"Black Stone City is now the main city of the Hill Dwarves." Sillor pointed to a city on the hillside ahead.

Lu Ran looked ahead.

The city was of a medieval style, but overall not ancient.

One could vaguely see Dwarves coming and going at the city gates.

Yet, there were no signs of humans.

After all, this was still a Forbidden Area, and Lu Ran and his companions were the first humans to set foot here.

However, Lu Ran felt a bit puzzled.

"Hill Dwarves are a branch of the Dwarf Race, also called Cave Dwarves, but why are they not in caves but in a city above ground?" Lu Ran asked curiously.

Before coming here, Sillor had introduced some information about the Hill Dwarves.

Liu Xinxin had also mentioned she had seen records in some classic literature about the Hill Dwarves.

Indeed, they all said Hill Dwarves, also known as Cave Dwarves, live in caves beneath the hills and are described as a network of tunnels. This also leads to Hill Dwarves having fairer skin than other branches of the Dwarf Race but smaller stature, convenient for underground activities.

"Previously, they did live underground, but after world data transformation, the world's structure and terrain underwent significant changes. The Hill Dwarves were forced to leave the underground, establishing a main city on the surface, while planning to reclaim their previous caves." Sillor introduced.

After finishing speaking.

She pondered and added, "According to your Human Race's task system pattern, the task triggered when you head to Black Stone City is most likely related to the former caves, but the specific task is unknown."

So that's how it is.

Although Lu Ran still didn't understand, why after the terrain alterations, they had the ability to build a city but not reopen the caves to return underground?

But Sillor probably only had partial knowledge.

After all, she was not a Natural Elf but a degenerated Dark Elf.

Moreover.

Even if she were a Natural Elf, after world data transformation, the alliance with the Dwarf Race was merely nominal, and connections between them were not close.

Furthermore, the main city of the Hill Dwarves was located in the human world, yet the Natural Elves existed independently as a Dungeon, which also made Lu Ran feel a bit strange.

"Then let's head to the main city first." Lu Ran pondered and said.

Afterward.

The group headed towards Black Stone City.

The moment they arrived at the city gates.

Ding!

[Task triggered, please check promptly!]

Lu Ran was taken aback.

The task triggered already?

He initially thought it would require entering Black Stone City or meeting the Dwarf tribe leader for the task to trigger.

Unexpectedly, it was triggered as soon as he approached Black Stone City.

He stopped in his tracks, took out a scroll, and looked at it.

At this moment, the scroll had shed its previous traces of decay and antiquity, with brilliance flowing on its surface, and the map was much clearer.

Simultaneously.

The task system also presented a new task: [Continuation of the Eternal Fire]

[Task: Continuation of the Eternal Fire (1)]

[Objective: Meet the Dwarven King, and gain recognition from him]

[Reward: 5 million experience!]

Lu Ran furrowed his brows.

Only five million experience as a reward?

Although it's substantial, compared to the dangerous undertaking of entering the Forbidden Area, five million experience seems somewhat meager.

However, he quickly realized.

The task was numbered with one, which indicated that it was a series of tasks rather than a postponed task.

The current objective was simply to meet the Dwarven King and gain his approval.

This was much simpler.

Getting five million experience just for meeting the Dwarven King was quite reasonable.

Following this, Lu Ran explained the task to Liu Xinxin and the group.

"It must be a series task. Indeed, the forbidden area's scroll is not common merchandise, and the series tasks will have progressively generous rewards; the overall reward is extremely abundant. Lu Ran, you're about to make a big profit this time." Liu Xinxin said enviously.

At this moment.

Outside the East City gate of Black Stone City.

The coming and going Dwarves stopped, casting curious gazes at Lu Ran and the others.

Among them, one could clearly see Dwarf Warriors, Mages, and other regular professions.

Additionally, there were some Dwarf merchants and ordinary residents.

Their height was indeed shorter compared to the normal Dwarf Race.

The tallest ones barely reached Lu Ran's thigh level, while the shortest ones only came up to Lu Ran's knee height.

The overall scene seemed quite bizarre, almost like he had turned into a giant.

However, Dwarves were not just miniaturized versions of the Human Race; their heads were large, features mature, with short but stout limbs.

Especially those Dwarf Berserkers, although appearing small, their bodies were muscle-bound, a single glance revealing the explosive power contained within!

"These are all Dwarves, most of whom are the post-data transformation Dwarves who haven't encountered humans, hence they're very curious but not hostile. The Dwarves themselves aren't belligerent; they neither ally closely with the Human Race nor hold any animosity." Sillor introduced.

Lu Ran nodded slightly.

But then he noticed among the Dwarf crowd some individuals with green skin and pointed ears resembling goblins.

He asked puzzled, "Are those also Dwarves? Why do they look different?"

Sillor shook her head and said, "No, those are goblins. Goblins drift between various races, many of them are merchants, and the Goblin Commerce is widespread globally and quite powerful. There were Goblin Commerce presences in the former Human Race territories; only now, post-data transformation, your new Human Race has a new main city, and the Goblin Commerce has yet to settle in."

Sillor seemed quite knowledgeable about these matters.

She could answer all of Lu Ran's questions.

And indeed, she was right.

Though the Dwarves didn't establish close ties with humans, they weren't antagonistic towards the Human Race either.

Lu Ran and his group walked into the city gates; the guards merely glanced at them and didn't bother further.

Only a group of curious Dwarves followed them from behind, making Lu Ran and the others feel a bit awkward, like they were monkeys being watched.

Inside Black Stone City, the style was vastly different from human architecture, not orderly but still towering rather than low, with complex pathways.

Without clear objectives, Lu Ran's group didn't even know where to find the Dwarven King.

Nor did they know where the Dwarven King's palace was located within Black Stone City.

"The Dwarves are so short-statured, yet these buildings are more majestic and towering than those of humans, but the roads are winding, twisting, way too chaotic." Lu Ran muttered.

Ascending slopes, descending slopes, tunneling through, the roads crisscross with multiple levels.

It's utterly chaotic, simply Do as You Please!

"The Dwarves are adept at forging, but not at construction; they build in ways that are convenient for them, but the sturdiness of the buildings is not a problem." Sillor said casually.

"What do we do now? Where do we find the Dwarven King? Sillor, do you know?" Lu Ran asked.

This time, even the knowledgeable Sillor shook her head.

"I don't know; I only know Black Stone City was established by the Hill Dwarves later on and have not been here before."

At that moment.

Suddenly, a Dwarf girl wielding a large hammer appeared in front of them, blocking their path.

After eyeing Lu Ran and the group for a moment, she called out, "Friends from the Human Race, what brings you to Black Stone City? Do you need help? Prices are all negotiable!"

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