28: Elves are shocked! Something is wrong with this human city

Following behind Bai Xiao, the Elves, including Liora, had complex feelings.

They were noble Elves, once the rulers of the Adlan Continent. Even though they were now in decline, they had never imagined being so easily suppressed by a human in human territory, unable to even conjure a thought of resistance.

This man named Bai Xiao had unfathomable strength, at least peak sixth-tier, and possibly even higher!

What shocked them even more was the aura emanating from him—pure, refined, with a sharpness that seemed to… sever souls. This was unlike any power system they knew.

When did such a figure appear among humans? And what kind of person would the “Lord” he spoke of be? Could they be the ones who caused the anomaly in the world book?

Passing through a clearly cleared forest, they even saw some hidden warning traps and markers along the way, which further confirmed to the Elves that Bai Xiao’s location was by no means an ordinary human settlement.

And when they finally emerged from the edge of the forest and saw the city rising in the distance.

Even with the extensive knowledge gained from the Elf’s long lifespan, they couldn't help but collectively hold their breath.

That was a… city!

The city walls were towering, primarily constructed from massive dark-grey flagstones, their surface gleaming with a faint energetic luster, clearly indicating some form of enchantment.

On the city walls, a menacing arrow tower stood at regular intervals, with arrowheads glinting coldly at their tops.

Further within, a particularly striking building was entirely covered in white frost, emitting a visible chill—this was the Frozen Arrow Tower.

The city gate was not a simple wooden one, but a heavy metal casting, inscribed with runes they couldn't understand but could feel contained some unknown power.

The height and thickness of the city walls, as well as the density of the defensive works, exceeded their understanding of human engineering capabilities!

“This… is this a human city?” Fael couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, his tone full of disbelief. The human settlements in his memory, at best, had a two or three-meter high wooden fence; how could there be a fortified city of this scale?

Ayla’s emerald eyes were also filled with shock: “The energy fluctuations on the city walls… at least tier-three or higher enchanted reinforcement! And those arrow towers… that Frost Arrow Tower gives me a very dangerous feeling!”

Liora said nothing, just silently gazed at the city before her, a storm raging in her heart.

She had originally thought that the so-called human survivors were merely struggling to survive in the cracks between the Goblins, weaklings who needed the Elves’ “charity.”

But everything before her completely overturned her perception. The strength displayed on the surface of this city already far exceeded her imagination. If all humans were this strong, what kind of waves could the Goblins make?

Bai Xiao paid no attention to the Elves’ shock behind him, leading the group through the tall, heavy gates of Infinite City.

The moment they stepped inside Infinite City, Liora and the Elves’ pace involuntarily slowed.

The broad and clean streets, though simply paved with flagstones, were meticulously planned.

People flowed through the streets, and on either side were rows of buildings. In the distance, there seemed to be a dedicated training ground, and the faint shouts of soldiers drilling could be heard.

People came and went on the streets, wearing simple linen clothes. While not luxurious, their mental state was completely different from the numb, emaciated humans Liora remembered.

Their eyes held light, their steps were steady, and their faces carried a sense of… peace. There were even some half-grown children playing on the street, who, upon seeing the Elves’ peculiar pointed ears and attire, merely cast curious glances, showing no fear.

“The people here… seem to be doing well,” Ayla said softly, her voice complex. She saw a makeshift stall by the roadside where a woman was exchanging wild vegetables and a few pieces of dried meat for some hand-woven straw sandals, a satisfied smile on her face.

“More than just well,” Fael’s voice was a little dry, “Their mental state is even better than our kin on the outskirts of Twilight Forest, who worry about Goblin attacks all day long…”

Without a word, Bai Xiao led them to the front of the Lord’s Manor.

...

Inside the council hall, there was a long wooden table, a few chairs, and a simply drawn map hanging on the wall, with different colored markers indicating various areas.

At the head of the table, a young man was looking down at a document.

Hearing the sound, he looked up, his gaze calmly directed at the Elf group.

This young man appeared to be around twenty, with black hair and eyes, and a face that wasn't exceptionally handsome, but his eyes were deep, carrying a composure that belied his age.

He didn't possess the sharp, oppressive aura of Bai Xiao, yet he exuded a natural air of authority that couldn't be ignored.

