Kael'thas was truly surprised this time: "What is its limit?"
"Everything," Alexstrasza replied.
"Ev—everything?" Kurdran was stunned.
This thing could hold the entire power of the five Dragonflights? Wouldn't that make it stronger than Deathwing?
Such a powerful artifact, specifically against Dragons, and you dare to give it to Kael'thas?
No, even if Kael'thas saved you and helped you regain your power, there's no need for such a great reward, right?
There's something fishy, definitely something fishy!
"You're giving me this artifact so I can deal with the Black Dragonflight, right?" Kael'thas mused.
Alexstrasza nodded: "The entire Black Dragonflight has fallen and will surely harm the Dragonflights and the whole world. We need someone to deal with them, and you are the one we have chosen."
Kurdran was puzzled: "Why? Couldn't you just do it yourselves? Four against one, a sure win!"
"Deathwing is too cunning, and his offspring are the same, hiding all over the world, hard to find. And we—we can't leave," Alexstrasza said.
Guardianship is the responsibility of the Dragonflights.
The Blue Dragonflight are the guardians of magic, but Malygos is currently conflicted about whether mortals should be allowed to use magic. He needs to go back and think it over, and the reproduction problem also needs to be solved.
The Green Dragonflight are the guardians of nature and the Emerald Dream. For tens of thousands of years, they have been healing the scarred world in the Emerald Dream, and there are also dark forces invading the Emerald Dream. Ysera's mate, Eranikus, going missing is likely related to this, and she needs to investigate.
The Bronze Dragonflight are the guardians of time. The timeline is currently being interfered with and must be maintained as soon as possible, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.
The Red Dragonflight are the guardians of life, but she herself suffered torture and abuse, enduring immense physical and mental trauma. She needs time to recuperate and also needs to help Malygos reproduce. They truly cannot spare the time.
Kael'thas has good strength, has the High Elves behind him, has the ability to deal with the Black Dragonflight, and has also offended Deathwing, making them sworn enemies. He is the best choice.
As for whether Kael'thas would use this artifact to absorb the power of their kin, there's no need to worry about that.
The Dragon Soul was repaired by them, and they have four-fifths of the authority.
Only with their permission can Kael'thas absorb the power of the Dragonflights.
There was one more thing she didn't mention:
The Dragon Soul is not only an artifact but also a locator and monitor.
As long as Kael'thas uses this artifact, they can immediately determine Kael'thas's exact location, and even monitor Kael'thas through the avatars left inside.
Of course, she didn't think Kael'thas wouldn't figure it out, but Kael'thas certainly wouldn't refuse such a powerful artifact.
Any gift beyond limits has a price secretly marked.
This is the price of obtaining this artifact.
"They're here," Ysera suddenly said.
"Who? Who's here?"
Kurdran looked around, saw nothing, and then realized that all four Dragon Aspects were looking at the newly born World Tree, Nordrassil.
And Kael'thas.
This Elf Prince, who had just obtained an artifact, also cast his gaze towards the trunk of Nordrassil, sensing a very strong energy fluctuation coming from another world.
The next moment, they saw the barrier between reality and dream open, and a circular door appeared next to the tree trunk. Inside was a rapidly spinning green energy vortex, and the aura of nature and dreams rushed out.
Immediately after, a monster several meters tall, as robust as a young Dragon, walked out of the vortex.
It clearly had the body of a stag but the head of an Elf, with the stag's characteristic large antlers and the Elf's characteristic pointed ears on its head.
Its ears were even sharper than those of the High Elves!
Its lower body was covered in stag fur, while its upper body was bare, with powerful muscles full of strength.
It not only had the four hooves of a stag but also the arms of an Elf, with vines growing all over its arms.
What was strange was that its right arm clearly had a hand, but its left arm had long claws, and they were clearly not flesh and blood, but rather five claw-shaped branches!
"King of the Forest, Cenarius!"
Kael'thas's eyes narrowed, feeling an extremely powerful oppressive force.
This was his first time seeing a true Wild Demigod.
Compared to the loa avatars he had seen before, Cenarius was clearly much stronger.
Even the shame of Demigods is still a Demigod!
At this moment, he saw another creature walk out.
That was a creature somewhat similar to him.
The reason for saying similar is that they are both humanoid, both flesh and blood creatures, both have one nose, one mouth, two eyes, two ears, two arms, and two legs.
But that was all.
Like the previous monster, this creature also had its upper body bare, revealing similarly purple skin, with smaller antlers on its head. There were no vines wrapped around its arms, but its back was adorned with eagle-like wings.
