51: Chapter 51: A Gift Before the Expedition! The Valkyries Receive Their Grace Equally

The night was as deep as ink.

Inside the Dragon God Tribe camp, there was a strange atmosphere, a mix of chilling solemnity and excitement that was completely different from usual.

The bonfires burned more vigorously than ever, illuminating every corner as bright as day.

Squads of female soldiers patrolling with crossbows walked back and forth on the perimeter walls with vigilant eyes, their footsteps in perfect unison.

In the center of the camp, a selection process concerning glory and the future was underway.

Chen Xiao stood before all the members of the guard unit, wearing tight black snakeskin armor and holding a long whip. Her heroic face was filled with unprecedented seriousness.

“By the Patriarch's direct order!”

“The ‘Divine Punishment’ Squad is hereby established to crusade against the heretics!”

“Now, I will select the ten strongest warriors from among you to follow in the footsteps of God and flatten the enemy's nest with me!”

“Those selected will receive the supreme glory of entering the Tribe's ‘Holy Land’ to receive a personal ‘blessing’ from the Patriarch!”

Boom!

As soon as these words were spoken, the nearly twenty girls in the guard unit below instantly erupted!

In an instant, their breathing became heavy!

Incredibly fervent desire and jealousy burst forth from their eyes!

The Divine Punishment Squad!

Following the God!

Flattening the enemy's nest!

Each of these terms was like a potent stimulant, fiercely injected into their souls!

What drove them even more insane were the so-called 'Holy Land' and 'blessing'!

Although Chen Xiao didn't say it explicitly, who in the Tribe didn't know?

What did the chance to be alone with the Patriarch mean?

It wasn't just a symbol of status, but a shortcut to a leap in strength!

Look at High Priestess Su Qingyao!

Look at Manager Lin Waner!

After receiving the Patriarch's ‘favor,’ which one of them hadn't seen their strength skyrocket, their radiance glow, and become extraordinary?

This was the only chance for a carp to leap through the Dragon Gate!

“I want to go!”

“Captain! Pick me! I can shoot through a wild boar's eye from fifty meters away!”

“I can run a kilometer carrying two hundred pounds! My strength is the greatest!”

All the girls went crazy! They desperately showed off their advantages just to secure a spot among those ten names!

Chen Xiao watched all this indifferently, her eyes showing not the slightest ripple.

Following the criteria Qin Yu had given her privately, she coldly and efficiently selected the ten girls with the best overall performance in strength, agility, endurance, and shooting accuracy.

“You ten, step forward!”

The girls whose names were called erupted in earth-shattering cheers of wild joy!

Meanwhile, those who weren't selected hung their heads in dejection, their eyes filled with resentment and deep disappointment.

“Those who weren't chosen, don't lose heart!”

Chen Xiao's icy voice rang out again.

“This is only the first time! As long as you are hardworking and strong enough, next time, the ones receiving God's grace might be you!”

“Now, dismissed! Go back to your duties!”

This bit of encouragement and discipline reignited everyone's fighting spirit.

An invisible, frantic internal competition centered around 'God's grace' quietly began within the Dragon God Tribe.

...

Half an hour later.

Deep within the karst cave, inside the modified hot spring pool that looked like a fairyland.

The dense white mist lingered, shrouding everything in a hazy and enchanting atmosphere.

Qin Yu leaned against the smooth stone wall, eyes closed, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

Beside him, to his left and right, were Su Qingyao and Lin Waner, who had long shed all disguises and were as alluring as ripe peaches.

And in front of him,

Chen Xiao, along with the ten newly selected elite Valkyrie, were sitting on their knees at the edge of the hot spring, looking ill at ease.

They had all changed into the skimpy animal-skin 'swimsuits' that Lin Waner had specially made, which perfectly outlined their fit and youthful bodies honed by long-term training.

However, at this moment, the ferocity and murderous intent from the daytime were long gone from their faces.

In its place was endless shyness, nervousness like little lambs facing a giant dragon, and a reverence from the depths of their souls...

They kept their heads down, not even having the courage to glance at Qin Yu's bronze body, which was as perfect as an ancient Greek sculpture.

