Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 477 The Loot and Treasures Left Behind by a Legendary Elf: The World Tree's Ambition
As the spirit of Ankol Redbeard and the divine generals embodied by the Chosen Ones vanished simultaneously, the devastating energy storm in the Great Hall of the Tomb finally subsided. On the high platform, the last trace of Yseramar Vil the Starspeaker's existence—her twisted and collapsing spirit and frenzied blue light—had also been completely annihilated, swallowed up by the Black Box.

However, the place where she ultimately disappeared was not empty. A few faint but pure lights, and several seemingly ancient objects, floated quietly in mid-air, as if they were the essence extracted from the disintegrated core of her spirit, remaining even after tens of thousands of years and the earth-shattering energy impact just now.

First, there was the remains of the Staff of the Stars from Yseramar. This legendary staff, after tens of thousands of years, was now broken, reduced to a charred and twisted piece of wood about the length of an arm. The large moonstone at the top was cracked, covered with spiderweb-like fissures, and had lost all its luster. Most of the once exquisite elven runes on the staff had been worn away or burned off, with only a few remaining barely discernible.

But Arielia recognized its material at a glance: "This staff... could it be from an ancient oak tree that was baptized by the sacred fire of Asu?"

Her exclamation, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, drew gasps of amazement from everyone. The Age Oak! Even those who weren't elves understood the significance of that name!
That was no ordinary ancient tree, nor even a common Tree of Life. It was the ultimate form of the oldest and most powerful Tree of Life, which had been sublimated over countless years during the golden age of the Elven race, under the direct grace of the gods (usually believed to be Asuyan or Isha). It was a living legend, the source and symbol of Elven civilization and magic.

Each Age Oak is deeply rooted in the winds of magic; its branches can purify chaotic energy, its fruit can grant eternal youth, and its very existence nourishes the land and shelters the elven people. Legend has it that the most powerful Age Oak can even connect the mortal realm with the divine realm of the elven gods.

And this charred piece of wood before us actually originated from such a sacred being?!
“It shouldn’t be wrong…” Arielia’s eyes were fixed on the staff. “Look at the texture. Even though it’s been charred and twisted, it still contains the ancient rhythm of order and life… And the remaining runic imprints, those are primitive marks that only oak from the era that has been bathed in the holy fire can bear!”

She explained excitedly, “Crafting a staff from the branches of an ancient oak tree was an extremely luxurious and sacred act, even in the most glorious era of the elves. Such a staff is naturally a top-tier conductor and amplifier of life magic. Any life-based spells cast by the wielder—healing, nourishing, growing, or even more complex manipulation of life forms—will receive an unimaginable amplification, consuming less energy and producing stronger effects, even reaching the realm of the essence of life.”

"It was once a symbol of life and creation, one of the most coveted magical artifacts among high-ranking elven mages. To hold such a staff was almost to hold a part of the power over life."

Yet this very artifact, which should have represented life and holiness, fell into the hands of Yseramar, accompanying her through millennia of descent into darkness in this crypt, ultimately consumed by resentment and madness, ending up charred and broken. The shattered moonstone and the worn-out runes silently testify to its fall and final destruction.

This stark contrast imbues the charred staff with an incredibly complex aura—a blend of sacred afterglow and fallen sorrow, both a priceless treasure and a relic of utter tragedy.

Su Li stepped forward and looked down at the charred staff that was floating in the air. It lay there quietly, as if it embodied the glory, perseverance, and ultimate fall and loneliness of the Elven race over ten thousand years. It was not just a piece of wood, but more like a silent epic, recording the rise and fall of a great civilization.

"The Oak of the Ages..." Who would have thought that one of the final discoveries in this gloomy underground tomb would be the remains of such a sacred relic bearing such a heavy history?

Then, a glint of extraordinary, almost whimsical light flashed in his eyes as he turned to the druid and Eliria in the group with great interest: "You guys think... this branch of the Ancient Oak, although it's been made into a staff, is still essentially wood, right? Is it possible... to revitalize it through cuttings or grafting, and cultivate a new Ancient Oak?"

This idea was so bold that it stunned everyone present.

The druid from the Church of Dawn, who was well-versed in the ways of nature, was the first to smile wryly and shake his head: "My lord, your idea... is astonishing, but I'm afraid the probability is extremely low, almost negligible."

