Meeting an Old Acquaintance

It must be said that screaming loudly in such a setting is rude, so the elven girl quickly shut her mouth. However, her eyes still darted around Li Lin with suspicion, clearly indicating that she wasn't fully prepared for this meeting. Upon hearing the girl's shout, Li Lin was also slightly taken aback. He looked at her carefully a few times, but couldn't recall where he had seen her before. If he had to say, this girl looked like other elven girls—slender, beautiful, and cute... but that was all. Aside from her slightly regal demeanor, Li Lin didn't see anything particularly special about her. And in Li Lin's memory, there was no trace of this girl.

Have we met somewhere before?

"This..."

The elven girl opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately kept quiet and obediently turned away.

"I am here on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to greet you both. Please follow me."

In fact, even without the girl's guidance, Li Lin was already very familiar with the Elven Kingdom. Although there were no roads in the Forest of Elves, it was simply because the elves' paths differed from humans'. They didn't indiscriminately cut down trees or clear away grass and bushes; instead, most elves moved like flowing water through the gaps and narrow spaces between trees. Even when entertaining guests, they would use their innate abilities to communicate with nature and request it to temporarily make way. Although these paths weren't as wide as human paths, they were just as simple and unobstructed. After crossing the Forest of Elves, they would face the Dawn Strait, a place full of undercurrents and reefs, where no one but elves could pass smoothly. Even the sturdiest ships were useless here. The elves' cruising routes were kept absolutely secret; even Li Lin didn't know how they navigated their warships through this sea full of reefs.

The ships the elves used to transport guests were naturally not warships—the elves, being peace-loving by nature, did not constantly seek to demonstrate their power like humans. However, this also became their weakness; without deterrence, there is no fear. Therefore, although humans had suffered some losses under the elves' counterattacks, they never gave up.

A small boat carried Li Lin and Angela away from land. The little guy was surprisingly silent the whole way; clearly, she realized this was a formal diplomatic occasion, and it was best to avoid making statements unsuitable for such settings. Although Angela inwardly considered these elves foolish, slow-witted, stubborn, and idiotic—and perhaps that was true—she had to admit that having allies was always a good thing, at the very least, they could be used as cannon fodder. Wasn't that right?

"The Holy Land Hitheria..."

Standing at the bow of the small boat, Li Lin gazed at the beautiful island before him and murmured to himself.

While elves may have their flaws, their sacred land represents a perfect and flawless divine existence. Lush green trees cover the entire island, and the sea gently laps against the beach, making a soft rustling sound. The moment you step onto this island, you might even have the illusion that time has stood still. Anyone who enters this place will never want to leave, wishing only to live forever at the meeting point of sky and sea, lying on the beach listening to the whispers of the waves, no longer caring about anything else.

This almost magical allure initially amazed Li Lin. Although the same effect could be achieved through magic, it would only be an illusion, misleading people into believing they had arrived at their ideal place. The Holy Land Hitheria before them, however, was precisely this perfect utopia—the eternal abode of elves.

"Hmph, not on guard at all."

Although Angela was initially awestruck by the beautiful scenery of the island, she quickly regained her composure. After all, with her experience Vampire Species, she had seen all sorts of places. And from another perspective, an island without even fortifications along its coastline... in Angela's eyes...

"It's like a woman with her legs wide open, welcoming anyone to come in."

She lowered her voice and whispered her opinion to Li Lin.

"If humans were serious, they could probably have easily taken down such a defense long ago."

That's not how it works.

Li Lin stroked Angela's little head, while gesturing for her to watch out for the clear seawater beneath her feet.

"Look closely at the sea here. Although it looks very deep, it's surprisingly shallow. Not to mention warships, even merchant ships would run aground here. Only small boats like these can pass safely. Although elves can be stubborn at times, that doesn't mean they're truly that foolish."

As they spoke, the small boat slowly entered the dock. Although it was a strait, the elves' unique boat-handling skills made the small wooden boat as stable as if it were gliding on ice. There was no swaying at all. Soon, led by the elven girl, Li Lin and Angela stepped onto the last forbidden land of the elves.

Her Majesty the Queen is awaiting the two of you in the Hall of Life.

Strangely enough, although the elven girl always appeared respectful on the surface, she was secretly observing Li Lin. Angela had long noticed that whenever this woman had nothing to do, she would secretly glance at her master out of the corner of her eye. While it didn't seem like she was infatuated, it didn't seem like it was anything more than that. However, from Angela's perspective, since even her proud race had become Li Lin's familiar, it was only natural that other women would kneel at Li Lin's feet. Although this idea lacked logic, it was Angela's consistent stance. Therefore, with a "happy to see it happen" attitude, Angela didn't point out the elven girl's actions, since Li Lin was sure he had already noticed. There was no need for her to say anything.

Unlike their time in the Forest of Elves, Li Lin and Angela attracted considerable attention from the elves upon arriving at the Holy Land. After all, relations between humans and elves had deteriorated for millennia, and no human had ever been qualified to set foot in the Holy Land during that time. Now, not only had two humans arrived, but they had even received a direct invitation from the Queen. This puzzled and confused many elves, and consequently, their gazes towards Li Lin were mostly unfriendly, even tinged with obvious hostility. Such elves were not uncommon within the Holy Land.

However, some elves had a completely different opinion about Li Lin's arrival.

"Humans have entered the sacred site?"

Upon hearing the report, the beautiful elven mage widened her eyes in surprise, staring at her student in disbelief.

Is this true?

"Really! Teacher."

The young elf nodded vigorously, a hint of displeasure flashing across his face.

"And I heard that it was Her Majesty the Queen who personally invited him... What right does a human have to receive an invitation from Her Majesty the Queen?"

"Her Majesty the Queen personally invited you?"

