52: Dragon Ridge Mountain, guarding the elves, and the Elf Forest, gathering its core, blocking the dark crystals.

The wind of Dragon Ridge Mountain was wrapped in pale gold Dragon Breath. Lin Chen tucked the third origin level core crystal core into his Storage Pouch, the warmth of the dragon-shaped crystal core still lingering on his fingertips.

"Only the Elf Clan Branch's crystal core is left. Once all five are collected, we can open the Transcendence Level entrance." Lin Chen spread out the map, his finger pointing to the Elf Forest marker in the southeast.

Clear Snow handed over a piece of Stone Honey Cake and helped Nian Xue wipe the crumbs from the corner of her mouth. "The aura of the Elf Forest is very pure, but the Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan might have set an ambush there."

One of the newly added Dragon Clan Branch Dragon Guards stepped forward, his voice booming, "Rest assured, My Lord, we are familiar with aerial combat and can help scout the way!"

A Qing carried Nian Xue on her back, and her Little Dragon Breath puffed even higher. "Little sister, are these Elves like the ones before? Do they have big brothers who can shoot arrows?"

Nian Xue nodded, her small hand clutching a Crystal-made Little Rabbit. "Yes! Their arrows glow and can even shoot down stars!"

As the team set off, the Dragon Clan Branch Clan Chief hurried over and handed them a pouch of 'Dragon Breath Pills.' "These pills can temporarily boost the power of Dragon Breath. Let the Dragon Guards eat them if you encounter danger!"

Lin Chen took the pouch and cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Clan Chief. We will bring word as soon as we obtain the crystal core."

The team advanced toward the southeast. The Dragon Guards spread their dragon wings to keep watch from the sky. On the ground, the terrain shifted from rock to grassland, and scattered trees began to appear—they were getting closer and closer to the Elf Forest.

The Star Spirit Clan Leader held up a crystal, its light suddenly flashing urgently. "There is a large presence of Dark Crystal Clan aura thirty miles ahead. At least fifty people, and their leader is at Legendary Rank Perfection!"

Lin Chen's Divine Thought swept forward, and he indeed sensed a dense concentration of dark crystal energy. They had surrounded the entrance to the Elf Forest and set up a 'Dark Crystal Trapping Array,' intending to wait for the Elves to come out before attacking.

"Those fellows want to snatch the last crystal core!" Anger flashed in Clear Snow's eyes as the Ice and Snow Law condensed into an ice blade in her palm. "We'll attack from three directions. The Dragon Guards will strike from the air, we'll charge from the front, and the Wood Spirit and Stone Spirit Clans will flank from behind!"

Lin Chen nodded and gave the order to the Dragon Guards: "You guys fire your Dragon Breath first to break the array eyes, and we'll take the Opportunity to rush in!"

The Dragon Guards shouted in unison and spread their dragon wings to fly into the sky. Golden Dragon Breath rained down like a storm onto the Dark Crystal Pillars of the trapping array—the array eyes were those five pillars glowing with purple light.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Dark Crystal Pillars shattered, and the purple light of the trapping array dissipated. Seeing this, the Remnants of the Dark Crystal Clan inside raised their weapons and rushed out. Their leader wore Dark Crystal Armor, his aura reaching Legendary Rank Perfection, and he held a dark purple bead—a fragment of a dark crystal core!

"It's you again! Ruining my great plans!" the leader roared. He raised the bead to activate the dark crystal energy, but Lin Chen teleported behind him and slammed the Anti-Heavenly Dao Rule into his back.

Crack!

The Dark Crystal Armor shattered, and the leader spat out a mouthful of dark crystal blood. He turned to counterattack, but Clear Snow's Ice and Snow Blade had already pierced his limbs, and the Dragon Guards' Dragon Breath blasted into his core simultaneously.

The leader let out a miserable scream as his body disintegrated into crystal fragments, leaving behind only a Legendary Rank Perfection crystal core and a dark crystal core fragment. Lin Chen picked up the fragment and activated Sublimation—it instantly transformed into pure Origin and merged into his body, raising his Origin concentration from 38% to 42%.

Seeing their leader killed, the other Dark Crystal Clan members tried to flee, but they were blocked by Wood Spirit vines and Stone Spirit shields. Metal Clan laser cannons and Elf Clan arrows fired together, and within moments, they were all wiped out, yielding fifty Legendary Rank crystal cores.

