Chapter 280 - 278: The Secret of the Mark

"In that case, I’ll go back and discuss it with the tribe first."

Receiving Lin You’s consent, Mageon breathed a sigh of relief.

He was well aware that if it weren’t for Lin You, he would have perished atop the volcano back then.

Not to mention later on, Lin You provided him with materials to forge the War God’s Hammer and even offered him a place to stay.

Both emotionally and rationally, he didn’t really want to leave this place.

He had long become accustomed to the peaceful life here, to this borderland.

But he couldn’t bear to watch his fellow Dwarfs fall into internal strife.

So very soon, he returned to the mountains with the Dwarfs of the Dark Spear Tribe to discuss the matter.

"Lord, are the Dwarfs really leaving Yellow Sand City?"

Beside him, Xue Changgui couldn’t help but ask.

The older he got, the less he could bear such farewells.

Moreover, the Dwarfs had been living with them for some time, and had bonded so well that they would often come over to have feasts and drink with them.

He had also come to regard the Dwarfs as his own people.

Now suddenly hearing of their departure, it was inevitable for him to feel a bit heavy-hearted.

"Don’t worry, even if they do leave, they won’t sever ties with us."

Lin You had great trust in Mageon’s character.

After all, he had a Secret Realm Gate, through which he could teleport to the Holy Sanctuary anytime he wished.

And since the Dwarf Kingdom was near the Elf Empire, the Sanctuary shouldn’t be too far, so he could still meet them if he wanted to.

It’s just.

There was always some reluctance.

And while the two were conversing.

Mageon and his group soon left Yellow Sand City, returning to the tribe.

They gathered the Elder Council and all the old and young tribespeople around the great furnace for a full clan meeting.

After a brief introduction to Lei Zhe and others, Mageon directly laid out all the circumstances, seeking the tribe’s opinion.

"The clan leader’s intention is for us to vote on whether to stay or leave?"

Having heard the recounting, Mageon’s father, the Grand Elder of the Hammer Tribe, was the first to ask.

"Yes, Lin You is a very kind person and said we could decide for ourselves whether to stay or leave," Mageon nodded and said.

His voice was much more somber than usual, echoing around the great furnace and over the surging lava.

At this moment.

All the Dwarfs fell silent.

Even the once most stubborn elders, who yearned to return to their roots, were silent.

Not to mention the young Dwarfs.

Many of them were born after the tribe had left the kingdom.

The Dwarf Kingdom was far too unfamiliar to them, less familiar even than the farmers from Yellow Sand City who brought them grain.

They had finally managed to establish a peaceful home here.

Now being told to leave suddenly, they couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions, not knowing what to do.

The entire great furnace was silent.

Only the sound of lava roiling could be heard.

"Clan leader."

Finally, Blazing Fire, sitting on the anvil, spoke up.

He seemed slightly hesitant, but after meeting Mageon’s gaze, he suddenly became resolute.

"I don’t really want to leave here."

"Why?"

Mageon’s expression remained unchanged, watching him intently.

"Nothing really, I just like it here."

Blazing Fire’s large beard on his lips slightly curled up.

"The people of Yellow Sand City are very kind; they often help us and even secretly deliver more grain to us. When drinking, they invite us over, and I’ve made many friends among the Human Race."

"I think, compared to the Dwarf Kingdom, which I’ve never seen, I’m more suited here."

"If Blazing Fire stays, then I’ll stay too," Batom promptly said from the side.

Then, as if a box of chatter had been opened, other Dwarfs began to express their opinions.

"The same goes for me; I’ve grown accustomed to my work in the Blacksmith Shop, and those friends from the Human Race have been great to me."

"I’ll go wherever the clan leader goes."

"If it’s just a matter of changing places, I think this place is quite good."

"If those tribes like to make a fuss, let them; it has nothing to do with our Hammer Tribe."

"I would like to see the kingdom again, but after being away for so long, I barely remember how it was."

The Dwarfs voiced various opinions.

But more of them, the vast majority, chose to stay.

For some reason.

Seeing his tribe react this way, Mageon actually felt relieved, and his face regained its composure.

After thinking for a while, he finally made a decision, turning to Lei Zhe beside him, "Lei Zhe, as you’ve seen, it seems my tribespeople aren’t really willing to leave."

"However, I can agree to return to the kingdom with you to resolve the troubles there, but I’ll be coming back here after it’s done."

"This..."

Lei Zhe exchanged confused glances with his subordinates, looking somewhat awkward.

Yet after seeing the Hammer Tribe’s reaction, he couldn’t say much, as this outcome was better than the worst he had imagined.

"Alright then, when do we depart?"

"Tomorrow, I’ll need to inform Lin You, and we can use his Teleportation Gate to go to the Sanctuary."

"Hmm, this will indeed be much faster."

