Butterfly Valley.
This is the dwelling place of the Qingluan tribe.
The Qingluan tribe is one of the top races in the demon realm. Although not the absolute top, they are among the very best.
The Qingluan tribe is actually a branch of the Phoenix tribe!
However, through inheritance, the Qingluan tribe lost the talent for rebirth from fire but gained the talent for extreme speed, thus splitting from the Phoenix tribe.
The Qingluan tribe has several hundred members in total, referring to pure-blooded Qingluans.
More than ten days later, Yang Feilong and his party arrived at the territory of the Qingluan tribe.
"Saintess, you've returned!"
"Greetings, Saintess!"
"Saintess, you haven't been back for almost ten years!"
"Saintess, are these your subordinates?"
"......"
Chirping sounds filled the air.
Speaking human language were many birds, including egrets, woodpeckers, bluebirds, and other bird demon species.
Yes, the Qingluan tribe's territory was not solely inhabited by Qingluans. Many other bird tribes resided there as well. Due to the Qingluan tribe's good reputation, many weaker bird demon tribes sought their protection. In return, they served the Qingluan tribe, forming a dependent relationship where they couldn't just seek protection without offering service.
Qingluan Alice was the daughter of the current Qingluan chieftain and the Saintess of the Qingluan tribe.
The other bird demon species here also addressed Qingluan Alice as Saintess, following the Qingluan people.
Qingluan Alice, with a smile, responded to them one by one: "Hello, Carly, your cultivation has improved again. You'll be able to break through to the Nascent Soul realm and shapeshift soon!"
"Mimi, you've been stealing food again! You haven't even wiped the honey off your mouth."
"......"
Yang Feilong and Tang Ya watched with great interest as Qingluan Alice greeted her relatives and friends.
On their journey, Yang Feilong had already learned about Butterfly Valley.
"This is truly a good place to settle down!" Yang Feilong couldn't help but exclaim.
"Indeed!" Tang Ya nodded in agreement, her face beaming with a smile. "I never expected there to be such a beautiful place in the demon realm!"
Besides bird demons, the valley was also home to many flower demons, such as rose demons and lily demons. However, these flower demons generally had lower cultivation levels and, unable to shapeshift before reaching the Nascent Soul realm, could not leave the ground for extended periods.
Of course, flower demons who reached the Golden Core realm could move around on land for short durations.
Just then, a majestic Qingluan flew from afar and, in the next moment, transformed into human form before them. It was a handsome young man who looked at Alice with affection and excitement. "Alice, you're back. I broke through to the Primordial Spirit realm a few months ago and was preparing to find you. But then Uncle got injured, so I didn't leave."
Sensing the young man's aggressive gaze, Qingluan Alice felt a bit uneasy but smiled softly and said, "Brother Zelian, congratulations on breaking through to the Primordial Spirit realm."
Zelian looked at Alice's reserved demeanor and felt a bit down. He didn't understand why her gaze towards him felt more distant than before. Perhaps it was because Uncle's injury was serious, and she was unhappy? If so, it was understandable, as Alice was a filial person.
As for Alice falling for someone else, he had never considered it.
The Qingluan tribe, to protect the purity of their bloodline, would not take a liking to other races, unless it were the Phoenix tribe, Dragon tribe, or other top races in the demon realm. And those top races might not necessarily take a liking to Qingluan Alice.
In the Vera Empire, there were only two races that could be considered top-tier: the Purple Gold Demon Dragon tribe and the Nine-Tailed Fox tribe. The Purple Gold Demon Dragon tribe had very few members. While there were several princes, only two inherited the Purple Gold Demon Dragon bloodline: the eldest prince and the seventh princess!
The seventh princess was Alice's superior's superior, and also a woman, which made it impossible. Next was the eldest prince. The seventh princess and the eldest prince were at odds. Even if the eldest prince proposed, the seventh princess would surely refuse, as she did not want the Qingluan tribe within her jurisdiction to become an ally of the eldest prince. After all, she also aspired to be the next empress of the Vera Empire.
At one point, the seventh princess even wanted to take Alice as a personal guard, but Alice refused. Being a personal guard was only the lowest form of guard. At that time, Alice was only in the Nascent Soul realm, which was why she came to Wanshan County to serve as a commander.
The Nine-Tailed Fox tribe was even more so. They were even rarer, said to be less than ten individuals. Even fewer had reached the nine-tailed stage, with only the current patriarch of the Nine-Tailed Fox tribe, the one who rejected His Majesty Vera, possessing that status!
At this moment, Qingluan Zelian analyzed the situation in his mind and finally concluded that Alice's coldness towards him was due to her father's illness!
Moreover, the entire tribe strongly approved of him and Alice marrying, as among the younger generation, there were more than ten individuals, but only he was worthy of Alice!
Alice also clearly felt her reaction towards Zelian was somewhat cold. As for why? Perhaps it was because his gaze was too aggressive.
She disliked this feeling, and even more so, she disliked that the tribe had decided she and Zelian would marry when she was very young. This was why she rarely stayed in the tribe, even choosing to become a commander in Wanshan County, far from the tribe. Otherwise, this Zelian would likely have sought her out frequently.
Alice felt that remaining silent was not good. As she walked towards the tribe, she said, "How is my father's injury? What did the Woodpecker Divine Doctor say after examining him?"
"The divine doctor of the Woodpecker tribe was also helpless. They left the valley a while ago, possibly to seek the Seventh Princess's help!" Zelian said with a wry smile. "After all, the Seventh Princess has very capable divine doctors under her command."
"En." Hearing this, Alice nodded and then said, "Oh, right, I forgot to introduce you. These are my friends."
Zelian looked surprised. He glanced at the three, Yang Feilong, Tang Ya, and Cuckoo. He recognized Cuckoo; he had gone to find Alice before and had seen Cuckoo. He first greeted Cuckoo, then looked at Yang Feilong and Tang Ya, his brows furrowing. "Aren't these two humans your servants? Why do you call them friends!"
In Zelian's eyes, humans were a rather lowly race. There were many humans in the demon realm, but most were servants. Few humans could be considered honored guests.
Furthermore, it was said that in other worlds, humans were numerous. Races with a large population were considered to have inferior bloodlines in his mind!
Races like the Purple Gold Demon Dragon and the Nine-Tailed Fox were top-tier races with noble bloodlines. If beings from those races took an interest in them, the Qingluan tribe, although in principle adhering to the preservation of bloodline purity, would not refuse.
Interbreeding with those top-tier races would be beneficial for the future of the tribe!
Even if a Phoenix were to desire to mate with their Qingluan tribe, the Qingluan tribe would agree without hesitation because the Phoenix were incomparably noble!
At this, Yang Feilong's expression turned cold, a glint of chill flashing in his eyes. Tang Ya's face showed anger, while Cuckoo looked worried, fearing that Yang Feilong might erupt, which would lead to an unpleasant situation for everyone!
Hearing Zelian's words, Qingluan Alice's expression changed, and she said angrily, "Zelian, I warn you now, apologize to my friends immediately!"