After pouring all the demon cores onto the table, Yun Qingxue looked at everyone with clear, bright eyes. “Back then, those bat demons relied on harming and draining your cultivation to grow stronger.
Now, they’ve reaped what they sowed. These cores, which carry their cultivation and power, rightfully belong to you!
Divide them among yourselves!”
“This…” The crowd exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward.
“Zhutao, you lead the way.” Yun Qingxue turned her gaze to Zhutao.
“Your subordinate thanks Your Majesty for your grace!” Without hesitation, Zhutao knelt on one knee and bowed deeply.
After expressing his gratitude, he stood up and took a bat demon core from the table.
Once Zhutao had taken one, Zhubai followed suit.
Only then did the others step forward one by one, each taking a core.
“Thank you, Flower King, for your generosity.” The group bowed in unison after receiving the cores.
Yun Qingxue smiled faintly, her eyes lingering on the table where the bat demon cores lay.
The entire Green Bamboo Clan now had only twenty-eight members. After each took one core, there were still thirty or forty left on the table.
“Take one more each,” Yun Qingxue said.
“Your Majesty’s kindness is deeply appreciated. The power contained in just one core is enough for us to refine our cultivation. As for the remaining ones, if Your Majesty absorbs them, they would greatly benefit your own power.”
“Very well.” Yun Qingxue smiled approvingly and collected the remaining cores.
Truthfully, even if Zhutao and the others took another round, there would still be enough left for Daise, Liuli, and A’dai to enhance their cultivation.
The fact that they didn’t take a second round spoke volumes—it showed that the Green Bamboo Clan not only possessed unwavering loyalty but also lacked greed.
Often, the smallest details reveal the truest nature of a person.
“And these two treasure orbs—just holding them earlier, I sensed immense power within.” Yun Qingxue stored the cores and then produced the two orbs that had once caused her great suffering.
“Your Majesty, though we do not know their names, these orbs are undoubtedly supreme treasures, perfect for aiding cultivation. You must keep them safe,” Zhutao advised.
“I know they are treasures, but wouldn’t such treasures also be of great use to all of you?”
“Your subordinate dares not entertain such presumptuous thoughts!” Zhutao knelt again, and his clansmen followed suit.
“Rise. I never said you were being presumptuous.” Yun Qingxue blinked innocently, feeling slightly uneasy at how often they knelt before her.
Zhutao and his clansmen cautiously stood up.
Yun Qingxue continued, “What I meant was, since these orbs are treasures that aid cultivation, how could I possibly keep them all to myself—”
“We harbor no such thoughts!” Before she could finish, Zhutao knelt again.
Yun Qingxue was speechless…
*Big brother, I know you’re loyal, but must you kneel every time I speak? Really… really…*
“Let me finish!” Yun Qingxue’s expression cooled slightly.
“Your Majesty, please speak.” Zhutao bowed his head, looking like a repentant child.
Seeing his expression, Yun Qingxue couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated.
“What I want to say is—after the bat demon incident, the Green Bamboo Clan has suffered greatly.
Therefore, I, the Flower King, have decided to stay with your clan for several months to focus on cultivation.
During this time, all members of the Green Bamboo Clan will join me in using these treasures to aid our training.
You must strengthen your power as quickly as possible so that you will never be bullied again. Understood?”
“Long live the Flower King!”
“Long live the Flower King!”
As soon as Yun Qingxue finished speaking, the Green Bamboo Clan erupted in grateful cheers, bowing deeply and chanting blessings.
Yun Qingxue waved her hand, signaling them to rise. “Starting tomorrow, choose a spacious location where we can cultivate together with the treasures.”
“Yes!”
Zhutao led his excited clansmen away.
“Your Majesty, will we really stay here for the next few months?” Daise asked cautiously once they were alone.
“Yes.” Yun Qingxue nodded. “Our master sent us to the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm precisely so we could seek opportunities and temper ourselves.
Now that we’ve obtained so many bat demon cores and these two cultivation-aiding orbs, this is a heaven-sent opportunity.
We’ll enhance our cultivation here and leave only when our agreed-upon time with our master approaches.”
Daise nodded and stepped aside.
Yun Qingxue lowered her head with a faint smile, gazing at the two orbs in her hand.
What she didn’t tell Daise was that ever since arriving in the Yunhuang Illusionary Realm, they had faced countless dangers. This time, defeating the bat demons and aiding the Green Bamboo Clan had been more luck than skill.
Now that they had obtained these treasures and cores, the wisest course was to find a safe place to strengthen themselves.
Venturing out recklessly without sufficient power—even with luck on their side—was nothing short of suicidal.
“A’dai, Liuli, Daise.”
After a moment of contemplation, Yun Qingxue suddenly called out.
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty!”
The three responded in unison.
“If I give you demon cores and let you cultivate with the aid of these orbs, how much progress could you make in half a year?”
“Your Majesty is giving us cores too?” Liuli’s round eyes sparkled as she gazed eagerly at Yun Qingxue.
“You are all my closest companions. If Zhutao and his clan received cores, how could I leave you out?”
“Wonderful!” Liuli rubbed her furry head against Yun Qingxue’s leg and asked eagerly, “How many will you give us?”
“Glutton! All you think about is eating!”
Before Yun Qingxue could answer, A’dai interjected haughtily.
Liuli pouted and muttered, “I just want to grow stronger quickly to protect our master…”
“No excuse can hide your gluttonous nature,” A’dai retorted smugly.
Liuli huffed, her dark grape-like eyes glaring at A’dai. “And who was it last time who overate on serpent demon cores and passed out from the excess energy? Hmph!”
“What do you know, little brat? I was advancing my cultivation!” A’dai shot back, though a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.
Last time, he had indeed been too eager to advance and consumed too many serpent demon cores at once, leading to… minor complications.
“I’m advancing too!” Liuli rolled her eyes.
Unlike the bickering pair, Daise’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
*Our master just said I’m one of her closest people…*
*Closest people! Does this mean she truly accepts me now?*
From the very first day she followed Yun Qingxue, Daise had known her master didn’t fully trust her.
There had always been a faint wariness in Yun Qingxue’s demeanor toward her.
Hearing the words “closest people” from her master’s lips now filled Daise with indescribable emotion.
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