Chapter 140

Chapter 140

The world channel fell eerily silent for a few seconds before quickly flooding with messages again.

[Wandering Bee]: "Is it just me, or does it feel like that passive-aggressive mocking tone is back?"

[Wild Master]: "You’re not wrong. Think about the reward reduction notice earlier—it’s clearly fed up with our slow progress and couldn’t hold back from sending this task reminder. They’re practically calling us useless to our faces."

[Baba]: "I think you’re overthinking it. Why so sensitive? It’s obviously the devs being stingy—I’ve never seen a game this cheap."

[Jiangnan]: "Damn, I should’ve realized earlier. The leaves this Boss drops can grow back. We just need to stop them from regenerating."

[Qingshan]: "From now on, alliances will take turns collecting branches. Everyone, keep an eye on your alliance notifications."

Dealing damage to the Boss grants experience, so players naturally prefer attacking. But now it seems that promptly collecting the fallen leaves and branches is key to beating the instance. After some discussion, alliance officers quickly decided to take turns on collection duty.

Under the coordination of the alliances, all online players above level 60 began acting in an orderly manner. Players assigned to collection spread out around the Boss, swiftly snatching up the fallen foliage before it even hit the ground, storing it in their backpacks.

Once their backpacks were full, they headed to the [Magma Crevice] to dump the foliage into the magma for destruction.

Each time they destroyed the branches, the game system would give a loud "ding," but nothing else followed.

After endless rounds of collecting, transporting, and destroying—who knows how many trips through the teleportation array—players finally heard another system notification after tossing the Boss's foliage into the magma.

"Congratulations, player, you have obtained a new title—‘Approval from Her Majesty the Queen Bee: Teachable Rebel.’"

"Following the task instructions obediently to destroy the foliage and grasping the key to the mission—how is that not ‘teachable’?"

"Title effect: When the player wears this title in the presence of the Queen Bee, there is a chance to instantly increase Her Majesty’s mood."

In short, wearing this title and showing up in front of the Queen Bee might amuse Her Majesty.

Players: "..."

What the heck is "teachable rebel"?

[Shang Chunshan]: "Um, if I’m not mistaken, shouldn’t it be ‘promising youngster’?"

[Brother Pidan]: "You're lucky, getting called out like that and not even realizing it. Ah, a blessing in disguise."

[Jiangnan]: "Wait, did the devs change? This style feels off—since when did they become so snarky?"

[God Bless]: "I’ve been wanting to say this for a while—the earlier collection task was already pretty sarcastic."

[Yang Leduo]: "So this is what ‘clowning to amuse one's elders’ means? Are we ‘clowning with titles’ for the Queen?"

[Baba]: "I get it now. If we make Her Majesty happy, we might get rewards, right?"

[Barbara]: "Makes sense! Otherwise, this title is just too weird. As everyone knows, Bugs World loves pulling these tricks—seemingly insignificant things suddenly become crucial later, making you regret it so much you want to kick yourself over it."

[Wandering Bee]: "By the way, is this title limited-time for this task? If we keep destroying the Boss’s foliage, can the title upgrade? And will there be new effects when it does?"

A significant number of players agreed that the developers wouldn’t design such a pointless title and insisted that there must be something bigger behind it, possibly playing a key role in the future.

Back and forth, players shifted from reluctant participation to enthusiastic participation in the collection task.

In reality, Shen Yi wasn't aware of the specifics of the title. After the system issued the collection task, it suddenly suggested distributing some new titles to motivate players.

Shen Yi agreed without hesitation—titles are free, and he loved things that could keep players engaged without any expense.

It’s worth mentioning that the system had quite a few interesting and creative ideas when it came to creating titles. So Shen Yi left the task of distributing titles to the system’s creativity. Currently, his focus was entirely on the [Frenzied Giant Tree], and he hadn’t even noticed what the new title was.

If he checked the world channel now, he’d definitely be amused by the players’ reactions.

After players changed their strategy, the results were immediate.

The [Frenzied Giant Tree], which had previously ignored the players and focused solely on moving forward, faintly sensed something was wrong. Its reaction wasn’t major—just more frequent twitching of its branches to shoo away the annoying "little flies." Even if it couldn’t drive them away, it didn’t pay much mind, as the damage from these flies was limited.

Seeing players constantly running back and forth between the two teleportation points, Shen Yi immediately had A Fu work extra shifts to produce Teleport Scrolls for direct travel between the [Magma Crevice] and the area near the [Frenzied Giant Tree].

A Fu, now at six stars, could churn out Teleport Scrolls effortlessly. In the time it took Shen Yi to observe the battle, A Fu had already filled two bud warehouses.

Shen Yi had the system add these Teleport Scrolls to the loot pool, setting specific activation conditions as a guaranteed reward. Players would receive a Teleport Scroll once they accumulated 10,000 damage points.

