Chapter 144: Two Different Worlds, Choosing the Sequence

Sanctuary.

On the icy snow path at the end of the two forks, the thin mist had long since dissipated.

One path, paved with red maple leaves, led to Mirkwood in Middle-earth. Next to it was another snowy path, also ending in a lush forest.

Ino stood in the middle of the paths, holding a suitcase. This was the first time he encountered such a situation—two portals, two choices. He was momentarily at a loss.

Although he had a vague feeling that both worlds were accessible and entering one wouldn't close the other, he was still conflicted about the sequence.

Especially the unknown forest, with its faint darkness and fleeting green shadows, appeared somewhat eerie.

After five minutes, Ino put away the dice from the ground and walked directly toward the red maple leaf path leading to Middle-earth.

Third Age, 2971.

Thirty years after the Battle of Five Armies.

Deep within the Mirkwood forest, moonlight fell like a silver ribbon, illuminating a mature and beautiful female elf.

In Middle-earth, no matter the type, elves always seemed to be infinitely favored.

Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar female elf beside him, Ino found it hard to believe that this was the same Doris who used to follow him like a little shadow.

Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, light and graceful. Her tall figure was as elegant as a blooming lily, exuding an innate nobility and purity.

Although Doris's eyes were still the same bright emerald green, unlike thirty years ago, they now held a wisdom and depth, shining like stars.

"You said you'd never come back again?" Doris looked at the figure before her.

For ordinary elves, thirty years might feel like yesterday.

But for Doris, the events thirty years ago were the first genuine childhood play and frolic she had experienced in a thousand years before coming of age.

"I really thought I wouldn't be able to come back! But fate always takes unexpected turns." Ino slightly raised his head, looking at his old friend.

Doris had changed significantly. Despite his height of nearly 1.7 meters, he could barely look her in the eye.

On the other hand, Doris also quietly observed her old friend. Over thirty years, apart from growing a bit taller, he hadn't changed much, seemingly immortal like an elf.

This discovery made her somewhat delighted. After all, many stories circulated in Middle-earth about humans and elves, but they always ended in tragedy, mainly due to the difference in their lifespans.

Suddenly, her gaze swept over Ino's arm. His smooth wrist was empty.

"So? You lost the bracelet I gave you?"

Unlike her previous clear voice, Doris's mature tone now held a certain magnetism.

But at this moment, it also carried a hint of anger.

"I didn't lose it!" Ino denied firmly, explaining, "The bracelet turned into a guide. It was through its direction that I found my way back."

"Hmm!" Doris responded softly, "Will you leave again?"

"I will! But I will return!" Ino didn't hide anything.

He cherished this elf friend. After all, no one wanted their friend to die of old age after just a few meetings, a common frustration among immortals.

"You still don't lie as always! Come with me, your room is still kept." Doris smiled lightly.

On the other side, Ino was also stunned by this sudden, serene smile.

After all, from the moment he arrived in Middle-earth and first met Doris, she had kept a stern face during their half-hour conversation, appearing somewhat aloof.

But now, her smile felt like a blossoming of hundreds of flowers.

Woodland Realm.

In the underground palace, Ino once again met King Thranduil.

As an outsider, to enter the elven territory, he needed Thranduil's approval. Even Legolas did not have this right.

Time seemed to leave no marks on this elven king's face. His beautiful appearance, the crown woven from red maple leaves and berries, everything was as it once was, unchanged.

"Thank you for your generosity before leaving. Those potions saved many soldiers from dying! In any case, the Woodland Realm welcomes you again, my friend!"

Thranduil's tone carried a hint of gratitude, as those potions indeed saved countless elven lives.

"You don't need to thank me. I just utilized them properly. After all, war and sacrifice are things none of us wish to see."

In the face of the elven king's gratitude, Ino did not take credit. After all, Middle-earth had become a fixed world in the Sanctuary, and maintaining good relations with Thranduil was beneficial.

Similarly, he also marveled at how his initial act of kindness yielded such positive results.

"I've arranged your room. Doris will show you the way. You probably have a lot to catch up on, so the banquet will be tomorrow. Rest well tonight."

As Thranduil spoke, he looked playfully at Doris beside him. Having lived through several ages, he understood some things too well.

Three months later.

On the outskirts of Mirkwood, even though the Orcs of the Lonely Mountain had been wiped out, Sauron still lurked in Mount Doom, so this forest tainted by evil remained as dark as ever.

In a part of the forest filled with spider webs, Ino lay on a hammock woven from blue spider silk, with sharp screeches occasionally piercing the air around him.

Beside him was Doris, dressed in armor and holding a short bow.

Before long, the sharp noises gradually faded, and from the shaking woods, eight-legged spiders about three meters tall emerged, moving toward him like trained soldiers.

Behind these giant spiders trailed long strands of silk, at the end of which were variously sized cocoons, the smaller ones about a meter tall, and the larger ones four or five meters.

The spiders, in orderly fashion, approached an open box. In a miraculous scene, the small box acted like a bottomless pit, effortlessly swallowing the dozens of spiders with their prey.

Beside him, Doris watched the scene with interest. Even after witnessing it numerous times over the past three months, she still found it fascinating.

"I feel redundant here. King Thranduil assigned me to protect you..."

Stroking her short bow, Doris lowered her head, somewhat embarrassed.

"How could you be! Without you, I'd definitely get lost in such a large forest."

Ino sat up, jumped off the spider silk hammock, and walked to the suitcase, expertly closing it.

"But there's something I need to tell you. While there's still time, I plan to go on a journey. Visit the human world, see the White City of Gondor, the vast plains of Rohan, or the homeland of the Hobbits, the Shire."