Bu Ying's demeanor was completely different from moments ago. In front of Ming Yue, he had been like a lapdog. Now, his expression was that of a cunning fox, and his eyes held the glint of a bloodthirsty wolf.
He Shi, sitting in the back seat, trembled involuntarily as she saw Bu Ying in the rearview mirror.
"Bu Ying, Auntie knows you've always liked Xiao Shi since you were little. Auntie doesn't object to your relationship. We're family now, aren't we? Can you explain to Auntie what you meant just now?"
Ren You Bei wore a fawning smile, completely forgetting the slap she had received earlier. Her eyes sparkled with gossip.
"Mom, don't be so nosy. Brother Bu is the base leader, he has things planned. Don't pry into everything. As long as I can be by his side, I'll be content. Brother Bu, I'm sorry about earlier. I won't do it again, okay? I'll consider the bigger picture and won't cause you trouble."
He Shi, an ordinary person without any special abilities, had managed to survive in the apocalypse because she was adept at reading people and pleasing men. After she spoke, Bu Ying smiled. He Shi was still as understanding as she was when she was a child.
"Auntie is right, we are family, there's nothing to hide. What I did to you just now was for the Ming Yue team to see, to make them lower their guard. The Ming Yue team is powerful, Ming Yue's cultivation is unfathomable, and that child named Ba Jiu is not to be underestimated. With their team's strength, they would be warmly welcomed at any base. Cloud City Base would see a significant increase in its overall combat power with them. Furthermore, Ming Yue's magical space is essential for a powerful base. However, the space also brings them risks; everyone understands the principle of 'possessing a treasure invites trouble.' Therefore, they will be very cautious in choosing a base. If the base leader is strong and ambitious, it will make them wary or even leave. To win them over and have them join Cloud City without reservation, I deliberately acted intimidated by them in front of them. I made them think I am a weak and indecisive person. This way, they will believe that the Cloud City Base I lead poses no threat to them, and I have no designs on them. Moreover, the road back to Cloud City is fraught with danger, and there are only three of us. You two don't have abilities yet and will need to rely on them along the way, so we can't anger them. Once we return to Cloud City, to our own territory, then we'll see how they perform!"
Bu Ying spoke for a long time, merely explaining his previous actions, but not revealing his actual plan. Ren You Bei wanted to ask more, but He Shi subtly pulled her back, and she fell silent. The car was quiet for a moment.
Inside the transforming vehicle following behind, however, it was a cacophony. Ji Shi You was trying to catch the baby bird within the confined space. As soon as they got into the car, the baby bird provocatively told Ji Shi You to pucker his lips, igniting a powder keg. Ji Shi You, already annoyed about his first kiss, was further provoked by the baby bird. Seeing everyone staring and laughing at him, he lost face. He wanted to catch the damned sparrow, pluck its feathers, and prepare it for dinner. But the baby bird was small and could fly, while Ji Shi You was burly. He couldn't maneuver in the cramped car. Thus, the transforming vehicle descended into chaos. Bu Zhi and Wen Qing Tian were accidentally injured by Ji Shi You, groaning in pain. The baby bird's actions had incurred the wrath of everyone, and they began to work together to help Ji Shi You corner it. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the baby bird darted under Ming Yue's clothes, and everyone had to stop, unable to make a move.
"Alright, stop this nonsense. Baby, if you tell Ji Shi You to pucker his lips again, you'll be punished by not eating for three days."
Seeing Ji Shi You's embarrassed expression, Ming Yue reached out and pulled the little sparrow baby out, avenging her boyfriend.
"Okay, I promise. But Ming Yue, can you tell me what that jade pendant-shaped light shadow you collected is?"
Baby had witnessed all of Ming Yue's actions by the giant rock. It blinked its little eyes, full of curiosity. Hearing the baby mention that Ming Yue had collected a phantom image, everyone else also gathered around with a thirst for knowledge.
Seeing the group of curious babies around her, Ming Yue smiled and waved her hand over the coffee table in the middle of the car.
"Wow, these are Qing Ying's magic treasures! Sister Ming Yue, how did you get them?"
Bu Zhi exclaimed in surprise. On the coffee table appeared the magic treasures Qing Ying used to wield: the Hurricane Mirror, the Black Tortoise Shield, the Fire Dragon Umbrella, the Green Wood Fan, the Purple Gold Hammer, and the Heavenly Water Pearl.
"According to their attributes, except for Ba Jiu, each of you gets one. Later, I will teach you how to integrate the magic treasures into your bodies. The Black Tortoise Shield was damaged, but I've repaired it. Gong Que, you'll need to nurture it with your earth-element abilities."
As soon as Ming Yue finished speaking, everyone impatiently divided the magic treasures on the coffee table, grinning like fools. They had seen Qing Ying use these powerful magic treasures before and never imagined they would be theirs today.
According to attributes, Ji Shi You took the Purple Gold Hammer, and Gong Que took the repaired Black Tortoise Shield. Wen Qing Tian took the Hurricane Mirror, Jin Xi took the Fire Dragon Umbrella, and Bu Zhi took the Heavenly Water Pearl. The Green Wood Fan naturally went to Tian Shang.
"Captain, why is there none for me? Are you playing favorites?"
Shi He Nian, driving in the front, saw everyone in the back sharing treasures while he could only watch. He was anxious and quickly protested, as everyone else had received a magic treasure. He was the only one empty-handed and said with a pout, feeling wronged.
"You're feeling wronged? You have mental abilities, which don't match the attributes of these magic treasures. What use would they be to you? Ba Jiu should be the one feeling wronged. He's fire-element, but the captain gave the Fire Dragon Umbrella to me. Poor Ba Jiu, little one, would Sister Jin Xi like to give you the Fire Dragon Umbrella?"
Looking at the small figure of Ba Jiu sitting there smiling foolishly, not fighting or grabbing for anything, Jin Xi teased Shi He Nian and offered the Fire Dragon Umbrella to Ba Jiu. Ba Jiu kept dodging, refusing to take it.
"Jin Xi, this is yours, no need to push it. Ba Jiu, do you feel wronged?"
Ming Yue pulled Ba Jiu over, smiling as she asked, and then had Jin Xi put the Fire Dragon Umbrella away.
"I don't feel wronged. Sister's arrangements are always the best. Ba Jiu doesn't need anything; he just wants to be with Sister."
Ba Jiu was Ming Yue's biggest fan. He supported whatever Ming Yue decided. Hearing Ming Yue ask him, he replied obediently.
"Good boy, Ba Jiu. That's my good brother. Jin Xi, don't be shy. Ba Jiu's physique is different from ours; he can't use the Fire Dragon Umbrella. Shi He Nian, don't be upset. I have other plans for you and Ba Jiu. Today is a treasure distribution ceremony; everyone gets something. I won't forget you."
After speaking, Ming Yue produced an irregular crystal about the size of an egg and threw it directly at Shi He Nian.
"Thank you, Captain! I knew you wouldn't forget me, given my hard work and dedication! Holy crap!"
Shi He Nian caught the crystal and said glibly, followed by a sudden brake.
"How are you driving? Are you trying to kill us? Let me drive."
Everyone was jolted by the sudden braking and expressed their dissatisfaction. Gong Que was more direct and replaced the stunned Shi He Nian. It wasn't surprising that Shi He Nian reacted so strongly. The moment he touched the irregular crystal, his mind cleared, and his mental power seemed to multiply, which startled him.
"Cap-Captain, what is this crystal?"
Shi He Nian, his mind reeling, even stuttered as he asked about the crystal's origin.