This further improved the players’ efficiency.

The [Frenzied Giant Tree]’s boss kill progress quickly rose to 0.1%. Finally, they were on the right track, and Shen Yi’s rewards weren’t going to waste—at least he could get some feedback this time. Relieved, Shen Yi headed into the Queen Bee's nest to focus on crafting [Starlight Points].

The [Starlight Points] in the warehouse were already depleted—he couldn’t delay any longer.

The [Healing Attribute Spirit Stones] that Xiaoqi and her team collected from Grandpa Tree were piled up in a small valley within the Queen Bee’s nest. Nearby were large stacks of [Space Stones] and [Space Cores] gathered by the bee people.

They had been collecting and coordinating nonstop all day, and the bud warehouses were already filled with spirit stones and cores.

Knowing Shen Yi preferred staying in the small valley, Xiaoqi had some of the materials piled there.

As Xiaoqi expected, Shen Yi went straight to the small valley upon entering the Queen Bee’s nest. He was briefly surprised by the piled-up materials but soon smiled, releasing his psychic energy like countless tentacles to gather the materials from the ground.

Before fully immersing himself in crafting [Starlight Points], Shen Yi specifically reminded the system: "A-Tong, keep a close watch on the [Frenzied Giant Tree]’s location. Remember to alert me before it gets close to the Marshmallow Valley."

"Understood, Host."

The system added, "It is recommended that the Host lock down the valley to prevent players from entering."

"Almost forgot!" Shen Yi’s antennae twitched twice. "Seal it! Seal it now! Make sure no players get in."

A dreamy, magical "marshmallow" valley like this would undoubtedly cause a frenzy if players discovered it.

This was the birthplace of the spiritual beings the Mother of All Things had high hopes for. If players ruined it, wouldn’t the blame fall on him?

After all, the players were summoned by him—they were his "rebellious children," or rather, rebellious daughters. Hahaha.

Shen Yi closed his eyes to better focus on his psychic energy. As if thinking of something amusing, the corners of his mouth curled up, and he smiled like a mischievous cat waiting innocently for someone to discover its prank.

Soon, Shen Yi immersed himself fully in crafting [Starlight Points]. This time, he held nothing back, and in the blink of an eye, the small valley was filled with his psychic energy. When the mental energy tendrils passed by Xi Ye, they affectionately twirled around him before reaching for the materials on the ground.

Xi Ye pressed his lips together, unable to hide the smile in his eyes. He reached out to touch the trustingly coiled tentacles and even picked up a healing spirit stone to offer, earning a happy nudge from the tentacle.

Xiaoqi and her team were busy coordinating resources, occasionally entering the Queen Bee’s nest to circle the small valley before hurriedly leaving.

Xi Ye watched Shen Yi for a while before also leaving the Queen Bee’s nest.

He planned to battle the [Frenzied Giant Tree] outside to temper himself and prepare for his upcoming Evolution. If Shen Yi were awake, he would certainly disagree.

But this wasn’t an impulsive decision. As a Flower Fairy, his life force energy could both catalyze and restrain plant life.

And since Flower Fairies were beings created by the Mother of All Things, the [Frenzied Giant Tree] would not dare to kill him, lest it attract the Mother’s attention.

Xi Ye had no intention of killing it either—he lacked the strength—but saw it as a training opportunity.

Xi Ye had just appeared on a corner of the Frenzied Giant Tree's massive canopy and released Spiritual Pressure around him to drive away nearby players: "Get back! Go somewhere else!"

[HandsomeShark]: "Wow, that fairy's so cool. One fairy is stronger than our whole group combined."

[Stony Daji]: "This fairy is so domineering."

[PeeSniper]: "Our little Hong Rui is still cuter though, so innocent and generous. How can fairies be so different from each other? I kinda miss our little Hong Rui."

[Barbara]: "You mean she's simple-minded and easy to fool, right? Looks like she’s been tricked out of a lot of Enlightenment Aura."

[SlyFox]: "Are you guys stupid? The fairy is obviously afraid of accidentally hurting you."

[Cheng Yuluoyan]: "Exactly, Xi Ye is our Emperor’s close friend. Did you see the title above his head? Can't you tell who's important here?"

……

The players' hushed discussions were all heard by Xi Ye, but he didn't mind. If these guys hadn’t been summoned by Shen Yi to help him complete his tasks, he wouldn’t have bothered reminding them at all.

After giving the warning out of respect for Shen Yi, Xi Ye withdrew his Spiritual Pressure. Thousand-Vine Tendrils quickly spilled out, drifting around him like hair dancing in the wind, then slowly weaving into a long whip in his hand.

