Hai Ying Tian's swift rise to present his gift drew silent curses from the crowd. Offering first was a cunning move—early gifts, even if modest, avoided the scrutiny faced by later ones, which would be compared to the increasingly lavish presents.
The Ice Spirit Root Tree, a relic from ancient times unearthed by the Khao Clan Elders, set an impossibly high bar. Only those like the Khao Clan, who scoured ruins for lost treasures, could procure such a marvel. While no one expected to surpass it, subsequent gifts needed to hold their own.
Everyone understood this, but Hai Ying Tian had outmaneuvered them. Under the crowd's scrutinizing gazes, he produced an item from his storage ring. The air trembled as spiritual energy surged toward it like a tidal wave.
A lustrous green jade pearl, it drew Wood Spiritual Energy to Hai Ying Tian's side with astonishing force, though, as a non-Wood cultivator, he couldn't absorb it. "Your Majesty, this is the Wood Spirit Pearl. Wearing it enhances Wood Spiritual Energy absorption. I've prepared it for a long time, hoping you won't find it lacking," he said earnestly, mustering courage to meet the Elf Queen's gem-like eyes.
"Low Spirit-Grade treasure. Hai Ying Tian spared no expense," Tian Die Dao remarked with a sly smile.
Lan An pondered silently. As a Ninth-Grade Power, Sea Palace considered a Spirit-Grade treasure immensely valuable, yet Hai Ying Tian offered it freely, revealing his genuine devotion to the Elf Queen. Sea Palace supported this, hoping to secure her as an ally, strengthening their position like a tiger gaining wings. They'd paid a steep price for the Wood Spirit Pearl to aid his pursuit.
Hai Fei Yun's expression was conflicted. Part of him wished his father would win the Elf Queen to bolster Sea Palace's standing, yet he feared his mother's relegation to obscurity if successful. The crowd watched, awaiting the Elf Queen's response.
Sensing Hai Ying Tian's complex gaze, the Elf Queen sighed inwardly. She understood his feelings but, with her lofty pride and discerning taste, found him lacking. "Thank you, Palace Master Hai," she said with a graceful smile, accepting the Wood Spirit Pearl. Turning to A Lian Ya, she instructed, "Bring the Water True Fruit."
A Lian Ya nodded, swiftly returning with a fruit condensed from potent Water Spiritual Energy, surpassing the Wood Spirit Pearl's aura. The Elf Queen took it, addressing Hai Ying Tian calmly, "Palace Master Hai faces a bottleneck at late Body Integration. This Water True Fruit, a token of my appreciation, boosts breakthrough chances. Please accept it."
"Worthy of the Queen, such magnanimity," Lan An thought, his respect deepening. The Water True Fruit outvalued the Wood Spirit Pearl, showing that, despite it being her birthday, the Elf Queen refused to owe favors or fuel Hai Ying Tian's hopes. By offering a superior gift under the guise of aiding his cultivation, she maintained his dignity while keeping their relationship transactional.
The seasoned guests grasped her intent, marveling at her tact. Hai Ying Tian paled, uncheered by the Water True Fruit. Unlike the Khao Clan Elders, whose gift she accepted warmly, she treated him as an outsider. Unable to refuse her radiant gaze, he forced a strained smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he rasped, taking the fruit and returning to his seat, dejected.
Hai Fei Yun exhaled in relief. This outcome was ideal—if his father broke through to late Body Integration with the Water True Fruit, both he and Sea Palace would rise in status. Yet, whether Hai Ying Tian could overcome his fixation on the Elf Queen remained uncertain.
Lan An shook his head. Hai Ying Tian's courtship was too submissive, following the Elf Queen's lead without leaving a mark. Bach Hieu Sinh's eyes glinted with mockery—Hai Ying Tian was no rival in romance. Glancing at Lan An laughing with Yan Yue Qi, he sneered inwardly. The Queen would never vie for affection with another woman, given her sovereign status.
As the crowd mulled, Shui Shuang Hua rose like a celestial fairy, a shimmering White Lotus spinning in her palm. Each rotation stirred a whirlwind of Wind Energy, accompanied by soothing wind chime sounds. "This Supreme Heavenly-Grade White Wind Lotus, one of only two in Pill Valley, offers petals invaluable for Wind cultivators and elixir crafting. They regrow over time," Dan Vo Hanh said, stroking his beard.
"White Wind Lotus, for your birthday, Sister," Shui Shuang Hua said, placing it in the Elf Queen's hands, ignoring all others.
"Thank you, Sister Shui. I love it," the Elf Queen replied softly, accepting the lotus and giving her a gentle hug. Though Elf Island had superior Wind herbs, she cherished Shui Shuang Hua's gesture. Shui Shuang Hua's lips curved slightly before she returned to her seat, silent as ever. No reciprocal gift was offered, hinting at their close bond.
"Yue Qi, what's your gift for the Queen?" Lan An transmitted.