"Thank you, Lord Lin Chen!" At the entrance of the Elf Forest, the Elf Clan Branch Clan Chief rushed out with her people. She wore a green-patterned robe, and her aura was at Legendary Rank Late Stage. "The Dark Crystal Clan had us trapped for two days. It's a blessing you arrived!"

Lin Chen nodded. "We are here to obtain the Elf Clan Branch's core crystal core. Once we have all five, we can open the entrance to the Transcendence Level World."

The Clan Chief agreed immediately and led the team toward the 'Elf Tree' at the center of the Elf Forest. A pale green core crystal core floated on the tree, radiating a dense life Origin—it was indeed the core crystal core of the Elf Clan Branch.

"This crystal core can nourish plants and trees, and after Sublimation, it can even purify dark crystal energy." The Clan Chief handed the crystal core to Lin Chen. "You helped us out of our predicament, so this crystal core is yours!"

Lin Chen took the crystal core and activated Sublimation—the first time turned it to Legendary Rank, and the second reached origin level. The green patterns on the crystal core's surface lit up, and the aura of life grew ten times stronger. He put the crystal core into his Storage Pouch; finally, all five clan core crystal cores were collected!

After absorbing the residual energy of the crystal cores, Lin Chen's Origin concentration rose from 42% to 45%, and his aura after Diamond Mid-Stage became more solid. Clear Snow went from 93% to 96%, and her Ice and Snow Law could now purify dark crystal Origin. Nian Xue went from 10% (Middle of Diamond Mid-Stage) to 15% (Middle of Diamond Mid-Stage), and her Void Power could cover a range of five zhang. After A Qing broke through to Legendary Rank Early Stage, her dragon scales shimmered with gold.

The Elf Clan Branch prepared a Spirit Fruit Banquet. Nian Xue had a great time playing with the Elf children. She gave the Crystal-made Little Rabbit to a little elf in a green dress. "This is for you. Let's be friends!"

The little elf took the rabbit and gave her a glowing Elf Flower in return. "This flower can guide the way so you won't get lost!"

Lin Chen and the clan leaders discussed matters under the Elf Tree. The Star Spirit Clan Leader held up his crystal. "The entrance to the Transcendence Level World requires the energy of all five crystal cores to be injected simultaneously to open. The location is above the Ancient God Altar in the center of the Legendary Level World."

The Dragon Clan Branch Dragon Guard Leader nodded. "After we return, we will gather the experts from all clans to go to the Ancient God Altar together to ensure no one interferes when the entrance is opened."

Lin Chen nodded. "Good. We set out for the Ancient God Altar first thing tomorrow morning to open the Transcendence Level World entrance!"

That night, the team rested in the Elf Forest. The nightingales of the Elf Clan sang lullabies. Nian Xue leaned in Lin Chen's arms, her little eyes gradually closing, still clutching that Elf Flower in her hand.

Clear Snow helped tuck her in and said softly, "Husband, we've finally collected all the crystal cores. We'll be able to go to the Transcendence Level World soon."

Lin Chen took her hand and looked out the window at the Elf Tree. "Yes. There is a wider world there with greater opportunities. We will become stronger and protect more people."

The next morning, the team assembled. The Elf Clan Branch sent five Legendary Rank archers to accompany them. The warriors of the Wood Spirit, Stone Spirit, and Dragon Clan Branch were all ready as well.

"Depart! To the Ancient God Altar!" At Lin Chen's command, the team marched toward the central Ancient God Altar in the morning light.

The Dragon Guards kept watch in the sky. Nian Xue sat on A Qing's dragon back, waving the Elf Flower, her little face full of anticipation. "Daddy, are there flying fish in the Transcendence Level World?"

"Maybe, and there might be talking stars and dancing clouds," Lin Chen said with a smile, his Divine Thought sweeping toward the Ancient God Altar. The Origin aura there was growing denser, and the five crystal cores in his Storage Pouch were heating up slightly, as if responding to the call of the entrance.

The figures of the team gradually disappeared at the edge of the Elf Forest. The branches and leaves of the Elf Tree swayed gently, as if waving goodbye. The journey in the Legendary Level World was about to end, and the gates to the Transcendence Level World were waiting ahead.