A trace of concern flashed across the Chief's face.
But it was quickly suppressed; there were more important matters to attend to right now.
She truly had no spare energy to delve into the willful actions of a deposed Spirit Maiden.
“Is that so? I understand.”
“Then so be it. You may step down.”
The Chief was taken aback for a brief moment before nodding in agreement.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Yinzhi bowed, then took calm steps.
Under the complicated gazes of her clansmen, she walked back to her seat.
Qimeng propped her chin in her hand, waiting until Yinzhi sat down beside her.
Only then did she speak in a lazy tone, her voice low enough that only the two of them could hear.
“Hey, you're really going all out.”
“I just came up with that name on a whim, and you actually announced it in front of everyone?”
Yinzhi's long ears flushed slightly, twitching unnaturally.
“Since I am no longer the Spirit Maiden, changing my name is a way to sever ties with the past.”
“That makes sense, but...”
Qimeng glanced at her, a smirk playing on her lips.
Her gaze swept over Yinzhi's signature long, silvery-green hair.
“Does this count as you pledging your loyalty to me in front of your entire clan?”
“I didn't think that far ahead.”
“Good. Now that you've lost your position and adopted your new name, you shouldn't have any mental burden about leaving with me when the time comes, right?”
Yinzhi's body trembled slightly.
In truth, she had already prepared herself.
The moment she publicly announced her name change.
She had essentially entrusted herself to this black-haired foreigner.
Formally acknowledging her status as the other party's vassal.
Of course, she had her own considerations for doing so.
However, if the true contractual meaning behind this decision were to be exposed to the clan, it would inevitably cause an uproar.
So for now, she could only use the name change as a subtle precursor.
Yinzhi lowered her eyelashes.
“We will talk about it after tonight is over.”
“Sure, I'll look forward to it then.”
Qimeng withdrew her gaze.
Anyway, as long as she could take Yinzhi with her in the end, she would come out ahead.
Even if she couldn't, there was no real loss.
After all, this clan of Wood Elves was still in this forest.
Once her Root Domain expanded all the way here, she would absorb Yinzhi sooner or later.
Perhaps by then, she could even make the entire clan bow down beneath her leaf dress.
Thinking of this, a dangerous thought suddenly popped into her head.
Should she take this opportunity to destroy their new Sacred Spirit?
As long as they couldn't evolve their racial rank, recruiting them in the future would be a piece of cake.
Without realizing it, she had already classified this entire forest, along with the Wood Elves, as her personal resource pool.
Her territory hadn't expanded this far yet, but her mental blueprint was clearly already complete.
Wait!
No.
Qimeng suddenly slammed on the mental brakes.
If she really recruited the entire clan, wouldn't she have to feed a whole nest of lolis?
Just dealing with their daily rations and listening to them chattering in her ears all day...
She would definitely die an early death.
“No, no, managing an entire race is way too much trouble.”
The trashy magical beast, who had been plotting an evil scheme just a second ago...
...instantly abandoned all thought the next second simply because she found it too bothersome.
She shifted her gaze back to the center of the clearing.
She adjusted herself into a more comfortable sitting position.
It should be about time for the next round.
In the center of the stone platform.
The Wood Elf Elders gathered in a circle.
They crowded around the three glowing Spirits of Nature.
The Chief stood at the very front.
She was delivering a long, grand speech in an impassioned voice, as if she were addressing a massive rally.
“In short! Based on past experience, the compatibility of this Magic Spirit Branch is the best fit for us!”
“If all goes well, it will surely grow into an excellent substitute to protect the Mother Tree in the future!”
“Of course, the final conclusion will depend on the results of the upcoming potential test!”
Ah, so long.
This woman's speech was exceptionally long-winded.
In a corner of the audience.
Qimeng rested her cheek in her hand, her gaze too lazy to even focus.
She cast a disgusted glance at the figure beside her.
“M-Master, whimper, my tummy hurts so bad.”
Beside her.
Xiaomi was clutching her round little belly.
She was rolling around on the straw mat, completely throwing her dignity out the window.
Qimeng's lips twitched.
Her gaze fell upon the meat platters on the table, which looked as though they had been ravaged by a hurricane.
They were so clean that not a single speck of grease remained.
“I mean, really, you're a nectar-gathering bee. Why on earth did you snatch and devour that roast meat like some starved ghost?”
“B-Because it smelled so good! It's my first time eating it, how was I supposed to know it would hurt this much? Sniffle.”
“You're just greedy. This is indigestion.”
Qimeng raised her hand in exasperation and flicked Xiaomi's forehead.
“You're so useless. Listen up, people with indigestion aren't allowed to lie down. Right now, go outside and walk it off!”
“Sob, as you command, merciless Master.”
Xiaomi clutched her stomach and, wobbling pathetically with every step, dragged herself out of the clearing.
This girl...
...is definitely a dummy of a vassal.
Meanwhile, in front of the withered tree.
The Wood Elves' Spirit of Nature selection ceremony finally reached its climax.
With a solemn expression, the Chief began to chant an incantation.
She unleashed the Vein Pattern Ritual, a secret technique passed down through the Wood Elf clan.
This spell could evaluate the potential of each Spirit of Nature on the platform one by one.
Generally, their potential was divided into one to six layers.
A six-layer spirit was a true Sacred Spirit.
The spell would reflect the corresponding number of leaf vein spiritual patterns.
As for anything above six layers?
That belonged to the realm of legends.
As the green patterns of the ritual intertwined in the center of the platform.
Beneath the first Spirit of Nature, four layers of leaf vein spiritual patterns slowly unfurled.
“Oh! Four layers!”
The Chief nodded in satisfaction.
“Its growth potential is quite good. It has the potential to help our clan evolve into high-ranking magical beasts. We will keep it as a candidate for now!”
However, when it came to the second spirit, the light it emitted was incredibly weak.
It fizzled out after forming only three layers of leaf vein spiritual patterns.
Disappointed sighs immediately echoed from the crowd below.
Finally, it was the turn of the spirit Eve had brought back.
In an instant, the ritual's light flared brilliantly!
Five incredibly clear layers of leaf vein spiritual patterns condensed in midair with a resounding hum!
“It succeeded! It's a five-layer spirit!!”
Eve stared at the dazzling five-layer spiritual patterns, her smug grin stretching almost from ear to ear.
These patterns would, at the very least, allow the Wood Elf clan to secure a decent, safe territory within this dangerous forest.
In her eyes, the position of Spirit Maiden was already as good as hers.
The Chief was equally thrilled.
She immediately raised both hands and chanted loudly.
She poured all her power into driving the ancient contract array on the platform.
Buzz.
As the brilliant green light continuously compressed.
From the core of that five-layer spirit...
...a dazzling natural spirit mark began to separate.
As long as this mark of recognition was fused into her forehead.
Eve and the spirit could formally forge their contract.
“And now, I announce! The new Spirit Maiden is...”
With a solemn expression, the Chief raised her hand and pointed.
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