The next morning, the first rays of dawn pierced the clouds, gilding the snow-covered landscape in a pale gold.
The entire Elven Camp was already in motion, operating with the precision of a war machine poised to strike.
Ilanier had changed back into her silver soft armor, which accentuated her graceful curves.
Her crown reflected a cold brilliance in the morning light. The playful, teasing "big sis" from the previous night had vanished, leaving only the majestic Elven Monarch.
Aeldara had also reverted to her perpetually icy expression.
Yet, whenever Lin Qingyue glanced her way, the Captain of the Knights would instinctively straighten her back and resolutely turn her gaze elsewhere, every cell in her body resisting the memory of last night's events.
Lin Qingyue chuckled inwardly.
It seems the aloof Commander is quite bothered by her freshly minted "pink-haired dark history."
After a simple breakfast, Ilanier summoned everyone.
"The Royal Mage Corps has pinpointed the source of the spatial fluctuations."
Her Majesty the Queen's expression was grave as she unfurled a magical map. A flashing red dot clearly marked the target's location.
"It's halfway up the mountain north of Frost Path, in an area buried by snow and rock."
Everyone's gaze was instantly drawn to the red dot.
The Dungeon Core, hidden for so long, was finally about to be revealed.
Lin Qingyue's mind raced.
If the intel is correct, the Dungeon Core is inside the mountain buried by the avalanche. And the spatial fluctuations the Queen detected only stabilized after the avalanche.
Does that mean... my Sparks 'n' Splash not only took care of the Troll Chieftain but also inadvertently "blasted" the Dungeon Core out of hiding?
The corner of her eye twitched.
Damn, is the effect of Luck +1 really this ridiculous?!
"All troops, hear my command!"
Ilanier's voice was cold and authoritative.
"Target: Frost Path. Move out!"
The vast Elven army surged forward like a tide. With a clear objective, their advance was astonishingly swift.
The elite Elven warriors moved through the knee-deep snow as if it were solid ground, quickly reaching their destination.
Before them stood a steep cliff face blanketed in thick snow, a landscape of pure white, devoid of any other color.
"Your Majesty, the snow is too thick. Conventional excavation methods will take a very long time," reported Commander Baroque, stepping forward.
"Unnecessary."
Ilanier shook her head.
Several Archmages from the Royal Mage Council stepped out from beside her. They were clad in deep blue robes embroidered with silver stars, each holding a uniquely shaped staff, their expressions solemn.
The lead Archmage, an elderly Elf, took a step forward and tapped his staff against the empty air. Ancient and arcane Elvish incantations flowed from his lips.
The Wind Elements in the air instantly grew turbulent, converging around his staff into a visible azure vortex.
"Whisper of the Wind, heed my call! Stir the dust, scatter the veil!"
An azure current erupted from the staff's tip, swelling with the wind, transforming in the blink of an eye into a colossal tornado that connected heaven and earth!
Yet, the tornado lacked destructive fury. It moved like a vast, invisible, and dexterous hand, precisely caressing the targeted cliff face.
The heavy snow was peeled away layer by layer, torn and lifted into the sky, forming a roaring white snow dragon. It finally crashed into a distant valley with a muffled, thunderous boom.
"This efficiency... it's more powerful than an industrial excavator on steroids!" Lin Xiyue's jaw nearly hit the floor.
Lin Qingyue's heart also skipped a beat.
So this is the power of a top-tier Mage? To control an area-of-effect spell with such precision... Could I achieve this level of fine control even with the Venti Trial Card?
Under the combined efforts of the Archmages, the entire cliff face was cleared of snow in less than fifteen minutes.
A dark, gaping cave mouth, at least seven or eight meters high, appeared before them.
The space around the entrance shimmered with watery, distorted light, and a strange aura emanated from within.
"This is the place."
Ilanier's gaze grew solemn. "The spatial fluctuations are abnormally strong. And I can sense a vast amount of life energy trapped inside."
Life energy?
A thought instantly flashed through Lin Qingyue's mind.
Looks like this Dungeon Core isn't undead after all.
"Your Majesty," the lead Archmage said, his voice grave, "this life energy bears some resemblance to the aura of our Elven Race's Tree of Life, but... it's tainted with something twisted and grotesque."
Aeldara stepped forward, her crimson eyes fixed on the cave entrance, her voice laced with vigilance.
"Your senses are sharp."
Ilanier nodded. "This aura... it's like a corrupted source of life. Or rather, its very essence has been forcibly twisted by some malevolent power."
