Chapter 793

【 FROZEN VALLEY 】

The escalation of the war in the Wasteland of Desolation was like a stone cast into a lake, sending ripples spreading through the playerbase.

But they were only ripples, nothing more.

By now, the number of players had continued to grow, the accessible map within the game had expanded further and further, thus the range of activities available to everyone had become increasingly diverse.

Although the twentyfold acceleration effect remained incredibly attractive, there were two realities. On one hand, constant fighting eventually wore people out. On the other, among high-level players, those who genuinely needed class advancement opportunities were still a minority as most players were still stuck at the advancement stage itself.

Meanwhile, the Labyrinth Dungeon remained as crowded as ever.

Well, this couldn’t be helped since there were simply too many players trying to secure advancement slots…

This left Azazel feeling immensely relieved. Fortunately, a certain devil-like Goddess had managed to recently drag so many unlucky Abyssal Myths into the labyrinth. Otherwise, even he might have been forced to personally take the field every single day.

That was a nightmare he had no desire to experience ever again.

However, among the growing number of players who had obtained advancement slots, not everyone chose to level up in the Wasteland of Desolation, even though leveling seems more efficient there.

Ever since the bridge was constructed across the northwestern Grand Canyon region of the Elven Forest, many players chose to cross the canyon and hunt monsters on the other side.

This included elite players from various major guilds, such as Little Salty Cat, Li Mu, and Demacia.

After all, for veteran players like them, it was far more enjoyable to admire the beautiful scenery while hunting magical beasts. If they were fortunate enough, they could even bring down a creature close to the Gold-rank, or perhaps even a true Gold-Rank beast, rather than endlessly farming low-level demons in the harsh environment of the Wasteland of Desolation.

Besides, demon meat was inedible.

Not only did eating it inflict debuffs, but it also caused diarrhea.

It was also worth noting that the quality of magical beasts on the far side of the Great Canyon was noticeably higher than those within the Elven Forest itself.

Perhaps because this region lay in the northwestern corner of the continent, relatively close to Dragon Island across the northwestern sea, dragons frequently wandered through or even settled in the area. Signs of dragon activity could be found throughout the Grand Canyon itself.

These monsters were generally of higher level and stronger, and there were even quite a few sub-dragon species amongst them.

Whether hunted for experience or subdued as magical familiars, these magical beasts represented highly desirable targets for the players.

This was especially true after the battle against the demon army in the Maple Moon Territory, where a great many players permanently lost their beloved familiars. As a result, the demand for magical companions had only grown larger.

At the same time, the supply of dragon eggs and sub-dragon beasts that Dragon Island could regularly provide had gradually begun to diminish.

According to rumors, before long, the supply might even disappear entirely.

After all, dragons were not an inexhaustible resource as they were a race notoriously difficult to reproduce.

Even after accumulating reserves for so many years, the total number of dragon eggs lacking dragon markings and sub-dragon beasts with the potential to purify their bloodlines was still limited.

As a result, many players who had given up hope of contracting a dragon companion shifted their attention toward these sub-dragon species instead.

Even if they were not genuine dragons, they still carried the word “dragon” in their name, did they not?

In the world of Seigües, the power of one’s bloodlines remained extraordinarily influential.

Meanwhile, perhaps because Eve’s true body had returned to Seigües, the recovery rate of the world’s mana had begun to accelerate steadily once more.

Moreover, not only within the Elven Forest, but across forests throughout the entire continent, magical beasts had entered yet another period of explosive population growth, with mutations and rank advancements becoming increasingly common.

Players often heard from passing caravans and bards about recent beast tides erupting in forests near certain factions, or tales of livestock raised in a village suddenly mutating into magical beasts and slaughtering the entire settlement before adventurers eventually discovered and killed them.

It felt remarkably similar to the spiritual energy resurgence scenario that had once been popular in certain chinese novels many years ago, except in a western fantasy setting.

By comparison, perhaps due to the relentless hunting of wild animals by the players, the Elven Forest, which should have been one of the regions most prone to beast tides, remained relatively peaceful. The explosive growth of magical beasts and the ever-increasing number of players had formed a delicate equilibrium.

It was under such circumstances that Evé released the update announcement, which made the entire world map of Seigües fully accessible to players.

“So the devs finally letting us explore the entire map of Seigües?”

Deep within the northwestern forest, Li Mu’s eyes lit up as he rode atop his unicorn familiar.

Behind him followed a bronze dragon more than eight meters long, with a fire elemental fairy perched on its back.

One man hunting, the whole family mobilized.

As for his original mount, the giant crypt spider, he had long since sold it to a new player.

“Wonderful! I’ve been waiting for this day for ages! Now we can finally visit Aries Kingdom, as well as other regions of the Holy Maniya Empire. Oh, and all those nearby duchies too like Luz, Misia and Garland…”

Beside him, Demacia sat atop an earth dragon, enthusiastically counting on his fingers.

The more he spoke, the more excited he became.

“Oh! Right! We also have to include the Orc Alliance and the Dragonborn Kingdoms in the northeastern part of the continent. Hmm… I heard orcs aren’t much smarter than half-orcs. They’re probably the easiest race to make money from! And the mineral resources in the Far Northern Icefields are quite plentiful too. Slurp~”

Li Mu: “…”

Watching Demacia grow increasingly excited, he could not help but remark:

“You just want to open more branch stores for your merchant group, don’t you?”

