The burly old man reprimanded both sides and then slowly spoke to the darkness beside him, "Night Tree, come out."
As the words fell, a green plant broke through the soil in the shadows, quickly growing into a lush and verdant tree.
And amidst the tree's dense canopy, a figure resembling both a human and a ghost was hidden.
"Night Tree Nine greets Elder Shu." An ethereal voice emerged from the shadow's mouth.
"Nine? Why is it you? Where are Three to Five?" The burly old man, also the Great Elder of Bilun Tree Court, frowned and asked.
"Numbers Three, Four, and Five went to Elder Yue this morning and have not returned," Nine replied.
"Elder Yue? She..." The burly old man frowned, wanting to say something but ultimately refrained, "Never mind, tell me what's going on here?"
Night Tree Nine nodded and quickly recounted everything he knew and had seen.
As he spoke at length, the expressions of those present grew increasingly grim.
