Chapter 263: Godliness and Humanity

Di Qi was also secretly advancing the era of civilization.

"I don't want a one-sided war, nor a single person dominating the world. I hope to see a glorious age of great struggle, where geniuses emerge in every era, shining brightly, astonishingly talented, and even challenging me."

He desired defeat, the threat of death.

He disregarded weak lives, believing weakness to be an original sin, to be reaped like straw. However, he respected the strong, granting them the dignity of life. Throughout his long existence, only powerful individuals like Xu Younian and Dao Changsheng truly earned his admiration and respect.

"Will there be any life that can defeat me? I truly look forward to it." His voice full of anticipation, he gradually fell into a deep sleep.

He truly was a blockhead.

Meanwhile, Mumu sighed without speaking, looking at the foolish young A-Chou. In the past few days, teaching him elementary math had been incredibly difficult, almost impossible. While his combat talent was extraordinary, learning the Nine-Revolving Profound Art seemed like an impossibility for him, perhaps for his entire life.

"However, after instructing him, he seemed content just learning the simplest Dantian cultivation and body tempering." Mumu was somewhat speechless, then completely lost confidence and handed the child over to his son, Arthur, the leader of the human resistance, before leaving.

He intended to search for more talented humans again, but in the days that followed, he ultimately found nothing.

Year 113 of the Yumia Empire.

With the assistance of the Sun Elves, the power of the entire elven race grew rapidly.

The Sun Elf tribe became a holy land for the entire Elven Empire, attracting many elves who came to admire it.

On the streets, luxurious and expensive Hunter's Halls sold a variety of goods.

Originally, the Sun Elf Ancient Tree absolutely forbade other elven tribes from meddling and acquiring various mounts and equipment to strengthen themselves. However, it was eventually persuaded because it received a very simple reply:

"For visiting elves, the purchase price will increase by 30%! And that 30% will go to you, the Sun Life Ancient Tree."

Consequently, the Sun Ancient Tree, which had long been addicted to the power of pay-to-win, completely joined the corrupt dealings. After receiving its kickback, it even vigorously helped promote the goods.

Over the years, the Sun Elf Ancient Tree's addiction to pay-to-win led it to finally construct its own miraculous elven building—the Chimera Roost, which housed a terrifying, dark blue Chimera beast.

"Wow! Is this the Sun Elf tribe?" A team of Night Elves arrived, led by a talented young girl named Luna, who was guided by a Night Elf elder sister who had been there for a long time.

"Do you see that enormous tree? The giant beast living on it is the legendary guardian beast of the Sun Elves, the Chimera!"

She then pointed to an elven girl knight riding a griffon in the sky. "Do you see that emblem on her chest!? That's a VIP5 pay-to-win big shot!"

Luna's eyes immediately filled with longing as she watched the griffon-riding elven powerhouse fly by. "That's someone who spent 100,000 Sun Coins! How strong must they be!?"

At that moment, an elven girl with draconic wings welcomed them. "Welcome to our city."

"Are you Parker, the elven hero who drank the hidden job-change potion?" Luna was stunned. She had heard of this powerful individual, who was said to possess energy similar to a spatial ring, allowing them to briefly hide in an alternate dimension to evade attacks.

Luna silently glanced at the emblem on the other's chest, which astonishingly indicated a VIP7 pay-to-win master!

Over several years, this elven tribe had, unknowingly, been led astray. However, countless elves gathered here to purchase equipment and mounts for the impending war.

Year 115 of the Yumia Empire.

The elves launched a massive attack on the Bilomon Mountains. Emperor Yumia, the Elven Great Emperor, issued a forceful decree: from three to four thousand elves, the most elite five hundred troops were selected, equipped with gear and mounts, to besiege and slaughter a large number of humans.

Women, elderly, and children hiding in the mountains were all killed. The sheer brutality of the methods and the cruelty of the process were unimaginable even to many elves themselves.

The human crisis had fully arrived.

Unlike the demon race before them, they could not hide deep underground.

The Ironblood War, which shocked all of history—the Battle of Bilomon Elves—had fully commenced, soaking the entire land in blood.

"Run!" A woman, clutching her child, ran quickly, but a huge, crimson wind blade appeared out of nowhere behind her, and she swiftly fell.

"You all, go quickly!" A husband stood in front of his family, picking up a hoe, trembling all over, tears and snot streaming down his face. He blocked the doorway and roared, "Come on! Come on! I'm not afraid of you!"

"You actually..." A woman, holding her child, watched her husband abandon his family and flee in despair.

All forms of human depravity, true emotions, and the pain of separation and death were fully displayed here.

Swish!

Moon Riders, each wielding an exquisite, sharp moonblade, slaughtered across the land with terrifying efficiency.

Griffon archers in the sky unleashed barrages of arrows, precisely striking the backs of every fleeing villager.

Elves and humans clashed, and lives were lost in vast numbers.