He carefully organized his words, “That’s right, it originated from the ancient oak tree, and theoretically it contains an immense amount of life force, even ‘infinite’. But because it was made into a staff, and has undergone ten thousand years of magical infusion and spiritual imprinting by elven mages, its essence has been greatly ‘solidified’ and ‘alienated’. It is more like a perfect magical artifact than a potential sapling.”

He paused, then continued to pour cold water on the idea: "The chances of successful cuttings or grafting... forgive my bluntness, but I'm afraid it's only one in a billion. It requires an almost unrepeatable, miraculous natural opportunity, and... well, perhaps even direct divine intervention. Besides—"

The druid shrugged and pointed out the most crucial practical difficulty: "Even if there were a one in a billion chance, grafting would still require rootstock. We need a living, and powerful enough, ancient tree of life as the foundation to receive its power. My lord, our territory... does not have such a sacred object that exists only in legends and deep within the elven forests."

Ancient trees are the precursors to modern oaks and are equally rare and precious, serving as an indispensable foundation for cultivating new-era oaks.

However, Su Li's interest wasn't dampened by this cold water; on the contrary, it intensified. He stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with an almost certain light:

"The Tree of Life... just because it's not here now doesn't mean it won't be in the future. Once we leave here and return to our territory, maybe if we're lucky, Frostwood's team will bring back a seed from the Tree of Life?" He spoke casually, as if he were talking about something that wasn't entirely impossible. "As for that one in a billion chance... well, for me, it might not seem so slim."

His confidence stemmed from his daily intelligence; many miracles or probabilities that seemed unattainable to others could be triggered by specific conditions or methods. As long as there was a theoretical possibility, he was willing to try and invest.

“Of course,” he said, changing the subject to appear very pragmatic, “if in the end we really can’t bring it back to life, can’t cultivate a new era of oak trees… that’s fine too.”

His gaze fell once again on the charred staff, as if he could already see another future for it.

"This is, after all, a top-tier material of mythical quality, originating from an ancient oak tree. Even if it cannot be resurrected, entrusting it to the forest witch Ingrid... I believe that with her abilities and understanding of nature and life magic, she will definitely have a way to reforge and utilize it. Perhaps, it can add another powerful legendary treasure to our Black Forest Territory."

His thinking is clear and flexible, encompassing both the yearning for and investment in miracles, as well as a calm calculation of the greatest value in reality. This remnant of the ancient oak staff, regardless of its ultimate fate, seems destined to remain in his hands.

Su Li's gaze shifted from the remains of the ancient oak staff to the teardrop-shaped drop of pure silver floating beside it. It exuded a cool and pure aura, completely different from that of the oak.

“That drop of silver…” Su Li looked at Ariria. Dragons are born with vast knowledge, and the longer they sleep, the more extensive their knowledge becomes. Ariria is now close to the legendary level, and even through the inheritance in her dreams, she can know many secrets.

Arielia bent down to examine the drop of silvery substance closely, a violent aftershock coming from her snow-white chest.

“My lord, if I’m not mistaken, that…that is very likely the physical manifestation of the ‘Tears of Lilith’.”

"Lilith?" Su Li was familiar with this name; she was an extremely important and complex chief god in the elven pantheon.

“Yes,” Eliria nodded solemnly, “Lady Lilith, the goddess of dreams and destiny of the elves, the maiden of the moon, the ruler of purity and prophecy. She is in charge of dreams, prophecy, and moonlight magic, and also protects the purity and hope of the elves. In many legends, she is also one of the guardian deities of the elves, especially revered by the high elves and some wood elves.”

She continued, her tone carrying a mythical ethereal quality: "Lilith's Tears are no ordinary tears. Legend has it that they do not originate from sorrow, but from the goddess's deepest pity and blessing upon mortal elves. When the elven race encounters great suffering or faces a turning point in their destiny, a very few individuals, especially favored by the goddess, may receive a tear bestowed upon them by the goddess in a dream or a sacred ritual, a tear imbued with her divine power and blessing. Another version says that when a devout elf deeply moves or saddens the goddess, such a miracle may also occur."

“As for why Yseramar possesses it… perhaps ten thousand years ago, she was indeed an incredibly devout and favored Star Speaker and Watcher, and this teardrop was the goddess’s blessing and protection for her bearing the responsibility of ten thousand years of solitude. But… she ultimately failed to live up to that favor.” Arielia’s voice carried a hint of complexity.

