Honestly, Liu Shu was impressed by her daughters. She had not expected that the attempts from back then would result in today's outcome. To be honest, Liu Shu had thought that, other than Celestial Lotus, who already had lovers even before meeting Liu Shu, the rest would not be affected.
Surprise, surprise, Warlya's pregnant declaration struck her like lightning out of the blue. Liu Shu looked at them for a few moments and then laughed. "Well, congratulations. I guess I can tease them a bit with this. Hehe."
The five Sylvan children let out a sigh of relief inwardly. Honestly, they had been quite nervous when breaking the news. While they were old enough, they knew that Liu Shu wouldn't really prevent their relationships, even if the World Trees they had seduced were close friends with their mother.
It was a somewhat… exciting relationship. So, they feared that Liu Shu would feel uncomfortable. Thankfully, Liu Shu didn't seem to mind in the slightest.
Knowing that they were probably nervous, Liu Shu decided to be clear. "You can continue loving without any pressure. My relationship with them won't change because of this, dears. Remember that we are World Trees. Our relationship with each other is different from that of Intelligent Species. Only…" Her lips arched a bit as she poked Arlyn's belly. "I will for sure tease you for it for a long time, so be prepared. Hahaha."
Arlyn smiled awkwardly, but there was a sense of relief in her eyes. Liu Shu also added. "Also, don't you dare climb up in terms of seniority just because you bagged my Big Sisters. You are all my babies and will continue to be forevermore."
The Sylvans blinked and smiled, walking forward and squishing Liu Shu in a group hug. "Hehe."
Tempestria and the others just sighed. Their relationship with other World Trees was not that deep. Therefore, it was not a problem in their eyes. They were just a touch worried Liu Shu would find it uncomfortable. So, with the clear "go ahead" given, they stopped worrying.
Tempestria still pulled Arlyn's long ear. "You revealing it after Warlya is pregnant is asking if you can eat the rice after you've already digested it. Next time, you better speak beforehand, or we will get properly angry."
Arlyn nodded hastily. "Ouch, ouch, ouch! Yes, yes! I know, so don't pull my ear!"
Malyra, who had been nearby, asked with her charming yet somewhat gloomy voice. "What kind of child will Big Sister and Lady Warlya have together?"
Arlyn glanced sideways and smiled. "You are Malyra, right?"
Malyra smiled creepily. "Yeah!"
Arlyn chuckled and patted her head. "A Sylvan and World Tree can have many types of progeny. Usually, a Sylvan is the most common. Nevertheless, dryads, alraune, treants, fairies, and even many other plant-kind can be born easily. So… it is a surprise each time. World Trees are usually flowers that bear different fruits each time. They are, after all, the ancestors of most Intelligent flora."
It was ambiguous whether Sylvans fell more into the "flora" characteristics than "fauna." Nevertheless, it was true that they were of plant descent and could even grow fruits on their hair. So, it was still something discussed to this day.
Cinderielle asked Liu Shu. "It will soon be the time to meet with Sarlos. Are you prepared?"
Liu Shu nodded. "I am. I've mostly finished everything I will be using in the exchange. Now I just need to hope that he is interested in what I have to offer."
Seraphina was hugging Sariel as she answered. "He will. Your fruits are extraordinary, Liu Shu. I tell you this coming from the Covenant and having seen the effects of Lady Balaya's fruits."
Obsidianis snorted. "Still using honorifics for Balaya?"
Seraphina smiled calmly. "No matter what, Lady Balaya is a World Tree. She is someone worthy of that minimum respect."
"So stiff…" Obsidianis snatched Malyra into her arms, raining kisses onto her cheeks. "Right, baby? Tell Seraphina that she is stiff."
"Hahaha." Malyra began laughing, feeling ticklish as she squirmed in Obsidianis's arms.
'Ah… My baby is so cute~.'
Obsidianis was even thankful that her daughters were Nightmare Blooms. She just adored them from the bottom of her heart. Of course, it had been difficult raising them, and with the war in the middle, there were many times when it was almost dangerous. Still, now that the harshest period had passed and she had learned to control and raise them, she just felt that they were a bundle of love far too pure to give to everyone.
A typical parent syndrome with most of their children.
Liu Shu clapped and smiled. "Let's go back and eat together."
Harmonixia hugged Liu Shu from behind, biting her ear softly. "Hey… you have not forgotten that I've reserved you for tonight and tomorrow, right?"
The melodic yet seductive voice caused all of Liu Shu's bones to soften as she fell into her arms. Liu Shu looked up with her face slightly flushed. "L-Later… Don't flip my trigger now."
