With Liyana's face as their pass, Xia Lun and the others smoothly entered the Forest of Libya.
Of course, even without Liyana, as long as Xia Lun could produce his student ID from Olifendor to verify his identity, the elves wouldn’t turn away outsiders.
These elves only intercepted those trying to smuggle contraband into the Forest of Libya.
"Contraband?" Mo Lini tilted her head in confusion.
"Over the past century, some kind of drug from the human realm has made its way into elven society, causing significant harm," Liyana explained. "Originally, it was an addictive substance concocted by human witches, popular among their nobility… By chance, it spread to the Forest of Libya, and it turns out elves are even more susceptible to its addictive effects than humans. The elven royal guard has outright banned the drug, but there are still those who smuggle it in for profit."
"Just some drugs… Are they really that dangerous?" Mo Lini blinked, still puzzled.
"Far worse than you can imagine, Mo Lini," Liyana said, her usual cheerfulness gone, replaced by a grave expression. "Countless families have been torn apart by this drug. Once someone gets hooked, their life is as good as over… No matter who they were before, they turn into raving addicts, obsessed with nothing but the next dose."
"R-really?" Mo Lini shrank back, a chill running down her spine.
Passing through the towering arboreal formations, the true splendor of the Forest of Libya unfolded before them.
Mo Lini’s eyes widened in awe.
The sight was uniquely elven—something impossible to witness in the human realm.
Paths stretched from the ground, winding up the colossal trees, leading to cities suspended in the canopy.
Hundreds of towering ancient trees, their massive trunks interwoven, formed aerial walkways bridging one giant tree to another.
The elves… had built their civilization among the treetops.
Not just on the ground—Mo Lini craned her neck and spotted houses nestled along the branches… This was a three-dimensional kingdom.
"Heh, these trees are the result of generations of elven cultivation. Impressive, huh?" Liyana grinned, clearly pleased by Mo Lini’s stunned reaction.
"Are we going up there next?" Mo Lini asked, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Nope, my home’s still on the ground," Liyana shook her head. "Back when I was a kid, the cities above hadn’t even been built yet."
Mo Lini’s disappointment was palpable.
"Don’t worry, we’ll definitely visit later," Liyana reassured her.
Then, Liyana ducked back into the carriage and dragged Joli out.
"Hey! We’re almost home, and you’re still hiding in there?"
"I… I was teaching the little one some sword techniques," Joli muttered weakly.
Little Lan hopped out of Joli’s arms and landed back atop Mo Lini’s head.
Liyana said, "We’re almost at the village. Your father will be overjoyed to see you alive."
Joli’s father, Yorid, was Liyana’s elder brother and Xia Lun’s childhood friend.
In Xia Lun’s memory, Yorid had been a stern and serious man—the polar opposite of Liyana. Perhaps Xia Lun’s own demeanor had been subtly shaped by him.
Elven villages typically encircled the roots of these colossal trees, forming rings beneath the towering canopy.
The shade from the ancient trees’ foliage prevented much undergrowth, leaving only low shrubs—ideal for cultivating crops. The elves’ agricultural prowess far surpassed that of other races.
Moreover, most elves had an innate affinity for nature and could wield simple nature magic.
"We’re here."
The earth drake halted its steps.
Liyana strode ahead and called out loudly for her brother, "Yorid! Come out!"
Mo Lini glanced around. Ahead stood a single house, its front yard a neatly tilled field filled with unfamiliar crops.
A straw-hatted elven man emerged from the wooden cottage. His face bore a rugged handsomeness, weathered by labor, with streaks of white in his hair. Aside from his pointed ears, few traces of typical elven grace remained.
Yorid’s eyes lit up at the sight of Liyana. "You’re back, Liyana."
"Guess what surprise I’ve brought you?"
"Oh? Some treasure from your adventures? I don’t need those things," Yorid shook his head.
"No, no, this is someone you’ll definitely be happy to see… Joli! Get over here!" Liyana shouted behind her.
Joli stepped forward nervously, facing his father for the first time in years.
"I… I’m home."
Yorid stared at Joli, momentarily stunned, then trembled before pulling his son into a tight embrace.
"It’s good to see you alive, boy."
Joli stood frozen, a pang of guilt in his chest, before murmuring, "I… I’m sorry, Father."
"Listen, Yorid, Joli’s made something of himself now. He might not be great with a bow, but his swordsmanship is impressive…" Liyana interjected.
Yorid gave Joli’s shoulder a proud pat.
"That’s not… Aunt Liyana, please don’t exaggerate my amateur skills…" Joli flushed, feeling like a child forced to perform half-learned tricks for relatives.
"Xia Lun said so himself."
Only then did Yorid notice Xia Lun standing nearby.
His reaction to seeing Xia Lun was even more stunned than when he’d seen Joli.
"Xia… Xia Lun? Is that really you? You’re alive?" Yorid’s voice was thick with disbelief.
"Long time no see," Xia Lun smiled. "It’s a long story."
"Long time no see," Aina, standing beside Xia Lun, greeted softly.
Yorid had attended their wedding years ago, so Aina remembered him.
Seeing Aina, Yorid finally accepted Xia Lun’s identity, murmuring, "This is… unbelievable."
"Father, you know Xia Lun too?" Joli asked curiously.
"‘Xia Lun’? No manners—you should call him Uncle Xia Lun," Yorid chided lightly.
"Huh?" Joli blinked in surprise.
"Alright, alright, no need to fuss over formalities…" Liyana pulled her brother aside and whispered an explanation.
"Ahem… Never mind, call him whatever. Xia Lun’s human—he won’t care," Yorid shot Joli a stern look.
Joli scratched his head, still confused.