Chapter 609 - 607: Withered Wood and the Hidden Cultivation Association

Elf Royal City, beneath the Holy Tree.

Here lies the secret organization site of the Elf Royal Court. Above the Holy Tree, holiness and life permeate gently, while underground, darkness and dampness nourish—a secret institution directly under the Elf King known as [Withered Wood].

Disola, the head of [Withered Wood], possesses the infamous title [King of Withered Wood].

In the Starfall Continent, Withered Wood might seem insignificant, but within the Elf Race, he is the undisputed king of shadows, who even the Dark Elf organization are wary of.

The reason for not tackling the Dark Elves lies in their usefulness to the Elf Royal Court.

Unlike other elves, Withered Wood, having trained in the [Death] faction, sacrificed his life force to the Holy Tree for the power of [Wither], making him look like a heap of dried branches, with dry and rough skin contrasting sharply against the round fullness typical of elves.

Were he to walk the streets, people might mistake him for an animated deadwood, earning respect even from the Dark Elves.

Yet, at this moment, Disola’s face lacks the inherent authority and confidence of the king of shadows.

He is currently frowning at the war report before him.

"Why such an order? Assassinate the future Holy Daughter of the Holy Court? Never mind succeeding, even if we did, could the Elf Race withstand the Knight Order of the Holy Court?"

Disola shakes his head.

Unfortunately, loyal to the Elf King, he can only devise a plan despite his unease.

"The opponent seems to possess strong crisis sensing abilities. According to the action team’s records, she can rapidly slow down her assailant’s attack during assassination attempts, allowing her time to react..."

Disola muses for a while, "Perhaps a Tier Five Mage should be sent, but..."

As the only Tier Six Mage in Withered Wood, Disola believes he could easily resolve the issue if he were to make a move.

However, as the top leader of the secret organization, he has many responsibilities and has not engaged in assassination work for many years.

"It’s not just me; even those who advanced to Tier Five rarely act. The power of Wither is potent, but the cost is one’s own life force. Even the Elf Race cannot endure such immense life force depletion."

Choosing not to act might have been wise, but every action is a gamble; misuse of too much power could require prolonged recuperation upon return.

If severely injured, there might be no recuperation needed—just peace awaiting death.

"Every elf of the Withered faction has emerged from countless battles, exhausting excessive life force. Better consult the Elf King before visiting them."

Disola contacts the Elf King through secret means.

In an unknown shadowy place, Disola reports to the Elf King about the assassination results.

In reality, the Elf King already knew, as Hilia had entered Forest Language City and begun the purification actions.

After the report, Disola states, "The opponent’s strength far exceeds peers and possesses a strong danger perception ability, perhaps forming a unique passive magic. Under such circumstances, only deploying them might successfully achieve the goal."

The Elf King listens and after a moment, nods slightly, saying, "No hurry for now; she is currently in Forest Language City. Wait for her departure, avoid assassinating openly. Observe her movements; if she intends to head towards the Elf Royal City, don’t intervene, then plan accordingly."

Disola says, "I need your token."

The Elf King muses for a moment and hands over a token.

"You have one final chance."

"Understood."

...

Hilia is currently in Forest Language City, purifying countless patients inside the city with the City Lord’s assistance.

Her prestige is rapidly rising among cities in the Elf Forest.

Faith forces from elves are also becoming more intense.

Rose simply creates a rune for her, directing all faith forces not onto her but into the spiritual space to gather.

Once gathered to a certain extent, Rose sends it to Ethel as ’wages’ for building the Divine Hall.

Of course, to the Gods, this amount of faith can essentially be ignored.

This is because it is mere ordinary faith, no matter how pure, it is birthed from respect rather than true believers, producing far weaker than fanatical believers.

A cluster of faith forces equates to a small pellet, suitable as a snack but impossible to rely on for regaining strength.

Rose disdainfully passes this faith force to Ethel.

They’re on the third day in Forest Language City.

After three days, Hilia has finally completed the purification task.

This time took a more severe toll.

To avoid further assassination attempts on the journey ahead, she decides to rest up for the night before moving on.

"Wonder if those ’Dark Elves’ will appear again."

Hilia stands atop the tallest giant tree in Forest Language City, overlooking this city built within the forest.

The girl feels slightly regretful, "They could’ve acted during my purification."

Rose chuckles softly, "Oh? Why think that way?"

Hilia replies, "If this is orchestrated by the Elf Royal Court, wouldn’t they have already framed it on the Dark Elves? If so, why not frame thoroughly? Fake another assassination attempt, causing all elves to hate the Dark Elves—a double win."

Rose nods, "That’s common practice, provided the Elf Royal Court wishes to eradicate the Dark Elves swiftly."

"Huh? Aren’t Dark Elves to the Elf Race like heretics to the Holy Court? The Holy Court detests heretics deeply; don’t they hate them?"

Rose says, "Of course they hate them, but this Dark Elf organization only occasionally stirs trouble and doesn’t create major havoc like heretics. Guess why they lasted this long?"

Hilia shakes her head, "Hilia doesn’t know."

Rose responds with mild annoyance, "Of course, it’s for maintaining self-reliance and having a scapegoat when causing mischief in shadows, just like assassinating you."

"Oh, I see."

Hilia fully comprehends now.

"Despicable elves, truly disgusting."

Rose glances at her, "The Holy Court has such institutions too; if I’m not mistaken it’s called the Hidden Cultivation Association."

"Hidden Cultivation Association?"

Hilia pauses, frowning and contemplating, shaking her head, "Never heard of it."

"You’ll only know once you truly enter the higher levels of the Holy Court," Rose says casually, "Think about it, why is there a Holy Daughter candidate every decade when a Holy Daughter’s talent can easily reach Tier Four, mages live long, changing every ten years—even if they can’t breakthrough—but where have those people gone?"

"This..."

Hilia never considered this before.

She involuntarily falls into deep thought.

Come to think of it, she really doesn’t know where previous Holy Daughters went after stepping down.