Anna quickly pulled herself from Mohan’s embrace upon hearing the Elf Queen’s words, her face etched with worry. “Brother Mohan, are you hurt? Is it serious? Are you okay now? Did I hurt you?” Hearing this, Mohan immediately smiled and replied, “Silly girl, I’m fine. Your Sister Ling’er has already healed me, and I’m mostly recovered now. By the way, how did they capture you that day? How come there wasn’t any commotion?” Mohan quickly changed the subject, afraid that Anna, upon hearing he was alright, would cling to him again. While he didn't mind, he felt unaccustomed to it in front of so many people.

Sure enough, when Mohan asked, Anna immediately looked aggrieved and recounted, “I don’t know. I was resting that night and thought I heard Elder Lui’s voice outside. Out of curiosity, I wanted to take a look, but as soon as I stepped out, I was ambushed from behind. I don’t remember anything after that.” Hearing Anna’s reply, Mohan exchanged a glance with the Elf Queen, both thinking to themselves that it was indeed Lui’s doing. It was fortunate that Mohan, being a mole, had already exposed Lui’s identity, although they still didn't know what might transpire next.

Just then, Anna continued, “Afterward, when I woke up, I found myself locked in a cave. Every day, a masked figure dressed in black would bring me food on schedule. I knew nothing else until Sister Ling’er and the Judgement Knights from her sect rescued me. I learned from them that the Underworld General had already been eliminated by Brother Mohan, which is why they could come for me. That just goes to show how formidable Brother Mohan is.”

After finishing her words, Anna made sure to flatter Mohan a little more; it seemed in her eyes, Mohan was truly capable of anything.

Then, the Elf Queen turned to Shui Ling’er with a smile and said, “We must also thank your sect for your timely aid. Our Elven race will hold this gratitude forever in our hearts. Please convey my thanks to His Holiness the Pope, Saintess. If there is ever anything the Elven race can assist with in the future, we will certainly do our utmost.”

Shui Ling’er quickly responded, “We really didn’t do much. The one who truly saved Princess Anna was Mohan. If he hadn't eliminated the Underworld General, I doubt we would have been able to rescue the Princess from his grasp. So, what we did was merely lending a hand. Your Majesty the Queen is too kind.”

At this, the Elf Queen spoke, “Enough, let’s not stand here. Let’s go inside to talk.” With that, she made a move to lead Mohan and the others into the Elven Forest.

At that moment, Mohan noticed that Lyre seemed hesitant, as if on the verge of speaking but holding back, which struck him as odd. He subtly touched Shui Ling’er’s small hand and mouthed Lyre’s name. The sharp and intelligent Shui Ling’er immediately understood Mohan’s meaning. She glanced at Lyre and also noticed his unusual demeanor. With curiosity, she finally asked, “By the way, Uncle Lyre, why are you leading the escort personally this time?”

Lyre immediately replied with reverence, “The Elders, out of concern for the Princess’s safety, instructed me to personally escort her back to the Elven Forest, and also to deliver an urgent message to the Saintess.”

Shui Ling’er asked in confusion, “Oh? Is there some urgent matter?” Lyre quickly nodded, “A few days ago, the Aoyue Empire and the Shuilan Empire simultaneously annexed the surrounding minor states. It appears they are preparing to launch an attack against the Tianlong Empire. Furthermore, all the major Cathedrals within both empires were simultaneously attacked by unidentified masters, resulting in heavy losses. Even numerous personnel of the Church of Light across the continent have been attacked. These events seem long-planned. The Pope and the Guardian Elders deem this matter extremely serious, thus commanding us to rush here immediately to inform the Saintess and urge her to return to the Holy Capital for consultations.”

Hearing Lyre’s words, the complexions of Mohan and Shui Ling’er changed drastically, and even the Elf Queen’s expression shifted slightly. Mohan was concerned because Dai Li and the others were currently in the Tianlong Empire, and such an event occurring made him worry about their condition.

Shui Ling’er pondered for a moment, then asked Lyre, “What was the reaction of the Aoyue and Shuilan Empires regarding the attacks on the Church’s Cathedrals?” Lyre replied, “That’s the strangest part. Both nations seem to be deliberately feigning ignorance about the matter, simply stating they will investigate the whereabouts of the culprits, yet there has been no action taken to this day, as if they hold our Church in utter contempt.”

Mohan interjected, “No need to look further. I suspect these culprits are colluding with these two major empires, or perhaps they are the perpetrators themselves. However, the strength of the Church of Light’s Cathedrals isn't weak. Even if these two empires intended to deal with them, they shouldn't have achieved this speed so quickly. It seems someone is fueling this from behind the scenes. We must find this mastermind.”

Shui Ling’er nodded in agreement. “I think so too. Given the current strength of the Aoyue and Shuilan Empires, they have no real need to risk offending the Church of Light to engage in such activities. It seems they have found some powerful allies. But I don’t understand; with the demise of the Underworld General, the Underworld Race shouldn't possess much strength on the continent right now. Who would seek to target the Church of Light? And how could their power be so great that the two empires disregard any potential retribution from the Church and openly oppose them?” At this point, Shui Ling’er quickly apologized to the Elf Queen. “My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I’m afraid I won't have time to visit the Elven Forest for now. Perhaps next time I can trouble Your Majesty. With such major developments, I must return to the Holy Capital immediately.”

