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However, the cities of the elves are fundamentally different from those of humans. They do not rely on thick stone walls for defense but instead maximize their innate magical talents. Using the "Golden Tree," a fundamental treasure of the elven race, as the energy core, they employ plant-based magic to cultivate towering trees that form defensive lines. These lines combine defense and magical amplification, allowing a small number of elves to fend off numerous enemies. However, such powerful cities are not universal among all elves. For example, the dark elves live underground, where there is no sunlight and thus no trees to command. Fungi like mushrooms, being non-plant organisms, are unaffected by plant-based magic. Although the "Golden Tree," akin to a super magical beast, can grow underground without the need for light, the cities of the dark elves can only command various subterranean creatures to construct defenses using massive stones.

Similarly, the blood elves enhance their physical constitution by internalizing blood-based magic, a method that benefits over 90% of their race, making it the most widespread practice among elves. However, this type of magic greatly conflicts with plant-based magic, nearly obliterating the blood elves' ability to wield plant-based spells and even stripping them of their control over the "Golden Tree." Consequently, while the cities of the blood elves remain magical cities, they have become essentially indistinguishable from human cities.

The "Red Glory Royal City," also known as the "Blood Capital," is constructed entirely of red agate stone, adorned with countless beautiful patterns and hollowed-out sculptures. From a distance, the city appears as a magnificent blaze of red, akin to a burning sunset. These walls are not merely decorative; they also serve as excellent conduits for fire-based magic, perfectly complementing the flame magic that the blood elves excel in. Additionally, the city's twenty-eight towering magical spires can form a massive flame magic shield that envelops the entire city, integrating offense and defense. As long as the internal magical energy does not deplete, the city remains impervious to breaches.

The blood elf population numbers approximately 94,000 to 95,000, with an additional ten thousand half-elves and human descendants of mixed heritage. A significant number of ordinary humans also coexist with them. Thus, the total population within the blood elves' controlled region, known as the "Red Territory," is around 300,000. To integrate into the human world, the blood elves historically accepted titles from various dynasties. Many of these once-powerful dynasties have since faded into obscurity, while the blood elves, who have always appeared as a weaker faction, have retained seventeen princely titles and fifty to sixty ducal titles. Their inherent strength, along with centuries of intricate relationships, has enabled the blood elves' territory to remain a permanently neutral entity within the human world, forging a lasting legend amidst the ever-shifting human societies.

The permanent residents of the "Red Glory Royal City" number around 100,000, of which 40,000 are blood elves. They are responsible for maintaining the city's magical operations and various research endeavors. Joining them in these tasks are over a thousand human mages, tens of thousands of magic users, and apprentices. The remaining residents handle the city's daily necessities, ensuring its prosperous development. Due to the city's unique structure and the racial characteristics of its rulers, it far surpasses other human cities in beauty, cleanliness, tranquility, and peace.

Chen Xuanfeng and Jin Luosha have been in the city for two days.

Their decision to temporarily set aside other matters and rush to the "Red Glory Royal City" was correct. While they leisurely enjoyed the scenery, the "White Night Knight," commissioned by the "Mercenary Empire," had already led a delegation of several thousand to the "Red Glory Royal City." Although Chen Xuanfeng's plan did not require him to compete with the delegation, he could not afford to fall too far behind. Thus, the two soon set off.

When they arrived in the city, it was just as the "White Night Knight" Hein was leading his entourage away. He had brought thousands of elite troops upon arrival and departed with an additional few hundred members of a magic legion.

In truth, the human leadership was quite helpless regarding this matter. Originally, the "Red Glory Royal City" being the endpoint for the return of the "Saint Crest" was a top-secret affair. Everyone privy to the truth did their utmost to keep it confidential, as every additional layer of secrecy meant an extra layer of safety. However, when news of the mysterious death of the "Red Sun Knight" Hein reached them, the situation changed. If he had died at the hands of the orcs, it would have been easier to handle, as humans could still unite and rely on seamless cooperation to maintain secrecy. But when suspicion fell on the "Hanyue Knight" Carol, the enraged and terrified royal family of the "Mercenary Empire" refused to heed any advice, insisting on escorting the sacred weapon back to the capital with a large army, disregarding the risk of leaking information. As the royal officials put it, "If someone is willing to murder their own kin, how can we expect them to keep secrets?"

With no dominant force among the major human factions to override others, they ultimately had to concede, permitting the "Mercenary Empire" to proceed as it wished. They even dispatched a precious magic legion for protection to placate the empire's anger.

Chen Xuanfeng and the "White Night Knight's" delegation passed each other at the city gates. However, the werewolf lord, masquerading as a human, harbored no intention of trailing the delegation to strike at an opportune moment. Instead, he let them go without a second thought and, like ordinary travelers, settled into a city inn with Jin Luosha. They spent two days resting and shopping until both looked refreshed and their backpacks were filled with various useful and not-so-useful items. Only then did they leisurely leave the city, disappearing into the nearby dense forests.

Of course, the "White Night Knight" Hein remained completely unaware of all this. He continued to lead his delegation, escorted by the armies of the southern nations, marching grandly northward. The "Ten Realms Crimson Lotus" sword lay quietly in his arms, awaiting the awakening of its next master.

Hein's mood during this period was also quite troubled. It was not that he had a particularly close relationship with the deceased "Red Sun Knight" Hein; in fact, the arrogant and mediocre Hein had never been well-liked. His later interference in the war between the "Mercenary Empire" and the "Kuta Tribal Alliance" only added to the disdain. What truly troubled Hein was the broader implications of the incident and the hidden conspiracy behind it. The death of a "Saint Crest Knight" had incited the wrath of a human empire, and this anger was directed inward. This empire happened to be the most crucial ally of the "Radiant Temple" in the war... In short, the situation was dire. What was even more concerning was that if Carol, the "Hanyue Knight," had indeed killed Hein, it would be one thing. But if not, it would signify the presence of a hidden hand plotting some conspiracy, with their true motives and capabilities entirely concealed.