High Priest

Andrew clung to Hilar's back, feeling the leopard's speed as the scenery on both sides blurred into a streak, the gale whistling as it surged behind them.

Gradually, the massive canopy of Teldrassil drew closer, and suddenly, Andrew was stunned by the sight in the distance. A row of towering, gargantuan tree roots, endless in length, stood upon the ground like a wall, isolating Teldrassil from the outside world.

"This..." Andrew stammered, realizing the game world he once knew was truly unreliable.

"This is the Wall of Teldrassil, built to keep out creatures or beasts from the outside," Hilar said, seemingly sensing Andrew's thoughts. "Although our Night Elf Race now practices the Druid path, which is close to nature, or serves as Rangers who live alongside the forest, there are still many common folk who cannot remain entirely free from harm. That is why my teacher decided to erect this natural barrier to ensure the safety of the common people."

Hilar's speed was remarkable; in less than two hours, they arrived outside the gates of Teldrassil. If Andrew had been forced to walk, he had no idea how long it would have taken.

"Hold on tight. We have more ground to cover after we pass this wall," Hilar said.

Andrew gave a vague nod and tightened his grip. Behind the Wall of Teldrassil lay the world of Teldrassil itself, accessible only through a single gate.

The arched gate was incredibly tall and featured a barrier that shimmered like a pale blue curtain of water. Hilar slowed down before the gate and carried Andrew through. As they passed, Andrew clearly felt the water curtain brush over his entire body like a gentle hand, feeling extremely comfortable.

"Attention, you have been scanned and detected!" the voice of the Monster Spirit echoed in Andrew's mind.

"Huh?" Andrew looked bewildered. "Scanned and detected?"

"Yes, it is a product of pure magic!" the Monster Spirit explained.

"A magical product?" Andrew muttered to himself. Didn't magic cease to exist among the elves after the explosion of the Well of Eternity? How can this gate be magical? Are there still elves practicing magic, or did they preserve some magical artifacts when they built this place?

Andrew racked his brain, recalling the elven history he had encountered. If someone were still practicing magic or keeping magical items, that would not be a good sign. The elves' obsession and fanaticism for magic had never changed.

After passing through the magic gate, Hilar turned left along a small path and then broke into a full sprint, heading toward the capital city of Darnassus.

After running for nearly an hour, Andrew could already see the stone gates of Darnassus. The road widened, and the number of people entering and leaving the city gradually increased.

A leopard carrying a young boy sprinted into the city. Such a combination did not draw side-glances from passersby; clearly, the people here were already accustomed to such sights.

"Where are we going?" Andrew asked as Hilar came to a stop.

"First, we will find my senior brother. After explaining the situation to him, he will take us to see the High Priest," Hilar said. "Although my senior brother and I can both restore spells, we must report to the High Priest before using them."

Andrew nodded, secretly thinking that even after the chaotic era of the High Elves and the world-shattering changes, the elven race still could not shed their rigid hierarchy. It was just that the leader had changed to Malfurion; he only wondered if the High Priest was still Tyrande.

Hilar shifted back into her human form and led the way toward the place where she practiced.

"Sister Hilar, where has your teacher, Lord Malfurion, gone?" Andrew asked, turning his head.

"In front of my teacher, you must never address him as 'Lord.' It reminds him of events from long ago, and it makes him very unhappy," Hilar said. "You may call him Master or Leader."

Hilar turned a street corner and continued, "The Master has left Teldrassil. I heard there is some trouble in the Eastern Kingdoms, so he went to that continent to look around and see what is happening."

"The Eastern Kingdoms?" Andrew felt a jolt of shock. "The human kingdoms? What kind of trouble?"

Hilar looked at Andrew with curiosity and couldn't help but ask, "Are you so concerned about the affairs of the human kingdoms? Wait, how do you know about humans at such a young age?"

Andrew pursed his lips in secret, thinking, I know far more than that.

"It seems like a mage over there has caused some trouble, and they are fighting a war or something," Hilar said. "That is what I heard from my senior brother."

Andrew gasped. A mage caused trouble! Medivh! Andrew dared only to be shocked in his heart; he had already made this elven girl suspicious by mentioning humans earlier.

My god! What era is this exactly? Medivh has opened the Dark Portal, which means the Orcs are already attacking the human kingdoms! Lost in his thoughts, Andrew stood frozen in place.

