The torn space grew larger and larger.
It stopped once it had expanded to a certain point.
Then, from within the dark spatial rift, a massive army began to emerge.
First came the Dark Elves’ cavalry.
They rode creatures covered in purple patterns, resembling both lions and tigers.
With long fangs and a mane of tendrils around their heads standing rigidly upright like steel needles pointing backward.
“Shadowmane Lions, the mounts of the Dark Elves. They have immense explosive power, are skilled at leaping, invisibility, and some dark magic attacks. They’re very troublesome,” Liu Xinxin explained to Lu Ran from behind him.
Lu Ran glanced at the Shadowmane Lions, then at the elegant white unicorns ridden by the Natural Elves.
They were practically two different species.
Unicorns were gentle, holy, and not particularly strong in combat.
But Shadowmane Lions were a completely different kind of brutal, dark-aligned beast!
This seemed to align with the overall racial temperaments of the Natural Elves and the Dark Elves.
At the same time.
Lu Ran was also observing these Dark Elves.
It was worth noting that, like the Natural Elves, the males were handsome and the females beautiful. Although their skin was a light purple, it carried a wildness within.
Their faces were equally exquisite.
Moreover, due to degeneration, the wings on their backs had transformed into wings covered in black feathers.
But in Lu Ran’s opinion, these black wings actually looked cooler.
After that, other units of the Dark Elf army made their entrance one after another. Their sheer scale made Tina’s expression turn very grim.
The development of the Dark Elves over these many years had exceeded her expectations!
However, throughout this process, Lu Ran still hadn’t caught sight of the Dark Elf Queen.
On the other hand, all the Dark Elves had the prompt “Can be Controlled” floating above their heads, which made Lu Ran heave a huge sigh of relief.
Seeing that prompt was proof that Lu Ran held the initiative.
Finally, the entire Dark Elf army was assembled.
At last.
A Dark Elf with a figure so hot she could be spotted even through thousands of troops emerged from the rift.
“Making a grand entrance at the very end…” Lu Ran muttered to himself.
Looking closely.
He couldn’t help but nod inwardly.
This Dark Elf Queen, he liked her!
A figure just as hot as Tina’s, light purple skin, no protective armor to speak of, instead wearing tight, revealing mage attire.
The weapon she used was also different from Tina’s bow; it was a staff topped with a blue-purple gemstone.
Her exquisite face was beautiful, and due to her skin tone and race, carried a hint of sinister charm.
“This is the Dark Elf Queen, Si Luoluo. Can you control her?” Liu Xinxin asked Lu Ran.
“Yes,” Lu Ran confirmed with a nod. He could see the “Can be Controlled” prompt above the Dark Elf Queen’s head.
Then.
Lu Ran asked: “Should I make my move now? Controlling the Dark Elf Queen should bring this conflict to an end, right?”
But Liu Xinxin had changed her mind.
She shook her head and said, “No rush. To maximize benefits, we wait.”
Maximize benefits…
Lu Ran was already familiar with Liu Xinxin’s style.
Looking out, the total number of Dark Elves even surpassed that of the Natural Elves!
Coupled with the fact that Natural Elves were inherently peaceful and not skilled in combat, if a real fight broke out, the Natural Elves would almost certainly lose!
Even Tina’s expression was extremely grim at this moment.
Tina had declared war on Si Luoluo to retrieve the Magic Stone and ensure the Elven race’s continuation.
But given the current situation, not only might they fail to get the Magic Stone, the Natural Elves might even face extinction!
And once the Dark Elves gained control of the World Tree, the ambitions that the Natural Elves had once suppressed would likely be rekindled!
“I get it. The Elven Queen Tina has probably realized the situation too. No need to act in haste. If I make my move at the critical moment, right before the fighting starts, I should be able to gain maximum favor from the Elven Queen, right?” Lu Ran asked.
“As expected of you, you see things clearly enough,” Liu Xinxin praised.
The more clearly Tina saw the situation, the more desperate she would become. In that circumstance, if Lu Ran turned the tide, wouldn’t Tina be immensely grateful?
Thinking this, Lu Ran was in no hurry anymore.
He’d just watch the show for now.
“For so many years, without your permission, there was no possibility for Dark Elves to set foot on this land again.” Si Luoluo greedily breathed in the air here, saying with infatuation.
Although they had fallen and become Dark Elves.
Their roots were still here.
The World Tree was still here!
“I want the Magic Stone,” Tina said flatly.
“Understood. The Magic Stone is useless in my hands, and the World Tree will gradually wither without it,” Si Luoluo nodded.
Tina gritted her teeth.
Looking at Si Luoluo and the Dark Elf army behind her.
Her expression was grim.
The development of events was a bit beyond her expectations.
This situation… they couldn’t win!
Si Luoluo, of course, could also see the situation clearly. She spoke up: “But today, the Natural Elves are bound to lose. Once I control the World Tree and the Magic Stone, I will lead the Elven race to greatness once more, not cower here like you all.”
The battle should have started directly.
But now Tina hesitated.
A fight they couldn’t win, how could it begin?
Just throwing themselves to the wolves?
And doing so through mutual slaughter, dooming the Natural Elves.
This made her deeply distressed.
But as things stood, she had no other choice!
At the same time.
The other human professionals not far from Lu Ran had faces pale with fear!
“Oh my god, how are we supposed to fight this?”
“Holy crap, if I knew it was going to be such a massive scene, I wouldn’t have come at all!”
“Isn’t this just sending us to our deaths?”
“Ugh, we’re done for. Shouldn’t have taken this quest, don’t even know what the rewards are!”
“What’s the point of generous rewards if you’re not alive to claim them!”
…
The human professionals were also in despair.
In contrast, the Dark Elf army was brimming with overwhelming momentum. Ambitious by nature, they feared no battle!
This was a fight with no suspense!
At that moment.
Si Luoluo suddenly spoke: “We are of the same lineage. Although you drove us out of the Elven homeland back then, I do not wish to wipe you out. Take your people and leave. Give this place to us. Today’s battle can be avoided.”
“Impossible!” Tina shouted, her whole body trembling. “Never! This place will never be handed over to you!”
This wasn’t her original intention!
Challenging the Dark Elves wasn’t to surrender their territory!
Moreover.
If they truly left this place, losing the nourishment of the World Tree, these Natural Elves would eventually transform and fall as well!
“Then let’s fight,” Si Luoluo didn’t want to waste words.
Her staff slowly rose.
If talking was useless, then they would fight!
Having finally obtained this chance to enter here, Si Luoluo would never easily give it up!
The armies on both sides were poised for battle, the atmosphere growing tense and oppressive.
“It’s time,” Liu Xinxin reminded.
The next second.
Lu Ran suddenly darted forward, running a distance ahead until he was beside the Elven Queen Tina.
Amidst the tense standoff between the two sides, someone’s bold movement like this instantly drew the attention of everyone present from both armies.
