Liu Shu, now finally outside of the strange influence, began reviewing her own reactions. She was honestly somewhat confused and shocked that she allowed such intimacy with these two completely foreign people.

While there were no inappropriate touches other than when Obsidianis carried her here, the fact that she felt bashful toward them was something Liu Shu was currently regretting. Looking at the gloomy expressions on Cinderielle and the other three, Liu Shu knew her actions had hurt them.

’What was I thinking?’

She used her roots to coil around their hands, making their tense expressions relax a touch. Still, the four of them couldn’t help but begin pulling and testing the roots to vent a bit.

While Verdantia, Harmonixia, and Tempestria had not really witnessed the worst, Cinderielle’s expression already told them everything they needed to know.

Elyne’s voice reached them. "First of all..."

Elyne looked at Obisidanis and Seraphina, whose eyes were currently taking in Liu Shu’s expressions. Perhaps because she was a World Tree, Liu Shu wore her emotions on her sleeves. Seeing that regretful little face, their hearts couldn’t help but constrict in pain.

"...How did you two know about the attack? Also, why did you come here?"

Seraphina looked away from Liu Shu’s face, and then she spoke a bit of the process. "...So, after we were informed, we didn’t agree with the Covenant’s methods. Hence, we came here with the intent of causing trouble. While we didn’t expect to kill the Star Emperor, as they usually have some life-saving equipment, we wanted to make the Nexus lose a layer of skin at the very least."

Her explanation didn’t go into much detail, but still revealed everything that they needed to know. Seraphina looked at Elyne and asked, curious. "Speaking of which, may I ask for your name? Also, where is Sister Elyne?"

Obsidianis also noticed her absence, but she didn’t worry much. What made her somewhat stumped was that Elyne was here in the first place. ’I wonder how Sister Elyne is feeling by being abandoned...?’

Her thoughts couldn’t go much further as the beautiful jade-green, amethyst-eyed woman who looked like Liu Shu’s big sister laughed. "I am Elyne. Did we spend too much time away that you’ve failed to recognize me?"

Both Sylvans were stunned for a second and then looked over. "No... Huh?" Looking closely, they could somewhat see Elyne’s features, which surprised them.

Obsidianis blurted, stunned. "What happened to your blonde hair and green eyes? Did you dye your hair or something?"

Elyne shook her head, laughing lightly. "I’ve become Liu Shu <Eternal Avatar>. I’ve connected with her on a profound level as her believer, gaining some of her power and being similarly tinted by her."

"Connected?" Seraphina asked, confused. "Weren’t you going to be assigned to... how was her name? That World Tree is near the third vanguard sector."

Elyne shook her head. "You can explain it as me rebelling, haha. Respected Elder asked me to prove that my choice was correct in 300 years. As long as Liu Shu can expand beyond that reach, I won’t be blamed... Not that I think I will anymore. Once news of Rhazor’s army annihilation spreads, he will most likely praise me for my good eye!"

Seeing Elyne’s proud expression, Liu Shu couldn’t help but laugh, finding her cute. Still, Verdantia looked at Seraphina curiously. "You speak of that World Tree with a touch of... dislike in your voice. Why is that?"

Obsidianis raised her only visible eyebrow. Her hair was loosely obscuring her right eye. "You are quite sensitive. To tell you the truth, while the Covenant appears as a World Tree-friendly power, there are conditions for that friendliness."

Verdantia shook her head. "It’s quite normal. Not all World Trees can be like Liu’er, after all."

Obsidianis’s smile faltered a bit hearing that affectionate nickname. She explained with a nonchalant look. "That World Tree Elyne was going to get assigned to is in the frontline area. However, using that advantage that the Covenant needs, the World Tree has been stretching her roots where she shouldn’t. While she is only a bit over Level 150, perhaps 175 by now, her defensive abilities are top-notch, so getting rid of her would be too much of a waste."

Liu Shu smiled. "She is quite clever, then. Instead of becoming a discarded pawn by the Covenant’s main World Tree, she is playing a game of tug of war where she might get enough to reach a level where the main World Tree won’t be able to control."

Hearing her words, Obsidianis realized that Liu Shu was that sacrificial World Tree, and she immediately became annoyed with the Covenant. "Speaking of this, what happened? Why did the Covenant ignore you when they had a perfect chance to ambush and kill the Star Emperor?"

Veyra looked at her daughter with a smile. "Isn’t it clear? You showed quite a similar answer right now, love. Liu Shu, a young World Tree who has withheld most of her specialness, was deemed irrelevant in front of the benefits that they could gain by giving up Liu Shu."

"It doesn’t make sense, though. Which World Tree would be happy about this decision? After all, if it were Liu Shu today, they might be the next ones two weeks later."

Veyra patted her arm twice. "Silly girl. The current World Tree is not the original one of the Covenant. What that means, you and I know best. Therefore, that World Tree won’t allow a mishap to occur carelessly, as happened to the previous one. Moreover, with the Nexus nearby, it is either a temporary safety from us or risking corruption and death by facing the Nexus alone."

