The doll stood before her, counting 1 2 3 22 25 24 17.
Suzie Han felt an overwhelming urge to twitch her lips if she restrained herself, fearing that pointing out their miscount might hurt the little doll's pride, jeopardizing her plans for their allegiance.
This was her first encounter in this shared space and first impressions held significant weight.
The last doll proclaimed the number eight.
Alice stepped forward, declaring, "The doll clan consists of a total of eight members.
" Upon uttering this, she sensed something a miss and involuntarily exclaimed, "Huh?" She gazed puzzled at her crookedly lined up kin.
"I could be just eight.
It was entirely different from the previous count of 26.
Surely there must be more than eight, she murmured to herself.
Apologies, my lord.
Alice chuckled sheepishly, her scarred visage contorting slightly with her smile.
Turning to face the line of dolls, she gestured silently, urging them to take it seriously.
With her back turned to the deity, Alice's expression transformed into one of fierce determination.
Had it not been for the concern of maintaining their image before the divine presence, the dolls would undoubtedly have scattered in chaos.
All present, prepare and begin.
Returning to the counting, Alice resumed.
1 2 3 7 6 7 3.
In total, there were 34 members, the entire doll clan accounted for.
On the mountains of the second ring, groups of tiny elves huddled together, gazing curiously at the peculiar new beings below.
According to the divine proclamation, these were the allies hired to protect them, the doll clan.
Capable of battling the malevolent void creatures and safeguarding the divine realm.
The deity had enlisted their services for 3 years, allowing them to dwell in the territory beyond the second ring.
The miniature elves, whenever they found a moment of leisure, flocked to the newly risen Second Ring Mountain to witness the spectacle.
The beings known as the ghost dolls float gracefully, akin to translucent shadows, exuding a formidable presence imbued with a profound darkness.
Upon emerging from the portal, they lined up to announce their numbers.
Yet, it was evident that they miscounted on the first attempt, and the second endeavor seemed equally perplexing.
Numerous little sprites joined in the counting, eager to discern the true number of ghost dolls.
The white-eared, seeking convenience in tallying, extended all four of its paws, lying on the ground with its belly exposed the sky, and began to inspect the heads of the ghost dolls.
34 35 36 41 The black and white flower accompanied by many miniature sprites chuckled, mocking the group for their inability to count correctly while still attempting to showcase their abilities.
Suddenly, the white-eared found itself at a loss, unable to recall the count.
40something was it? Just then, the black and white flower passed by.
Black and white flower, are you feeling mischievous? Looking for scolding? the white-eared retorted with so many little sprites around.
How could you not keep track of the count? Why must you place the blame on me? There are precisely 42 of them.
If you doubt it, feel free to recount.
Chapter 58.
The discovery of Lulu with unwavering confidence.
The black and white flower proclaimed itself to be a clever little sprite, exceptionally skilled in mathematics.
At a mere glance, it could discern the number of ghost dolls present.
At the foot of the second ring mountain, Suzi Han refrained from correcting any misconceptions and addressed the ghost dolls, saying, "Welcome to the endless dark kingdom.
" Behind her stood four mid-level sprites, Ling Daing, Ling Urchang, Ling Jing Jing, and Ling Pippy, who joined in applause.
Once the applause subsided, Suzi Han waved her hand, and boxes of spirit stones materialized before the ghostly figures.
"Please do not hold back.
Feel free to indulge.
The ghost dolls thrived on pure energy, and the high-grade spirit stones were undeniably a dectable feast.
This was a small welcoming ceremony Sue Xihon had prepared.
When new employees arrive, a delightful feast accompanied by good cheer fosters a smoother integration, does it not? A few days later, Sue Xihan squatted a top the second ring, munching on sweet white corn.
The colonels burst with sweetness in her mouth, tantalizing her appetite.
As she savored the corn, she observed the ghost doll she had hired, curious about their activities.
This batch of white corn was a prize she had seized during her initial foray into the collection battlefield, pilferred from a wood deity.
Now her backpack contained only a few ears remaining.
She had planted a few as seeds, preserving the rest.
