The system is the proficiency panel

The next day, at the elven outpost in Emerald Shadow City, Xiao Ningxue received the mysteriously sealed letter. It was crafted from a fragrant silver leaf paper, its edges branded with the insignia of the Elven Court, entwined with laurel branches and stars. She nodded slightly to the elven ranger, but instead of opening it, she safely put it away and turned to leave.

Back at the canyon stronghold, the atmosphere remained tense. The defensive formation was fully activated, a pale blue halo swirling around the outskirts, shielding it from any outside observers. Pu Jianxing calmed down in his quiet room, but the backlash from the rules would take time to heal.

Xiao Ningxue headed straight for the command post, where Lin Ji, Pang Bin, and Dao Yan, who had just regained some of his strength, were already waiting. Yun Shitian and Feng Tian were in charge of the perimeter security, their golden armor and flames standing out against the dim light.

"A reply from the elves."

Xiao Ningxue placed the letter on the table and tapped it with her fingertips. A wave of spiritual power brushed across the seal, and the beautiful handwriting written in the Elvish language slowly unfolded in front of everyone (this was mentioned in the previous chapter, so I won’t repeat it here).

At the end of the letter was attached a brief bibliographic index, which contained names of basic, old, and less targeted materials.

After reading the letter, Lin Ji tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, making a light tapping sound.

"As expected."

Lin Ji was the first to break the silence, his tone calm.

"Limited cooperation, limited support, is more of a gesture and observation. Releasing some scraps of documents and sending a reconnaissance team to assist in the defense of Cuiying City is essentially an attempt to observe our movements from close up. Inviting me to a meeting is to personally assess my capabilities and learn the true strength of the True Lord behind us."

"The gesture was quite substantial, with gratitude, respect, and the mention of the common threat all mentioned."

Master Pang Bin touched his round chin, his face still wearing a friendly and prosperous smile, but his eyes were sharp.

"This restrained reminder is the key point. They're afraid that we, the outsiders, might cause another major disturbance, driving the Embrace of the Rotmaw completely mad. Without the certainty of destroying it in one fell swoop, they'd force the existence behind the Abyssal Debris to reveal itself."

"The elves' long lifespan has accustomed them to caution and long-term planning."

Daoyan's voice was still cold, but he had regained some spirit.

"They acknowledge the threat, but they are also wary of us. Providing basic literature is a trial run to see if we can find anything valuable in it, and also to test our knowledge."

Xiao Ningxue picked up the document catalog and scanned it with her spiritual sense. "'Whispers from the Abyss: Analysis of Secondary Pollution Characteristics,' 'Collection of Ancient Elves' Purification Prayers (Fragments)', 'Records of Corrupted Creatures' Behavior in the Battle of the Falling Star Sea'... these are indeed peripheral materials. There's not a single mention of the core records regarding the remains of the deity or Morgaroth himself."

"Being able to open up these things is already a gesture of goodwill. After all, we are visitors from another world."

Lin Ji stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the dark outline of the forest outside the stronghold.

"They need time to assess, and so do we. Master Pu's injury is the top priority. Construction of the stronghold cannot stop, and intelligence gathering on the various forces in the Quicksand Forest must be intensified."

He turned around and glanced at everyone.

"Reply to the Elves: Thank you for the Royal Court's response and support. We fully understand and agree with the need for restraint. Xiao Ningxue will represent us and depart for Emerald Shadow City in three days to review the documents. Once Master Pu's injuries stabilize, I will personally travel to the Silver Dome Crown to discuss matters with the Royal Court. We welcome the Silver Leaf Ranger team arriving in Emerald Shadow City and will provide necessary assistance."

"Ningxue, when you're reading the literature, pay special attention to the Divine Matter Purification and the Throat of Corruption, even if it's just a passing mention."

Xiao Ningxue nodded seriously.

"clear."

"Master Pang, the defense of the stronghold, especially the spiritual protection and purification array, will be given the highest priority. Master Pu needs an absolutely quiet environment to heal his injuries. Daoyan, assist in monitoring the area around the stronghold to prevent any accidents."

"no problem."

Daoyan responds to the Tao.

"Yun Shitian, Feng Tian."

Lin Ji looked at the two of them.

"The Quicksand Forest is a powder keg right now. Ashes, Bloodthorns, Rotmaws, and Jones's spies could spark conflict at any moment. Lead your men, radiating reconnaissance from your base, focusing on the movements of Bloodhand Carloz of the Ash Merchants and the Rotmaw's Embrace patrols. Remember, only observe and record. Avoid contact unless necessary, and don't initiate conflict. The time to muddy the waters hasn't come yet."

"understood!"

Yun Shitian's voice was slightly impatient but serious. Feng Tianze hummed in response.

