Xiao Jie rode the auspicious clouds, gradually lowering his altitude over the familiar Ginkgo Village. Before he had fully landed, his gaze was drawn to the village's central iconic giant ginkgo tree.
In his memory, it was supposed to be a splendid sight with flourishing branches and leaves, a golden spectacle, but now it was all gone, replaced only by gray decay and desolation.
The towering ancient tree appeared entirely lifeless in a gray-black hue, the once lush branches and leaves seemingly drained of all moisture, twisted and dry, covered with cracked lines. The dense fan-shaped leaves were entirely withered and curled up, turning into a withered deep brown, hanging sparsely on the branches. When the wind blew, they rustled down, covering the ground with a thick layer of dry branches and decaying leaves.
The whole tree seemed to have had its entire vitality taken away overnight by some invisible force, leaving only a giant hollow shell, exuding a worrisome aura of decline.
