World Tree

After completing the "healing" of the World Tree, the druids returned to their respective places.

Tyrande also heard the voice of Nordrassil, "Is that the response of being healed?" A shadow fell over her heart, and her intuition told her a negative answer.

As a priestess of Elune, Tyrande did not have the ability to communicate with the World Tree. If Malfurion were here, he would surely know the truth about the World Tree's decline.

"Malfurion, wake up, my love." Tyrande went to Moonglade again, calling out to Malfurion day after day, trying to awaken him. However, months of failure had made her regard this calling as a mere ritual and sustenance, and she no longer held the expectation of awakening Malfurion.

The Stormrage brothers were the two people she cared about most, and Illidan's "death" also made Tyrande very sad.

After night fell, Archdruid Fandral Staghelm transformed into a raven and flew alone to the World Tree. Months of preparation had been for this day, and he became very excited.

"Valstann, my son." Fandral changed back into his human form, he murmured, reaching his trembling hand to the tree trunk. "You will be resurrected soon!"

During the daytime ritual, the spells chanted by the druids were not spells to heal the World Tree at all, and the voice emitted by the World Tree was not a response to healing.

It was a sound of pain.

"All the preparations were for this day, it has finally come!"

Fandral became extremely fanatical, he forced himself to calm down, and recited a long incantation composed of the language of the Old Gods.

He felt that as the spell progressed, the soul of Valstann, which he had planted in the trunk of Nordrassil months ago, gradually gained substance. The Nightmare Seed frantically absorbed the energy of the World Tree, and fed part of it back into Valstann's soul, helping him reshape his body.

Today was the time to complete the transaction.

Fandral felt a pulse coming from his palm, the outer skin of the World Tree began to wither and crack. A black-purple hand stretched out from the crack, followed by the entire arm and shoulder, and the rest of the body.

When Fandral saw the face of the person who broke free from the trunk of the World Tree, he finally cried with joy.

"Valstann, my son, you are finally alive!" Fandral's voice trembled, and he hugged his son tightly.

"Yes, Father, I am alive." The night elf who crawled out of the tree was as naked as when he was born. His black-purple skin gradually faded in color under the moonlight, eventually turning into the light purple skin possessed by normal night elves.

He hugged his father back, but his eyes flickered with an abnormal light.

"The Nightmare Lord saved me, Father." Valstann said in a low voice.

Above their heads, the World Tree began to wither rapidly, and large swaths of fallen leaves fell in the gentle breeze. Silently, more night elves fell into a strange slumber.

Inside the tree trunk, a terrifying, twisted shadow was corroding Nordrassil, and the energy of the World Tree, blessed by the guardian dragons, was rapidly draining away. Conversely, on the cliffs north of Azshara, the vines on the large tree that had previously caused the naga to mutate were twisting wildly, and it was growing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"My power is increasing!"

"Soon I will be able to influence both reality and dreams at the same time!"

"I will become the most powerful being in Azeroth!"

The Twisted Tree issued a crazy thought, and the twisting vines seemed to express the wildness in its heart.

At this moment, a cold, deep, and ancient voice was conveyed to the Twisted Tree's mind: "Do not have thoughts you should not have, Xavius. Do not forget why you are who you are today."

The Twisted Tree—also known as the Nightmare Lord Xavius's entity—suddenly felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, and all the delusions and madness disappeared the moment he heard this voice, leaving only awe and fear.

"Yes, Great Master N'Zoth…"

—

When the Old God N'Zoth remotely controlled his minions with his thoughts, the other two Old Gods of Azeroth were also communicating in their own unique ways.

"N'Zoth is launching his attack, how is your side, Yogg-Saron?"

This voice came from the southern end of Kalimdor, on a land called Silithus. Tens of thousands of years ago, the Titans sealed the Old God C'Thun here.

And Yogg-Saron, who he was talking about, was another dangerous Old God imprisoned in a Titan laboratory called Ulduar in the Storm Peaks of Northrend.

"Everything is according to plan."

Yogg-Saron's answer was full of confidence, but he immediately changed his tone, "But I think N'Zoth has other plans. We cannot trust him."

"He must be thinking the same thing." C'Thun conveyed his thoughts, "A brief cooperation, breaking the cages that imprison us, this is feasible."

"Let him take the lead, and we'll play it by ear."

"He holds a good hand."

"We are not bad either."

"Then… pleasant cooperation."

The Old Gods are not very harmonious with each other. N'Zoth is the most powerful of the Old Gods in Azeroth, and Yogg-Saron and C'Thun must unite to contend with this powerful opponent. Tens of thousands of years ago, a very fierce war broke out between the two sides.

Just as C'Thun said, N'Zoth is not only powerful, but also holds a good hand. So even if it is two against one, N'Zoth still has plenty of strength.

Although they have feuds, since N'Zoth took the initiative to propose a joint effort to break the Titans' seal on them this time, they will certainly not refuse.

After completing the connection with Yogg-Saron, C'Thun began to step up the implementation of his plan.

