's Territory!

He scanned the ranks with a calm gaze, occasionally whispering details to the adjutant beside him to ensure everything was foolproof.

In the distance, the faint clamor and footsteps of a large army setting out could be heard; that was Lin Yan and Commander Lin Yu leading the remaining thirty thousand troops, pouring out of the city gates like a torrent to begin another day of sweeping and training in the areas surrounding the territory.

Lin Tian nodded in satisfaction, inwardly praising Lin Feng's efficiency and strictness in managing the army.

He stepped forward to speak briefly with Lin Feng, concisely informing him of the upcoming trip to the territory of their ally, Lord Su Wan, for a "Secret Realm Challenge."

Upon hearing this, there was little ripple on Lin Feng's resolute face; he merely nodded steadily and replied concisely: "Understood. I will ensure the safety of you, Lord, and Commander Lin Yin."

In his heart, he had already automatically classified this operation as an important diplomatic and military mission with heavy responsibilities.

After giving his instructions, Lin Tian turned around to face the two thousand elite soldiers standing silently before him.

He cleared his throat; his voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone present, carrying his usual convincing composure and a hint of humor:

"The place we are going is the territory of another Lord, who is also our new ally."

Lin Tian continued in a relaxed tone, "As for what we are doing there? Well, you can understand it as going to a special 'training ground' to clear a challenge. It's a bit dangerous, but they say it won't kill anyone, and there are rewards for winning. It's a good opportunity to broaden your horizons and practice your skills."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the four phalanxes: "The rules are simple: Do you see the teleportation gate appearing beside me? When it lights up in a moment, you will enter in your current groups, from the first to the fourth phalanx, five hundred people at a time. Maintain your formation and do not break ranks."

"Understood! Lord!" two thousand people roared in unison, a truly impressive sight.

"Good!" Lin Tian clapped his hands, "Check your equipment and stand by. As soon as the gate lights up, we depart immediately!"

Once the order was given, the soldiers immediately began their final quick check of their weapons, armor, and rations. Their movements were skillful and agile; apart from the faint sounds of metal rubbing and leather tightening, there was no other noise.

Lin Tian walked back to Commander Lin Yin's side. In the morning light, her moon-white holy robe was spotless, and her long hair was tied up, revealing the graceful lines of her neck; her profile appeared exceptionally exquisite under the light.

However, her clear eyes were slightly lowered at this moment, gazing at a spot on the ground, with her long eyelashes casting a small shadow on her eyelids, as if she were lost in some thought.

The fingers holding her moonlight longbow unconsciously and gently rubbed against the bow body.

"What's wrong?" Lin Tian asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, filled with concern, "Are you still thinking about last night? Or are you worried about the Secret Realm?"

He assumed she was nervous about the unknown challenge, or perhaps still bothered by that terrifying roar from last night.

Upon hearing this, Commander Lin Yin quickly raised her eyes, concealing the complex emotions that flashed across them, and offered Lin Tian a faint but perfect smile:

"No, Brother Tian. I'm fine, I'm just... adjusting my state."

Her voice was steady and soft, with no hint of abnormality. However, when her gaze swept over Lin Tian's smiling face, it softened unconsciously, though a hard-to-detect firmness was hidden deep within, as if she had made some kind of resolution.

She turned slightly and, seemingly casually, straightened Lin Tian's collar, which was not actually messy; her movements were natural but carried a hint of imperceptible intimacy and... a meticulousness that felt possessive.

Then, she stepped back half a pace, re-gripped her bow, and stood solemnly, her gaze fixed on the spot where the teleportation gate was about to appear. She was like a fully drawn bowstring, entering an optimal state for battle, though her straight back and slightly tightened lips revealed that her heart was not entirely calm.

She silently recited in her heart: "No matter who that Lord Su Wan is or what her purpose is, this time, I must stay by your side, Brother Tian. Your safety, everything about you, will be protected by me."

As Lin Tian confirmed the "Teleportation" request to Lord Su Wan on the ally interface, almost instantly, the status changed from "Waiting" to "Accepted."

Immediately after, on the open square in front of Lin Tian, the space rippled visibly, like the surface of a pond into which a pebble had been thrown.

Countless dense, soft, yet space-rule-infused milky-white light particles precipitated and gathered from the void, emitting a low, melodious hum, quickly outlining and filling in a huge circular teleportation array with a diameter of over twenty meters, featuring a complex and mysterious structure.

The array rotated steadily, its light gentle rather than blinding, yet it exuded a reassuring, stable aura belonging to a high-level contract.

The milky-white teleportation array rotated steadily, emitting a low, melodious hum, like an undercurrent surging beneath a calm lake, tugging at the heartstrings of every nature elf present.

In the center of that beautiful territory, gently shrouded in natural spiritual light, where exotic flowers and spiritual herbs grew luxuriantly and exquisite treehouses were hidden among the trees, an identical milky-white teleportation array was slowly rotating and solidifying in synchronization.

Around the array, over five hundred nature elves with delicate features, lithe figures, pointed ears, and emerald eyes were nervously watching this portal of light that was about to connect two worlds.

Most of them held wooden staves or spirit-wood short bows containing vitality, and wore armor ingeniously woven from vines and flowers, their faces filled with anxiety about the unknown.

The leading nature elf, Aelia, could not help but step forward, her emerald eyes filled with worry, and whispered to Lord Su Wan who stood before her:

"Lord, really... won't there be a problem? Just letting a completely strange army step into our Moonlight Grove... What if there is a loophole in the contract, or if they..."

Her gaze swept over her compatriots who, although spiritually gifted, were clearly not adept at combat, and her worry deepened.

Lord Su Wan stood before the array, dressed in a pale green long dress adorned with star-leaf patterns; the morning light passed through the treetops, casting mottled light and shadows upon her.

She could feel her palms, clasped in front of her, turning slightly white from the force, with fine beads of sweat seeping out; the damp sensation reminded her of the tension inside her.

But as Lord, she was the backbone of these five hundred nature elves. She forced herself to unclench her hands, let them hang naturally by her sides, took a deep breath of the crisp, moist air of the forest, and turned to face her people.

Her gaze was clear and firm, and her voice was like a clear spring flowing through a mountain stream, clearly reaching the ears of every nature elf, striving to dispel their unease: "Sisters, Aelia, please do not be overly worried."

Her tone carried a convincing steadiness, "The equal alliance contract I signed with the incoming Lord Lin Tian is witnessed and protected by the supreme rules of the Eternal Continent. During the period when the contract is effective, neither side can actively cause harm to the other; this is an iron law written into the underlying rules of the world, and there are absolutely no loopholes."