-Young lady, you do realize that there is a reason I never told Paul my name?
The reincarnation soul said as soon as he fully materialized.
-I know, but it does not matter, since you can't be revived anymore, so whether he knows or not makes no difference.
The Dryad said with a serious expression.
-What do you mean, I can't be revived?
Lord Sei asked in disbelief.
-During my transformation, I received a message from the heavens.
The separation and soul transfer you are planning to perform won't work.
The only chance you have to be revived is by visiting the resurrection cave, but as you know, no one knows where it is.
Not to mention that you would need your original body to be resurrected.
However, if you manage to do this, the heavens are willing to allow both you and Lord Marshal to live at the same time, and the same is true for Lady Peacock and her reincarnation, as well as all the ladies from your family who were reincarnated.
-So basically, there is no way to revive us, since no one has seen the resurrection cave for the last few million years, and most of those who were looking for it died in the process.
Paul's soul sighed.
-Not to mention that my body has most likely turned to dust by now, as well as the bodies of my ladies, so even if we found the cave, we can't use its power.
-If that's the case, then why would the heavens bother to give you this chance?
Paul asked.
It was strange to him, since if the heavens gave his soul even a slim chance, then it indicated that there had to be a way for him to use it.
Otherwise, why would they bother to do so?
-I have no clue.
Lord Sei answered.
However, Paul's question was a good one, since the heavens rarely did anything without a reason.
-Anyway, that was the message that the heavens asked me to relay to you.
The young Dryad said.
-Thank you for delivering it.
Paul's soul said, not happy at all about what he had learned just now.
-There is one last thing.
She said, looking at Paul again and approaching him.
-Please hold out your hand.
She said, and Paul did as she asked, not knowing what she was planning.
As soon as he did, she held it in both her hands, and a golden light shone between her palms for a moment.
-From this moment on, every Elf and Dryad will know you are an ally, as soon as they see this mark.
She said with a smile.
Paul looked at his hand and saw a golden mark of a tree on the back of his palm.
-This should help you in any trouble you might have with either elves or Dryads, in the future.
The Queen Dryad explained as the mark faded, leaving no trace.
-It will appear again when you summon it.
-Thank you.
Paul said, understanding that this mark would be of great help in the future.
-That is all I have for you, and I know that you want to go back as soon as possible, but you won't be able to use your transport spells inside this forest, so a few guards will escort you to the human lines.
She said, smiling playfully.
It was not the first time that she proved to know more than she should, and it didn't look like she would explain herself.
Additionally, it seemed that she had a lot of fun, surprising him.
Paul didn't mind too much, especially considering that despite her looks and apparent knowledge and maturity, hid a small girl, and children loved being mischievous.
After saying their farewells, Paul and Elaina went to the guest house to pack, and when they were ready, there were already guards waiting for them.
Their walk through the forest was quiet, as everyone had things to think about.
But despite that, they could see and feel that the forest was different now, more lively, and the trees emanated energy like never before.
-This is the Lady's doing.
One of the guards explained when Paul asked.
-It's a sign that she now rules this forest, and soon enough, she will rule all the forests in this realm.
When that happens, the energies in the mortal realm will change, becoming much more potent, and if we manage to find more Dryads, which is now possible, since the lady can sense them.
This process will become much faster.
Paul understood this and already felt a slight improvement in mana and Qi surrounding them.
He also planned to ask Xiao Han to send a message to the emperor, asking for assistance in this case, as this would benefit the whole of the empire.
As it turned out, he didn't need to ask his uncle, since as soon as they arrived at the imperial army's perimeter, they were taken to a general commanding the forces, who informed them that they were being summoned to the palace and gave them the summon scrolls.
Paul was not that happy about it, but since he was summoned, he needed to go, despite preferring to go home as soon as possible.
The general even offered them an escort, but Paul declined since they would be using transport spells.
As soon as they bid farewell to the general, Paul and Elaina used the scrolls and bagun their way to the capital.
However, since they were not in any hurry, they decided to take things slow and also to catch up on cultivation, which they could not do while in the Great Forest city.
That night, Paul's tent was filled with Elaina's moans as they went at it, and by the next morning, she was nearing another breakthrough.
While they were in the elven forest, Paul asked the elder to explain the difference in cultivation stages between the elves and humans.
As it turned out, the differences were not that great, and the approximation Elaina used turned out to be quite precise.
In other words, she was now approaching the sixth stage of cultivation and, with any luck, would have her breakthrough within a day or two.
The next day, they reached the capital, but as it was already evening, they decided to wait till the morning before entering the palace.
With that in mind, they rented a room at an inn, recommended to them by the guards, and continued their cultivation after Paul set up the noise canceling array in their room.
However, that night they didn't go at it until dawn, as they had to visit the palace in the morning.
-What do you think the emperor summoned us?
Elaina asked, lying in Paul's embrace.
-If I'm not mistaken, he will most likely want to know what happened in the elven forest, and some information about the new dryad.
With any luck, we should be able to leave the capital before noon.
He answered, praying that this would be the case, as his previous visits to the capital never ended so easily.