Hana and her pets continued 'beautifying' their home with the excessive amount of spirit pearls leisurely throughout the whole evening. Everyone was in a good mood.
The vibe of the cave-dwelling has gotten a lot more posh as the area covered with expensive 'tiles' grew wider by the minute. Hana was pleasantly surprised when the position where she stood lit up with a soft white light when she stepped on the tiled spiritual pearls. However, when she lifted her foot, the light diminished as the weak greenish glow returned. What shocked her the most was her tiredness reduced a lot noticeably with every step on these new 'tiles'!
Seeing the effect of the spiritual pearls, both Kuro and Shiro gave an approving nod; they believed that the course of action was quite apt. Even they were quite amazed by these super expensive 'tiles'. They just realized that as long as the spirit pearls were in contact with a recipient with the ability to absorb spiritual energy, the pearls will react and release a minute amount of spiritual energy into the recipient even without the recipient consciously absorbing it. Additionally, the effect was not just in the form of addition, it was multiplication! As usual, Mommy's creative idea was always off the charts!
They suspected that the Marine Waterwave clan had no inkling about this newfound information. If not, the dim-witted fishes won't so easily gave away such precious resources. Making a small cultivation chamber full of these spirit pearls could really make a difference for creatures who just started to cultivate!
Additionally, even without being stepped upon, the pearls will add a tinge of spirituality to the cave's atmosphere. As Hana breathed in the spirit-filled air of the cave, her pores and lungs will be soaked in it. It will be just nice for her level of constitution, although, to Kuro and Shiro, it was negligible. With both effects obtained from physical contact and atmospheric-filled spirituality, their mommy's constitution will rise even without her consciously cultivating! This was almost like cheating!
Since they will have a continuous supply of spirit pearls later, Kuro and Shiro weren't planning to inhibit their mommy's creativity. They planned to support whatever she wished to try with the pearls. Even if the aunty embeds at all the nook and cranny of the cave, there will still be a huge amount of surplus left.
"So, what do you think, guys?" Hana asked her two pets happily while twirling and dancing in a circular motion around the dimly lit fireplace. Her every step lit up following her movement. It was a sight to behold. Their Mommy looked like a cheerful fairy, albeit a slightly chubby one.
"Isn't it beautiful?" She added while making a super smug expression.
"So pretty, Mommy! One hundred thousand Likes!!! You're so awesome!" Kuro complimented her by using the words he came across many times from Mommy's memories in the form of dreams. He didn't forget to add a lot of flattery in between too in the hopes of scoring more affection points.
Shiro looked around and closed his eyes. He was inspired by Hana's action. Once he opened them, he jumped to five various locations around the small cave and started digging. To Kuro's dismay, he then took five out of ten Spiritual Crystals and placed them inside the holes of different locations. He buried them carefully and returned to Hana's side nonchalantly.
"What are you doing, Brother?!" Kuro was exasperated! There's only ten!
"Wait for it." Shiro was too lazy to explain. Both Hana and Kuro were waiting together with Shiro patiently.
A few moments passed by before Kuro could feel a slight tremor in the air. Suddenly, he felt the spiritual energy thickened more than a dozen times!
"What happen?!" Kuro immediately switched to his spiritual sense to see. From the five spots where Shiro buried the spirit crystals, spiritual energy emitted out even without anyone activating them. There was faint spiritual connections between each crystal. The flow of the spiritual energy within the space which was covered with spirit pearls was amplified! This level of energy! It was just a little lower from their own requirements!
Kuro looked at Shiro with a questioning look fill with awe. 'What did you do' was written all over it.
"Can you guys feel it? The quality of the spiritual energy had multiplied at least fifty times, right? I've seen my elders did this a few times before. The five crystals are the core inside the formation. It amplified the gathering of spiritual energy from the surroundings and enhanced the effect to the spirit pearls. With this the spirit pearls could emit stronger passive spiritual energy without being exhausted too soon." Shiro smugly explained.
Hana and Kuro were agape!
"How long will it last?" Kuro asked nervously.
"With the quality of the pearls and the crystal, about one month, before we should replace the next five spirit crystals.
Hana asked incredulously, "Can you guys cultivate with this much of spirituality?"
