The clearing shimmered with spiritual energy as Tian Die Dao held a radiant egg, its shell gleaming like starlight, drawing in the island's essence in waves. Faint pulses of life stirred within, resonating with the crowd. "Wow, it feels so familiar…" A Nhi's eyes sparkled like beacons. She tossed the Ice Spirit Root Tree to A Lian Ya and rushed to embrace the egg, her small frame brimming with joy.
The other Elves gazed at it with warmth, sensing a deep connection to the creature inside. "A Heavenly Star Deer egg?" the Elf Queen's voice quivered, her body trembling—not with excitement, but with nostalgia and reverence.
"What? Truly a Heavenly Star Deer egg?" The Elven women leapt up, their faces alight with ecstatic disbelief.
Legend told of the founding Elf Queen, accompanied by a Heavenly Star Deer, a starry stag renowned for communing with plants and its miraculous healing powers. As long as a spark of life remained, it could restore vitality. In the Queendom's early days, besieged by enemies, the first Queen fought tirelessly to protect Elf Island, sustained by the deer's healing through countless wounds. But in a fateful battle, though she vanquished her foes, she was left with only a thread of life. In desperation, the Heavenly Star Deer poured its life force into her, perishing to save her.
Her survival allowed the Elven Queendom to rise to glory. In gratitude, the deer was enshrined as the National Beast, despite its passing. This ancient tale of loyalty between Elf and beast was etched into the Queendom's soul, revered by all. Yet, the Heavenly Star Deer was a rarity from eons past. Despite searches across Beast Taming War Sect and Wu Yuan Continent, no trace was found, and the Elves eventually despaired of finding another.
Now, hearing their Queen identify the egg, the Elves were overwhelmed with joy and awe. Some guests, puzzled by their fervor, whispered curiously. The Khao Clan Elder, stroking his beard, recounted the legend, enlightening the crowd. "So that's the story…" they murmured, awestruck.
A Nhi's eyes brimmed with happiness as she clutched the egg, bowing to Tian Die Dao with a sweet, earnest voice. "A Nhi, on behalf of the Elves, thanks Sister Die Dao!"
Tian Die Dao rubbed her nose, her smile blooming like a flower. A Nhi's reaction made the egg priceless. "Thanks to Fairy Fusang for gifting our National Beast's egg," the Elves present bowed, their eyes filled with gratitude.
"My deepest thanks, Sister Fusang," the Elf Queen said, her heart stirred by the fulfillment of her ancestors' wish. As she moved to bow, Tian Die Dao quickly supported her. "This egg was unearthed by chance in an ancient ruin. No need for formalities, Sister Queen, nor you, dear Elves. It strengthens the bond between Duo Bao Pavilion and the Elven Queendom."
"Indeed, the Elven Queendom will remain a steadfast partner," the Elf Queen affirmed, her voice resolute. A Heavenly Star Deer's healing was invaluable to any faction, yet Duo Bao Pavilion gifted it freely, earning her trust.
The crowd grew solemn. The alliance between Elf Island and Duo Bao Pavilion would only grow stronger, making them untouchable. Some powerhouses resolved to warn their descendants to treat Elves with respect, lest they court clan destruction.
"Well done, Duo Bao Pavilion, and congratulations to the Elven Queendom," Lan An said, smiling as A Nhi's joy warmed his heart.
"That lovesick woman did well," Yan Yue Qi grinned, praising Tian Die Dao for the first time. Cheng Bi, Bao Qiao, Le Huan, and Wu San Niang exchanged satisfied glances. Their Pavilion's archaeological team had anticipated this moment when they uncovered the egg. Though the legend was obscure to most, Duo Bao Pavilion's intelligence was unmatched. Some elders hesitated to gift such a treasure, but Tian Die Dao's resolve prevailed.
"I'll care for it well, Sister Fusang. I won't let you down," the Elf Queen vowed, clasping Tian Die Dao's hand. Tian Die Dao's face flushed with delight, her heart racing, yearning to melt into the Queen's embrace. The two peerless beauties stood together, each radiant, captivating the men present.
Only Bach Hieu Sinh's fists clenched, blood seeping from his palms. Envy burned as he watched Tian Die Dao hold the Queen's hand, his eyes flickering with killing intent. Lan An, catching this, inwardly cursed him a lunatic—jealous even of a woman's bond.
