Zhou Leng and the others broke the altar and waited quietly in the hall.

A large number of Demons and giant insects came here like moths to a flame, falling into their trap.

They killed as many as came.

Eventually, the numbers on his arm exceeded 5000.

But after that, the Demons and giant insects became fewer, while the spirits summoned by the Prophet increased more and more.

The new spirits did not fight alongside Zhou Leng, and even though they acknowledged the identity of the Saint, they did not pledge allegiance or join the Prophet's guard.

However, the new spirits from major races were also very generous, offering large amounts of Star Conches.

Eventually, Zhou Leng's total of Star Conches surpassed twelve thousand.

Before entering the Tree-man World, there were less than two thousand in total.

This rate of accumulation was so fast that it was shocking.

Looking at the Magic Spirit Bag full of Star Conches, Zhou Leng had an epiphany.

Pure battle could not easily, quickly, or massively obtain resources.

Only by using power derived from martial force, or by using legal violence, or by exploiting the unspoken rules, or by capital operations, or by custom-making new rules, could more Martial Arts Resources be exploited.

No, there is no exploitation in Dragon Country, it has been legislated away.

"Theoretically, for the sake of the spirit race, they should contribute more Star Conches to me. This is what the great spirit Prophet, the righteous spirit Saint deserves, they should all..."

The Martial Arts Will shook, and Zhou Leng instantly came to his senses, extinguishing this infinitely growing desire.

One must not let greed destroy the martial heart.

Looking at the vast number of spirit numbers on his arm, the existing war merits, worth the current Star Conches.

Zhou Leng secretly found Silver Lake Moon and whispered a few words, then gathered all the spirits to discuss the course of action after leaving here.

"We will obey the family's orders and participate in combating the Demons..."

"To be honest, we should preserve our living force."

"We follow the Holy One."

"I think we should see the situation first."

"By then, we might not even have the qualification to watch the situation..."

The spirits were abuzz with discussion, surrender faction, fence-sitter faction, main battle faction, opportunist faction, all appeared.

This kind of discussion didn't yield a unanimous result, but it made the stances clear.

Silver Lake Moon had been secretly observing.

After the discussion ended, she selected all the main battle faction and those loyal to the Holy One according to the saint's instructions.

And noted down the others, finally categorizing them and reporting to the Holy One.

Zhou Leng understood the situation of the Wild Elves, analyzing in his heart.

To prepare for the Grandmaster and beyond.

I am a Martial Artist, but not just a Martial Artist.

Before reaching Grandmaster, one can fight the world alone, but once at Grandmaster, whether for resources or survival, a certain power must be cultivated.

An Extreme Martial Artist doesn't need to establish a large family, but should have a group of subordinates.

One cannot do everything personally, it can wear a person out.

If it were the Ancient River Sect at its peak, of course, there would be no need to cultivate power, as the Ancient River Sect is complete power in itself.

But the current Ancient River Sect is not independent enough.

The resources needed to advance to Martial Saint or even higher realms are astronomical.

Higher than the market value of many multinational conglomerates, calculated in trillions.

How to collaborate with the Wild Elves and Tree-men is extremely important.

Considering Tree-men may be early, but it's just the right time to consider the spirit race.

The spirit race is not like the great whale that is the Tree-men, at least they are a big shark.

This time the spirit race suffered the annihilation by the Celestial Calamity God, I cannot avoid major affairs to save myself.

Such a big opportunity must be grasped.

The identities of spirit Prophet and spirit Saint must be well utilized.

At such times, the exclusiveness of the spirit race becomes an advantage instead.

Once they pledge allegiance, the possibility of them turning to other forces is extremely low.

With continuous contemplation, a vague outline slowly formed in Zhou Leng's mind.

Thinking it through, he called for Silver Lake Moon.

"When your spirit race was defeated, did any Civilization Judges appear?"

Silver Lake Moon shook her head and said, "No. We analyzed that to receive the protection of a Civilization Judge like your Blue Star, there should be multiple reasons."

"As we suspected. Then if the Tree-man Race were annihilated, would a Civilization Judge descend?"

Silver Lake Moon sighed and said, "We analyzed that it likely wouldn't. The Tree-men are strong, their pure strength is not inferior to Blue Star Martial Artists, but we, the spirit race, can't manage either; it's difficult for the Tree-men too."

"Pity, I wonder if there's ever a chance to unravel the secret of the Civilization Judges. How many layers of Celestial Ladder does your spirit race have?"

"Originally, there were as many as twenty-four layers of Celestial Ladder, but later, for some unknown reason, some Celestial Ladders disappeared, now only five layers are left."

"Celestial Ladders can disappear?"

Silver Lake Moon hesitated for a while, then said, "According to our speculation, population, power, civilization, technology, various factors can all impact the number of Celestial Ladders. Perhaps our spirit race has degenerated so severely that it can no longer bear the Celestial Ladder."

"Is there any Celestial Ladder power I can use?"

"Yes, it's called the 'Hall of Light', contested for by the Light King. But occupied by the giant insects, you can only enter after advancing to Grandmaster. We spirits haven't opened it in many years, the giant insects cannot enter, inside must be accumulated endless power."

"Hall of Light... Once I advance to Grandmaster, I'll go take a look."

Silver Lake Moon said softly, "Your Highness, what shall we do next? If nothing unexpected happens, once we go out, we will encounter the Demon Alliance Army."

Zhou Leng said, "We can't be sure of the situation outside right now; let's watch the situation first. We are great spirits, how can we retreat? Of course, if it's not feasible, we must retain our living force. Ensuring the spirit bloodline continues is the mission entrusted to me by the Light King."