"D Beauty Pill," Yan Yue Qi replied. He'd given her several vials, and she reserved one for the Queen.
Lan An chuckled. As a junior from an Eighth-Grade Power, a heartfelt gift sufficed. But he shook his head, transmitting, "We're one. I'll present our gift together."
Yan Yue Qi's heart warmed, nodding discreetly. Dan Quin rose, producing a translucent jade vial containing two differently colored pills—one green, one white. Approaching the Elf Queen, he said gravely, "On behalf of Pill Valley, I offer the Wood Enlightenment Pill and Wind Enlightenment Pill, hoping they aid your cultivation."
Some guests looked puzzled, unfamiliar with the pills. Tian Die Dao's group from Myriad Treasures Pavilion gasped. "Pill Valley spared no expense, offering two mid Spirit-Grade pills," she murmured.
As curiosity grew, Dan Manh boasted, "Comprehension is key to becoming a powerhouse. With the same technique, higher comprehension yields faster mastery and greater power." The crowd nodded—comprehension was indeed a facet of talent. Smirking, Dan Manh continued, "The Wood and Wind Enlightenment Pills double comprehension for Wood and Wind cultivation for six months."
"Remarkable!" the crowd exclaimed. Lan An's interest piqued. His comprehension was already high; with these pills and his Acceleration Array, mastering Spirit-Grade techniques would be effortless, like cheating. Dan Manh, reveling in the attention, shot provocative glances at Bach Hieu Sinh and Lan An.
The Elf Queen's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Pill Valley's gift is generous. My thanks," she said courteously. Dan Vo Hanh waved it off, stroking his beard. "No need for formalities. Our Valley Master is intrigued by your Million-Year Ginseng. Might we purchase it?"
"Shameless…" The crowd's admiration turned to scorn. Pill Valley's generosity masked ulterior motives. A Nhi puffed her cheeks indignantly.
The Elf Queen's expression shifted slightly, sighing. "The Million-Year Ginseng is reserved, but we have two Hundred-Thousand-Year Ginsengs for Pill Valley to cultivate."
She signaled A Lian Ya, who presented two ginsengs to Dan Quin. "Is this satisfactory, Vice-Master Dan? Consider it my gift to Pill Valley, no purchase needed," the Elf Queen said elegantly.
"What use does your Queendom have for the Million-Year Ginseng?" Dan Quin asked, curious. Such a high-grade herb promised earth-shaking effects, sparking the crowd's interest.
The Elf Queen shook her head calmly. "If Vice-Master Dan finds the ginsengs lacking, you may return the Enlightenment Pills."
Lan An felt a warmth in his heart. The Elf Queen was shielding him, aware that A Nhi had gifted him the Million-Year Ginseng, protecting him from Pill Valley's scrutiny. His fondness for her grew. Yan Yue Qi, Tian Die Dao, and her maids exchanged knowing glances, recalling A Nhi's gift.
Dan Quin's face changed, and he quickly saluted. "Your Majesty misunderstands. The Hundred-Thousand-Year Ginsengs are excellent. Pill Valley can hasten their growth." He accepted the ginsengs from A Lian Ya and returned to his seat. Pill Valley relied heavily on the Elves' herbs and couldn't afford to offend them.
Next, Ji Kha stepped forward, holding a jade pendant. Smiling, he said, "This contains vital information divined by the Heavenly Secret Palace, a birthday gift for Your Majesty."
The crowd gasped—a significant revelation from the Heavenly Secret Palace was no trifling matter. Even the Khao Clan Elders showed interest, while others itched to know more. "So secretive," Myriad Treasures Pavilion's women scoffed, confident in their own intelligence network.
The Elf Queen, respecting the Heavenly Secret Palace, solemnly accepted the pendant without revealing its contents. Lan An frowned slightly. The Palace had divined his identity, triggering the Heavenly Dao Eye. He hoped their gift wasn't about him.
After Sea Palace, Pill Valley, Water Heaven Sect, and Heavenly Secret Palace, the Dwarf Clan Chief presented a high Spirit-Grade longbow, ideal for Elves. Other guests and Elven powerhouses followed, their gifts less grand but warmly received by the Elf Queen, her noble eyes radiating heartfelt gratitude.
Seeing her growing joy, Tian Die Dao could no longer restrain herself. "Sister Queen, Dao Dao offers a humble gift from Myriad Treasures Pavilion for your birthday," she said, stepping forward with an innocent, charming demeanor that piqued everyone's curiosity.
Even Lan An was intrigued. As a major partner of Elf Island, Myriad Treasures Pavilion's gift promised to impress. Under the crowd's gaze, Tian Die Dao produced a watermelon-sized, spherical object. It voraciously absorbed spiritual energy, as if to devour it all.
In that moment, eyes narrowed, and brows furrowed. "A Spirit Beast Egg?" the crowd murmured.