Thank you to Alliance Leader Zhuangsheng Xiaomeng Mi Hudie for the 50,000-token gift. Happy National Day.
……
Not only were there no conditions attached, but they would even send two clansmen to help him tend the herb garden. Could such a bargain really exist in this world…
Yang Kai finally understood just how desperately the Wood Spirit clan craved and pursued rare plants.
Just as the Elder had said — it was simply their nature. Being allowed to look after Yang Kai's plants was, to them, the greatest reward imaginable. And for Yang Kai, this was an incredibly good deal. Not only did he have to give up nothing, but he was also getting two caretakers for free. Tell him — was there anything better in this world?
The sudden windfall left Yang Kai a bit dazed. He paced back and forth inside the tree hollow several times, practically buzzing with excitement.
Mu Na watched him with a frown, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "If you turn even this down, then I have nothing more to say. Don't bother coming here again in the future — the Wood Spirit clan won't welcome you! And neither will the Stone Puppet clan."
"Agreed, why wouldn't I agree!" Yang Kai stopped pacing and grinned at Mu Na. "With such generosity from the Matriarch, it would be terribly rude of this junior to keep refusing."
Mu Na gave a soft snort and shot him a look that said, *At least you know what's good for you.*
Yang Kai's expression turned serious. "However, there is one thing the Matriarch ought to know."
"What?"
"Once those two clansmen are in my care, I'm afraid they won't be able to see the light of day so easily." If he actually got two Wood Spirits, he would almost certainly toss them into the herb garden of his Minor World. Until he had the strength to protect the Unaging Tree, he would never let them leave freely.
Mu Na frowned. "What, you intend to restrict their freedom?"
"I'm afraid I have no choice. I ask the Matriarch's understanding."
Mu Na's gaze turned thoughtful. "So that thing really is something extraordinary."
Yang Kai replied earnestly. "If the Matriarch has no objections to this arrangement, then this junior would be only too happy to oblige. And of course, I won't mistreat them — of that, the Matriarch may rest assured."
"That much I'm not worried about." For Wood Spirits, being able to associate with precious plants was the greatest joy in life. Yang Kai possessed the Azure Tree and perhaps even something more precious still — any Wood Spirit would gladly serve by his side. Moreover, given that Mu Na had made the offer in the first place, she had clearly anticipated this outcome long ago. She nodded. "No problem."
Yang Kai broke into a broad grin. "Many thanks for the Matriarch's kindness!" Any lingering displeasure toward Mu Na had long since evaporated. He suddenly added with a bit of sheepishness, "Matriarch, wouldn't two clansmen be a bit few? If it's possible, could you perhaps send seven or eight?"
The Elder's eyes went wide beside him, and Mu Na erupted. "Get lost!"
"I was just asking! If the answer's no, fine — no need to curse at me," Yang Kai muttered, tilting his head.
"Don't you dare act all coy after getting what you want!" Mu Na snapped indignantly.
Yang Kai straightened up, looking perfectly innocent. "Matriarch, could you please summon the two clansmen quickly? I have important matters to attend to and can't stay long." He wasn't about to waste a single moment — for fear Mu Na might change her mind. Regardless, his first priority was to spirit away those two Wood Spirits before anything else.
Mu Na was fuming inside, but she still raised her hand and clapped twice.
Two sharp claps rang out, and before long two Wood Spirits flew in from outside. After bowing to Mu Na, they both turned to study Yang Kai, evidently having been prepared in advance.
Yang Kai took a good look and immediately perked up. One of the two Wood Spirits was a familiar face — the very one who had gone to greet him yesterday. She seemed to be extremely shy; the moment their eyes met, her face flushed scarlet, and she looked around in a fluster.
The other was also a female Wood Spirit, but she carried herself with poise and grace. Seeing Yang Kai's gaze upon her, she offered a demure smile that seemed to brighten the world around them.
"Mu Zhu, Mu Lu — from now on, you will stay by this young man's side and take good care of his… whatever it is," Mu Na ordered.
Mu Zhu and Mu Lu answered in unison. "Yes!"
Mu Na turned to Yang Kai. "I'm handing them over to you. If you let them suffer the slightest grievance or sustain the slightest injury, I will hold you personally responsible!"
"Rest assured, Matriarch — I won't let a single hair on their heads be harmed!" Yang Kai thumped his chest in assurance. His eyes lit up as he gazed at Mu Zhu and Mu Lu. My, my — from this day forward, these two Wood Spirits belonged to him. How wonderfully surreal.
"Which one of you is Mu Zhu, and which is Mu Lu?" Yang Kai asked with a pleasant smile, looking as harmless as could be.
The poised Wood Spirit curtsied gracefully. "I am Mu Zhu." She pointed to her companion, who was still blushing. "She is Mu Lu."
"Mm-hmm!" Yang Kai nodded repeatedly, then said gently, "I'm going to send you both to a place now — don't be afraid!"