Chapter 97: The Unveiling Cataclysm
In a meeting room situated some distance outside the dimensional gate, where the war had somewhat spilled over, sat groups of leaders and top experts from various sects and clans.
The Seven Sects and Clans Alliance, allied with the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance, were present, alongside other powerful leaders from different regions with whom they had recently aligned.
Each bore incredibly serious expressions as they discussed the ongoing state of affairs.
"With the way things are going, I think it's inevitable that a continental war is likely to break out," stated a certain Patriarch of a clan, his face grim.
"I'd like to say you're wrong, but it's very uncertain… Truthfully, I'm more worried about those people from Ribberton Celestial Island," grumbled an Elder from a certain sect.
"Those people should not interfere unless things truly escalate to a certain point," added an Elder from the Great Brawlman Sect.
Such conversations continued as they deliberated the various global affairs. It was around this moment that they finally received quite devastating news – or at least, news that would be devastating depending on which side it affected.
"It looks like the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance has really gone all out with its methods to an unexpected degree…" remarked a leader of the Iron Dog Alliance, a loose association of sects and rogue cultivators who were generally neutral but vehemently hated Demon Cultivators and Demonic Beasts, grouping them together as one entity.
"This… Indeed. I hear that the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect has already made plenty of arrangements for them with the agreement of eleven other sects and clans over this period of time… Is there truth to this?" asked a sect leader from another sect.
A sect Elder of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect first glanced at the others from his sect, especially the Vice Sect Leader who was present in place of the sect leader. Then he looked at the other sects and clans present who had made the agreement.
This group included a sharp red-eyed man, appearing to be in his late 50s, from the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan; a Grand Elder of the Iron Fang Sect; a mysterious masked man from the Great Brawlman Sect; a middle-aged white-haired man wearing the garments of the Soloman Family; and others.
Then, the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect Elder spoke:
"Yes, there is truth to all of this. Our sect disciples have been taken in by them, and one in particular has even been adopted as a member of the Fanged Elf Royal Family for various reasons."
"Oh, how interesting. Then what exactly is the reason that the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan appears to be advocating just as hard, if not harder, on his behalf?" asked another expert of a certain clan.
"Hahaha, that in itself is a secret, but let's just say that we too plan to adopt him as an extended member of our own in the future," replied the sharp red-eyed middle-aged man, laughing.
Many of the experts in the room looked at him with various curious expressions but did not press the issue further.
Although they weren't as mysterious as the likes of the Soloman clan, the true depths of their power remained unknown.
The only certainty was that they had various family branches throughout the Red Star Continent, but their true origins were from elsewhere…
"Ugh, this is troublesome. The Fae Grand Spirit Alliance has likely created major grievances with a number of the sects here now, especially after what just happened…" sighed another Elder of a sect, lost in thought.
"That doesn't matter… We must proceed with the plan now, especially for the safety of many of our comrades. We've received a warning in advance from Matriarch Sunflowria that something catastrophic will be commencing soon if many powers continue to attack. For the most part, our Seven Sects and Clans Alliance will be safe, but—"
Before the Bright Brilliant Blade Vice Sect Leader could continue, he was interrupted.
"There is no need to continue with these conversations. We should have all of our forces swiftly retreat and enter the safe areas as planned, while also utilizing the things we were given to ensure safety. Through the body of a lesser Soloman clan member who paid a sacrifice, I have glimpsed the fate of the Fae Region, and I was barely able to see anything but assured death," stated the forceful and temperamental white-haired Soloman clan Elder.
Upon hearing this, everyone decided right away.
"Then we will do just that."
"Make preparations to receive the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance after a while."
"It is agreed upon that, outside of certain more neutral sects and clans, not one word of information of the coming events is to be spread to anyone."
"Agreed."
"We will also spread information all over to the other regions of the Red Star Continent about all sects' preemptive invasion to the Purple Starmist Continent before they invade us. Matriarch Sunflowria has given us detailed coordinates to that place, and thanks to certain powers secretly aiding our cause from that so-called Whispering Expanse True World, we will be able to invade and even use certain methods to have Refined Soul Tier and even Master Tier experts make it there without suicidally ripping the void with our auras."
And so, orders were given, and preparations were made.
The sects and clans were mostly in agreement in letting the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance come through the dimensional gate and relocate there because of all the benefits that were given to them, while also recognizing their immense power.
In the first place, over a thousand years ago, the elves were once located in a land somewhere in or around the Red Star Continent, so it truthfully didn't matter much if they returned.
For many of these experts in the sects, years later, they would regret missing out on certain opportunities, but how could they possibly imagine that things would turn out the way they did?
Back in the Celebi Forest Kingdom, a full retreat was in motion for most of the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance and its various allies.
To some extent, even their enemies began a momentary retreat due to so many unexpected scenarios taking place.
But eventually, they would once more make their way to begin their unbridled attacks.
That's when the Matriarch's voice sounded far and wide, resonating with chilling power.
