The elegy of Ionia, amidst the ashes of the burning Eternal Forest, has only just begun to compose its first syllables.

It was not a war of equal strength, but a cold, one-sided "disposal." When the first surviving elves, covered in wounds and filled with endless fear, fled their scorched homeland, bringing with them the terrifying sight of the black rift and the white witch to the Ionia interior, this peaceful world was finally awakened from its millennia-long tranquility.

Shock, followed by disbelief, eventually transformed into a raging inferno.

Ionia is not without warriors. Every living being here is deeply connected to the "Fountain of Life" of this land. When the land cries out in anguish, their blood boils with it. In the central province known as "Navori," a "Temple of Balance" hidden atop a misty mountain peak, a warning bell that has not rung for a thousand years has been tolled.

The tolling of bells echoed through valleys and across plains, reaching the hearts of every Ionian. Ancient druids awoke from slumbering tree hollows, wielding staffs as old as the trees themselves; agile Shadow Ninjas emerged from the shadows, their blades yearning for the blood of invaders; the Vastaya orc tribes, who believed in the balance of nature, unleashed a deafening war cry, their innate savagery ignited.

In the central square of Presidium, an elder with a white beard named "Karen," the guardian of the "Fountain of Life," addressed the tens of thousands of Ionian warriors who had gathered there, his voice aged yet resonant.

"Brothers and sisters far away, the earth beneath our feet is weeping! A group of soulless steel monsters are burning our homes and slaughtering our compatriots with cold flames! They are led by a fallen banshee who exudes the aura of death, and their goal is to completely wipe out all life and beauty on this land!"

"People of Ionia! We live in harmony with nature, we are the guardians of balance! When the darkness of imbalance descends, we are the hands that will put the world back on track! Take up your weapons, awaken the power in your blood! For the Fountain of Life, for the soul of Ionia, we will use the bones of the invaders to pay tribute to our fallen homeland!"

"For Ionia!"

"For Ionia!!!"

The roars of tens of thousands converged into a spiritual torrent powerful enough to shake the heavens and earth. This torrent resonated with the "Fountain of Life" in Ionia, causing mountains to tremble and forests to sway, as if the entire world was cheering for the impending war to defend the land. The largest coalition in Ionia's history, composed of elites from various tribes and factions, officially assembled.

Their primary goal is to reclaim the Eternal Forest and drive those corrupt invaders out of this world completely.

However, what they faced was a despair from a higher dimension that they could never comprehend.

---

The City of Heaven, a floating fortress that has become the forward base of the "Calamity Vanguard" legion, now hovers silently above the Eternal Forest. Its outer shell, made of starlight crystals, forms a cruel and eerie contrast with the scorched earth below.

Inside the command center of the tower, Irelia stood silently before a massive holographic star map. On the map, countless red dots representing the Ionian resistance were converging on the ruins of the Eternal Forest from all directions.

“First Apostle,” Gaia’s icy voice echoed in her mind, “detecting a large-scale gathering of life energy. According to model analysis, the target is an organized counterattack by the Ionian indigenous civilization. The number is approximately 80,000, and the energy level is assessed as ‘moderate threat.’ Their energy system is primarily based on ‘natural magic,’ and while their individual combat strength is relatively high, they lack effective group combat capabilities and long-range strike methods.”

Irelia's empty eyes remained completely unmoved. She watched the red dots swarming towards her like moths to a flame, as if she were looking at a data report that had nothing to do with her.

“Analyze the ‘emotional memes’,” she gave the brief instruction.

“Analysis complete,” Gaia responded immediately. “Currently, the main emotional memes emanating from the natives of Ionia are: anger, accounting for 67.3%; sadness, accounting for 18.5%; and… a high-intensity mixed emotion called ‘protection,’ accounting for 14.2%. This emotional meme is highly similar to ‘hope,’ making it excellent material for ‘experiments.’”

“Very good.” Irelia slowly raised her hand, and the pale white demonic sword materialized in her palm. “Pass on my orders. ‘Destroyer’ Garrosh, lead the First and Second Heavy Armored Regiments to meet the enemy head-on at ‘Weeping Canyon’. ‘Shadow Apostle’ Li Yao, lead the Third and Fourth Assault Regiments to flank and cut off their retreat. ‘Titan Armor’ Balin, be responsible for guarding the dimensional gate and ensuring the absolute safety of the energy extraction device.”

She paused, her cold gaze falling on the map, on the core area where the resistance forces were gathered.

"As for me..."

"I will personally go and 'collect' the best 'experimental materials'."

---

The Valley of Sorrows, named for its steep cliffs and the perpetual mist, is the only way to the Eternal Forest and the preferred battlefield chosen by the Ionian forces to ambush invaders.

Tens of thousands of Ionian warriors are hidden behind the forests and rocks on both sides of the canyon. The druids have become one with this land, infusing their will into the rocks and trees, waiting only for a command to unleash the earth-shattering power of nature. The Shadow Ninjas lurk in the deepest shadows, their blades already aimed at the only passage through the canyon.