“Why not? Heh, Brother Mu, you have no idea. My greatest dream here in ElvKing is to establish a massive merchant consortium spanning the entire world! No, one world isn’t enough. I want branches across countless realms! To become the Money King of the Realm!”

Demacia declared enthusiastically.

Then he stroked his chin and grinned smugly.

“Think about it, Brother Mu. If that day really comes, what couldn’t I do here in the game? Contribution points are depreciating, and their purchasing power is limited. But the gold coins we earn are real money!”

Li Mu glanced at him in surprise.

He wanted to pat Demacia on the shoulder, but after raising his hand, he realized he could not reach. The earth dragon the man was riding was simply too large and too tall.

Li Mu had no idea where he had acquired it.

In the end, he could only sigh.

“Demacia, it’s really a waste that you aren’t doing any kind of business in real life.”

“Meh… Doing business in real life isn’t nearly as fun as in games. All the methods for raking in serious cash in reality are considered criminal acts under the law. Elven Kingdom is much better. You can do whatever you want here! Live as wildly as you please! Once I make enough money, I’m definitely marrying eight wives here in the game!”

Demacia burst into laughter.

Li Mu: “…”

“Wake up. You don’t even have a girlfriend.”

“Hah, can’t I just keep girls around to admire?”

“Scumbag.”

“Brother Mu, honestly, don’t tell me you’ve never had that thought in a game.”

“Me? Not at all. I’m a very devoted person.”

“I don’t believe you!”

The two continued chatting casually as the expedition team of Heart of Nature advanced through the forest.

As for locating magical beasts, that responsibility had been entirely entrusted to Li Mu’s magical familiar, the Unicorn, as they were known as Children of the Forest and possessed an extraordinary sensitivity to all forms of presence and mana.

At that moment, however, a sudden commotion erupted from somewhere up ahead.

But the unicorn showed no sign of alarm.

The two exchanged glances and immediately guessed the source.

It was probably other players.

“Let’s go take a look.”

Li Mu spoke.

The group pushed aside the dense undergrowth and moved closer, only to find numerous players excitedly rushing in the same direction.

Li Mu’s heart stirred.

Patting the unicorn beneath him, he urged it forward. With a graceful leap, the unicorn landed in front of one of the players, blocking his path.

The intercepted player was momentarily stunned. He was about to complain when he recognized Li Mu, causing his eyes to light up.

“Brother Mu?”

“Hello.”

Li Mu greeted him with a friendly smile.

Then he glanced toward the direction from which the crowd was gathering and asked curiously,

“Did something happen?”

“Someone discovered a new Elven ruin!”

The player replied excitedly.

After speaking, he looked at the Heart of Nature expedition team and suddenly thought of something.

“Brother Mu, are you heading there too? If so, could you give me a ride?”

Li Mu exchanged a glance with Demacia before bursting into laughter.

“Of course!”

He pointed toward the bronze dragon behind him.

“Bro, why don’t you ride my dragon companion?”

Then he turned toward the bronze dragon and asked with a smile,

“Well? Can you give him a lift?”

The dragon rolled its eyes at him. After glancing disdainfully at the player, it lifted its head proudly, its expression full of contempt.

“I’ll treat you to a whole roasted lamb when we get back.”

Li Mu added.

The moment those words were spoken, the bronze dragon immediately turned its head back. Its eyes lit up, and it obediently lowered itself to the ground.

The player whom Li Mu had stopped watched the scene with envy. Under the dragon’s somewhat reluctant gaze, he carefully climbed onto its back.

At the same time, he could not help but sigh in admiration.

“Dragons are so amazing. This is my first time riding one…”

A childish voice suddenly rang out, startling him.

“You’re one of Her Grace’s Chosen Ones, and that’s the best you’ve got?”

The player quickly turned his head.

When he noticed the fire elemental fairy sitting on the dragon’s back as well, his surprise deepened even further.

“An elemental fairy?!”

“Nezha, we have a guest.”

Li Mu reminded her from the side.

“Bleeeh…”

The fire elemental fairy stuck out its tongue at the player before fluttering over to Li Mu’s shoulder and hiding beneath his clothing.

“You little troublemaker…”

Li Mu said helplessly.

The player seated on the dragon’s back became even more envious.

“A unicorn, a dragon, and an elemental fairy… This is what being a top player looks like…”

༺⟐༻

After picking up the player they had encountered along the way, the Heart of Nature expedition team increased their pace and headed toward the location he had indicated.

As they drew nearer, more and more players could be seen arriving from every direction. It was obvious that news of the newly discovered Elven ruins had already spread.

Even so, their group continued onward.

Curiously, as they advanced, the surrounding temperature gradually began to drop.

It was not due to a change in the weather. Rather, it seemed to stem from the environment itself. Li Mu noticed that the vegetation around them was changing. Cold-resistant plant species were becoming increasingly common.

Finally, after traveling at full speed for roughly fifteen minutes, a crystal-clear valley came into view.

A breathtaking expanse of ice and frost stretched before them, with elegant elven structures scattered harmoniously throughout the valley.

Looking at the orderly arrangement of Elven architecture nestled among the frozen landscape, Li Mu spoke with unconcealed excitement.

“Frozen Valley…”