Chapter 560 - 380: Silver Moon Highlands, Void Insect Race (Part 2)

In the openings below, figures of the Insect Race of all different sizes flickered as they tried to force their way through.

The ground in the areas near the openings was a purplish-black, a stark contrast to the silvery-white sheen of the surroundings. In the distance, the faint booms of energy and sharp hisses could occasionally be heard.

According to Cecilia, those were patrolling Star Blade Guard squads fighting the insects that had slipped through.

She seemed accustomed to this, merely quickening her pace slightly.

"Those forests," Ian said, pointing to a grove of exceptionally tall trees in the distance. They had an ancient, deep, silver-gray hue.

"Are they absorbing Void Energy?"

Cecilia paused, her eyes flicking to Ian, seemingly surprised by his keen perception.

"That is the Ancient Forest, home to the World Mother Tree. The ancient trees growing there are a subspecies nourished by its radiating power. They still retain some of their purifying and absorbing properties, which slows the direct damage the Void’s Erosion inflicts upon the fundamental essence of the highlands."

Her tone held a reverence and pride that was deeply rooted in her bloodline, but it was quickly tinged with a heavy solemnity.

’The World Mother Tree still needs to grow, but the Rift is constantly expanding, and the Barrier’s Power is waning.’

’Three months ago, Elders Carlisle and Theran were ordered to venture deep beyond the Rift to investigate, trying to find a way to stop its expansion or locate the Nest’s core...’

Ian recalled the information Nicholas had mentioned. ’Looking at it now, "slow progress" doesn’t even begin to describe this.’

’At the same time, a question arose in his mind. The Elf King of the Silver Moon Highlands is a Level Five Radiant Moon. Logically, this cleanup should be easy...’

’Could there be other reasons?’ Ian wondered, a sense of caution rising within him.

’This is completely different from the information Nicholas gave me. No wonder he said the pay was so good.’

Cecilia led the way in silence, and they soon ventured deep into the heart of the highlands.

The number of Moonlight Stone buildings gradually increased, their style elegant and archaic, blending harmoniously with the forest.

Many Moon Elf residents were out and about. Most had skin tones ranging from pearl-white to a pale silver-gray, and their eyes were often moon-white or light green. They wore clothing adorned with natural and moonlight-themed elements.

Seeing Cecilia pass by with a human Wizard and a strange Summoned Demon, they all cast curious yet wary glances their way.

Ian noticed that Moon Elf society was clearly stratified, but the atmosphere was tense. It was filled with a taut sense of sacrifice for the survival of the collective.

After passing through the commoner’s district, Cecilia led him to a grand hall encircled by enormous ancient trees.

"High Priest Calendor is waiting in the Moon Hall," Cecilia said, stopping before the hall. Her duty ended here.

Ian whispered something to Gaga. The little creature was very obedient and flew onto a branch of an ancient tree outside the hall, curiously examining the glowing plants nearby.

He pushed open the Moonlight Stone doors to reveal a vast, high-ceilinged hall.

The walls and vaulted ceiling were inlaid with countless Moonlight Gemstones, bathing the hall in a clear, bright light.

At the far end of the hall, a Moon Elf sat on a stone throne. He wore a silver Priest’s robe embroidered with patterns of stars, moons, and trees, and held a Magic Staff set with an enormous Moonlight Stone.

His face was weathered, and his eyes were a deep violet. His aura was as vast as an abyss, faintly connected to the entire hall and the Silver Moon Barrier outside.

This was High Priest Calendor, the Elf Race’s other Level Five Radiant Moon expert. He specialized in Spatial Magic and was known as the "Void Walker."

As soon as Ian stepped into the hall, Calendor looked over at him.

"Welcome to the Silver Moon Highlands, Lord Marcus." Calendor’s voice was tranquil, yet it carried a resplendent authority.

"Captain Cecilia should have explained the basic situation to you on your way here."

"The situation is more dire than I was led to believe." Ian walked to the center of the hall and stopped, speaking frankly.

"The Rift in the sky is continuously corrupting the Barrier, and the number of openings is increasing. When your people requested aid three months ago, the situation had not yet deteriorated to this extent, had it?"

A wry smile crossed Calendor’s face, and the exhaustion in his eyes deepened.

"You are correct. When we sent our message to the Wizard Alliance, we were still able to maintain a stalemate. But just one month ago, something on the other side of the Rift seemed to complete a massive surge of energy absorption. This caused the Rift’s expansion to accelerate, and the pressure on the Barrier increased dramatically."

"Carlisle and Theran..." A look of sorrow flashed in his eyes. "Their Soul Lamps were completely extinguished a month ago."

Ian’s heart clenched. ’This is something else I didn’t know.’ He began to reassess the risks of the mission.

Two Level Four Morning Stars, gone just like that. This was a heavy blow to the Silver Moon Council and the entire Moon Elf Race.

"High Priest, what kind of Insect Nest are we facing that even a Level Five Radiant Moon can’t handle?"

"I have yet to detect the presence of any Level Five members of the Insect Race. It’s just that their numbers... they are simply too vast."

Calendor gave his Magic Staff a gentle wave. In the air at the center of the hall, Moonlight Energy converged, forming a clear, silvery Light Curtain.

Blurry images began to appear on the Light Curtain. They were clearly fragments of information sent back by previous reconnaissance teams at great cost, or observed through special means.

"This is a Middle World that has been corrupted and transformed by the Insect Race. It has now become the Nest’s forward base for invading our world."

"How does the Insect Race dare to invade the Wizard World? Are they not intelligent?"

"They dare, of course. And they possess extremely high intelligence, but it is confined to the Mother Insect. She is the core of the Insect Race."

Calendor’s voice turned icy as he began to tell Ian about the history between the Wizard Civilization and the Void Insect Race Civilization.

The Void Insect Race Civilization’s aggressiveness and lust for expansion were second to none, rivaling even the Wizard Civilization at its peak.