A Plan

The two riders raced like the wind, quickly reaching the Temple of the Moon.

Laria had already left the temple. Though she had worked through the night, her expression remained calm and composed, and moonlight still seemed to linger around her.

Arenia, as usual, sat astride her Stag, her posture straight as a pine tree. She said nothing.

Kale couldn't see her expression, but her relaxed shoulders and steady presence showed that a night's rest had done her good. The faint traces of killing intent still clinging to her lent her an added air of confidence and valor.

Besides the two of them and Linda and the other three sentries, Salomon, Lilin, and Bebo Gulag, the old village chief of Bristlelimb Village, had also arrived.

Kale dismounted from his Saber and hurried over to greet everyone. They returned his greetings, then got down to business and began discussing the source of the corruption.

"After sensing for it repeatedly last night, I've confirmed that the source of the corruption is eleven kilometers to the northeast," Laria said.

Salomon, Lilin, and old Chief Bebo had all been born and raised in Bristlelimb Village. At her words, they exchanged glances and spoke together in low voices.

Salomon spoke first. "Eleven kilometers to the northeast... There's an open plain there, with a great mountain at the far end. If anything could be hidden nearby, it's most likely in Bearclaw Valley, at the foot of that mountain."

Laria considered this. "Bearclaw Valley? I've heard of the place. I believe the Wild Demigod Ursoc once fought the demon army there in ancient times. They say he made the valley with a swipe of his claws."

The old chief nodded, sounding wistful. "You're right, Priestess Laria. That's where Ursoc fought the demons."

"Long ago, the Furbolgs of the Bristlelimb Tribe considered it sacred ground and forbade anyone from entering. But they gradually fell into depravity, abandoned the place they had once guarded, and began wandering the forest to survive. I never thought it would be tainted by corruption again." He trailed off with a sigh, as though recalling something.

"Let's leave the past aside and focus on the present," Arenia said. "Has anyone from your village been there recently?"

The old chief furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. "It's rather remote, and the land there was tainted by Fel. The Furbolgs took over afterward, so hardly anyone in the village is willing to go."

"But I remember that a few years ago, the Cenarion Circle sent several Druids there to look for something. I don't know what they were searching for, but I remember they found a guide in the village. She was one of our senior Stealth specialists. I think her name was... Se... Yu..."

Lilin smiled and supplied the name. "Bebo, her name was Seyuna."

The old chief slapped his forehead. "Oh, right. Seyuna. If you want to know about the place, you can ask her."

Lilin shook her head. "Bebo, you forgot again. Seyuna went traveling years ago and hasn't come back since. Who knows where she is now? There's no way we can find her."

The old chief sighed helplessly. "Oh, is that so? My memory really is getting worse. Ah, that's what happens when you live a long time. There's more and more in your head, and it gets harder to remember things."

"But Lilin, weren't you close to Seyuna? Didn't she tell you what those Druids were looking for?"

Lilin thought for a moment, then nodded. "I remember her mentioning that they were looking for the seed of a Magic Tree."

"The seed of a Magic Tree?"

They exchanged glances. They weren't entirely unfamiliar with Magic Trees.

In the ancient days of the Night Elf Empire, conflict had always existed between Arcane worship and nature worship in Night Elf society.

To reconcile those opposing beliefs—or perhaps for some deeper military purpose—Queen Azshara had ordered a number of powerful scholars, well-versed in Arcane and natural energies, to create a Magic Tree that combined both kinds of energy, based on the properties of Ancient of War and Ancient of Lore trees.

And, remarkably, after years of experimentation and expending vast amounts of Arcane and natural energy, those powerful scholars really did create several kinds of Magic Tree seeds.

Unfortunately, the War of the Ancients broke out before these extraordinary seeds could be put to use in Night Elf society.

After the war ended, Ancient Kalimdor broke apart and the Night Elf Empire collapsed. No one knew where the research records and seeds for those Magic Trees had gone.

Over the years, many Druids had searched far and wide for knowledge about creating Magic Trees. They hoped to deepen their understanding of nature magic by studying it and to recreate the technique with nature magic, but they had never succeeded.