Finally, Lin Ji gave a solemn warning.

"When carrying out a mission, try not to fall behind in your training. Strength is the most important thing. The worst-case scenario is that we will retreat back to the Rift City."

After everything was arranged and everyone dispersed, Lin Ji began to practice in the command post, hoping to reach the fifth level of consciousness before the war.

……

The City of Rifts, the True Lord’s Quiet Room.

The gray-robed True Lord Geng Qing sat cross-legged, a jade slip hovering before him, its light shimmering. It recorded all the information Lin Ji had relayed regarding the encounter at the core of the Quicksand Forest, the remains of the Abyss, and the initial response of the elves. The phantoms of the three True Lords, Yu Shui, Bai Hong, and Ding Peng, stood in three directions. The spiritual energy in the room stagnated, and the atmosphere was solemn.

"The sword of rules touches the remains of the god..."

Master Bai Hong's face was stern beneath his silver hair, but a hint of heat flashed in his eyes.

"Pu Jianxing, this boy, has a pure sword heart and a resolute will. He deserves the name of a sword maniac."

"Abyssal debris of weak divine power level..."

Yu Shui Zhenjun's robe was as blue as water, his brows were slightly furrowed, and his fingertips unconsciously drew water ripples in the air.

"This is no longer a situation that Jindan can handle on its own. Lin Ji's response was relatively sound. He leveraged the power of the elves, seeking cooperation on the pretext of a common threat, and buying time. However, the elves are, after all, an alien race, and their intentions are unpredictable. The assistance they provide is bound to be limited and conditional."

Master Ding Peng stroked his long beard and said in a deep voice.

"The key lies in the wreckage itself. Morgaros's arm... If we can completely purify or seal it, not only will it avert the danger of the Quicksand Forest, but the abyssal origins and fragments of laws it contains will be of immeasurable value to us in comprehending the balance between life and death and striving beyond the Nascent Soul stage!"

Even Geng Qing's calm eyes fluttered at these words. At their level, any opportunity to touch upon the mysteries of a higher level was invaluable.

"You can give it a try."

Yu Shui Zhenjun agreed.

"Above Nascent Soul..."

Master Bai Hong whispered, his eyes sweeping over the other three.

"Yu Shui, your use of the Golden Elixir as a guide to explain the deathly silence of all things returning to a single point has indeed opened up new avenues for us. However, the path of the Nascent Soul lies in the stability of the world it creates, and the perpetual cycle of life is its foundation. How can this ultimate death be integrated into the cycle of life, forging a ladder to a higher level?"

There was a faint shadow of blazing white flames rising around him. That was the law of fire that he had comprehended, and it was now slightly fluctuating with his thoughts.

"What Fellow Daoist Bai Hong said is exactly the key."

Geng Qing interjected, his voice as deep as a deep sound.

"At the Nascent Soul stage, one can create a stable world of their own. Ensconced within it, one can create spiritual energy out of thin air. This spiritual energy is endless, and as long as the world survives, one's lifespan is infinite. This is the pinnacle of life. However, prosperity always leads to decline, and everything must reverse. Daoist Yu Shui's Golden Elixir method offers a glimpse of the realm of returning to the abyss, the beginning of death. If one can understand that this death is not the end, but rather contains the opportunity for rebirth, perhaps this will be the opportunity to transcend the Nascent Soul stage."

An illusory shadow of a gray long sword appeared in front of him, constantly disintegrating and reorganizing, demonstrating the delicate balance between destruction and creation.

True Lord Ding Peng also spoke slowly.

"In short, the wreckage of Morgaros is an opportunity for us. We cannot give it up easily."

……

Aetheris, Forest of Shifting Sands. Three days have passed since that violent energy clash.

For all the creatures of the Quicksand Forest, those three days were like being simmered in a boiling cauldron of oil. The Whispering Root's fury and madness, like a tangible miasma, permeated every twisted, dead tree and every wisp of foul air in the forest.

Under the hysterical command of Harkon the Heart-Eater, the Corruptmaw Cultists rushed out in droves. They abandoned their concealment and, like poisonous bees whose nest had been disturbed, swarmed frantically into every corner. Patrols multiplied in size, these fallen elves and corrupted humans, armed with weapons gleaming with foul light, brutally combed any area where the enemy might be hiding.

Abandoned mines were turned upside down, rotten tree roots were brutally split, and even the makeshift camp outside the Adventurer's Guild was not spared. Several outposts of the Ash Merchants were forcibly invaded, a supply team from the Bloodthorn Mercenary Group was detained and questioned, and even some lone adventurers with strong backgrounds were subjected to rude scrutiny and threats.

"Search, search every inch. The blasphemer must have left traces!"

