That sensation lasted for about half a minute. As the rushing stream of images came to a sudden halt, the four of them snapped back to their senses from the tide of information.
“This feeling... it really is bizarre.” Po Kong shook his head, his tone slightly dazed. “I feel like someone just stuffed half a bookstore into my head all at once.”
“But this method is truly efficient.” Starlight nodded in agreement. “If the elves could apply this system elsewhere, it would certainly bring about a massive revolution...”
“Unfortunately, there are no World Trees anywhere else~” Xia Duo shrugged, her tone tinged with a hint of regret.
“Regardless, you’ve all memorized this information, right? But I still feel like something is missing... Was Wuka’s connection to the World Tree not long enough? It’s all that guy Ming Ye’s fault...”
As she complained, she looked toward Moen. However, Moen shook her head and replied softly.
“Don’t look at me like that, Sister,” Moen said quietly. “Wuka can’t handle a second direct link with the World Tree in such a short period. Besides, if we go back now, we’ll definitely be suspected. Although the intelligence we wanted is still a bit vague, at least we have a direction now, don’t we?”
“You’re right.” Xia Duo nodded. “We should head back first and prepare for our next move. Let’s go~”
She took one last look back at the nearby Ranger Force office before quickly leading the three of them out of the town.
...
The four of them didn't linger in the town for long and soon returned to Moen and Xia Duo’s treehouse.
Once inside, Moen brought over a potted plant with large, blooming red flowers and carefully placed Wuka on the stamen.
“This is a new species I’ve been cultivating,” Moen explained softly. “Its fragrance can soothe fatigue and accelerate physical recovery. Let Wuka have a good sleep here.”
She gently placed the pot back by the windowsill and then turned to look at Xia Duo.
At this moment, Xia Duo was leaning against the wall beside the front door, squinting through the small window to look outside. Her long ears twitched slightly; she was clearly listening intently to the surroundings.
“As expected, we’re still being followed.” Xia Duo sighed, her voice low. “It seems Ming Ye doesn't believe our appearance was a mere coincidence.”
“So we’ve been found out?!”
Seeing Xia Duo intentionally lowering her voice, Starlight immediately understood that someone was monitoring them nearby, so he asked her in a whisper.
“No, he probably hasn't found any actual evidence; he’s just suspicious,” Xia Duo replied calmly with a shake of her head. “If Wuka’s actions had truly been discovered, we would have been ‘escorted’ out of here long ago.”
“Even if you say that, Little Shadow, we can’t just stay in the house forever, can we? What should we do next?” Po Kong frowned, also lowering his voice.
Just then, Moen pulled a map of Star-Song Forest from her storage space and spread it out on the dining table. She pointed to a corner of the map with her finger, then drew an arc toward another point.
“We don’t actually need to stay home; we just need to go out openly,” Moen said softly. “We were told we couldn't leave Star-Song Forest, but no one said we couldn't go out and have fun, right?”
“Oh, so that’s what you mean! I get it! Then let’s go on a long-overdue vacation~ Sister, go get the luggage!”
……
Completely unaware of the sisters’ real plan, Starlight and Po Kong could only nod in agreement, being dragged out the door in a state of confusion.
This time, the four of them did not choose to travel on foot. Instead, they went to a relay station not far from the house. However, this relay station did not house the horses commonly used by humans, but rather a sturdy creature called a Split-Toothed Beast.
These Split-Toothed Beasts looked a bit like flattened elephants, with broad backs and thick limbs. Though they lacked long trunks, their bodies were covered in fine, soft fur.
They could travel at extremely high speeds through the channels specifically cleared by the elves, making them the premier choice for transporting people and goods.
Because Star-Song Forest was so vast, walking alone was simply not enough to meet the elves’ travel needs. Since not everyone had the chance to sign a contract with a monstrous beast, the business of renting mounts was very popular.
Xia Duo handled the rental procedures with practiced ease and then had Moen lead a bluish-grey Split-Toothed Beast out from the beast pens.
“This little one is the most energetic. Everyone, get on~” Moen gently patted the Split-Toothed Beast’s back, signaling for everyone to climb up.
Starlight had no objections; he nodded and jumped straight up. Po Kong, on the other hand, carefully scrutinized the Split-Toothed Beast, which was considerably taller than him. Looking at its large mouth full of sharp teeth, he asked somewhat hesitantly.
“This guy looks a bit terrifying, and there’s no contract to restrain it... It won't suddenly go crazy and hurt people, will it?”
“Don’t worry, Split-Toothed Beasts are herbivores and have very stable temperaments.”
Xia Duo was already seated on the beast’s broad back, finding a comfortable spot. Seeing Po Kong still lingering, she urged him impatiently, “Hurry up! Don’t waste time, okay?”
Even the Split-Toothed Beast beneath her seemed to sense her dissatisfaction, as it stuck out its long tongue and licked toward Po Kong.
“Holy crap! I’m coming up, alright?! Stop licking! I’m coming!”
Caught off guard, Po Kong was suddenly covered in saliva. He could only jump onto the Split-Toothed Beast’s back while grumbling, plopping down right next to Starlight.
Seeing him make a fool of himself, Xia Duo couldn't help but let out a crisp laugh, then commanded the beast beneath them to set off.
“Here, wash your face~”
Starlight used water elements to condense a ball of water and floated it over.
“Ah! Thanks! I knew you were the best, Little Star. Someone still cares about me after all~”
“Uh... I just thought the saliva smelled too bad... I don't want to be squeezed in with you like this the whole way.”
“...In a moment like this... could you give me a little white lie instead of ruining the mood? I was actually feeling touched for a second!”
“I’m just telling the truth. Hurry up and wash your face! And the spit on your clothes... don't rub it on me!!” Starlight shifted away in disgust, trying to avoid the sour smell of the Split-Toothed Beast’s saliva on Po Kong.
To facilitate travel, the elves had cleared many interconnected beast paths through the dense forest. Each road was wide enough for several massive Split-Toothed Beasts to pass, and the visibility was quite good.
After leaving the relay station, the Split-Toothed Beast immediately hit its stride, running with a gait no slower than a fine steed.
After leading the beast along the path for over ten minutes, Xia Duo handed the reins over to Moen and lightly leaped to the rear seat.
“Hmm... it seems we’ve temporarily shaken off the tails following us. It’s not so easy for them to hide their movements in this situation.”
After carefully confirming that no one was following for the time being, Xia Duo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Relaxing her tensed nerves, she began to explain her and Moen’s plan to Starlight and Po Kong.
Based on the intelligence Wuka obtained through the direct link with the World Tree, Xia Duo already had her own thoughts regarding the Dark Tribe she suspected.
The Night Elves’ recent movements were indeed somewhat abnormal, and they had left quite a few traces within the range of the World Tree.
While it wasn't enough to arbitrarily conclude there was a problem from these clues alone, Xia Duo believed it was necessary to go and investigate.
Rate on N.U.
