Mo Han looked at the situation, managing only himself, yet deep down he knew he stood no chance of making it to the Holy City. Still, having promised Shui Ling'er, he was determined to try his utmost.

At that moment, Mo Han recalled Anna's whereabouts and quickly spoke up: "Ling'er, when you entered, did you encounter two members of the Nether Race at the entrance to the valley?" Shui Ling'er nodded upon hearing this and replied, "Yes, they were trapped within an enchantment. I left a few Church members to watch over them. You must have subdued those two, right?" Mo Han sighed in relief, saying, "Now that the Nether General is dead and Anna still hasn't been found, it seems we have no choice but to seek answers from them."

Shui Ling'er immediately nodded, responding, "Don't worry, I believe Anna must be hidden somewhere nearby. I will certainly mobilize the Church's forces to search the area. Our immediate priority now is to heal your injuries; don't trouble yourself with anything else."

There was an unshakeable resolve in Shui Ling'er's tone.

Seeing this, Mo Han understood Shui Ling'er spoke the truth and merely nodded in agreement. With the assistance of Guang Huo and the others, he hurried toward the valley entrance.

Just then, the Thunder Beast, Xiaolong, suddenly whined and barked at Mo Han, seemingly trying to convey something.

Everyone looked curiously at the beast, unsure what it was trying to express.

Mo Han quickly looked toward Xiaolong as well, puzzled by its behavior. Just then, the Thunder Beast continuously whined softly, pointing toward the direction of the Elven Forest.

Its front paw also remained fixed, indicating the direction of the Elven Forest.

Seeing the beast's action, Shui Ling'er and Guang Huo were bewildered, but a sudden spark lit up in Mo Han's mind. If the Thunder Beast was pointing toward the Elven Forest now, did it mean there might be a way to save him there? The Elven Forest held many treasures; perhaps there truly was a method to cure him? Thinking of this, Mo Han urgently stopped Shui Ling'er: "Ling'er, wait.

It’s definitely too late to go to the Holy City now. I think our only option is to go to the Elven Forest. They possess many rare and precious treasures, and the Elven Queen is incredibly knowledgeable; perhaps she might have a way to heal my injuries."

Hearing Mo Han's words, a glimmer of hope appeared in Shui Ling'er's eyes. Mo Han made sense. Considering the Elven Forest's millennia of accumulated treasures...

Perhaps there truly was a method to cure Mo Han. Even if it failed, the journey to the Holy City would not take much longer afterward.

With this in mind, Shui Ling'er quickly addressed Guang Huo: "Mo Han is right. Elder, please use a Magic Crystal Stone to notify the Holy City to send someone with the Scepter of Light to meet us here. I will take Mo Han to the Elven Forest first to seek the Elven Queen's counsel; perhaps there truly is a solution. If all else fails, I will rejoin you then."

Hearing Shui Ling'er's arrangement, Guang Huo immediately nodded and agreed, saying, "Then I will rush to the nearest Keman City Church to post the message. We will wait for you there. If the Elven Forest yields no hope, then meet us at the Keman City Church."

Shui Ling'er quickly nodded in agreement.

Guang Huo and the others then unleashed their Dou Qi and sped toward Keman City.

Seeing Guang Huo depart, Shui Ling'er hesitated no longer. She directly supported Mo Han and cast a Flight spell on them both, ascending into the air.

She hurried urgently toward the Elven Forest.

Xiaolong, however, had long been recalled by Mo Han into his Spatial Ring. After all, the beast's profile was too conspicuous. If they brought it to the Elven Forest, misunderstandings could easily arise, perhaps leading the elves to believe Mo Han and his party intended harm to their domain.

Under Mo Han's guidance, Shui Ling'er and Mo Han soon reached the Elven Forest's sphere of influence. As they reached the upper atmosphere above the forest's perimeter, Mo Han’s condition was grim; his stamina had been severely depleted during the casting of the forbidden spell. Seeing this, Shui Ling'er grew even more anxious, quickly descending and supporting Mo Han as they walked toward the Elven Forest.

Just then, several sounds of objects slicing through the air rang out, followed by a series of clinks as several arrows struck the ground precisely in front of Shui Ling'er and Mo Han, clearly meant to bar their entry into the Elven Forest.

A voice from the dense woods followed, belonging to an elven guard: "Humans, you have trespassed into Elven territory. If you have entered by accident, please return the way you came."

Shui Ling'er quickly responded: "I am Shui Ling'er, Saintess of the Church of Light. I have urgent matters and request an audience with Her Majesty, the Elven Queen. Kindly pass word."

Hearing the name of the Church of Light, the dense woods fell silent for a moment before movement stirred. Then, several elven guards emerged. One guard, who appeared to be the leader, spoke with deference: "If Your Ladyship Saintess is here as an envoy regarding our tribe dispatching troops to the Kanya Empire, we must respectfully ask you to return. Her Majesty the Queen has decreed that our tribe's involvement in the Kanya conflict is beyond our control. When the time is ripe, Her Majesty will personally explain the situation to the Pope of Light. The Elven Forest is currently a time of instability and is not suited to receive honored guests. We hope Saintess will understand."

Hearing the elven guard's reply, Shui Ling'er was filled with anxiety and was about to speak again when Mo Han interjected: "I am Chen Mo Han. I trouble this guard brother to inform Her Majesty the Queen that the matter concerning Princess Anna has been resolved. We are here seeking the Queen's assistance for a different purpose, not concerning the dispatch of troops to the Kanya Empire."

The guard captain sounded slightly surprised by Mo Han's response: "You are Mr. Mo Han? Her Majesty the Queen has commanded that Mr. Mo Han is welcome to enter the elven domain at any time. However, do you have proof of identity, sir?" The captain's tone toward Mo Han was distinctly respectful.