They could only feel the terrifying aura emanating from Qin Yu—as majestic as a mountain and as overbearing as the sea—pressing down on them until they could hardly breathe.

“All of you, come here.”

Qin Yu's lazy and magnetic voice broke the silence.

The ten Valkyrie' bodies trembled. They looked at each other and finally, led by Chen Xiao, walked into the hot spring pool with blushing faces.

The warm spring water instantly enveloped their bodies, causing their cold, nervous frames to warm up slightly.

“Raise your heads.”

Qin Yu commanded again.

The girls dared not disobey. One by one, they slowly raised their heads, their youthful and beautiful faces, which carried a hint of heroism, filled with anxiety.

“You are the blades of the Tribe.”

Qin Yu's gaze slowly swept across each of their faces.

“Before the expedition, I shall bestow upon you the power to tear through all enemies.”

“This is your glory, and also your responsibility.”

“Now, empty your minds and accept my... boon.”

Having said that, Qin Yu wasted no more words.

He snapped his eyes open!

At that moment, it was as if golden dragon shadows were circling in his eyes!

The [Spreading Branches and Leaves] Tribal Halo was activated at full power!

Buzz—!

An invisible yet vast and boundless life energy instantly erupted, centered on Qin Yu!

The water in the entire hot spring pool seemed to boil at this moment!

“Ah!”

All the girls, including Su Qingyao, Lin Waner, and Chen Xiao, let out an uncontrollable cry of surprise at the same time!

They only felt streams of incredibly pure, warm, and life-filled strange currents frantically surging into their limbs and bones through the warm pool water!

Every one of their cells let out a joyful cheer under the washing of this energy!

Their muscles were becoming tougher!

Their bones were becoming denser!

Their spirits were becoming more vibrant!

[Ding! Your Tribe member ‘Su Qingyao’ is affected by the halo. Loyalty +1, all attributes slightly increased!]

[Ding! Your Tribe member ‘Chen Xiao’ is affected by the halo. Loyalty +1, Strength +0.2, Agility +0.3!]

[Ding! Your Tribe member ‘Wang Li’ is affected by the halo...]

...

At the same time, the system notifications in Qin Yu's mind were frantically scrolling like a waterfall!

[Ding! You have established a deep connection with core Tribe members. The efficiency of the [Spreading Branches and Leaves] halo has increased by 300%!]

[Ding! Feedback beginning!]

[Ding! Congratulations, you have received attribute feedback: Constitution +1.5!]

[Ding! Congratulations, you have received attribute feedback: Strength +1.2!]

[Ding! Congratulations, you have received attribute feedback: Agility +1.3!]

[Ding! Congratulations, you have received attribute feedback: Spirit +2.0!]

Streams of feedback energy, several times stronger than any previous time, poured back into Qin Yu's body like a flood breaking through a dam!

“Ugh!”

Qin Yu couldn't help but let out a muffled groan!

He could feel his body undergoing an earth-shaking transformation!

His muscle density was increasing frantically!

His nerve reaction speed was skyrocketing exponentially!

Even his spiritual power, under the nourishment of this energy, became more solid, and his perception range expanded once again!

Refreshing!

An unprecedented sense of comfort!

This was imperial enjoyment!

This was the power of a conqueror!

Qin Yu suddenly and roughly pulled Su Qingyao and Lin Waner into his arms!

Then, he beckoned with his finger toward Chen Xiao, whose face was flushed and eyes were hazy due to the surging energy in her body.

“Tonight, the three of you stay,”

Qin Yu's voice was husky and overbearing.

“For tomorrow's battle, I need to be in the most perfect state!”

“Yes... my God...”

Su Qingyao's eyes were like silk as she proactively leaned in.

As for Chen Xiao, after a brief moment of hesitation and struggle, she finally gritted her teeth, gave up all resistance, and obediently swam to Qin Yu's side.

Because she knew that resistance was meaningless.

The God's will was everything.

And being able to sacrifice herself for the God was her, and their, supreme glory!

Outside the window, the night grew deeper.

Inside the cave, the spring scenery was boundless.

An absurd feast mixed with power, desire, loyalty, and boons quietly played out on this final night before the expedition.