"What is wrong with you?" Hilar asked. "Your face is so pale!"

"Oh, I am fine!" Andrew dared not show any more strangeness. "I was just worried about whether the flames of war would spread to this continent."

"Haha, do not worry!" Hilar laughed. "The Master is there to handle everything!"

Andrew couldn't help but sigh inwardly: You certainly have a lot of faith in your teacher! But the truth is, once the Eastern Kingdoms fall, there will be no sanctuary left here in Kalimdor!

"Ah, we are here!" Hilar said. "Come, let us go in!"

Andrew followed Hilar into their training grounds, which looked like a large garden. The grass was lush, and flowers bloomed in competition!

"Senior Brother!" Hilar called out. "Senior Brother! Are you here?"

Hilar searched from inside to out, from front to back, but she could not find her senior brother. Andrew wandered the garden alone; he had never seen these trees, nor any of these flowers or plants. Everything here was so novel to him.

"Roar..." A low growl came from behind Andrew, making him jump. How could I run into a beast here? Andrew turned around, trembling, to see a bear head with two massive eyes baring its teeth at him.

Andrew stumbled backward and landed on his backside. This bear was huge—even larger than the ones he had seen at the zoo in his past life! The creatures of Azeroth were truly incomparable!

"Hilar!" Andrew shouted with his eyes squeezed shut.

Hilar was wondering where her senior brother had gone when she heard Andrew's cry. Why did his voice sound like it was trembling? Hilar did not think he could encounter danger here; she thought it was impossible!

"Senior Brother?" Hilar ran out and saw a large bear scrutinizing Andrew.

The bear turned its head, gave a shake, and stood upright, shifting back into his human form.

"Senior Brother, were you practicing?" Hilar ran over and said. "Look at you, you've scared him half to death!"

"Senior Brother?" Andrew wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking, Why do these Druids always like to turn into beasts to scare people?

"Who is he?" the Senior Brother asked. "Do you not know the Master's instructions? Do not bring just anyone here!"

"He is different!" Hilar said, then pulled her senior brother aside for a few steps and explained Andrew's situation to him.

"Is that so..." the Senior Brother muttered. He turned back to Andrew and said, "I am Andrew. Your situation must be decided by the High Priest. After the midday rest, I will take you to see her."

Andrew quickly expressed his gratitude; he truly had not expected things to go so smoothly.

"Andrew, why aren't you practicing properly? What are you doing running to the Temple of Elune?" At the entrance of the Priest's Hall, a young female elf guard blocked their path.

"I, heh heh, I..." Andrew scratched his head and ears in a flustered manner.

"Sister Hilar, what's wrong with Senior Brother Andrew?" Andy asked.

Hilar wore a mischievous smirk as she replied, "That is Weiwei, a Moon Guard of the Temple of Elune. It is said she is the Senior Brother's dream lover!"

"Ahem!" Andrew turned back to glare at Hilar; if he let her keep spouting such nonsense, Weiwei would surely lose her temper!

"Weiwei, the High Priest says to let them in!" a young priest wearing priestly robes walked out and announced.

"Understood!" Weiwei stepped aside, no longer looking at Andrew. Andrew gave an embarrassed smile, greeted Weiwei, and led Andy into the Temple of Elune.

"High Priest, I..." Andrew was just about to explain the situation to the High Priest on the dais when he was interrupted by a wave of her hand.

"I know, I am already aware of this child's situation!" The High Priest's voice was exceptionally soft and melodic, making Andy feel completely at ease.

"Andrew, Hilar's Rejuvenation is sufficient to handle it. Arrange the time for them to go and return quickly!" the High Priest commanded.

"Yes!"

"You and Hilar may leave; I wish to speak with him!" the High Priest said.

Andrew bowed deeply, then led a bewildered Hilar out of the Temple of Elune.

"Andy, I know of you," the High Priest said. "I learned of your arrival from the Goddess herself!"

A wave of unease washed over Andy; what did she mean by knowing him, and from the Goddess at that!

"High Priest, I..."

"There is no need to be nervous." The High Priest turned around. "The High Priest of our Elf Race's Temple of Elune is personally chosen by the Moon Goddess Elune. I am the person closest to the divine, and the Moon Goddess has brought me news of you!"

Andy looked up at this mysterious woman, his eyes bulging instantly: "It's you, Tyrande! You're already the High Priest!"