First, the main course—a gigantic heart that is still faintly beating.
This heart is as tall as half a person, its surface covered with scales as transparent as crystal, each beat resonating with a pleasant echo.
"This is the heart of an ’Echo Whale.’
Nari gently caressed the surface of the capsule, a tone full of motherly pride:
"Echo Whales are rare creatures that only begin to appear from the Abyss Sixth Layer, they feed on sound, storing the purest sonic essence in their hearts."
"Mother fought with Rager of the sixth layer to capture this Echo Whale."
The tone carried a little girl’s boastful undertone:
"Even though Mother got a bit hurt, it was nothing compared to getting this treasure for my darling."
Next, the side dish—a few peculiar vine sprouts radiating temporal fluctuations.
These sprouts are semi-transparent, inside which time seems to flow like liquid.
"These are Time Vine sprouts, precious plants growing on the edges of time fissures."
Nari introduced them like reciting a treasured family collection:
"By eating them, my darling will better perceive the flow of time, gaining an edge in battle."
Finally, the dessert—a crystal the size of a fist, glowing dreamily from within.
This crystal holds countless tiny points of light, each a fragment of an independent dream realm.
"A Dream Crystal, harboring fragments of various beautiful dreams."
Nari’s tone turned softer:
"Mother specifically selected dreams filled with love and warmth, hoping my darling feels happiness while growing."
"Come, my little angel, it’s time to eat."
Nari carefully placed these precious materials near the puppet and observed its reaction with anticipation:
"Take your time, no need to rush. Mother will stay right here with you."
The runes on the puppet’s surface began to respond to these high-quality "foods."
Silver light shone brighter than ever before.
Complex energy channels extended outward like blood vessels, precisely contacting each piece of material.
When the heart of the Echo Whale was decomposed, it released a wonderful sonic resonance, and the entire treasure chamber was filled with a heavenly chorus.
The Time Vine sprouts transformed into pure time flow, creating minute ripples in time and space around the puppet.
The Dream Crystal emitted a rainbow-like glow, countless beautiful scenes flashing in the air.
"Amazing! Amazing!"
Nari was trembling with excitement, countless tentacles dancing wildly in the air:
"My darling enjoys the feast so much; Mother is really, really happy!"
As the sumptuous "banquet" digestion completed, the blessing waves emitted by the puppet reached an unprecedented intensity.
The pure and warm energy, like a spring breeze, soothed Nari’s chaotic mind, sorting the tangled threads of thoughts back into order.
"This feeling..."
Nari relished the unprecedented clarity of thought, her eyes full of intoxication:
"It’s like being back in Mother’s embrace, so warm, so safe..."
Nurtured by the puppet’s favor, Nari’s intelligence level was steadily improving.
Those originally chaotic thoughts began to take on logic, and emotional fluctuations became more stable and controllable.
Most importantly, she was starting to engage in complex strategic thinking.
"Since the news can’t be hidden, I’ll tell Chai Ye first."
Nari muttered to herself, her tone brimming with irrepressible excitement:
"He’ll be so pleased seeing how wonderful my darling is.
Perhaps he’ll grant me more hunting privileges, allowing me to get more good things for my darling."
Yet beneath the excitement, a primal alertness quietly grew.
She knows the survival rules of the Abyss all too well.
The strong prey on the weak; it’s an ancient, unchanging law.
Even though Chai Ye is her "direct superior," when it comes to absolute interests, such superior-subordinate relationships only further fuel his ambition to plunder.
"But still..."
A strong sense of worry surged in the depths of Nari’s consciousness:
"If Lord Chai Ye truly wishes to seize my darling..."
.........
Abyss Ninth Layer, the deepest part of the Lava Sea.
Chai Ye was engaged in his daily extreme training, his massive body enduring enough heat and pressure to melt mountains.
For a Supreme Apostle, only in such extreme environments can he further advance his already near-peak physical strength.
At that moment, a timid wave of consciousness reached out.
"Lord Chai Ye! Lord Chai Ye!"
Nari’s voice was like that of an excited little girl, filled with uncontainable excitement and cautious flattery:
"I have tremendous good news to tell you! You must come and see my darling!"
Chai Ye’s three faces simultaneously revealed different expressions.
The first face (Rational) frowned, and was filled with skepticism:
"What’s this fool imagining again, something unrealistic?
Last time it claimed it discovered a ’perfect subordinate candidate,’ but it turned out to be just a slightly smarter Abyss Worm."
The second face (Greedy) had eyes glinting with a burning light:
"But this time its tone is different...
That excitement seems genuine, not the usual self-delusional fantasy. If there’s truly something of value..."
The third face (Cautious) showed a wary expression:
"Although Nari is foolish, her instincts are sharp.
Her excitement indicates encountering something special indeed, a situation that must be handled carefully."
"Hold on, Nari."
Suppressing the excitement in his voice, Chai Ye tried to maintain an authoritative tone: