Corrupt Creations

Seth and the elf left the area where the battle happened and found a cave, where they currently were. There was a campfire that Seth created inside the cave, illuminating the surroundings. 

Both of them were sitting near it, enjoying the warm while talking about some things that Seth wanted to know about. 

"So, it means that "Nature Roots", is the title a family can receive from the Elven Royalty. It must be a very noble title." 

"Yes, it is indeed a noble title. In order for a family to receive that title, there is a minimum prerequisite to have a Mana Control realm practitioner as a family member. Until today, there are only six families that received that title. The Vivrem, the Ilphel and the Meliam families have recently acquired their titles as a "Nature Roots". They've been requesting for that honor for many years before being granted it. Since their leaders are at the Mana Control late-stage or peak-stage realm now, they were finally able to receive the title." 

'Hm... So, the Vivrem family has a Mana Control late-stage or peak-stage cultivator? I got to be careful.' 

"Recently? So, it means that they weren't able to be titled even though they had Mana Control powerhouses. Anything changed for that to be allowed?" 

"Yes. That title used to be something reserved for only those families that had a Profound Mana powerhouse cultivator, however, it changed five years ago. There isn't a big motive behind this, just that people are getting stronger and the old rules are too stiff. They needed to be revised." 

Seth was starting to understand a bit more about the Elf Territory and their politics. Their methods were quite unique, however not at all complicated as the humans. The simplest chain structure of power was the one that the Demon Shadow Royal Clan adopted. It was very efficient, but it demanded an iron fist to control everything. 

"What about the other three families?" 

"The other three Nature Roots continued with their old titles as Nature Roots as well, however, the respect people have for them is higher, their roots are deeper and their practitioners are stronger. They are the Beihorn Family, The Allakiir Family and finally the Luberus Family. Those are the strongest families residing in our Elven Kingdom and they control a good part of the territory. Each of them has a big city under their control and has their own place in the capital city too." 

"Since you are from the Luberus family, do you know if every single Nature Roots going to take part on the upcoming Wild Games?" 

"Eh... I can't say for sure, but I think all of them will compete." The elf was fidgeting with anxiety while talking, but Seth didn't seem to notice. 

"Oh? Is that Wild Games event that worthy?" 

"It is!" 

'Why the sudden enthusiasm?' Seth strangely looked at the elf that have even stood up to say that. 

"Let me ask you something first. It may sound a bit strange but it has been in my mind all this time. Why... Why are your ears so much different from mine? Are you... ahm... perhaps a human?" 

"Hm? Yes." 

"Is that real?!" 

"Huh? You didn't know what race I was until now? You mean that you actually have never seen a human before?" 

"Eh... ah, that's... right. I've never seen a human before. I just heard some stories about them. You are the first human that I met." 

"What? That's mind-blowing you know. In the human territory you are considered to be one of the three male prodigies, yet you didn't even know what a human is like. Where have you been living all this while?" 

"Eh? I've been living inside the castle... eh, my family house." 

"Ahahaha, to think that a person crowned as king among men and desired by every single female out there, would be a shut in. Ahaha, so funny." Seth was almost lying on the floor while laughing. 

"Stop laughing! I'm not really... bothered by that." The elf said a bit mad at Seth that was laughing out loud. 

"Hehe, you should be though. You're wasting your life if you do not enjoy it fully. There is so many different things waiting for you. You should go travel to a bunch of places and see the world with your eyes, man. There are so many beautiful things out there... If you ever visit the human territory, make sure to come to the Blazing Phoenix Sect. I know a place where there is a very beautiful waterfall, littered with flaming flowers on the soil around it. It is a very beautiful scenery to bring your girlfriend and impress her." 

"My girlfriend? Eh... Better if we don't talk about it." 

"Eh? Are you one of those people with a shy personality? Sigh..." Seth said while shaking his head in disapproval. The prodigy hailed by everyone was actually a shut in and shy person.

"It's not like that..." 

"Don't worry, I won't ask you anything about your romantic life. There are other things I need to know more than that. I'm enjoying the chat with you, but let's get back to the topic. What is so good about that Wild Games?" 

"Ahem... Since you are a human, I will explain everything for you. First of all, the Wild Games is just like the name says, a game that happens in the wild, however it's better described as a tournament for the younger generation. It happens every ten years and everyone from sixteen years old to thirty years old is able to participate. Every time, there will be five human participants as guests too." 

The elf stopped for a bit and asked Seth: "But, why are you asking me about the Wild Games? Are you perhaps going to watch it? Is any of your disciples participating or anyone connected to you going to compete?" 

"No, you are mistaken. I will be participating on it and I have no disciples." 

"What?! Wait... That can't be real, right? A senior as strong as you are not allowed to enter, since there is an age limit, and it is thirty years old." The cloaked elf thought Seth was an old senior that had high attainments on the cultivation, hence preserving his youthful appearance. 

"Are you perhaps trying to insult this young master? I'm not even twenty yet. Why are they going to stop me from participating if I am still under thirty? Actually, I've been invited by the Elf Queen and I bet no one would dare to stop me." Seth took the Royal Crest granted to him by the Elf Queen messenger. 

"That's the Elven Royal Crest! Where did you get it? Wait... I don't mean it in an offensive way. I just..." 

"Don't worry. This Royal Crest was given to me when I was invited to participate. A messenger gave it to me. She was sent by someone called Allannia." Seth wasn't bothered by that comment. He was starting to notice that this elf was a bit bad in expressing things clearly. Typical of a shut in. 

"How can there be a person as strong as you participating? Oh my god, that's practically cheating! There is no way that someone will be able to win against you." 

"Ahaha. The fairness of the event is not of my concern though. I'm just here to participate, since that was why I was invited for. But don't worry, I'll make sure to go easy on you alright?" 

The cloaked elf got thoroughly shocked. The tournament was already decided if this stood that way. 

"Actually, I want to know what are the prizes for the first place. There should be plenty of good stuff, right? Is there anything special?" 

"There is. The top hundred will receive some sort of political influence and that is enough to throw the entire kingdom upside down, but that doesn't matter for you since you are a human. The top ten will be able to receive different resources from the Royal Palace Garden." 

"Royal Palace Garden?" 

"Yes. That place is the heart of our race. It is where the World Tree currently is. That tree is able to birth a lot of mythical natural treasures, and some of them will be given to the top ten places. However only the first place will receive the most incredible treasure. Something straight out of the legends. A leaf of the World Tree." 

"Why is it considered a legendary thing?" 

"The World Tree is our beginning. It is our life and our strength. The leaves of the tree are so powerful that they can do wonders, but the way it works is strange. It will do something different for each person, but there is a condition to use it..." 

"What is the condition?" Seth asked interested. 

"When using the World Tree Leaf, you got to have a very natural and pure sentiment, or else it will backlash on you and cripple your cultivation. It might even kill you on the process." 

"So that's how it is." Seth didn't show any signs of fear. 

"Aren't you fearful of that happening?" 

"Well, that seems to be something really dangerous, but sometimes you've got to face dangerous situations in order to grow stronger. If I were to fear something like that, then I would be dead by now."