From this creature, Kael'thas felt an oppressive force not much weaker than Cenarius, another Demigod!
"Night Elf, Malfurion!"
Kael'thas sighed inwardly, truly worthy of being a powerful being who had lived from ten thousand years ago until now, one who once forced Archimonde to retreat with just root entanglement. He was indeed extraordinarily powerful.
There had long been rumors that Malfurion had completed his life's leap and reached the Demigod level, and it seemed to be true.
"Mother, Lady Alexstrasza, Lord Malygos, Lord Nozdormu."
Seeing all four Dragon Aspects, Cenarius was slightly surprised and quickly greeted them proactively.
Malfurion also bowed, then looked at Kael'thas, frowning: "Highborne?"
"High Elf," Kael'thas corrected. "Cenarius, Malfurion, this is the descendant of Dath'Remar, High Elf Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider—" Ysera briefly introduced him and explained the entire story of planting the World Tree.
Malfurion grew more and more astonished as he listened.
Tirisgarde? Sargeras's soul?
Opening the Dark Portal? Orc invasion?
The Red Dragon Queen imprisoned and enslaved by the Orcs?
Deathwing reappearing, the mastermind behind it all?
I only slept for a thousand years, and so much has happened on Azeroth?
And this High Elf Prince, not only saved the Red Dragon Queen but also destroyed the demon soul and helped the Dragon Aspects severely wound Deathwing?
"Thank you for everything you've done for Azeroth, Kael'thas."
Like most Night Elves, Malfurion held a negative view of arcane magic, believing that mortals' misuse of magic had brought about the Burning Legion.
Ten thousand years ago, it was he and Tyrande who decided to forbid Night Elves from using arcane magic, and after Dath'Remar and other Highborne insisted on using it, they exiled them.
The tragedy that occurred in Crystal Song Forest a few thousand years ago once again confirmed his view.
But now, Kael'thas, a descendant of the Highborne, had saved Azeroth with arcane magic, which shook his beliefs somewhat.
What surprised him even more was:
The Dragon Aspects actually agreed to Kael'thas's request, planted a second World Tree, and even blessed it!
Especially Malygos, the Blue Dragon Aspect, the greatest victim of the War of the Ancients, who clearly detested mortals using arcane magic the most, yet he turned the World Tree's underground root system into a new Arcane Nexus?
"Forget it, I have no right to interfere with the Dragon Aspects' decisions."
"Moreover, planting a World Tree is not a bad thing; it can help heal the world. There are no Ancient Gods' prisons beneath here, and with the Dragon Aspects' blessings, there's no need to worry about it being corrupted."
Thinking of this, Malfurion's mood lightened considerably.
"The Dragonflights' blessings alone are not enough. Many powers in this world are eyeing the World Tree, and it needs strong protection."
Malfurion said.
What if someone sets it on fire if there's no protection?
Moreover, this tree is too powerful; it will definitely attract the attention of demons!
"It certainly needs it."
Kael'thas nodded: "The High Elf will shoulder the responsibility of guarding Nordrassil, but it exists simultaneously in the real world and the Emerald Dream. We can only guard it in reality. As for the Dream—"
He looked at Ysera, Cenarius, and Malfurion: "Although Her Majesty Ysera has granted us the ability to enter the Emerald Dream, it requires talent and training and is not easy. I'm afraid we will still need to trouble the Green Dragonflight, the Wild Gods, and the Cenarion Circle."
"Nordrassil is a World Tree. It belongs not only to me and the High Elf, but to the entire world."
He said solemnly: "Only by working together can we ensure its safety and fully utilize its power to heal and protect our world!"
"Bluff, keep bluffing—" Liadrin rolled her eyes.
After following him for a few months, she had figured it out: every single thing His Royal Highness did had ulterior motives and subsequent plans.
She deeply suspected: from the moment he requested the Dragonflights to plant Nordrassil, His Royal Highness had anticipated that the Wild Gods and Night Elves Druids would come, and even specifically calculated that it would be the most active and uniquely positioned Cenarius and Malfurion!
It wasn't just from the planting of Nordrassil, but from the moment he started to win over Krasus and rescue the Red Dragon Queen!
From that time, His Royal Highness had already planned the rewards and calculated the Dragonflights, the Wild Gods, and the Cenarion Circle!
His Royal Highness had accurately predicted that these three factions would not stand idly by regarding the World Tree and would definitely protect it alongside the High Elf.
