Early in the morning, the family members gathered in front of Tree. Since Liu Shu asked only for close members, only the first generation of children, with some of their younger children, Liu Shu's mothers-in-law, and so on, gathered.
In total, there were around 400 people here, which was not much, as the combined numbers of first- and second-generation children already exceeded 1,000. As Alraunes, they naturally had many children, so each first generation had, on average, 5 babies.
Lumina, standing near Luniere, spoke with curiosity. "I wonder why Mother-in-law has gathered us here?"
Luniere smiled, her peerless facial features further accentuated. "Whatever it is, we should naturally be expectant."
Lumina chuckled. "I guess so. Lately, that girl Pyara has been missing her mother."
Luniere asked, curious. "How are her feelings in that regard?"
"Hm?" Lumina was at first confused, and then understood. She chuckled. "No need to worry. It's a normal feeling from a daughter's perspective toward a mother. A Sanguine Blaze, while quite peculiar, is loyal."
Luniere smiled. "I see. Well, I personally prefer the soft, cuddly, adorable, and gentle Sylphaiths if you ask me. Sanguine Blazes should be quite a handful to deal with, right?"
Lumina smirked, her tall frame making her look quite heroic. "It's a burden I am happy to bear. Passionate but loving, my Pyara is best just being herself."
While they spoke, other sisters and brothers-in-law joined them in the conversation.
On the other hand, Flor was sitting on Ignatia's shoulder with a confused look. "Liu Shu, is it ready?"
Ignatia chuckled. "Why are you rushing things? Since she wants to surprise us, it is clearly something that's worth waiting for."
Flor sighed. "I am just worried that she is about to announce something outrageous. I need to be mentally prepared, you know? Otherwise, when she suddenly comes up with another of her absurd shenanigans, no one will be able to heal my sanity!"
Melody at the side laughed. "I can only agree with Flor. Each time a system message pops out of nowhere, I jump a little. Who knows when another absurd blessing will be added to the list?"
Verena shook her head. "You all should learn a little from Amareal. Look at her, always so elegant, prim, and proper."
Amareal, Cinderielle's mother, rolled her eyes. "If one needs to praise someone, that would be your husband, Verena. In every gathering, he is almost as invisible as a potted plant."
Branthis spoke up from the plant Verena held, somewhat speechless. "As if you four would leave anyone to speak when you are babbling."
Verena knocked the flowers' crown with her knuckles. "Dear, don't be rude!"
"See?"
The others laughed.
At this moment, Tree suddenly spoke up, her ancient but soothing voice spreading out. "You can look south now."
"South?"
Flor and the others turned to look, quite confused. However, when they did, everyone suddenly became silent.
Walking towards them at a leisurely pace was a rather short but curvy woman. Her jade green hair reflected the rays of the rising sun, while her amethyst eyes shone with softness and purity.
The green dress around her body gently flowed with the wind, while the comfortable purple-colored shoes snugly covered her little feet.
As she walked through the flower field toward them, flowers seemed to bloom with each of her steps. It was as if nature itself was bowing down to her presence.
Her facial features were, for most of those present, extremely familiar, while some were confused upon seeing the approaching woman, as they had no recollection of ever seeing such a beautiful girl.
Meanwhile, Cinderielle, Verdantia, Harmonixia, and Tempestria were all staring with wide-open eyes and loose jaws. They truly believed that they were hallucinating.
Flor, sitting on Ignatia's shoulder, was trembling slightly, her eyes quivering with emotion as she saw the petite girl approach. Even Ignatia had frozen, her body standing stiffly.
The woman who approached looked around with a soft and gentle smile, making the hearts of the children present squeeze as familiarity surged in them.
"Good morning, everyone. Let me reintroduce myself. I am Tianlian Liu Shu." The woman smiled, her eyes gently curving as her white teeth showed. "Nice to meet you."
To say that her words were explosive was an understatement! The minds of most people present had gone blank!
As Liu Shu smiled at everyone, a red flash covered the distance and stopped in front of Liu Shu, her hands trembling as her ruby-like eyes took in the gorgeous face of the girl in front of her.
"You… Are you…?"
Flor stretched her hand, touching Liu Shu's soft cheek. Liu Shu, looking at the petite fairy in front of her, smiled softly, her eyes overflowing with love. "Yes. It's me, Mom."
Flor's heart swelled, emotion overflowing as her eyes teared up. How long has it been? How many nights has she dreamed of this very moment? Her baby, her dearest World Tree, whom she loved more than her own life, finally appeared in front of her!
Not knowing how to react, Flor flew forward, hugging Liu Shu's neck tightly. While Flor always loved Liu Shu unconditionally, she had always wished to be able to hug her baby. Such things were naturally impossible with Liu Shu's main body.
