Two days later, a team of six began to go deep underground. In addition to the three elves Xiao Chen, Roger, and Elena, the team also included a dark elf high-level ranger Evelyn.
Evelyn had gray-brown skin, white hair tied into a simple braid, black chain mail, and a delicate brown short bow in her hand. She was the best hunter and tracker of the dark elves, and had entered that strange space twice.
"Everyone, the place we are going to is in the lower middle part of the largest root of the World Tree. You will understand the specific situation after you see it." Evelyn didn't say much. She gave a simple explanation and led everyone underground.
The road leading underground is a tunnel that spirals downwards. Crystals above the tunnel provide lighting. There are many forks in the road, some leading to different places, and some leading to the home of the dark elves.
Just like the high elves built their houses on trees, the dark elves like to dig their living caves between the roots of the world tree. They will use magic to harden the walls of these caves, and then place some simple furnishings, and then they can move in. The soil underground cannot withstand too intensive excavation, so their residences are often dug more scattered, and then these small living caves are connected by roads. There will also be one or two large holes at intervals, which are the public spaces of the nearby dark elves, used as temples, markets, libraries and training grounds. In this way, a large-scale underground city is formed, just like the other side of the capital above.
Since the World Tree grows by absorbing the magic power from the earth and air, rather than absorbing nutrients from the soil, it is fine for its roots to be exposed to the air. When Xiao Chen and his companions traveled in underground passages and caves, they could often see roots that penetrated the space.
The roots of the World Tree are completely different from ordinary tree roots. They have a jade-like crystal-like feel, and often have magical fluorescence flowing on them. It is a source of energy like a magic crystal. Just a little energy needs to be extracted from it to be used for lighting, heating, planting, and even cultivation.
"These roots are full of magical power. They must be great for making wands, right?" Xiao Chen touched a tree root and felt a cool sensation on his hand.
"Yes, both the branches and roots of the World Tree are good materials for making magic props. But the main root system like this is not allowed to be cut down. Only the new branches growing on the crown or the new roots growing in the marginal areas can be taken down to make magic items. But the number collected each year will not exceed ten." Elaina explained, "The bow arm of Evelyn's bow is made of the roots of the World Tree, right?"
Evelin, who was walking in the front, turned around and nodded, "The reward for first place in the insect killing competition."
"Are there still root-eating worms now? Didn't they say they were completely eradicated many years ago?" Xiao Chen asked.
"It's not a root-eating worm. The abundant energy of the World Tree can cause many insects in nature to mutate. Some will become huge in size, some will have amazing bite force, and some will even evolve magical abilities. These insects all like to gnaw on the energy-rich roots of the World Tree."
Xiao Chen was quite curious about these insects that had the ability to eat the World Tree, but as he walked to his destination, no insects jumped out.
Evelin understood his thoughts as he looked around and said, "This road has been traveled a lot recently, and all the bugs have been killed."
After walking down for about half an hour, they came to the entrance of the strange cave. The space outside the entrance had obviously been temporarily expanded to form a small square. The tree roots here were dense, and large and small roots and branches penetrated from the top of the square to the ground, like pipes in a factory and stone pillars in a cave, dividing the space into small pieces. The entrance to the cave was covered by a screen.
There were many traces of camping in this space. The high elves lived in tents that were mainly green, with gold edges and patterns, but the dark elves spread cloth on the ground and slept in a hammock between the tree roots. But Xiao Chen found that all the tents and mats seemed to have just been moved, as far away from the cave entrance as possible, and there were many messy traces left on the open space in the space. However, although there were many tents, there were not many elves actually active in this area, and no one knew where the elves had gone.
Xiao Chen and his group were greeted by a high elf general named Nord.
"The elders have finally taken action. I've said it before that waiting like this is not a solution." General Nord looked very young, but the scars on his face showed that he was a warrior who had experienced brutal battles. "Dear Elena, you are finally back and brought me Dinin and Maya. It seems that Saint Dahni kept his promise and sent all three gems of the Golden Year."
"Uncle Nord. These two are Xiao Chen and Roger. They are the best mages and warriors selected by the elders from among the many alien warriors who came to support us." Elena said.
She then said to Xiao Chen: "Uncle Nord is the most powerful swordsman below the Saint level. He participated in the war with the Black Dragon Empire. He is also my teacher's cousin. He has watched us grow up since we were young. Maya has also learned a lot of martial arts from him."
General Nord looked at Xiao Chen and Roger and said, "Well, humans are indeed a good choice. Whether we like them or not, they are the most powerful race in the world. Welcome, young men."
Xiao Chen and Roger saluted General Nou. Xiao Chen asked, "General, I see that many elves seem to be preparing to evacuate. What happened here?"
General Nord said in a deep voice: "You are very perceptive. Yes, that is exactly what I want to say. The situation here has changed again yesterday."
"Changes? No one informed us, and the teacher didn't mention it when he sent us here." Elena said.
"Because the incident happened late last night, I haven't had time to report it to the Elders." General Nord looked back at the hole and said, "Do you feel the pressure? It's getting stronger."
"You mean the strange pressure that makes people submit? I feel it. It's like there's a voice repeating something in my ear, but I can't hear exactly what it's saying. I just instinctively feel that it's very kind and makes a lot of sense." Elena said.
The other two nodded in agreement. Di Ning said, "It's not difficult for my mental strength to fight it now, but if it continues, I will definitely be very tired."