“Wow, it actually mutated into an eye technique~”
“This is quite an incredible harvest.”
As the faint light faded, the world resumed its flow.
Qimeng rubbed her slightly aching eyes.
This sub-dimensional divine skill, even for a Demon Tree like her, would cause considerable fatigue to her visual nerves and mind if used frequently.
However, she was still extremely satisfied.
With this cheat-like ability akin to stopping time, taking down Advanced Rank magical beasts would be a breeze.
Since she had taken down their boss, there was naturally no reason not to search the place.
Qimeng turned toward the cluster of silk cocoons in the corner, which were all the emergency rations stockpiled by the earth spiders.
“On the principle of not wasting, I'll take over all of this.”
Countless roots spread over and pierced through the silk cocoons one by one, a sensation that was incredibly satisfying.
After being devoured by Devour All Things, they were all converted into reserve mana.
Right then, an unusual surge of mana fed back from one of the massive silk cocoons.
“Oh?”
Qimeng took a step forward and sliced open the cocoon, which was radiating a cold chill. Inside, there actually lay the well-preserved corpse of a wolf-type magical beast.
Judging from the lingering pressure she sensed, this had actually been an Intermediate Rank magical beast as well!
It had likely lost a battle against the Crying-Face Spider Queen and was turned into emergency rations.
“To think I could get a freebie like this.”
She devoured it once more.
As the roots wrapped around it, the wolf's corpse was swallowed up.
In her mind, an image of a freezing, frozen wasteland suddenly burst open.
An ice-attribute skill.
【Frost Condensation】
“Ice is originally a mutated form of water magic, after all...”
With a swift thought, she directly channeled the pure mana from the Water Core inside her body, forcibly blending it with the new skill.
In the next second, the skill underwent a qualitative change.
With the enhancement of the massive water elements from the Water Core, the originally ordinary skill, 【Frost Condensation】, bypassed the limitation of needing an environmental water source entirely.
Not only could she freely manipulate water elements out of thin air to freeze them into ice walls, ice spears, or any shape she desired, but she also derived a passive effect: 【Zero Friction】.
As long as she willed it, the ice surface she laid down could be so smooth that it completely erased all friction.
The moment any charging enemy stepped on it, they would guaranteed lose their balance and become sitting ducks.
The only regret was that she wasn't a traditional mage of both water and ice after all. She didn't know how to manipulate various spell circles yet, so she could only rely on the raw capacity of the water elements themselves for basic, straightforward uses.
But that was plenty. After all, who would expect a plant-type Demon Tree to be able to both summon water and freeze it?
This was a total backstab to the laws of botanical monsters, sure to catch any enemy completely off guard.
Returning to her throne in the Tree Court.
She began brainstorming the wonderful uses of ice.
Now that she had all kinds of precious fruits sent by the Wood Elves, paired with the ice cubes she could conjure up on a whim—chilled fruit juice, shaved fruit ice...
“Since I've thought of it, it would be a crime not to make some.”
Qimeng immediately used her mind to communicate with the Water Core, injecting a high concentration of bubbles into a secret syrup brewed from the sour berries and caramel vanilla sent by the Wood Elves.
As several ice cubes clinked into a wooden cup, bubbles began fizzing up in the liquid.
This otherworld version of a carbonated drink, which she named 【Fructose Soda】, actually looked quite presentable.
Taking a huge gulp, the icy bubbles danced in her mouth. She squinted her eyes in pure satisfaction, her small feet dangling off the edge of the throne, swinging excitedly.
“Phew... I'm alive again! Now this is the life.”
Just thinking about how she could enjoy this delightful, icy routine every day from now on, Qimeng sat on her throne with a light heart, lightly tapping her fingers on the armrest as she hummed a tuneless melody.
A polarized scene unfolded within the Tree Court.
On one side, the Wood Elf lolis were sweating it out in the training forest, practicing diligently to become stronger.
“The Sacred Spirit is watching us! Don't slack off! Heave-ho! Heave-ho!”
“Sweat today, no tears tomorrow! Keep your forehead safe from a flick tomorrow!”
The chants from their physical training echoed loudly, shaking the trees.
On the other side, however, was the Demon Tree young lady, dangling her small feet, leisurely humming a tune while sipping her iced soda.
Amid this strange contrast, the sky quickly darkened.
“Yaaawn...”
Qimeng stretched her arms high.
It was time for her unshakeable bath routine once again.
As a Demon Tree girl whose every gesture was filled with elegance, keeping her skin moisturized and her long hair fresh was her top priority, above all else.
However, the moment she stepped into the bath today, she was slightly surprised by the sight before her.
The bee girl Xiaomi, who usually had to be nagged to do any work, was unprecedentedly diligent.
Not only had she heated the bathwater until steam billowed, but she had also placed a round honey ball by the side of the tub, which was wafting a rich, sweet fragrance.
That was the little creature's private stash!
In addition, a fruit platter of unevenly cut pieces sat nearby; though its presentation left much to be desired, it was clearly prepared with care.
“Ah...”
Qimeng slipped into the warm bathwater, letting out a soft, comfortable hum.
Then, looking at Xiaomi, who was fidgeting with the corner of her clothes nearby, she couldn't help but chuckle.
“I say, Captain Xiaomi, did the sun rise from the west today? Why the sudden hospitality?”
“It's perfectly normal! Th-this is just the duty of an excellent vassal!”
Xiaomi puffed up her cheeks stubbornly, but at the thought of what had happened over the past few days, she immediately began twiddling her fingers self-consciously.
“Besides, Master... you risked your life to save me, so it's only natural for me to do this little bit for you.”
Seeing her tsundere and awkward look, Qimeng deliberately drew out her words.
“Oh...? Are you sure there's nothing else? Then you may leave!”
“Wait, th-that...”
Suddenly, Xiaomi fell into a state of immense inner conflict, using her two index fingers to alternately poke her own forehead.
Qimeng was completely bewildered.
“What are you doing? Some new kind of prayer ritual?”
“It's... it's that!”
Xiaomi's face turned beet red. She stammered for a long while before finally shouting out in sheer frustration.
“Those newly arrived Wood Elves! They all have those super pretty, glowing natural spirit marks on their foreheads! I want one too! Master, give me one as well! After all... I'm supposed to be your first vassal!”
“Huh?”
Qimeng tilted her head in amusement, then burst out laughing.
“You... could you be jealous?”
“I am not jealous! This is a reasonable bid for your affection! No, it's a reasonable demand as your first vassal! I don't care, I don't care, I want one too anyway!”
“You're not a Wood Elf. That's a covenant mark unique to their race. How am I supposed to make one appear out of thin air for you? I can't exactly tattoo the words 'Number One' on your forehead, can I?”
“Waaah... Meanie! Master is playing favorites! Master is a super-duper biased meanie!”
Her protest had utterly failed.
Shame and annoyance overcoming her, the bee girl's defense crumbled. Covering her blushing face, she turned away, unfurled her translucent wings, and fled in a flurry of buzzing sounds.
“She sure runs fast...”
Qimeng shook her head and called out to the retreating figure.
“Captain Xiaomi, remember to go inspect the Nightglow Mushrooms in a bit! I feel like something is off with them. No slacking!”
“I know, waaah!”
From the distant night sky, the bee girl's resentful reply faintly drifted back.
Rate on N.U.
