"Indeed." Zhu Yanyi nodded with a smile. "Rest assured, I have some rapport with her, so she will be willing to take the blame."
Zhu Yanyi did not consider herself invincible. Although her cultivation was decent, encountering someone of exceptionally high strength could be dangerous. Therefore, she decided to place the matter of the immortal herb mine on Yan Aohan. If anyone had the ability to challenge this, they could go after Yan Aohan. In this way, no one would dare to cause trouble for her.
Watching this from above, Xie Jifan raised an eyebrow at Yan Aohan. "Not angry? Being used by your wife to take the blame."
"Would you be angry if your wife made you take the blame?" Yan Aohan glanced at Xie Jifan indifferently. Besides, he knew Zhu Yanyi had considered everything comprehensively.
For Yan Aohan, he actually did not value this immortal herb mine. However, Zhu Yanyi needed it. Her current alchemy refinement level required such resources. With the immortal herb mine, her efforts would yield double the results. Thus, he agreed with the Elf Queen’s decision to gift the mine to Zhu Yanyi.
Naturally, he did not mind being used to take the blame.
Although Zhu Yanyi’s cultivation was high among her peers, the cultivators in this plane were suppressed. In the true realms of cultivation, immortality, and divinity, there would always be someone stronger. The immortal herb mine might not be desired by everyone, but many wanted it. If it were known that she had taken the mine from the Lucky Forest, no one would dare to demand it from her.
Xie Jifan sneered, "Spoiling your wife like this? Be careful not to spoil her too much."
"You should say that to yourself. I remember everyone in the Divine Realm knows you are the one who spoils your wife the most," Yan Aohan retorted directly.
Xie Jifan was speechless. He then said, "Forget it. One should indeed spoil one’s own wife."
Yan Aohan chuckled softly. His eyes remained fixed on Zhu Yanyi. He had observed her progress recently and was very satisfied with her actions.
Zhu Yanyi, pleased with acquiring the immortal herb mine, gifted a bottle of Spirit Spring liquid to the Elf Queen upon parting.
When the Elf Queen opened the bottle, the scent of spiritual energy told her it was a supreme treasure. Seeing Zhu Yanyi give it to her as thanks for guiding her to the mine, the Elf Queen became curious about the "surprise" Zhu Yanyi had mentioned.
Since Zhu Yanyi did not explain, the Elf Queen did not ask further. However, she trusted that Zhu Yanyi would not disappoint. This made the Elf Queen look forward to the Dark Forest and Happy Garden attacking the Lucky Forest sooner.
Days passed. Every day, the inhabitants of the Lucky Forest worked hard. About half a month later, Ah Liang, the monkey-man in charge of reconnaissance, spotted flying boats from the Dark Forest and Happy Garden approaching the outskirts.
Ah Liang alerted others with chattering sounds. Soon, all creatures in the Lucky Forest mobilized.
"Yanyi, you watch over us and supervise. We must let the Dark Forest and Happy Garden know that the Lucky Forest is not a place for just anyone to invade," Gan Lang said, brimming with battle intent.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. She and the other forty-nine students from the Saint Academy did not participate in the war. They acted as observers, ready to help only if the Lucky Forest residents faced a true crisis. As long as the locals could handle it, Zhu Yanyi believed they should remain guests.
"Very well. I wish you victory. I await your triumphant return to celebrate," Zhu Yanyi said generously.
"I want to drink the wine you brought," Gan Lang said with a grin.
"Agreed," Zhu Yanyi replied without hesitation. Her Ruyi Space was full of wine.
"Let’s go, warriors," Gan Lang waved his hand, and the beastmen followed him in an orderly manner.
"Men, let’s move," Liu Jin shouted. The dwarves, each holding their weapons, set off.
The Elf Queen looked at the prepared elves. "The future of the Lucky Forest lies with you. Go, my children."
"Yes!" all the elves shouted in unison before departing.
Under Zhu Yanyi’s lead, the Saint Academy students set up tables and chairs. They took out fruits, vegetables, and snacks, eating while watching the impending events.
The Elf Queen stared at the students’ behavior, stunned for a moment.
"Lord Hei Ru, what should I do?" Ruan Mengtuo asked respectfully, looking at the mist array before them.
Hei Ru, wearing a mask, exuded a subtle authority typical of a superior. Unfortunately, the black aura surrounding him seemed to undermine this dignity.
"An array," Hei Ru said. As a master of arrays, he recognized the trickery in the mist, especially since he had been here before.
"It really is an array," Wu Shang said. "No wonder we felt we could never leave the first time. It was an array trapping us."
"Can you break this array, Lord Hei Ru?" Ruan Mengtuo asked.
Hei Ru thought for a moment. "I will try."
Array masters often complicate simple formations. The array before them was actually a variation of simple arrays created by Zhu Yanyi. However, Hei Ru did not consider it simple. Breaking it quickly would be difficult.
Hei Ru took a few steps left, then right, appearing casual while actually probing the array’s structure.
She frowned slightly. The seemingly simple array contained profound mysteries. It was definitely not simple.
She warned herself to be careful. Her mind churned as she sought to unravel the formation.
To be cautious, Hei Ru moved carefully, believing that caution ensures long-term safety.
Zhu Yanyi watched and lay flat on the table. "It’s just a small array. Is it really necessary to be so cautious?"