And the leader of the Qiraji, who was controlled by him, the Twin Emperors, immediately received the "oracle."

"We need to hurry. Brothers."

"Everything is to welcome the return of the master!"

"This time, the night elves will pay the price."

The Qiraji of Ahn'Qiraj were restless, and Yogg-Saron in Ulduar was naturally unwilling to lag behind.

He had found a good way to greatly amplify himself.

"N'Zoth, do you think you can be invincible by stealing the power of the guardian dragons?" Yogg-Saron in the dark depths issued a deep and crazy taunt, "That's just a group of Titan servants!"

"And I, Yogg-Saron, will use Titan technology to defeat all of you!"

"Everyone!"

—

Previously, in order to expand the strength of the Scourge and then dominate Northrend, the "Lich King" Arthas could not help but set his sights on the native creatures of Northrend. The target he chose was the Frostborn dwarves of the Storm Peaks.

The Frostborn dwarves have lived in the Storm Peaks for generations. It is extremely dangerous and extremely cold here, so except for their mortal enemies, the Iron dwarves, they have not had any natural enemies in thousands of years.

After Grand General Vereesa of the Silver Covenant withdrew, the Frostborn dwarves, led by Chief Thrymjaris, returned to the Storm Peaks, and still maintained a loose alliance with their former comrades-in-arms, the Spider-Men, the Tuskarr, and so on.

The advent of Archimonde and the Great Purge did not affect the Storm Peaks, they thought things would just pass like this, but a few months later, the Lich King Arthas actually appeared in their sight again.

"Chieftain, it's bad! The Lich King is attacking again!" A Frostborn dwarf warrior hurriedly reported the situation that the snow eagle had scouted to Thrymjaris in Frosthold.

"Where are those bone racks now?" Thrymjaris asked loudly.

"The vanguard is already in Echoing Ridge!"

"Then what are you waiting for? Pass down my order, summon all warriors to prepare for battle!" Thrymjaris grabbed his hammer, glared his eyes, "Also, go and inform our allies!"

The war between the Scourge and the Frostborn dwarves broke out very suddenly, and many dwarves were in other settlements and did not make it in time. Facing the prepared Lich King, they could only rely on the dangerous terrain to defend.

Thrymjaris Thunderfist hammered two ghouls to death, he spat fiercely and cursed, "How can these bone racks never be killed! How far away are our allies?"

"…" He didn't wait for his deputy's answer, and when he turned his head to look, the poor Karaso had already been killed by a death knight.

Anger burned in Thrymjaris's eyes, and he prepared to avenge Karaso, but when he looked up, he saw that the death knight was holding "Frostmourne"!

The Lich King Arthas, he killed that brave Frostborn dwarf warrior!

"Submit to me, Ice Dwarves!" Arthas raised his sword and aimed it at Thrymjaris, the leader of these Frostborn dwarves.

"You're delusional!" Tomel roared, his eyes bloodshot. "We Frostmane dwarves will never surrender to the Scourge!"

"Courage is commendable, but what do you plan to use to resist me?" Arthas sneered coldly. "Only the living are governed by foolish justice and courage. And after you die, you will all become the most loyal warriors in my 'Army of the Damned'!"

Behind Arthas, Karaso, who had just fallen under his sword, slowly stood up. Other fallen Frostmane dwarf warriors also transformed into undead, aiming their weapons at the clansmen they had just fought alongside.

Despair and fear enveloped every warrior.

Tomel Thunderfist shouted, "Justice will prevail!"

He charged resolutely towards the Lich King.

"Justice will prevail!"

The remaining Frostmane dwarf warriors charged towards the enemies as well.

"Justice will prevail!" A neat and loud roar suddenly erupted not far away. A group of over three hundred paladins, riding on warhorses, pierced into the Scourge army like a sharp knife. The leading paladin, holding a long sword that shone with intense, dazzling holy light, led this group of paladins to rush into the enemy ranks with irresistible force.

"Arthas, you will face me!" Prince Liam's eyes flashed with intense fighting spirit. With a light wave of the Order's Protector sword in his hand, he purified hundreds of undead in front of him, and his target was only the death knight riding on the skeletal warhorse on the mountainside.

Arthas finally faced the person who had been causing trouble for the Scourge for the past few months.

He squinted slightly, clearly recognizing the identity of the person.

"Liam Greymane." He recognized this person, the prince of Gilneas.

Could such a strong person be born in Gilneas, that foolish, closed-off country?

Arthas examined his memory. Before he transmigrated to this world, he remembered that Gilneas seemed to have closed its borders and defended itself since the Scourge invasion, hiding behind the Greymane Wall and enjoying isolation and security.

Back then, Arthas only sent a small force over and almost broke through the Greymane Wall. The Gilneans summoned a group of werewolves to defend the wall.

Arthas knew that the history of this world had changed drastically, but he really didn't expect that there would be someone like Liam in the Greymane royal family.

"I remember you being mediocre." Arthas looked at the other party with interest. Liam was not a paladin with outstanding natural talent, but could only be considered a little stronger than the average person.