Seraphina sighed. "As Aunty said, True World Trees that just evolved usually don’t have a chance to grow. The forest is vast, but the trees won’t allow nearby smaller trees to steal their sunlight."

Obsidianis and Seraphina shook their heads. They’ve become quite disillusioned with the Covenant lately. Veyra looked at Seraphina and asked, smiling to freshen up the mood. "How are your parents doing, Seraphina?"

Seraphina’s slightly gloomy mood brightened as she smiled, her silver eyes gleaming gently. "They are doing great. With the resources I sent them, they’ve moved quite deeply into the Covenant’s domain. Therefore, they should have no problems in the short term."

Flor finally decided to speak, trying to connect with these two. "Did something happen before?"

"Nothing." Seraphina smiled. "I am born from quite humble family at the edge of the Covenant’s domain. So, our Solar System is prone to attacks if the frontlines change. Now that I’ve reached my current realm, I can gain quite a bit of resources."

Liu Shu looked at Seraphina’s smile, and she felt her heart soften a touch. Unwilling to linger in her feelings anymore, Liu Shu spoke to them. "What are your short-term and long-term plans?"

Obsidianis leaned back, her smile relaxed and easy. "For the short term, I was thinking of staying here, if you don’t mind."

Seraphina smiled. "I was thinking the same."

Liu Shu hummed and nodded. "And for the long term?"

Seraphina and Obsidianis didn’t rush to answer. While they very much wanted to say that they would stay here indefinitely, they could tell that the resources in here were not good enough to nurture <Second Ascension> powerhouses. So, if they stayed here, they would stall.

Seraphina was unsure about this point, but when she looked at Liu Shu’s large and beautiful Amethyst eyes, the words got stuck at the back of her throat. "...We. Well, who knows? You’ve just annihilated an army that will make the Nexus feel a painful pinch. So, I might as well stay here to fight."

Obsidianis, perfectly seeing through the little schemes of her rival, felt her lips stiffen. ’This annoying woman! Does she really want to stay here and flirt with a married woman? She is going to steal her from me!’

Giving up? Honestly, it momentarily flashed in their minds. However, it was just a moment before they became determined not to give up easily. Hence, Obsidianis and Seraphina chose to stay here and try their luck.

"I agree with Seraphina. Our plans for now are to be here with you. Nothing else."

Liu Shu felt her heart skip a beat from those words for some strange reason. That sentence could be easily interpreted in many different ways!

Liu Shu coughed. "I see. Well, since you are staying here for a while, then I should bless you."

"Bless us?" Seraphina and Obsidianis were religious people. Raised in the covenant, they’ve received some blessings.

But as they thought to see the few buffs and then smile with gratitude, their systems went haywire.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!...

Looking at each name and the stats they offered, Obsidianis and Seraphina were stunned on the spot, their bodies surging with endless vigor as they gained terrifying strength.

Veyra, knowing that her daughter was currently in the usual Liu Shu-induced catatonic state, or to shorten it, in a Liu Shock, decided to pour tea and give it to both the women to sleep.

Fate seemed to feel mischievous, though, as the buff triggers from the <Eternal Tea> triggered with their first slurp.

[Congratulations! <Eternal> effect triggered. You’ve gained 4 months of lifespan.]

Seeing them freeze with the cup on their lips, Veyra’s lips twitched. "Liu Shu, love, can you not induce these shocks in people so often?"

"What shocks?" Liu Shu pouted. "I am just blessing them."

Veyra sighed, choosing not to blame the girl. Instead, she glanced at the four girls who had traits similar to her daughter’s, and then she decided to steel her nerves. "Um... I know that you had a conflict not long ago. However, may I ask you four to get along with these two? They are loners, so making friends is quite difficult for them."

Obsidianis glanced at her mother with a speechless look. "What are you saying, Mom? I can deal with these things myself."

Veyra sighed and looked up. "It’s not that I don’t trust you. It is just that I’ve come to like these four quite a bit while you were gone doing something. Hence, I chose to ask."

Seraphina suddenly felt a bit at a disadvantage. Obsidianis had Veyra, but she was alone. Still, her slightly lost expression quickly tightened. ’Haven’t I been alone for a while already? I’ve had no support, so everything I have has been gained by my own effort. This time... it is no different.’

Liu Sh didn’t want to be the one to spoil this meeting, but she had to discuss these things. So, she looked at Flor and asked. "Mom, how is it going? Is that plan useful?"

Flor nodded. "We are doing our best. It’s a bit difficult, but after the goodbye procession for the fallen soldiers, we should be able to go and retrieve most equipment using that net-like device."

The battle left many weapons floating in the void, and thanks to Liu Shu, they would not be searching for a needle in the haystack with their hands, but with a magnet Liu Shu gave them.

It was still not easy, but it was manageable.

Liu Shu sighed. ’Equipment of the Nexus’s quality is hard to come by, leaving everything behind would be quite stupid.’