"They're here!" A Vastaya scout in charge of reconnaissance landed from the sky, bringing back the latest intelligence.

Everyone held their breath.

At the entrance to the canyon, a black torrent appeared. It was the heavily armored legion of the "Calamity Vanguard," marching with synchronized, heavy steps that made the earth tremble with every step. Leading them was a figure as tall as a demon god, carrying a giant axe enveloped in a ghastly white energy. Beneath his metal visor, two deep blue, cold beams of light shone.

It was Garrosh, the former orc chieftain, now known as the "Vanguard of Destruction".

"Now! For Ionia!" Elder Karen roared.

In an instant, all techniques were unleashed!

On the cliffs on both sides of the canyon, countless boulders the size of human heads, imbued with life by the druids, roared down upon the ranks of the Calamity Vanguard. On the ground, tens of thousands of vines as hard as steel burst forth, coiling around their legs like giant pythons. In the air, countless arrows, wind blades, and ice spikes composed of pure natural energy formed a dazzling rain of death, pouring down.

This is the full manifestation of Ionia's natural wrath, enough to crush an army of mortals into dust in an instant.

However, faced with this devastating attack, the army of the Calamity Vanguard did not even experience the slightest chaos.

"Activate the 'Annihilation Field'." Garrosh's emotionless voice was transmitted to every soldier through the tactical network.

"Buzz—"

A semi-transparent energy shield, emitting a faint white glow, instantly enveloped the entire legion.

Boulders, vines, magical arrows… all attacks, upon contact with the shield, were silently disintegrated and neutralized, vanishing without a trace, like ice meeting a hot iron. Those vines imbued with life lost all vitality the instant they touched the force field, reverting back to withered plants.

The first and most intense wave of attacks by the Ionian coalition failed to inflict any damage on the enemy.

An expression of disbelief appeared on everyone's face.

"What...what kind of sorcery is this?!" Elder Karen's voice trembled for the first time.

Garrosh gave them no time to think. He raised his battle axe high.

"Counterattack."

He chopped down with his axe.

It didn't strike anyone, but instead slammed down hard on the empty ground in front of it.

A pale white energy shockwave, over a hundred meters in diameter, erupted from his center! Wherever the shockwave passed, the earth was torn apart, rocks were pulverized, and everything was reduced to the most basic particles in the face of that pure, irrational destructive power.

The mountain walls on both sides of the canyon, impacted by this force, were cleaved open by a giant beast, leaving two huge, smooth gaps. Countless Ionian warriors hidden behind the walls were instantly vaporized before they could even scream.

With a single strike, the Ionian alliance's ambush line completely collapsed.

"Monsters...they are monsters!"

Fear began to spread among the coalition forces.

Garrosh didn't stop. He led his heavily armored legions in a counter-charge against the Allied positions like a bulldozer. Their fighting style was simple, brutal, yet incredibly efficient. They ignored all the magic aimed at them, mechanically and repeatedly wielding their weapons.

Every swing inevitably takes away several, or even dozens, of precious lives.

The warriors of Ionia, though valiant, appeared so fragile in the face of these immortal war machines, modified by Lin Feng's technology.

Just as the main battlefield was engulfed in a desperate struggle, a series of shrill screams suddenly came from the rear of the Allied forces.

"It's the enemy! The enemy is behind us!"

"Shadow Apostle" Li Yao, leading her assault squad, appeared like ghosts behind the allied forces. Their speed was too fast for the naked eye to follow, and their energy bows fired beams of death capable of piercing anything.

Her former wisdom and cunning have now become the most precise and deadliest killing algorithm. She always manages to appear where the coalition forces are weakest, creating the greatest panic and casualties in the most efficient way.

Caught in a pincer attack, the Ionian coalition was utterly routed. Their pride in courage and strength proved to be a laughable and utterly vulnerable illusion before this cold, unfeeling army that defied their comprehension.

The battlefield has become a one-sided slaughterhouse.

And the one who started all of this, Irelia, was now silently hovering directly above the canyon. Her empty eyes looked down at the blood-soaked hell below, her face expressionless.

She didn't participate in the battle. Because in her view, the outcome of the battle was never in doubt from the very beginning.

Her target was those "experimental materials".

Her gaze pierced through the chaotic battlefield and locked onto Elder Karen, the white-bearded elder, who was commanding the remaining troops and trying to organize a final resistance.

"High-value carriers of 'emotional memes' have been identified."

Her figure vanished into thin air in an instant.

---

"Hold on! For our children! For the future of Ionia! We cannot retreat!" Elder Karen's hair and beard stood on end as he poured all his life force into the wooden staff in his hand. A colossal ancient tree, hundreds of meters tall and composed entirely of pure life energy, rose from the ground, its thick branches temporarily halting the advance of Garrosh's army.

This was the final brilliance of his life.

