It felt like flying. Xuan was standing on the green leaf with Li Feng on it as they kept floating forward.
The early clouds had suddenly begun to separate by the golden sunlight from the sky, glimmering on the forest and making it look beautiful.
The elf kingdom was far due to how Xuan had estimated the time they used, but finally, as they reached a very big, wide tree, the leaf stopped and gradually descended to the ground.
Finally landing them perfectly on the floor, the leaf just faded as if burnt off.
A guard walked towards the big tree with a black paintbrush. He drew some strange, unfamiliar patterns and stepped aside. All the while, Xuan had his eyes on the guard.
Precisely because of that precious paintbrush, as the pattern started glowing, a few cracks straight from the top of the tree appeared.
Slowly cracking down until it reached the tree's branch, maybe it was because Xuan was seeing this for the first time.
Because when the tree divided itself in two, a blinding light escaped from it, and Xuan was the only person who blocked his eyes.
"Well, Xuan, welcome to my country."
"Damn." His mouth dropped.
The tree was the gate to a vast community. This place could contain millions of people, if not even higher than that.
As they walked in, Xuan kept marveling at the sight of the civilization.
The country of elves was second to the Harem Empire. A few above Martial Realm Stage 05 could be seen using flying swords as speedy transport movements.
-[Author's Note: Due to some personal reasons and power scaling, Spirit Combustion now has TEN stages, 1–10, and Martial Realm Stage is now TEN as well, no longer six stages. I'll try correcting it in the earlier chapters mentioned. This is for those already past them. Thanks.]
"Magnificent" was the word that fell off Xuan's lips. Li Feng, who was by his side, now stood in front, waving her hands.
"Xuan? Aren't you coming?"
It was now Xuan stopped admiring the country. There was a black and white horse prepared for him and the queen.
This part was just the lowest quarters of the elf country.
"Follow this white road and you'll be heading towards my palace. The black is for my people's hometowns. I only allow high-status cultivators to live on the palace roads."
Li Feng explained to Xuan why there were two different-colored roads, black and white. The guards behind and in front of them were currently escorting them through the palace roads.
Some of the flowers and trees lined at the sides of the road were oddly familiar. Xuan picked up their scents as one of those used in producing dual medicines, some.
And after a few rides, he confirmed it. The people he saw walking on this side of the road were very noble; their robes were not faded like his.
Those were expensive robes, unlike his black robe. Before mounting the black horse, Xuan made sure his medicine bag was with him, just hanging at the side of the horse.
"So tell me, what do you think?" asked Li Feng, riding beside Xuan.
"Honestly, I feel like the emperor. Makes me only want to make it permanent," Xuan replied with a gentle smile, forming a fist.
"Well, together I am pretty sure no one can stand against us, but—" Li Feng clicked her tongue and added,
"I know you're strong, but to me, you're still pretty weak. I mean, you just broke through to Spirit Combustion Stage 8. I need a man of at least Divine Combustion Stage 7."
Xuan was shocked. He stared at his palm in disbelief. That cultivation with Li Yan nearly took him past an entire generation of stages.
From Stage One to Eight. "Incredible," Xuan muttered. Elves were truly unrivaled when it came to cultivation, which was why most top cultivators were from this race.
But they were so stingy and would rather cultivate with themselves than share their progress with other races.
And his breakthrough was even this high with someone as weak as Li Yan, Martial Realm Stage 4. Imagine what happens cultivating with her sister Li Feng, Divine Combustion Stage 03.
Xuan was filled with joy.
"With my taboo technique combined with yours, I can make it up to Stage 05."
"Wait, what? You have a taboo technique?" asked Xuan, now recalling her earlier at the caves, saying something about combining their techniques.
"Of course," she giggled. "The fifth pillar of taboo cultivation techniques. Why do you think I surpassed my elder sister so quickly and took over the elf country as its queen?" Li Feng giggled again.
It only made Xuan see her as a monster—no, like him. No wonder he was here in the elf country.
It all made sense. Combining two taboo techniques, Li Feng was breaking the long sacred rule of the elf race: no cultivating with humans.
Just so she could gain more overwhelming power. Damn, this was a replica of Xuan. Because normally, elves and humans were currently on bad terms.
For humans taking advantage of their elf women, it wouldn't be surprising if Li Feng needed all that power to crush the human race.
"You know I have enemies even in my country," said Li Feng, her voice collectively calm. She sighed while facing the furs of the white horse.
"Some of the elder council are even plotting to overthrow me, but they don't know this is my country, and I set the rules here." She formed her fist.
They were already getting closer to the white, golden-made palace, and she was staring at it with a serious gaze.
"So, Xuan, knowing you're here to help me, do know these enemies of mine could kill you."
"And you're telling me now that we've already reached the palace? How sweet."
"Yes, Xuan. None of the strong elves would accept cultivating with me, as it would risk me getting stronger, and they've killed the potential human cultivators I've brought. Some I found dead sleeping beside me."
As if referring to the white-bearded elders standing at the stairwell, Xuan felt his hair stand from the way they were looking at him. He was getting better at reading stages.
And he could feel they were at least Divine Combustion Stage 01 or Final Martial Realm Stage—that's even if they're the assassins.
Only one word fell off his lips.
"Fuck."