"You people have intruded upon our lands far enough. I will give you one final warning. Begone, or we will truly begin an all-out attack. You have 30 seconds."
Hearing such a threat stunned many of their enemies far and wide, filling them with uncertainty.
There were quite a few who heeded the warning and tried to retreat on the spot as fast as they could, but for most of them… surrender and retreat was barely an option in their minds at this point.
Inside of each of the other three World Trees of the various other Elf Tribes, a phantom-like expert suddenly appeared atop their respective trees, and they began to weave hand signs, somehow in perfect sync with one another.
"Oh, Mortal Master Farraleaf… in the end, it is once again you making such incredible sacrifices for our Elven people… The now deceased elders from back then would certainly be proud yet anguished by your actions. Ah, but, hahaha, us old half-dead elves aren't too different with our current situations. Let us finally find true freedom once more in the outside world for our descendants!"
Murmured the phantom-like Elf from the Origin Elf Clan.
The Origin Elf Clan, or rather simply the 'Elf Clan,' is a Tribe of the original elves.
These elves, for perhaps hundreds of thousands of years, lived as free spirits and can be found all over Terraplane with different tribes.
At different points in history, certain tribes would intermarry and breed with various other races, resulting in many strange and interesting branches of elves such as the Fanged Elves, Wood Skinned Elves, Burning Tree Elves, Sea Elves, and many others.
Truth be told, the Origin Elf Clan of this particular tribe of elves was once the strongest faction among the elves in their particular regions, surpassing the Fanged Elves thousands of years ago, until numerous events caused their decline.
Regardless, an Origin Elf can still be born amongst two Fanged Elves, though it's not necessarily common. It's much more extremely rare for them to be born from the Fanged Elf World Tree itself.
As the three Elf phantoms, in their different locations above each of their World Trees, continued to weave their hand signs, suddenly vast amounts of essence energy quietly covered most of the Fae Region and even beyond, barely noticed by any experts.
The giant dark gold and red roots underground just so happened to be tangled together with all of their World Tree roots, and various sleeping enchantments and scripts were suddenly activated.
The entire land became dark and foggy very quickly as it swiftly spread far into various regions, including the Rudell Region, parts of the Whispering Expanse, and other lands.
Confusion was felt by many present, including almost all of the Fae Grand Spirit Alliance themselves.
It was currently at this time that Elton's eyes shot open as a shiver ran down his spine.
He was currently in a large area with many warriors and cultivators.
This was a magically made fortress full of beds, food, tents, and many other things, all situated atop a giant Nature healing magic circle with many magicians stationed within, activating it.
The majority of the Alliances under Aeloria had retreated to this place.
Many people were severely injured and could barely make it, while there were many who were simply exhausted with light injuries.
Currently, sleeping on each side of Elton while holding onto his arms were none other than Shayleaf and Erica.
Their healing injuries and exhaustion were very apparent.
He also felt a body on his stomach as he was about to move, only to see Christy, who too seemed to have suddenly awakened.
They looked at each other for a moment.
Both began to blush in awkwardness before shaking their heads.
Even then, Christy did not move away but crawled a bit higher towards his face before she began to speak.
"Ahem… Umm, right! Can you sense that!? Through my Aka Boshi no Tengan, I-I… see a vast aura of the Nature Essence of the Elves, I see vast amounts of blood energy, but most of all… I see a heavy death aura."
Elton looked up at Christy with mixed emotions.
A strange feeling overcame him, and he sighed.
How could he not feel it?
And not just that, the core of this aura was all too familiar to him.
"That Grand Spirit from the Blessing Bestowal…? No, perhaps that is the true person…" Elton mumbled with slight sorrow, as he felt the unknown sacrifices being made.
"Haahahaha!!! How interesting!! Tch, how lucky of you, boy! You and this fanged elf girl will benefit the most, and… Hehehe, by extension, our little girlfriends here too can benefit! Ah… Oh, don't get all sentimental on me. Hahaha!! You're the one that was chosen. Heh, I still believe that that person should have just bestowed the blessing completely onto us, and perhaps I could have long since made us Gold Tier 3 at the very least, if not Gold Tier 4! Then I would have personally slaughtered that disgusting Hobgoblin demon! Hahaha! And many of those others. Oh, woe is me, eh?" Elton's inner voice rambled on and on, arrogantly.
Elton didn't even have the patience to pay it much mind as Christy simply laid her head down on his chest before saying,
"I can sense we will be safe, but… In the end, I'm still afraid of what's to come…"
"Don't worry, Christy. As the leader of the White Star Radiance, I will be sure to protect you until my last breath. Also… as my beloved… friend," Elton said confidently and shyly towards the end.
Christy stayed silent after a light "mmm" sound as a huge explosive earthquake rocked the entire lands.
The sky also ripped open like an armageddon descending as giant Bloody Trees rapidly sprouted and shot completely into the clouds everywhere.
Huge clouds of green and red gases also flooded the areas.
Not just that, but all kinds of creatures suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and a bloody slaughter filled with death commenced.