Lei Zhe’s eyes brightened for a moment, clearly he was also aware of the Secret Realm Gate.

After all, he had spent a lot of resources this time to initiate the super long-distance teleportation.

If he could borrow the Secret Realm Gate, it would certainly be for the best.

...

Just like that.

After a brief discussion.

The meeting finally concluded smoothly.

Mageon quickly carried this news to Lin You, who was inspecting work outside Yellow Sand City, and relayed it to him.

"Are you sure it won’t be dangerous for you to go like this?"

Upon receiving the news, Lin You was very pleased, but at the same time, he asked with some concern.

"Don’t worry, the Dark Spear Tribe and the Hammer Tribe have a very close relationship, we provide them with equipment, and they provide us with warriors."

Mageon said relaxedly.

"That’s indeed the case." Lei Zhe silently nodded.

"Moreover, the War God Hammer represents the will of the War God; anyone who dares to disrespect the War God’s will would be attacked by all tribes. Rest assured, I will do my best to protect Mageon’s safety at that time."

"You?"

Lin You looked at Lei Zhe with suspicion.

No matter how he looked at it, Lei Zhe seemed to be only Tier Nine.

Although in the continent that was quite impressive, he would inevitably encounter more Tier Nines, or even beings above Tier Nine.

"Human! Are you doubting the strength of our Dark Spear Tribe?"

As if seeing the doubt in his eyes, Thunder Spear immediately became angry, blowing his beard and glaring.

Fortunately, Mageon reacted promptly, hurriedly blocking in front of him, and explained: "The Thunder Spear Tribe is the strongest tribe of the Dwarf Race, innately possessing the ability to communicate with deities."

"Don’t be fooled by Lei Zhe only being Tier Nine. In true battle, he can communicate with deities to gain the War God’s Power, forcibly promoting one tier in a short time, which is entirely sufficient protection."

"Forcibly promoting one tier!?"

Lin You’s heart trembled.

A Tier Nine advancing another tier would mean Tier Ten, right?

The combat talent of the Thunder Spear Tribe is actually this terrifying!

Though it was only a short-term promotion, Tier Ten and Tier Nine were worlds apart.

Just within that brief period, it would be enough to kill Tier Nines several times over.

He now began to understand why the Dwarf Race, with such powerful forging skills, could still resist those greedy alien races.

Relying on this talent, not many forces would dare to provoke them.

"Hmph! Afraid now, aren’t you?"

Lei Zhe proudly raised his head, as if speaking about himself.

"Indeed quite impressive."

Lin You had to acknowledge this fact.

Then he thought of something and continued, "When you return from the Holy Sanctuary, you should pass through the Elf Empire, right?"

"Yes, our Dwarf Kingdom is on good terms with the Elf Empire, so we’ll visit their Imperial Capital to borrow a teleportation array, and then teleport directly back to the Dwarf Kingdom."

"Is that so? That’s great, I also have something to attend to in the Elf Forest. I’ll accompany you then."

"You need to go to the Elf Forest?"

Mageon and Lei Zhe were both taken aback, looking at him in surprise.

"I don’t oppose this, but you should know that the Elf Race is not welcoming to humans in their forest. Are you sure you want to go there?"

"Lei Zhe is right. Those arrogant dammed Elves might attack if you’re not careful. What are you going there for?"

"It’s for this."

Lin You flipped his hand, revealing the mark on the back of his hand.

The two of them followed his gaze to the back of his hand.

But the next second.

Lei Zhe’s eyes widened abruptly.

"This is... the Mother of Nature’s mark! How do you have such a thing!?"

"What did you say? This is the Elf God’s mark??"

Mageon was equally astonished.

The mark on the back of Lin You’s hand, he had seen it before.

At that time, he only thought it was some kind of strange enchantment, but Lei Zhe’s exclamation left him greatly shocked.

Clearly, he also knew about this divine mark.

Only Lin You, not understanding, said peculiarly, "This appeared when I previously communicated with the tree in the Nature Sanctuary within the Holy Sanctuary. Those Elves even gave me this."

As he spoke, he took out the leaf-shaped token given to him by the old Elf before.

Seeing the token, Lei Zhe’s face immediately lit up with understanding: "It should be unmistakable; this leaf is something only guests invited by the Elf Race can receive."

"A guest?"

"Yes, they probably want to understand the Oracle information bestowed by the God of Nature through the mark on your hand. Just like how we Dwarves worship the War God, the Elf Race worships the God of Nature."

"I see."

Lin You suddenly understood.

In that case, he shouldn’t have to worry about this mark being harmful to him.

He might as well take this opportunity to visit the Elf Empire and unravel the mystery that’s troubled him for so long.

For some reason.

He always felt that something astonishingly secretive lay beneath it all.

Without resolving it sooner, his heart would be restless.

This matter certainly cannot be delayed too long; it would be best to address it as soon as possible.