Deep Forest Tracking: Omens on the Way to the Elder's Residence
Under Arya's guidance, the team continued forward along the increasingly deep forest path. Massive tree roots twisted like dragons, forming natural steps or arches, while crystal-clear streams flowed gently at their feet, with colorful pebbles clearly visible at the bottom. Arya paused from time to time, pointing out unique landscapes along the way and recounting ancient forest legends and elven history.
"Look over there," Arya pointed to a particularly majestic Dawnlight Ancient Tree on the right front, its trunk naturally forming peculiar spiral patterns, her tone filled with reverence. "That's the 'Guardian Tree' Antara. Legend says it has existed since the ancient era when the elves migrated here. Its roots delve deep into the earth's core, and its crown touches the boundaries of the stars. It's not only the guardian deity of the forest but can keenly sense any evil aura attempting to invade this pure land and issue warnings." The spiral patterns on the trunk seemed to flow slowly under the sunlight, containing an ancient and powerful will.
Fa felt a slight stir in her heart and stepped closer to this ancient tree emanating a solemn aura. She raised her hand, gently pressing her palm against the tree bark that was as warm and resilient as emerald jade. Closing her eyes, she focused her mind, attempting to connect her consciousness with the will of this ancient existence. The star eye in her right eye suddenly lit up with a deep blue glow, tiny starlight points swirling within, as if a miniature star map was in motion. In an instant, countless blurry images and low voices flooded her consciousness: the forest's seasonal cycles, the proliferation and migration of birds and beasts, the elves' joyful songs and laughter... But interspersed were some discordant, fragmented pieces—twisted shadows skimming over roots, foul auras tainting clear springs, low, malice-filled whispers echoing in the midnight woods... The images were shattered and blurry, filled with uneasy agitation.
A moment later, Fa opened her eyes, the glow in her star eye slowly receding, but her brows furrowed tightly, her tone grave: "It showed me... the forest's memories. Most are beautiful and full of vitality, but recently... there have been unusual 'fluctuations.'" She chose her words carefully. "Like undercurrents hidden beneath a serene lake surface, or a faint, undetectable scent of decay in the sweet air. Antara can sense its presence but cannot clearly pinpoint its source... as if that thing knows how to cleverly hide within the forest's own pulses."
Arya's face instantly turned serious, a flash of worry in her emerald eyes: "Unusual fluctuations? Could it... be related to Doomsday Rebirth? Have they really infiltrated?" The thought sent a chill through her.
"The possibility is extremely high." Fa nodded heavily, withdrawing her hand from the trunk. "Antara's warning confirms our concerns. We must see Elder Serandir as soon as possible."
As they continued forward, crossing a small stream paved with smooth pebbles, a massive Light Feather Bird with a wingspan nearly two meters, trailing a long, sunset-like radiant tail, descended silently from the sky and landed gracefully on Lin Ya's shoulder. It bent its beak, shimmering with metallic sheen, and gently groomed Lin Ya's temple hair, emitting a few melodious chirps that seemed to carry a soothing magic.
Lin Ya turned his head in delight, feeling the bird's soft, warm feathers against his cheek, smiling as he extended his fingers to carefully stroke its smooth neck. "Hello, beautiful messenger." He whispered in a language filled with natural rhythms, communicating with it. The Light Feather Bird tilted its head, responding with gurgling sounds, as if conveying some information.
On the other side, Yuyuer was drawn to a few peculiar small fish in the stream, flashing gem-blue luster. He squatted on a flat rock by the stream, gently inserting his Dragon Bone Staff into the soft soil beside him. He extended his right hand, palm downward, hovering over the clear stream water, chanting ancient water-based incantations. A soft water-blue halo emanated from his palm, spreading like ripples into the water. Soon, those blue gem-like small fish, along with more colorful ones, gathered from various parts of the stream, affectionately swimming around his fingers hovering above the water, occasionally touching them lightly as if kissing.
