"How is it? Are you okay?"
"Cough, cough, cough..."
The chorus of violent coughs echoed around them, as if the very air were filled with illness. Even the usually composed elves from the Moonlight Tribe struggled to maintain their grace, tears streaming down their faces as they coughed.
Erin kept asking questions, but Luo Ning was filled with disbelief.
"What's going on?"
"What happened here?"
"Your current treatment only spreads the epidemic. Don't use it!"
Luo Ning felt a rush of anxiety. If Erin realized that the people here were real, the impact on her would be unimaginable.
"The Tree of Life! Yes, we need to get to the Tree of Life! Its leaves carry life energy; they might be able to help!"
Erin recalled something important and quickly hoisted the coughing Ronnie onto her back. "Follow me! The Tree of Life can cure you! Come on, to the forest!"
As Erin urged the others forward, their weak steps faltered, but they began to move toward the forest, sensing the severity of the epidemic.
Erin ran, her eyes filled with guilt. Even though she had always believed she lacked kindness, she couldn't bear to see these people suffer.
The elves were agile, and she dashed out of the city quickly, but her movements were labored. With her strength, she carried Ronnie, who was struggling to breathe.
"How can an epidemic affect both people and plants at the same time? This doesn't make sense!" she muttered, pushing forward despite the growing sense of dread.
A foul odor wafted through the air, reminiscent of damp, rotting wood, making her stomach churn.
Luo Ning struggled to keep up, her golden eyes flashing with determination. She pushed herself to match Erin's pace, knowing that she was the only one who could support her.
"Almost there!" Erin thought, spotting the colossal Tree of Life ahead. It was a divine gift, and its leaves were said to possess the power to cure any natural ailment.
"Cough, cough!"
The sound of hacking coughs intensified around them, and Erin felt warmth trickling down her neck—blood.
Her body stiffened, and she sprinted faster. She couldn't let her sister die!
As she drew closer to the Tree of Life, she noticed a blonde teenager sitting beneath it, coughing softly.
Surrounding him were elderly townsfolk, children, and attendants, all weakly chewing on the leaves of the Tree of Life, yet their coughs only worsened.
"Count Weileva?"
Luo Ning gasped in shock as she recognized the ruler of this territory, who appeared to be infected as well.
The kind-faced middle-aged man turned to them, his expression gentle. "Are you residents of Life Town?"
He spoke softly. He was known for his kindness, unlike many other nobles who often displayed arrogance.
"Cough, cough, cough."
The sounds of coughing intensified around Erin's back.
"I can't worry about that. Even if the Tree of Life's leaves don't heal them, I have to try!" she thought, quickly approaching the tree.
She plucked a leaf from the giant tree and, with Luo Ning's help, carefully lowered Ronnie from her back.
"Sister Ronnie, eat this! It will help you!" Erin urged, placing the leaf gently to Ronnie's lips.
Ronnie's strength was fading, and though she wanted to speak, all she could manage was a weak cough. She opened her mouth slightly to take the leaf, chewing it slowly.
But the anticipated surge of life energy didn't come, and Erin's heart sank as she looked up in panic.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, and leaves began to fall like rain, creating an astonishing spectacle.
Even the majestic Tree of Life began to shed its leaves.
"Sister Irene, now!"
Erin was taken aback, the powerful life energy in her hands suddenly surged. In a desperate act, she sacrificed 30% of her vitality to channel the greatest life energy into Ronnie.
Buzz—
The rich glow of life radiated around them, and the specialty of the cursed doctor amplified the healing effect by 300%. As Ronnie was an ordinary elf, this should have been more than enough.
However, even as the glowing energy enveloped her, Erin's heart raced with uncertainty.
"Cough, cough! I feel better! Thank you, Xiaolin!" Ronnie gasped, her color returning.
But as Erin glanced around, the coughing and despair persisted among the others.
"Why isn't it working for everyone?" she wondered, anxiety creeping in.
"We can't give up! There must be a way to save them!" Luo Ning urged, her voice firm.
But doubt lingered in the air as more townsfolk began to gather, their coughs echoing ominously.
"I can't let this happen!" Erin declared, her determination rekindled. "We'll save them, but we need to be strategic!"
Luo Ning nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Let's get to work, together!"
As they prepared to assist those in need, a sense of urgency filled the air.
(End of this chapter)