The female mage's expression became even more puzzled. She stood up, thought for a moment, and then looked out the window with a solemn expression.

I want to see it for myself.

With a gentle breeze, the elven mage appeared on the balcony. Looking closely, she saw a man in a black robe and a little human girl, led by an envoy, walking towards the palace.

"That is indeed Her Majesty's attendant."

After carefully observing the elf who was leading the way, the female mage frowned in confusion.

It's strange. Her Majesty should know very well that relations between elves and humans are not good right now, so why would she send an envoy to invite humans...?

"...!"

Just then, the female mage suddenly felt the power within her body surge up dramatically.

"Why?"

She stared in surprise at the back of her hand, where a pale blue magic symbol was shimmering, emanating a powerful energy that flowed throughout the mage's body. It was a cool yet gentle power, like spring water.

"How could this be...? This magical rune hasn't been around for hundreds of years..."

At this point, the female mage turned to look at the man again in disbelief.

"Could he be...?"

"... Lord Luoxia!!"

Just as Li Lin was about to reach the palace, a sudden scream rang out, and a violent wind rose from the ground, sweeping away everything around it. It then transformed into a tangible force, rushing towards Li Lin and finally solidifying in his arms.

"Lord Luoxia?! Is it Lord Luoxia?!"

The elven mage's body detached from the wind once more and solidified again. She tightly embraced the man's body before her. Although her appearance had completely changed, the power and aura contained within her body were no different from before.

"Who are you..."

Caught off guard by this sudden attack, Li Lin stared wide-eyed in surprise. He looked at the female elf in the mage's robes before him, trying to find a trace of the past in her voice.

"Nisi?"

"That's right, it really is Lady Luoxia!"

Hearing the other person call her name accurately, the female elf became even more excited. She happily raised her head and looked at the face in front of her, which was completely different from the one in her memory.

"Lady Luoxia, how did you become like this? I heard that the Magic Empire has been completely destroyed, and my second sister..."

At this point, Nisi's expression darkened slightly, and the joy that had been pouring out seemed to be cut off again, no longer showing.

Ailinna is dead... Nisi.

Gently stroking the face of the elf who was now a mature woman, whom he remembered as a little girl, Li Lin uttered the cruel reality. Upon hearing this news, the female mage trembled, then buried her head tightly in Li Lin's arms and burst into tears.

Stroking the woman's long hair, Li Lin couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. A thousand years was a period of growth, even for elves. Back then, Ailinna and Nisi were both envoys sent by the Elven Empire to the Magic Empire to study magic. However, the two sisters were completely different. Ailinna was diligent and eager to learn, but her magical talent was too low. Nisi, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Her magical talent was extremely strong, but she couldn't settle down to study the art of arcane magic. What Ailinna needed weeks of effort to achieve, Nisi could do in minutes. Her sensitivity to magic was extraordinary. Li Lin even believed that if she were willing to settle down and study hard, she would definitely become Arcane Mage in the future.

However, Nisi suddenly returned to her country. Despite already possessing the strength of a mid-level mage, she stopped studying. For some unknown reason, she refused Li Lin's suggestion that she continue her studies and left the Magic Empire. It was precisely because of this that Nisi escaped the disaster when the Magic Empire was destroyed later.

"But it's amazing you recognized me."

Although he knew that Nisi possessed extraordinary sensitivity, he had, after all, been placed in a new body, and Nisi's main focus wasn't on mental or soul magic. How did she recognize him?

"Hey-hey..."

Nisi left Li Lin, playfully sticking out her tongue. This scene surprised all the elves around her. They had always seen Nisi's cold and serious side; they had never seen her smile like a little girl before.

"Have you forgotten, Lord Luoxia?"

As she spoke, Nisi extended the back of her hand, and the magic rune in the center was emitting a faint blue light.

"Before I left, didn't you give me a magic talisman representing 'wind'? I sensed its resonance with you just now, which is how I confirmed it was you. Although you were very handsome before... I think you look better now."

"You look older than me now."

Li Lin shook his head with a wry smile. Judging from the surface, Nisi actually looked a year or two older than Li Lin. Seeing her acting like a little girl in front of him was rather strange.

"So, Lady Luoxia, what brings you here this time...?"

"I have important matters to discuss with Her Majesty the Queen... Although I have already spoken to your goddess, there are some things I still need to handle personally."

As he spoke, Li Lin patted the little guy beside him. Although he was happy to be immersed in his memories, he knew that forgetting to introduce someone would upset the little guy.

"This is my familiar, Angela... Nia and the others couldn't come because of other matters, so I brought her along... This is her first time visiting the Land of Elves."

"Hello, nice to meet you, beautiful elf."

For some reason, Angela was unusually obedient at this moment, giving the elven mage in front of her a ladylike bow.

"I am my master's familiar and his companion, Angela Christie. Just call me Angela."

"Companion..."

Whether Angela deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the word "companion" or not, it made Nisi stare blankly at the little girl in front of her, before she turned to Li Lin in disbelief.

"Lord Luoxia, are you interested in a little girl like this? I thought..."

"Uh... it's because a lot of things have happened..."

Although Li Lin couldn't go into too much detail, Nisi clearly didn't care and quickly changed the subject.

"Then I won't disturb you any longer, Lady Luoxia. If you have some free time after your meeting with the Queen, I would like to invite you to visit my cottage. In that case, I'll take my leave now."

As she spoke, Nisi took two steps back, bowed to Li Lin in the manner of a Magic Empire's apprentice to his teacher, and then vanished into thin air like a gentle breeze.

"Her mastery of the elements is becoming increasingly exquisite."

Li Lin sighed, then looked at the elven girl who had been staring in disbelief since the beginning.

"Then please continue leading the way... It seems I'll be able to meet quite a few old friends this time."