Moonlight Valley.
A silver moon hung high in the sky, casting a cold, brilliant glow over the valley and painting the landscape in a dreamlike coat of silver.
The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, but unfortunately, there was no one around to appreciate it.
Isabella's mind was entirely consumed with finding Elvin. Terrified that something terrible might happen to him if they delayed for even a second, she had been relentlessly urging Ning Busan to hurry.
“Didn't you say the entrance to the Elven Valley is hidden inside Moonlight Valley? We've searched the entire place, so why haven't we found it yet?”
Ning Busan, resting on the branch of an ancient tree near a lake, replied, “Take a break. There's no use rushing; we have to wait until midnight.”
Isabella was deeply frustrated. “My contract is burning. I can feel that Elvin is nearby. How on earth do we get into the Elven Valley?”
“We have the tokens,” Ning Busan said. “When midnight arrives, the path will reveal itself.”
Seeing how bossy Isabella had been toward Elvin before, he had assumed it was a case of unrequited love. He hadn't expected her to be this worried about him.
Curiously, Ning Busan asked, “What kind of contract did you two establish anyway?”
Contracts established between humans and mythical creatures generally fell into three categories: transaction contracts, guardian contracts, and soul contracts.
For instance, the contract between Novalia and Mammon was a transaction contract, where aid was secured by paying a specific price.
A guardian contract meant the mythical creature agreed to become a human's protector, offering them guidance and defense.
As for a soul contract, only those bound by true love would ever establish one.
The mythical creature would willingly share their lifespan with the human, binding their fates and futures together to live and die as one.
Isabella answered, “Ours is a guardian contract.”
“Elves are deeply loyal and always repay their debts,” Ning Busan remarked. “You saved Elvin's life, so he agreed to a guardian contract with you. It was probably his way of returning the favor, wasn't it?”
Isabella gave a sullen grunt of agreement.
Unable to stand her gloomy mood, Ning Busan comforted her, “The Elven Clan is highly unified. They really wouldn't harm one of their own for no good reason.”
Isabella ignored his words, continuing to wallow in her own worries.
Midnight arrived.
The moonlight pierced the surface of the lake. Strangely, the reflection on the water did not mirror the real world. Instead, an illusion of the Elven Valley shimmered upon the surface, as if the two worlds were separated by nothing more than a thin film of water.
With the entrance now visible, Isabella and Ning Busan plunged into the lake without hesitation.
Ripples spread across the water's surface before it settled back into a serene calm.
The moment they leaped in, an invisible force pulled at their bodies, drawing them gently downward.
Their surroundings blurred.
The lake water vanished, replaced by a deep, ancient forest. Trees towered into the clouds, filtering the moonlight into dappled patches on the ground, which was carpeted in glowing moss. A faint fragrance of flowers and fresh grass filled the air.
Before they could properly take in their new surroundings, however, a soft rustling sound echoed from all directions.
The surrounding trees suddenly seemed to come alive. Vines slithered down like serpents, and dozens of figures materialized from among the branches and leaves.
These elves all possessed silver hair and emerald eyes. Their slender figures were exceptionally elegant, and their skin shone as pale and flawless as moonlight.
However, armed with either bows and arrows or long spears, they quickly surrounded Ning Busan and Isabella. Their gazes were sharp with scrutiny and wariness, and their attitude was anything but welcoming.
Their leader was a female elf. Though her voice was as melodious as a fresh spring, her tone dripped with intense hostility. “Humans, what is your purpose in coming to the Elven Valley?”
Isabella quickly raised her hand, showing them the ring on her finger. “We have tokens! We're here to visit a friend.”
The leading elf narrowed her eyes, her gaze drifting between the rings in Ning Busan's and Isabella's hands.
After a moment, she raised her hand, signaling the other elves to stand down.
Even so, the perimeter did not loosen. The elves kept their eyes locked onto the pair, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
A hot-tempered male elf snarled, “The Elven Valley does not welcome the Human Race. Get out!”
As he spoke, he raised his spear slightly, its cold, sharp tip pointing directly at Ning Busan's chest.
“Talon—” The leading elf frowned, putting a stop to his insolent behavior.
Talon reluctantly lowered his spear, looking as though he wanted nothing more than to throw Ning Busan and Isabella out immediately.
The leading elf offered a polite, apologetic smile. “By right, since you hold our tokens, I should not turn you away. However, the Elven Valley is currently closed to outsiders. I am sorry, but please turn back.”
Ning Busan fell into deep thought.
Although the Elven Clan lived in isolation, they were generally known to be friendly.
The fact that these elves were blocking their path suggested that some major upheaval had occurred within the Elven Valley.
“Everyone, please calm down. Why don't you hear us out first?” Ning Busan cleared his throat, speaking with an earnest, deceptive tone.
“Elvin and my sister, Isabella, are already married, and they have established a soul contract. Now that Elvin has been taken away by your clan, you must at least give my sister an explanation.”
“What? Elvin actually dared to do such a thing?” Talon yelled at the leading female elf. “Lislene, isn't Elvin betrothed to you?”
Lislene's expression darkened. “Shut up.”
“An engagement?” Isabella's voice pitched higher. “Are you serious? Elvin is already engaged?”
Ning Busan pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling utterly exhausted.
He had originally thought that claiming Isabella and Elvin shared a soul contract would convince the elves to let them pass.
He certainly hadn't expected to accidentally summon Elvin's fiancée.
“Elvin and I did indeed have an engagement, but it has long since been voided,” Lislene said calmly. “Since you are Elvin's wife, that makes you one of us in the Elven Valley. Come, I will take you to see him.”
Isabella puffed up her cheeks in annoyance. “Fine! I'm going to find Elvin and get to the bottom of this!”
Ning Busan stepped forward to follow, but Lislene blocked his path. “She may enter, but you may not.”
Ning Busan asked, “Why can't I go in? I'm her brother.”
“Still no,” Lislene replied, her tone firm and unyielding. “Letting her in is already an exception. Turn back.”
Seeing how heavily guarded the Elven Valley was, Ning Busan spun another tale on the spot. “To tell you the truth, I was actually entrusted by an old friend to help the Elven Clan avert an impending crisis of extinction.”
“How insolent!” Lislene snapped angrily. “What crisis of extinction? Do not speak such utter nonsense!”
Instantly, every elf drew their bows to full extension, their arrows aimed directly at Ning Busan's heart.
“Stop!” Elvin rushed forward, calling out in a panic. “They are my friends! Do not harm them!”
Isabella hadn't expected to see him so soon. Overjoyed, she threw herself toward him. “Elvin! Thank goodness you're alright!”
Ning Busan stole a glance at Lislene, but her expression remained cool and detached, showing no emotion whatsoever.
Elvin turned to Lislene. “They are my friends. I am taking them inside.”
Lislene replied coldly, “Prince Elvin, if their presence causes any trouble...”
Elvin cut her off. “If anything happens, I will bear the consequences alone.”
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