It was already late at night.
By the time the command vehicle slowly drove into Emerald Leaf City, the battle was essentially over.
Smoke and the pungent smell of burning filled the air. The city lay in ruins, with the corpses of all kinds of monsters everywhere.
Great Xia's soldiers were swiftly clearing out the remaining enemies nearby and establishing a security perimeter.
For fear that the Demon Clan's corpses might spread infection and cause a plague, they were all disinfected and transported away together for incineration.
The vehicle continued onward, finally stopping beneath the enormous tree in the center of the city.
The door opened, and Elder Muyu and Fendona stepped out quickly.
The instant he saw the World Tree, Elder Muyu swayed, steadying himself against the vehicle's door.
Fendona covered her mouth. Tears instantly welled in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
The World Tree before them looked nothing like the one in their memories.
The lush green crown that had once blotted out the sky was now reduced to bare, withered branches and a scattering of leaves, bleak in the wind.
The massive trunk was covered in charred marks and ugly holes. Dark red moss spread like festering sores, giving off a smell of decay.
The entire tree exuded a lifeless, withering lethargy.
"Our World Tree..."
All the accompanying Elves fell to their knees, sobbing too hard to speak.
Standing beside Fendona, Lin Mo looked at the ravaged tree and could hardly imagine what it had endured.
He reached out and gently patted Fendona's trembling shoulder.
A Wood Elf held back his grief and reached out with a trembling hand, gently pressing it against the rough bark.
He chanted softly in the ancient Elven language, slowly channeling his power of nature into it.
A moment later,