After receiving guidance from an experienced elf, one basically had to rely on personal, arduous cultivation from then on.
The light around them was dim.
Between the extending branches of the Eternal Tree, scattered areas absorbed the spiritual energy of the Tree of Life, glowing with a deep blue radiance.
This light, set against the various luminescent flowers and plants surrounding them, created a dazzlingly beautiful scene.
It was beautiful, stunning.
That's why Lian had asked, "How's the view?"
"Pretty," Célia replied perfunctorily.
While the scenery was nice, she had come here practically twenty times a month for years; she was long tired of it...
Compared to the view, hearing the chaotic clashing of swords and staffs and thinking about cultivation gave her a bit of a headache.
But now, she probably didn't need to worry about that anymore, right?
After all…
She had found a husband. A powerful husband…
Who could provide for her.
If he didn't abandon her, she just needed to… bear his children, and, well, fulfill wifely duties…
And she would be protected forever.
Perhaps the true intention behind that contract a few days ago, which bound her as his wife, lay right here.
Not only to strengthen the ties between the clan and Lian, but also so that she would no longer be seen merely as a breeding tool, but could truly exist in the role of a wife.
Although even now, Célia still wasn't very accustomed to this identity.
"Huh?"
A golden-haired elf girl, her hair tied in short twin-tails, noticed Lian's figure as she sat cooling off under a large tree.
"Is that… Sir Lian?"
She didn't need to point it out.
The other elves in the vicinity also turned their gazes towards Lian one after another.
As he passed by a female elf, she lowered her head coolly and greeted him, "Sir Lian."
For thousands of years, the population of this clan had never exceeded one thousand.
Due to the relentless hunting by humans, their numbers were gradually decreasing.
Precisely because of this, elf reproduction had become exceptionally difficult.
Even without relying on the Eternal Tree, if elves reproduced amongst themselves within the clan, successfully conceiving and bringing up a new life within fifty years was considered extremely fortunate.
This resulted in vast age differences among the elves in the clan.
The community was not lacking in ancient elves who had lived for over a thousand years. Although they still maintained a youthful appearance, their temperaments were worlds apart from the young; the difference was apparent at a glance.
Just like the female elf before him.
She had lived within the clan for at least two thousand years, at the very leas.
She had experienced many tragic events; her family and friends had been captured one by one or killed during invasions.
Even if one's surroundings were perpetually perfect, one's original colorful personality, emotions, and hobbies would inevitably be worn away by the endless flow of time.
Of course, her state would be much better than it is now.
She was among the oldest generation of elves in the clan, usually very wooden and silent.
She didn't really have any particularly close friends or family left.
If human slave-hunting teams captured an old elf like her, devoid of much emotion, they would probably consider it bad luck.
Because the older they were, the more they had experienced, and the stronger their willpower became.
Simultaneously, their temper was often more stubborn than that of ordinary elves.
Not only were they harder to tame, but they might even frequently scratch and injure their captors.
Their auction price… was naturally quite a bit cheaper than that of young elves aged one or two hundred.
But as it happens, some people with peculiar tastes specifically liked this type and were willing to bid.
And since they were inherently scarce on the market, they could ultimately still fetch sky-high prices.
If a young elf maiden like Célia, not even twenty years old, were captured and put up for auction, it could probably cause a sensation throughout the entire underground auction scene for quite some time.
Then, no matter how noble the aristocrat, they would rush to enter and bid competitively.
At this moment.
As Lian passed through here, regardless of age, almost all the elves immediately paid their respects.
The commotion from the other day had been quite significant.
The elves all knew.
That this fifth-tier demon race powerhouse before them…
Just in the past few days, had enabled the elf clan to welcome a fourth-tier newborn.
Because of this, most elves felt genuine gratitude.
After all, in the eyes of the elves, aside from emitting light for illumination, those crystal orbs had hardly served any useful purpose when it came to truly resisting external threats.
And the contract had originally promised a third-tier descendant, but now it had been elevated to the fourth tier.
How could they not be grateful?
A fourth-tier being was sufficient to single-handedly resist a human hunting party for quite a while.
Except for… the generation of elves like Karl, who had grown up with Célia.
They saw her both as a child and a friend.
Feeling that this situation was very unfair to Célia, they had quietly developed some misunderstandings.
"Sir Lian, do you require anything of us?"
A short-haired young male elf, holding a longbow, spoke up and asked.
Lian walked on silently, not acknowledging him.
"Um, Sir?"
Subsequently, another elf spoke. She looked at the young elf, Célia, being carried on Lian's shoulder, and couldn't help but feel some doubt.
"Is something the matter?"
Lian glanced at her indifferently.
"Nothing, Sir. It's just… that baby that was born… why isn't it in Célia's arms? Doesn't it need constant nourishment and incubation?"
The elf on his shoulder – Célia – had been extremely embarrassed facing her clansmen, keeping her head buried to avoid their eyes.
But upon hearing this doubt, she hurriedly lifted her head to explain on the man's behalf: "You've misunderstood, Grandma Aina! The baby is being raised at home! Sir Lian has that… anyway, he can provide nourishment! It won't starve…"
She couldn't explain it clearly, only managing a rough explanation.
"Is that how it is?"
The elf maiden who had just spoken seemed to understand instantly and immediately apologized to Lian.
"I'm sorry, Sir Lian, for my doubt…"
The slight furrow in Lian's brow eased.
"Carry on," he said calmly. "I'm just here for a walk."
Hearing this, the elves seemed to take it as an order.
They raised their weapons one after another and resumed their practice.
Watching them busily practicing, Célia squeezed her legs together slightly, continuing to rest limply on the man's shoulder.
She felt an inexplicable sense of guilt… and relief.
After all, with her high talent, she should have been the one striving the hardest.
But while striving and striving, she had suddenly been… taken care of. She couldn't strive anymore?
And she had even brought a fourth-tier newborn to the clan.
It was probably like the feeling of… not having to go to school anymore?
Thinking of this.
She couldn't help but think again – once the contract was fulfilled…
When Lian finished his business and left their elf clan… would he actually take her with him?
The clan had originally lived a peaceful, uneventful life.
Lian's sudden appearance, however, had made these past few days feel like a bizarre, fantastical dream for Célia.
There had been anxiety, pain, a kind of intimacy utterly different from familial love, warmth, a gender change, becoming a mother, and having a baby.
But regarding her feelings for this husband… she still didn't understand.
If everything went as she had initially wished, and once all matters were settled, she, his wife, was truly left behind here…
When that time came, would she be happy?
Or would she cry?
Finally.
Lian placed Célia down under the shelter of a tree branch.
Away from the cover of the Eternal Tree.
The fervent and warm light of the late morning sun successfully streamed down onto the earthy ground.