Kale asked curiously, "Did those Druids find a Magic Tree seed?"

Lilin shook her head. "I don't know. Seyuna only mentioned it in passing, and I never asked how it turned out."

"There's no need to ask," Laria said. "They must not have found one. If a discovery that important had been made, the Cenarion Circle would have announced it. We would have heard about it by now."

Everyone nodded. Laria was right. If any Druids had found a Magic Tree seed, word would have spread throughout Night Elf society by now.

Luna chuckled and interjected, "I think the Cenarion Circle was probably misled by some false rumor. We don't need to worry about that. Let's talk about the valley instead."

They were about to return to the matter at hand when the old chief suddenly slapped his thigh, as if remembering something. "Wait, I remember now. Back when Queen Azshara still ruled, the Highborne really did build a mage tower there to study Magic Trees."

"But during the War of the Ancients, demons occupied the tower. Ursoc feared they would use it to gather energy and build a portal, so he called on the power of the earth and buried the tower—and all the demons inside it—underground."

Kale's eyes lit up as he seized on the key point. "So the tower was buried underground. The things inside might still be intact. There could even be a Magic Tree seed in there."

Laria frowned, her voice grave. "If there really is a Magic Tree seed, and the Druids didn't find it, then there's only one possibility..."

Arenia understood as well, and looked surprised. "You mean the seed was found by Satyrs, Priestess Laria?"

Laria nodded. "Exactly. We all know that many Satyrs were once Highborne. They know more about the Highborne than we do, so it wouldn't be surprising if they knew the secret of the Magic Tree."

She sighed, then continued. "And last night, when I sensed the source of the corruption, I noticed that it was surrounded by powerful natural energy. At the time, I couldn't understand why. Now, after hearing the old chief, I see—it's a corrupted Magic Tree."

"Some Satyr must have found the seed first and tainted it with corruption, turning it into a source of darkness."

After hearing Laria's analysis, everyone agreed that her theory was probably right. They couldn't help feeling regretful. Magic Trees were an important legacy of the Night Elves, and now one had fallen into the hands of demons.

But they soon composed themselves and began discussing how to purify the Magic Tree.

Given all the unknowns at their destination and their shortage of people, they eventually decided to send an elite team to carry out the mission while the others stayed behind to defend the village against a possible attack.

Since Magic Trees were created and grew through nature magic, they would need Kale, a Druid, to purify one.

Though Laria and Lilin were Priestesses of the Moon and could wield powerful divine spells, their work was mostly spiritual and medical, and they had no rigorous combat training. It would be too dangerous for them to go adventuring. They also had to care for the wounded, so they couldn't go.

Old Chief Bebo Gulag had once been a full-fledged mage, but he hadn't used his magic since the War of the Ancients. He was also so old that no one could bear to send him into danger.

That left only Arenia, Salomon, and Linda and the other three sentries.

After weighing the options, Arenia decided that Salomon would stay in the village to organize its fighters and defend against a possible attack. She would lead Linda and the other three to escort Kale to Bearclaw Valley herself.

Kale hadn't expected to become the main character in an adventure this time, and couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

As he watched everyone gradually leave, until only Arenia and the others remained, he couldn't help asking, "Squad Leader Arenia, I'm not questioning your judgment, but we might be heading into the enemy's lair. Isn't our group a little small?"

Arenia glanced at him and answered calmly, "What, are you afraid to go?"

Kale felt a little guilty. "Well... it's not that I'm afraid. I just think..."

Arenia raised a hand to stop him. "Your only responsibility on this mission is to purify the Magic Tree. We'll handle everything else. As long as we're still standing, no one will hurt you."

Perhaps realizing that she had sounded too stern, she added in a gentler tone, "And about your concern that we don't have enough people, I've already contacted Jinli. I'm sure she'll be back soon and join us. Any other questions?"

Jinli would be coming back? That was great. Having a powerful Ranger like her along made him feel much more at ease.

He nodded quickly. "No more questions."

"Good. Go get ready. First, go to the village chief's house and eat something. Take some food and pure Moonwell water with you when we leave. We'll meet at the village entrance in an hour."