Then, she took a deep breath and stated the most practical and astonishing effect of this teardrop:
"It can purify and greatly enhance the bloodline of elves."

"For any elf, this teardrop is priceless. Absorbing its power can cleanse impurities in one's bloodline, awaken the ancient and powerful ancestral power, greatly enhance affinity for moonlight magic and divination spells, and may even directly elevate the level of one's life essence. For an elven race, it may improve the bloodline potential of the entire race."

She glanced at Su Li and added, "Even for non-elves, the pure moonlight and dream power it contains are extremely powerful magical materials, which may be used to forge artifacts with powerful protective, purifying, or prophetic abilities."

This tear of Lilith, like a seed imbued with the power of divine blood, was of immeasurable value, especially to the elves. It floated there silently, radiating a cool and pure light, forming a stark and ironic contrast with the nearby remnant of oak wood, a symbol of decadence and destruction. Su Li's gaze lingered on the pure tear of Lilith for a moment, several figures flashing through his mind. Thranville, the noble and powerful Valkyrie, was indeed the elf most fitting for the tear's symbolic meaning. But as he had thought, with Thranville's talent and bloodline, her ascension to legendary status was almost a certainty; this tear was more of an embellishment than a qualitative leap for her.

His thoughts immediately turned to another name—Sylvanas. The vice-captain of the Knights of Light's Arrow, the female elf who always called out "My Lord~" in a sweet voice, whose eyes darted around with a hint of calculation and flattery, and who was privately nicknamed "Little Green Tea."

Thinking of her, Su Li couldn't help but smile complexly. Sylvanas did indeed have some ulterior motives, enjoying harmless little tricks and using smooth talk to gain advantages for herself. But undeniably, she was also brave; in the previous battle, the Knights of the Light Arrow, which she led, had indeed played a crucial role, their arrows never ceasing. More importantly… she had already given him everything (including her body), along with those little schemes.

This tear of Lilith, for Sylvanas who isn't exceptionally gifted and has reached her current position primarily through hard work and a bit of luck, might just be the key to changing her destiny. This isn't favoritism, but a reasonable allocation based on practical needs and merit.

Having made up his mind, Su Li raised his head and looked at the Knights of the Light Arrow, who were reorganizing their ranks and counting the casualties a little distance away. He called out loudly, "Sylvanas, come here."

Sylvanas, who was directing the Green Knights in bandaging their wounds, paused at the sound and immediately jogged over. Her long, emerald-green hair was slightly disheveled from the previous battle, stained with a bit of dust, but still as vibrant as tender leaves in early spring. She wore her usual perfectly timed sweet smile, but a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation flickered in her eyes: "My lord, you wanted to see me?"

Su Li didn't say much, but simply gestured with her eyes to the silver teardrop floating in the air.

Sylvanas followed his gaze, initially puzzled, but when she sensed the pure and sublime moonlight and life force contained within that teardrop—a light that shared her own origins—her pupils contracted sharply, and her breathing quickened instantly. As an elf, she instinctively sensed what it was, or rather, what it meant to her!
"This...this is..." Her voice trembled, no longer the deliberately sweet tone, but a genuine shock and disbelief.

“Lilith’s Tear,” Su Li said calmly, “is now yours. Take it; it is your deserved reward.”

There were no further explanations, no additional conditions. The simple statement resonated like thunder in Sylvanas's ears.

Overwhelmed by joy, she instantly broke down all her defenses. She looked up at Su Li abruptly, her eyes instantly reddening with elation, gratitude, and an indescribable mix of emotions. Without hesitation or pretense, she reached out her slightly trembling hand and carefully touched the silver teardrop.

The moment her fingertips touched the teardrop, it transformed into a cool, silvery stream of light and spontaneously merged into her body.

"Hmm~"

Sylvanas let out a groan that was hard to suppress, a groan tinged with both pain and intense pleasure, and her body involuntarily arched back slightly. A burst of brilliant silver moonlight erupted from within her, enveloping her entirely!

Her long, emerald-green hair moved without wind, the ends beginning to shimmer with a shimmering, moon-white edge, as if moonlight were flowing through it. Her skin became even whiter and more translucent, with a faint glow flowing through it.

