Chapter Ninety-Four: My King Above All

Ling Xiao-lei did not launch an attack, nor did she move her feet. Her will was unwavering, her gaze locked tightly onto the young wolf, continuously urging it to submit through the force of her mind.

At last, when the lunging wolf was only three steps away from Ling Xiao-lei, it finally halted and lowered its head.

“It worked,” Ling Xiao-lei breathed a sigh of relief.

“Not bad. You did very well.”

Ling Xi was quite satisfied with Ling Xiao-lei’s first act of taming. She checked the familiar’s condition and saw blood still seeping from its abdomen.

“If your familiar gets injured in battle, you can recall it temporarily, but you’ll need to treat it soon after. Healing a familiar consumes the exorcist’s magic. Try to heal it now.”

“All right.”

Ling Xiao-lei channeled a portion of her own magic into the familiar, and before long, its wound was healed.

“Also, familiars can absorb the soul essence of other beasts. You can share a bit more with it to hasten its growth. There are times when a familiar surpasses its master in strength, which is not uncommon. But if the difference in magical power becomes too great, it’s extremely dangerous—these familiars are always watching for a chance to seize their master’s life.”

After reminding her of these precautions, Ling Xi glanced at the time. It was about time to return.

Ling Xiao-lei had already steeled herself. To make her familiar stronger, she knew she’d have to share some of her future experience with it. Even if it meant slowing her own progress, she had no regrets.

Just as Ling Xi was about to turn and leave, Ling Xiao-lei seemed to have something to say. She hesitated and lowered her head.

“Boss Ling… I…”

The woods were silent, moonlight pouring between them.

“What is it?” Ling Xi paused.

“Boss Ling, I know you’ve looked after me and taught me so much magic only because I’m a Dark Elf. You’ve always hidden your identity, and I’ve had no choice but to keep calling you ‘Boss’… a title that borders on disrespect.”

“But…” Ling Xiao-lei lifted her head, her eyes earnest. “In my heart, I know you are our king—the king our people revere. For centuries, you have guarded our kind in silence. Please, allow me to kneel before you.”

As she spoke, Ling Xiao-lei knelt devoutly, touching her forehead lightly to the earth, palms turned upward at her sides.

“Hail to the King of the Dark Elves. My lord above, may the stars and moon shine eternal—I pledge my life in loyalty!”

Ling Xi was startled by her sudden gesture, but then a gentle calm came over him.

He seemed to return to years long past, seated upon the throne beneath the great tree, beloved and respected by all. He bent down and took Ling Xiao-lei’s arm, his voice tender:

“Rise. Such ceremony is unnecessary.”

“No.” Ling Xiao-lei raised her face resolutely. “I do not know why you have lived in seclusion within the Holy City all these years, but our Dark Elf people cannot do without their king. I beg you, please lead us again! Guide us! Be our king! Otherwise, I will remain kneeling here forever!”

Ling Xi smiled softly. “Very well.”

“Huh?” Ling Xiao-lei was taken aback.

She had thought she would need to argue and plead for a while before Ling Xi would agree. She never expected him to consent so readily.

“Did you really agree?!”

Ling Xi stood, gazing into the distance, his words profound: “Even if you hadn’t asked, this was always my intention. I promise you—I will bring the Dark Elves a prosperity like never before.”

Bathed in moonlight, Ling Xiao-lei felt as if she were dreaming. In this forest, there was no one but herself and the King of the Dark Elves. She looked into Ling Xi’s cold, fathomless eyes and, at this moment, saw them brimming with deep emotion.

“All right, let’s go back.”

He did not help her up again but walked off to the side. Ling Xiao-lei scrambled to her feet and hurried after him.

“Boss… Boss Ling, are you truly going to lead the Dark Elves again? Then… after all these years, why haven’t you returned to our territory? What have you been doing?”

“Growing grapes.”

He answered mildly.

“Growing grapes?!”

Ling Xiao-lei was dumbfounded.

He said nothing more, gazing out over the vast darkness toward the eastern lands, his eyes deep and distant.

Heiyu and Shen Zai-guo waited anxiously. Suddenly they saw Ling Xi emerge from the forest, Ling Xiao-lei following at his heels, and the little black wolf trotting faithfully at her side.

“You succeeded?” Heiyu was so excited, it was as if he had tamed the familiar himself.

Ling Xiao-lei lifted her chin with pride. “From now on, it’s my bodyguard. Let’s see who dares bully me now! Come here, little wolf!”

She called the wolf to her side. “Watch closely, let me show you what my bodyguard can do!”

Shen Zai-guo stood quietly, like a witness to a solemn moment.

Ling Xiao-lei gripped the Summoner’s Book in her right hand, pointed, and commanded, “Greedwolf, sit!”

At once, the little wolf sat obediently.

“Amazing!” Heiyu teased.

“Of course! There’s more—watch this!”

Heiyu and Shen Zai-guo took a step back, holding their breath in anticipation.

Ling Xiao-lei issued commands in quick succession: “Greedwolf, shake! Greedwolf, roll over! One more roll—good job!”

Sweat beaded on Heiyu and Shen Zai-guo’s foreheads, but Ling Xiao-lei was having the time of her life.

Ling Xi interrupted her. “That’s enough for today. I’ll give you another familiar. Here, give me your right hand.”

“Oh, okay…”

Ling Xiao-lei stretched out her right hand, the Summoner’s Book pendant dangling from her wrist, placing it under Ling Xi’s palm.

A warm current flowed through her body, and as she wondered what was happening, she saw another ring appear on the pendant.

“This is a Titan Stone Beast I encountered recently in the frigid depths of the Snowy Mountains. The Titan Stone Beast is a primeval giant demon. This one is still young, small enough for you to nurture. Even so, with your current magic, you’ll only be able to summon it for one minute. Remember—never use it unless absolutely necessary.”

Ling Xiao-lei nodded. “I understand.”

“You should be feeling dizzy now. Familiars drain your magic—keep them put away when you don’t need them.”

Only then did Ling Xiao-lei realize she was dizzy. She clutched her forehead, swaying, and quickly recalled Greedwolf.

“So much magic drained… Greedwolf lasted not even ten minutes…”

“Keep working on your magic. I hope you’ll soon be able to tame even stronger familiars.”

With that, Ling Xi leapt into the treetops and vanished into the night.

Heiyu watched his retreating figure and muttered, “Boss Ling is so mysterious—he leaves as suddenly as he appears.”

After the crisis at the Border Wall was resolved, Lord Chiyan led the Holy City Guards and the mages’ alliance back to the city.

That day, the streets were packed, and only when a procession finally passed through the towering main gates did the crowd part. In the center carriage sat Lord Chiyan, the bright morning sunlight falling upon him.