"The Ancient Elves truly are formidable." Gazing upon the army of Ancient Elves, Chu Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
They had been stationed here for many years — perhaps even for generations, with the guardians having been replaced multiple times over that span.
Standing guard for so long without any sign of the Ancient Fierce Beast would have been enough to make anyone let their guard down. Yet the Ancient Elves had not grown lax in the slightest, which spoke volumes about their discipline and training.
The Ancient Elves before him looked like celestial soldiers descended to the mortal realm to punish demons, and among them, experts were as numerous as the clouds.
Chu Feng felt that such an army of righteousness existed only among the Ancient Elves in the entirety of the Martial Sacred Continent.
"Miaomiao, are you alright?"
At that moment, an elderly man with golden hair and an air of transcendent grace stepped forward first.
This old man was not a Guardian of the Ancient Elves, but his aura was extraordinarily powerful — even surpassing that of the Yin Yang Immortal. If Chu Feng wasn't mistaken, the old man was a Seven-rank Martial Emperor.
This man was not among the Ancient Elves stationed here. He was Xian Miaomiao's personal bodyguard, the kind who followed her wherever she went, remaining hidden within the void the entire time. Even Chu Feng was seeing him for the first time.
However, because only the younger generation could enter the depths of the Blood Devouring Killing Formation, this powerhouse had remained outside of it.
"Uncle, I'm fine. It's just that the situation right now is really bad," Xian Miaomiao said urgently.
"The situation is indeed dire. Who would have thought that an Ancient Fierce Beast sealed for so long would suddenly break free? This timing is far earlier than His Majesty the King had anticipated." Just then, two middle-aged men clad in green battle armor walked over.
Though they appeared to be middle-aged, they had in fact lived for several thousand years. Their cultivation was formidable as well — both of them were Six-rank Martial Emperors, on par with the Yin Yang Immortal.
They were the Ancient Elves guarding this location, though from what Chu Feng could tell, they were far from the only Six-rank Martial Emperors stationed here. The Blood Devouring Killing Formation was enormous, and Ancient Elf forces were likely spread across every direction, with plenty more experts among them.
Upon seeing Xian Miaomiao, several more expert Ancient Elves gathered around. Though their cultivation levels varied, the weakest among them was a Four-rank Martial Emperor. All of them possessed tremendous strength.
At that moment, Chu Feng finally understood why the Ancient Elves were the most powerful force in the Martial Sacred Continent. It turned out they were far more than just the Four Great Elders and Eight Great Guardians. Their true top-tier experts numbered many — they simply had other important duties to attend to.
"But do not fear, Your Highness. Although His Majesty the King recently redeployed a portion of our forces, the troops remaining here are more than enough to handle the Ancient Fierce Beast. The very instant the Blood Devouring Killing Formation was breached, we sealed off this area. No matter how many Ancient Fierce Beasts there are, not a single one will escape," another middle-aged man said.
"No, it's far more complicated than that. We absolutely cannot let our guard down," Xian Miaomiao said.
"Your Highness, do you perhaps know something?" The elderly man and the two middle-aged men exchanged glances, immediately picking up on her tone.
"Allow me to explain." Chu Feng stepped forward and told them everything about the Dark Hall and their involvement.
"The Dark Hall was behind this?! How could they have known an Ancient Fierce Beast was sealed here?" Upon learning this, every expert among the Ancient Elves was greatly shocked.
If it was merely the Ancient Fierce Beast breaking its seal on its own, that would be one thing. But if the Dark Hall had orchestrated it, then the situation they faced was far more complicated — and far more dangerous.
"Young friend Chu Feng, I have a favor to ask. Please escort Miaomiao safely back to the Elf Kingdom," the elderly man suddenly said to Chu Feng.
"Uncle, you're not coming back with me?" Xian Miaomiao asked.
"Miaomiao, my duty is to protect you. But right now, so many of our Ancient Elves may be in mortal danger. I cannot stand by and do nothing. I'm afraid I cannot remain by your side this time." The old man smiled, though there was a trace of guilt in his eyes.
It was guilt over his inability to protect Xian Miaomiao — and yet he could distinguish between personal duty and the greater good.
If the Ancient Fierce Beast were to escape, countless living beings throughout the Martial Sacred Continent would suffer catastrophic devastation. Under these circumstances, he had to choose to remain here and do everything in his power to suppress the Ancient Fierce Beast.
"If Uncle isn't leaving, then I'm not leaving either. I am not only a member of the Ancient Elves — I am their princess. Right here and now, I will stand alongside our warriors and fight the enemy together, to eliminate the Dark Hall."