“Welcome to Infinite City, Elves from Twilight Forest,” Su Jin’s voice was calm.

Liora composed herself, trying to keep her tone steady, “Hello, human Lord. I am Liora, the captain of this small team.”

She paused, her emerald eyes directly meeting Su Jin’s, “We came to investigate an anomaly and have no intention of offending your territory.”

“Anomaly?” Su Jin’s lips curled into a meaningful smile, “Are you referring to the source that triggered your ‘Star-Whisper Page’?”

Liora’s pupils suddenly constricted!

How did he know about the “Star-Whisper Page”? This was an Elf secret!

Liora’s heart was shaken, but she forced herself to remain calm: “How did you know, Your Excellency?”

“No need to be nervous,” Su Jin smiled, his gaze sweeping over them, “From the moment you stepped into Nigu Forest, you were already under Infinite City’s surveillance.”

Liora instantly felt her cheeks flush, not from anger, but from humiliation. Their supposedly secret actions had been completely exposed under the other party’s nose the entire time? This was no longer simple surveillance, but almost mockery.

Since things had come to this, further concealment was meaningless.

Liora composed herself, trying to maintain her Elf demeanor: “The ‘Star-Whisper Page’ is indeed a tracking tool made by our tribe using a fragment of the world book through secret methods. Our purpose on this trip is precisely to pursue the ‘variable’ that caused the anomaly in the world book.”

“Oh, it seems you Elves are quite concerned about this,” Su Jin’s tone shifted, “I heard that fifteen years ago, you were badly beaten by the Goblins and could only cower in Twilight Forest, barely surviving?”

Liora’s expression changed slightly. She hadn't expected Su Jin to so directly expose the Elves’ pain. This made her feel a hint of annoyance.

“The Lord exaggerates,” Liora’s tone was a bit stiff, “The Elves are merely recuperating temporarily, accumulating strength, and awaiting the opportunity for a counterattack.”

“Counterattack?” Su Jin’s lips curved upwards slightly, “You’ve waited fifteen years and still haven’t found the opportunity? If you wait any longer, I’m afraid Twilight Forest will become the Goblins’ backyard.”

Fael, beside her, couldn't help but retort angrily: “Human! Mind your words! The strength of the Elves is not something you… ”

“Fael!” Liora sharply reprimanded her companion for his outburst, then turned to Su Jin, taking a deep breath and trying to suppress her displeasure, “The Lord seems to be very knowledgeable about the continental situation. May I ask what advice you have?” She wanted to figure out Su Jin’s background and intentions.

Su Jin looked at her with interest; the Elves’ reaction was more amusing than he had expected. “No advice to give. I just want to remind you all that times have changed. If Goblins could defeat Elves fifteen years ago, they might be able to exterminate Elves fifteen years later. And humans will also be different.”

Su Jin pointed to Infinite City’s location on the map, “You’ve seen this city. I built it into its current state in less than a month. Give me more time… perhaps I can bring some ‘variables’ to this continent.”

Liora’s heart trembled; she heard the confidence and ambition in Su Jin’s words. This human Lord seemed unwilling to accept the status quo; he wanted to change something?

“What does the Lord want to do?” Liora couldn't help but ask.

Su Jin didn't answer directly, but instead got up and walked to the window, gazing into the distance.

“Three days from now, Infinite City will face a monster siege. It won’t be large-scale, but it will allow you Elf friends to witness what humans are like now.”

He turned around and looked at Liora, “If you are willing, you can stay and observe. Perhaps it could offer some… reference for your upcoming ‘counterattack’?”

Monster siege? Liora paused slightly, what was that?

“Monster siege…” Liora pondered for a moment, then looked at her companions behind her, exchanging glances. Kalandir nodded slightly; while Ayla and Fael were somewhat hesitant, they didn’t object.

“Since the Lord graciously invites, then we shall impose for a few days,” Liora looked up, her gaze becoming sharp again, “We also very much want to witness what kind of ‘power’ a territory that can command a strong individual like Lord Bai Xiao possesses. I presume it will not disappoint us.”

Su Jin smiled; he liked the Elves’ pride, and the… hint of wavering and curiosity hidden beneath that pride.

“Of course, it won’t disappoint you. Bai Xiao, take our Elf friends to arrange their accommodations and treat them well.”