Saying Nordrassil belongs to the whole world is nonsense!
It's located within Quel'Thalas, so of course, it belongs to the High Elf, and can only belong to the High Elf.
By doing this, His Royal Highness not only used the three major powers to protect the High Elf's World Tree but also established cooperative relationships with them, which surely implies further plans.
As for what those plans are, that's beyond her ability to guess!
"Every gift has a price already marked, but His Royal Highness marked this price far too early, didn't he?" Liadrin muttered to herself.
If she could guess, the Dragonflights could certainly guess too.
"Kael'thas, these aren't just three demands? I think there are more than thirty. Getting entangled with you, I don't think we'll ever have peace," Ysera complained.
Kael'thas chuckled: "It's mutually beneficial. This is good for all parties. I've already promised that no matter what the Dragonflights need, the High Elf will assist. We are allies, Your Majesty."
He had one more thing he didn't say: you are also calculating me, aren't you?
"Alright, a group of Green Dragons will guard here, and I will also keep an eye on this place." Ysera was speechless, always feeling like she had lost a lot.
Seeing his foster mother agree, Cenarius could only nod: "I will send Jungle Wardens and Dryads to help."
Malfurion also said: "The Cenarion Circle will also send people over. I hope we cooperate happily."
Kael'thas smiled: "It will definitely be pleasant, Archdruid."
"All elves in the world are one family. What difference is there between the High Elf, the Highborne, and the Night Elves?"
"In the face of true enemies, we are each other's most reliable and trustworthy allies, such as the Naga, such as Queen Azshara."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of all the old-timers present turned somewhat ugly.
Queen Azshara!
She was the culprit who caused that great war and the Sundering back then!
If they hadn't been unable to defeat her, they would have long ago infiltrated the Endless Sea to settle scores with Queen Azshara. How could they have let her live freely until today?
Kael'thas changed the subject: "Moreover, in my opinion, restricting or even prohibiting the use of arcane magic is meaningless."
Malfurion frowned: "How can it be meaningless? The Burning Legion was attracted by arcane magic and invaded Azeroth. Arcane magic is the root of all disasters in Azeroth."
Kael'thas shook his head: "Power has no good or evil; only the user does. If arcane magic is used properly, not only will it not cause disaster,
Instead, it can become a powerful tool to protect our people and our world."
"Was it really arcane magic that attracted the Burning Legion? Not necessarily. Even if it truly was, would restricting its use prevent the Burning Legion's invasion?"
"Of course it can!"
Malfurion said: "The destructive power of arcane magic is too strong. Powerful arcane magic and arcane energy sources, like the Well of Eternity, are like lighting a giant signal lamp in the universe, easily detectable by the Burning Legion."
"And if its use is restricted, the light will be very faint, making it difficult to detect, and Azeroth will be very safe."
Kael'thas shook his head again: "Since the Burning Legion already knows that Azeroth has a massive source of arcane energy, it will definitely invade again. Restriction or not makes no difference."
He really didn't understand what the Night Elves were thinking. How was this any different from burying their heads in the sand?
Malfurion had obviously considered this question and said: "In the vast universe, Azeroth is very small and difficult to pinpoint. Without a powerful signal source, the Burning Legion won't be able to find Azeroth."
Kael'thas scoffed: "Do you believe that? Difficult to pinpoint? How did Sargeras's avatar get here? How did so many demons get here? And after the War of the Ancients, many demons remained on Azeroth. Wouldn't they contact the Burning Legion? They are the best beacons!"
"This—" Malfurion was speechless.
He really hadn't thought about this problem.
He spent most of his time sleeping, with no time to think.
Essentially, he was just a druid focused on nature, not a ruler who would pay attention to these things; Tyrande was.
"Arcane magic is too dangerous after all, and its destructive power is too strong. Nature magic is much gentler."
Malfurion calmed himself and thought: "Even without considering the Burning Legion, for this world itself, restricting the use of arcane magic also has benefits."
"I agree with that, but now is not the time."
Kael'thas said: "The Burning Legion will inevitably invade, the Ancient Gods have not yet been eliminated, Deathwing has reappeared, an avatar of Ragnaros has also come to this world, not to mention the Naga, Trolls, Orcs, Faceless One, Aki Insect Race..."
"Restricting the use of arcane magic will only weaken our strength; the disadvantages far outweigh the benefits!"
Malfurion was silent for a moment, then said: "We did not anticipate so many enemies back then. Perhaps you are right, Kael'thas."