Yuyuer closed his eyes, connecting his spirit with these aquatic spirits through gentle water magic. Countless fragmented information streams flooded his mind: the direction of water flow, subtle temperature changes, the swaying of aquatic plants... Suddenly, a few blurry images accompanied by intense unease surged in—at the forest's deepest parts, near the source of a massive lake in shadowy corners, clear water flows occasionally mixed with extremely thin, murky turbidity carrying a mix of rust and decay smells, with unfamiliar, slimy black moss-like substances attached to the stones at the bottom. The fish instinctively avoided those areas, feeling fear and unease.
A moment later, Yuyuer opened his eyes, his face somewhat pale. He stood up, reporting gravely to the group: "The little fish in the stream told me that in the forest's depths, especially areas near the ancient lake's source... abnormalities have appeared recently. Occasionally, strange, nauseating smells drift from the source, and unfamiliar, uncomfortable black attachments have appeared on the stones at the bottom. They feel very uneasy and are staying away from those places."
Fa's gaze instantly sharpened like a blade, her previous solemnity turning into a tangible sense of crisis. "Pollution of the water source... this is one of Doomsday Rebirth's most common erosion methods!" She scanned the group, her tone resolute. "It seems their tendrils have not only reached in but have already begun activities in the core areas! We must speed up!"
The team's atmosphere suddenly tensed, their originally relaxed steps becoming more determined and swift. The forest remained beautiful, but beneath that harmonious filter, shadows that made the heart palpitate seemed to lurk.
Sage in the Misty Fog: Meeting with Elder Serandir
After nearly two hours of trekking through the light-and-shadow-interwoven, winding dense forest paths, the faint, elegant scent of laurel leaves in the air became increasingly clear and rich. Finally, after passing through a natural arch formed by two massive wisteria vines intertwined, Elder Serandir's residence appeared before them.
It was not a grand hall but an artwork perfectly fused with the forest. The main structure was cleverly coiled and merged from several still-growing, sturdy living trees, forming the support and walls. Emerald vines like natural curtains covered the walls, dotted with countless blooming star-shaped flowers emitting soft glows. The roof was layered with huge, thick evergreen leaves, presenting varying shades of jade under the sunlight. Around the small house were meticulously tended flower beds, blooming with various magical flowers of exotic scents and peculiar shapes. At the door hung strings of wind chimes woven from dried moonlight grass and fragrant laurel leaves, emitting extremely faint, elf-whisper-like tinkles in the breeze. That mind-soothing laurel leaf fragrance emanated from inside the house and these wind chimes.
Fa took a deep breath of this familiar and nostalgic scent, a strange palpitation crossing her heart. This smell... so distant yet so familiar, as if stirring some sealed corner in the depths of her memory, connecting to blurry, warm fragments of childhood. She briefly zoned out, then forced herself to focus.
Arya stepped forward and gently knocked on the door made of smooth, mirror-like dark wood. The door opened inward silently.
Inside, the light was soft, the air filled with rich herbal scents and the aroma of books. An elder sat quietly on a wide chair naturally grown and polished from ancient tree roots, eyes closed in repose. His face was aged, with deep lines etched by time, his silver-white long hair and equally silver beard flowing like moonlight down to his chest. On his head was a delicate flower crown woven from fresh starlight orchids, ever-unfading emerald leaves, and a few tiny gems containing natural magic, symbolizing the connection between wisdom and nature. As the group's footsteps sounded, he slowly opened his eyes. Those eyes were not clouded by age but clear and profound like the forest sky after rain, containing insightful wisdom and a hint of imperceptible vicissitudes. His gaze first landed on Fa, a complex emotion flashing in his calm, lake-like depths—surprise? Anticipation? And a touch of... relief?
"The long years flow, and fate's threads have finally led you here, Fa." Elder Serandir's voice was gentle and low, with a peculiar resonance, as if the forest itself was speaking. "I sensed the shifting trajectories of the stars and have been waiting for this moment."
