With the war wrapped up, the next step was digesting the gains and also mourning those lost. However, before that, our main group received two surprising guests.

Verdantia walked to her house, her armor still tattered and bloody. Green, seeing her mother that way, wished nothing more than to take care of her. So, she quickly prepared a great bath for Verdantia to sit inside and wash away her fatigue.

"Mom, come, come. I’ve prepared this for you."

Verdantia and the other three were all dragged by their tree daughters. Their vines helped them take off their armors, and then pulled them into the water.

Once their bodies touched the water, all of them felt their muscles loosen. Verdantia released a breath, her eyes half-closing as her curvy body sank into the water.

Green used her roots to massage and clean Verdantia’s body. Verdantia smiled. "Thank you, love."

"No. Thank you, Mom, for protecting us."

Verdantia laughed, caressing her baby’s roots. "That’s my duty as your mother. Do not worry, love."

Green hummed.

Tempestria and the others were also dutifully helped, and soon, they went to sleep.

Liu Shu had spoken to everyone that things would not move until a few days later, so that the soldiers could unload their stress.

Meanwhile, the administration began preparing an empire-wide celebration for this victory.

However, our four Sylvans would not feel like relaxing because of two certain people.

Cinderielle woke up from her sleep, stretching her arms happily as she grogily looked around. Looking at her familiar room, Cinderielle’s lips arched. "Good morning, Red."

Red’s lively voice reached her. "Good morning, Mom!"

After waking up and washing herself, Cinderielle picked a simple red dress and a pair of flat shoes. She sat in front of a mirror and had Red help her with her hairstyle. Today, she chose a single braid. "Good. Let’s go see the others. Liu Shu’s Avatar should be out, right?"

Red answered half a step slower than usual. "Um... Yeah."

Cinderielle blinked. "What’s up? Is something the matter?"

"Nothing... I think?" Red answered, looking at the garden with a confused look.

Cinderielle was puzzled by her secretive attitude. Curious, she decided to go down to eat breakfast. She walked outside, her tall and slender body looking cool and elegant.

However, once she arrived at the backyard, her orange-colored eyes moved and zeroed in on the two tall sylvans sitting by Liu Shu’s Avatar’s sides with predator-like looks. Her veins bulged, her orange eyes gaining a deep touch of murderous intent. ’Who are these two shameless hags!?’

Let’s rewind a little bit.

A few hours ago, while Verdantia and the other three slept, Seraphina and Obsidianis finally arrived at Ceperet. Guided by Liu Shu, they were quick to pinpoint the Golden Sap City.

Not that it was difficult to miss once Liu Shu explained it was below her.

When these two saw Liu Shu, though, their brains momentarily crashed. The gorgeous World Tree, covered by nothing but a few of her verdant green flowery locks, was attractive to the point that these two had a small accident.

Since, until now, Seraphina and Obsidianis had never felt even a hint of lust or attraction, they wore normal panties and loose dresses. So, when their eyes fell onto Liu Shu’s erotic figure, their skirts quite literally rose into attention.

Unaware of this, as both were currently blushing like little girls meeting their crush head-on in an unexpected way, they continued to stare as their ship approached.

Seraphina, who was always serious, was currently experiencing her emotions being thrown into disarray for the first time in her life. Her breathing was slightly ragged, her face burning, and her heart thumping as if it wanted to punch a hole out of her chest.

Her silvery eyes scanned the gorgeous World Tree, which held her canopy with a gentle smile, and she wanted nothing but to grow inside, hug her, and then... pocket her. ’T-This World Tree... How can she be so beautiful...? I must... protect her. Yes. Protect her.’ A flash of dark light flashed in her otherwise clear eyes.

Meanwhile, Obsidianis, who was a bit more emotionally aware, was stunned by what she was feeling. A surge of intense love, a surge of intense desire, and... a strong possessive feeling.

Just the thought of Liu Shu standing there and being able to be seen by others made her emotions surge like a tide, wanting nothing more than to cover this world’s skies with darkness so that no one could raise their eyes to look.

Obsidianis didn’t reject her feelings. Her already dark eyes seemed to deepen into vortexes as she bathed in the new feeling of desire and love at first sight. ’Mine... I must make this World Tree mine.’

Liu Shu had been observing these two when, suddenly, their faces flushed red and their dresses were, quite literally, raised into an imposing tent.

Her eyes, which usually never even gave second looks to such things, couldn’t help but gravitate down as she gulped. ’...Big. They are as big as Verdantia and the others...’

However, the second she thought this, she was startled. ’H-Huh? Why would I...?’ She was immediately bewildered. A touch of shame flashed in her real face. ’A-Am I that... thirsty?’

She deliberately diverted her gaze to Cinderielle and the others, observing them in their sleep to calm the sudden feeling. ’Still... I should go and meet them. Right? They are, after all, <Second Ascension> powerhouses.’

Her Avatar, which had already gone out of the <Core Room>, knocked gently on Violet’s door. The girl was not asleep; her table was full of several makeup books as she studied seriously.

