When Andreas first passed through Val'sharah on his way to Highmountain, he hadn't observed the surroundings closely and subconsciously assumed that the Dreamgrove already existed. However, upon his second visit after finishing his business in Highmountain, he realized his perception had fallen into a trap caused by the difference in time.
At this point, just after the end of the War of the Ancients, the legendary "tree-planting enthusiast" Fandral Staghelm had not yet planted Shaladrassil in Val'sharah. Consequently, the Dreamgrove—which was meant to be anchored beneath the World Tree—naturally did not exist yet.
Lacking the Dreamgrove as a relay point to connect the Emerald Dream with reality, Andreas had to find another way to reconnect Val'sharah and Kalimdor. After careful thought and inquiry, he came up with an alternative: the Grove of Cenarius.
This sacred grove had once been the long-term residence of Cenarius. It was here that Malfurion and the first generation of Druids received the teachings of the Forest Demigod, embarking on the Path of the Druid.
Although Cenarius had not returned to Val'sharah for several years due to the barrier of the vast ocean formed after the Sundering, the Demigod's aura still lingered in the grove. What Andreas needed to do was amplify these residual traces and attempt to establish contact with Cenarius within the Emerald Dream.
Upon hearing that there was hope to reintegrate with the mainstream Night Elf society, the village heads and mayors of Val'sharah, including Mayor Fleet, mobilized enthusiastically. They summoned all the Druids within their jurisdictions to gather at the Grove of Cenarius, where Andreas would issue unified orders.
The abilities of this group of Druids were uneven. There were weak first-generation Druids who had technically been initiated by Malfurion, as well as exceptionally talented second or even third-generation Druids. Andreas did not care about the individual strength differences among them; as long as they could wield the power of Nature, he drafted them all into the team to contribute.
"Follow my lead! Everyone, release your energy toward me. I will unify and harmonize your Nature power."
"Yes!"
Under the Druids' efforts, a cacophony of Nature energy gradually converged. Andreas guided this energy, slowly infusing it into the soil of the Grove of Cenarius.
The Nature power stimulated the faint aura of the Forest Demigod left behind in this sacred grove. The surrounding forest suddenly seemed to enter a "4K High-Definition" mode; the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers were magnified to the extreme. Everyone could feel a refreshing and soul-soothing aura.
As most of the Druids closed their eyes with pleasant smiles to feel Cenarius's presence, Andreas composed his mind and used deep meditation to trace the source of the Demigod's aura.
...
The Emerald Dream—the prototype of this dream world had existed even when Azeroth was still in its primitive state. After being carved and refined by Freya, the Keeper of Life, the Emerald Dream finally took form as a mirror image of primordial Azeroth, becoming a paradise for Freya's animal companions to play and relax.
The animal companions who traveled with Freya across Azeroth are the very Wild Gods revered by mortals today. When the Titanic Watcher Tyr facilitated the appointment of the five Great Aspect Dragons, Ysera the Dreamer was tasked as the caretaker of the Dream, and the Green Dragonflight was responsible for managing its operations.
After the War of the Ancients, the souls of the Wild Gods who perished entered the Emerald Dream, and even those who slept due to heavy injuries, like Goldrinn and Tortolla, were no exception.
While the Green Dragonflight had not suffered as devastating losses as the Blue Dragonflight in the war against the Burning Legion, many green dragons responsible for patrolling and maintaining the dream world had also died in battle. Taking the planting and blessing of the World Tree Nordrassil as an opportunity, Ysera opened the access rights of the Emerald Dream to the Night Elf Druids.
The Druids gained the qualification to enter and leave the dream world at will. While they lingered in this beautiful primeval wilderness, they also accepted Ysera's commission to help the green dragons maintain the stability of the Emerald Dream.
As the demigod who suffered the lightest injuries and recovered the fastest during the War of the Ancients, Cenarius felt a deep sense of guilt toward his fellow demigods who had died responding to his call. In recent years, he had spent most of his time within the Emerald Dream, partly to guide mortal Druids unfamiliar with the Dream and partly to communicate frequently with the souls of other demigods.
At this moment, Cenarius happened to be a guest at Goldrinn's home within the dream world. The Wolf God, Goldrinn, had a solitary and cold personality, but he was still much easier to deal with than the silent and independent panther demigod, Ashamane; at least Cenarius could communicate with him smoothly.
"Goldrinn, how are your injuries?"
Goldrinn's front paws were crossed, his massive head resting comfortably on his folded legs. He lifted his eyelids to give Cenarius a flat look and grumbled gloomily, "How could they heal so quickly? I'm not a freak with abnormal self-healing abilities like you."
"Haha~ I can't help that. It's innate."
Seeing Cenarius scratching his head with a silly grin, Goldrinn sighed and lowered his eyelids again. "I'm already among the lucky ones. At least I barely survived and can see hope for recovery. For the other demigods to reshape their bodies, it won't be possible without a few thousand years."
Cenarius nodded silently. "Yes. They joined the battlefield because of my invitation. Although they saved Azeroth from the demons, the price was too heavy."
Goldrinn was not the type of demigod to dwell on sentimentality. After a brief moment of sadness, he quickly returned to his usual decisive and vigorous character.
"Enough. Those guys aren't fools. One must bear the consequences of their own choices." He let out a yawn and turned his head away, signaling for Cenarius to leave. "I'm entering hibernation to heal. Don't bother me again unless it's something important. Go pester someone else."
Cenarius shook his head with a laugh. "I understand. I'll be going... eh?"
Just as Cenarius intended to turn and leave Goldrinn's lair, he suddenly felt a faint, ethereal calling coming from somewhere in the physical world.
"...narius."
"Honorable Forest Demigod Cenarius, can you hear my voice?"
Cenarius glanced at Goldrinn, who had already fallen asleep; clearly, the Wolf God hadn't heard the call. He then moved quietly out of the cave and into the surrounding wilderness.
"Who are you? Why do you call for me?"
Having finally established contact with Cenarius, Andreas felt a wave of relief.
"Lord Cenarius, I am Andreas Moonshadow, an apprentice of Archdruid Malfurion. I apologize for the intrusion, but I have a matter of great importance for which I seek your assistance."
"Andreas?"
A playful expression appeared on Cenarius's face. "Very well, Andreas. Let me hear this 'important matter' of yours. I happen to have some free time right now."