“She is alive, but imprisoned by the Elves. I am afraid An Yun will never be able to return. There is enmity between the Elves and humans. Instead of killing her, they chose captivity,” Zou Dongsheng said, shaking his head.
What fate awaited someone who fell into Elven hands?
Lin Yun recalled that in the Ancestral Heart Realm there were places openly selling captured female Elves, kept in cages and auctioned off. That was the fate of Elves who fell into human hands.
A human in Elven hands would probably fare no better.
“Can we negotiate with the Elves? We could pay a ransom!” Lin Yun said.
“I already went to the Ancestral Heart Realm once and sought out an Elven powerhouse there. They refused to even talk,” Zou Dongsheng replied.
They refused because of the longstanding hatred between Elves and humans, and because whatever ransom Infinite Heavenly Palace could offer, the Elves would likely scorn.
“Then… what are we supposed to do?” Lin Yun pressed.
“There is nothing we can do,” Zou Dongsheng said helplessly, closing his eyes and shaking his head again.
Infinite Heavenly Palace was only a declining force. How could it possibly contend with the entire Elf race? Even if they exhausted every resource, it would be impossible.
Moreover, An Yun was on Elven territory.
“So we just abandon her?” Lin Yun stared at Zou Dongsheng.
“Young Master, it is not abandonment. There truly is no way. An Yun is a core member of our Infinite Heavenly Palace. How could I want to give her up?” Zou Dongsheng said, his voice weak.
After a moment of silence, Lin Yun looked up. “Zou Dongsheng, I will go to the Elf race and rescue An Yun!”
An Yun had protected him several times. He remembered every one of those occasions. How could he leave her imprisoned and do nothing?
“What?!”
Zou Dongsheng was shocked. “Young Master, that is out of the question! If you go, you will only end up captured as well. If the Elves imprison you too, the loss to Infinite Heavenly Palace would be even greater! We have already lost An Yun. We cannot lose you too!”
“I would not say it if I did not have some plan and some hope,” Lin Yun replied.
He remembered the female Elf he had saved in Heart City long ago.
At that time, she had given him a jade pendant and said she would repay the favour.
Lin Yun wondered whether he could use that pendant to exchange for An Yun, trading the debt of saving one Elf for her freedom.
It might not succeed, but it was at least a chance.
“No. I will never agree to let you go to the Elf race to save An Yun!” Zou Dongsheng’s tone was firm, leaving no room for discussion.
“Zou Dongsheng, I…”
Lin Yun tried to speak again, but Zou Dongsheng cut him off at once. “Young Master, there is nothing to discuss on this matter.”
“Fine,” Lin Yun could only nod.
“Then I will return to the seclusion chamber.”
With that, he turned and left.
Once outside the hall, Lin Yun’s mood was heavy and complicated.
He had told Zou Dongsheng he was going to seclude himself, but that was only an excuse.
After something like this, how could he calmly enter seclusion and cultivate?
He had already made up his mind. No matter what, he would try.
Zou Dongsheng clearly did not want him to take the risk, so Lin Yun would have to do it secretly.
He decided to return to the seclusion chamber first, stay there for a day or two, then leave under the pretext of going out for training.
…
Inside the hall.
After Lin Yun left, Zou Dongsheng used his communication bracelet to summon a red-haired man.
The man was called Xia Yuan. When Lin Yun had first been dragged by Zou Dongsheng to take the Infinite Trial, his opponent in the first round had been this very red-haired Xia Yuan.
“Senior Brother,” Xia Yuan said, entering and immediately cupping his fists in greeting.
“Junior Brother Xia, I need to step out for a while. Go and stand watch outside the Young Master’s seclusion chamber. Do not let him leave the cave palace under any circumstances. Whatever the reason, inform me at once if anything happens,” Zou Dongsheng instructed.
Zou Dongsheng planned to return to the Ancestral Heart Realm and try once more to negotiate with the Elves.
“Yes,” Xia Yuan acknowledged.
After giving his orders, Zou Dongsheng hurried away.
…
Inside the seclusion chamber.
Lin Yun lasted only half a day before he could no longer stay. He quickly walked out.
“Young Master!”
The moment he emerged, Xia Yuan, who had been waiting outside, greeted him respectfully.
“Xia Yuan, why are you standing out here?” Lin Yun asked, startled.