Hearing the knock, Violet stood up and stretched her explosive curves that were even comparable to Verdantia’s. Then, she opened the door and saw Liu Shu standing in a simple green dress with a fidgety look.

Her eyebrows raised. "Little Beauty, what’s wrong?"

"That. Um... Could you help me put on makeup? I want to be pretty... Ahem. Not. I want to be presentable for two people who are coming."

Violet’s gaze, having been in the adult entertainment industry, was quick to catch many details. She smiled and asked, teasing. "So, which two? Tempestria and Verdantia? Or another combination?"

"H-Huh?" Liu Shu was confused. "None of them. I am meeting two powerhouses outside."

Violet paused, her eyes showing a thoughtful but somewhat strange look. "These two... Have you known them for a long time?

Our Liu Shu, having failed to see that she had shown the same look when she went to meet her lovers, asked, bewildered. "Why are you asking that? I just met them today. They came to help me fight the Nexus, and now they are coming to discuss with me."

’...Heavens. Are these two charm spirits or something?’ Violet was surprised, but she was in no position to speak about Liu Shu’s romantic life, so she remained silent and worked on Liu Shu.

Soon, Liu Shu was dressed up. However, before going and while adjusting Liu Shu’s collar, Violet asked with a smile. "Are they beautiful?"

"Beautiful." Liu Shu blurted before pausing. She showed an embarrassed look. "I mean, they are quite interesting..."

Violet just laughed and patted her shoulders. "Alright, you look both tempting and pretty. Go meet these people."

Liu Shu nodded in a bit of a daze, moving to meet with Seraphina and Obsidianis. As she asked one Arboreal Winged Serpent to carry her, Liu Shu didn’t notice that her Avatar’s hands were rubbing together.

Her mind flashed with the two imposingly raised dresses once more before she shook her head, looking bewildered. ’What’s wrong with me?’

So, she arrived at the welcoming location and jumped down from the Arboreal Winged Serpent’s head, using one of her roots to land softly on the ground. Looking back, Liu Shu waved with a smile. "Thank you!"

The serpent hissed softly and nudged her gently before flying off.

After seeing the serpent fly off, Liu Shu turned around and saw the two tall and gorgeous Sylvans standing not too far away from her. Liu Shu’s heart jumped a little, and her amethyst eyes looked up with a startled look.

Her short stature, gorgeous makeup, alluring curves, and attractive dress, coupled with Liu Shu’s current innocent and wide-eyed look, was a direct and straight hit.

Seraphina took a deep breath, because if she didn’t, she might pounce on this little animal and devour her whole.

Meanwhile, Obsidianis’s eyes had become incredibly deep, making Liu Shu feel as if she were standing in front of her natural predator.

Quickly clearing her throat, Liu Shu tried to put on a dignified look, not knowing her cheeks were faintly blushing. "Ahem. Hello, Seraphina and Obsidianis. I am Tianlian Liu Shu. This is my Avatar, I hope you don’t mind."

Her clear, gentle, and soft voice made Seraphina’s ears weak. She wondered how good that voice would sound if she cried again and again and again... Snapping out of her momentary daze, Seraphina stepped forward and looked down with her phoenix-like silvery eyes. "Liu Shu, right? I am Seraphina, and this is my good friend—"

"Obsidianis." The black-haired girl interrupted, stepping closer and lowering her tall body to smile at her. "I hope we can get along deeply, Liu Shu."

Obsidianis’s devilish charm made Liu Shu’s ears feel hot as she nodded, a touch of shyness flashing in her eyes before she snapped out. "Ahem. Good to know..." Her mind was a bit blank.

Meanwhile, Seraphina and Obsidianis had looked at each other momentarily, confirming something. These two, who had lived most of their lives as rivals and understood each other perfectly, instantly understood that they had taken a fancy for the same World Tree.

Instantly, sparks manifested between them.

Liu Shu, completely unaware, spoke softly. "H-How about you come to my house? We can continue speaking there."

The two women, glaring at each other, quickly put on their best smiles. Seraphina spoke with a tone softer than she even used for her own parents. "Of course, Liu Shu. We will follow along."

Obsidianis stepped forward, grabbing Liu Shu’s hand with a charming smile. "Shall we go? Tell us where to go. I’ll carry you."

Liu Shu blinked and nodded in a daze, her hand feeling as if it were burning. "It’s in that direction..."

Before Seraphina could speak, Obsidianis had already carried Liu Shu away. Seraphina’s gentle smile cracked, her silver eyes burning with dark emotions. ’Obsidianis... Don’t you think that I will let you have the advantage this time around!’

She quickly flew after her, alerting Fortuna and other nearby World Trees due to the strong essence fluctuation. Seeing that they were two new faces accompanying Liu Shu, the World Trees relaxed.

Meanwhile, Liu Shu gathered her hands in front of her chest while being carried by Obsidianis, her mind a mess. ’W-What is happening? Why am I being carried?’

The worst thing was that... she didn’t feel too bad about it! ’What is happenninnnggggg!?’