After a splendid night where the girls dressed as magical girl costumes (yes, that show still exists in Japan despite the world situation), I teleported straight from the morning via memorized coordinates and took the control improvement talent from the guy I'd stashed it in earlier.
Returning to my world, I implanted it into the still-sleeping TuTu and set off again to a parallel world—this time to fetch a similar talent for Jiao Jiao. Since I'd taken up with two girls, I needed to treat them equally. Even giving TuTu more galactic veins earlier fit perfectly—I gave each what they needed. One required four veins, the other two.
A couple minutes later, another gold-filled backpack vanished from my spatial Ring, and my hand clutched the needed talent. Without delay, I returned to our bed and implanted it into Jiao Jiao's Inner World, then lay back down satisfied. I was sure they'd feel the changes right after waking, and their joyful squeals would rouse me.
It happened just like that. After waking again to TuTu's ringing voice, I saw a joyful girl casting Beginner-level spells, her control pendant discarded on the bed beside me. The room was nearly filled with Silver Grass. Jiao Jiao watched the sight with a warm smile.
When TuTu noticed me stirring, she dropped what she was doing and fell into my arms, endlessly repeating thanks. With this talent, the chains of her hopeless mage fate were fully broken. With some practice, the right plant combo, and finally getting her summons, she'd outshine many High-level mages.
"Alright, alright. Get ready—we've got a meeting with Lin Ling in two and a half hours. You'll work out the new talent during the fresh training. While you train, I'll handle picking a combat plant combo for you." I patted TuTu's back and sent them to get ready.
Two and a half hours later, we sat in Clear Sky facing our coordinator, listening to the missions she'd picked for us in bird territory. We'd chosen a region a bit north of Hangzhou, where the Lord Silver Wing lived, by the way.
We wouldn't go too deep, and until the Poisonous Serpent guarding Hangzhou entered its molting period, I doubted that bird would stray near the edges of its territories.
"I got us just three missions for this training, but they're all either very tough or bulky. Specifically, we need mid Supreme Commander-level Rainbow Martin bone powder, blood essences from a hundred White Eagles, and an Amber Woodpecker egg. These give plenty of contribution points, and if we overfulfill the blood essence quota, you could even hit two-star Hunter Master rank." Lin Ling smiled in anticipation. She loved our rapid rank climb.
"What's the point of these missions? I get what we need to do, but I'm just curious why these things are wanted." Jiao Jiao asked.
"Rainbow Martin bone powder is for a rich mage to boost his summon beast's breakthrough chances to Supreme Commander rank. White Eagle blood essences are for refreshing army bird bloodlines. As pets, they gradually degrade, needing fresh bloodline infusion every decade to peak again. Since they're just Servant level, it's not hard but tedious—perfect for you to learn hunting feathered foes. And the Amber Woodpecker egg is for a Hunter specializing in exploration missions. This bird species sniffs out elemental crystals excellently, so he wants to raise a pet." Our vice-captain explained patiently.
"Well then, let's hit the road." I stood first from the table.
During this training, I'd be least involved in improving the girls' skills. I needed to finish subjugating my Summon Element stars, strengthen all new stars with souls to old levels, find the girls seeds for needed plants, and complete the mid Supreme Commander bone powder mission.
Work galore. Oh, and continue soul-extraction-from-stars training. Maybe implant the control talent on myself to ease experiments? Quite possible—worth checking.
The flight to Hangzhou on army White Eagles didn't take long. I even considered visiting Tang Yue while here, but with her High-level mage uncle nearby—who might still be pissed about me siccing tax auditors on the Magic Tribunal... I decided I hadn't missed her enough yet.
Leaving the city, we headed north into Lord Silver Wing's domain. We spotted White Eagles and other bird species several times; spotting us, they flew off quickly, loudly alerting the area with bird cries.
That's one of the most annoying traits of birds. They only fight with backup. Fat chance getting one-on-one, or your group on a lone poor birdie. Spotting strong humans, these featherbrains fly for help and return only if they find it.
"Well, your training starts here. I'll head deeper for the Rainbow Martin; you practice on White Eagles and other weak featherbrains. Once you've overfulfilled the blood essence plan enough for a rank-up, start hunting Amber Woodpecker nests. It's not a strong bird, so I believe in you." With those parting words to my girls, I veered off and pressed deeper.
I wasn't worried about the girls. Fully charged Lightning Blades could take a junior Supreme Commander, especially birds not known for defense but speed. And Seven-League Boots would help.
By the way, I still hadn't picked up my Mid-level artifacts from Master Pin, and now I needed an artifactor for a High-level set. Sigh, truly, the best is the enemy of the good. If I hadn't been greedy maximizing functions, I'd have decent artifacts long ago instead of middling temp replacements.
Oh well, to not upset the old man, I'll suppress my development level when I see him and boost his body as thanks for all the good he's done us. Dealing with him was a pleasure, but we'd outgrown his skills. Nothing to be done—life doesn't stand still. Though sometimes I wish it did.
Pushing deeper into the forest, I reviewed Rainbow Martin info in my head. Very fast bird species, one of the best at its level—clear why that mage ordered its bone powder. They mostly live in pairs, but good news: they pick partners by affection, not strength. Probably no two Supreme Commanders for me—definite plus.
Just doubt I'll find them quick. They're rare, especially in a Warlord's domain of another species. Smarter to sit first and finish subjugating Summon Element stars.
The target won't run, and boosting new ice Element stars two tiers after Summon subjugation won't take long. But using High-level second tier ice "Thousand Ice Arrows" will greatly ease hunting these speedy featherbrains who love gaining height.
Said and done. Leaping onto a nearby tree branch, I got comfy and entered meditation. Not before summoning Pikachu for guard duty, of course. My body is precious; I won't leave it unsupervised in a monster-infested forest.