The Elven Cultivator

Silver Moon Forest, the Eternal Hall.

The three elders, Cedric, Elena, Darian... The leadership of the Silver Moon Clan was gathered around a long table, their expressions varied.

When footsteps sounded from outside the door, everyone turned in unison to see Anton, Romance, and Eleanor walk in. Anton was in the lead, with the other two slightly behind him.

Although the three of them were not yet adults, an important meeting was being held today, and as Wind Whisperers, they all had the right to be present.

Furthermore, one of the topics of this meeting was related to Anton.

”Have a seat.”

The Great Elder gave the three of them a gentle nod, gesturing toward the empty seats on the right side of the long table.

Anton noticed that many people were looking at him with a hint of amazement and curiosity. He knew exactly why, but his expression remained impassive as he gave a slight bow and took his seat.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the Great Elder cleared his throat and turned his gaze to Cedric.

The latter understood the cue, immediately rising to his feet to recount yesterday’s ambush.

”...Afterward, we interrogated the three humans. They claimed to be from the Flame Trade Association, responsible for transporting food to the Molten Spike Tribe and completing the delivery.”

”According to them, this was the Flame Trade Association’s first food shipment to the Molten Spike Tribe, but the two sides have already reached an agreement. From now on, the Association will provide food aid two to three times every year.”

”By a preliminary estimate, this food aid is enough to sustain three to four thousand Lizard-men for a year, which will significantly alleviate the Molten Spike Tribe’s food shortage.”

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present turned exceptionally grim.

The Silver Moon Clan conducted hunting expeditions not only to gather materials for Dragon Essence Potions, but also for a deeper strategic purpose. They aimed to disrupt the Molten Spike Tribe’s hunts, preventing them from gathering enough food for the winter and thereby reducing their population.

But just when their efforts were starting to pay off, the Molten Spike Tribe had established a connection with the Flame Trade Association and secured a stable source of food aid from them.

As a result, not only would the Molten Spike Tribe’s population not decline, but they might even use the opportunity to continue growing stronger.

For the Silver Moon Clan, this was clearly not good news.

”The Flame Trade Association is a core power in Bishui Port. How could they get involved with the Lizard-men?”

”Could it be that Bishui Port and the Molten Spike Tribe have formed an alliance?”

”Impossible. Over the years, the Molten Spike Tribe has attacked dozens upon dozens of merchant caravans. Merchants are the ones who hate the Lizard-men the most.”

”Then what is going on?”

The crowd broke into a flurry of discussion, but no one could make sense of it.

The whole affair felt strange through and through.

Only Anton’s gaze flickered as he seemed to be lost in thought.

The Great Elder noticed the change in his expression and asked in a serious tone, ”Anton, what do you think?”

The hall immediately fell silent as all eyes turned to the young figure.

Anton didn’t hide his thoughts, speaking calmly, ”The Molten Spike Tribe’s Lizard-men... their bloodline originates from the Radiant Ash Dragon, doesn’t it?”

Many people were taken aback, not understanding why Anton had suddenly brought this up.

Then, they subconsciously looked toward the three elders.

The Molten Spike Tribe had existed for seven or eight hundred years—such a long time that perhaps only the three elders, the oldest among them, could possibly know the origin of their bloodline.

”That’s correct,” the Second Elder nodded slightly. ”The bloodline of the Molten Spike Tribe is said to originate from the Radiant Ash Dragon of Kresol Dragon City.”

As he spoke, the Second Elder shot Anton a surprised glance, clearly puzzled as to how he knew this.

’I can’t exactly say I’ve read too many analytical posts about the Dragon Race and figured it out the moment I saw the Lizard-men during the practical combat assessment.’

He pretended not to see the Second Elder’s glance and continued speaking:

”The Flame Trade Association is rumored to be very close with the Dragon Race, and its president is Kresol Dragon City’s representative on the Bishui Council.”

At these words, everyone’s expressions changed as the realization hit them.

’The Molten Spike Tribe actually has dealings with Kresol Dragon City?’

This was undoubtedly worse news than the Flame Trade Association supplying food to the Molten Spike Tribe.

”I don’t think the situation is that dire,” Anton said, seeing what the others were thinking. ”The Dragon Race prides itself on its noble bloodline and has always looked down on races with mixed blood. They hold even lesser dragons in contempt, to say nothing of Lizard-men.”

”Kresol Dragon City would never deign to associate with the Molten Spike Tribe. I suspect that the one with secret ties to the Molten Spike Tribe is just some Dragon Race officer from Kresol Dragon City. It’s highly unlikely to be the will of Dragon City itself.”

The tense expressions on everyone’s faces eased slightly.

With Anton’s reminder, they, too, came to a realization.

Given Kresol Dragon City’s arrogant and domineering ways, if they wanted to support the Molten Spike Tribe, they could do so openly. There would be no need to secretly transport food through the Flame Trade Association.

It was most likely as Anton said: the Molten Spike Tribe’s backer was just some Dragon Race officer.

Kresol Dragon City was a great power, but if their opponent was just a single Dragon Race officer, they wouldn’t be overly intimidated.

”Regardless, we cannot simply stand by and watch the Flame Trade Association aid the Molten Spike Tribe,” the Second Elder said, his expression grave.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They all knew full well the consequences of allowing the Molten Spike Tribe to grow stronger.

The Great Elder immediately made his decision. ”The Forest Guard will watch the main routes from Bishui Port to the wastelands. Intercept any and all food transport teams from the Flame Trade Association.”

”Yes, Great Elder.”

Cedric and Elena replied in unison.

The Great Elder nodded slightly, then changed the subject, turning to Anton. ”The next item on the agenda... Anton.”

As the Great Elder finished speaking, all eyes turned to Anton, their gazes filled with a mix of curiosity, scrutiny, amazement, and anticipation.

They had clearly known that the second topic of discussion concerned Anton.

Facing their stares, Anton simply replied with a calm, ”Yes.”

The Great Elder spoke slowly, ”I hear you created a Micro-Light Level magic item for Romance?”

Anton glanced at Romance, who gave him a playful wink, and readily nodded. ”That’s right.”

Even though they already knew the news, hearing Anton admit it himself still caused a wave of stifled gasps to ripple through the hall.

Following his aptitude for potions, Anton had now revealed a breathtaking talent in the field of Alchemy as well.

To go from a beginner to being able to independently create a Micro-Light Level magic item in just two short years—his talent was nothing short of astonishing.

Among the Silver and Golden Tier Casters present, only a handful were capable of independently creating Micro-Light Level magic items.

”I’ve seen the magic item you created...” This time, it was the Third Elder who spoke. ”Was Frost Steel the main material?”

In truth, he was more curious about the Runes on the Frost-Vein Axe; they were different in many details from the common Runes he was familiar with.

But Runes were every Alchemist’s secret, and even as an elder, it would be inappropriate for him to pry.