Wang Hui strolled leisurely, his hands tucked into his pockets, under the watchful eyes of the wary wolves.
In this world, free from industrial pollution, the autumn breeze caressed the fresh air, inducing a sense of refreshing comfort.
"When I grow older, settling down in the miniature world for retirement might not be a bad option.
It's just a pity that the area is somewhat small, and there isn't much scenery to explore…"
As he mused, Wang Hui noticed a contingent of cavalry approaching from a distance.
The armor bore the prominent "Thunder Green" insignia, clearly hailing from the Na Lan clan.
Moments later, upon spotting Wang Hui's figure, they immediately reigned in their horses, hesitant to draw nearer.
After a whispered exchange, two cavalrymen hastily retreated towards the mountainous territory.
The remaining members followed at a distance, tailing Wang Hui wherever he wandered.
"Ah, it seems I made too grand an impression at the martial combat tournament, revealing myself shortly after my arrival…"
Before long, as Wang Hui reached the riverbank, a large group led by Na Lan Xia hurriedly approached.
"Divine One has arrived; we have failed to offer a proper welcome, please forgive us!"
In an instant, a multitude knelt by the riverside.
Wang Hui, finding a fallen tree trunk, seated himself nonchalantly and waved his hand dismissively:
"Let Xia remain, the rest may return to their duties."
"At your command!"
With each divine blessing and display of power, the might of the deity had become firmly ingrained in their hearts.
The high-ranking members of the Na Lan clan bowed and retreated in subservience.
Once they reached a safe distance, they exchanged knowing glances and smirks.
The leader was indeed favored by the divine; the Na Lan clan was fortunate!
...
With the departure of the crowd, the riverbank felt suddenly spacious.
Na Lan Xia, inexplicably tense, stood to the side with her head lowered, nervously wringing her hands.
Typically known for her wisdom, she now displayed a vulnerable, youthful demeanor, evoking sympathy!
However, Wang Hui's attention was elsewhere…
Swish—
He reached out, conjuring a massive translucent hand from the source energy to delve into the river.
With a casual scoop, several large fish were flung ashore!
Seeing this, Na Lan Xia marveled at the divine power on display, quickly taking initiative to assist.
She gathered dry twigs into a pile and extracted a fire starter from her sleeve to ignite it.
Wang Hui caught sight of Na Lan Xia kneeling beside the twig pile, diligently blowing upon the flame, and couldn't help but ask:
"You seem quite adept at starting fires; does the leader often engage in such labor?"
"It is no longer necessary, but I did so for many years in my youth."
While skewering fish with polished twigs, Na Lan Xia softly explained:
"The selection of leaders in the Na Lan clan differs from that of the Hu Yan and Zuo Qiu clans.
Martial prowess is not the foremost criterion, nor is there a bloodline inheritance.
All members of the Na Lan clan grow up in equal living conditions, and the leader is chosen from among the most intelligent of our kin.
It is precisely because the leader understands how everyone lives that they are more willing to follow in their footsteps."
Wang Hui nodded, his expression dawning with understanding.
No wonder, when Na Lan Xia had spent so much to compensate the Zuo Qiu clan, it had not stirred significant unrest.
The leader was chosen in the most grounded and equitable manner, making decisions that aligned with the interests of the majority, hence facing little opposition.
"Divine One, please enjoy!"
As they spoke, the plump river fish sizzled with oil, and Na Lan Xia respectfully offered one to Wang Hui.
"Sit down and eat with me."
Wang Hui beckoned, and after a moment's hesitation, Na Lan Xia, a bit shy, took a seat beside him with a roasted fish in hand.
Seeing Wang Hui dive into the meal without hesitation, she carefully followed suit.
So fresh!
The exceptionally delectable flavor made Na Lan Xia wonder.
Every part of her felt as though it were rejoicing, invigorating her spirit!
When had her fish-cooking skills improved so remarkably?
Or perhaps… was this also a handiwork of the divine?
Noticing Na Lan Xia's astonished expression as she tasted the fish, Wang Hui couldn't help but smirk.
It was the source energy; he had infused it into the fish!
Even without intent, the mere essence absorbed during fishing was sufficient to bestow vitality and spirit to the fish.
Not only had the flesh transformed into a delicacy, but the benefits of consuming it far exceeded those of ordinary fish.
Of course, for Wang Hui, its role as a seasoning was of primary importance.
After all, as a projection, nutritional value was irrelevant; if he desired source energy, he could simply absorb heavenly crystal stones.
Eating was merely about savoring novelty, indulging a fleeting craving!
"It seems you have resolved the issue with the purple-skinned monsters; how did you deal with the King of the Underground?
And how was the harvest of the jade wheat cultivated by the Zuo Qiu clan?"
"Thanks to your blessings, the purple-skinned monsters were completely eradicated last month, and the King of the Underground, which you refer to as slime, has been captured by Elder Wu and is now sealed within divine metal.
According to Chief He Yue, both last year's and this year's jade wheat harvests were abundant, and we traded for a substantial amount; everyone has come to adore this hearty new staple…"
One divine being and one clan leader sat by the riverbank, engaged in casual conversation about matters of great consequence to the world.
Overall, developments aligned with Wang Hui's expectations, with only a few unexpected occurrences during the war.
For instance, the soldiers who had repeatedly come into contact with the blood of the purple-skinned monsters displayed varying degrees of enhancement in their physiques.
They had not achieved the exaggerated progress of Hu Yan Wu consuming heavenly crystal stones, but they had generally increased their combat strength by at least thirty percent!
The purple-skinned monsters, infused with heavenly crystal energy, seemed to experience some mutation in their blood.
This allowed humans to more readily access the benefits of source energy through them…
"Is there any of that special purple-skinned monster blood left?"
"There is."
Na Lan Xia explained: "Upon discovering this, we hunted the special purple-skinned monsters and collected their blood before incinerating them."
As she spoke, Wang Hui noticed the hybrid beast, a griffon, soaring overhead.
His consciousness stirred, and the creature took note, descending with joyful cries.
"Having eaten enough, let's go check on the King of the Underground!"
Wang Hui mounted the griffon's back and extended his hand to Na Lan Xia.
The latter froze momentarily, panic flashing across her face as she said, "I-I am but a mere mortal; how can I ride with you… Ah!"
With a gentle tug, Wang Hui pulled Na Lan Xia onto the griffon.
"What are you hesitating for? Fly!"
At Wang Hui's command, the griffon took to the skies!
As they ascended higher, the rushing air streamed past them.
Na Lan Xia clutched the griffon's nape tightly, unwilling to loosen her grip.
Seated behind her, Wang Hui waited momentarily in silence, then reached out to pat Na Lan Xia's cheek, reminding her:
"Hey, don't forget to breathe!"
"Hu—hu—"
With her face flushed, Na Lan Xia finally managed to draw a breath, nearly suffocating from the exhilaration.
"I actually… flew into the sky…"
She gazed down at the now diminutive Shinagawa River, awe-struck!
In the minds of the miniature world's denizens, the sky was a realm only birds and deities could traverse.
Never had she imagined that one day she would observe the world from such a perspective!