Chapter 119: A New Home

The shrubs were sharp and tangled, their branches crisscrossing in a low, disorderly thicket. Slightly taller trees stood straight and slender, their canopies oval-shaped and leaves lush and dense.

The soil beneath their feet was soft and muddy, with no clear path to follow. They could only tread where fallen leaves had piled thickly. The earth gave off a musty, decaying scent, and the air carried a faint chill.

After landing ashore, the dark elves immediately began searching for their king. The massive, voracious figure had vanished, leaving them no choice but to venture deeper into the forest.

Ling Xi stood amidst a grove, rows of slender, upright trunks stretching around him. His tall and slender frame was instantly noticeable. A thin veil of mist clung to his skin, making his complexion appear even paler and softening his delicate brows and eyes. The misty trees behind him created a mysterious distance between him and the others.

With elegant grace, he extended his hand, wearing his signature polite yet cold smile. His voice was ethereal and commanding, and the powerful aura surrounding him made the newcomers wary to approach.

“I am the Dark Elf King. Welcome to the Eastern Lands.”

The newcomers stood frozen, silent. Little Lan clung tightly to his sister’s waist and whispered, “Is this the Dark Elf King?”

Afraid he might say something wrong due to his youth, A Duo immediately covered his mouth. “Shh.”

One elder with a long beard noticed everyone hesitating to step forward. Glancing at the extraordinary young man before them, he bowed slightly and snapped at his people behind him:

“What are you all standing there for? You see the Dark Elf King—aren’t you going to kneel?”

His words jolted them into action. One after another, they bowed and knelt. Their knees touched the ground, foreheads gently pressing the earth, hands placed reverently on either side of their heads, palms up.

Even the youngest, Little Lan, performed the ritual with utmost seriousness. Together, they shouted three times in unison:

“Our King watches over us, under the eternal shine of stars and moon, we swear to follow you unto death!”

Ling Xi approached the elder and extended his hand.

“We are all kin here; no need for formalities.”

Everyone lifted their heads and rose, hearts surging with emotion. The long-awaited Dark Elf King now stood before them—like a dream made real.

A Duo recalled the suffering and injustice their scattered kin had endured. Overcome with emotion, tears welled in her eyes. She wiped them away furtively. Someone nearby noticed and whispered gently:

“Hey, why are you crying? Shouldn’t you be happy to see the Dark Elf King?”

At this, A Duo’s tears flowed faster, her eyes reddening, her sleeve soaked. Choking on her sobs, she addressed the king:

“My lord, you cannot know how much suffering our dark elf clan has endured. We lived in fear day and night, homeless and wandering, dependent on others. Now, our people are finally gathered. I thank you… but I fear, how long can we remain together like this? Will the trees around us wither again? Will we have to search once more for a place to call home?”

Hearing her words, the others lowered their heads in silence. Their hearts shared the same doubts, yet they held the same hope—to have a home they would never have to leave.

A Duo voiced this hope aloud: “Dark Elf King, how I long for our people to stay together, never to be separated again, to live generation after generation in the same homeland!”

Ling Xi smiled calmly.

“Isn’t that why I’ve gathered you here?”

Her tears ceased. She blinked in surprise, eyes still wet, looking at Ling Xi.

“Do you mean… we have found a suitable home? Our people will never be scattered again?”

Ling Xi was a man of few words, feeling that no verbal promise could suffice. He lifted his deep, lake-like eyes toward the depths of the dark forest.

What he sought to accomplish and the honor he intended to reclaim for this land—all would be witnessed by his people.

“If you wish to know the truth, follow me. I will lead you to the home that belongs to us, the dark elves!”

Their hearts brimmed with anticipation as they eagerly followed Ling Xi’s lead.

Not far ahead, they joined the main force led by Ling Feng, who had arrived earlier. Together, a thousand strong, they marched grandly into the depths of the jungle.

Beyond a dense mist, through the black, eerie forest, they reached a little-known, hidden wasteland. Black wild grass grew across the brown-yellow soil, stretching endlessly.

They halted at the edge, seeing nothing but desolation save for a simple wooden hut and a sparsely fenced vineyard. Rows of mutated grapevines bore ripe, plump grapes glowing faintly with a ghostly blue light.

They looked left and right, full of questions but dared not voice them.

“Could this be the home the Dark Elf King promised? This bleak, barren land?”

Yet no one spoke.

For those who had never known a home, a piece of land to call their own was enough. Even if they had to cultivate it from scratch, inch by inch, they would do so willingly.

Ling Xi paced before the wooden hut, gazing at the vineyard thoughtfully.

“Sigh. Over the years, I have experimented on this land to find which plants might resist the corrupting dark forces and grow here. After countless trials, I have finally discovered a way to cultivate vegetation on this soil.”

A Duo stepped forward boldly, puzzled.

“Dark Elf King, is this the place you have brought us to?”

Ling Feng beside him replied instead:

“The King has his plans. Just watch.”

Ling Xi moved to a clearing behind the hut, drew his staff, and summoned his magic, tapping it upon the ground. Beneath the staff, vibrant green light began to spread. Strong winds blew, billowing his robes as he chanted loudly:

“Forest Magic—One Tree Becomes a Forest!”

Suddenly, countless roots slithered from beneath the staff like serpents, bursting through the soil and racing outward, spreading like a giant green net.

From the center of the wasteland, a towering tree surged upward. Its trunk thickened and stretched higher, its branches lifting soil and shedding it from the air as they reached skyward.

Emerald leaves sprouted, grew full and lush, heavy clusters weighing down the branches, brimming with life and vitality.