The Elven Cultivator

Nine Nether City.

In a spacious square in the northern part of the city.

This place was originally a training ground for the Mind Flayers’ servant armies, but it had since been converted into a flat, open space.

Tall pillars stood at the four corners, their tops inlaid with Light Source Stones that emitted a soft yet bright glow.

Two to three hundred figures were gathered in the square.

They were either standing or sitting, their gazes occasionally sweeping over their surroundings, their expressions filled with unconcealed amazement and curiosity.

Unlike the slender, tall figures of the Elves, these individuals had more varied physiques.

To the west was a group of the Ghost Scale Race.

They had slender frames and skin covered in fine, dark blue scales. On either side of their necks were three long gill slits that opened and closed faintly with each breath.

To the east were the Catmen.

Their figures were similar to humans, with most standing between 1.6 and 1.8 meters tall. Their builds were long, slender, and agile.

Their pupils were vertical amber slits that glowed faintly in the dark, and a pair of pointed, short-furred ears stood erect on their heads.

The Catmen had little fur; only their forearms and lower legs were covered in fine, grayish-brown short hair. The rest of their skin was exposed, tanned to a light brown as if from repeated exposure to the sun.

They were all elites selected from their two races, destined to join the exploration teams of the Dark Nether Realm.

Not long after entering the city, they received news that the upper echelons of the Silver Moon Race wanted to meet them, so they had rushed here immediately.

”Yue Hen.”

Tide Stone walked over to the Catmen, his gaze landing on the slender and agile female Catman at the head of the group.

She was the Clan Leader of this Catman group and also the best hunter in her clan.

Considering that this operation concerned the future fate of their clans, the leaders of both the Ghost Scale Race and the Catman Race had decided to lead their teams personally.

During their time in the camp at the edge of the Silver Moon Forest, the two clan leaders had communicated frequently due to their similar circumstances and had grown quite familiar with each other.

Yue Hen withdrew her gaze from her surroundings and nodded at Tide Stone, her face still showing a hint of surprise.

”Somehow, this place doesn’t seem like the Dark Nether Realm I’ve heard about.”

Tide Stone said, ”That’s because the Silver Moon Race has transformed the surrounding area, making it almost identical to the surface world. The real Dark Nether Realm is far darker, damper, and more terrifying than what you see now.”

Yue Hen’s expression grew thoughtful.

She didn’t doubt Tide Stone’s words.

After all, his ancestors had once spent a long time in the Dark Nether Realm.

He was bound to know more about the conditions in the Dark Nether Realm than she did.

”To be honest, I was completely shocked when I first arrived here too.”

Tide Stone glanced around, his gaze lingering for a moment on the walls covered in runes, the neat flagstone ground, and the distant buildings of various but orderly styles. ”It’s hard to imagine the Silver Moon Race could build such a city in the Dark Nether Realm,” he murmured in awe. ”It’s incredible.”

Yue Hen couldn’t agree more.

Setting aside everything else, the concentration of elemental energy here alone was enough to astound her.

She had once had the good fortune to enter the Silver Moon Forest and was amazed by the absurdly high concentration of elemental energy there. She never expected to find a place with an even higher concentration now.

’For any other power, possessing just one such stronghold would be impressive enough.’

’Yet the Silver Moon Race has two!’

’And it’s highly likely they even have three!’

She had heard that Kresol Dragon City on the Eldron Plain had also fallen into the hands of the Silver Moon Race.

And as everyone knew, the locations of Dragon Cities were often also the locations of Earth Vein Nodes.

The thought made Yue Hen even more amazed.

It also gave her a deeper appreciation for the immense power of the Silver Moon Race.

Meanwhile, Tide Stone’s attention was drawn to a squad of Elf soldiers passing in the distance.

The Elves wore standard-issue leather armor, its surface shimmering with a faint glow.

The long swords hanging at their waists also had runes glimmering on their hilts.

Even the shortbows on their backs had their bodies intricately carved with fine patterns.

”Everyone is equipped with Micro-Light Level Magic Equipment—and more than one piece, at that. The Silver Moon Race really has money to burn.”

Tide Stone’s voice was tinged with undeniable envy.

He’d heard that all soldiers of the Silver Moon Legion had this standard equipment.

’How many resources would it take to build an army like this?’

”It’s not just the equipment.” Yue Hen’s eyes were much sharper than Tide Stone’s. ”Look at the leather pouches on their waists. They’re filled with the legendary Talismans.”

”It’s said their effects are no worse than Magic Scrolls.”

”I heard from an Elf before that every soldier in the Silver Moon Legion carries more than ten Talismans on them.”

Hearing this, Tide Stone couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Although Talismans were cheaper than Magic Scrolls, they weren’t something one could afford to use casually.

Clans like theirs would only buy a few to save their lives when on a mission, and they’d feel the sting for days after using them.

But in the Silver Moon Legion, Talismans were standard-issue supplies for soldiers, to be used as needed.

The only thing he could conclude was that the Silver Moon Race’s true depth of power was beyond his imagination.

”Yue Hen, do you think the Silver Moon Race can truly accept us?” Tide Stone asked suddenly.

Yue Hen glanced at him but didn’t speak.

Tide Stone chose his words carefully and continued, ”You know how it is. Elves are very proud and have never liked interacting with other races. I once met Elves from the Jade Royal Court, and when they looked at other races, they couldn’t hide the deep-seated sense of superiority in their bones.”

”I’m just afraid that after joining the Silver Moon Race, my clan will be treated harshly.”