285: Chapter 285 Greed!

Seeing this, Su Liuli was not embarrassed; she simply shrugged indifferently.

To her, it was just a casual attempt—what if the other party agreed in a moment of impulsiveness?

Even if it didn't work out, it was just a waste of breath, with no loss incurred.

The two said no more and walked together toward the depths of the square, where the entrance to the inner region of Qinglin Mansion lay.

As expected, a soft yet indestructible emerald-green light screen blocked the way ahead like ripples on water.

Complex elven runes flowed across the light screen, emitting ripples that rejected any aura not belonging to the Elf Clan.

Qin Yan tried to approach, and the light screen immediately generated a gentle yet powerful repulsive force, pushing him away.

"As I thought, I can't enter."

Qin Yan was not discouraged; his main goal for this trip—the holy grail of life—was already in hand. The Elf Clan inheritance in the inner layer had nothing to do with him, and there was no point in forcing it.

The two returned to the center of the square.

As if sensing that the challengers had completed the trial, the ground of the square lit up again with a soft bluish-green light.

It formed a complex teleportation array, enveloping Qin Yan and Su Liuli within it.

With a flash of green light, their figures turned into two streaks of light and vanished from inside Qinglin Mansion in an instant.

...

Outside Qinglin Mansion.

At this moment, dozens of Elf Prodigies had gathered here.

Most of them looked disappointed and frustrated.

Some even sat despondently on the stone steps at the edge of the square or leaned against the exquisitely carved pillars.

Although everyone knew how rare the holy grail of life was before entering.

The "Hundred Kill Array" and the legendary guardian projection were by no means easy to deal with; the probability of passing was perhaps less than one in a hundred.

But the taste of actually being eliminated still made their hearts heavy.

"Big Brother Morning Star,"

a young elf said to a tall elf beside him who had a steady temperament and wore silver-leaf light armor. "It seems that the holy grail of life can only be hoped for by those monsters who possess the True King bloodline."

Another elf nearby chimed in, still lingering with fear, "Yeah, that 'Hundred Kill Array' was too terrifying!"

"Those Elven Warrior phantoms cooperated seamlessly, and then there was that white-robed mage's control over the array..."

"I didn't even survive the first wave of the charge."

The tall elf known as Morning Star also had a somber expression at this moment.

He—Morning Star—was a top expert ranked eighteenth on the heavenly pride ranking!

Even within the star-studded Elf Clan, he was a dazzling star.

He had indeed relied on his great strength and rich combat experience to successfully pass the first trial, the "Hundred Kill Array."

But in the second trial...

all his attacks appeared pale and weak before those arrows containing the natural Dao rhythm, and he ultimately suffered a narrow defeat at the second arrow.

Hearing his companions' discussion, Morning Star nodded slowly, acknowledging the reality. "The trials left by the Master of Qinglin Mansion are indeed extraordinary."

"Perhaps, just as you said, only the most elite bloodlines and opportunities can..."

Just then—

*Buzz!*

At the entrance of Qinglin Mansion, a green pillar of light soared into the sky!

All the Elf Prodigies looked up at the same time, their gazes focusing.

Within the pillar of light, two figures slowly appeared.

A man and a woman.

The man wore elven robes and held an ancient long spear; his figure was as upright as a pine tree, his face cold, and his eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

The woman was dressed in white, her appearance incomparably beautiful, and she held a blood-colored whip in her hand.

They were none other than Qin Yan and Su Liuli.

And what caught everyone's attention the most was that in the man's hand—he was actually holding a blue-and-green grail that emitted a majestic force of vitality!

"The... the holy grail of life!"

An Elf Prodigy cried out in shock, his voice trembling.

This cry was like a thunderclap, exploding across the silent square!

"What?!"

"The holy grail has been taken?!"

"And it was taken by a human?!"

"How is this possible?!"

Cries of surprise and doubt rose one after another.

Morning Star's emerald pupils were locked onto the holy grail in Qin Yan's hand.

Even from dozens of yards away, he could clearly feel it—his own bloodline was boiling, cheering, and longing!

That was the instinctive attraction of the holy grail of life to the Elf Clan bloodline!

There was absolutely no mistake!

"Go!"

Morning Star hardly hesitated; with a low shout, his figure shot out like lightning!

The Elf Prodigies around him were stunned at first, but seeing him already in motion and seeing that the holy grail was indeed right before their eyes, greed, desire... all sorts of emotions instantly overwhelmed their reason.

"Stop them!"

"The holy grail is a sacred object of our Elf Clan; how can we allow an outsider to touch it!"

"Hand over the holy grail!"

Dozens of Elf Prodigies closed in from all directions.

In the blink of an eye, they surrounded Qin Yan and Su Liuli's position so tightly that not even a drop of water could leak through.

The sound of weapons being unsheathed and bowstrings being tightened instantly broke the silence of the square.

Killing intent spread out like a cold tide.

Qin Yan's expression was calm as his gaze swept around.

He didn't recognize any of them; none were elves belonging to the territories under Anya's command.

Su Liuli was equally indifferent, but the blood-colored whip in her hand quivered slightly, and a very faint blood mist loomed around her.

Morning Star stopped ten yards in front of Qin Yan. His gaze first fixed intently on the holy grail of life for a long while before slowly moving up to rest on Qin Yan's face.

He tried to keep his voice calm, but the trembling and urgency within it were hard to completely hide. "My friend... could you let me have a look at the item in your hand?"

It was a very polite opening, but anyone could hear the underlying threat.

Qin Yan spoke indifferently, "And if I say no?"

Morning Star's gaze instantly turned cold.

If he were the only one here, he would indeed have considered it carefully.

After all, someone who could pass the Qinglin Mansion trials and obtain the holy grail of life must possess extremely terrifying strength; he would definitely be no match.

But at this moment, he had dozens of Elf Prodigies behind him!

Although most were only at the Third-Rank Peak, many ants can kill an elephant, and these "ants" were not weak.

More importantly—the opportunity was right before him!

As long as he could take the holy grail of life back and present it to Her Majesty the Empress, he would surely receive unimaginable rewards!

He might even have the chance to be bestowed with the royal family's supreme cultivation technique, the "Ode to Eternal Life," making it not impossible for him to soar to greatness from then on!

Greed overwhelmed reason.

"I'm afraid... that's not up to you!"

"Attack!"

With his command, the dozens of Elf Prodigies around them shouted in unison.

They surged from all directions toward Qin Yan and Su Liuli, who were surrounded in the center!

Sword light, blade glows, arrows... the colorful attacks wove into a destructive net of light, instantly submerging the two!

"Seeking death!"

A cold light suddenly flared in Qin Yan's eyes.

Facing this overwhelming siege, he took a step forward of his own accord!

The Ink-Marked Spear in his hand emitted a clear and passionate vibrating cry.

Qin Yan twisted his waist, his arms exploding with astonishing power as his long spear drew a majestic half-moon-shaped golden light!

(Happy New Year, everyone~)

(Another year older~)