The Elven Cultivator

Eleanor passed through the arched doorway and stepped into the central hall.

Many people were already seated around the long table.

The three elders were seated on the right, speaking in low voices with a group of people across from them.

It was the delegation from the Jade Royal Court.

Eleanor’s gaze swept across them, and she quickly recognized a few familiar faces.

Kalefin, the Foreign Affairs Officer of the Jade Royal Court. He was the one who had led the delegation last time to sign the vassal agreement with the Silver Moon Clan.

Sitting beside him was Daniels.

The young elf who had once earned the title ”Star of Radiance” but had been defeated by Anton in a single move.

Compared to years ago, Daniels’s appearance hadn’t changed much, but his demeanor had become far more composed. However, a lingering gloom seemed to shroud his features.

Seeing his granddaughter arrive, the Great Elder called out for her to take a seat.

Eleanor first bowed slightly to the three elders, then walked to the right side of the long table and sat down in the empty seat next to the Third Elder.

Kalefin’s gaze fell upon her, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He recognized this Elf Maiden.

’If I recall correctly, she’s supposed to be one of the most outstanding figures of the Silver Moon Clan’s younger generation.’

’But no matter how outstanding she is, given her age and experience, she shouldn’t be qualified to attend a meeting of this level.’

The Great Elder noticed Kalefin’s gaze and, seeming to guess his confusion, explained with a smile, ”Eleanor is now Assistant to the Clan Leader. She is primarily responsible for assisting him with clan affairs.”

Assistant to the Clan Leader.

Realization dawned on Kalefin. ’That status is indeed sufficient to grant her a seat at this meeting.’

But the Third Elder’s next casual remark took him by surprise.

”Don’t let Eleanor’s youth fool you. She’s already at the Golden Tier.”

Kalefin’s gaze froze.

He reassessed the young Elf Maiden before him, an undisguised astonishment welling up inside him.

’The last time we met, she was clearly only at the Silver Tier.’

’She broke through that threshold in just over thirty years?’

’A Golden Tier at her age would be considered a remarkable genius even in the Jade Royal Court.’

’The Silver Moon Clan... they’re truly a wellspring of talent.’

Kalefin smiled and nodded at Eleanor while sighing inwardly.

’It’s no wonder the Silver Moon Clan could rise so quickly from a minor power, defeat Kresol Dragon City, and claim supremacy over the Eldron Plain, if they can cultivate a younger generation like this.’

Just then, the sound of steady footsteps came from the hall’s entrance.

Everyone turned in unison to see Anton striding in.

”Clan Leader.”

The three elders and Eleanor immediately rose and bowed slightly.

The members of the delegation also hurried to their feet, bowing to Anton in greeting.

Facing a Legendary Powerhouse, even as a delegation from the Jade Royal Court, they dared not show the slightest disrespect.

Especially since the one before them was no ordinary Legendary Powerhouse.

The name of the Fallen Dragon Sword Saint was now widely known across the Dawn Continent.

At Golden Peak, he had been able to contend head-on with a Legendary Giant Dragon, even heavily wounding it and forcing it to retreat.

On the very day of his ascension to the Legend rank, he had brazenly slain a Legendary Giant Dragon, proving his strength with irrefutable facts.

Not to mention, he had single-handedly taken the Silver Moon Clan from a small, isolated power to its current position, capable of influencing the entire region’s power dynamics.

Such a person naturally deserved respect.

Daniels followed behind Kalefin, also bowing his head in respect.

But his feelings were far more complicated than anyone else’s.

After his crushing defeat at Anton’s hands back then, he had not been truly convinced of his inferiority.

After returning to the Jade Royal Court, he had trained desperately, all for the sake of one day defeating Anton and washing away his shame.

But just when he had finally managed to break through to Upper Gold, he heard the news of Anton’s ascension to the Legend rank.

In that moment, it was as if Daniels had been plunged into an icy abyss.

All his efforts, his every obsession, had become a complete joke in the face of this news.

Even if he was the ”Star of Radiance” of the Jade Royal Court, a genius in the eyes of others, he couldn’t say for certain that he would ever ascend to the Legend rank.

And even if he could, it would be at least several hundred years from now.

But Anton had already stepped into that realm before he was even two hundred years old.

With such a vast disparity, he would never be able to catch up in this lifetime.

A storm of complex, indescribable emotions churned within Daniels.

He lifted his head and stole a glance at Anton.

The face from his memories was still young, but those eyes were even more profound than before, as if they held a depth he could not fathom.

Even though Anton made no move, simply standing there quietly, the restrained yet mountain-like pressure emanating from him still made Daniels’s breath catch in his throat.

It was a difference in their very level of existence.

The insurmountable chasm between Gold and Legend.

In that instant, the last trace of a desire to compare himself to Anton completely vanished from Daniels’s heart.

He lowered his head, no longer daring to look at the figure that made him feel so powerless, that involuntarily filled him with a sense of awe.

Anton paid no mind to Daniels’s inner turmoil whatsoever.

He walked to the head of the table and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the delegation as he got straight to the point.

”Lord Kalefin, what brings the Royal Court’s delegation here this time?”

Kalefin’s expression turned serious as he spoke solemnly, ”Anton Clan Leader, I have come on behalf of the Jade Royal Court to deliver a message to your esteemed Clan.”

”The Royal Court has reached a consensus with the Freedom Alliance, the Tide Hall, the Heart of the Mountains, and the Blood Roar Fortress. The five factions will form a joint army to attack the Dragon Court.”