Mo Han remembered the emerald-green, leaf-shaped jade pendant the Elven Queen had given him. He promptly retrieved it from his bosom and handed it to the elven captain, asking, "Will this suffice as proof?" The captain quickly took the jade, examining it carefully.

He then said respectfully: "This is indeed our Elven Clan's Maple Leaf Jade. Only those who have rendered great service to the Elven Clan are qualified to receive it. Only one has been given out recently. It seems you truly are Mr. Mo Han. Please wait a moment, Mr. Mo Han, I will immediately order someone to escort you inside."

After speaking, the elven captain returned the jade pendant to Mo Han, then called two elven guards to lead Mo Han and his party deeper into the Elven Forest.

As Mo Han and the others entered the forest, a flare shot into the sky from behind them—evidently a signal announcing their arrival to the elves within.

Indeed, not long after they proceeded, a troop of elves led by Tri Mo rushed forward anxiously. Upon seeing Mo Han, Tri Mo exclaimed with delight: "The Queen guessed correctly! It truly is Brother Mo Han! Please, come quickly! Her Majesty the Queen has been awaiting your arrival for quite some time."

After saying this, Tri Mo suddenly noticed Shui Ling'er beside Mo Han, and Mo Han's complexion looked unwell. He then spotted the wounds on Mo Han and asked with some astonishment: "Young friend, you are injured? Why haven't you healed yourself? Shall I call for the Elven mages to mend your wounds?" Mo Han managed a wry smile and shook his head, saying: "This is a long story. Let's go in first before we discuss it. The reason I have come this time is precisely for this injury, to trouble Her Majesty the Queen. The lady beside me is the Saintess of the Church of Light; she is the one who brought me here."

Tri Mo, having seen much in his time, said no more upon this sight, merely stating: "In that case, let us proceed quickly."

With that, he turned and led Mo Han toward the Elven settlement.

Two other elven guards departed ahead of them, presumably to inform the Elven Queen.

Upon reaching the Elven Council Hall, Mo Han saw the Elven Queen seated on the main throne in the center, looking at him with a gentle smile. However, her expression soon shifted to one of surprise. She quickly moved before Mo Han and said: "I heard young friend was injured, but why does your body carry the dark aura of Nether Power?" Upon hearing the mention of Nether Power, Shui Ling'er interjected eagerly: "So Your Majesty the Queen also knows of Nether Power? That is wonderful news! Does Your Majesty know of a way to save Mo Han? That is why we came."

Hearing Shui Ling'er, the Elven Queen turned to look at her and smiled, saying: "You must be the Saintess of the Church of Light. You are far more beautiful in person than the rumors suggest."

Shui Ling'er blushed slightly upon hearing this: "Your Majesty the Queen is too kind. In truth, it is Your Majesty who is truly captivating in beauty; I could never compare."

However, Shui Ling'er spoke the truth. Although the Elven Queen was middle-aged, the inherent advantages of the elven race made her appear as a human in her early twenties—graceful, charming, and the very embodiment of beauty.

Just as the Elven Queen was about to reply, Mo Han spoke with a strained expression: "Your Majesty, my lady, could the two beauties perhaps postpone your mutual flattery? Please, first see if there is a way to stop the bleeding. Otherwise, I fear I will bleed out, having died pointlessly—not at the hands of the Nether General, but from blood loss."

Hearing Mo Han's retort, the Elven Queen couldn't help but laugh lightly: "How can you be so certain I have a way to save you? You must understand, Nether Power is the essence of the Nether Race's dark aura; it cannot be healed by ordinary people or things."

Mo Han immediately adopted an obsequious expression: "That is simple, Your Majesty. Because I know you are no ordinary person, and given the long history of the Elven Forest, surely you possess many extraordinary things? Furthermore, Your Majesty speaks with an air of complete certainty. With all these reasons, even a fool like me could guess. And I am not a fool, mind you."

Mo Han finished with an expression of self-satisfaction.

The Elven Queen shook her head with a helpless smile at Mo Han's reply: "You, even when injured, still love to talk nonsense. But you are indeed correct; I do have a way to save you, though it will be very arduous..."

The Elven Queen paused midway through her statement.

Seeing this, Mo Han assumed she meant there would be pain and quickly asked: "Your Majesty, please be direct. I do not fear hardship. What is a little suffering compared to my life?"

The Elven Queen smiled and replied: "I never said you would suffer. Who cares what suffering you endure? In fact, I'd be delighted if you suffered more! I meant that to save you, we must see if Your Ladyship Saintess is willing to save you."

Mo Han was momentarily confused: "How does this involve Ling'er? I am the one injured, not her! Besides, if Ling'er had a way to save me, we wouldn't have run all the way here to ask Your Majesty!"

Shui Ling'er, though feeling a flicker of doubt, responded with firm resolve: "As long as it can save Mo Han, I am naturally willing. No matter the method, if my presence is required, I will certainly comply. I ask Your Majesty to speak plainly."

Seeing this, the Elven Queen nodded, dismissed the surrounding elves, leaving only herself, Shui Ling'er, and Mo Han in the chamber.

Mo Han felt even stranger but suppressed his curiosity, waiting patiently for what came next.

Once everyone else had departed, the Elven Queen began to speak: "Indeed, removing this Nether Power is not an easy task. Due to the time elapsed, the Nether Power has already dispersed throughout the young friend's entire body, making the cure far more complicated. Without a divine artifact specifically crafted to counteract Nether Power, there is absolutely no solution. Otherwise, he will become a puppet of the Nether Race, obeying their every command."