222: Chapter 221 Goodbye Wen Ning!

A straight, wide main road, broad enough for ten carriages to pass side-by-side, stretched forward.

On both sides were tall buildings of various shapes.

The outer walls of the buildings were covered with vibrant green vines, blooming with exotic flowers and herbs that never withered throughout the seasons.

On the streets, residents of the Elf Clan came and went, most with peaceful and pleasant expressions on their faces.

Figures of other races could also be seen in the city, mostly dressed as merchants or adventurers.

Clearly, this was an open and prosperous center of trade and culture.

After walking for about twenty minutes, the group stopped in front of an exceptionally magnificent complex of buildings.

The complex was built against the mountain, rising in tiers.

The main palace utilized a large amount of pure white and life-symbolizing emerald green tones.

The roof was covered with glittering glazed tiles, with upturned eaves and painted rafters.

Yet, it was adorned with countless naturally growing spiritual flowers and immortal vines; within its solemnity was a touch of nimbleness, and within its luxury lay nature.

The main gate was several dozen feet high, carved from a single piece of jade that emitted a warm white light.

Above it hung a massive plaque, with three powerful characters written on it:

Xiguang Palace.

This was Anya's royal palace in the Eternal Song Star Realm, the core of her rule and residence.

The group passed through the palace gates, guarded by two squads of elite elven guards, and entered the palace.

Anya did not lead them deep into the palace's interior but stopped at a spacious reception area in the front hall.

She then summoned an elven female official dressed in magnificent palace attire, with a dignified and elegant temperament.

"Jian Lu."

Anya instructed, "These are my distinguished guests from the human race.

You are responsible for arranging their accommodations; ensure they are thorough and comfortable.

In addition, assign a guide familiar with Xiguang City and the palace to each guest to help them get acquainted with the environment and answer any questions."

The female official named Jian Lu bowed respectfully: "As you command, Your Highness."

Anya nodded, then said to Dean Su Zhiming: "Dean Su, please come with me; there are some matters I need to discuss with you."

With the Hidden Dragon Assembly approaching, it involved multi-party coordination, intelligence exchange, and specific strategic arrangements.

She needed to have in-depth communication with Su Zhiming, the representative of the human race.

"Alright," Su Zhiming replied.

Accompanied by several high-ranking elven officials, the two then walked toward the depths of the palace.

Watching Anya and Dean Su leave, the female official turned around.

With a gentle smile on her face, she spoke softly to the group of Human Prodigies:

"Friends of the human race, you've had a long journey.

I am Jian Lu, the Internal Affairs Official of Xiguang Palace.

Next, I will arrange accommodations and other matters for everyone.

Please follow me."

Under the guidance of the official Jian Lu.

The group passed through one carved archway after another, walking through corridors paved with smooth stone slabs and planted with exotic flowers and herbs on both sides.

The internal structure of Xiguang Palace was even more magnificent and complex than it appeared from the outside, with deep courtyards and many halls.

At every turn, one might encounter small gardens of vastly different styles or exquisite fountain sculptures.

"This palace... is really big enough."

Many students marveled inwardly.

They had been walking for a considerable time, yet they still hadn't reached their destination.

Just as everyone was passing through a quiet corridor.

On the left, the heavy doors of a side hall, with vines and stars carved on the lintel, were gently pushed open from the inside.

A slender figure stepped out slowly.

The newcomer wore a well-fitted, moon-white knee-length dress.

The style was simple, yet it accentuated her graceful figure and ethereal temperament.

The woman had just stepped out of the room, her head slightly lowered, her smooth, shoulder-length black hair falling naturally.

Seeming to sense the movement in the corridor, she looked up.

Qin Yan's gaze happened to meet hers, and his footsteps involuntarily paused for a moment.

It was an extremely clear and gentle face.

Her skin was fair and lustrous, her features delicate, her eyebrows like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn ripples, and her nose bridge straight and elegant.

Her expression was calm with an imperceptible touch of tranquility and focus, as if all the clamor of the outside world had nothing to do with her.

Many people present knew this person; the one who appeared was Wen Ning.

Wen Ning clearly hadn't expected to encounter her human compatriots here.

A flicker of surprise first crossed her clear eyes, followed by a hint of daze, as if fragments of memory were instantly triggered.

But she quickly regained her composure.

Her gaze fell on Qin Yan, and a faint but genuine smile naturally spread across her lips.

She didn't stay where she was but took the initiative to walk toward the group with a composed manner.

The guiding official Jian Lu clearly recognized Wen Ning.

She stopped first, a friendly smile appearing on her face: "Miss Wen Ning."

"Sister Jian Lu."

Wen Ning also responded softly, her voice gentle and pleasant.

Her gaze then moved past Jian Lu and landed on Qin Yan.

Those clear eyes curved slightly, and her voice sounded soft yet clear:

"Qin Yan, long time no see."

Among this group, she and Qin Yan were old acquaintances who had truly interacted, perhaps even having some degree of friendship.

Although their interactions weren't particularly deep.

But in a foreign land, especially after experiencing so many changes, seeing an old acquaintance from home who left a good impression brought an instinctive sense of closeness.

Qin Yan also took a step forward, a sincere smile appearing on his face.

He replied: "Wen Ning, long time no see. I'm really happy to see you looking so well."

Looking at the Wen Ning before him, whose temperament had changed greatly as if she had been reborn, he felt quite moved.

The girl who once had a deathly pale face and hollow eyes outside Anya's office.

Now, she radiated a calm and resilient glow from the inside out.

What he noticed even more was Jian Lu's attitude toward Wen Ning, which carried obvious familiarity and friendliness.

Clearly, Wen Ning was doing well in this elven palace.

After a simple exchange of greetings, Wen Ning did not leave.

Instead, she naturally walked to the side of the group and walked alongside Qin Yan, continuing forward with Jian Lu.

With an extra quiet figure in the group, the atmosphere didn't seem to change because of it.

The corridor was silent, with only the faint sound of footsteps echoing.

Qin Yan hesitated for a moment before asking: "Wen Ning, will you be participating in this Hidden Dragon Assembly?"

He remembered that Wen Ning had actively requested to participate, even using it as a condition to leave the human world.

Hearing this, Wen Ning gently shook her head and smoothed a strand of black hair that had been blown to her cheek by the breeze, her movements natural and elegant.

With a faint smile still on her lips, she replied calmly: "I'm not participating.

I'm not participating. My current strength is still a step away from the third grade mid-stage.

Participating in the Hidden Dragon Assembly probably wouldn't play any decisive role."

"Only one step away from third grade mid-stage?"

Qin Yan was truly a bit surprised this time and couldn't help but repeat her words.