Chapter 4: The Great Crisis of the Elf Tribe

  "What hope! Little San you quickly say!"

  Long Tianyu really wanted to find Xiao San's physical body, grab his neck and shake it hard, shaking out the answer!

  "Master, you want to choke Xiaosan's neck, and Xiaosan won't tell you!"

  "Little three, you're the best! What else can I hope for from my master?"

  "Master, according to what your brother said, you can't cultivate your Qi to the level of a Dou Shi because your body, bones, tendons, and meridians are weak or damaged. You should currently be at the third rank of swordsmanship, and before advancing to Sword Master, there are still seven ranks left, which means you will have at least ten small skill points!"

  "Ten skill points, what can this change? It can only give me more skills. If I randomly get useless skills, won't I die of sadness!" Long Tianyu's tragic single-mindedness completely failed to carefully consider the role of each skill in the game.

  "The master, the beast skills you have learned are actually different from what you understand!"

  "What's changed? Come on, you're killing me with your slowness!"

  "Master, for example, 'Power Ring' level 1 can increase arm strength and accuracy by 10%. 'Hardened Shell' level 1 can increase all physical attributes by 15%! This is what you need! 'Strength Enhancement' level 1 can also increase body strength by 10% and all physical attributes by 5%... If you learn these skills with skill points, you can gradually improve your physical condition, become stronger, withstand the pressure of Dou Qi, and continue to upgrade!"

  Xiao San's analysis made Long Tianyu nod in agreement. Indeed, as Xiao San said, Long Tianyu still has a lot of room for growth.

  "Xiao San, why are you always talking about level one skills? Don't you know anything about level two skills?"

  "I don't know!"

  "You still call it a Monster System Processor!" Little Three's "I don't know" almost made Long Tianyu's head, which had just been lifted, bump into the horizontal wooden beam on the edge of the bed.

  "Master! Only when you've learned a level one skill can Xiaosan know about its level two!"

  "It turns out it's like this, I guess I can only bet on your character now, handsome guy has his own good fortune!"

  "You should exercise now and improve your physical fitness!"

  …………

  In the main hall, Imperial Marshal He Changjian hastily arrived.

  He Changjian was already over 70 years old, and being only a fifth-grade sword master, his long-distance walking pace couldn't help but appear somewhat disorganized, and he still had some of the feeling of riding a horse when walking.

  Long Yanba was not angry about his tardiness and immediately ordered someone to offer him a seat.

  "My dear, take a rest for a moment, there's something to report later." Long Yan reminded He Changjian not to be so impetuous, or his body would not be able to bear it.

  He Changjian is one of the four pillars of the empire and a military genius!

  He Changjian took a sip of water and calmed his urgent breathing before saying: "Your Majesty, I have important military news to report!"

  "My dear, please speak!"

  "News came from the Thunder Fortress under the command of the Eighth Prince, Long Tianfei. The wolf cavalry and minotaur troops of the beastmen began to move mysteriously! The Eighth Prince and General Li Yuanfang analyzed that the target of the beastmen's troops might be the Elf Forest!"

  As soon as this statement came out, the civil and military officials on the court all whispered to each other. This news was indeed a heavy bombshell, and its severity was known to all. If Jingling Deep Forest is taken away by the beastmen, Tianlong Empire will not only lose a friend but also gain an enemy!

  The Beastman tribe is vast and populous, spanning the Xingyue and Tianglong empires, with even more powerful commanders than Mo Meng and Shamanic priests. Their strength surpasses that of any single empire; if not for their fear of the three empires' Sword Saints and Grand Mages, they would have launched a massive assault long ago.

  And as they move towards the Elf Forest, their ultimate goal is to destroy the Elf tribe, occupy the Elf Forest and the Tianyuan Spring (also known as the Fountain of Destiny, where drinking a single drop can either lead to instant death or a huge increase in power). The Tianyuan Spring is absolutely a treasure for the populous Beastman tribe!

  Now, the elves were severely damaged in the great war 500 years ago. The Elf King fell, and 80% of the elves returned to the arms of the Goddess of Nature. At present, the population of the elf tribe has not exceeded 10,000, and there are very few strong ones.

  "Long Jian! How many Beast Tribe troops?"

  "According to the scout's statistics, there are at least 100,000! And there are also Beast Eagle Knights, more than Meng Xiao's team..."

  Upon hearing He Changjian's words, Long Yan furrowed his brow deeply. The beast tribe had sent out such a powerful lineup this time, as if they were determined to win.

  "What's good about this? What are your noble opinions?"

  Recently, the war has been continuous, and the War Dragon Legion went to guard the Sea Dragon Fortress, preventing the invasion of the Sea Demon Tribe. The 15-year-old Eighth Prince took the initiative to lead the Thunder Dragon Legion to guard the Thunderbolt Fortress. The Fierce Dragon Legion and the Wild Dragon Legion were stationed at the Divine Dragon Fortress on the Tongyuan River, preventing the Blood Feather Empire from invading.

  The great generals around him were almost all dispatched, and even his own son died in battle on the border. The eldest prince, Long Tianao, had to stay in the imperial city to help him manage, while his second and third daughters were only 16 years old.

  Now there are only the Holy Dragon Legion guarding the Imperial City and the Imperial City Jinglong Guard, but the Elf tribe must be rescued!

