He knew in his heart that the elves' target was most likely himself.
Since arriving in this world, especially as the strength of the Black Rock Tribe continued to swell, he himself had become a massive humanoid source of mana.
Furthermore, because he had released the Storm Tiger, Fenglei, to deal with Taiwen Merlin's army, the aura of that powerful high-tier magical beast had surely caught the attention of the elves, who were extremely sensitive to mana fluctuations.
From the elves' perspective, the sudden appearance of such a powerful, unknown mana source near their territory was an absolute threat that had to be investigated.
"Where are they now?" Wu Liang asked the scout.
"Reporting to the Chief, based on their speed, they are expected to enter our surveillance range within three days."
The scout replied.
"Three days? That's enough."
Wu Liang pondered for a moment, having already formed a plan in his mind.
He didn't want to break out into a full-scale conflict with the elves right now.
The situation in the Western Territory had just stabilized, and the railway project had only just begun; fighting on multiple fronts was not a wise choice.
Moreover, he was full of curiosity toward the elven race.
Starting a fight directly would be too boring.
He wanted to make contact first and see what these legendary creatures were actually like.
"Pass down my orders."
Wu Liang said to the messenger beside him,
"Order the garrison at the eastern border to retreat thirty li, contract the defensive line, and enter a state of concealment. No one is allowed to attack or expose their position without my command."
"Send another order to Akomann to select one hundred of the most elite veterans from the Ember Fire Legion, have them change into hunting gear, bring the latest breech-loading rifles, and gather here."
"Finally, notify Ignis to come over as well. I have a special mission for her."
A series of orders were issued methodically, and the messengers immediately galloped off in all directions.
Wu Liang looked at the mist-shrouded mountains to the east, his gaze becoming profound.
He intended to personally go and meet this elven squad.
He wanted to see what kind of expressions these arrogant elves would make when they discovered that the magic and archery they took pride in were meaningless before him.
He was also curious if the arrogant Elven Queen mentioned in the system quest would be in this squad.
If he could capture an elf without shedding blood, especially one of noble status, it would be a huge help in understanding the entire Elven Kingdom.
A carefully planned hunt was about to begin.
And this time, the roles of hunter and prey might undergo an interesting reversal.
Three days later, at the eastern border of the Black Rock Tribe, within a dense primeval jungle.
Wu Liang, dressed in grey-green camouflage hunting gear, lay prone behind a moss-covered rock, holding binoculars and carefully observing the forest clearing below.
Behind him, one hundred Ember Fire Legion veterans dressed in the same manner were lurking in the grass and shadows like statues, almost merging with their surroundings.
The barrels of their breech-loading rifles were wrapped in black cloth to prevent reflection, and everyone's faces were painted with greasepaint, their gazes calm and focused.
Ignis lay silently beside Wu Liang like a lithe leopard.
She didn't use binoculars; her eyes, as sharp as a hawk's, stared fixedly into the distance.
As a natural warrior and hunter, her perception was even keener than Wu Liang's in some respects.
"They're here."
Ignis lowered her voice and uttered two words.
Through the binoculars, Wu Liang saw them too.
From the other end of the jungle, a dozen figures slowly emerged.
The moment he saw those figures clearly, even Wu Liang couldn't help but praise them in his heart.
Those were elves.
They were generally taller and more slender than humans, with long limbs and movements as light as the wind through the trees.
Each wore emerald-green soft armor woven from vines and leaves, which both fit their bodies and provided excellent camouflage.
Their skin was so fair it was almost translucent, appearing to emit a faint halo under the dappled sunlight of the forest.
The most striking features were their long, pointed ears and their long silver hair, as bright as moonlight.
Wu Liang's gaze quickly locked onto the elf walking at the very front.
She was clearly the leader of this squad.
She was even taller than the other elves, and her temperament was colder and more noble.
Her waterfall-like silver hair was tied back with a mithril headband, revealing a smooth, full forehead.
Her features were as exquisite as a god's most perfect masterpiece, and her pale purple eyes were clear and deep, as if they contained the sea of stars, yet they carried a sense of aloofness that kept people at a distance.
In her hand, she held a longbow made of white ancient wood, with visible magical radiance flowing across the bow's body.
"Truly beautiful..."
Wu Liang silently evaluated in his heart.
This beauty was different from Annia's tenderness and different from Ignis's heroic spirit; it was an otherworldly beauty, untainted by the mortal world.
[Ding! Detected high-potential target 'Bow of the Moon Goddess' — Lina Starseeker!]
[Target Identity: Third Legion Commander of the 'Moon Whisper' Royal Guard of the Elven Kingdom!]
[Potential Evaluation: S-Rank!]
[Conquest Suggestion: She is filled with extreme arrogance regarding her bloodline and power; any mundane force is like an ant in her eyes. To conquer her, you must completely crush her in the area she takes the most pride in!]
The system's notification sound rang in Wu Liang's mind at the appropriate time.
Legion Commander?
S-Rank potential?
The corners of Wu Liang's mouth curled up slightly.
It seemed his luck was good; he had encountered a big fish at their first meeting.
At this moment, the elven squad in the forest clearing stopped.
The leader, Lina Starseeker, raised her hand, signaling the team to stop.
From a pouch at her waist, she took out that compass-like magical tool.
The compass needle was trembling violently, pointing toward the direction where Wu Liang and his men were hiding.
"The source of the mana fluctuation is nearby."
Lina's voice was as cold as an ice spring, echoing in the silent forest.
"Everyone, stay alert. I feel... a very massive and aggressive power."
The elves behind her immediately dispersed, forming a defensive formation, and their longbows were notched with arrows.
The tips of those arrows were not metal, but a translucent green crystal, flashing with dangerous magical light.
"Looks like we've been discovered,"
Ignis said in a low voice.
"Should we act?"
"No rush."
Wu Liang shook his head.
"Let them get a little closer. I want to see what they intend to do."
Lina Starseeker held the compass and walked step by step toward the hillside where Wu Liang and the others were located.
She walked very slowly, every step filled with caution, her purple eyes constantly scanning every inch of the surrounding vegetation.
As the distance closed, the compass needle trembled even more violently, until it almost jumped out of the casing.
Lina's brow furrowed tightly.
She could feel that powerful force, like a dormant volcano, lurking on the hillside before her. Although the other party was trying their best to restrain it, that surging vitality and latent pressure still left her heart trembling.
"Friends hiding in the shadows, come out."
Lina stopped and spoke clearly,
"This is the alert range of the Elven Kingdom 'Moon Whisper'. Please state your purpose."
Her voice, amplified by mana, carried far and fell clearly into the ears of Wu Liang and his men.
Wu Liang smiled, feeling the timing was about right.
He stood up and walked out from behind the rock quite openly, while gesturing to the soldiers behind him to stay hidden and not move.
Ignis also stood up, guardedly protecting Wu Liang's side.
When Lina Starseeker saw Wu Liang, a hint of surprise appeared for the first time in her normally calm purple eyes.
She had imagined various possibilities—perhaps a powerful magical beast, or a lost abyss demon—but she never expected that the source of this massive mana was actually a human.
A human who looked quite ordinary.
He wore strange clothing, had a tall and sturdy build, and a face that could be considered handsome, but she couldn't sense any obvious mana fluctuations from him.
He looked like an ordinary hunter, except for those black eyes, which were so deep they were impossible to see through.
"Elven Kingdom? Alert range?"
Wu Liang crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her with interest.
"Beautiful elf lady, have you mistaken something? According to the map in my hands, this is the territory of my Black Rock Tribe."