"Thus, we have lived peacefully here for three hundred years."

"About fifty years ago, we finally found clues to the fate of the Arcane Civilization in the Lost Plane. An Elf Ranger discovered an ancient tome in a collapsed library, which recorded a way to leave the Segis Universe!"

"That’s right! A way to leave the Segis Universe! The reason the Arcane Civilization disappeared is that they discovered a way to leave the Segis Universe!"

"According to the records, it was a channel left by King of Gods, Niou, in the abyss, leading outside the universe. As long as the correct method is used, it can be opened! Of course... it requires immense energy and cost."

"With the information left behind by the Arcane Civilization, I found this channel, located in the abyss, and the Arcane Civilization also left behind an Ancient Teleportation Array leading there."

"However... the Teleportation Array has already failed, and the Plane Channel is in a semi-sealed state. Even a True God would likely have to spend immense cost to open it, and... it continues to close."

"In at most thirty years, the seal will be completely solidified, and the channel will be completely closed. By then... even a True God will be helpless, and I suspect this is a self-repair mechanism of the universe... After all, this so-called channel is more like a forcibly torn crack."

"In the next decade, we first used the knowledge left by the Arcane Civilization to repair the Teleportation Array and made multiple attempts, successfully sending some clansmen out. But unfortunately... those who left lost all contact, and none could return."

"But the only thing that can be confirmed is that outside the channel should be safe, because the Soul Fire left by the voluntary pathfinders has not gone out, just infinitely weak..."

"This gave us an opportunity for clan-wide migration!"

"However, I hesitated, unsure if after leaving Segis, we can still awaken Mother Goddess in another universe."

"Fortunately, shortly after, our plan to revive the Mother Goddess... reached its final stage."

"I chose the revival method of [Retrace]."

"I believe, as creations of Mother Goddess, deep within our bloodline, there must be a mark of Mother Goddess."

"Through retracing our own souls, I think we can find that trace of Power of Laws with Mother Goddess’s spiritual imprint used at the beginning of creating the Elf Clan."

"I believe, as long as we find this trace of Power of Laws, we can resound with the laws and awaken Mother Goddess again..."

"This was inspired by believers of the True God of Faith awakening their deity."

"However, unfortunately... we failed."

"Moreover, due to the enormous energy of the ceremony, our revival even broke part of the hidden Arrays in the Lost Plane, directly exposing the coordinates..."

"We... once again faced war with the Eternal Lord."

"Hundreds of years have passed, and they have become increasingly powerful. Helpless, I could only sacrifice all the Magic Power and potential of the Lost Plane, including myself and the Elf Souls I had collected over the centuries to revive Mother Goddess... forcibly opened the seal, sent the surviving clansmen out, and completely closed the channel to leave this universe."

"Later clansmen, I failed, I could not successfully awaken Mother Goddess, and I am not aware if the clansmen who escaped can survive..."

"If possible, I hope you can pass this residual crystal to Diana, Eris, or Oros."

"I would be extremely grateful..."

"I once organized all collected magical knowledge of the Arcane Civilization and have recorded it in this residual crystal."

"Consider this my reward, my fellow Demigod companions will help you extract it and hand it over to you."

"Of course, if Mother Goddess has already been revived, then I hope you can sacrifice it to our great Mother Goddess..."

"Merciful and kind Mother Goddess, will surely grant you rewards more generous than I can provide."

The image slowly dissipated here.

The command room fell quiet.

Alice’s expression was complex, she sighed lightly, deeply bowed to the slowly dissipating image, and reverently drew a Life Scepter symbol on her chest.

The players also stood up, bowed to the image, and drew a scepter symbol on their chests.

"Another Elf Demigod who sacrificed himself..."

"I see... the Thunder Clan has already left the Segis Universe..."

"Beyond the universe... the Elf Kingdom actually has a far larger map?"

They sighed and discussed fervently.

"Leave it to me, I’ll sacrifice it to Mother Goddess. If I’m not mistaken, there might still be coordinates and a method to open the channel inside, only existences like Mother Goddess can open it."

Alice said.

The players glanced at each other and nodded.

And at the same moment, all players participating in the mission received the same system notification sound:

[Ding—]

[You have completed the hidden mission "Donar’s Last Wish"]

[You have received the reward: 200,000 contribution points, 5 special prize pool draw tickets, 3 free Arcane Knowledge exchange counts]

[Ding—]

[Eve’s favorability towards you has increased by 1 point]

[Ding—]

[The exchange mall opens a new exchange category "Arcane Knowledge", all players can spend contribution points to exchange]

[Player Cyber can freely exchange all the Arcane Knowledge (Note: 1 time per day)]

"Whoa? Two hundred thousand contribution points?! And deity favor?"

The players who were still exploring froze for a moment, then couldn’t help but cheer aloud.

The players in the command room were also a bit surprised.

Although they felt wistful about Donar’s experiences, the joy of the reward quickly overshadowed the sentiments brought by the story.

It wasn’t until they saw Alice looking sad that they calmed down and offered silent mourning.

"So... what is Arcane knowledge?"

Only Dema couldn’t help but mumble.

In response, everyone rolled their eyes in unison, as if saying:

"Keep your voice down."

...

"So... have they already found it?"

In the Netherworld, the Realm of Death, Hela sat on the divine throne, lazily sweeping the chessboard with one hand holding a black chess piece while watching with interest the True God Avatar sitting across from him.

It was none other than Eve.

And before the two gods, the picture of the players’ exploration transformed in mid-air, slowly dissipating.

"Yes, they found it."

Eve nodded, placing a piece on the chessboard.

Hela raised an eyebrow, placed a piece as well, and said:

"I’m a bit puzzled. Since you’ve already found the lost realm of the Thunder Elves, why let them explore it again?"

Eve smiled:

"It’s to let them participate too. It’s their enjoyment as well. If I just revealed everything directly, it’d be too monotonous."

"Besides... I hope the story of the Thunder Elves can spread..."

"Compared to an official directly unveiled background story, it’s the kind of story they can personally engage in that resonates more."

As he spoke, he extended another hand, in which lay a crystal identical to the one the players discovered, holding their lingering thoughts.

Caressing the crystal, Eve sighed and put it away.

"Eve, I have a question."

Hela suddenly spoke.

As he said this, he looked at Eve:

"Do you think... the place where those surviving Thunder Elves left from might be where you’re summoning the Chosen One?"

Eve smiled slightly, his gaze growing distant:

"Who knows?"

"Then does this mean their exploration is considered finished?"

"No."

Eve shook his head:

"Their exploration and expansion... I’m afraid it’s only just beginning."

Hela paused, then realized something and smiled gently.

He glanced at the chessboard, raising his eyebrows, and said:

"Alright, you’ve won again."

"Just more moves made."

Eve laughed.

After speaking, he stood up from his seat.

"Are you... ready to begin?"

Hela suddenly asked.

"Yes."

Eve nodded.

"How long will it take?"

"At least... it should be ten years."

"I understand, I hope in ten years, to see you progress even further..."

"Thank you."

Eve smiled gently, his form slowly dissipating, leaving the Netherworld.

...