Besides the various multi-block structures, Levi also saw two familiar items in the crafting table.
Dwarven wind crossbow and black arrow.
The former only required crafting various components to assemble, while the latter needed some relatively complex forging processes and a certain amount of experience to cast.
Moreover, the black arrow came with a loyalty attribute, which perfectly matched the rumors about it. No matter where it was thrown, it would always return to its owner's hand.
Additionally, it had special effectiveness against dragon-type creatures and came with armor-piercing penetration.
The items unlocked from the Lonely Mountain were quite numerous. Levi also spotted something that made his heart race: gears.
This item could replace some redstone functions, achieving a certain degree of automation.
For instance, many dwarven gates actually used related technology, like the secret passage where Smaug died. Just pulling a switch could raise that heavy iron gate seven or eight meters high.
It seemed that after returning this time, many facilities in his territory could be updated.
"Found it!"
Near the cellar, Levi heard a familiar voice.
Bilbo. He was the first to find the Arkenstone and handed it to Thorin. Thorin's gaze immediately stuck to it, somewhat impatiently snatching the glowing, exquisite gem from Bilbo's hands and staring at it intently:
"Ah... the Heart of the Mountain, the Arkenstone, so beautiful..."
"My precious..."
The king murmured, and that word 'precious' made Bilbo's breath catch. A dark shadow flashed through his mind, making him somewhat breathless.
Thud!
At Dol Guldur, a massive eye phantom on an abandoned tower suddenly looked north.
"I sense it... its presence!"
"Go, bring it back to me!"
Sauron summoned the Nine Nazgûl, giving them orders.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
The massive eye turned around to see three figures slowly ascending from the steps, approaching the tower.
Lord of Rivendell, Elrond, Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadriel, White Wizard of Isengard, Saruman.
The three just standing there made Sauron feel an enormous threat, his pupil shaking constantly.
"What scum dares come here?"
Before Sauron could say anything, an orc captain below led a group of soldiers to surround them first.
"If you do not wish to be destroyed, withdraw yourselves."
Galadriel issued her warning.
"Hahaha! Then let me see who will be killed!"
With a great roar, the orc captain charged forward first.
Galadriel gently raised her hand.
Boom!
Powerful force waves spread outward, shaking the very sky. This power was so immense that even the thick, dark clouds overhead were affected, rippling with circles of light.
The charging orc captain, along with the group of soldiers behind him, was instantly crushed to powder by some massive force, scattered on the ground without even their armor remaining.
Lady Galadriel never exaggerated her words. When she said destroy, she meant literal destruction.
No one cared about the orcs' fate.
The Nine Nazgûl manifested from the void, entangling with the three intruders. Various dark magic and mental attack methods were deployed, but all were neutralized one by one, never causing effective damage.
Soon, the Nazgûl's forms were shattered, and they returned to Sauron's side to revive again.
"You cannot defeat me!"
Sauron released his full power. Darkness immediately shrouded all of Dol Guldur, tightly enveloping everyone within. Pressure hit them head-on. Even Radagast, waiting outside was affected, startled by the commotion and feeling fear from his very core.
However, the one with the greatest emotional fluctuation had to be Saruman. He stared wide-eyed, feeling this unmatchable power, unable to calm his heart.
"That is exactly what I desire..."
Darkness overwhelmed all light, making everything appear dim and colorless.
However, soon another light rose from Galadriel's body, even momentarily overshadowing her own radiance, making her appear sacred and cold.
That was the starlight belonging to Eärendil's star, its source coming from a Silmaril.
The light of the Silmaril was a natural nemesis to darkness. Sauron's power was immediately suppressed, unable to exert his full strength.
This battle ended with Sauron's defeat. He was forced back to his stronghold, Middle-earth's shadow-covered land: Mordor.
For a long time, he would be unable to step outside that place.
Unaware of its true master's weakness, the Ring continued to tempt the hobbit who carried it.
"Hey, Bilbo, I brought milk. Would you like a cup?"
"Thank you, Levi. I am a bit thirsty."
Glug, glug, glug.
Bilbo didn't suspect anything and took the milk poured into the cup, drinking it down with a satisfied sound.
"I feel much better, quite refreshed. Phew, it seems milk is indeed very nutritious. Maybe I should consider drinking a cup every day."
"Good that you feel refreshed."
Levi nodded, looking at this resilient hobbit, then suddenly said: "After this, could you please visit my territory?"
"I have some experiments and ideas that need your assistance. Don't worry, it won't hurt you. Just some very simple things."
"I understand. I'll go. Being a guest at your territory would be wonderful."
"I'd be delighted." Bilbo readily agreed, not caring what experiments Levi mentioned.
The hobbit didn't consider any negative possibilities.
"Thorin, it's time to find reinforcements."
After finishing his conversation with Bilbo, Levi turned around. One sentence interrupted Thorin, who was still immersed in the Arkenstone's radiance, pulling him back to reality.
Thorin paused, then immediately nodded.
"Good."
A moment later, at the main gate of the Lonely Mountain, a pitch-black bird with some spots on its belly spread its wings from Thorin's hand and flew toward the Iron Hills.
"Thrush."
Seeing Levi's curiosity, Balin stepped forward to explain: "That's a long-lived creature with some magic that can understand our language. The dwarves who once lived in Erebor domesticated some, specifically for message delivery."
"The one that just flew away should have lived for hundreds of years. Older than me."
Balin stroked his white beard, lamenting the passage of time.
"Hundreds of years... we've finally set foot on this land again, returned to our homeland."
"It's just..."
He looked at Thorin by the wall, who hadn't let go of the Arkenstone from beginning to end, worry evident in his eyes.
"I hope we won't walk the same old path."
"Don't worry, you won't."
"I hope so."
"I hope so too."
Levi put on his elytra and said to Balin: "You prepare here first. I have some matters to attend to and must leave briefly. I'll return soon."
With that, Levi suddenly jumped onto the wall, gazing at the land outside and stretching his muscles.
"The stairs are over there," Balin helpfully reminded.
"I know."
Whoosh!
Levi jumped down, causing a chorus of exclamations as the dwarves hurried to the wall's edge to look down.
Swoosh!
The next moment, as a firework ignition sound rang out, the group of dwarves looked up in unison, watching Levi gliding in the sky with amazement.
"Are those wings? I want to try too." Bombur stared at the rapidly departing figure without blinking.
Bofur, standing nearby and always considerate, looked at Bombur's equally wide and tall physique with an indescribable expression.
"No, for your safety, better not."