"You're right, Arthas." Liam rode forward, his piercing gaze fixed on the other party. "My talent is far inferior to yours. But you, with your outstanding talent, have embarked on a path of depravity despised by the world, while I am fighting for light and justice!"

"You haven't experienced what I've experienced, you'll never understand my choices." Arthas tried to keep his tone calm, but he still couldn't hide the hatred and anger.

"I have suffered more than you, and I almost went down the same path as you! But I was finally redeemed, and you were not." Prince Liam thought of everything he had experienced in the past year: the destruction of his country, the betrayal of his relatives, these two gifts could not even describe one ten-thousandth of his pain. And these experiences made him cherish everything he had now even more.

The Ashen Verdict will uphold justice and purify all evil and darkness!

Liam infused the power of the Holy Light into the Order's Protector sword. The sword seemed to sense the powerful dark creature in front of it, and it actively let out an excited cry.

It was eager to purify evil!

Arthas became vigilant. He could feel the power of the opponent's sword, which was likely to be a divine weapon no less powerful than Frostmourne.

He poured pure negative energy into Frostmourne. The falling snowflakes were attracted by the frost power emanating from the sword and landed on the blade, causing it to emit a pale, cold light.

The magic sword also made a low hum, just like the Order's Protector sword.

Liam launched the attack first. He was full of confidence in the Holy Light, and also full of confidence in the Order's Protector sword. He charged towards the Lich King and slashed down with a sword full of Holy Light!

In that instant, almost the entire world was filled with this golden, holy light. Arthas only felt incomparably dazzling.

He held Frostmourne with both hands, and the extreme cold from the hilt made him extremely calm.

"Boom!"

The power of Holy Light and justice collided with the icy and evil energy, and the two who were fighting were forced back by the opponent's violent power.

When the light dissipated, Arthas's heart slowly sank.

Frostmourne's light dimmed, and the runes that originally flickered on it no longer shone. And the Prince Liam on the opposite side was still radiant, and his sword was still emitting the aftersound of the clash.

It sounded like a triumphant cheer.

In past battles, Frostmourne had never disappointed Arthas. It was incomparably sharp, incomparably powerful, had cut off many famous weapons, and killed many powerful enemies, but now, it had encountered an opponent stronger than it.

How could a sword forged by Nathrezim demons compare to a sword forged by the Titan Keepers?

Even if Arthas's pure strength was higher than Liam's, the gap between the weapons could have been filled long ago, not to mention that Liam's Holy Light also greatly restrained dark power.

This battle will be very difficult.

"But I will still be victorious," Arthas thought silently.

His Army of the Damned outnumbered the enemy several times over, which was the key to determining the outcome of the battle!

Tomel Thunderfist looked at Liam, who was fighting fiercely with Arthas, his eyes widened, and his face was unbelievable.

"That, isn't that the traitorous prince we chased before?"

Tomel would certainly not forget what happened less than a year ago. At the beginning, the Silver Covenant had just been established, and Liam led his loyal soldiers to Northrend to find the power to take revenge. That is, Frostmourne and the Lich King.

At first, Liam deceived them, claiming to be reinforcements from the Alliance, but later he was exposed by Aiden and the others who came here.

After that, Tomel personally participated in the operation to pursue these Alliance rebels and captured hundreds of surrenderers.

"That guy doesn't look like a bad person, has he turned over a new leaf?" Tomel was dumbfounded.

The battle continues.

The Ashen Verdict is very elite, but small in number. Although the Frostmane dwarves are constantly joining the battlefield, they still seem insufficient in the face of the Scourge, who can use corpses.

Arthas believes that everything is in his plan.

But when he was about to let Anatheron's demon army come out and wipe out these living beings in one fell swoop, the dreadlord sent a message: "You should retreat—their reinforcements have arrived."

Anatheron did not directly participate in the battle. He and the demons were responsible for protecting the rear. After the Frostmane dwarves discovered the enemy's situation, Tomel immediately used snow eagles to transmit intelligence to other allies for help. A large group of tuskarr, spider people, and warriors of other races were rushing here.

Things were developing in a very unfavorable direction for the Scourge.

After Arthas received the dreadlord's message, even though he was extremely unwilling, he could only retreat.

However, when Arthas received the news, the Frostmane dwarves also learned that reinforcements had arrived. After discovering that the Scourge had signs of retreat, Tomel immediately shouted: "Our reinforcements are here! Fight bravely! Hold these Scourge back! Eliminate them!"

"Eliminate them!" The warriors were greatly encouraged.

Liam also perked up, raised his sword high, and shouted: "Attack! Ashen Verdict!"

Arthas's heart sank: This will be a complete failure.

Perhaps his Scourge will be beaten back to its original form.

When will the great cause of dominating Northrend be completed?

After the Alliance and the Horde get rid of their predicament, he will be in danger again. He fell into a deep sense of crisis.

At this moment, a voice was transmitted to his mind: "Accept my help, and you will be able to achieve your wish."

"Who!"

"Pledge allegiance to me, and you will immediately gain the obedience of all the Scourge."

"State your identity!"