Chapter 795

【 CRYSTAL CITY, THE DIMENSIONAL GATE 】

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Mana crystals that could recharge themselves!

The players’ eyes lit up as they quickly realized what this meant…

Mana crystals had countless uses.

They powered teleportation arrays, activated various magical formations, supplied energy to magic rifles, restored magical power, assisted meditation, and much more.

In a world of magic, anything related to magic ultimately depended on mana.

And a mana crystal capable of continuously providing mana, one that could automatically replenish itself after being depleted and left alone for a period of time, would be useful in all sorts of ways.

Although these crystals stored only lightning-element mana, and only those capable of wielding lightning magic could directly make use of them, players could always learn.

After all, it was merely lightning magic. The Grand Library of the Chosen City contained numerous lightning-element spellbooks that players had gathered from across the world.

Unfortunately, despite their similar outward manifestations, the lightning produced by lightning-element mana in the world of Seigües was fundamentally different from the electricity back on Earth in ways that players still did not fully understand.

It was not as though no one had attempted to recreate electrical systems similar to Earth and spark an industrial revolution.

Many had tried, but all attempts have failed.

Some even suspected that the game’s developers simply had not implemented such mechanics.

From another perspective, however, since they had already arrived in a fantasy world filled with magic, why bother replicating Earth’s industrial revolution in the first place?

Wouldn’t it be far more exciting to create a magical technological revolution instead?

In fact, that was exactly what the players had been doing.

They had been applying Earth’s technological knowledge to modify magical artifacts here in the world of Seigües, or more accurately, combining the strengths of both systems.

Magic fertilizers, magic firearms, Zeppelin airships, and even magical lamps brighter and longer-lasting than those used in human kingdoms had all been created in this way.

As for more complex inventions…

Aside from a handful of tech geeks, most players simply lacked the patience to pursue them.

Given the choice, most would rather spend their time leveling up or enjoying the scenery.

In a world of supernatural beings, individual strength ultimately mattered far more than external tools, especially now that the world’s mana levels were rapidly increasing.

Thus, a magical weapon that took half a day to develop might still be less effective than spending that same time gaining a few more levels.

Nevertheless, the emergence of Electrite Crystal had opened up entirely new possibilities for many people.

Various weapons and tools powered by mana crystals now seemed capable of reaching entirely new heights, including Zeppelin airships, magic firearms, mana cannons, and more…

Staring at the Electrite before him, Li Mu could not help but sigh in admiration.

“I have a feeling that fire, wind, and lightning magic are about to become incredibly popular.”

Carlos laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Does it suddenly feel like Electrite can solve all sorts of magical problems?”

Yet as his laughter subsided, a trace of nostalgia appeared on his face.

“Speaking of which… I remember reading some legends in an ancient text.”

“According to those tales, before the Twilight Era, when dragons and titans ruled the world, there once existed a civilization that built its entire magical society around the use of Electrite. They called it the Arcane Civilization.”

“Floating cities, Godslayer Cannons, Magitech Colossi, Construct Puppets, Philosopher’s Stones, Elemental Towers… Heh, it is said that some of the magical weapons they created were powerful enough to rival the might of a demigod!”

“It is said that the Thunderspark Clan was especially fascinated by such things. In fact, their clan guardian, His Excellency Donar, the Sword of Judgment, was deeply obsessed with the Arcane Civilization and collected a vast number of items related to it.”

“But in the end, the Arcane Civilization was still destroyed during the war between the dragons and the titans…”

“Thus civilization perished merely because it was caught in the aftermath of a divine conflict.”

After speaking, Carlos gazed out the window, his eyes settling upon the distant Temple of Life.

He raised a hand and traced the symbol of a scepter across his chest before sighing:

“Without the protection of the gods, even the mightiest civilization remains no more than an insect before truly overwhelming power…”

The surrounding players fell silent, deep in thought.

Yet anyone paying close attention to their expressions would notice that many of them secretly disagreed with the old elf’s words.

The players from Earth, especially those from that Eastern nation, rarely voiced such thoughts aloud. But deep down, they had never believed that gods were invincible.

And it was precisely because of this conviction that every time they faced mythical beings, no matter how terrifying the divine pressure before them, their hearts remained filled with boundless fighting spirit and utterly devoid of fear.

