Fay cut in with a dramatic sigh. "You’re truly heartless. You made us suffer through that praise lecture while we were secretly searching for a picnic spot... one where you could find herbs for your Earth-rank breakthrough."
Lana’s eyes widened.
Betty nodded firmly. "There are two herbs there. As long as you co, we’ll help you search."
That was the final blow.
"I’m in," Lana agreed instantly.
Her response made everyone burst into laughter.
It might have looked like teasing, even bullying, but in truth, they were helping her, forcing her to rest, to breathe, to live.
Because all of them had realized sothing.
Lana had walked so far ahead that they felt unworthy of calling themselves mystical cultivators.
While they ate, chatted, and relaxed, she cultivated. While they imrsed themselves in entertainnt, she cultivated.
They couldn’t compare to her. And yet... her life looked painfully bleak.
It was as if she never allowed herself ti to rest.
So they decided, no matter what, it was ti to make her stop and breathe, even if only for a while.
Not to ntion, guilt still clung to them like an invisible stain.
The mory of doubting Lana the last ti hadn’t faded, no matter how casually they laughed it off now.
If Axel hadn’t stepped in and put them in their place back then, they might have continued believing and whispering behind her back, pretending nothing was wrong.
That guilt weighed heavily on them.
So this ti, they took matters into their own hands.
They searched for the location together, argued over maps and routes, and even pooled their money without telling Lana a single word.
From their perspective, Lana was broke... painfully so. And if they wanted her to have enough resources for her next breakthrough, then this was the least they could do.
In their minds, this wouldn’t be a one-ti thing either. They had already decided that throughout the year, they would conduct several unofficial picnics under various excuses, all with the sa hidden purpose.
Helping Lana collect herbs.
When Lana finally pieced together their intentions, a faint warmth surged behind her eyes. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it burned quietly, making her blink once to steady herself.
’So that’s how it is...’
She knew this plan hadn’t been made on a whim. It wasn’t sothing they decided just because her mystic energy had turned yellow.
No, this must have been discussed long ago, refined and finalized little by little. Even now, they were presenting it as if she were at a disadvantage, as if she were being dragged along unwillingly.
But the truth was painfully clear.
They were doing everything they could to make sure she wouldn’t suffer anymore.
Taking a slow, steady breath, Lana looked at them and smiled. "I have sothing for you all."
The mont the words left her lips, Fay perked up. "What?"
Layla, anwhile, scooted closer without hesitation and rested her head against Lana’s shoulder, her hair brushing lightly against Lana’s collarbone.
"What did heaven’s prodigy bring for us?" she teased, her tone playful and curious.
The instant Betty noticed Layla’s head on Lana’s shoulder, a strange feeling stirred in her chest.
It wasn’t jealousy. It was... calm.
The realization made her clench her fist unconsciously. She didn’t understand it at all.
In the past, whenever Layla got close to Fay, jealousy would gnaw at her relentlessly. Even when Layla dared to flirt with Richard or Wade, the feeling would flare up just the sa.
But with Lana, it was different.
Betty felt an unnatural sense of acceptance, as if her heart itself had made space without resistance.
’Why...?’
Maybe it was Lana’s nature.
She was indifferent in a way that felt honest. Even when she acted close to everyone, there was a clear line she never crossed.
Money mattered to her, yes but relationships mattered just as much. Betty rembered clearly the day she suggested that Lana break off her contract with Mr. Crow.
Even though he was just a crow, Lana had refused without the slightest hesitation.
That alone said everything. Lana valued bonds more than anything else.
Seeing Layla leaning against Lana now, Betty found herself wishing, quietly, almost guiltily, that she could sit beside her too.
Before her thoughts could spiral further, Lana reached into her bag and took out several yellow square papers, passing them around one by one.
The mont everyone recognized what they were, the air froze.
Stunned silence spread across the group.
"I have a friend," Lana spoke calmly, her voice steady, "who’s a talisman practitioner. These are basic exorcism talismans. At your level, they might not matter much, but... "
She didn’t get to finish.
Every single one of them stared at her as if she had just dropped a bomb.
Layla shot upright, her head lifting instantly from Lana’s shoulder. She grabbed Lana’s hand with sparkling eyes. "Lana, your thigh is a golden thigh! I’m not letting go of this!"
Even Betty felt tempted.
Nearby, Fay stared at Lana as if he were looking at Pandora’s box itself.
A mystic cultivator with yellow mystic energy.
And on top of that, she had a talisman practitioner friend.
’Just how terrifying will she beco once she grows up...?’
In that instant, insecurity crept into their hearts. No one said it aloud, but all of them felt it. At this point, Lana was already far beyond their league.
Swallowing nervously, they exchanged hesitant glances.
Lana noticed imdiately.
She smiled softly. "So... are you not bringing to the picnic anymore?"
Wade frowned. "Who said that?"
Lana tilted her head. "You’re all suddenly acting distant. Hesitant. What, you don’t want to be friends with anymore?"
A collective sigh escaped them, followed by laughter.
"Your way of getting along is really strange," soone muttered, amused.
"But how could we not bring you?" Wade laughed. "We still have to punish you, rember?"
Betty, Fay, and Layla leaned closer together, whispering among themselves. Their expressions were far too mischievous for Lana’s liking.
A bad feeling crept up her spine.
She leaned forward instinctively, trying to hear them only to be pulled back into her chair the next second.
Startled, Lana turned and saw Wade gripping the back of her chair, eyes practically glowing with excitent.
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