  "What advice do you have?" Long Yan looked at Murong Da Guan's eyes and knew he had a plan.

  "Your servant has a plan!" Murong Daguang stepped forward and reported.

  "Speak!" Long Yanba stretched his neck, impatiently waiting.

  "I think we can take 10% of the troops from the Thunder Legion, the Fierce Dragon Legion, the War Dragon Legion and the Crazy Dragon Legion, which is 40,000 people, plus half of the Imperial City Holy Dragon Legion's troops, to form a legion of 90,000 people to rescue the Elf tribe."

  "What a great plan!" Many ministers on the side exclaimed in admiration. Mu Rong's method was indeed ingenious.

  Long Yanba also thought this strategy was feasible, "but this is no trivial matter, who will take command?" Long Yanba's question once again stumped the officials, as the empire's military talents and young blood were almost all dispatched to the borders.

  "I think Hu Yanjia's Hu Yanjun can take on this heavy responsibility, and also send Li Shigang as an advisor." An old minister suggested.

  "I disagree! Huyan Xun is only twenty this year, although he has some real ability, but his temper is too violent, the Jingling tribe are all proud and easy to quarrel." The young faction's Zhong Xiang words made many old ministers nod silently.

  "Isn't there a single usable military talent in this mighty empire?" Long Yan asked doubtfully, and he himself couldn't think of anyone suitable.

  Murong Daquan stepped forward again, "Your Majesty, I can recommend someone!"

  "Come on, come on! I'm counting on you, you always manage to think of something good!"

  "My little girl Murong Xueyi!"

  "Murong Xueyi? Is she Tianyu's fiancée, my future daughter-in-law?" Long Yanba couldn't believe it, this scoundrel actually recommended a twelve-year-old girl!

  "Your Majesty, don't underestimate this young girl! She's a complete genius! In terms of military strategy, she excels in both long-range and close combat, encirclement and relief, thinking and controlling the situation, sometimes even surpassing her military instructors! At twelve years old, she's as mature and steady as a twenty-year-old! Moreover, she's eloquent and persuasive, always prioritizing the bigger picture, speaking with layer upon layer of logic, leaving even this old minister in awe!"

  "This is really true!"

  Murong Daquan's words made Long Yanbai tremble, he had long heard that his ninth son's fiancée, Murong Xueyi, was a strange girl! Not only did she have an angelic appearance and temperament, but also outstanding military talent and magical abilities! At such a young age, she was already a fourth-level magician!

  "I agree with this too!" General Jin Ke, who had been silent until now, stood up.

  "I previously went to visit Chancellor Murong, but unfortunately he was out. Instead, I was received by Miss Murong Xueyi. This young lady is charming and delightful, every sentence she spoke made me feel happy, I liked her extremely. She asked me about some military strategies and we played a game of battle on the sandboard together. Before long, I felt hot sweat dripping down. I could see that this girl's control over her troops and the battlefield was far superior to mine, she had already won but pretended to make mistakes, finally ending with a draw!"

  Upon hearing General Jin Ke's words, many of the officials present nodded silently, apparently all having had dealings with Murong Xueyi.

  "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!" The eldest prince, Long Tianao, stepped forward.

  "The young general thinks that Murong Xue'er is indeed capable of taking on this task, but she is still young and should be made deputy commander! Let General Jin Ke and Lord Huyan Zhitu serve as advisors!"

  "Hmm, the young emperor's analysis is quite correct! Then who should be in charge of it?"

  "Your Majesty, I think it would be better for General Nine Marquis Tianyu to take command!"

  Long Tianao's words caused a commotion on the imperial court, but Long Yanba and several elderly ministers understood his intention.

  "Your Highness, Tianyu has not yet recovered from his injuries, how can this be!"

  "The ninth prince can already speak! And under my observation, his recovery is surprisingly fast! With the sacred fruit from the Vatican ripening in two days, his injuries will basically be healed! Moreover, due to this assassination attempt, not only was his body damaged, but rumors have also spread throughout the empire that the ninth prince has become a 'useless person'. This time is precisely an opportunity for him to regain his reputation. We can let him hold a nominal title with no actual power, or we can announce in the empire that he will take command, while in reality, he will be recuperating in the palace. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?"

  "I object!"

  "I agree!"

  Long Yanba waved his hand to stop the minister who came out to report, "As for the matter of Tian Yu hanging the commander's flag, wait a few days and gather the army again!" Long Yanba also attached great importance to his son's reputation.

  "Does everyone have anything else to report?"

  Everyone returned to their positions, with no one stepping out of line.

  "Report!" A deep green gas cluster fell outside the imperial court, dispersing the fighting spirit. A broadsword guard knelt halfway outside the temple, still a powerful sword sect.

  "Let Dong Jianzong come in,"

  "What's wrong with Dong Jianzong?"

  "Your Majesty, we intercepted three people outside the Front Dragon Hall and found that they were actually elves! They said they were elven envoys and requested an audience with Your Majesty!"

  "It's really quick!" Long Yanba smiled slightly, with a wave of his hand, the last three rows of officials slowly dispersed, leaving only the remaining officials and generals to move aside, Long Yanba also gave some elderly officials seats.

  "Please come in, spirit messenger..."