Harkon's roar echoed through the lair, shaking the foul fluids on the flesh altar. His eyes were bloodshot, and the dark crimson runes on his forehead, symbolizing the blessing of the Maw of Corruption, flickered with an unsteady light. The wounds inflicted by the sacred tree, Agares, seared his soul connection like a brand, transmitting endless pain and overwhelming rage. Even more agonizing was the fact that the sacred tree's revelations clearly pointed to this area.

However, three days later, the news of the return made Harken's anger almost break through the dam of his reason.

"Sir, the area south of Weeping Canyon has been searched three times, and no traces of any powerful external force have been found..."

"Report, the Ash Merchants' Snakefang Carloz claims our people have crossed the border. The two sides clashed at the Rusted Iron Bridge. The other side... the other side used an enchanted crossbow."

"Bloodthorn's butcher, Balk, sent a message through an intermediary, warning us that if we harass him again, all the unspoken rules will be broken..."

"Old Pipe from the Adventurer's Guild has disappeared. It's said that he was scared away by our people."

"The revelation from the Holy Tree... the revelation still points to the Quicksand Forest area, but the area is too large to confirm the exact location."

Each piece of information that converged before Harken brought only boundless irritation and deeper confusion. Nothing, nothing! No traces of fierce battle, no lingering presence of unfamiliar, powerful individuals, no signs of large-scale human activity. Those desecrators were like a drop of water in a boiling cauldron, vanishing without a trace.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

Harken slammed the table of bones before him, shattering it to pieces, sending decaying bone fragments flying everywhere. His raging fighting spirit erupted uncontrollably, shocking several kneeling fallen elves to the ground, causing them to spit black blood and collapse.

"The Holy Tree Revelation is nearby. Where can they hide? Deep inside the earth?"

The lair was completely silent, with only the dull echo of Agares's roots wriggling deep beneath the earth and the faint groans of the dying sacrifices on the altar of flesh and blood. All the believers prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling in fear, fearing they would become the next victim of the High Priest's wrath.

Harken's chest heaved violently, his dark crimson eyes sweeping over his shuddering subordinates below. The Sacred Tree's revelation couldn't be wrong; it stemmed from the will of the remains of Lord Morgaroth. The blasphemers must still be there. They must have employed some ingenious concealment method, or... their hiding place wasn't even within the core area of ​​the Quicksand Forest, as traditionally understood by the Embrace of the Corrupted Maw!

This thought penetrated Harken's mind like a poisonous snake.

"Cuiying City..."

Harken gritted his teeth as he spat out the name. That small, outlying town on the edge of the forest, a hodgepodge of people, humans, half-elves, smugglers, and adventurers! It was the gateway to the Quicksand Forest and the elven outpost for monitoring the forest. To avoid prematurely provoking the elves, the Rotmaw's Embrace had been relatively restrained in its infiltration of Emerald Shadow City, placing only the necessary spies.

Now it seems that this restraint may become the enemy's best cover!

"Can't wait any longer!"

Harken raised his head suddenly, his eyes flashing with madness and determination.

"The blasphemer must still be nearby! The revelation from the Holy Tree cannot be wrong! Since we can't find the core of the forest, let's cast our net!"

His cold gaze swept down.

"Send the order!"

The sound was like a knife scraping across ice.

"Withdraw half of the patrol team back to the core area and strengthen the defenses around the Holy Tree. The remaining patrol team will search in the direction of Emerald Shadow City. Edmund!"

A high-level fallen elf with a hunched body, skin cracked like tree bark, and several wriggling roots parasitic on its back stepped forward in response.

"You will personally lead the Root Shadow Squad to infiltrate Emerald Shadow City. Mobilize all the pawns we have planted there and investigate! Investigate all unfamiliar faces that have recently entered the city, investigate all unusual magical fluctuations, investigate all inns and black market merchants that dare to harbor unknown individuals, and pay special attention to those powerful and elven humans or half-elves with elusive movements. It would be better to kill the innocent than to let them go! If you find any trace of the blasphemer..."

A ferocious smile appeared on Harken's face, and his five fingers clenched suddenly, as if crushing an invisible head.

"Report to me immediately. I want them to know that anyone who disturbs Lord Morgaros's slumber will be uprooted and suffer eternal torment no matter where they hide!"

The Shadow of the Roots, Embrace of the Corrupted Maw's most elite infiltration and assassination unit, consisted of fallen elves deeply parasitized by corrupted ancient trees, possessing exceptional camouflage and tracking abilities. Sending them out signified that Harken had completely discarded his restraint on the Emerald Shadow City area, directing his search directly to the borders of the elven Everglow Forest!

The chaotic fire of the Quicksand Forest is about to burn outside the forest.