Outside a vast magical city, a tiny black speck appeared in the distant sky.
This black speck was an airplane.
The first thing Su Han and his companions saw from the airplane was the towering Tree of Life, reaching high into the clouds.
Beneath this Tree of Life lay the enormous elven city.
"Wow! What a tall and grand Tree of Life!"
"It's much bigger than the Tree of Life in Gabo City."
"This Tree of Life is truly awe-inspiring."
"..."
Although Fei Er, the commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, didn't understand what Su Han and the others were saying, she still proudly began introducing the city.
"The Elven Imperial City is the political and economic center of the elven race. It has the most elves and the grandest Tree of Life. With the blessing of the Tree of Life, the Elven Imperial City also possesses the most powerful magical barrier."
As Su Han and his group flew in, they had passed by several elven cities. However, none had such a towering Tree of Life. These Trees of Life were what captivated Su Han and the others the most. Compared to them, the city below seemed less significant.
Su Han said, "Xiao Yan, slow down the plane. The elven imperial air force will be coming to meet us soon. We must not show any ill intentions."
Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Understood, Vice Minister Su Han."
Xiao Yan gradually reduced their speed.
At this moment, a group of small black dots could be seen flying towards them from afar.
As they drew closer, they turned out to be a group of elves riding unicorns.
The unicorn elf knights drew their longbows, aiming at the airplane.
One of the elves shouted, "We are the Elven Royal Unicorn Knights. Please state your purpose of visit!"
These voices were transmitted through amplified magic.
Valentin Vanessa took out her staff and waved it. A magical crest appeared, matching the design of the Valentin Vanessa family emblem.
Valentin Vanessa also cast an amplification spell and shouted, "I am Valentin Vanessa, the City Lord of Gabo City. I am a senior elven mage. I have come to the Elven Imperial City to pay respects to the Elven Empress."
Several elves among the Unicorn Knight group recognized the Valentin crest.
"In that case, please follow us and land at the designated area for flying magical beasts!"
The unicorn knights then flew around the airplane, escorting it.
Chu Shi exclaimed, "No, we cannot land in a confined space. We need a runway for a low-altitude landing. What we are traveling in is a mechanical creation, not a flying magical beast."
Following this, Chu Shi briefly explained why a runway was necessary for their landing.
The unicorn knights roughly understood.
Then, guided by these unicorn knights, the airplane landed in an open area outside the city walls.
The unicorn knights stood guard around the area, while nearby elven passersby curiously observed the airplane.
"What is that thing?"
"It can fly. Is it a flying magical beast?"
"Impossible. It can't be a flying magical beast. Look, it's made of metal framework!"
"..."
Su Han and his companions were the first to disembark from the airplane.
Following them, Fei Er, the commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, helped Valentin Vanessa down.
An elf from the Imperial City Unicorn Knight, Abbasni, stepped forward and said, "I am Abbasni, captain of the fifth division of the Unicorn Knights. Welcome to the Imperial City, City Lord Valentin Vanessa."
Valentin Vanessa said, "I wish to see the Elven Empress. Please relay my request."
"Lady Valentin Vanessa, please wait at the post station. As your arrival in the Imperial City is sudden, there will be some waiting time."
Valentin Vanessa nodded and said, "I understand. Please lead the way, Abbasni."
Abbasni replied, "You are most welcome. However, before we proceed, there is one matter that needs to be addressed. May I ask what race these six individuals are?"
Valentin Vanessa stated, "They are humans. Do not ask me what humans are; I do not know what race they belong to. They have come to the Elven Imperial City seeking elven experts willing to hunt dragons. Therefore, they also wish to meet the Elven Empress for assistance."
Abbasni looked at Su Han and his companions and asked, "City Lord Valentin Vanessa, if they wish to see the Elven Empress, they will need to undergo an inspection."
Since the beginning, the elves of the Unicorn Knight group had been wary of Su Han and the other five. They were concerned that Su Han and his group might harbor some hidden secrets.
Valentin Vanessa chuckled and said, "Then proceed with the inspection. These humans have very low magical strength!"
Abbasni replied, "We will conduct a thorough inspection."
Su Han and his companions followed the unicorn knights, heading towards the Elven Imperial City.
At the grand gates of the Elven Imperial City, the guards became alert upon seeing Su Han and the other non-elven individuals.
"Lord Abbasni, who are these six non-elves?"
Abbasni replied, "I will oversee them."
Upon hearing this, the guards immediately granted them passage.
As Su Han and his group entered the Elven Imperial City, they were met with a scene even more prosperous than that of Gabo City.
The bustling elves and the array of goods for sale delighted Su Han and his companions.
"This exotic charm is truly unique!"
"The elves can be this lively too."
"..."
Su Han and his companions, with their distinct appearance compared to the elves, invariably drew the curiosity of the surrounding elven passersby. Wherever they went, they were the center of attention.
Su Han was led to a post station. There, several mages from the Elven Imperial City tested Su Han and his five companions with a crystal to ascertain their magical power. Upon confirming that they possessed no mage levels, they were relieved. Su Han and his group were then assessed by these鉴定 mages as non-threatening.
Su Han and his companions waited for half an hour at the post station before receiving news. The Elven Empress had summoned not only Valentin Vanessa but also Su Han and his group.
Two carriages arrived at the post station to transport them.
Su Han and his group boarded one carriage, while Valentin Vanessa took the other. Fei Er, the commander of the Gabo Pegasus Knights, rode her horse alongside Valentin Vanessa's carriage as a guard.
Inside the carriage, Ye Fan asked with confusion, "Why are we splitting into two carriages?"
Su Han explained, "It's simple. It's because City Lord Valentin Vanessa is a subordinate of the Elven Empress. We six, on the other hand, are considered foreigners. The Elven Empress summoning us is akin to a diplomatic engagement."
Upon hearing Su Han's words, Ye Fan expressed surprise, "Vice Minister Su Han, I didn't realize you knew so much!"
Su Han replied, "I simply read a lot of books in my spare time, so I can make educated guesses."