The Elf Forest was a sanctuary of life. Ancient trees touched the clouds. The air was sweet with pollen.
The Elves were isolationists. They hated humans. They guarded the World Tree, the source of the Wood Pearl.
Mo Tian stood at the border of the forest.
"They have a barrier that repels evil," Ghost One reported. "We cannot enter."
"Evil is a point of view," Mo Tian said.
He pulled out a vial. It contained the Necrotic Poison he had extracted from the old Azure Cloud Sect Master.
He poured it into the river flowing into the forest.
"Corruption."
The clear water turned black.
Within hours, the forest began to scream. Trees withered. Flowers rotted. The Elves fell sick, their immortal skin turning grey.
The Elf Queen rushed to the border, weak and coughing.
"Human!" she cried. "What have you done?!"
"I knocked," Mo Tian said politely.
"You are killing the World Tree!"
"I can save it," Mo Tian smiled. "But I need payment."
"Anything!" The Queen wept. "Just stop the plague!"
"I want the Heart of the Tree."
The Queen paled. "The Wood Pearl? But... if you take it, the forest will lose its eternal spring! We will become mortal!"
"Better mortal than dead," Mo Tian pointed to the rotting trees.
The Queen looked at her dying people. She had no choice.
She led him to the World Tree. It was massive, its leaves turning black from the poison.
In the center of the trunk pulsed a green orb. The Wood Pearl.
Mo Tian reached in. He felt the life force. It was disgusting. Too pure.
"Devour."
He ripped the pearl out.
The World Tree groaned. Its leaves fell instantly. The eternal spring ended. Winter came to the Elf Forest for the first time in eons.
Mo Tian held the green pearl. He inhaled the poison back from the river, clearing the water.
"Transaction complete," Mo Tian turned to leave.
"You monster," the Queen whispered, shivering in the cold. "You stole our future."
"I stole your immortality," Mo Tian corrected. "Welcome to the real world."
[Acquired: Wood Pearl] [Progress: 3/5]