For the corn was cultivated in a field meticulously tended by the wood deity, granting it both flavor and energy.
Consuming it raw, the sweetness was abundant and juicy.
The nearly centurylong memories of warfare were inextricably linked to solitary moments of gnawing on white corn.
Back then she was reluctant to consume it, for it was the only legitimate sustenance in her space.
Only upon returning to the divine realm after the war would she indulge in a few ears.
The three-dimensional player paid little heed to the life of their two-dimensional self, which exhibited limited autonomy, lacking pots, stoves, or seasonings, forcing it to merely grab white corn from the space to eat.
Over time, she grew accustomed to the taste of raw corn.
As Suzi Han chewed on her corn, she reminisced about the days when she was directed and pressured by another version of herself.
A time brimming with relentless vigor and determination.
Most of the ghost dolls had scattered, venturing out to explore, displaying a commendable dedication to their tasks.
Suzi Han recognized this as a quest for exploration.
Among the group, only two ghost dolls remained, having discovered a small rocky hill.
Instead of wandering about, they utilized their spiritual energy to gather stones, crafting tombstones.
They then selected a flat open area to place the tombstones.
Suzi Han understood that these tombstones served as homes for the ghost dolls.
During their rest periods, they adored lounging on or burrowing into the tombstones, finding comfort therein.
After finishing her corn, Sue Xhon discarded the cob from the second ring mountain.
It was an excellent divine grade plant, and even the cob brimmed with abundant energy.
The cob landed on a small mushroom which was momentarily squashed beneath its cap, twisting its body in annoyance and glaring with eyes the size of beans.
However, upon sensing the vibrant energy emanating from the discarded cobb, it was overwhelmed with joy and eagerly rushed toward it.
In a moment of divine grace, treasures descended from the heavens.
On the ground, a swarm of luminescent mushrooms surged forward, and before long, the cornstcks vanished from sight.
The glow of these mushrooms had noticeably intensified.
Amidst the scattered ghostly dolls, Suzhon noticed one that was peculiar.
It circled endlessly in front a tree at the edge of the divine realm, as if caught in an endless loop, lost in its own confusion.
This drew Sue Xihan's attention to the tree.
It was a glowing willow standing by the river at the boundary of the divine kingdom.
Its drooping branches gently swaying in the water with the breeze.
Although merely a tree, it exuded an aura of serene elegance reminiscent of a fairy grooming herself by the riverside.
Suzihan blinked, recalling that this was the tree she had previously observed, a companion of Ling Pippy.
This child had remained quiet, fearing expulsion from the divine realm, blending in so well with the ordinary trees that Suzi Han had nearly forgotten its presence.
What brought it suddenly to the boundary? Was it lying in weight, anticipating an invasion from the void to seize the opportunity for sustenance? Suzy Han calculated the days since she marked the tree with her divine sense, allowing her to comprehend the events that had transpired.
Beyond the second ring lay the newly expanded territory of the divine realm where initially the barren land held no plant life except for the scattered spores that had sprouted into the glowing mushrooms.
This tree was evidently relocated.
The tree remained still undisturbed even by Sue Zahan's divine markings indicating that it hadn't traveled on its own.
In her recollection it was Ling Pippy who had moved it.
Suddenly, Suzah Han recalled that Ling Pippy had mentioned a matter.
Its friend Lulu was stubbornly refusing to leave the stone, growing increasingly frail amidst fluctuations of divine power.
In an instant, Suzi Han arrived near the willow tree, seizing the lost ghost doll and tossing it away.
The doll soared several hundred meters before halting its expression one of bewilderment.
A Lily scratched her head, recalling her long journey, yet finding herself still in the same spot.
I thought I had flown far.
Why am I still here? How strange.
She lifted her skirt and pulled out a map from within, marking her position.
There was something peculiar.
She would discuss it with Alice later as Aily departed.
Suzy Han sensed an ability surrounding the willow, obscuring the area and causing the ghost doll to become disoriented.
An impressive ability indeed.
It might be worth cultivating as a supportive skill in battle.