However, at that moment, a bone-chilling cold suddenly enveloped his entire body without warning.

He struggled to lift his head and saw a sight he would never forget for the rest of his life.

That white figure, like a fallen god, had appeared before him without him noticing. She hovered silently, the ominous demonic sword in her hand pointed directly at his brow.

“You…you demon…” Elder Karen’s voice trembled violently with fear and anger.

"'Demon' is a subjective, emotionally charged term." Irelia's voice, cold and devoid of any emotion, resonated directly in his mind. "I am merely an executor."

She slowly extended her other hand, aiming it at the enormous ancient tree formed from Elder Karen's life force.

“Your will to ‘protect’ is very strong. The data is… ‘delicious’. Now, let me see what interesting changes will occur when this ‘protection’ turns into ‘despair’.”

She gently grasped it.

"withered."

In an instant, the ancient, towering tree seemed to have all its life force drained away. Its emerald leaves turned yellow and curled at a visible speed, then crumbled into black powder and scattered. Its thick branches also quickly became dry and brittle, finally collapsing with a sickening crack, turning into a pile of rotten wood chips.

"puff--!"

Elder Karen coughed up a mouthful of blood, her aged body collapsing backward like a puppet with its strings cut. Her last hope, everything she had, had been utterly shattered by the woman before her in the most nonchalant way.

Irelia did not kill him.

Because living, desperate "material" is far more valuable than a corpse.

She simply watched him quietly, her empty eyes appreciating the dramatic shifts in his expression, from determination to shock, and finally to utter despair.

"Data collection... complete."

She turned around, ready to leave.

"stop!"

A clear, sharp shout, filled with boundless rage, came from not far away.

A lithe figure, like an arrow released from a bow, pierced towards Irelia's back. It was a young Vastayan warrior with a high ponytail, her name was "Lila," the most outstanding warrior of Ionia's younger generation. Her claws gleamed with a sharp, cold light, like moonlight.

"Avenge Elder Karen!"

Lila's speed had already surpassed the speed of sound. However, just as her sharp claws were about to touch Irelia's body, they were easily caught by two slender fingers.

It was Irelia; she didn't even turn around.

"Not bad speed, not bad strength." Irelia's cold voice spoke as if evaluating an object, "Unfortunately, it's meaningless."

She twisted gently.

"Snap!"

Lila's claws, capable of tearing through steel, along with her arms, were snapped off by an irresistible force. The intense pain caused Lila to let out a muffled groan, but the fury in her eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

"You monster! Kill me if you dare!" she roared.

“Death is too merciful.” Irelia slowly turned around, her empty eyes gazing closely at the young, vibrant female warrior for the first time. “Your ‘anger’ and ‘unyielding spirit’ are also excellent materials. I will make the most of you…”

She gently touched Lila's forehead with the magic sword in her hand.

A pale white light instantly surged into Lila's body. It wasn't a destructive force, but rather a deeper, more spiritual "pollution."

Lila's body convulsed violently. She felt as if her soul was being immersed in the coldest, most despairing depths of the ocean. All the beautiful memories in her mind, all the images of her home and loved ones, were being forcibly twisted and altered by an evil force.

She saw her village burned down by her own hands. She saw her loved ones dying and wailing before her eyes. She saw herself transformed into a cold monster, just like the white banshee before her.

"No...no...!" Lila let out a painful, desperate scream. Her will was stubbornly resisting, but the spiritual pollution that Lin Feng had bestowed upon Irelia, originating from a higher dimension, was something that mortals simply could not contend with.

Finally, the anger in her eyes gradually subsided. In its place was an emptiness and lifelessness just like Irelia's.

“Very good.” Irelia sheathed her magic sword, looking at her “creation” with satisfaction. “From this day forward, you will be my personal guard. Go, go and show your new ‘loyalty’ to your former kin.”

Lila, the former pride of Ionia, slowly rose to her feet like a soulless puppet. She picked up a broken sword from the ground, turned around, and walked towards her former comrades who were still struggling to hold on.

She raised her hand and, with a single thrust, pierced the chest of an elven mage who was fighting the "Calamity Vanguard."

The mage turned around in disbelief, looking at his comrade who had fought alongside him not long ago, his eyes filled with incomprehension and sorrow.

"Lila...why..."

Lila didn't answer. She simply drew her longsword numbly and walked towards her next target.

This scene became the final straw that broke the psychological defenses of the Ionian coalition.

Even their bravest warriors would turn into monsters slaughtering their own people before that white banshee. Is there any hope of victory in this war?

there is none left.

Utter despair, like a plague, enveloped the entire battlefield.

Countless Ionian warriors threw down their weapons, knelt on the ground, and gave up all resistance. Their spirits were utterly shattered.

Irelia watched all of this silently. Her mission was complete.

"All troops, cease attack." Her command echoed across the entire battlefield. "Initiate 'asset screening' and 'prisoner containment' procedures."