Ambition, Doubt

The plain near the Divine Tree had now become a devastated ruin.

However, under its power, these scenes would return to their former splendor after only a period of waiting.

At this very moment, atop the mountains surrounding the area, a group of people who had hidden in safe corners cautiously emerged and slowly climbed to the mountaintops, gazing toward where the Divine Tree stood.

Their faces were deathly pale, filled with the relief of having survived a disaster.

"Is... is it finally over!?"

"The Divine Tree has returned to normal!"

Amid the crowd, people whispered among themselves, their words carrying faint excitement and relief.

Just then—

One of them suddenly changed expression and hurriedly pointed into a massive ravine on the plain, shouting urgently.

"Lord Sensui, look over there!"

Hearing this, the richly dressed middle-aged man among the crowd frowned and followed his gaze.

That was...!?

The others also looked over. Once they clearly saw the figures within the ravine, their faces changed in shock, and they whispered.

"Those are Ancestor Country's troops!"

"When did Ancestor Country's people appear here!?"

"Could what happened to the Divine Tree have been caused by Ancestor Country?"

Hearing the discussion behind him, the middle-aged man called Lord Sensui frowned and imperiously waved a hand.

"Silence!"

At his command, everyone behind him immediately fell quiet and shut their mouths.

With a grave expression, he looked at the battered Ancestor Country warriors in the distant ravine and slowly said in a deep voice.

"Ancestor Country is an ally of This Country. Since we have encountered them, we cannot simply stand by. Go bring them over."

Though the people behind him were somewhat unwilling, they still headed down the mountain and rushed toward them.

A short while later, the news brought back by his warriors gave