At these words, all three elders were visibly moved.

They exchanged glances, and each could see the astonishment in the others’ eyes.

’Five major powers forming a joint army to attack the Dragon Court?’

’This is an unprecedented event!’

’If this news were to spread, the entire continent would likely be in an uproar.’

Kalefin continued, ”The Royal Court hopes that all vassal clans will join the joint army to crusade against the Dragon Court. To that end, a mobilization order has been issued. We have come this time in the hope that your esteemed Clan will answer the Royal Court’s call.”

Hearing this, the three elders frowned slightly, their minds racing.

When the Silver Moon Clan signed the vassal agreement with the Jade Royal Court, there was indeed a clause stating that they must answer the Royal Court’s call to war when necessary.

But both sides were well aware that such a clause was more a formality than a practical obligation.

A vassal clan couldn’t possibly agree to the Royal Court’s mobilization unconditionally and risk participating in a war.

Besides, one didn’t need to think hard to know how perilous this war between the joint army and the Dragon Court would be.

If the Clan were to get rashly involved, the slightest misstep could lead to heavy losses.

The Great Elder’s gaze darkened, and he shot a subtle glance at Anton.

Anton’s face was calm, his eyes deep and unreadable.

From the moment he learned of the delegation’s arrival, he had already guessed their purpose.

’Forming a joint army, mobilizing vassals... this is a move the Jade Royal Court was bound to make.’

’After this, the Jade Royal Court will also persuade other races on good terms with them to join the army, building up their own core force.’

”What are the specific terms of the mobilization?” Anton asked.

Kalefin quickly replied, ”All mobilized vassal clans are to gather near the Holy Dragon Mountain Range in the center of the continent over the next year. The Dragon Court’s Holy Dragon City is located there.”

”Once the joint army has fully assembled, it will launch an all-out assault on the Dragon Court.”

”All supplies consumed by the vassal clans during their march, as well as their provisions during the war, will be provided by the Royal Court.”

”Once Dragon City is conquered, vassal clans can also receive a corresponding share of the spoils based on their contributions in battle.”

The three elders nodded slightly.

’These terms are reasonable enough.’

’At least the Jade Royal Court isn’t treating the vassal clans as mere cannon fodder, but is offering them proper treatment and benefits.’

’The only problem is that the spoils can only be claimed after the war ends. Who can be sure the Jade Royal Court isn’t just making empty promises?’

Eleanor listened to Kalefin’s words, but her eyes never left Anton.

She didn’t care how generous the Royal Court’s terms were; she only cared about Anton’s decision.

Under the watchful and varied gazes of the crowd, Anton slowly began to speak.

”The Silver Moon Clan will not go to the front lines.”

Kalefin’s smile froze on his face.

Coming to his senses, he quickly said, ”Anton Clan Leader, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...”

Anton raised a hand, interrupting him. ”I’m not finished,” he said coolly.

”Although the Silver Moon Clan will not send troops to the front lines, we can provide support in other ways.”

Kalefin paused, then instinctively asked, ”What kind of support?”

”Resources,” Anton said. ”Potions, Scrolls, metals... The Silver Moon Clan can supply these things to the joint army at a price thirty percent below market value.”

Kalefin’s interest was piqued.

He was well aware that the potions, Scrolls, metals, and other goods produced by the Silver Moon Clan were best-sellers throughout the Eldron Plain and its surrounding regions.

On his way to the Silver Moon Forest, he had even made a point of purchasing a batch of these supplies in a town where they stopped to rest. After inspecting them, he had found their quality to be truly excellent.

The Jade Royal Court was vast and had deep reserves, but considering the scale of the coming war, the amount of resources consumed would be astronomical. ’If we could secure a stable channel for high-quality, low-cost goods... that might not be a bad alternative?’

Kalefin subtly observed Anton’s expression and saw an unyielding resolve in his face.

He sighed inwardly and said, ”I will convey Anton Clan Leader’s intentions to the Royal Court. If my superiors agree, I will contact your esteemed Clan again.”

Although he hadn’t fully achieved his objective, at least he wasn’t returning empty-handed.

The quality of the Silver Moon Clan’s potions and Scrolls far surpassed that of similar goods on the market—a fact that was universally acclaimed throughout the Eldron Plain.

If the joint army could secure a stable supply, the boost to their combat strength would be immediate.

’My superiors might just agree to this proposal.’

Anton nodded. ”Very well.”

The delegation did not stay long and soon took their leave.

Only the members of the Silver Moon Clan remained in the great hall.

The Great Elder was the first to speak, looking at Anton.

”Clan Leader, you refused the Royal Court’s mobilization. Is it because you’re worried about our clan members suffering heavy casualties in the war?”

Anton nodded slightly. ”The Dragon Race has dominated the Dawn Continent for nearly ten thousand years. Their foundation is far deeper than anyone can imagine. Even with many races united, it won’t be so easy to conquer the Dragon Court.”

”It is bound to be a protracted and bloody war with countless casualties.”

”Once we get involved, it will be impossible to extricate ourselves easily.”

”The Clan is currently in a period of rapid development. What we need is time and a stable environment. It’s not a time to take risks.”

”We can take advantage of the fact that all the major powers will be locked in fierce battle on the front lines to develop in peace. It won’t be too late to make our move when the war reaches a critical juncture.”