The griffon soared steadily, its back supported by Wang Hui's robust chest, allowing Na Lan Xia's tense form to gradually relax.
She blinked her eyes, gazing about, as if intent on etching this panoramic view into her memory.
Wang Hui found this display of innocent wonder charming rather than novel, eliciting a faint smile from him.
Reflecting on their earlier conversation, a tinge of sorrow washed over him.
Na Lan Xia had been elected leader at the tender age of seventeen, and now, after eighteen years, she tirelessly labored for the survival of the Na Lan clan, even resorting to using heavenly crystal stones that diminished her lifespan to enhance her intellect, all in pursuit of making the most prudent decisions.
To ensure fairness in leadership selection and to prevent the inheritance of power, Na Lan Xia had been deprived of the opportunity to seek companionship or bear children…
In her over thirty years of life, it seemed that this fleeting moment of youthful exhilaration was the first time she was truly living for herself!
Unconsciously, Wang Hui leaned slightly forward.
He spoke softly, "Do you enjoy this scenery? I will instruct the griffon to frequently visit the Na Lan clan. Whenever you wish, simply summon it to take you for a flight."
"I…"
Upon hearing this, Na Lan Xia trembled lightly, as if a long-sealed softness within her had been stirred!
Tears welled uncontrollably in her eyes.
"Thank you… thank you…"
...
With Wang Hui's gesture, Na Lan Xia's inaugural journey through the skies lasted over an hour.
As they descended onto Na Lan territory, their arrival inevitably sparked a commotion and reverent kneeling.
"The divine one abhors disturbances; everyone, return to your duties!"
Upon touching down, Na Lan Xia regained the composure befitting her role as leader.
However, the redness around her eyes and the uncontainable joy upon her face hinted to the astute clansfolk of an extraordinary event.
It would not be long before the tale of "The Divine One and Xia Soaring Through the Skies" would circulate in countless versions, becoming a cherished legend!
The Na Lan people were always enthusiastic about such tales…
The joy of the divine and of Xia was the joy of the Na Lan!
"Please, follow me."
Unable to meet the proud, excited gazes of the crowd, Na Lan Xia led Wang Hui away to the rear mountains with an air of urgency.
After navigating several winding paths, they entered a heavily guarded stone chamber.
The former king of the underground was imprisoned here!
"As you cautioned earlier, this king of the underground is exceedingly cunning, feigning slumber to lure us closer.
Had it not been for Elder Wu's strategic maneuver that forced it into action early, our previous siege may have cost us dearly…"
Na Lan Xia pushed open the second door inside the chamber, revealing a large aluminum chest.
Not only was the chest aluminum, but even the inner chamber and its door were constructed from the same material!
"The king of the underground can alter its shape and dissolve rock to escape within a certain range.
We exerted considerable effort to trap it, discovering that it could not penetrate divine metal, thus hastily constructing this prison."
"Hmm."
Wang Hui nodded, casually stating, "Open the chest."
"But…"
The guard nearby was about to dissuade him when he noticed Na Lan Xia's expression and promptly fell silent.
This extraordinary man, though appearing human, was, in essence, an omnipotent deity!
The king of the underground, who had posed such a challenge to them, likely seemed no more than a slightly formidable insect before the divine!
The guard obediently unlocked the three aluminum locks on the chest.
Bang!
The lid of the chest was suddenly thrust open from within, and a blue-purple orb sprang forth, attempting to flee through the open door!
Thud—
The orb was rebuffed mid-leap by an invisible layer of source energy.
It landed on the ground and transformed into a puddle of slime, attempting to dissolve and burrow underground.
With a series of hissing sounds, it merely produced clouds of white steam above the surface, failing to penetrate the aluminum barrier.
Wang Hui stood by, hands in his pockets, observing this little creature struggle futilely.
Having harvested several rounds of source energy, his projection was now approximately thirty percent stronger than during his previous visit to the underground in search of the griffon!
Moreover, he was well-prepared for the slime's escape attempts, ensuring it would not easily slip away again.
"Do not waste your efforts."
Watching the slime panic and flail, Wang Hui spoke leisurely:
"If you can understand human speech, let us converse; if not…"
With that, he curled his fingers inward.
The flailing slime immediately froze in place, as if ensnared within an invisible dome, unable to move!
The stone chamber guard watched in awe, realizing the deity's power was indeed beyond comprehension!
Daring not to linger, he bowed and retreated, already envisioning boasting about his encounter at the tavern that evening…
"Don't! Don't harm me! I can understand!"
The puddle of slime emitted a sharp cry.
Wang Hui slightly relaxed his fingers, releasing the confinement formed by the source energy.
The slime began to undulate, gradually expanding and taking shape, transforming into a girl with flowing blue hair.
She stood at roughly one meter tall, her skin exceptionally pale from years spent away from sunlight.
Her deep purple eyes lent her an ethereal, haunting allure!
Such an extraordinary sight would have astonished the former Na Lan Xia.
Yet for Wang Hui, accustomed to witnessing divine phenomena, it was merely a spectacle…
Wang Hui raised an eyebrow, finding the blue-haired girl somewhat familiar, and blurted out,
"What is your name? It wouldn't happen to be Rimuru, would it?"
"No! What a ridiculous name!"
The blue-haired girl pouted in confusion before declaring proudly,
"I am the Sovereign of the Underground, the Ruler of Caves, the Conqueror of All…"
As her titles became increasingly absurd, the blue-haired girl suddenly sensed Wang Hui narrowing his eyes. She shivered and hastily added,
"…I am called Gurumi!"
Wang Hui winced at the name, feeling it even more peculiar than Rimuru.
Surely, it was simply a whimsical onomatopoeia?
Seeing his strange expression, Gurumi presumed she had impressed him with her name, striking a triumphant pose as she asked, "What do you wish to discuss with me?"
At this moment, the perceptive Na Lan Xia bowed respectfully,
"Divine One, I will fetch this… Gurumi some fitting clothing and return shortly."
Upon receiving Wang Hui's nod, she left the stone chamber, not forgetting to close both the inner and outer doors.
"That woman said you are… a deity?"
With her hands on her hips, Gurumi regarded Wang Hui with a skeptical expression, her purple eyes scrutinizing him closely.
"What? Do you not believe me?"
As Wang Hui spoke, he raised his hand again, casting an invisible source hand towards her!
"Hey! Stop! Don't grab me!"
Gurumi squealed in panic, causing Na Lan Xia, outside the chamber, to hesitate momentarily before quickening her pace with her head down.
"I believe! Let us speak civilly!"
Inside the stone chamber, Gurumi clung to the wall in a "big" shape, her face contorted with distress as she lamented,
"They severed my tentacles and imprisoned me in that box for so long…
If you have questions, ask swiftly, then let me go! I wish to return underground!"