As spiritual energy was channeled into it, the Thousand-Vine whip gleamed with a spiritual light, emerald and crystalline, but it lacked the Wood Element's characteristic gentleness and accommodating nature, instead carrying a violent, bloodthirsty aura. Nearby players were suppressed by this aura and fled as if running for their lives. Even from a distance, they were still shaken.

[Chicken B]: "Holy crap, that scared me to death. Is this really a plant fairy?"

[PeeSniper]: "If I hadn’t met Hong Rui, I’d think all Flower Fairies were like this."

[SlyFox]: "Who said all Flower Fairies have to be the same? Lotuses can give birth to fairies, so can man-eating flowers!"

[Wandering Bee]: "Anyway, I feel like Xi Ye is really unusual, not like an ordinary Flower Fairy. Maybe we can ask Hong Rui about it."

[Donut]: "I heard someone already tried. Hong Rui wouldn’t say, and if you ask too much, she gets angry."

[Baba]: "That just proves there's something suspicious about this fairy's identity. Plus, he’s our Emperor’s close friend—could this trigger a hidden quest?"

Clearly, the players had been conditioned by the game's unconventional design. No matter what clues they found, they would carefully weigh and overanalyze, afraid of missing something.

Xi Ye wielded the whip, attacking a side branch of the Frenzied Giant Tree with wide, sweeping motions. Where the whip passed, dense Wood Spiritual Energy latched onto the branch, but instead of bringing vitality, it was draining the branch’s life force.

The struck areas noticeably dulled in color. Thinner branches visibly withered and drooped, losing vitality. With a light flick, large sections fell off, sparking a scramble among players responsible for collecting branches.

[PeeSniper]: "Damn, this fairy is strong."

[SlyFox]: "I already said fairies can be different. Xi Ye must be a combat-oriented fairy."

The Frenzied Giant Tree also noticed this additional Flower Fairy. As Xi Ye had guessed, it didn’t hold back from lethal force, instead sending out several branches to try and trap him. Xi Ye nimbly dodged the encircling branches, occasionally lashing out with his whip.

The Thousand-Vine continuously devoured the life force plundered from the ancient giant tree, burping contentedly in Xi Ye’s consciousness and constantly urging him to go faster.

When players destroyed leaves and branches, they consumed the Frenzied Giant Tree’s spiritual energy, but Xi Ye, as a Flower Fairy, directly absorbed its source of vitality.

Spiritual energy could recover, but vitality couldn’t be restored quickly. Although, given its tens of thousands of years of accumulation, this bit of vitality was insignificant, having its life force plundered still triggered its instinctive rage. After several rounds, the Frenzied Giant Tree, which had been holding back due to various concerns, finally lost its temper.

Xi Ye sharply sensed the danger and without hesitation, immediately hid in the Queen Bee’s hive.

Danger could indeed maximize a being’s potential, but facing certain death head-on would be foolish. Xi Ye was no fool.

Unfortunately, the players who had gathered nearby to collect branches were caught in the violent aura swept by the enormous branches and died on the spot.

Players: "..."

[Tiao Yu]: "Holy crap, why did the boss suddenly use its ultimate?"

[Wandering Bee]: "Wow, the fairy pissed off the boss and then ran away?"

The players couldn’t deal much damage, while extensively sprouting branches consumed spiritual energy, so the Frenzied Giant Tree didn’t take these little insects seriously. It casually swung branches to disperse them, and since these little flying insects, though full of vitality, provided no nourishment even when killed, it couldn’t be bothered to use spiritual energy, simply focusing on moving forward.

Now irritated by Xi Ye, green light shimmered on most of its branches. Just being swept by the aura brought forth by the spiritual energy could wipe out players in one wave.

Players fell like dumplings into boiling water, and the world channel was filled with lamentations.

Xi Ye appeared flustered in the small valley, the vines and leaves on his head standing up as if the apocalyptic crisis was still chasing him—thrilling yet stimulating.

Shen Yi didn’t open his eyes, still immersed in creating Starlight Points. Several clusters of spiritual energy tentacles sensed Xi Ye’s tension and very naturally put down the materials to gather around Xi Ye, massaging his hands and feet, relaxing his body, and easing his tension.

As the spiritual energy massaged him, Xi Ye’s taut spiritual energy unconsciously relaxed, his fatigue vanishing. After resting awhile and adjusting to his best state, he went out again.

Xi Ye repeatedly lured the Frenzied Giant Tree this way, occasionally coming out to whip it a few times, withdrawing immediately when the tree was about to lose its temper. Several times, he was almost pinned by the giant tree’s Spiritual Pressure and didn't manage to escape, but fortunately, Shen Yi’s spiritual energy sensed something wrong and promptly pulled him into the Queen Bee’s hive.