The entire town was quickly slaughtered and fell into a deathly silence. The elves dismounted, their bodies covered in blood, and began to rest where they were, eating their dry rations.

"Are we truly doing the right thing?" Luna suddenly trembled. For elves who loved peace and tranquility, this was undoubtedly cruel. The wailing and angry eyes of a child she had just seen pierced her deeply.

No other elves spoke, silently eating their dry rations.

Suddenly, the druid Mikaela picked up her dry ration and sat on a tree trunk. "This is a racial war. Our elven race, humans, and demons are destined not to coexist on the same land. Only one side can survive.

Do you remember our sisters, who lived for hundreds of years beside you, being tricked away by those humans? Our population is decreasing. Either they assimilate us, or we eradicate them.

As the God of the Ancient Life Tree said, they have degenerated, lost their divinity. They possess desires, cruelty, and violence.

These humans are self-reproducing, causing the concentration of elven bloodline to become lower and lower, making us weaker and weaker, from being born as first or second-tier beings, some even transforming into infants of ordinary creatures.

They have become ordinary first-tier beings, with short lifespans, cruel and violent. Women fall ill, bleed every month, endure painful pregnancies, and may even die in childbirth... Are we to become like them? To lose our divinity?"

The elves on the battlefield remained silent and sorrowful. They could only quietly eat their food before remounting their steeds, donning their luggage and packs, and walking across the land of death and desolation.

"Hold on, we are the elites sent by every tribe! We are heroes anticipated by our tribal companions, expected to return in triumph." A beautiful elf, riding a moon-leopard, gently consoled a weeping, delicate elf.

But were they truly heroes?

Perhaps the heroes of their own race were merely the executioners of other races.

They felt numb inside, knowing this war would be a lifelong shadow. Yet, behind them stood their entire race, and no elf could retreat. They could only continue forward, waging this war.

Just as they had once fearlessly risked their lives to wield weapons and challenge the Ancient War Tree.

This was the courage etched into their hearts.

This was the elves' divinity; their nature knew no cowardice, fear, or evasion. They embodied only the good aspects of life, not the evil, and could recover quickly—this was their inherent disposition.

Above, dappled by cerulean leaves against the sky.

On the massive Chimera beast, several figures stood, scouting for the next hidden human tribe to attack.

Emperor Yumia, the Elven Great Emperor, stood at a high vantage point, looking over the entire mountain range. "Now that we have griffons and chimeras, no tribe can escape our reconnaissance. They have nowhere left to hide. Complete eradication is only a matter of time."

Qiu Mingshan Car Speed was silent. "Can't they just be imprisoned?"

Yumia calmly replied, "They are too vile, inferior, and lowly.... They must be eradicated, or they will infect our pure bloodline and lead us to degeneration. This is what the Elven Ancient Tree desires."

Serene trembled all over. "Then do you have anything you truly desire? Do you have your own opinions? What a tragic life. Don't you have anything you want or love?"

She had long known that Yumia was no longer truly Yumia. This Yumia was too cruel, too realistic, and even lacked the elves' usual yearning for beauty, peace, and tranquility.

"What the Elven Ancient Tree desires is what I desire," Yumia stated calmly. "Do you truly believe I serve the Elven Ancient Tree?"

With serene composure, Yumia suddenly ordered the Chimera to descend.

Whoosh!

A Chimera appeared high above a human city.

"It's the elves!"

Countless people emerged from their homes, roaring, picking up blades, spears, and drumsticks, throwing and smashing them towards the sky, shouting various cries about human glory and fearlessness of death for their families.

"Look,"

Yumia pointed below and said, "These are humans. I have observed this race for countless years. They are greedy, brutal, lustful, arrogant, and have lost their divinity. As sinners of the gods, it's undeniable they still possess unique qualities, retaining some of our divine brilliance. They take pride in their own race. We, too, are proud to be elves. Our physical lifespan, strength, and potential are far superior to self-reproducing humans. We are perfect beings, far surpassing humans."

"If becoming human made us more perfect, I would instantly defy the words of the Life Ancient Tree and choose to assimilate into humans. Unfortunately, it wouldn't. Integrating with humans would only bring endless disaster to us elves!"

Serene was trembling.

Yumia, however, paid no mind and continued, "Even if the Elven Ancient Tree were to betray our elven race and hinder our development, I would find a way to eliminate it. From beginning to end, I have fought for the elves. In reality, the truth is harsh: I have observed humans for too long. If we elves remained kind and weak, living in the deep forests, unconcerned with the world, we would sooner or later be overthrown, destroyed, or even enslaved by brutal humans. No elf who is unwilling to be stained by blood and fall into depravity will embrace peace."

Emperor Yumia, this elven monarch, exuded an astonishing charisma. Her confident tone made it seem as if her statements were undeniable truths: had she not emerged, the elven race would surely have met destruction and slavery.