After the fervor, Tian Die Dao returned to her seat, her cheeks rosy and smile radiant. Wu San Niang and the others sighed—their mistress was ensnared by love again. "Little An, why not charm that lovesick woman and cure her?" Yan Yue Qi transmitted slyly.
Lan An nearly choked on his wine, eyeing her suspiciously and checking her forehead. "What's that look?" she snapped. "You cured me, didn't you? She's no challenge."
He paused, then chuckled, recalling their first meeting—her proud yet naive nature, unaware of dual cultivation, viewing her body as a shell. She'd changed so much, thanks to him. "Enough of that. Let's see what that schemer offers," Lan An said, nodding toward Bach Hieu Sinh, who rose confidently, fanning himself.
The crowd's attention sharpened. As the son of a Tribulation Crossing powerhouse and heir to Hundred Spirits Academy, Bach Hieu Sinh's status outshone Hai Ying Tian and Shui Shuang Hua. The Elf Queen pondered what to offer in return, wary of entangling too deeply with him.
Bach Hieu Sinh smirked, closing his fan to reveal a rectangular object etched with dazzling runes. "An array disk?" the crowd murmured, unsurprised. His father, Headmaster Bach, was an Eighth-Grade War Array Master—crafting an array for his son was expected. But its purpose piqued their curiosity.
Not keeping them waiting, Bach Hieu Sinh addressed the Elf Queen earnestly. "This is the Wood-Wind Micro Array, scalable at will, covering up to 300 miles. Wood and Wind cultivators and herbs within it absorb spiritual energy three times faster, accelerating herb growth and cultivation threefold."
Gasps echoed. Tripling cultivation speed wasn't shocking—Spirit Gathering Arrays did that—but a 300-mile range and tripling herb growth was staggering. If the Ice Spirit Root Tree were Wood or Wind-aligned, it could mature in 300 years instead of 900. Such an array was a sect-guarding treasure, especially for the herb-focused Elves.
Even the Elf Queen acknowledged its value, though she remained composed. "Its effects are remarkable, but it must require vast resources," Tian Die Dao remarked, pursing her lips.
The crowd nodded, recalling Lan An's Acceleration Array Disk. Has he gone broke yet? they wondered. Bach Hieu Sinh didn't deny it, his eyes gleaming. "It demands many Spirit Stones, but for the Elven Queendom, rich in herbs, selling accelerated crops will sustain it effortlessly."
Tian Die Dao had no retort—Elf Island's wealth made it feasible. Bach Hieu Sinh's confidence grew. "However, the array requires maintenance every decade. Your Majesty should visit Hundred Spirits Academy to have my father service it."
The Elf Queen's eyes flashed—she understood his ploy. "Clever," Lan An muttered, impressed despite himself. Visiting Hundred Spirits Academy every ten years gave Bach Hieu Sinh chances to court her. The reclusive Queen rarely left Elf Island, but this obligation would force her to him, with his father's backing. If she fell, the Queendom would follow, and the array would return to him—a brilliant scheme.
Bach Hieu Sinh's smugness grew, certain his father would praise this move. "Accept it, Your Majesty, and let the Wood-Wind Micro Array elevate the Elven Queendom to new heights," he urged, his gaze burning with ambition.
The Elf Queen's calm facade hid inner turmoil. Her advisors, captivated by the array, saw it as a path to prosperity. Refusing it would hinder the Queendom's growth, but accepting it ensnared her in Bach Hieu Sinh's plan. Only she, as Queen, could meet Headmaster Bach—sending a lesser official would be disrespectful.
Bach Hieu Sinh's provocative gaze swept the crowd, lingering on Lan An and Yan Yue Qi with a taunting smirk. "Shameless," Cheng Bi and her companions muttered, recognizing his cunning, though they admired its brilliance. A Nhi's face fell, wanting to urge rejection but bound by ancestral teachings to prioritize the Queendom's growth.
"Master…" A Lian Ya bit her lip. A Queen's decisions favored the nation over herself. In the tense silence, A Nhi's eyes brightened, and the Elf Queen's gaze shifted, hope flickering.
All eyes turned to the approaching pair—Lan An and Yan Yue Qi, hand in hand.