Silver Lake Moon gave Zhou Leng a deep look and said, "Since the Light King has appointed you as the Saint, we will follow you for eternity. I know some spirits are confused, but I believe as long as you save them, they will surely give you adequate rewards."

Zhou Leng said, "I also believe a good environment will certainly reform every spirit."

Zhou Leng thought this task seemed difficult, but in history, there are documented cases of direct learning from certain organizations for ideological reform.

Not only spirits, even Beastmen, and goblins can be cultivated into qualified successors in the Martial Arts World.

Back when Martial Saint Zhao Dongjun dominated the Ten Realms, countless Aliens betrayed their races to become Zhao family's guards, including even Demons.

In the alliance faction of Dragon Country, many foreign and alien experts are included, including demons conquered by Human Race Martial Saints.

Except for their appearance, they are more like humans in many aspects, mastering the "East Monarch's Collection," and better protectors of Dragon Country than some of its own citizens.

It is said that the earliest batch of demons to obtain Dragon Country citizenship occasionally curse at certain people when drunk. Due to the high allied value of these demons, the people being cursed have no choice but to endure, even if they are of significant status and power.

A strange, sharp whistle sounded, like the whistle of an arrow slicing through the sky, slowly fading away, and resounding continuously.

"It's over." Silver Lake Moon breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression was solemn.

"Prepare for battle," Zhou Leng shouted loudly.

All the elves spread out and stood, fully alert.

Columns of light descended from the sky, each covering an elf.

Within the white columns of light, green leaves fell, matching the number of blood marks on each elf.

The green leaves contained powerful energy, entering the elves' bodies and enhancing their power.

Everyone looked at Zhou Leng.

Above Zhou Leng's head, green leaves cascaded down like a waterfall.

Unlike the other elves, those green leaves did not enter Zhou Leng's body but instead gathered above his head into a crown made of green leaves and multicolored flowers.

The elves' pupils trembled slightly.

Duke's Crown.

Prophet, usually used for foreigners.

Sage, a title of very high status.

In essence, Zhou Leng is not truly considered part of the Elf Race.

But once the Duke's Crown descends, it's definitive that he's an Elf Duke, equivalent to a Legendary Elf in status.

During the Elf Empire era, the Elf King held council, and Dukes could only listen.

But now, there's no Elf King, the Elf Royal Court is just a nominal title.

So Zhou Leng's status is such that he can directly participate in the Royal Court's council like a Legendary Elf.

The subtlest part is, the current Legendary Elf duke is self-proclaimed, having not undergone the complete imperial enfeoffment ceremony, nor received the Elf King's bestowed Duke's Crown.

Zhou Leng has.

Legally speaking, Zhou Leng is currently the only legitimate Grand Duke of the Elf Race.

No one is more elf than Zhou Leng.

The elves were completely bewildered.

The pure-hearted smiled broadly, believing their ancestors have found a powerful talented ally for the Elves.

But a few elves were a bit worried.

Who will hold the say in the Elf Royal Court in the future?

Zhou Leng reached out to touch the Duke's Crown, his fingers passing through, revealing it as an incorporeal body.

It is essentially a type of magic artifact, or akin to an eternal spell.

Besides proving the identity of the Elf Duke, it adds a "True Sight" spell.

It can see through any illusion techniques, even those of a demigod Elf King.

Seemingly simple, but actually extremely complex, belonging to lost spells.

"Greetings, noble Grand Duke Zhou Leng."

Silver Lake Moon was the first to half-kneel in salute, raising both hands, the backs facing Zhou Leng.

"Greetings, noble Grand Duke Zhou Leng."

All the elves had to follow and half-kneel.

"Arise," Zhou Leng said.

All the elves rose one by one.

Some prominent elves secretly observed, seeing most of the elves present both surprised and pleased, eyes full of reverence.

Henceforth, a new force will emerge within the Elf Race.

Meanwhile, outside the Blood Jade Wall.

Many elves either left or were fighting in Silver Lake Town.

The elves left guarding here stared blankly.

The first name used to be an unknown creature.

Later it became the Elf Prophet.

Then, elevated to Elf Sage.

Now, the title is Grand Duke.

Even a Legendary Elf entering now wouldn't display as Grand Duke.

Because this Blood Jade Wall is a product of the Elf Empire.

It only records grand dukes formally enfeoffed by the Elf Empire.

"What exactly happened inside?"

"Who knows, I'm already out of my depth."

"Why do I feel like the Blood Hunting Ground is even more chaotic than the battlefield outside?"

"Could it be that the Elf Prophet killed the unknown creature, then the Elf Sage killed the Elf Prophet, and finally, the Grand Duke killed the Elf Sage?"

"That's impossible, impossible..."

The elves present waited silently.

Suddenly, a flash of light shone in front of the Blood Jade Wall.

All elves stepped back.

In the large underground hall, hundreds more elves and a human appeared.

The elves left guarding stared blankly at the crown atop Zhou Leng's head.

Duke's Crown.

Others couldn't see it, but elf bloodlines could.

Silver Lake Moon walked up to Zhou Leng and loudly declared to the guarding elves: "His Highness Zhou Leng valiant in rescuing the Elf Race, slaughtering giant insects and demons, crushing the enemy's plot to corrupt the Divine Artifact. His Majesty the Bright King descended, bestowing Prophet, Sage, and Grand Duke. You ought to salute."

The last four words were spoken by Silver Lake Moon in pure ancient Elf language.

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