Xiao Chen and Elena rode fast for more than ten minutes, and he saw Elena's brows furrowing little by little.
"What's the problem?" Xiao Chen asked.
"It's true that something is wrong." Elena looked worried. "At this point, I should be able to sense the tree's heart network very clearly, but now it's difficult for me to sense my brothers and sisters."
"How was the guard able to contact his general just now?" Xiao Chen asked.
"That's different. Border guards like them all hold the Whispering Seed of the World Tree. They can sense the tree's heart network from farther away. But I remember very clearly that this position should have entered the influence range of the World Tree. It is still unclear now, unless there is something wrong with the World Tree. How could this be? I have never seen any problems with the World Tree in all these years since I was born. She is always so tall and beautiful. What is going on..." Elena said anxiously.
"Maybe we should find some people to ask?" Xiao Chen suggested.
"Yes. There is a teleportation point not far ahead. Let's go there." Elena increased the speed of the horse and galloped in that direction.
———————
The teleportation point near the border is a town. The elf town is different from the human town, it is three-dimensional. Five or six big trees form a circle, and tree houses are densely hung on the tree trunks. There is a small square paved with stones in the middle of the big trees, which is the center of this elf town.
Elaina and Xiao Chen, who were speeding over, quickly attracted the attention of the local guards, who stopped them at the entrance to the town.
"Your High Priest, Greenwood Town is ahead. May I ask why you are so anxious?" asked a female elf dressed as a ranger.
"I can't clearly feel the existence of the tree heart web. Can you tell me what's going on?" Elena said as she dismounted.
Both rangers looked at Xiao Chen behind her.
"It's okay. He is a friend of the elves, otherwise he wouldn't be able to come to this place."
"The news from the royal capital tells us that the World Tree is about to grow a new large branch, so the tree heart web will be weaker in the next two years." said the Elf Ranger.
"Is that all?"
Both elves nodded. "That's the explanation. This is what the people from the Priest Hall informed us of."
Elena hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Can I use the teleportation array to the capital now? I want to go back."
"Of course. I'll ask Lord Elwei, who is in charge of the transmission, to help you." The ranger replied.
Elena walked into the town and whispered to Xiao Chen, "It's impossible for the World Tree to grow branches. If it was going to grow, there should have been signs a few years ago. It's impossible for it to grow so suddenly. No matter what the reason is, something big must have happened there! I must go back as soon as possible and get to the bottom of it."
Seeing how nervous Elena was, Xiao Chen somewhat understood the emotional connection between her and the World Tree. This was exactly the same emotion as a child worrying about their seriously ill parents.
The town's teleportation array was in the largest tree house. They waited in it for a long time before an old-looking elven mage came in. Elwe was a low-level elven mage who was responsible for the operation of the teleportation array in this border town.
Because of their long lifespans, love of freedom and love of art, elves have never been a race that values efficiency above all else, and in many cases, they have a habit of being lax. Therefore, although Elaina was anxious, the slow-moving mage could not be impatient.
After Elwei sat down at his own magic platform, he didn't say a word, but drank a cup of tea.
Elaina was anxious and couldn't help but urged, "Sir, can you hurry up? I have something urgent to do in the capital."
"Your Excellency, Priest Yulu, a leisurely mentality is an indispensable part of being an elf. You have lost your composure." Elwei glanced at Xiao Chen and said, "Although humans have become powerful in recent years, we should not lose our own advantages."
Elena whispered, “I’m sorry, but I’m really in a hurry.”
"I already know it, you don't have to repeat it over and over again. I gave up my lunch break and came here from my room just because of what you called 'urgent matter'." Elvi continued to drink his tea sip by sip.
"Is he targeting you or me?" Xiao Chen made a spellcasting gesture and said, "Do you need me to use some tricks? I guarantee it will be done in a minute."
"Don't!" Elena said dejectedly, "He's not targeting anyone. Elves are slow to do things, and this guy is the least impatient type. Our lifespan is more than ten times longer than humans, and our perception of time is very different from yours. If someone else was waiting for the teleportation array today, they would definitely wait here patiently, and maybe even sing a song or recite a poem. Come to think of it, I've been influenced by you. It used to be said that the human world would become impatient in the past, and it seems that the old saying is true."
"It seems that the story of the elf general who delayed his battle due to making tea during the Black Dragon Empire is true?" Xiao Chen scratched his head, "I thought it was made up by humans."
"Really." Elena responded with a dark face.
"Is it true that there was a great elf magician who wanted to enjoy the snow scenery but didn't have time to activate the defense formation?"
"Really, really, can you please stop asking me such boring questions!" Elena said unhappily.
Elwei finally finished his tea and said, "One elf, one human, and twelve magic crystal coins."
"Wasn't it two magic crystal coins per time before?"
"Recently, due to insufficient energy, the cost of teleportation has doubled. And since this person is a human, the price has doubled."
Elena didn't bother to talk nonsense and took out twelve magic crystal coins and gave them to Elwei.
It was the first time that Xiao Chen saw the elves' currency, the so-called magic crystal coins, which were crystal stones carved into the shape of square coins. These coins could be used directly as magic crystals. Due to the special structure and formation, even if the magic power was exhausted, it would not turn into powder like magic crystals, but would slowly refill with magic power. This was a very useful currency and tool for the elves, who all had magic and fighting spirit talents.
Elaina and Xiao Chen walked to the middle of the room. There was a three-meter square circular magic circle carved on the stone, more than an inch deep into the ground. Elwei placed four magic crystal coins on the magic table, and began to inject magic power into the magic circle on the ground. Green fluorescence gradually surrounded Xiao Chen and the others.
Elaina stared at Elvi's movements: "Originally, each person only needed one magic crystal coin as energy consumption, but now it has doubled. The problem must be with the World Tree. The teleportation array of the Elven Kingdom is connected by the guidance of the World Tree, and part of the energy is also provided by the World Tree, so the teleportation cost is much lower than that of the human teleportation array. Only when the power of the World Tree is weakened will there be a lack of energy..."
Before she could finish her words, a green light enveloped them and they disappeared into the room.