The world around Yun Lintian's group stabilized as they stepped into the safe zone. The air here was calm, free from the distortions plaguing the rest of the ruins.
At the center stood a towering silver-leafed tree, its bark gleaming like polished metal, its leaves shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
Zhou Xuan let out a relieved sigh. "We're safe... for now."
Yun Lintian's gaze fixed on the tree. "This is what you mentioned?"
Zhou Xuan nodded. "Yes, Senior. We don't know what it is, but wherever this tree grows, the temporal distortions can't reach. The Temporal Beasts avoid it too."
He pulled out the crude compass from his robe. "The leaves can be used to make these. They point toward the nearest safe zone, but..." He sighed. "They can't lead us out of the ruins."
Mei Ling added quietly, "Many believe this tree might be the key to escaping. But no one has figured out how."