Harmonixia's satisfaction levels soared over the clouds when she saw Liu Shu's expression.
The family moved and had a good time together. As for Harmonixia… Well, she was having both good and bad luck. Because of Liu Shu's previous strange thoughts when she saw Malyra, Harmonixia was inflicted with the horrors of how pleasurable tentacle intercourse was.
The fact that she couldn't leave her bed for an entire day because her body was far too sensitive after the fact was something Harmonixia asked her baby Blue to hide from the others.
***
Time passed, and the result of the conflict between the Abyssal Void Nexus, Verdant Sanctity Covenant, and Golden Sap Empire spread and became known to nearby powers.
In a matter of a few years, several sights that would've never turned toward Liu Shu's area moved over with deep interest and attentiveness. Information about Liu Shu became several times more expensive as Information Brookers noticed the surging interest.
Even when she didn't have a tenth of the Covenant's and Nexus's territory, Liu Shu's fame shot straight up and almost caught up with them.
There were also many people who, after getting to know about some of Liu Shu's blessings, decided to migrate over. Liu Shu's territory was incredibly attractive for all types of individuals.
First and foremost, the variety of species made sure that they would not be suddenly discriminated against. At least not too overtly. Perhaps there was some personal bias and such, but the Golden Sap Empire showed that it could even accept Insectoids. So the rest of the species felt comfortable migrating over.
Second, and also very importantly. The Golden Sap Empire was a new power. Most of the Solar Systems were yet to be colonized, and therefore it was a massive real estate investment place where people could make a fortune if they played their cards properly. Not to mention, most merchant firms felt they would crush local brands, creating good cash flow.
This second point was somewhat of a misunderstanding because Liu Shu didn't sell land or even buildings. She only rented. After all, those buildings were her children. What was best in that regard was that each
As for overwhelming local brands… Hehe. Liu Shu had already tried to do so in the past, and such an event was only fuel for the massive Golden Sap Empire machine. Local merchants might be slightly behind those interstellar merchants. However, they had one advantage: They knew how the Golden Sap Empire worked in detail.
Thirdly, and not less important than the previous two points… Liu Shu's blessings. Those that were leaked and spread were more than enough to make both the old and the young's eyes widen.
The
Having anticipated all of this, Liu Shu had already created an immigration branch in the government that got trained during the assimilation of the nine surrounding Solar Systems.
"Now…
Liu Shu threw one
"Alright, time for the meeting."
Her gaze stretched and crossed the distance between her and the faraway space station. The space station was on high alert after they felt her roots approaching. Therefore, she had stopped nearby without advancing to reassure them.
In the giant space station, some of the leaders glanced at the map with complicated looks. In the sub-dimensional radar, they could see a mass of roots surrounding their location and leaving them isolated.
"That's the rumored Heavenly Willow?"
"What an absurd root density…"
"Her domain looks incredibly solid as well. The reading devices are having trouble measuring it properly, but even the smallest readings are far above
"Let's hope that she is not aggressive. Very few World Trees bother with space stations like ours, but that doesn't mean that there is none."
"Should we make contact with her…?"
"We can try. I doubt she'll answer, though."
With very few expectations, they sent a remotely piloted starship and created a hologram of their room. There was also a sound transmission device to communicate.
"We greet Lady Heavenly Willow. We would like to ask the reason for your arrival."
The void was silent for a few moments. They all internally sighed, having expected it. That feeling only lasted for a few moments, though.
Liu Shu glanced at the starship, and her ethereal and gentle voice echoed in the void. "I am here to meet and discuss a trade of resources with another individual. Do not mind my presence. I promise that I am not here with ill intent. Treat me as a peculiar customer who has approached this Spatial Station."
The leaders blinked, then blinked twice, and then made a stupid sound. "Huh?"
"Did the World Tree just answer…?"
"What are you getting dazed about!? Answer her back, quickly!"
The holograms, which were showing a stupefied expression, quickly regained their calm looks. One of them smiled. "Ah… I see… T-Then, I hope Lady Heavenly Willow has a pleasant trade…?"
Liu Shu laughed to herself without showing it outwardly. She answered softly. "Thank you for your kind words."
The hologram was cut off, and then they all began discussing among each other. "Is there a human or something imitating her?"
"Who would do something that reckless?"
"Wow! I never expected that we could have a chance to speak with a World Tree!"
"Her voice is so gentle and nice to hear as well."
"Right? I thought my body was melting with comfort… Sigh. Such a wonderful existence."
"Strong too… Should we try to gather some more information about her? She seems somewhat… different from other World Trees."
"Let's do that."