This was the true terror of the Fourth Crisis.

“Speaking of which…”

Carlos suddenly changed the subject.

“Since you guys found Frozen Valley, Crystal City shouldn’t be far away, should it?”

The players’ hearts stirred.

Crystal City?

It was the final elven capital that remained undiscovered besides Frozen Valley.

“Grandpa Carlos, now that you mention it, there’s actually something I’d like to ask you.”

After a moment’s thought, Li Mu said:

“Frozen Valley is already near the northwestern edge of the continent. If I remember correctly, some historical records suggest that Crystal City should be located farther inland than Frozen Valley. So why is it that we’ve found Frozen Valley, yet still haven’t found Crystal City?”

Carlos blinked in surprise before smiling.

“Ah, you’ve come to the right person for that question. It is because Crystal City isn’t on the surface but rather—It’s underground.”

The players exchanged bewildered glances.

“Underground?”

Carlos nodded.

“That’s right.”

Setting the Electrite down, he continued:

“In the northwestern region of the Elven Forest lies a subterranean territory isolated from the greater Underground region. It is also known as the Underground Forest and Crystal City is located there.”

“Search carefully. If I remember correctly, my father once told me that Frozen Valley contains an underground path leading directly to Crystal City.”

“And not only Frozen Valley. Rivendell once possessed an ultra-long-range teleportation array connected directly to Crystal City.”

“Unfortunately, it was completely destroyed during the thousand year holy war, leaving behind not even the slightest trace.”

“Come to think of it… Crystal City was originally one of the Shadowshade Clan’s capitals as well.”

“Though they jointly shared it with the Thunderspark Clan.”

Carlos spoke unhurriedly while the players hurriedly recorded every word.

“Chosen Ones, if you manage to find Crystal City, remember to bring back plenty of Mythril for me.”

Carlos smiled.

Mythril?

Li Mu and Demacia exchanged glances.

They were familiar with the material.

It was said to be an exceptional magical mineral, particularly suitable for forging crystal equipment.

And above all else…

It was incredibly beautiful.

༺⟐༻

After learning about the Electrite from Carlos, the players left in high spirits.

Ironically, because the stone absorbed mana, even the appraisal spell was ineffective against it. Had it not been for Carlos, the players would likely have spent quite some time figuring out exactly what it was.

Once news of Electrite spread around, the entire playerbase erupted with excitement.

Anyone could immediately recognize the value and potential of a self-recharging mana crystal.

For a time, players from all across the Elven Forest began flocking to Frozen Valley.

And as more and more players arrived, increasing quantities of Electrite crystal were unearthed. To their delight, they discovered that beneath the entirety of Frozen Valley lay an enormous Electrite vein.

“So this is probably why the Thunderspark Clan chose to build their city here. They were already known for their mastery of lightning magic, after all.”

Li Mu could not help but remark.

As more players entered Frozen Valley, the magical beasts nesting there suffered greatly.

However, there were still three regions within the valley that players dared not approach.

These territories belonged to three magical beasts whose strength had likely reached the legendary-rank: a Dragonhawk, a mutated Thunder Earth Dragon, and a One-Horned Thunder Python.

Little Salty Cat of Moe Moe Committee wanted to ask Meryer to deal with them, but unfortunately, the Black Dragon was currently rampaging through the Wasteland of Desolation alongside the three Mythical Dragons.

In the end, the players could only take detours around the territories of these three legendary-rank monsters.

As time goes by, the players gradually gained a better understanding of Frozen Valley, the underground path mentioned by the old elven blacksmith was eventually discovered.

The passage was hidden within a ruined temple deep inside the valley, a place that had long since become a paradise for Crypt Spiders.

Fortunately, the Spider Queen residing there was clearly far weaker than Rose. Most of the crypt spiders under her command were relatively weak as well.

As such, the players barely had to lift a finger. They simply persuaded Spider Queen Rose to make a trip there, and the problem was solved.

In the end, the Spider Queen was slain by Rose, while all of the lesser crypt spiders were brought under her control and incorporated into her ever-growing brood.

With the death of the Spider Queen, Rose effectively became the undisputed ruler of the crypt spider population within Frozen Valley. The surviving spiders no longer resisted and quickly submitted to her authority.

However, after the Spider Queen had been eliminated, the players attempted to persuade Rose to deal with the other Legendary-rank magical beasts inhabiting Frozen Valley as well.