Her gaze shifted to Aeldara as she issued a command.
"Aeldara, lead the Silent Watch inside first to scout the situation. Prioritize safety and report any anomalies immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Aeldara accepted the order and turned to the dozens of knights behind her, all clad in black heavy armor and wielding Runic Greatswords. With a silent command, they moved like phantoms melting into shadow, stepping noiselessly into the dark maw of the cave. Their figures were quickly swallowed by the absolute blackness.
"Miss Qingyue, you and your companions will come with me," Ilanier said, turning to Lin Qingyue's group. "Your unique understanding of this world's powers may prove helpful."
Lin Qingyue nodded. It was true that her group was needed to identify the Dungeon Core. Besides, traveling with Her Majesty the Queen significantly increased their chances of survival.
"Let's go, sisters! Time for an adventure!" Lin Xiyue pumped her fists, her excitement palpable.
Su Wan and Xia Lian also readied themselves, their expressions a mix of tension and anticipation.
Lin Qingyue walked in the center of the formation, scanning the surrounding Elven Guard.
The Silent Watch Knight Order led the vanguard, the Royal Mage Corps formed the rearguard, and Elite Rangers protected the flanks, with the Queen commanding from the center.
Such a formation was more than capable of handling any unforeseen circumstances.
A sense of anticipation began to build within her as well.
The last Dungeon Core had been a Necromancer, beautiful beyond what any undead should be. What kind of creature would this one turn out to be?
The cave opened into a world of its own.
It was a deep, winding passage that sloped steadily downward. The rock walls were covered in Fluorescent Moss that cast faint, eerie light, creating a shifting tapestry of strange shadows.
The air was thick with the damp scent of earth, mingled with a cloying sweetness that seemed to emanate from rotting flesh, making each breath feel heavy.
"Watch your step."
Ilanier's soft warning echoed briefly in the cavern before being swallowed by the boundless darkness.
The Tome of Moon Whispers in Lin Qingyue's hand emitted a gentle white glow, providing the most stable light source for the middle of the formation.
She noticed occasional deep scratches on the rock walls. They didn't resemble the claw marks of any known beast; instead, they looked more like crudely carved runes.
"These marks... are they claw prints?" Lin Xiyue asked, lowering her voice.
"Uncertain," an Elven Ranger at the front replied. "The marks are fresh, but their structure is strange. They don't match any creature we know."
The passage continued its descent.
The deeper they went, the more potent the cloying sweetness became, making their chests tighten. The Fluorescent Moss grew sparser, and the light dimmed.
Ilanier waved her hand, and several Elven Mages immediately stepped forward. Constant orbs of light flared at the tips of their staves, banishing the darkness ahead.
The Silent Watch Knights had long since vanished from sight. Their natural affinity for darkness allowed them to move far faster than the main force.
"Commander Aeldara and her knights are moving so quickly. Should we try to catch up?" Lin Xiyue asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
"No need," Ilanier replied, her tone firm. "The Silent Watch has its own unique methods of scouting. We will maintain our guard and advance steadily."
After walking a while longer, Lin Qingyue sensed the space ahead suddenly opening up.
A faint shuffling sound drifted from the depths of the darkness, like something heavy being dragged across a rough surface.
"Movement ahead!" an Elven Ranger hissed, snapping his bow up in warning.
The party halted instantly.
The Elf Knights swiftly formed a semi-circular defensive formation, their shields locked together, long spears bristling from the gaps, aimed straight into the darkness.
The taut twang of drawn bowstrings was piercing in the silence.
Lin Xiyue immediately slammed Immovable Mountain to the ground, shielding her sister and the others behind her.
Frosty mist swirled around Su Wan's fingertips.
Xia Lian silently took half a step back, her entire form seeming to melt into the shadows of the rock wall.
Lin Qingyue also tightened her grip on her staff, her mental focus sharpening, ready to use a Character Card at a moment's notice.
The cloying, sweet air seemed to congeal.
The shuffling sound didn't stop; instead, it grew closer. Heavy and viscous, as if some massive, soft-bodied creature was dragging itself inch by inch from the Abyss.
Seriously, Officer? A classic horror movie trope? Lin Qingyue complained silently. Is it a giant worm or a Slime Demon Lord? Please don't be something that'll drain my SAN just by looking at it—it'll ruin my appetite for barbecue tonight!
Shhh... shhh...
The sound stopped abruptly, about twenty meters ahead of the group.
A deathly silence enveloped them all.
Even the most elite Elf Knight in the party had beads of sweat forming on his temples.