"She's taking pre-emptive action!"

Qiu Mingshan Car Speed felt a shiver down their spine, also gazing at the Elven Great Emperor whose voice was both domineering and full of captivating foresight.

From birth, she had been raised to succeed Yumia, yet she felt no aversion; instead, she gladly accepted becoming Yumia. This was what she considered her greatest honor and the very meaning of her existence: she was protecting the entire elven race.

In every sense, she truly embodied the great name "Yumia"!

As the Watcher, she guarded the elves' present and looked to their future. As the Song of Shadows, she walked in darkness, transformed into a fallen, cruel, and bloodthirsty elven assassin to protect every elf who cherished kindness and peace.

Where there is light, there must also be darkness.

Yumia simply stroked Serene's trembling head gently, an invisible oppressive aura of a ruler about her. "You ask if I have no desires? Nothing I love? I am very greedy. What I love is every single one of my people." She sighed and smiled, full of emotion, then turned to look at the alchemist Kuiya. "I hope you will always remain a part of us elves, and become my friend."

Year 117 of the Yumia Empire.

The Battle of Bilomon Elves reached its peak of slaughter!

The entire sprawling mountain range was drenched in blood. Tens of thousands of humans from villages and tribes were killed, including the old, weak, women, and children. The brutal suppression and merciless extermination solidified Emperor Yumia's reputation as the "Iron-blooded and Ruthless Elven Great Emperor" and the "Song of Shadows."

The elven slayer who walked in shadows was also known as the Warden. The Tree Realm Prison held countless fallen elven traitors and various human powerhouses.

Year 118 of the Yumia Empire.

The human tribes sent a letter:

The human race wishes to surrender.

"No surrender, kill."

Emperor Yumia, the Elven Great Emperor, stood high above, observing the Moon Riders and Griffon Archers. Her aloof elegance and graceful beauty were captivating, yet her voice carried an endless bloodlust.

"Humans are elves who have degenerated and lost their divinity, becoming evil and tyrannical. They were born when the elves Ilfan and Jilna stole the forbidden fruit of life from 'Eldoria.' They are a race of sinners. By the command of the Eleven Gods of the Ancient Life Trees, they are to be utterly annihilated."

Crash!

The land was once again soaked in blood, the slaughter relentless, and corpses piled up like mountains.

Year 119 of the Yumia Empire.

Elders and powerful individuals from major human tribes, along with representatives from all strata of human society—old men, women, and children—and Arthur, the human progenitor, willingly came to surrender, making their final struggle.

The humans lowered their proud heads.

Inside the military tent, the Elven Great Emperor sat on her throne, observing the human resistance leaders.

Their faces were pale. They had once possessed the means to resist, believing that the human race would eventually rise and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the elves. They had even optimistically divided into two factions: one advocating peaceful coexistence and free intermarriage with elves, and the other a radical faction aiming to enslave the sparsely populated elven race and control the Elven Ancient Tree. However, the sudden appearance of numerous terrifying elven mounts and equipment led to their immediate defeat, extinguishing any chance of rising and shattering their dreams.

At this point, whatever demands Emperor Yumia made, they had no choice but to accept.

Unfortunately, they had overthought it.

"No surrender. Do not harm the envoys. Return." Emperor Yumia's voice was exceptionally resolute.

"You godless elf! Executioner! You even kill children and women!" A fifth-tier middle-aged man could no longer contain himself and completely erupted.

"You lack the peace, gentleness, and kindness that elves should possess!" an old man sobbed.

"You killed my seven-year-old brother! The gods will curse you!" an eight-year-old girl cried out in agony.

"The gods will curse me?"

Yumia's voice was domineering and unequivocal. "If the gods you speak of are the Ancient Life Trees, then it is they who command me to annihilate you. If the gods you speak of are the Elven Gods, then I am that god, merely eliminating you mortals. So-called gods are nothing more than powerful beings worshipped by the weak. If you wish to punish me, do not rely on divine power. Challenge me! Kill me, humans!"

"I will challenge you!"

Arthur, who had been silent until then, suddenly roared, no longer able to suppress his rage.

"Arthur, progenitor of humanity, your courage is commendable."

Yumia abruptly rose, sweeping her dark green cloak, and surveyed the human representatives. "Is this your human calculus? Do you intend to move me with elven kindness? But you are mistaken!

I am enraged by the crying of children, by the ignorance of the strong, and by the curses of the elderly... This is the incompleteness of humanity: weak before the strong, yet drawing blades against the weak. This makes me even more furious, solidifying my belief that the human species should be exterminated. Your pleas to me have only strengthened my resolve to kill humans. Only you... Arthur!"

Her voice was cold and ruthless. "Arthur, progenitor of humanity, you have shown me a glimmer of brilliance within you. Ultimately, you have inherited a portion of elven divinity. I choose to accept your challenge!"