Chapter 681: Chapter 681: Disguise
The Thousand-Faced Instrunt was Duke’s first Level 3 Witchcraft Artifact. Though it was an auxiliary artifact, its powerful effect was undeniable.
The disguise effect obtained after acquiring this artifact was almost impossible for ordinary people to see through.
Even Level 4 Life could not see through the disguise of the Thousand-Faced Instrunt without conducting a deep probe and investigation.
Nonetheless, this mission was still incredibly risky.
Wanting to perfectly disguise as a mber of the night elf tribe posed a significant challenge, let alone infiltrating the powerful Moon Mark clan.
Currently, many night elves who have lost their hos are joining more powerful night elf clans, which is quite common, but unforeseen complications could still arise.
Duke decided to accept this mission only after much consideration.
Three days later, when Duke stood in front of the mirror, the reflection was a young night elf male with a cold deanor, silver hair, violet eyes, and a tall figure.
He wore a deep green hunting suit with silver trim in the style of the ’Flowing Wind’ clan, slightly worn but thoroughly cleaned, with a sleek scimitar at his waist, exuding a feeling of moonlight mixed with a gentle breeze.
"Rember, you are Ying Ye, a survivor of the ’Flowing Wind’ clan. Your goal is to avenge those intruders who destroyed your ho. To do this, you wish to join the more powerful Moon Mark clan to contribute your strength," the soldier from the Seville Empire instructed, "After entering the clan, speak less and observe more, keep a low profile. The opportunity to approach the Moonwatch Platform might take so ti, so be patient. The beacon placent must be absolutely concealed without alarming anyone."
Duke nodded, a trace of well-placed hatred and determination flashing in his violet eyes.
He was then secretly sent to the edge of the forest, still a distance from the Moon Mark clan’s controlled area.
Beneath his feet was no longer scorched earth or the muddy paths trodden by the Slave Legion, but a thick, soft, undisturbed layer of primitive humus, emitting a fresh scent of moist earth and decaying wood.
Above, the soft and mysterious pale purple light of the Elystree moon filtered through the layers of towering, oddly-shaped branches and leaves, casting mottled and srizing patterns on the ground.
The surrounding trees were older and sturdier, their bark covered in mosses emitting a silver or pale green glow. Many branches hung with long, beard-like aerial roots, quietly suspended in the windless air.
In the distance, various luminescent fungi breathed silently in the dimness, providing faint yet steady light sources.
The air was rich with the energy of nature and moonlight, far purer and more active than in previous battle areas.
Here, close to the Moon Mark clan’s control zone, one could distinctly feel the radiation of energy from the powerful clan and its Level 3 Moon Well, significantly enhancing the forest’s vitality and spirituality.
Duke imdiately crouched low, like a true elf hunter, blending into the shadows of a dense cluster of ferns emitting a faint light.
Rather than rushing to action, he first conducted the most basic checks.
"Disguise status is good," he confird silently.
Next, Duke activated all his senses to carefully assess the surrounding environnt.
His ears captured the forest’s sounds: the distant, faint chirping of insects, the rustle of wind through the leaves, and in the far distance, the deep, pulse-like flow of energy as if from the earth itself.
Beyond the basic scent of the forest, there seed to be a faint, exotic fragrance reminiscent of sandalwood and cold moon, possibly so magic plant unique to the Moon Mark clan.
After a few minutes, he preliminarily judged the area within a hundred ters to be temporarily safe, with no apparent elf outposts or dangerous demon nests detected.
The Empire’s choice of this drop-off point was evidently well-calculated, neither too close to the target to attract attention nor in a frequently patrolled area.
Now, he needed to begin Ying Ye’s journey.
He recalled the implanted map information.
From here, heading in a northeast direction along a relatively stable energy flow, a secret woodland valley called "Moonlight Whisper," for about thirty miles, he would reach the Moon Mark clan’s outer permanent guard circle.
On the way, he needed to avoid a few known small demon territories and an ancient hunting path occasionally used by other elf tribes.
He stood up but maintained a stealthy stance.
The disguise provided him not just with appearance and energy but also a set of instinctive reactions and muscle mory specific to night elves.
His steps were light and springy, with his toes touching the ground first to absorb sound to the maximum extent, leaving only shallow marks on the soft humus layer.
Duke’s body naturally utilized the surrounding shadows, tree trunks, and hanging plants for cover, his path zigzagging and winding, continually using the environnt to conceal his form.
He drew the elf scimitar at his waist, a prop for disguise, holding it in his hand.
The blade flowed smoothly and glead coldly. While not as powerful as his real weapon, it was adequate for ordinary threats in the forest and befitted Ying Ye’s identity.
The journey began, and he moved like a true elf fugitive, his ho destroyed, carrying the flas of grief and vengeance, traversing the familiar yet peril-filled forest.
The moonlight of Elystree guided his way, and the forest’s whispers seed to be telling sothing.
He needed to display not just stealth skills but also the fatigue, vigilance after enduring hardships, and the unextinguishable fire of hatred deep in his eyes.
Duke even paused briefly by a clear stream flowing with a faint lunar glow, washing away nonexistent dirt from his face and replenishing his canteen with water.
Throughout the process, he acted like a true wilderness survivor, fully utilizing the resources within the environnt.
As he moved closer to the target area, the traces of the Moon Mark clan grew increasingly distinct.
On a night with the moon of Suren hanging high, he reached the outer periter of the Moon Mark clan’s patrol zone.
A group of Moon Mark sentinels clad in silver light armor and exuding fierce auras discovered him, their cold moonlight spears pointing at him, their wary eyes scrutinizing him from head to toe.
"Stop! Who are you? From which tribe?" demanded the leading sentinel, a sharp-eyed female elf.
Duke halted, slightly panting, a complex expression blending fatigue, sorrow, and a hint of hope on his face.
He replied in a sowhat hoarse elvish, carrying the unique accent of the Flowing Wind clan:
"I am Ying Ye, a mber of the Flowing Wind clan. Our ho... two months ago, those damned invaders destroyed it. The clan chief led us in a breakout, but I got separated. I heard the Moon Mark clan, Lady Isera, is gathering strength here. I... I want to join, I want revenge!"
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