After repeated narrow escapes, if nothing else, Xi Ye’s perception of crisis significantly improved.

Players who were frequently instantly killed complained angrily.

The Frenzied Giant Tree went from frenzied to numb, too lazy to deal with this constantly harassing yet elusive Flower Fairy, focusing all its energy on moving forward, ignoring even the players.

Seeing that no matter how he provoked it, the Frenzied Giant Tree no longer responded, Xi Ye whipped down a few branches with several swishing lashes, left a cluster of Thousand-Vine behind, and boredly returned to the Queen Bee’s hive.

Days passed one after another. On the sixth day since the dungeon quest began, the boss kill progress bar reached 11%. Xi Ye occasionally went out to help fight for a while, but most of the time he stayed in the Queen Bee’s hive watching Shen Yi.

Shen Yi had already reached level 89, just a bit away from level 90.

Level 90 meant entering the realm of legendary fairies.

There were already plenty of Starlight Points. The small valley was scattered with large piles of Starlight Points of different colors, and bud warehouses were added one after another, yet Shen Yi still showed no intention of stopping.

During this time, Xi Ye and Xiao Qi wanted to remind him but were stopped by the system, which only reminded them to promptly replenish materials without saying much else.

Shen Yi had never released all his spiritual energy so unreservedly before. It was as if he had grown thousands of arms, each one deftly drawing energy from Spirit Stones or Space Stones, following patterns run countless times to create Starlight Points of corresponding energy.

Drawing, creating, batch after batch. In the repeated cycles, time seemed to stretch, all noise faded away, leaving only the materials around him for making Starlight Points.

Without Shen Yi consciously controlling or directing it, his spiritual energy seemed to have a mind of its own, automatically picking up materials from the ground and creating Starlight Points according to his will.

Shen Yi unconsciously slipped into a peculiar state.

The first to notice something unusual was Xi Ye, who spent most of his time idly guarding nearby. He felt the intangible spiritual field around Shen Yi, paused, and stopped beside him.

He watched as the materials around Shen Yi disappeared in large batches at a visible speed, while correspondingly, Starlight Points appeared in large numbers.

Xi Ye collected the spirit stones drained of energy, quickly replacing them with Cure Attribute Spirit Stones and Space Stones from the warehouse.

After a moment’s hesitation, he also took out spirit stones and materials of other attributes and piled them around Shen Yi.

Shen Yi’s spiritual energy seemed to accept them all without discrimination, drawing and transforming materials of all attributes into Starlight Points, faster and faster.

During this, Lao Er and the others came in. Seeing Shen Yi there, they happily flew over to greet him, but Xi Ye made a shushing gesture and stopped them: "He’s in enlightenment. Don’t disturb him."

"Enlightenment?"

Lao Er covered her mouth. She was no stranger to this term. The last time Lao Da absorbed the Enlightenment Aura given by Grandpa Tree, she had an enlightenment period, staying in her bud for three full months. When she woke up, she could transform into a second form. What good thing would she realize this time?

Lao Er watched their leader expectantly and also helped Xi Ye replenish materials.

Lao Si, Lao Wu... up to Xiao Qi, they returned to the Queen Bee's nest one after another, staying for a while in silent understanding before eventually agreeing to take turns leaving two people in the Queen Bee's nest to help swap out the supplies, ensuring there were always enough materials around the leader.

Xi Ye swiftly replaced the depleted spirit stones, glanced at the excited and nervous Bumblebee, and ultimately said nothing.

The Frenzied Giant Tree seemed to have completely given up resistance, no longer regenerating branches and leaves even when players struck them down. Under the players' relentless pruning day and night, its canopy finally thinned out a bit, though not noticeably.

The Frenzied Giant Tree's branches ceased their attacks, its wild and menacing roots churning up the soil as it stubbornly pressed forward. Even the players sensed something was amiss.

[Wandering Bee]: "Where is this Boss even going?"

[Piao Xue]: "Judging by the trail it's leaving, it's basically moving in a straight line with a clear purpose."

[Jiangnan]: "Who cares where it's going? While it's being passive, let's attack quickly. We're almost halfway through the time limit."

...

While urging everyone to attack, each alliance secretly dispatched scouts to investigate the anomalies along the straight line marked by the Frenzied Giant Tree's trail.

Such a massive Boss wouldn’t just run somewhere for no reason—there might be something valuable there?

Setting aside these minor episodes, Bugs World had an incredibly high player concurrency. Even accounting for time flow differences, there were almost always 100,000 players online at any given moment. After the Frenzied Giant Tree stopped attacking, players below level 60 also joined the dungeon event.

The Frenzied Giant Tree's spiritual power was converted into experience for the players. Shen Yi's experience bar rapidly climbed—87, 88, 89... finally reaching level 90.

This time, there was no system notification.