Fa felt a slight chill in her heart; the elder's words seemed to imply something. She stepped forward, placing her right hand on her chest in a solemn elven salute: "Respected Elder Serandir, may the forest's wisdom be with you. We intrude to seek Aelius's whereabouts and uncover the terrible conspiracy of Doomsday Rebirth lurking in the shadows. The Emerald Tree Sea is our land of hope for guidance."
Elder Serandir nodded slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping over each companion behind Fa. When he saw Arya, his eyes showed elder-like affection: "Arya, I'm glad to see you return safely and bring these... special companions. Your arrival may truly dispel the quietly gathering haze over this ancient forest and bring a ray of dawn for vitality." His words once again subtly mentioned the threats facing the forest.
Arya stepped forward eagerly: "Elder, we obtained crucial intelligence on Dark Tide Island! Doomsday Rebirth has a secret lab codenamed 'Emerald Heart' in the Bosera Island area! We suspect it's hidden somewhere on Bosera Island! Do you... know any information about this lab? Any rumors or anomalies?" Her voice was filled with earnestness and anticipation.
Upon hearing "Emerald Heart," Elder Serandir's aged brows furrowed deeply, forming profound grooves. He shook his head slowly and heavily, his silver beard trembling slightly: " 'Emerald Heart'... a lab?" His tone was filled with confusion and gravity. "Arya, Fa, regarding this name, regarding an evil organization's lab lurking on Bosera Island... I've never heard any definite news. Under Her Majesty's protection, the Emerald Tree Sea has been a peaceful land far from strife and evil for millennia. We..." He paused, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible bitterness, "perhaps have been too immersed in this peace and tranquility, losing the vigilance we should have against malice lurking in the shadows." His hand on his knee unconsciously rubbed a ring on his thin finger, embedded with a dark green leaf-shaped gem, a subtle action caught keenly by Fa.
Fa's heart sank, but her star eye fixed tightly on the elder, not missing a single micro-expression on his face: "Elder, our intelligence source is highly reliable and points explicitly. The existence of 'Emerald Heart' is closely related to Aelius's disappearance and Doomsday Rebirth's plan to steal the elven life source power! Is there... really no clue? Any... suspicious place? The Guardian Tree Antara has also sensed abnormal fluctuations in the forest."
Elder Serandir met Fa's sharp gaze, silent for a moment. His profound eyes seemed to churn with countless thoughts. Finally, he let out a long sigh, as if bearing the weight of the entire forest: "Perhaps... my old bones have dulled perceptions, or perhaps... certain forces have blinded the forest's eyes. Evil is like the slyest vine, always finding the most hidden crevices to burrow in." He shifted tone, his gaze turning toward the deeper forest: "Tomorrow, you may head to the elven royal court 'Eternal Crown' to meet our queen—Her Majesty Sylvia Sunshine. Her wisdom is as clear as moonlight, her power connected to the forest's source; perhaps... she can perceive truths we cannot and provide the guidance you need."
"The Elven Queen? Sylvia Sunshine?" Celestia's ice-blue eyes flashed with curiosity and respect.
Arya quickly explained: "Her Majesty Sylvia Sunshine is the supreme leader of the elven race, the most powerful guardian of the Emerald Tree Sea. Her magic stems from ancient moon god inheritance, her wisdom like the profound starry sky. She is the spokesperson of the forest's will."
Fa pondered the elder's words. Meeting the queen seemed the only and most direct path for now. She nodded: "Understood. Then, we will head to the Eternal Crown early tomorrow to pay respects to Her Majesty. Elder, before we depart, could you provide some assistance? Such as court etiquette, or... matters in the forest that require special attention?" Her gaze once again swept over the elder's finger rubbing the ring.