Ignatia was the second person who arrived, and Liu Shu looked up at her tall and gorgeous Ant Mom. Ignatia looked down at the short girl and didn't say anything. She just opened her arms, hugging Flor and Liu Shu into her soft embrace tightly.
"You are a thousand times more beautiful than I ever imagined, baby. The most beautiful in the world."
Liu Shu hugged Ignatia back, and at that moment, she felt extremely at peace. These two women, who had supported her since she was a little sapling, were the source of all her happiness.
Without them, Liu Shu honestly didn't know where she would've ended up. It was because of this Fairy and Ant Queen, who treated her as a normal human daughter, that Liu Shu maintained most of her human-like self.
Of course, Verdantia and the other girls helped a lot in that, too. However, the hollow that Tree's absence would've created before they met once again was not to be filled with her lovers.
Seeing the three beings hug in the middle of the flower field, the rest of the people present could instantly guess who the woman who appeared was.
Cinderielle and the other three, having recovered from the shock, quickly composed themselves and smiled softly. They had always known that Liu Shu wanted to meet with Flor and Ignatia with her Avatar. While she had not made that desire clear, how could they not understand their dearest?
Now that she had finally fulfilled that wish, the four felt extremely happy for Liu Shu.
By their side, Melody stuttered, her hands slapping Harmonixia's arm. "That's… That's…!"
Harmonixia chuckled and hugged Melody's arm. "Yes, Mom. That's Lian'er's Avatar in the flesh."
"Branches above! She is so cuteeee!" Melody almost exploded. She had known, because of the wooden Avatars she sometimes had created, that Liu Shu was a very beautiful girl.
However, seeing her in the flesh was a direct arrow to the heart. Previously, Luniere had been considered the number one beauty in the family. However, while Liu Shu did not compare in terms of raw aesthetics, she was the personification of the strange mix of adorableness and grace!
Verena muttered, her heart sour. "I want a baby like her. If I had one like Liu Shu, I would give her the world and treat her as my precious little princess!"
Verdantia looked at her mother speechlessly. "Hey, your real daughter is here."
"Bah!" Verena directly snorted. "What are you compared to that bundle of pure softness? Look at Liu Shu and then at yourself! You are so tall, elegant, and beautiful with curves everywhere. Can you compare to such a cute and precious girl?" She looked at the plant in her arms and spoke. "You'd better shoot the right seed so that we can have one as well!"
Branthis almost choked to death, even when he was just a plant. Even Verdantia rolled her eyes to the sky.
Cinderielle, hearing the others, looked at her mother with some caution. 'Will I be the one on the chopping block next?'
Amareal felt Cinderielle's gaze and raised a smile. Clearly, she was telling Cinderielle not to ask if she didn't want her feelings hurt. Cinderielle almost cried.
After separating from the hug, Liu Shu smiled at Ignatia and Flor with happiness overflowing in her. "I love you, Mom, Mommy!"
"Uuughhh!" Flor began crying directly. The sudden attack after such a sentimental moment completely crumbled her defenses.
Ignatia chuckled and kissed Liu Shu's face lovingly. "We love you too, baby."
Liu Shu then turned to look at Tree and asked, curious. "Why are you not joining as well, Mom?"
The second she said it, some roots appeared from the ground and coiled dearly around Liu Shu's body. "You are so pretty that I was overwhelmed, love."
Liu Shu smiled happily, patting the roots around her body. Then, she turned to look at the rest of the people who had gathered here. "Alright, let's go meet everyone."
So, with Flor clinging onto her and holding Ignatia's hand, Liu Shu walked toward the rest with a faint smile. Her presence had changed now, showing much more maturity and elegance.
Even with her petite frame, Liu Shu radiated a comfortable motherly feeling all around her. Her purple eyes scanned the place, looking at the partners of her babies. Then, she smiled. "I don't think I've ever said this directly. Thank you for taking care of and loving my children. I know they are somewhat different, but your willingness to take care of them is something I appreciate deeply."
All those present had already heard the words of the children around, so they had naturally guessed that the woman was the Avatar of the Heavenly Willow!
Hearing her words, they were all instantly flattered. While they had interacted with Liu Shu before, speaking to some abstract voice felt slightly easier than being face-to-face with their mother-in-law. After all, the small girl in front of them was the living Avatar of the Heavenly Willow!
Among them, though, there were a few who were much clearer about Liu Shu's attitude, so they spoke with smiles.
Luniere chuckled. "It is we who want to thank you, mother-in-law. Otherwise, where else would I find a pretty little wife like Sylvia?"
Lumina laughed. "Exactly. Pyara is but a little angel that came from your high branches to grace my life with color."
Others also spoke, making Liu Shu smile. Her smile, accentuating all her features, made the hearts of all those present melt. 'Branches above, who knew that the Avatar of a World Tree could be so beautiful?'