After the family was reunited, Meriya still clutched Lola's hand tightly, afraid that the moment she let go, her daughter would vanish again.
The Elf King father-in-law walked over to Chen Rui and gave his shoulder a hearty slap. "Very good, very good!"
Only then did Chen Rui notice that his Elf King father-in-law's strength had actually risen to demigod level. In fact, Span had already been a demigod more than twenty thousand years ago. But when the elven race faced a crisis of survival, in order to seal the curse on the Tree of Nature in the Emerald Forest, Span had paid the price of losing a rank and sacrificing his life. If Meriya had not later used the secret art of shared life, this Elf King would have perished long ago.
Rather than calling Span's arrival at demigod level an "advancement," it was more accurate to call it a "recovery." Chen Rui's previous offering of numerous treasures in filial tribute had likely contributed as well. But overwhelmed with excitement, his father-in-law seemed unable to control his strength and nearly shattered his son-in-law's shoulder blade.
"Mother, this is Pagliu, this is Clobellus, and... Dodo. They're all my best friends."
Meriya's eyes lit up. Lola had always been utterly self-centered before, either burying herself in experiments or cultivation, and had never had any friends. Yet now, she had somehow made several "good friends"—that man and woman should both be from the Dragon Race, but that kingdom-level onion-headed creature was rather strange...
Clobellus pulled Pagliu along to bow to Meriya and Span. Lord Poison Dragon looked somewhat awkward. Back then, he and Lola had been sworn enemies. No one could have imagined that they would turn foes into friends and become genuine friends.
Meriya's gaze finally fell on Isabella. Though she