Elder Serandir's solemn expression eased slightly, revealing a relieved smile: "Of course, children. You've traveled wearily today; rest well here. I'll have the forest spirits prepare restorative food and soothing herbal tea for you." He paused, adding, "As for meeting the queen... sincerity and respect are enough. Her Majesty can see through hearts; hypocritical etiquette means nothing before her."
The group expressed sincere thanks to the elder. At his signal, several "forest spirits" servants formed from pure light and shadow appeared silently, guiding them to natural "guest rooms" beside the house, laid with soft moss and huge petals.
Fa walked alone outside the small house, sitting on a smooth large stone warmed by moonlight. Night had fallen, the Emerald Tree Sea's night sky astonishingly clear, stars like diamonds casually scattered on black velvet, dazzling, the Milky Way spanning the heavens in magnificent splendor. She gazed up at the starry sky, her right star eye seeming to resonate subtly with the celestial stars, deep blue glow swirling endlessly. Elder Serandir's reaction... that moment of confusion didn't seem feigned, but his small action of rubbing the ring, and that phrase "perhaps certain forces have blinded the forest's eyes"... always made her feel this wise elder seemed to know something but couldn't speak plainly due to some concern or restriction. And that laurel leaf scent... why did it stir her sealed memories? Meeting the elven queen tomorrow is a crucial step. She must prepare thoroughly.
Quiet Night Thoughts: Rest by the Campfire
Night gently enveloped the Emerald Tree Sea. The daytime's bustling bird calls were replaced by low calls of nocturnal animals and the rustling of wind through leaves. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of night flowers and cool dew. The group sat around a clearing, by a magical campfire emitting warm orange light and faint pine scent. The flames burned quietly, with almost no smoke.
The elves' prepared food was placed on huge leaves: crystal-clear, sweet and juicy berries; perfectly grilled mushrooms and tender shoots with tempting aromas and faint honey flavors; poultry marinated with forest herbs and wildflower honey, with tender texture; and soft, delicious elven bread with natural grain sweetness. Each item retained the original flavor of the ingredients to the maximum, fresh and natural, soothing body and mind.
Kayla unceremoniously tore off a large piece of grilled poultry and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing with oil dripping, mumbling praise: "Mmm! This meat is... damn tender! Though it's a bit short on the chewiness compared to our orc smoked rock sheep legs, it's still top-tier delicious!" She burped contentedly, grabbing a leaf cup filled with amber liquid and gulping it down. "This fruit wine ain't bad either!"
TISK held a piece of bread, smiling as he lightly poked Kayla's arm with the handle of his Lava Hammer: "You glutton, can't change your ways anywhere! Careful not to stuff yourself and can't run tomorrow!" The ice-fire patterns swirling on his Lava Hammer appeared even more peculiar under the campfire's glow.
Lin Ya held an exquisite wooden cup filled with emerald-green flower nectar wine emanating rich life aura. He sipped it slowly, closing his eyes to savor the layers blooming on his tongue—first the fragrance of a hundred flowers, then honey's sweetness, finally warm life energy flowing through his limbs. "This isn't just wine..." he sighed softly, tiny green light points unconsciously overflowing from his fingertips. "This is the forest's gift, the condensation of life essence. Each sip is like conversing with this land."
Yuyuer and Zhamisi sat a bit farther on a tree root. Yuyuer whispered about the intense unease he felt when communicating with the stream fish, and the eerie characteristics of that black slimy substance. Zhamisi's crimson snake pupils flickered with dangerous light in the fireglow, her forked tongue hissing as she analyzed possible toxin types or curse residues, her cold voice kept low.
Rex sat alone in a shadow, away from the campfire's heat. He removed his plasma greatblade from his back and laid it flat on his knees, helmet open, revealing half a rigid-lined face. He focused on checking the joints and energy transmission lines of his armor with precision tools, his electronic eye emitting faint scanning beams, occasionally producing extremely soft system beeps. He was preparing meticulously for possible battles tomorrow.
