Will's recruitment went smoothly. Though Lin Yan's territory had few residents, those who could survive in such a harsh place were rarely ordinary.
When Will began recruiting, many signed up. The blacksmith prepared weapons and armor for them.
Will had been training them since the temperature rose.
With elven assistance in farming, not many hands were needed for agriculture, so almost all the men of age joined the training. Will planned to first eliminate the bandits occupying the mines, and then deal with the chaotic lands.
Besides weapons, Lin Yan also prepared many scrolls and talismans.
While Lin Yan attended the elven prince's coming-of-age ceremony, Will took the soldiers he had trained for two months to suppress the bandits.
As Lin Yan departed for the Elven Forest, Joey and his father arrived at Morpheus Town. Lin Yan traveled to the Elven Forest with them.
Lin Yan was practically a regular visitor to the Elven Forest; nearly all the elves knew her.
As soon as she reached the edge of the Elven Forest, elves came out to greet her. The elves were very enthusiastic towards her.
Orycis also noticed the elves' special treatment of Lin Yan and realized he had underestimated Lin Yan's influence on the elves.
Joey was excited to visit such a place. With his father and Morris accompanying him, he showed no shyness.
Upon entering the Elven Forest, they switched to elven transportation: a very exquisite carriage, filled with the style of the elven race. Joey loved the carriage and kept telling his father he wanted one like it.
Orycis knew he couldn't provide one and could only explain this to Joey earnestly.
Because Orycis was present, Morris focused his attention on Lin Yan.
Lin Yan had brought only a personal maidservant this time. Joey and his father had brought only two servants: a driver and a maidservant who always took care of Joey.
They all felt honored to be able to visit the Elven Forest.
Upon arriving at the elven central city, Lin Yan received treatment different from everyone else.
Except for Joey, the youngling, neither the adults nor Morris the dragon received any attention from the elves.
Orycis understood his own position and readily accepted this treatment.
Lin Yan's treehouse was the same one she stayed in last time. Morris and the others were arranged to stay elsewhere.
Joey loved the treehouse and ran up and down. The elves were very tolerant of the youngling, and some elves guarded him, afraid he might get into trouble.
Seeing this, Orycis felt at ease and let him play.
He didn't know why Anita had fallen out with the elven race, but he felt there could be considerable cooperation with them.
Along the way, he had seen many magical materials, which were priceless elsewhere but commonplace here.
The elven race was skilled in cultivating these. Not to mention these magical materials, even the elves' vegetables, fruits, and handicrafts could fetch a good price outside.
If he could cooperate with the elven race, he could quickly accumulate a large fortune.
He had no personal ties with the elven race, but Angelina did.
He could tell that Angelina needed a lot of money; she was severely lacking in funds. Or rather, who didn't need money?
Angelina wouldn't be satisfied with just this small place. If she wanted to expand her influence or return to the center of power, she would undoubtedly need a lot of money.
He felt he could negotiate such a business with Lin Yan and the Elven King.
Before the coming-of-age ceremony, a small market fair was held in the elven city. Many elves set up stalls, selling their own handmade items.
Lin Yan invited Orycis and the others to stroll around. Led by the elves, Lin Yan saw many things she quite liked.
However, Lin Yan didn't spend a single coin along the way. Every time she looked at something more intently, Morris would buy it for her.
They didn't accept outside gold coins here, but Morris, knowing Lin Yan wanted to go shopping, exchanged some of his collected items for a considerable amount of elven currency.
The elven currency was also exquisite, and the golden hue delighted the dragon. He exchanged for more upon seeing it, planning to use it to line his bed later.
Morris looked at his wife's brother and felt he didn't need to teach him anything. With such attentiveness and consideration, what more could he teach?
Didn't he buy everything Angelina merely glanced at? He wasn't even this attentive to Anita.
Joey also bought many things. Though he hadn't fully awakened his dragon bloodline, some dragon traits had already appeared.
For instance, he loved shiny things, unable to walk away upon seeing them.
Everything he saw that was shiny on the way, he wanted to buy. Except for what Morris had already bought for Lin Yan, he bought almost everything else.
The elves found Joey very cute, not only charging him less but also giving him many gifts.
Before they had even finished half of the fair, Orycis's hands were full. He was also very indulgent of his son's little hobby.
After all, he had been trained by his wife, and Joey was his only son; how could he bear to disappoint him!
Orycis and Morris held many items, while Joey and Lin Yan walked ahead, happily browsing.
When Alexis came to find them, he saw what Morris and Orycis were holding.
"Angelina, how was your shopping?" he greeted Lin Yan, then bent down to greet Joey. "Little Joey, it's been a while."
"Alex, long time no see, I've missed you so much." Joey ran over and hugged him.
"Your Highness, long time no see. Congratulations on becoming an adult soon!" Lin Yan smiled at him.
"Yes, thank you for coming." Alexis picked up Joey and then greeted Orycis and Morris.
"Father has prepared dinner and invites you to dine with us." Alexis held Joey in his arms.
Orycis wanted to take his son back, but his hands were too full. Even with servants helping him carry some things, he still held quite a lot.
"Please excuse my rudeness." Orycis felt embarrassed by his son's excessive impoliteness.
"It's alright, I really like Joey." Alexis was as gentle as ever after so long.
"Let's go quickly, Father is probably waiting."