To their disappointment, she flatly refused.

Rose had no intention of taking unnecessary risks as crypt spiders possessed two major weaknesses:

They feared light.

And they feared lightning.

Although Rose was also a Legendary-rank magical beast, but the creatures dwelling within Frozen Valley possessed powerful lightning attributes, making them natural predators of crypt spiders.

Under such circumstances, Rose would likely be poorly matched against those lightning-attributed creatures, and even if she emerged victorious, the losses suffered by her brood would be severe.

Naturally, she had no interest in accepting such a proposal.

In fact, if the underground path had not contained an abundance of magical ore deposits, crypt spiders probably would never have chosen to live there in the first place.

Nevertheless, with the spiders cleared out, further exploration became much easier.

When the players finally descended beneath the Northwestern Forest, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight.

Within the vast underground expanse, countless crystals of various sizes were embedded throughout the cavern walls. These crystals emitted a soft golden glow, illuminating the entire subterranean world with brilliant light.

And within the cavern stretched a lush forest.

It was not a forest composed of subterranean plants.

It was a genuine forest.

Many of the trees even emitted faint luminescence of their own, creating an enchanting and mysterious landscape beneath the glow of the crystals.

It was truly a wondrous sight.

If one had to compare it to something, the last time the players had experienced such awe was when they first looked down upon the Elven Forest from the World Tree.

Yet just as they thought this magnificent underground forest could not become any more impressive, they witnessed an even more unforgettable scene.

Deep within the forest stood an elven city constructed entirely from exquisite pale-blue crystals.

It was the final lost elven city—Crystal City.

With its discovery, every elven capital within the Elven Forest had finally been found by the players.

“So this is Crystal City? It’s… unbelievably beautiful!”

Little Salty Cat stared at the crystal metropolis shimmering with rainbow-colored radiance, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

Unlike Frozen Valley on the surface, Crystal City had remained relatively well preserved.

After all, it lay underground. Its remote location meant that few magical beasts inhabited the region, sparing it from the extensive destruction suffered by Frozen Valley.

Of course, it had not escaped damage entirely.

The city had been constructed from Mana Crystals, a mineral highly favored by crypt spiders. A careful inspection revealed countless signs of spider bites throughout the ruins.

Even so, nothing could diminish its breathtaking beauty.

Looking at the nearly exposed ore veins surrounding Crystal City, Li Mu could not help but exclaim in amazement.

“The mineral resources here are probably on par with Rivendell and Mountpeak City.”

A city connected directly to Rivendell, the manufacturing capital of the elves, through an ultra-long-distance teleportation array was bound to possess something special.

And Crystal City’s uniqueness clearly lay in its resources.

As the player population continued to grow, demand for all kinds of minerals had risen sharply. Even the price of magic firearms had increased significantly.

The discovery of another resource-rich region would undoubtedly ease much of that pressure.

“Let’s explore deeper.”

Li Mu said to his companions.

Crystal City was considerably smaller than Frozen Valley.

In fact, according to ancient records, Crystal City had always been the smallest of all the ancient elven major cities.

Incidentally, among the seven elven major cities, the largest was the Elven Royal Capital. The second largest was Florence, followed by Rivendell, Kenorland, and Mirovia.

Nearly every one or two elven clan possessed their own capital city.

The Moonlight Clan occupied the Elven Royal Capital.

The Galewind Clan ruled Florence.

The Shadowshade Clan shared Rivendell and Crystal City.

The Rageflame Clan and Rocksand Clan shared Kenorland.

The Azurefrost Clan inhabited Mirovia.

And the Thunderspark Clan resided in Frozen Valley.

Returning to the present.

The entire city was arranged in a hexagonal pattern, resembling an enormous magical array.

At the center stood a magnificent crystal temple.

The temple was grand and majestic, but when the players arrived, their attention was quickly drawn to something else standing beside it.

“What is that?”

Demacia asked in surprise.

It was a damaged crystal gate.

Taller than the temple itself, and even more imposing, it was covered in mysterious magical runes and countless inscriptions that none of them could decipher.

At the same moment, within the Garden of Eden, Evé, who had been resting with her eyes closed, slowly opened them.

“So they have finally found Mindel’s Dimensional Gate…”