Lin Xiyue collapsed onto the snow, panting heavily as she recovered from the near-death experience.
She gazed at the distant valley, now completely buried in pure white, her face still etched with lingering fear.
"That scared me to death! For a moment, I thought I was really going to be buried alive!"
Lin Qingyue sat down beside her, flicked her forehead, and grumbled, "Who told you to shout so loudly? 'Blast the middle leg'? Now look what you've done—you've pissed off the entire mountain."
"How is this my fault?" Lin Xiyue immediately retorted, clutching her head. "It was your 'fireworks' at the end that were too loud! I thought the sky was about to collapse!"
"Indeed," Su Wan added calmly from the side. "The massive explosion, combined with the valley's terrain, made an avalanche inevitable."
Xia Lian nodded, still shaken. The thought of nearly being swept away by the edge of the snow wave left her legs weak.
Fine, I'll take the blame for this one.
Lin Qingyue reluctantly admitted it to herself.
After all, that apocalyptic scene was indeed her masterpiece.
Still, this avalanche is like a heaven-sent EXP gift package!
She glanced at her status panel, which had just leveled up to 24, and couldn't help but grin. The corners of her mouth threatened to break into a full-blown smile.
This trip to the Frost Path—fighting a BOSS, triggering a natural disaster—had sent her level skyrocketing like a rocket. It was exhilarating!
If word got out that her "fireworks" had yielded more EXP than a month of grinding for other professionals, their morale would probably shatter on the spot.
"Everyone, get up. We can't stay here," Aeldara's icy voice interrupted their chatter.
She was already on her feet, her sharp gaze scanning the vast white expanse with vigilance.
Though they had escaped immediate danger, this was still undead and troll territory. There was no guarantee that no stragglers remained.
The Silent Watch knights quickly reformed their ranks, encircling the others in a standard defensive formation.
Lin Qingyue and her group scrambled to their feet, brushing off the snow and gripping their weapons tightly once more.
"Commander, where do we go next?" Lin Qingyue asked. "The Frost Path is blocked, so the undead won't be able to cross for a while, right?"
Aeldara nodded. "With Mograss and his legion annihilated, the undead's advance south will be delayed by at least several months. Our primary objective has been achieved."
Her gaze shifted to the other side of the snowfield, toward the Elven Territory.
"First, we'll leave this area and find a safe place to rest. Then, we'll return to Silvermoon City."
"Alright!" Lin Xiyue perked up at the mention of returning. "Sis, I want a feast!"
"If we find suitable ingredients," Lin Qingyue replied casually.
Su Wan and Xia Lian overheard and looked at them with curiosity. "Is Qingyue a good cook?"
Just then, a sharp warning cry came from one of the Elven Rangers on watch.
"Wait! Movement ahead!"
Everyone tensed, their heads snapping in the direction the Ranger indicated.
On the distant horizon, a cluster of moving black dots was rapidly expanding.
As they drew closer, the outlines of the dots gradually sharpened.
It was an army!
A vast, impeccably disciplined army, radiating a grim, deadly aura!
In the sunlight glinting off the snow, their uniform silver-white armor shone resplendently. Banners embroidered with the emblems of the Silver Moon and the Sacred Tree snapped sharply in the frigid wind, creating a scene of solemn majesty.
"It's... it's our people!" an Elven Ranger exclaimed in joyful surprise, recognizing the banners.
But Aeldara's brow furrowed.
Her gaze was locked on the unique golden banner at the very front of the army.
That was the Royal Guard's standard, deployed only when the Queen herself led her forces into battle.
Her Majesty the Queen?
Why would she come here in person?
Lin Qingyue watched the army's grand procession, her mind racing with questions.
This formation... it's too grand, isn't it?
Look at that armor, those banners... This is clearly the Elven Race's elite force.
Could Aeldara's Ranger have successfully delivered the message? But the speed is impossible. Running from here to Silvermoon City, mobilizing a massive army, and marching back... it would take far more than a single day.
As she pondered, the army's vanguard reached them.
The leading Elven commander, clad in silver heavy armor and radiating an imposing aura, vaulted off his horse. He strode purposefully to Aeldara, dropped to one knee, and performed a standard military salute.
"Commander Aeldara! Forgive my late arrival!"
Aeldara helped him to his feet, her voice tinged with gravity. "Camp Commander Baroque, why are you here? Where is Her Majesty the Queen?"
"Her Majesty is with the main army, just behind us!"
Baroque gestured toward the vast force behind him and explained, "We received your message, but that's not the only reason we came."
"What do you mean?" Aeldara asked, confused.
"Spatial fluctuations," Baroque replied grimly. "Half a day ago, the Royal Mage Corps detected extremely intense and abnormal spatial fluctuations originating from the Northern Territory. Her Majesty feared the undead were conducting some vile ritual, so she immediately mobilized the Royal Guard and came to investigate in person."
Spatial fluctuations?
Lin Qingyue's heart skipped a beat when she heard the term.
She instantly recalled the Elf Queen's previous analysis: the appearance of a Dungeon Core capable of merging worlds would inevitably be accompanied by intense spatial fluctuations or magical tides.
While she was lost in thought, the Elf Army had fully approached. Like Moses parting the sea, their ranks split down the middle, forming a wide, clear path.
A magnificent carriage, drawn by six extraordinary, divine white unicorns, slowly emerged.
The carriage was crafted entirely from precious Moonlight Wood, carved with intricate and elegant magical runes that radiated a soft, silver glow.
A slender, fair hand lifted the carriage curtain.
A face of breathtaking, heart-stopping beauty came into view.
It was the Elf Queen, Ilanier.
Today, she had shed her opulent court gown for a form-fitting suit of silver soft armor.
The armor clung to her mature, voluptuous curves, outlining a stunning silhouette. It lessened her usual regal authority but added a heroic, dashing charm.
Her gaze swept across the scene, finally settling on the valley completely buried by the avalanche.
Even for her, whose wise eyes had witnessed countless storms, a clear flicker of shock was reflected in their depths.
"Aeldara."
She descended from the carriage, her voice gentle and melodious, as if it could soothe the biting winds of the snowfield.
"It seems you've fought a rather spectacular battle."
"Your Majesty!"
Aeldara immediately stepped forward and knelt solemnly on one knee.
All the elves behind Aeldara, including the knights of the Silent Watch, knelt as one. Their movements were perfectly synchronized and utterly silent.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Queen!"
Lin Qingyue and her three companions exchanged a glance, then followed suit with slight bows to show their respect.
"Rise."
Ilanier's gaze shifted from Aeldara, passed over the crowd, and landed precisely—unerringly—on Lin Qingyue.
The corners of her lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.
"Young Priestess, we meet again."
Her voice carried a subtle, almost teasing lilt.
"And it seems I have once again missed your even more... spectacular performance."
Lin Qingyue's mouth twitched into an awkward yet polite smile.
How am I supposed to respond to that?
She couldn't very well admit she'd gotten a little too carried away and accidentally blown up an entire snow mountain, could she?