Liu Shu, with ideas now clear, went to visit Leafara in person. She was accompanied by Obsidianis and Seraphina, as they were also curious about the
Liu Shu, flanked by the two very tall women, had to crane her neck to look at their faces. "Doesn't the Covenant have like a permanent residency for these people? I feel that they are somewhat essential for any powerful Empire, right?"
Seraphina answered with a smile, her demeanor much gentler than usual. "I've heard about them visiting our worlds. However, from what I learned back then, the
"Nebula…" Liu Shu's heart thumped. A Nebula Empire outranked the Covenant by three to four whole orders of magnitude in terms of worlds and solar systems conquered.
Liu Shu was currently quite wary of Globular Star System Empires, not to mention the stronger Nebula Empires.
Obsidianis, seeing her face, grabbed her little hand and calmed her down. "Don't worry. For those large Empires, even the Covenant is like a small smudge in their star map. Sometimes, they even allow for Star System Empires to grow within them because of how little of a threat they are."
"... If you wanted to calm me down, you were not successful."
Obsidianis laughed, and Seraphina sighed. "Don't pay her any attention, Liu Shu. We are quite at the edge of the galaxy. These Nebula Empires and above all fight for the central area of the galaxy. So we are not in any danger. I mean, even a power like the Nexus was reluctant to use its Star Emperors to conquer this area. That should tell you just how far we are from the true conflict areas."
That actually calmed her down. However, a moment later, Liu Shu frowned again. "But… That Star Emperor died when he came here. Now, I am completely in the open, unlike before. Previously, only my
She had thought about it, and Liu Shu honestly didn't see people underestimating her anymore. Her Golden Sap Empire had shown that it could fight off Star Emperor-class armies. So, naturally, her value will rise to that level.
This, in turn, might attract some
However, Obsidianis and Seraphina were not worried. "Aren't you going to Level Up quite a lot in a while? You must've reached the
"Oh?" Liu Shu blinked. "You know about that?"
"Most geniuses know about it." Obsidianis smiled. "After all, for a genius, killing those at the same Level is quite a simple matter. The difference in raw stats is just too much. Cycle Completion Rate is a big differentiator. For example, I have an average of 93% Completion Rate. Aren't I awesome?"
Hearing Obsidianis brag, Liu Shu didn't feel much. 'Should I tell her that I have a perfect average?' Looking at Obsidianis's proud expression, Liu Shu's heart softened a bit. 'Better not.'
"Wow~. You are so talented, Obsidianis!"
Obsidianis smiled proudly, but Seraphina, who had seen Liu Shu show a touch of hesitation, couldn't help but realize that this little girl might be above that percentage. 'Although a World Tree's average completion rate is usually higher, surpassing 93% is incredible.'
Seraphina returned the conversation to the main theme. "So, these Skill Merchants, as you call them. Are they leaving soon?"
"Yeah! They even overstayed a little because of the War."
"Oh? Were they intending to help?"
Liu Shu pouted. "No. They said that skill learning during War is several times more common, so they wanted to stay behind in case we won and do business."
"Pfft." Obsidianis laughed. "I thought that woman… Was Leafara her name?"
Liu Shu nodded. "Yes."
Obsidianis smiled. "Haha. I thought Leafara liked you quite a lot."
Liu Shu raised her nose. "Of course, Aunty Leafara likes me!" Then, she sighed. "It's just that their power is prohibited from helping any power. It is a lesson they learned quite… unpleasantly."
Suddenly, a pair of arms appeared from behind them as they hugged Liu Shu tightly. "That's right~. I like Liu Shu the most!"
Seraphina and Obsidianis couldn't help but feel tense as they warily eyed the dryad who was hugging Liu Shu while leaning down. 'Where did she come from?'
Leafara rubbed her cheeks with Liu Shu's soft ones. "Sigh… You are truly healing. If I could, I would love to sleep hugging you daily. All my stress would melt away~."
The two Sylvans sharpened their gazes, feeling a touch of danger. 'Is she another competitor?'
Feeling those gazes, Leafara picked up Liu Shu and raised her eyebrow as she tilted her chin up slightly to look at them. "Hm? You two… Why is your vibe so similar to Liu Shu's wives?"
Being a Level 290 powerhouse, Leafara's senses were incredibly sharp. So, she could feel traces of chaos in them, which made her feel that familiar feeling.
The two wary Sylvans immediately flipped their expressions, their lips arching happily. "Oh. It seems that Lady Leafara's eyes are sharp."
"Indeed. Lady Leafara is an admirable woman."
Liu Shu and Leafara blinked, somewhat bewildered about their change of attitude.
Already trained by her wives, Liu Shu completely ignored their flipping moods and looked at Leafara with a smile. "Leafara, before you go, I want to make a last exchange of skills!"
Leafara's eyes lit up. "Oh my. Did you manage to practice some rare lifestyle skills again?"
"Hehe. That's right!"
Leafara kissed Liu Shu's gelatinous cheek with a big sound. "So good. Liu Shu is the best of the best~. Let's go, love. Big Sister will help you exchange them."
