Andreas unreservedly informed the five dragonflights of the pros and cons of the tree-planting project; whether to adopt this method was now up to their own judgment.
The continued spread of Saronite would lead to a massive transformation of Northrend's ecological environment. This bizarre mineral, which absorbs vitality, would sooner or later turn everywhere it touched into a dead zone.
Even if the five Dragon Aspects acted together, it would be difficult to completely eradicate the sprawling veins. After all, the source of the veins lay in Ulduar—a forbidden zone they were not permitted to enter.
Using the natural power of a World Tree to neutralize the corruption, supplemented by a large number of priests constantly purifying the tree, should effectively stop the expansion of the Saronite mines.
However, there were drawbacks. This approach would essentially provide the three Old Gods with a gateway into the Emerald Dream, which would inevitably and significantly increase the workload and difficulty for the Green Dragonflight, the guardians of the Dream.
Ysera hesitated for a moment. She couldn't be certain how much impact the Old Gods' invasion of the dream world would cause, or if it would reach a level beyond the Green Dragonflight's control.
"Andreas, does Malfurion know about this yet?"
"He does. He is currently rushing here from Sholazar Basin and should arrive within a day or two..."
"No need for a day or two. I have already arrived."
A purple Storm Crow swooped down from the horizon toward Shandaral in an instant. Upon landing, it transformed into a bearded Night Elf with a somewhat disheveled appearance.
"Honored Ysera, I understand your concerns."
Malfurion made a solemn promise: "If you choose to adopt the plan to plant a World Tree, I will organize more personnel from the Cenarion Circle to enter the Emerald Dream and strengthen the management of the dream world. This is also the wish of Cenarius."
Malfurion's words gave Ysera more confidence. She finally made up her mind: "Then let it be done. We cannot allow Saronite to continue its spread, otherwise, this northern continent will sooner or later become Yogg-Saron's unobstructed backyard."
For the other dragonflights, this decision wasn't too difficult.
Under the management and proactive prevention of the Green Dragons and Druids, there was at least a possibility of restricting the Old Gods' movements within the Emerald Dream.
However, as the ancestral land of the dragons, if Dragonblight were to be invaded by Yogg-Saron, this peaceful snowy plain would likely soon become a zone forbidden to life.
The same was true for the Night Elves. The city of Shandaral was a vital stronghold for the Night Elf Republic to take root in Northrend. If the spread of Saronite couldn't be stopped, this city would be the first to suffer.
Once Shandaral fell, the Night Elf Republic's entire strategic layout in Northrend would suffer a massive blow.
With both sides in agreement, Malfurion immediately summoned a large number of high-ranking Druids from the Cenarion Circle to discuss how to properly plant the World Tree within the range of Moonsong Forest.
As the person who first proposed the tree-planting scheme, Fandral—under Andreas's guidance—had long ago devised a mature plan to bypass Yogg-Saron's prison.
While the Druids were in a heated discussion about the planting details, the current Mayor of Shandaral suddenly rushed in to report a piece of bad news.
"The Vrykul have launched a proactive attack?!"
Andreas asked in disbelief, "Are you sure they attacked first? It wasn't someone instigating from the shadows?"
The balance of power among the various races in eastern Northrend had been maintained for nearly three thousand years. No one was willing to be the first to break the four-way stalemate.
If one moved, the whole body followed. Among four mutually wary factions, once one side took the lead, it would inevitably break the delicate balance and likely draw a joint counterattack from neighboring powers.
This was also why Andreas had instructed Nawaz to hold Moonshadow's Rest for many years without taking action.
...
To obtain firsthand intelligence, after Malfurion took over the follow-up work of the tree-planting plan, Andreas personally brought Onyxia and his daughter Aurora to the front lines of Moonshadow's Rest to assess the situation.
"What happened? Why would the Vrykul suddenly launch an attack?"
Nawaz shrugged with a bitter smile. "We have no clue at all. Nearly a hundred thousand Vrykul soldiers suddenly poured out of Gjalerbron, including many Rune-casters. The original balance in Grizzly Hills has undoubtedly been broken."
Currently, the defenders sent from Risk Bay and Moonshadow's Rest had set up camp on the banks of the Blackwater River, facing the Vrykul on the opposite shore. The two sides were temporarily at a standstill, but a war seemed inevitable.
"Tsk... why does it have to be at a time like this?"
Andreas's brow furrowed, his mind racing. It's impossible for there to be no connection. Could it be an order given by Yogg-Saron to the Dragonflayer Vrykul through Loken?
"What about the Furbolgs? How did they react to the Vrykul invasion?"
Nawaz shook his head. "No reaction. They've only strengthened the sentry defenses in northeast Voldrune, but they don't seem to want to get involved in our war with the Vrykul."
Andreas nodded, unsurprised. "If I were in the Furbolgs' position, I would do the same. Sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight."
"And the Drakkari Trolls?"
Nawaz sneered. "They seem to intend to take the opportunity to recover their lost territory. The number of soldiers behind the second wall has significantly increased. It looks like they're planning to loot a burning house."
"In other words, a war on two fronts..."
Andreas rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit of a headache. Currently, a large number of Druids had been diverted to Moonsong Forest for the tree planting. On the front lines, they had to simultaneously face the Drakkari Trolls and the Dragonflayer Vrykul. This situation was becoming troublesome even for him.
Although the Drakkari Trolls had always appeared relatively calm, it was only because they hadn't found a suitable opportunity to break the stalemate.
Generation after generation of Drakkari Chieftains wanted to reclaim the land lost by their ancestors, using it to consolidate their status or even leave a name in history.
"Split the forces."
Andreas stared at the strategic map on the table and said in a deep voice, "I will call Shandris over. She will command the garrison at Drak'Tharon Keep and try to maintain a defensive stance against the Trolls. Nawaz, the war with the Vrykul to the south is in your hands."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as Andreas sneered, "This time, I will not show them any more mercy. Take Voldrune and strive to capture Gjalerbron in one go."
He tapped Gjalerbron on the map and said solemnly, "This is the rear base of the Dragonflayer Vrykul, where a large number of Vrykul are in slumber. Once we occupy it, the millions of sleeping Vrykul will be in our hands."
"Without Gjalerbron, I want to see what confidence the Vrykul have left to compete with us."
Nawaz snapped his heels together and gave a serious military salute. "Understood! Please rest assured, I will definitely give the Vrykul a painful lesson they will never forget!"
"Very well."
Andreas's gaze focused on Utgarde Keep in the center of the Howling Fjord map.
King Ymiron, eh? I wonder if he has also awakened.