344: Chapter 344 *cough cough*

She had shed some of the majesty she displayed at the camp earlier, changing into a more casual light green elven robe.

Her silver-white hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, looking less like courtly splendor and more like quiet, scholarly elegance.

Her slender fingers gently slid across the pages of a heavy ancient tome floating before her.

The pages turned automatically according to her will, making a faint rustling sound.

The warm light reflected off her perfect profile, and her entire being exuded a unique temperament—tranquil, elegant, and immersed in knowledge and contemplation.

She seemed like a completely different person from the Great Grandmaster who had radiated the brilliance of life just moments ago, yet the two personas were strangely harmonious.

The moment Qin Yan and the others stepped into the palace, Anya seemed to have already sensed them.

She didn't look up immediately, but unhurriedly smoothed the page she was reading before raising her deep emerald eyes to look at everyone.

“No need for formalities, sit down and speak.”

Her voice was calm and soothing, like a clear spring flowing over jade.

With a gentle wave of her fair hand, five prayer mats woven from a fragrant spiritual grass appeared silently on the floor in front of them.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The group thanked her in unison and sat on the prayer mats as instructed.

As soon as Qin Yan sat down, he felt a cool, gentle yet soul-piercing current surge from the mat into his body, instantly reaching every limb and bone.

His mind became exceptionally clear, and his thinking speed seemed to quicken by several degrees.

“This prayer mat... actually has such an effect! It can clarify the spirit and assist in enlightenment!”

Qin Yan once again gained a more direct understanding of Anya's immense wealth.

Once everyone was settled, Lady-in-waiting Jian Lu took a step forward, her gaze sweeping over the five prodigies as she spoke solemnly: “Prodigies, if I may ask, did any of you have the fortune of reaching the ‘Jade Court’ ruins during your time at Canglin Ancient Peak?”

The question went straight to the heart of the matter.

Qin Yan thought to himself, “As expected.”

The focus of this summons was indeed this.

His expression remained calm, and he nodded in affirmation almost simultaneously with Su Liuli and Xue Ye.

The other two male Elf Prodigies exchanged glances, their faces showing a hint of regret and helplessness as they shook their heads.

It wasn't that they didn't want to go, but rather due to luck; they had been deployed to the edge of the Northern World, extremely far from the Jade Court.

There simply wasn't enough time.

Jian Lu nodded, knowing that this was also a matter of fate.

Her gaze then focused on Qin Yan and the other two who had nodded, lingering on Xue Ye for a moment with a look of encouragement and inquiry.

Xue Ye took a deep breath and spoke first, his voice heavy with self-reproach: “Your Highness, your subordinate... has failed your trust.”

“I did reach the outer areas of the Jade Court, but...”

He paused, his tone strained, “When I reached Qinglin Mansion, I discovered that the holy grail of life had already been taken by an unknown prodigy.”

As Xue Ye's words fell, the entire elven palace instantly fell into a dead silence.

The air seemed to freeze, with only the faint sound of light elves flapping their wings and the soft rustle of book pages turning on their own.

Whether it was Jian Lu or the two Elf Prodigies, their expressions instantly became extremely grave, and a flash of undeniable anxiety even crossed their faces.

The holy grail of life was by no means an ordinary treasure.

It was not only an ancient relic of great power but also a vessel that legend said contained the life force of the First Empress of the Elf Clan—the supreme being who had founded the glorious era of the elves and possessed world-shaking power!

For the Elf Clan, its significance far exceeded that of a powerful spirit weapon or a precious inheritance.

Especially for the princesses aspiring to compete for the elven throne, whoever could recover and control the holy grail of life would gain an immeasurable advantage in terms of legitimacy, prestige, and practical support.

This was why Her Highness Anya placed such importance on it, specifically summoning the prodigies who might know its whereabouts.

Anya's fingers, which had been steadily turning the pages, paused for an imperceptible moment.

A ripple appeared in her emerald eyes, but it was immediately masked by a deeper calm.

She didn't speak immediately, but the speed at which the ancient book's pages turned quietly increased slightly, showing that her heart was not as calm as her surface suggested.

Lady-in-waiting Jian Lu, standing to the side, looked even more anxious.

She knew this matter was of the utmost importance.

If the holy grail of life had merely fallen into the hands of another race, they wouldn't be able to utilize its true effects, and there might be a chance to redeem or reclaim it in the future.

But if it unfortunately fell into the hands of other elven royal competitors, the consequences would be entirely different.

The opponent could not only use the holy grail of life to enhance their own strength and prestige but could also use it to gain more support within the clan!

The silence in the palace continued, the pressure silently permeating the air.

“Ahem.”

Just then, a slight cough broke the silence.

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on the source of the sound—Qin Yan.

Anya raised her eyes and spoke softly, her voice betraying little emotion: “Qin Yan, you seem to have something to say?”

Thoughts raced through the minds of the others as well.

Qin Yan had also been to the Jade Court; could it be that he held some key information that Xue Ye didn't know?

For instance, had he witnessed the true face of the person who took the holy grail? Or discovered other clues?

Only Su Liuli, sitting not far from Qin Yan, had the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.

Qin Yan's gaze calmly swept over the other prodigies present, especially the two Elf Prodigies, and then he looked back at Anya without speaking immediately.

Anya, being so intelligent, immediately understood Qin Yan's concerns.

She gave a slight nod and instructed: “Jian Lu, take these prodigies to the side hall to rest and have some refreshments first.”

Jian Lu's heart skipped a beat as she realized that the news Qin Yan was about to share might be of extraordinary importance, perhaps even directly related to the whereabouts of the holy grail of life!

She didn't dare delay and quickly replied: “Yes, Your Highness.”

Then, she turned to the other four prodigies and made a polite but firm guiding gesture: “Everyone, please follow me.”

Su Liuli winked at Qin Yan and was the first to stand up, following Jian Lu out.

Although Xue Ye and the two Elf Prodigies were full of questions, they could only suppress their curiosity, bow, and follow Jian Lu out of the main hall.

The heavy hall doors, carved with natural patterns, were gently closed.

Soon, only Anya and Qin Yan remained in the vast and quiet elven palace.

The flowing brilliance, the dancing light elves, and the faint scent of books and vegetation created an extremely private and peaceful space.

Anya gently closed the ancient book floating before her, letting it turn into a speck of green light and vanish into her sleeve.

She leaned forward slightly, her hands folded on her lap, and her emerald eyes, capable of seeing through people's hearts, looked intently at Qin Yan. She spoke gently and directly: “Alright, Qin Yan. Now there is only you and me. You can speak freely. What news have you brought?”