"Yes! Although a little less than desired, our cultivation could benefit too albeit slower! The good thing is if we use the crystal directly, it will be finished within 1 week but now we have two whole months!!"
"Banzai!!!" The three of them flailed their hands (and head) in the air happily as they had unintentionally created an artificial immortal abode!
…<
Since the short interlude with the Waterwave Marine Clan was finally over, and the ad-hoc creation of their immortal abode, they soon returned to their plans to subjugate the giant termite queen mother. In the short moment when Hana couldn't connect with Kuro, he had investigated the Elemental Fiend's nest extensively and had come to the conclusion that the nest itself didn't have any external extension. After discussing extensively, Hana made a conclusion that they still need additional help from outsiders. Their own manpower was too low. Although Kuro and Shiro were extremely strong, there were just two of them. They needed at least another strong expert with them to realize the plan.
"Where can we find experts that could or will help us out of the blue? Won't Ara and Markisah do?" Hana asked the two boys while pouring a bowl of garlic fish soup for each of them. She wasn't planning to eat the dish this time. Lately, she felt full almost every moment of the day. The previous five-hour sleep before meeting the delegation from the Waterwave Marine Clan had invigorated her immensely. She realized that if she didn't perform the soul-link with shared sight, her energy won't plummet easily.
"No. We should try to find a 'real' expert. That little fish is too weak. She could still contend against tens of Elemental Fiends if she goes all out, but the swarm over here were numbered at hundreds of thousands. Even if she used the Lifeguard Scale, the energy would soon be depleted before she would be swarmed to her death. The bird is worse! Her constitution was just a little stronger than the current you, Mommy. A single or two warrior-class Elemental Fiend could just swallow her whole." Kuro explained quietly while thinking. He had no allies in this area. It was either kill or be killed. He could name a few competent candidates, but all of those were enemies he had offended big time.
He suddenly realized that what Mommy said was true; do not provoke others when you're not provoked. If the relationships between him and the rest were neutral, he could at least request their assistance by compensating them with something in return. But who would be willing to help you when you have decimated their whole clan's elders or eaten out their descendants, even when you could produce a treasure to entice them? Even if they were willing, would you dare to trust your backs on them, knowing that they might exact vengeance on you at any moment?
The Waterwave Marine Clan was the only proactive one who still dared to establish a positive relationship with them. It only happens with the presence of Hana. If Hana was not around, they too, wouldn't dare to be so brazen. He was too tyrannical in the past. He bowed low with guilt. His previous actions had made it hard for Mommy to achieve her goal.
Hana could guess what the little snake was thinking like an open book even without reading his mind. "It's alright, Sweetie. If worse come to worse, let's just ask the Grand Elder for a helping hand. I'll just add another Elder to be included into the breakthrough list." She rubbed Kuro's head dotingly.
Kuro and Shiro simultaneously answered, "No! You can't!" More experts for the Waterwave Marine Clan means bigger problem once they finally break off their cordial relationship. Additionally, who would know whether any of the clan experts harbored resentments from his previous attack on the clan?
Unless the little slave girl truly became the next Lord for the clan and had tight control of the clan's management. However, both Kuro and Shiro didn't dare to put any stake on it. The two sly old fogies were still alive and kicking! They were brimming with vitality to this day! If the Crystal-veined stream Lord succeeded his third heavenly tribulation, he would be an Imperial Lord! They weren't sure they could still contend with the old spirit fish if that happens. The only option was to escape as far as possible.
"Eh, I thought I heard a sound outside? Markisah? Is that you? Just come in, Dear." Hana peered at the entrance of the cave while calling out to the pretty little yellow bird with speckled chest.
Nobody answered after a few seconds.
Hana gestured Kuro to go outside to check. The little snake sighed unwillingly and slithered outside to check what was wrong with the bird.
"What are you doing outside, shitty bird?! Stop being a nuisance and just come in!" Kuro was agape to see no bird outside; only a branch with three mind-cleansing fruit was lying on the ground just outside the cave entrance.
He scrunched his brow and looked around. Since he couldn't find the stupid bird, he shrugged and relayed what he knew to Hana while passing the mind cleansing fruits.
While Hana was surprised, she didn't think much of it. Probably the bird has urgent matters need to be attended.
…