Obsidianis and Seraphina followed with curiosity, the former asking. "Lifestyle skills?"
Leafara nodded. "That's right. Any skill that's related to daily actions, entertainment, and similar. For example, a skill that increases proficiency when playing video games, a skill that makes cleaning better… These types of skills are incredibly rare and precious. And to our surprise, the Golden Sap Empire is a hub where these skills appear like grass in unattended land."
Liu Shu smiled proudly. "My people are all very talented!"
Leafara couldn't help it and gave Liu Shu another big kiss on her cheek. "You are so cute~."
They arrived quite quickly at the personalized room for Liu Shu and her family members, and Leafara and some nearby attendants prepared to welcome them.
Liu Shu sat on Leafara's lap, a few delicious snacks placed on the table for Leafara to feed Liu Shu. Seraphina and Obsidianis couldn't help but feel surprised. 'Is Liu Shu sure that the Skill Merchants didn't stay behind to protect her?'
Seeing Liu Shu munch snacks, her puffy cheeks moving as her eyes squinted, the two Sylvans blushed. 'So cute.'
"So, Liu Shu, what skills have you learned lately?"
Liu Shu gulped down and smiled. "I learned three B Rank, one B+ Rank, and one A- Rank skill! The A- Rank is even a Passive Skill!"
"Oh my!" Leafara's eyes lit up. "What are their names?"
Obsidianis and Seraphina reached for the snacks, listening with curiosity.
Liu Shu spoke proudly. "Hehe. Their names are
"COUGH! COUGH!..."
Seraphina and Obsidianis entered a terrible coughing fit, their faces flushing as they punched their chests to pass the food. Liu Shu looked over with innocently blinking eyes. "Are you okay?"
Leafara laughed, patting Liu Shu's head. "Those are some great skills. The last one especially so. That Passive Skill is something high-class women would fight for to keep their partners curled around their little fingers."
Liu Shu blinked. "Really?"
Leafara smiled, amused. "Why, reluctant to part with it?"
Liu Shu pondered. "Hm… A Little. If I upgrade that skill to S- Rank, I wonder what it would do?"
Leafara thought about it and shook her head. "I don't recommend it, to be honest."
Those words made Liu Shu curious. "Why?"
The answer was quite simple. "Do you want your lovers to become your sexual slaves? If you upgraded all those skills to S- Rank, and then had sex, your lovers would probably last less than 10 minutes before they are emptied."
"... I'll sell them."
Liu Shu was already superior to her lovers even before she got these skills. What would she do if she just squeezed gently and her lovers went away like fountains? She might become frustrated!
Meanwhile, Seraphina and Obsidianis were currently feeling a mix of extreme arousal and jealousy. Just thinking of pinning the innocent but curvy short girl under them until she learned these skills made their skirts dangerously begin to rise.
Feeling a familiar predatory glance, Liu Shu looked over. The two pairs of silver and black eyes made her body tense, and her womb squeezed once, for some reason. 'W-What is wrong with their eyes? So intense…'
Leafara coughed, breaking the sexually charged, dangerous atmosphere. "Alright. Let me search for the prices of these. I want to get the best deal for our Liu Shu."
"Yeah! Also, also!"
"Yes?"
Liu Shu placed Leafara's hand on her stomach and smiled cutely. "I came pregnant like the previous time, so make sure to give me the discount!"
Leafara burst into laughter, hugging Liu Shu tightly as she rubbed her cheek with her. "You are so cuuuute! How can there be a World Tree as cute as you in this universe? All the discounts for you!"
Liu Shu giggled, hugging Leafara's neck as she smiled brightly. Then, while Leafara searched the catalog, she suddenly felt down.
Leafara noticed, asking with a touch of concern. "What's wrong, Liu Shu?"
"No…" Liu Shu wore a slightly sad expression. "You will be gone soon, so I suddenly felt down…"
Leafara was a bit surprised, and then her eyes softened. "I promise to come back, alright? You must wait for me for 100… Well, it should be 200 years for you, right? Wait for me patiently, alright?"
Liu Shu nodded, burying her face in Leafara's neck. She always felt really comfortable and secure in her arms. She was also extremely grateful that Leafara tried her best to accommodate the Skill Merchants in her empire.
Flamar was not bad, but Liu Shu knew that Leafara had to convince them a few times to follow some rules. So, Liu Shu knew that Leafara was sincerely good to her, which made her feel somewhat heavy when she thought Leafara would leave soon.
"Alright, found them. Knowing that you can increase your skill levels rather easily, I recommend these six skills."
Liu Shu gave them a look.
***
***
Liu Shu smiled, satisfied. "Great!"
Leafara added. "Also, your remaining shards are enough to buy you a mental processing skill. Do you want it?"
Liu Shu blinked. "Hm… sure!"
***
***
"Wow. Simple but powerful."
"Satisfied? You are even left with 11 , 340 , and 4505
Leafara smiled, and Liu Shu smiled back with a bright expression. "Very! Thank you, Leafara!"