Salsa's mechanical cat body quietly curled on a warm stone by the campfire, amber electronic eyes closed, entering low-power standby. However, her core soul energy detector continued operating, invisible ripples centered on her, cautiously scanning hundreds of meters around, monitoring every subtle fluctuation in the forest's soul energy field, searching for any abnormal "voids" or "distortions."
Celestia hugged her knees, sitting beside Fa. Her pitch-black four wings folded behind her, flowing with faint silver glow under the moonlight. Her ice-blue eyes gazed at the dancing flames, reflecting deep worry. "Fa..." her voice soft as a sigh. "Thank you all for tirelessly helping me search for Aelius. I know how dangerous this journey has been... dragging everyone into so many perils, I..." Her voice choked slightly.
Fa turned, extending her hand to gently cover Celestia's slightly cool back of the hand. Her touch carried reassuring warmth and strength. "Celestia," Fa's voice low and firm, her star eye appearing especially profound in the firelight. "Look into my eyes. We're not together because of 'dragging.' From the moment we left the Light Feather Dome, we've been family entrusting our lives to each other. Aelius is your husband. Searching for him isn't just your responsibility; it's our shared mission. Your worries are challenges we face together. We'll find him together, no matter what's ahead."
Celestia gripped Fa's hand tightly in return, her ice-blue eyes misting with tears, nodding forcefully, a thousand words conveyed through the warmth of their palms.
Arya approached with two cups of flower nectar wine, handing them to Fa and Celestia, then sitting on Fa's other side. Her emerald eyes gazed toward the court, where only vague dark silhouettes of giant trees were visible in the night. "Tomorrow... we'll meet Her Majesty." Her voice carried a hint of imperceptible tension. "I hope... she believes us and points the way. The Emerald Tree Sea... must not be tainted by Doomsday Rebirth."
Fa took the cup, the warm liquid conveying soothing power. "The elven race is renowned for wisdom and insight, and Her Majesty is the pinnacle." Her tone carried steady confidence. "She can sense the forest's pain and distinguish sincerity from lies. As long as we speak frankly and clarify the stakes, I believe she'll make the right choice." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the companions resting or preparing around the campfire. "Moreover, we're not alone."
As night deepened, the elven special soothing herbal tea took effect, combined with days of fatigue, the group gradually sank into dreams surrounded by the campfire's warmth and the forest's serenity. Lin Ya leaned against a Dawnlight Ancient Tree's root, his mycelial network connected to the tree, as if breathing with the forest. Kayla and TISK sat back-to-back, emitting light snores. Yuyuer and Zhamisi also leaned against tree trunks, eyes closed in rest. Rex entered standby mode, his armor emitting rhythmic low-frequency hums. Salsa's mechanical cat remained quietly curled, serving as an invisible sentinel.
Fa lay on the soft, thick moss ground like a natural blanket, hands pillowed behind her head, gazing at the Emerald Tree Sea's breathtakingly brilliant starry sky. The Milky Way spanned like a flowing band of diamond shards, countless stars vying to shine in a silent gala. Elder Serandir's cryptic words, the small action of rubbing his ring finger, the palpitation from the laurel leaf scent, the water source pollution warnings... countless clues intertwined in her mind. Her right star eye swirled with deep blue glow in the darkness, as if deciphering the stars' secrets.
Gradually, under the forest's soul-soothing nocturne and the starry sky's gaze, Fa's tense nerves slowly relaxed. Her consciousness drifted into dreams.
The Emerald Tree Sea's night was profound and serene. Moonlight poured like liquid silver, draping a hazy silver veil over all forest things. Night owls occasionally let out long calls, fireflies shuttled through the woods with faint lanterns. This ancient land, in its silent way, guarded this group of travelers bearing heavy missions yet holding hope. Tomorrow, a new journey would unfold, the path to the elven royal court "Eternal Crown" awaiting their steps, while the secrets and crises hidden in the Emerald Tree Sea's deepest parts would slowly unveil their curtain.