The aura emanating from her body grew stronger, purer, and deeper at a visible speed! She could clearly feel that the oldest and most powerful part of her elven bloodline was being awakened, purified, and strengthened! Every cell was rejoicing, and her perception of moonlight and magic became clearer and more acute than ever before.

This process lasted for more than ten seconds before the silver light gradually subsided.

As the light completely faded, Sylvanas slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were still emerald green, but deeper and brighter than ever before, as if moonlight were flowing within them. Her demeanor had subtly changed; she still possessed that natural allure, but now she had gained an indescribable nobility and mystery, like a true priestess of the moon.

She felt a surge of new power coursing through her body, and was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She took a sudden step forward, no longer a deliberate approach, but an uncontrollable leap into Su Li's arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist. She tilted her head back, her eyes shimmering with tears, filled with the most sincere gratitude and admiration.

"My lord... thank you... Sylvanas... Sylvanas doesn't know how to repay you..." Her voice was still soft, but less affected, and more choked with emotion. "This kindness... Sylvanas will repay it with eternal loyalty and... and everything~"

As she spoke, a blush rose on her cheeks, her eyes bold and fiery, carrying a hint of alluring charm. She tiptoed, her soft, moist lips almost touching Su Li's chin, her breath sweet as orchids: "You can make Sylvanas...do whatever you want~ Now I feel I can do even more for you~"

Her words still carried that familiar "tea" flavor, but against the backdrop of her immense growth and genuine gratitude, they seemed particularly straightforward and alluring, like a fully ripe fruit waiting to be picked, exuding a unique charm that blended pure moonlight with a captivating aura.

With this powerful divine blessing, her strength increased dramatically, instantly breaking through to the intermediate champion level!

It's safe to say that with the improvement of her aptitude, breaking through to the God-Chosen level is only a matter of time.

Feeling the soft, fragrant body in his arms and hearing her words, a mixture of sincere gratitude and alluring charm, Su Li's heart warmed. Sylvanas's allure at this moment was indeed more astonishing due to the sublimation of her bloodline; the intertwining of pure moonlight and captivating charm was enough to stir any man's heart.

He chuckled softly, his arm naturally encircling her slender yet powerful waist, his fingertips feeling her slight trembling excitement. He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Oh? You'll do whatever you want? You said it yourself... I remember someone used to seem quite puzzled by Freya's 'little games'."

He mentioned Freya, the vice-commander of the Suncrown Knights, a female knight with a cold and aloof demeanor who willingly submitted to him, displaying astonishing sensitivity and obedience. Sylvanas had often privately muttered that Freya was "shameless" and "corrupted by the lord."

At this moment, when Su Li mentioned it, Sylvanas's cheeks instantly turned crimson, as if they were about to bleed. But she only buried her face deeper into Su Li's chest, and hummed in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet with a hint of reckless boldness, "That...that was because Sylvanas was ignorant before~ Now...now I think I understand a little...Sister Freya...maybe she's quite happy too?"

Her voice held a hint of shyness, yet it was also full of probing and a reckless allure, "If Your Highness wishes... Sylvanas... you can try... as long as you like..."

This almost blunt statement, coupled with her now even more captivating aura and physique after her transformation, made Su Li's breath catch in his throat slightly. This little green tea b*tch is really getting better and better at stirring up his heart.

However, Su Li was ultimately driven by reason, especially in the tomb that had just witnessed a great battle. He gently patted Sylvanas's back, pushing her away slightly. His gaze, though still warm, had regained its clarity.

“I’ll remember this ‘repayment’.” He smiled knowingly. “Now, I have important business for you to do.”

A fleeting hint of disappointment crossed Sylvanas's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by focus. She stood obediently, tilting her head slightly to look at Su Li, adopting a posture of attentive listening, though the slight blush on her cheeks and the moisture in her eyes still lingered from the earlier ambiguity.

Su Li pointed to the last piece of spoils in the air, which was the fifth faded leaf of the Sacred Tree of Aetherarian, which was floating and emitting faint spatial fluctuations: "This old elven woman was not telling the truth after all. She still kept the last faded leaf of the Sacred Tree. With this one, we can only get out."

"But before we go out, we have to do something important. Your bloodline has been purified and enhanced by the Tears of Lilith, and your perception and affinity for elven relics and life energy should have reached a new level. Now, you should be able to try to activate it."

He looked intently at her: "To obtain another 'life amber' for us."

(End of this chapter)