The Elf Queen nodded understandingly. “It is of no consequence, Saintess. You must attend to your urgent affairs first. The Elven Forest always welcomes your return.”

Shui Ling’er quickly thanked her and was about to say something to Mohan when he addressed the Elf Queen first. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life. However, Mohan is also anxious about his friends in the Tianlong Empire and must take his leave now. I will return to express my gratitude to Your Majesty later.”

Hearing Mohan’s intention to leave, Anna immediately looked reluctant, yet she understood Mohan’s concern for Dai Li and the others. She, too, worried about Dai Li, fearing something might have happened to them, so she remained silent, gazing quietly at Mohan.

The Elf Queen also nodded in understanding. “Hehe, I comprehend. Urgent matters must take precedence. You should attend to them first. You are welcome to visit the Elven Forest together when you have time. Also, if the Elven Forest can offer any assistance, young man, do not hesitate to ask. Our Elven race will certainly do our best.”

Mohan nodded his thanks, offered a smile to bid Anna farewell, and under her reluctant gaze, he departed the Elven Forest with Shui Ling’er and Lyre, heading toward Keman City.

Upon reaching Keman City, Shui Ling’er needed to hurry to the Holy Capital due to the events involving the Church of Light, and Mohan, too, was anxious about the safety of Dai Li and the others. He had to reach the Tianlong Empire. Mohan bade farewell to Shui Ling’er amidst her reluctant entreaties and set off toward the Kanya Empire. Crossing the Kanya Empire would soon put him on the territory of the Tianlong Empire.

One day, Mohan arrived at Fiyue City, the city bordering the Kanya Empire and the Keman Empire. As soon as he reached the city gates, Mohan observed that with three of the five major empires on the continent simultaneously engaged in war, the overall geopolitical situation had become tense. Although the Kanya Empire was not directly involved in this conflict, rumors circulating earlier about the Elven Forest planning to attack Kanya, coupled with the ongoing major war between the three empires, meant that even if Kanya remained untouched for now, no one could guarantee its safety after the major empires finished their war. Consequently, the situation in the Kanya Empire had also become strained, marked by constant troop movements. Inspections of outsiders entering or leaving the border cities of the Kanya Empire had also become much stricter, likely to prevent spies from foreign nations from infiltrating and gathering intelligence.

At the gates of Fiyue City, Mohan saw that everyone entering had to undergo a rigorous inspection before being granted passage. However, because Mohan possessed the Light Token Shui Ling’er had given him just before parting—a different kind of token issued by the Church of Light, distinct from the Light Jade Token—issued to all high-ranking clergy holding the rank of Bishop or above to signify their status—Mohan was spared the harsh physical search. This was due to the paramount position the Church of Light still held in most nations, despite the recent assassination attempts in the Aoyue and Shuilan Empires. The city guards, upon seeing Mohan present the Light Token, merely asked a few cursory questions before easily allowing him to pass. Mohan silently thanked Shui Ling’er for her thoughtfulness; it seemed she had anticipated such a situation and insisted he carry the token, thus saving him considerable trouble.

After entering the city, Mohan intended to find a place to rest briefly before continuing his journey. However, immediately upon entering, Mohan realized he was being tailed by several individuals whose skills were evidently not low. Since Mohan couldn't identify them, he decided to maintain his pretense of ignorance, wanting to see what these people intended. But the group remained silent until Mohan left Fiyue City. Mohan wasn't worried, knowing they wouldn't easily give up. Once outside Fiyue City, Mohan deliberately slowed the pace of his warhorse. Sure enough, it wasn't long before Mohan sensed those individuals gradually quickening their pace to follow him again.

Upon reaching a valley, a subtle smile touched Mohan’s lips, though he remained inwardly vigilant. He clearly sensed that the people behind him had also noticeably accelerated their approach. Before long, the group caught up to Mohan and encircled him tightly, effectively trapping him.

Seeing this, Mohan remained unconcerned, as he could tell their strength, while not weak—they were dressed like a standard mercenary band, with one individual at least reaching the level of a High Swordsman—was still far below his own. To him, dealing with them would be an exceedingly simple matter. However, Mohan was keen to understand why they targeted him. Thus, he feigned nervousness and asked in a fearful tone, “Who are you people? Do I know you? What do you want?” The figures opposite him burst into laughter. One man, dressed in grey robes like a typical warrior, spoke up. “We don’t know you, nor do we have any grievances with you. If you must blame someone, blame the fact that you are associated with the Church of Light. You are simply unlucky to have crossed our path today.”

Hearing this, Mohan realized they weren't targeting him personally, but rather Shui Ling’er’s Church of Light. But did these people not fear the power of the Church of Light? The Church of Light was not an organization that ordinary mercenary groups dared to provoke; even S-rank mercenary groups usually avoided conflict with them. How could these individuals be so audacious? Thinking this, Mohan continued in a feigned tone of fear, “What enmity do we, the Church of Light, hold against you that you seek to harm us? Are you not afraid of the Church’s strength? Aren’t you afraid of retaliation?”